This Epic 3-Day Restaurant Road Trip In Michigan Will Make Your Mouth Explode
If you’re anything like us, your plans are motivated by one important detail: food. Sure the sights are fun to check out, yes nature and historical landmarks are wonderful to immerse yourself in. But if you aren’t tantalized by the new and interesting cuisines you encounter, then the travel experience is just, well… lacking.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled the ultimate Michigan foodie road trip. Some spots are critically acclaimed, while others are local hidden gems that you need to taste for yourself before you can say you’ve actually been to a place. Meant to be completed over a three-day course, we’ve got your dining itinerary covered all over the Mitten. To get to the complete map, click here.
Start your day off right with a hearty and healthy breakfast. You'll find just that at Rose's Fine Food, a tiny diner on the city's east side. You'll be enticed by garlicky greens, fresh, house-made bread, and delectable pastries. Plus, you'll rest assured that by eating here, you're supporting a living wage for the servers, who earn well above the minimum wage.
You haven't had a true Michigan dining experience without trying some authentic Middle Eastern food. And you haven't had the quintessential Middle Eastern cuisine if you haven't stopped in at the James Beard Award winning Al Ameer. It's a true Dearborn legend.
Mmmm, burgers. Better yet, burgers with a Cuban twist. Add a little spice with chorizo, a little flair with black beans, and a sweet Carribean treat with a tropical milkshake, made with coconut milk.
Get into the small town charm of Jackson with a breakfast at old school diner, Roxy Cafe. You'll find a variety of egg and omelet platters and even veggie-friendly options for the vegetarian in your life.
Cured meats, artisan cheeses, scrumptious comfort foods, and chef-driven American dishes... All a good combo for a power lunch while you power through the state.
Because you've been hearing about all the Michigan craft beers that are making waves, go to HotCat, where you'll get to sample a huge mix of them. Top it off with a number of gourmet bar bites and, better yet, the spot's famous Crack Fries, and your dinner is complete.
It's a steakhouse, but it's so much more. Considered one of the best breakfast joints around Manistee, you'll be guaranteed a nice variety of daily first meal specials, no matter what day you go.
You can't travel to northern Michigan without taking a wine tasting detroit. And at Black Star Farms, you'll find the perfect balance of wine tasting, dining, checking out the meticulous grounds, and chilling out on its terrace patio.
Make sure to plan ahead and make reservations at this special place. You won't regret it. The vegetables are always super fresh, the presentation is exquisite and guests have a chance to get a sampling of all the culinary goodness from the tasting menu.
Now this is a trip we can get behind. The best of both worlds, travel and food! We know we still have a lot of ground to cover though. Tell us though, what should we add to our list next time?
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Serena Maria Daniels is an award-winning freelance journalist in Detroit, by way of Chicago, by way of the West Coast. She writes about Michigan for OIYS. Serena enjoys learning about language and culture and taking road trips with her beagle Ralph.
