FAST CASUAL PIZZA & PUBS
Stucko’s Pub & Grill serves up hearty comfort food in a welcoming atmosphere. Juicy, half-pound burgers, fresh fish baskets, bourbon BBQ pulled pork sammies, nachos, and poutine. Whatever you choose, you’ll leave full and happy.
The climb up the stairs to 906 Sports Bar & Grill is worth it once you see the view! Look out over Lower Harbor and the Ore Dock while you peruse their apps, wraps, burgers, wings and sammies! Watch the game while you munch on pretzel bites and cheese curds at this family-friendly sports bar.
Named for the Lake Superior’s region’s first open-pit iron ore mine, the menu at Jackson’s Pit in Negaunee pays tribute to the past with the Miner Burger, The Pick Axe (cajun, bacon and bleu), and the Hematite (mushroom and swiss.) Get it on a pretzel bun. Huge onion rings or homemade Pit Chips are the perfect accompaniment to these juicy patties.
Congress Pizza in Ishpeming is an old-school pizza house that makes a thin, crispy crust using a family recipe that hasn’t changed since 1957! Toppings include house-made cudighi. Vegan and gluten-free options include two types of gluten-free crusts, vegan cheese, chicken, pepperoni, and Italian sausage, so no one has to miss out!
Delicious pizza isn’t the only thing on the menu at Poppi's Pizzeria Mozzi in Gwinn. Dig into a bowl of penne with alfredo, pesto, or vodka sauce, or their 12-layer homemade lasagna for an Italian dinner like Nonna used to make! Pizzas range from Margherita to SoCal. There’s even a breakfast and dessert pizza! With three sizes, and a stuffed crust, deciding might be tough.
Step into the nautical-themed Portside Inn with its cozy pub atmosphere and plates of comfort food and you’ll see why this has been a local favorite for nearly 40 years. Grab a seat by the fireplace and start with the breadsticks. Choose from fresh Lake Superior Whitefish cakes, chili, nachos, pizza, pasta, burgers, and stacked sammies.
CASUAL COMFORT DINING
DIGS Gastropub is all flavor and fun. Unique shareables include Kimchi balls, BBQ Mac Rolls, tacos, sliders, and mini dogs. Try a craft cocktail like the Petoskey Stone gin with rosemary simple syrup, OJ, and soda water for a refreshing change.
With its eclectic atmosphere and fresh seasonal menu, The Delft Bistro is a hit with all ages. Silent films play in the background of this historic 1914 movie theater. Start with an opening act of cheese curds, and special features like loaded brussel sprouts and poutine. For the main act, dive into fall-off-the-bone ribs, Muscovy duck breast, or butternut squash agnolotti.
Iron Bay Restaurant & Drinkery offers a seasonal menu and Superior views. Look out at the historic Ore Dock while digging into a bowl of whitefish chowder that couldn’t get any fresher. Follow with a Foundry Burger with bacon and blue and Yooper Sisters Sweet Pepper Jam. Save room for dessert. Theirs get rave reviews.
Lagniappe will transport you to the Big Easy, with its cozy atmosphere and Cajun Creole creations. Enjoy Boudoin, Fon- deaux, and Gumbo, fried or blackened platters and Cajun classics like shrimp and grits. Go for brunch (Thurs-Sat until 2 p.m.) and order the Drunken Hot Beignets! Just like its name, Lagniappe offers a little something extra.
For the best wurst, schnitzel, spaetzle, and sauerbraten, head to Steinhaus, where classic German cuisine is made with organic, locally-sourced meats, produce, eggs, and honey. Dishes are perfectly prepared and portions are generous.
The Vierling is Marquette’s original brewpub, and has been a downtown mainstay for nearly 40 years. Historic photos from its 1890s saloon days grace the brick walls. Enjoy a plate of freshly caught Lake Superior whitefish with a pint of their house-brewed ale.
The Up North Lodge in Gwinn has a long history of welcoming families. While the business has evolved, the hospitality has remained as warm and friendly as ever. Reservations recommended. Plan ahead and book the sleigh ride (!), then warm up by the fire in this cozy log cabin. Try their “almost world-famous ribs,” with a Bloody Mary that is almost a meal in itself.
UPSCALE EXPERIENCE
For an elevated dining experience, step into the intimate setting of The Cellar at the Zephyr Wine Bar, where you can experience a four-course, prix fixe menu of seasonal culinary creations, with wine pairings from their expansive wine list. Friday and Saturday only, two seatings, reservations required. Vegetarian and vegan options.
Elizabeth’s Chophouse is Marquette’s fine-dining steakhouse, featuring perfectly grilled meats and seafood. Start with Oysters Rockefeller and Foie Gras, then dive into a 40-day dry-aged Certified Angus Ribeye or share the Ultimate Surf and Turf for two, with lobster, King crab, shrimp, and scallops. Enjoy on the balcony on a warm summer evening.
LOCAL BREWS & SPIRITS
With no shortage of local breweries, you’ll want to pace yourself as you explore our local hops.
Blackrocks Brewery, in an old Victorian house, has a homey vibe and 16 taps featuring year-round and seasonal suds. Start with a flight to find your fave, then settle in with a pint on the porch or patio. No visit to Marquette is complete without a stop at this hometown brewery.
Barrel + Beam brews up farmhouse ales, rustic ciders, and meads with Michigan-sourced ingredients. You’ll love the atmosphere in this cozy former Northwoods Supper Club Lodge. Attend a beer pairing, order some bites from their Northwoods Test Kitchen, and grab a snap in front of their “Wish You Were Beer” selfie wall.
Housed in a former two-story garage, Ore Dock Brewing is the place to be on hot summer days when the overhead bay door is open or any time of year! Sample a flight while you enjoy live music or peruse an art exhibit in the upstairs community space.
Drífa Brewing Company is Michigan’s first cooperatively-owned brewery and open to everyone. With small-batch brews and a family-friendly atmosphere on the shore of Lake Superior, what’s not to like? Bring your pup, ride your bike (it’s off the Iron Ore Heritage Trail), and sip on a Lower Harbor Lager!
Upper Peninsula Brewing Company, Negaunee’s first brewery, has a modern industrial vibe of brick, steel, and wood, and a great mix of brews. Start with a pour of their Saison or Tangerine Pale Ale or go for a Stout or a Blonde. Whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong.
Superior Culture brews its own kombucha, seltzer, cider, mead, and ginger beer. Order a flight to experience the variety of small-batch flavors from the tap, then grab a few bottles to go. There’s always something new and unique brewing here!
Zephyr Wine Bar boasts the largest by-the-glass wine list in Michigan, with a whole page of under $9 pours, which means you don’t have to break the bank to sip here. Their menu is full of well-crafted wines at all price points. Discover a new varietal and share a Charcuterie slate.
The Honorable Distillery is the newest addition to Marquette’s drinkeries. Housed in the former Nordic Theater (1936-1994), Marquette's first distillery uses local and regional ingredients in its spirits. Try a tasting of their Nordic gin, vodka, bourbon, and rye, then decide if you want yours neat, on rocks, or in a craft cocktail. A nice alternative to suds.
