Winter in St. Ignace brings a chill to the air, but the warmth of a good meal is never far behind. After unpacking and settling into your accommodations, the next thing on your mind is likely food — cold days can work up quite an appetite! Lucky for you, St. Ignace is home to some of the best restaurants in the Upper Peninsula, and many are open year-round.
Ready to dig in and explore the tastiest bites St. Ignace has to offer this winter? We’ve rounded up some of our favorite spots to make your visit even more unforgettable.
Rise and Shine
To kick off your day, begin at The Wild Blueberry Restaurant & Bakery, a family-run gem where the aroma of freshly baked goods will hit you the minute you walk in the door. The cinnamon rolls here are legendary, and a full breakfast and lunch menu means no one will leave hungry.
Sometimes, you crave a classic diner atmosphere for breakfast, and Fred’s Up North Dining & Truck Stop, now located at its new location in the former Big Boy building, is a favorite for their buttermilk pancakes, homestyle omelets…the whole breakfast works! Come back at lunchtime for a sandwich or burger; dinner brings the satisfying sizzle of charbroiled steak, prepared just the way you like it.
Waterfront Dining at its Best
When your meal demands both ambiance and excellence, The Club at Breakers delivers! This lakefront restaurant offers shareable plates like crab cakes and truffle fries, delivered to your table with the shimmer of Lake Huron right outside your window.
The Horseshoe Bay Restaurant, located within Kewadin Shores Casino, features panoramic views of the bay, along with full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus.
Where Food Meets Fun
For lively evenings, make your way to the Driftwood Restaurant & Sports Bar, where you can enjoy fresh fish, steaks, and pasta, all while soaking in the fun of nightly entertainment. Stop by on a Saturday for their slow-roasted prime rib. The Driftwood Motel, conveniently located adjacent to the restaurant, is open year-round—perfect for a restful sleep after a satisfying meal.
Johnnie’s on 2 is a local favorite for great food and a welcoming atmosphere. Guests rave about dishes like tender half-slab ribs with flavorful sides and perfectly cooked whitefish.
Taste the Tradition
No visit to these parts is complete without a pasty or two. Many local establishments offer their own versions, making a winter pasty tour totally possible. Taste of the UP, an unassuming eatery attached to the Zodiac Party Store, offers pasties hot, or frozen to bake later—don’t miss their breakfast pasty!
For more pasty options, Cut River Inn serves time-honored recipes made from scratch, while Hunt’s Mackinaw Pasty & Cookie Company tempts with adventurous takes such as stroganoff pastys, and even an Italian-inspired twist on the Yooper classic.
Fresh Fish and Local Flavors
By February, the Mackinac Straits Fish Company will be back, ready to tempt your taste buds with their legendary to-go whitefish spread. And at King’s Fish Market and Restaurant in Moran, it’s all about smoked fish and pickled goodies, and also a restaurant that offers one of the best fried fish baskets around!
The Village Inn is open all winter with ever-changing specials, and Dusty’s Dogz earns praise for its smash burgers and unique hot dog combos. Meanwhile, Jose’s Cantina serves up bold Mexican flavors that can transport you to sunnier climes, even as snow covers the streets outside.
Check out the Boardwalk Coffee & General Store for specialty brews and homemade soup that really hits the spot. What’s more, they’ve got locally made Northern Michigan goods like Charlevoix Cheese Company’s artisanal cheeses, olives, and crackers — perfect for a quick snack!
Enjoy a pick-me-up by stopping by the Salty Mac Brewing Company for a taste of freshly brewed coffees, an international selection of teas, or they have 40 different beers, ciders, and wines on tap.
Fast Food Favorites
National staples are at your service in St. Ignace — McDonald’s, Burger King, and Taco Bell offer quick, familiar bites when a day of travel leaves you famished. For fresh sandwiches, Subway is always a win, and when pizza cravings strike, B.C. Pizza serves piping-hot pies that can be enjoyed in-house or delivered straight to your hotel door.
Plan Your Getaway
When you come to St. Ignace this winter, your appetite will lead the way to unforgettable flavors and memorable dining experiences. Breakfast, pasties, fresh local fish…every meal adds to the fun experience! No matter the season, find all the best accommodations, eateries, and local attractions when you visit the St. Ignace Visitors Bureau website — plan your visit today!
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