Dining

In recent years, the Marquette food scene has felt inspired to begin focusing more on locally grown and raised food. That mentality is really just an extension of the way life has been up here ever since Polish, German, Finnish, Irish, Italian, and English immigrants began inhabiting this rugged, remote region of the northern wilderness,. Watching the culinary scene develop and grow has been an enjoyable experience and we look forward to its future.

Here are our favorite places to eat in town:

Breakfast and Lunch Dining:

Donckers provides some of the
best food service in the entire U.P.

Donckers - This establishment is actually a classic candy and ice cream shoppe that has been a staple in Marquette for over a hundred years. The upstairs cafe, which just opened several years ago, is now one of the best all-around eateries in the U.P. Enjoy a couple great views of Marquette, including the old Delft Theatre marquee on Washington St, as well as a lot of old photos and artwork. We have eaten there a hundred times and have NEVER had bad service. It's a good experience, as their system works and the food quality is consistent. The omelets, blueberry pancakes, and bacon waffles are enough to keep us coming back, but there is plenty to choose from on either the breakfast or lunch/dinner menu. Plus, there are sundaes.

Babycakes Muffin Company - The place is small and limited in what they offer, but what they do offer is of very high quality. They are indeed the best muffins in town and they make some fairly good savory items as well. Everything is made in-house. We often go for the gluten-free, wheat-free carrot cake and coffee. It is the best sugar and caffeine buzz in town.

Steinhaus - This German eatery is tops on the dinner list and they also cook up a very good breakfast on weekends. The Sunday brunch has quickly become a staple in the area. Expect lots of savory dishes that include hand-made sausages and local produce. The food isn't really consistent in regards to food presentation, but it is always tasty. So if you are a first-timer just passing through on vacation you will probably never know the difference and will most-likely have a good dining experience. 

The Sweet Water Cafe offers up
a varied selection of quality fare.

Sweet Water Cafe - The Sweet Water is only a 1/2 block away on Third Street and it is actually one of the better all-around places in town. It often lacks in high quality service, but the food is decent enough to make up for it. Try their Thai-garlic dressing on anything. It comes on the Orbit Pesto Sandwhich, which I highly recommend. You just might want to plan on being there a while, which is okay if you are looking to sip coffee and enjoy a conversation. They have booze too, which often helps when waiting, but don't say we didn't warn you that it might just take a while to actually get that drink. If you want a speedier experience, then refer back to either of the first two places on this list or move on to the next one.

Huron Mountain Bakery - If you are looking for a large selection of baked goods this is your place. It is definitely the best doughnut shoppe around. They also produce the best apple fritters and bake some of the best-tasting bread in town. Their menu changes daily and the service is fairly quick. One can often get in and out in five minutes if they aren't too busy. You can grab food and coffee and walk down to the lake just one block away to catch the sunrise. They open at 6:00. They are not a good option for those looking for gluten-free or sugar-free items though, but they are very good at providing one of the best guilty pleasures in town (see doughnuts and cupcakes). They also employ a good number of local folks and college students.

The MQT Food Coop has the best
selection of organic produce.

The Marquette Food Coop - The only real food cooperative in town, make no mistake that it is a full grocery store with plenty of convention. There is a bakery and deli with a hot bar so fresh food is available, as well as brewed coffee. The prices are competitive, and there is a lot to choose from. They have the largest selection of local and/or organic foods in the area outside the Farmer's Market, and it has been known as a cultural hub in the community for a number of years. A short 10 or 15 minute walk from this location will get you there, spanning a total of eight blocks. There is seating in the store and they have live acoustic music on Sundays around noon. There is also a park and a cemetery nearby as well, which provide some surprisingly decent places to have an impromptu picnic and see some wildlife. Watch out for moose! 

Third Street Bagel - Good comfort food and the best bagel shoppe around. They have a variety of hot breakfast sandwiches and salads and they are generally one of the cheaper places to grab a bite in the morning. I don't really recommend getting coffee there. If you want good coffee go to Dead River Coffee Roasters or Babycakes Muffins just a short walk down town.


Dinner/Late Night:

The Marq. Enough said.

The Marq - This is the newest place in town that everyone is talking about. They are one of the only real farm-to-table establishments around and their quality of food on the bistro-style menu has not disappointed anybody that I know of yet. The prices are reasonable enough for what you are actually getting, but it is definitely not the cheapest place in town. Just remember that good food isn't cheap and cheap food isn't good. Try the homemade pasta or what might be the best burger in town.

Donckers - Not really open late, as they close at 8:00 p.m., Donckers is a great place to grab a sandwhich or a salad and is generally a decent hangout. We've hung around there 'til around 9-ish and they never push us out. Their burgers use locally raised meat from Guindon Farms and they provide gluten-free bread options. The salads are as good as they come anywhere as well. The prices are right and the service is great. What more do you want? Oh, and did I mention they have sundaes?

Roasted pork belly from
Das Steinhaus

Steinhaus - Definitely one of the best food experiences in town despite being a bit inconsistent at times. They are also one of the newer places in town so they are kinda still figuring it out. I really don't hear many people complain, and the odds are extremely good that whatever you order will be one of the better dishes anywhere. Steinhaus is also focusing more on locally grown food, particularly in regards to local meats. They are expanding their operations to include a farm, a coffee roaster, and a meat/cheese shop, so expect their brand to develop further over time.


Lagniappe - Lagniappe ( pronounced "LAN-yap"), a cajun-creole eaterie, is one of the tastier places in town to dine. Don't expect many vegan or organic options, and the owners have been known to be a bit rude at times, but one should go there knowing that you are going to splurge on some top-notch Shrimp and Grits, Catfish, Po' Boys, Gator Bites, salads, and pasta dishes. It's definitely not locally-minded, but it is no doubt a fun and filling experience. They often have live music and the Voodoo Bar mixes up some killer cocktails. Just be warned that it is easy to drop a quick hundred bucks in there if you are ordering drinks and food of any kind. There is no other place like it around and it is truly an original here in Marquette. 

Look for the baby blue taco truck
for one of the best deals in town.

Dia De Los Tacos - A local taco truck that serves up a very good Yooper take on the Tex-Mex style of southwestern fare. As I stated in a review I wrote for them, Dia De Los Tacos is everything a Marquette taco truck should be: fun, tasty, and punk rock! The Lola is probably the best $4 eats in town. You can usually find them on weekend nights posted up near one of the local watering holes, such as Black Rocks Brewery, Ore Dock Brewery, or the Third Base Bar. None of those places serves food so it' is quite a symbiotic relationship that has developed in the last couple years.


Portside Inn - The Portside is known for pizza and beer. They also have loads of sandwhiches and some Mexican and Greek options. The happy hour from 3-6 daily is as good as any in town, with an emphasis on a select group of Michigan brews on tap. Try the whitefish cakes or bread sticks for appetizers and just enjoy a cold beer. It can be standing room only sometimes though, as it isn't a big place and they carry a strong following. It's worth checking out though if pub grub is your type of thing and you are looking for a local original to check out.

Border Grill - Open for lunch and dinner, this is a decent spot to grab a quick meal. It isn't authentic Mexican, but it isn't bad and it is generally consistent. We always know what we are getting when we go there and it is relatively very cheap when compared to other places on this list.

Vango's Pub - This is a classic Yooper-style pub in every sense. There are pizzas, gyros, and cudighi ,a local specialty sausage, and lots of beer to wash it all down. The prices are cheap but don't expect a four or five-star dining experience. It is what it is and that's all it needs to be. Don't be afraid to check it out and judge for yourself. Their Greek Pizza is very good.

The name says it all.

The Northland Pub, the North Star Lounge, and The Piedmont at the Landmark Inn - The Landmark Inn itself is a Marquette icon that stands high on the bluff overlooking the downtown and lower harbor area. The Northland Pub is on the main floor and is one of the best bars in town. Go in on a week night and sit at the bar to meet Livio, one of the best bartenders in the area, or go up to the sixth floor to the North Star Lounge and take in one of the best views of Marquette. There is also the Piedmont, which is an Italian restaurant on the other end of the main floor lobby. This is relatively new in town and is developing a name for itself with its wood-fired pizzas and late-night specials.

The Casa Calbria - This is traditional Yooper-style Italian at it's finest. If you are looking for garlic bread dripping with butter and lettuce drenched in salad dressing then this might be the place for you. It's not the greatest food, but it is never bad and often fills that craving for stuff that is probably not good for you. The setting isn't bad either, and it is actually a good date-night spot.

The Rice Paddy - Surprisingly good and authentic Thai food that is a popular establishment with the college crowd. It is take-out only and sometimes takes up to 90 minutes before it's ready, but if it is tropical comfort food you are looking for this is a good bet to hit the spot. The lady that runs the place is a very interesting character and she has developed quite a reputation in the area. Her name is Oy.

Stucko's Pub - Just a few blocks a way from here, Stucko's is great for decent bar food, large amounts of beer, and sports. There are televisions everywhere and an old-school college-bar atmosphere. The outdoor seating right on Third St provides a nice change up when the weather permits. The service is always good if not outstanding. If you really want to check out a game in a local favorite then this is probably the place for you.

Main Street Pizza - If you want cheap eats it doesn't get any cheaper than Main Street. You can get two fat slices of pepperoni and a fountain soda for under $5, and it is quite filling. Really, it's all about the crust here. The dough is home-made and hand-tossed, but it's all conventional flour and the toppings all come out of cans. The fact that they are only one block away and you can walk out of there with a large three-topping pizza for $11 makes it a place worth mentioning. Order one up and sit on the front porch some evening. You won't hate it.

Worth the Drive:

Congress Pizza - A classic bar in downtown Ishpeming, about 12 miles West of Marquette, Congress is a great place if you are craving a good mixed drink and some crispy thin crust pizza.

The Crossroads Bar - The Crossroads is a popular place for Friday Fish Fry and pasties, but it's also a classic bar known as a stopover for snowmobilers and bikers. The Crossroads is named for the intersection it sits on where County Rd 480 meets County Rd 553 several miles south of Marquette.

The Up North Lodge - Ribs. Just go there for the ribs and enjoy a beer in this beautiful timber-framed log structure right in the wild of the U.P. Located on County Rd 557 just southwest of Gwinn. There are ski/hiking trails, loads of two-tracks, and a few small inland lakes nearby to work up a good appetite before sitting down for a rack and a brew.

The Throttle - Broasted chicken is the main menu item but there is a lot to choose from in the form of traditional bar fare. Beer is cheap too. The last time I checked you could get a PBR or a Ham's in a can for a $1.50.


Do NOT Eat:

I don't want to make a habit of talking about about anybody or their respective establishments, so let's just say if you eat at the following places you can't say I didn't warn you!

The Villa Capri
The Thai House