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The Best Places to Eat and Drink in Ludington, Michigan

Looking for the best places to eat and drink in Ludington, Michigan?

You’ll want to add these local restaurants, breweries, and wineries to your list for your next visit on vacation or during a day trip to West Michigan.

Red Rooster Coffee and Community

This article is written in partnership with Pure Ludington. All opinions are my own.

Coffee at Red Rooster Coffee & Community

207 S James St, Ludington, MI

When I visit a destination I always want to know where the good coffee shops are. Red Rooster Coffee & Community is a nice place to enjoy a great cup of coffee.

coffee Red Rooster Coffee and Community

There is plenty of seating inside the cozy cafe or you can enjoy your drink at one of the small tables outside.

coffee Red Rooster Coffee and Community

You have plenty of coffee styles on the menu including Nitro coffee, espresso, latte, cappuccino, macchiato, and batch-brew coffee.

Red Rooster Coffee & Community serves organic, Fair Trade coffee from Higher Grounds Trading Company in Traverse City, MI.

They have a great variety of house-made syrup flavors available along with tea, smoothies, and seasonal lemonade.

If you want a light bite, they also serve organic cookies and scones, muffins, oatmeal, and organic bread and spread toppings for purchase.

Cafe 106 Ludington

Great Breakfast or Brunch at Cafe 106

106 N Rath Ave, Ludington, MI

bananas foster french toast at Cafe 106 in Ludington

The Bananas Foster French toast is made using thick sliced French toast topped with caramelized bananas and sweet rum sauce.

homemade corned beef hash and eggs at Cafe 106 in Ludington

The Homemade Corned Beef Hash and eggs are made with tender pieces of slow-roasted corned beef brisket mixed with potatoes, served with two farm-fresh eggs and toast.

I also want to note that the homemade strawberry preserves were so good.

We split half of each entree to enjoy a sweet and savory option for the best of both worlds.

bloody Mary at Cafe 106 in Ludington

Cafe 106 offers breakfast/ brunch cocktails including a Bloody Mary.

 Cafe 106 in Ludington

Make sure that you check out the beautiful photography displayed on the restaurant walls showcasing scenic images around Ludington by a local photographer.

If you’re traveling with your dog, Cafe 106 has a pet-friendly outdoor seating area with several tables.

Old Hamlin Restaurant

Breakfast at Old Hamlin Restaurant

122 W Ludington Ave, Ludington, MI 

Old Hamilin is one of the good old-fashioned family restaurants that generations of locals and tourists have continued to patronize over the years.

menu at Old Hamlin Restaurant

The family-owned restaurant dates back to 1942 and the dining room is a bit of a time capsule with familiar decor on the wall including some family photos.

 Old Hamlin Restaurant in Ludington

Their affordable prices, friendly service, and good food make it a great place to start your morning and a Ludington favorite.

cinnamon raisin bread at Old Hamlin Restaurant

I would also suggest a meal that includes their toast. Their homemade bread is available in white, wheat, or cinnamon raisin.

french toast at Old Hamlin Restaurant

If you have a sweet tooth, you can’t go wrong with their thick French toast made with homemade bread.

corn beef hash at Old Hamlin Restaurant

If you prefer savory, you can’t go wrong with their daily breakfast special corn beef hash made with 2 extra large eggs, American fries, and toast.

Old Hamlin is open for lunch and dinner and has a diverse menu. They have a salad bar, sandwiches, Mexican specialties, and more.

the Blu Moon Bistro Ludington Michigan

Enjoy Rooftop Dining at The Blu Moon Bistro

125 S James St, Ludington, MI

Blu Moon Bistro has great food and offers a rooftop dining experience in beautiful downtown Ludington. The rooftop is open 7 days a week at 11:30 am, weather permitting.

 The Blu Moon rooftop

The rooftop has seating at the bar in addition to tables on both outdoor decks that have tables with and without shade.

drinks at The Blu Moon rooftop

Enjoy a Drink at Blu Moon Bistro

The rooftop bar at Blu Moon Bistro offers a variety of specialty cocktails and mules, frozen drinks, draft beers, can beers, sake, cider, hard seltzer, wine, and non-alcoholic options.

 Lobster Nachos at The Blu Moon rooftop

Appetizers to Try at Blu Moon

Two words: Lobster Nachos.

The question isn’t if you should order them…the question is how much of the nachos you think you’ll be willing to share with your table.

Trust me, if you enjoy lobster, your taste buds will thank you for ordering this appetizer.

The lobster nachos are made with their secret lobster dill sauce recipe, tri-color chips, aged Colby jack cheese, salsa, sour cream, and scallions.

wings at The Blu Moon rooftop

The hardwood wings are also worth trying as an appetizer or enjoy as an entree.

The dry-rubbed smoked wings are 48-hour brined, topped with your sauce of choice, and served with celery and carrots.

We tried the spicy garlic and sweet chili flavors which were both delicious!

fish tacos at The Blu Moon rooftop

You can’t go wrong with fish or smoked pork tacos for your entree.

The Blu Moon in Ludington MI

The downstairs portion of Blu Moon Bistro is open from 4 PM-10 PM Tuesday-Saturday with a menu that includes pasta, Spanish fusion, prime rib sandwiches, salads, and sushi.

The Sandbox in Ludington MI

Lunch at The Sandbox at Stearns Park and Beach

321 N Lakeshore Drive & 421 N Lakeshore Drive, Ludington, MI

You don’t have to leave the beach to grab a bite to eat. The Sandbox at Stearns Park and Beach has two concession locations within the park.

The Sandbox in Ludington MI

The North Beach concession is located near the Stearns Park entrance and the South Beach concession is near the pier and playground area of the park.

Each Sandbox concession in the park has some menu items that are unique to that specific location and some menu items that overlap at both locations.

menu items at The Sandbox in Ludington MI

You can eat your meal at a picnic table next to the concession area while enjoying a beautiful view of the water along the shores of Lake Michigan.

panini at The Sandbox in Ludington MI

During our visit, we dined at the North Sandbox location. Their menu has paninis and croissants for sandwich options.

I enjoyed the Presto Pesto panini made with fresh mozzarella, basil pesto, tomato, and balsamic drizzle.

chicken croissant at The Sandbox in Ludington MI

The Chicken salad for the croissant sandwich and handmade pretzels on the menu are sourced from Cluck Bucket.

Cluck Bucket is a popular local restaurant inside The Port in the heart of downtown Ludington.

pretzel at The Sandbox in Ludington MI

I recommend the beer cheese for your dipping sauce. Other dip options are regular mustard and honey mustard.

The North Sandbox location also had sweet treats including homemade ice cream, popsicles, smoothie bars, classic novelty ice cream, and Dippin Dots.

While we didn’t dine at the South Sandbox location, it specializes in craft sliders with flavors influenced by beaches around the United States, plus hand-dipped ice cream and gourmet,  beach-inspired milkshakes with fun toppings, along with a few homemade slushies. 

Stix Ludington

Dine and Play at Stix Ludington

1963 N Lakeshore Dr, Ludington, MI

Stix Ludington is a restaurant that doubles as an entertainment center with 12 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, a beautiful beer garden patio and pier, indoor and outdoor event spaces, and a venue that hosts live music (typically on weekends.)

outdoor space at Stix Ludington

I recommend checking their hours before your visit because you’ll want to allow extra time to truly relax and appreciate the Insta-worthy setting at every turn.

Stix is one of the best spots to visit for a meal or drink because there’s something for everyone.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion, you may want to inquire about their areas for private events or parties or the indoor and outdoor event spaces for large groups.

dining area  Stix Ludington

Indoor Dining at Stix

Stix has an upper and lower lounge area for inside dining with a larger selection of menu items. It’s a great environment for a date night or evening with friends or family.

The elegant nautical decor displays wooden boats from the ceiling as light fixtures and is showcased in the outdoor patio area.

bar at  Stix Ludington

The beautiful bar offers great drinks ranging from craft cocktails in addition to wine, good spirits, and craft beer.

pecan crusted whitefish at Stix Ludington

We tried a few seasonal items on the dinner menu during our visit.

I tried the pecan-crusted whitefish served with a brown butter sauce, mashed potatoes, and green beans…but I subbed my green beans for asparagus.

chicken caesar salad at Stix Ludington

My other friends ordered two different types of salads. The classic Caesar salad with chicken, homemade dressing, and garlic croutons.

wedge salad at Stix

And the Sail Wedge of Ludington salad with homemade bleu cheese dressing, eggs, bacon, and tomatoes.

white chocolate creme brulee at Stix Ludington

For dessert, we tried the white chocolate creme brulee.

outdoor area at Stix Ludington

Outdoor Dining at Stix

The outdoor area for Stix is a popular spot for hanging out, especially during busy summer months.

*We visited on a Monday evening closer to closing time which explains why it wasn’t as crowded in my pictures.

outdoor seating at Stix Ludington

If you want to dine in more of a fast-casual environment, the outdoor patio area is a great option, especially if you have younger kids.

Backyard BBQ at Stix Ludington

There are plenty of picnic tables, Adirondack chairs around the fire pit areas, outdoor heaters, outdoor games including a cornhole area, and additional tables.

picnic tables at  Stix Ludington

The best thing about the outdoor patio area is the relaxed vibe.

The open setup makes it easy to watch your kids while they play and you enjoy a meal that’s way better than fast food.

bowling alley at Stix in Ludington Michigan

Dining at the Bowling Alley

If you want to eat or drink while you bowl, cocktails and American classics are on the menu at Stix. You can check out the bowling menu here.

ice cream at House of Flavors Ludington MI

Ice Cream at House of Flavors Restaurant

402 W Ludington Ave, Ludington, MI

House of Flavors is the best place to stop for a scoop of homemade ice cream.

They also have bragging rights from breaking the Guinness World Record for the “longest ice cream dessert” on June 11, 2016.

House of Flavors Ludington MI

House of Flavors has a “cone room” for ice cream parlor patrons and a dining room for guests who want additional food beyond the ice cream menus.

The summer menu serves breakfast until 11:30 am and includes homemade soup, fresh roasted turkeys, sandwiches, wraps, and salads.

coconut joy ice cream at House of Flavors Ludington MI

I’ve been on a coconut kick lately so ice cream that includes it has become one of my new favorites.

birthday cake ice cream at House of Flavors Ludington MI

If you’re unsure how to narrow down all the great choices, their amazing staff will help guide you and provide samples to help you make your final selection.

sign for tasting room at Pere Marquette Winery

Wine Tasting at Pere Marquette Winery

1914 S Lakeshore Dr, Ludington, MI 

Pere Marquette Winery is the perfect place to visit if you love to experience a local winery during your travels.

sign for tasting room at Pere Marquette Winery

The Tasting Room for the winery has an interesting history as a converted equestrian tack room.

 Pere Marquette Winery

Pere Marquette produces high-quality wines that are grown from grapes at their vineyard.

wine flight at Pere Marquette Winery

Pere Marquette Winery offers a variety of red and white wines ranging from dry to sweet.

 friends at Pere Marquette Winery

Guests can choose a tasting of 5, a flight of 4 wines, or by the glass.

Pere Marquette Winery

We opted to enjoy our wine flight outside in the seating area along the covered barn.

This is a nice stop before or after time on the Pere Marquette River or relaxing at the beach at Buttersville Park nearby.

Jamesport Brewing Company

Drink and Dine in a Historic Building at Jamesport Brewing Company

410 S James St, Ludington, MI

Jamesport Brewing Company is one of two local breweries in downtown Ludington with craft beer and delicious food and it happens to be inside a building that dates back to the late 1800s.

outdoor patio at Jamesport Brewing Company

There is a nice outdoor beer garden for nice weather days, and a covered patio or dining areas inside.

beer flight at Jamesport Brewing Company

We opted for a flight of beers including the Blueberry Wheat (served with real Michigan blueberries), Peach Belgian, PBA Imperial Stout, and the Nitro Stout.

friends at Jamesport Brewing Company

I’m typically not a huge beer drinker but I really enjoyed the Blueberry Wheat.

beer battered cheese curds at Jamesport Brewing Company

For an appetizer, I highly recommend their beer-battered cheddar jalapeno curds. They were honestly hard to stop eating because they were SO GOOD!

pecan crusted perch at Jamesport Brewing Company

We also tried their pecan-crusted perch coated in pecans and fried, served with a cherry vinaigrette dressing for dipping.

I normally wouldn’t pair those two items because I typically use tarter sauce with fish. If you try the appetizer, let me know what you think.

cherry bourbon burger at Jamesport Brewing Company

For an entree, I recommend the cherry bourbon burger.

It’s a half-pound burger glazed with homemade cherry bourbon sauce, topped with melted pepper jack cheese and Sriracha fried onions with fries and a pickle.

 Ludington Bay Brewing Company

Enjoy a Flight of Beer at Ludington Bay Brewing Company

Ludington Bay Brewing Company is another great option for local beer, a short walk across the street from Jamesport Brewing Company.

There are 20-24 different types of craft beer on tap daily at Ludington Bay Brewing Co.

flight of beer at Ludington Bay Brewing Company

We stopped in to try a flight of beer that included the following:

  • Coconut Brown
  • Peanut Butter Dark Stout
  • Vanilla Jitterbean
  • Peach Sour
  • Where’s the Tequila (Sour)

My favorites were the sours but my friend LOVED their Vanilla Jitterbean.

lighthouse flight of beer at at Ludington Bay Brewing Company

I also want to note that they have cool shapes for their beer flights.

I opted for the lighthouse flight holder in honor of the two lighthouses we visited during our trip.

Ludington Bay Brewing Company

We didn’t get a chance to try the food on their menu but next time I’m definitely ordering their crab rangoon pizza.

outdoor patio at Ludington Bay Brewing Company

You can enjoy your drinks outside at the brewery’s outdoor patio.

Downtown Ludington Michigan

Additional Restaurants to Try in Ludington, Michigan

  • The Q Smokehouse – 225 S James St, Ludington, MI (smoked BBQ and southern home-style sides and sauces)
  • Sportsman’s Restaurant and Bar – 111 W. Ludington Ave, Ludington MI (Family-owned bar/restaurant since 1955 serving pizza, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and appetizers) You can stop by for a drink at the adjoining Mitten Bar or Hoyt’s Next Door for beer and pinball.
  • Lakeside Wiener Wagon And BBQ – 1-19 N Nelson Rd, Ludington, MI (Food truck with gourmet hot dogs food truck) and The 10 Spot, a group of five food trucks
  • Chuck Wagon Pizza – 971 N Lakeshore Dr, Ludington, MI (Speciality pizza and sandwiches)
  • Table 14 – 130 W Ludington Ave, Ludington, MI (Southern-inspired fine dining)

For additional dining suggestions, check out Pureludington.com/Dining.

man taking picture of sunset on Lake Michigan

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