Michigan Has One of the Best Outdoor Bars in America
It’s outdoor dining season, and that makes me incredibly happy. Eating outdoors obviously became the norm during the pandemic, and even with things returning to a sense of normal, it…
Rooftop Restaurant
It's outdoor dining season, and that makes me incredibly happy. Eating outdoors obviously became the norm during the pandemic, and even with things returning to a sense of normal, it feels great to sit outside on a warm, breezy, sunny day and enjoy a meal during the summer months.
That goes for rooftop bars, too. The weather is great for spending a special night on a rooftop bar, enjoying beer and bar munchies. As it turns out, one of the best rooftop bars in the entire U.S. is right here in Michigan.
Love Food recently highlighted 31 of the best rooftop bars across the country, and Michigan's Monarch Club in Detroit made the cut. The spot offers a whopping three outdoor patios, as well as craft cocktails and charcuterie. They loved Monarch Club for not only the atmosphere, but also the city feel and, of course, spirits.
"With not only one but three outdoor patios on which to soak up the atmosphere, the Monarch Club looks out over downtown Detroit and a sea of glittering skyscrapers," Love Food states in the study. "Tucked behind the stone parapet of the neo-gothic Metropolitan Building, this penthouse venue pays homage to the mid-century rooftop bars of the city’s heyday, while incorporating its own contemporary twist. Drinks range from exclusive craft cocktails like the caramel-rich Round Midnight and floral Summer Wind, to wine, beer and reams of spirits. Snacks and small plates can be ordered to accompany them, with salty charcuterie and sticky chicken wings cutting through the boldness of alcohol." Find the full list of the 31 best rooftop bars in the U.S. via Love Food here.
Michigan has some great restaurants and fantastic views, so it makes sense that many establishments combine both. With the Great Lakes and so many inland lakes, there are plenty of Michigan restaurants that overlook water, making that dining experience extra special.
Now that the weather is getting nicer, it's an even better time to explores this state and find some eateries with incredible views. The crew at Michigan.org recently put together a list of 12 Michigan restaurants with beautiful views, and we're sharing it below.
One of the restaurants, The Cudahy Chophouse Restaurant on Mackinac Island, has sadly closed since their article published. In place of that spot, I picked my own favorite Michigan restaurant with a view, which is The Butler in downtown Saugatuck. The Butler has been situated on the water in Saugatuck for more than 60 years and offers fresh seafood, classic American cuisine and more. It's a casual dining restaurant, so no need to get fancy.
One of the spots that made Michigan.org's list is very familiar to me: The English Inn in Eaton Rapids. That was the best spot to go for prom when I was in high school, so I ate at The English Inn at least twice in high school on prom night. "Cozy is the hallmark of this restaurant and inn, where you can warm yourself by a crackling fire while gazing over what feels like the grounds of your private castle estate," Michigan.org states of The English Inn. "The 15-acre property was developed just 30 minutes from Lansing for auto baron Irving Jacob Reuter and his wife Janet, and the view still includes their pergola, swimming pool and gazebo. After a formal meal upstairs, retire to the lower level English pub for a nightcap." Read the full list below and try to visit at least one of these delightful spots this season.
12 Michigan Restaurants with Incredible Views
This list is via the fine folks at Michigan.org.
1. Fitzgerald's Hotel and Restaurant – Eagle River
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2. Tabor Hill Winery and Restaurant – Buchanan
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3. Aerie Restaurant and Lounge at Grand Traverse Resort and Spa – Acme
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4. English Inn, Restaurant and Pub – Eaton Rapids
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5. Iridescence – Detroit
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6. Rose's on Reeds Lake Restaurant – Grand Rapids
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7. Gates Au Sable Lodge Restaurant – Grayling
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8. Arcadia Bluffs – Arcadia
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9. Boyne Highlands Resort – Harbor Springs
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10. Noto's at the Bil-Mar – Grand Haven
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