Traverse City · United States
The Traverse City food cheat sheet
One page from Chef Amazing · November 2026
The dish to eat
A pie of Montmorency tart cherries, usually with a crumb or lattice top, the fruit the Traverse City area is named for.
Best at Grand Traverse Pie Company, West Front Street. Get: The Cherry Crumb or Old Mission Cherry
Five places, and what to order
- Umboraw bar · East Front StreetGet: Oysters from the day's list of 8 to 14, and tinned fish and caviar
- Colibri Wine Barwine bar · NoBo, CommongroundsGet: A glass of French or Michigan wine with small plates
- Chez Amiecafe · Warehouse MRKT, Warehouse DistrictGet: French-leaning brunch and pastries
- American Spoonfor cherry pie · East Front StreetGet: Tart cherry preserves and cherry sauces
- Apache Trout Grillfor lake whitefish · West Bay shoreGet: Whitefish, blackened, and the smoked whitefish dip
The market
Farmers market. Michigan cherries, apples, vegetables, bread, preserves
In season this November
Great Lakes whitefish
How it works here
Tip: Tip 18-22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two a drink at the bar.
Book: Book the hot places on Resy or OpenTable, often the day tables drop (2-4 weeks out); counters and slices are walk-in.
When locals eat: Lunch noon-2pm, dinner 6-9pm; it gets late only in the big cities.