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Why Legs Inn is an Iconic Restaurant in Northern Michigan

I was first introduced to a hidden gem in Cross Village when I lived in Northern Michigan.

The Legs Inn is a restaurant with Polish food that is unique in style and memorable in flavor that dates back to the 1920s.

If you’re visiting Northern Michigan you’ll want to check out this restaurant only 30+ minutes from Mackinaw City and Petoskey.

sign for Legs Inn restaurant

Why is the Restaurant Called the Legs Inn?

The restaurant is named after the stove legs that line the roof of the building.

Why Legs Inn is an Iconic Restaurant in Northern Michigan

The restaurant was founded by Stanley Smolak and has been family-owned for 100+
years!

 tepee outside Legs Inn restaurant

Stanley was a Polish immigrant who creatively worked on the inn using local timber and stone with local “Odawa” Ottawa Indian craftsmen.

Inside Legs Inn Polish Restaurant

His artisan carving and woodworking skills are also on display throughout the inn.

inside Legs Inn restaurant

The inside has SO MUCH to see at every turn. The decor and furniture are most likely, unlike anything you’ve seen before.

woodwork inside the Legs Inn restaurant in Northern Michigan
inside Legs Inn restaurant
inside the Legs Inn restaurant in Northern Michigan
Legs Inn restaurant

Legs Inn is truly a unique one-of-a-kind restaurant!

outside Legs Inn restaurant
Michigan shaped chairs outside Legs Inn restaurant

Enjoy the View of Lake Michigan While You Wait

If you have to wait for a table, you can enjoy the gorgeous view of Lake Michigan from the back of the restaurant.

Michigan shaped chairs outside Legs Inn restaurant

There are several seating areas dedicated for guests to enjoy relaxing the view.

outside the Legs Inn restaurant in Northern Michigan
back patio at the Legs Inn Restaurant
outside Legs Inn restaurant

There is plenty of outdoor seating, beautiful flowers, and interesting carvings.

Menu Items at the Legs Inn restaurant

Enjoy Authentic Polish Food at Legs Inn

Don’t let the poor indoor lighting mislead you about the taste. The food at Legs Inn is AMAZING!!!

During our visit, we enjoyed:

  • Pierogis – traditional Polish-style dumplings
  • Kabanosy – thin charbroiled Polish sausage variety “meatstick”
  • Zurek Soup -Traditional Polish Sour Soup
  • Polish Combination – Polska Kielbasa and Golabki

Even though they are known for Authentic Polish food, you can still find American cuisine (my boys ordered burgers) and locally caught Whitefish.

Beer lovers will appreciate the large selection of 100 varieties of beer from around the world and from America’s finest microbreweries. There are also Polish vodkas, craft beer, wine, and spirits.

The Luksusowa Bloody Mary and Wyborowa Martini are both Legs Inn signature drinks.

Old Fashioned Polish Berry Szarlotka

Save Room for Dessert at Legs Inn

The dessert options at Legs Inn are also fantastic. I remembered their Old Fashioned Polish Berry Szarlotka from a visit 10 years prior.

The Old World Polish crumble cake is baked with fresh apples, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries.

I typically order this dessert with ice cream, but I needed to go for this specific trip. It was still just as wonderful when I ate it the following day…but it would have been even better ala mode.

view of Lake Michigan at the Legs Inn restaurant

Where is the Legs Inn Restaurant Located?

The Legs Inn restaurant is at 6425 Lakeshore Drive (M-119), PO Box 157, Cross Village, MI.

Cross Village in Northern Michigan

See Michigan’s Tunnel of Trees on M-119

Cross Village is the perfect stop along The Tunnel of Trees, a 20-mile scenic drive on M-119 that starts north of Harbor Springs.

Tunnel of Trees is known for its beautiful trees and vista views along Lake Michigan, especially in the fall.

You have to be more intentional when you visit Legs Inn. Legs Inn is 30 minutes from Mackinaw City and 36 minutes from Petoskey.

Legs Inn restaurant in Northern Michigan

Plan Ahead for Your Visit to Legs Inn

The Legs Inn isn’t open year-round. You can only visit this iconic restaurant in the summer months- mid-October.

It’s also important to note that Legs Inn is open from 12PM – 8PM, is closed on Tuesdays, and doesn’t accept dining reservations or pets.

If you want to extend your stay lakeside cottages are available to rent from the end of May – late October.

Looking for More Things to Do in Northern Michigan?

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