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.
Why is the Restaurant Called the Legs Inn?
The restaurant is named after the stove legs that line the roof of the building.
The restaurant was founded by Stanley Smolak and has been family-owned for 100+
years!
Stanley was a Polish immigrant who creatively worked on the inn using local timber and stone with local “Odawa” Ottawa Indian craftsmen.
His artisan carving and woodworking skills are also on display throughout the inn.
The inside has SO MUCH to see at every turn. The decor and furniture are most likely, unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Legs Inn is truly a unique one-of-a-kind 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.
There are several seating areas dedicated for guests to enjoy relaxing the view.
There is plenty of outdoor seating, beautiful flowers, and interesting carvings.
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.
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.
Where is the Legs Inn Restaurant Located?
The Legs Inn restaurant is at 6425 Lakeshore Drive (M-119), PO Box 157, Cross Village, MI.
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.
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.
Great article. We have been there many times. Great time of year to see this treasure. This place is a very popalor place to ride your motorcycle.