“So, Where Should I Eat When I Visit Traverse City?”
Choosing just three places to eat in Traverse City might be one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make when writing a blog post. Anyone who has been to Traverse City knows how wonderful our food scene is. For a town of just 12,000 people, we offer some pretty amazing options when it comes to restaurants! I could make a much longer list but lately, I’ve been getting the question, “Yea, but if you had to choose JUST ONE, where would you eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner?” I have no desire to be a food blogger but writing about the best Traverse City restaurants sounds fun and gave me the excuse to visit my favorites in town and remind myself just how wonderful they are.😏
Breakfast at Patisserie AMie
In my opinion, Traverse City does breakfast/brunch better than most places in the world. There are just so many wonderful options! It is pretty damn hard to choose one place for breakfast but for the most consistent and wonderful breakfast I’d have to give it to Patisserie Amie. This adorable French styled bistro serves some of the best omelets, pastries, and sandwiches I’ve ever had. They serve brunch seven days a week and wonderful bistro dinners on the weekend! 
What’s their secret? Using fresh and quality ingredients and providing an experience right out of Paris. As for brunch options, the menu is extensive and they even have many Gluten Free and Vegetarian options! Whenever I am here I force my breakfast buddy to split a blueberry blintz as an appetizer (pictured above). It’s a crepe with warm cheese sauce mixed with blueberries topped with the best homemade whipped cream I’ve ever had! 
My other favorites are the Parisian sandwich (pictured above) It includes ham, brie, apples, and dijon mustard! It is unbelievable. I also love their savory crepes. If the food wasn’t enough to sell you, they have great coffee drinks and brunch cocktails as well! Basically just run to Patisserie Amie right now IT IS AMAZING.
Runner-Ups; Towne Plaza and Frenchies.
Lunch at sparks bbq
Sparks BBQ started just three years ago in a small food truck and after just one year on the road Sparks moved into a small building on Front Street and just two years after that, they have now expanded to Front and Cass street into a larger building! They are now serving alcohol and more importantly, they serve the most amazing ribs I’ve ever had. Seriously, the BEST. Everything here is made in 100% wood powered smokers! If you aren’t a rib lover I recommend the Pulled Chicken or Pulled Pork Sandwich.
Runner-Ups: Folgarelli’s or The Little Fleet (Food Trucks)
DINNER AT Alliance
For the best dinner experience, Alliance it is. Now, I will say, there are SO many wonderful restaurants recommended in Traverse City for dinner. Although I do think they are great, Alliance is the restaurant that continues to blow me away, every time I’m there. Their service, craft cocktails, and farm-to-table experience make for such a wonderful evening. Their menu changes seasonally so it’s hard to recommend something but I still listed my favorites! I recommend reservations even in the winter, this place is just the best. 
A wonderful mushroom and egg appetizer.
Kobe Ribeye Steak.
These pork shoulder lettuce wraps are what made us fall in love with Alliance the first time we visited! They are seriously life changing.
Runner-Ups: The Franklin, Stella or PepeNero and Apache Trout Grill.
So, these are my opinions for the best Traverse City restaurants! The nice thing is there are no bad restaurants in this town and there are so many choices so don’t worry about experiencing a bad meal here! Have you been to Traverse City? What were your favorites!?
