Southwest Michigan Restaurants
Exploring new restaurants is part of the "vacation" fun at your lakehome. Some of the fun of dining out is the hunt of a new favorite spot, not to mention taking in the magnificent view of the vineyards you pass as you drive along the country roads to get to each town. Some restaurants are tucked away between farms and country roads, or situated in little harbor towns that you may not have explored yet. Sometimes you get there and you stumble across a farmer's market or an outdoor concert. Enjoying your meal is part of it, but the adventure is part of it too. The restaurants listed below are anywhere from a five minute to one hour drive from Lake Chapin Shores. This is but a sampling. As we continue to discover more choices, we will update our website. Be sure to let us know your favorites and we'll include them here. Enjoy!
Benton Harbor
For excellent barbeque, you will want to go to Charlie's Piggin' N 'Grinnin' Award Winnin' Barbeque, which is located around the corner of Territorial and Water Street in the Benton Harbor Arts District.
Here you will find amazing brisket, ribs, chili, pork, and more. They also have a very popular catering and carryout service.
The Livery Café is located at 190 5th Street, Benton Harbor. Known for their "hand forged microbrews", they offer one of the most extensive lists of beer that you will find. The menu in the Livery Café is diverse and always changing. The Livery is a fun way to spend some time due to the variety of the entertainment they offer, including Open Mike Night, Poetry Readings, Jazz and more.
Berrien Springs
Nikki's Cafe is located at 200 W Ferry St, in Berrien Springs. A casual, reasonably priced restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is a particular favorite for breakfast.
Roma's Pizzeria and Restaurant is located at 121 W. Ferry Street in Berrien Springs. They offer casual dining and excellent pizza, lasagna, eggplant parmesan and more.
Baguette De France is located at 9187 Us Highway 31 33, in Berrien Springs. The Baquette features perhaps the tastiest and freshest sandwiches you will find. Dine in or order to go, you will become a fan after one visit.
Buchanan
The brand new Wheatberry Restaurant and Tavern, located at 15212 North Red Bud Trail, Buchanan, offers a friendly environment with a delicious lunch and dinner menu. Wheatberry’s proudly offers the area’s most extensive beer list, as well as an impressive wine list.
Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant is located at 185 Mount Tabor Rd., Buchanan. An upscale dining experience, built on the philosophy that wines of distinction are at their best when matched with an equally distinctive culinary complement. Couple that with the breathtaking view of the vineyard as you dine, and you are sure to become a regular.
The Backdoor Cafe is located at 115 N. Red Bud Trail, in Buchanan. It is a great neighborhood breakfast spot.
Coloma
The Chocolate Garden is well known for lovingly creating delicious handmade chocolate truffles. If you don’t make it to the retail shop, you can order online. It makes an amazing gift.
Dowagiac
The Beeson Street Bar and Grill is located at 105 Beeson St. Reader's Choice voted them the "Best Burger in Town".
The Wounded Minnow Saloon is located in downtown Dowagiac. Its menu includes steaks, fish, pizza and sandwiches.
Harbert
Locating in the charming town of Harbert, at 13698 Red Bud Trail, you are sure to enjoy breakfast or lunch at Luisa’s Café. Luisa’s is located next door to the Harbert Swedish Bakery, and features a variety of fresh home-baked breads and pastries.
New Buffalo
Looking for a great steak and impeccable service? The Four Winds Steakhouse, located in New Buffalo, is the perfect dining spot – especially after your big jackpot at the Four Winds Casino.
Learn what the locals know and countless thousands over the years have
discovered: Possibly the best hamburger in the entire Midwest is right here at Redamak's, located at 616 East Buffalo Street, New Buffalo. In the summer you can enjoy dining in their screened porch area.
The Stray Dog Bar and Grill is a fun place with great food and live music on most weekends. There is a large bar area as well as a patio area and upstairs deck when weather permits.
Michigan Thyme is located at 107 N. Whittaker St., New Buffalo. A cafe style restaurant open 9am to 4pm ET, you will enjoy their breakfasts and lunches. There is also a little shop attached where you can purchase local specialty foods. Box lunches are available for picnics.
Niles
The Fernwood Cafe is located at Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve at 13988 Range LIne Road, in Niles. Open for lunch, it is the perfect spot to grab a quick, but delicious lunch, after exploring the miles of nature trails at Fernwood.
St. Joseph
When visiting the town of St. Joseph, you will want to stop by Schu’s Grill and Bar, located at 501 Pleasant St. It features a large menu with a vast variety of choices, sure to satisfy any family, and a view of Lake Michigan that will remind you that you are on vacation.
Silver Beach Pizza is located just off Silver Beach in St. Joseph.
Situated in an old train depot, you can dine outdoors and watch the sun set over Lake Michigan.
The Bistro on the Boulevard is the place to go for a special night out. Located at 521 Lake Boulevard, you can dine outdoors as you watch the sun set over Lake Michigan. The Bistro Chef uses local fresh and seasonal ingredients and the menu is extensive. The Bistro has been recognized with the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence “for having one of the most outstanding restaurant Wine Lists in the world.”
Clementine's is located at 1235 Broad Street in St. Jo. It features an extensive menu ranging from appetizers, salad, burgers and more.
Saugatuck
The popular tourist destination town of Saugatuck has so many restaurants to choose from, you will need to return many times to sample them all. The Mermaid Bar and Grill located at the Dockside Marketplace on Water Street has an amazing menu and offers outdoor seating facing the docks of the Kalamazoo River. The Mermaid is a perfect spot to relax after exploring the town.
The Elbo Room is a casual restaurant located just outside the town of Saugatuck. It is situated on the “elbow” of the Kalamazoo River, hence its name. You can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner seated on the charming waterfront terrace.
Marro’s Restaurant serves authentic Italian food in a “fun-fine-dining- family atmosphere”. Then around 10:30 on a weekend night the dining hall turns into a nightclub, and the dance floor is packed. It’s a fun place to stop by for dinner or a drink.
Sawyer
Looking for a great meal, in a beautiful, relaxing restaurant? You will want to visit Fitzgerald’s, located at 5875 Sawyer Rd, Sawyer, featuring live jazz on Thursday nights.
Soe Cafe is located at 12868 Red Arrow Highway in Sawyer. Soe's offers a delicious and diverse menu, with weeknight specials. Open for lunch or dinner, you may wish to stop by just for dessert as the baked goods are all made right there.
South Haven
The Idler River Boat Restaurant, located at 515 Williams St., South Haven offers casual dining in a unique setting. You will literally be dining on a turn-of-the-century riverboat now used as a stationary restaurant and open-air bar.
Clementine’s is located in downtown South Haven and occupies the old Citizen’s bank building. Filled with antiques, the bar is the spitting image of an old time saloon and the walls are filled with black & white photos from the city's early days. There is an expansive and delicious menu, which includes appetizers, sandwiches, salads and entrees.
Sherman’s Dairy serves up the most delicious, creamiest ice cream you will find. They make it the old fashioned way - one batch at a time.
With new flavors and toppings coming out every year, you will want to stop by on a regular basis.
Stevensville
Grand Mere Inn is located at 5800 Red Arrow Highway, Stevensville. It offers cozy, cottage style dining with a spectacular view of Lake Michigan. They specialize in Lake Perch, seafood, steaks, chicken and ribs. A casual bar menu is available in the Cranberry Bog Bar, featuring smaller plates and sandwiches. Desserts, breads, sauces and dressings are made in house daily.
Bit of Swiss Bakery is located at 4333 Ridge Road, Stevensville. This bakery will make you feel like you are in Europe with its extraordinary almond croissants, whole-wheat scones and pastries, along with Bavarian cream cakes, butter-cream tortes, wedding cakes and the finest-quality hearth and sandwich breads of all styles. It is no surprise that the Bit of Swiss Bakery is the proud winner of the International Baker's contest in France.
Sandra Kay's Bakery is located at 120 West John Beers Rd., Stevensville. A charming spot to stop by - open for lunch only. You will find delicious homemade soups and sandwiches, as well as a very extensive bakery.
Three Oaks
The Viola Cafe is located at 102 N. Elm Street in Three Oaks. Open for breakfast and lunch only, closed on Tuesdays.
Nelson's Saloon is located at 18 N. Elm St, in Three Oaks. They are perhaps best known for their tasty and extensive Burger selection.
Benton Harbor
Buchanan
Dowagiac
Harbor Country
New Buffalo
Niles
Notre Dame
St. Joe
Saugatuck/Douglas
Sawyer
South Haven
Stevensville/Bridgman
Three Oaks
Warren Dunes
Area Restaurant Guide
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