This Indian restaurant in the D&W shopping plaza on 31 North opened just a few months before the pandemic struck and has had a steady stream of fans since. A huge section of the menu is dedicated to vegetarian entrees, perfect for planning the next veggie korma picnic.

Those looking to step back in time — to an era when summer residents arrived by lake steamer and rail — should head to historic Bay View. While many visitors whiz past this historic neighborhood assuming that it’s private, The Terrace Inn and 1911 Restaurant are open to the public. Locals know to grab a seat on the porch, a glass of Michigan wine from the restaurant’s vast selection, and place an order of the parmesan crusted planked whitefish.

Looking for a view of the Bay? Palette Bistro is the place to be. Summertime guests love the seafood paella — studded with mussels, shrimp, scallops, and house-made chorizo — which goes especially well with any of the wines from the Spanish section of the restaurant’s Old World wine list. Palette Bistro offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and is especially lauded for its happy hour — when the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant offers $5 cocktails and glasses of wine and specials on small plates.

Craving Mexican food? Make a beeline for Jose’s. Together with his sister and wife, José Lopez (originally from León, Mexico) has been turning out made-to-order guacamole, pork tamales, chile rellenos, and flan since late 2005.

The Vangyi family — Hmong Americans originally from Laos — have been sharing their love of spicy food from Southeast Asia with Petoskey residents for well over a decade. While the pad Thai and other noodle dishes are best-selling menu items, regulars know to try the Tom Yum soup, cucumber salad, or fish curry. During the summer months, don’t miss the iced Thai tea or coffee.

The cafe offers everything from brick-oven pizzas to cocktails and fans can’t get enough of the spot’s breakfast. Try the eggs benedict, which includes a house-made English muffin and smoked ham from northern Michigan’s beloved Plath’s. 

This collection of food trucks off of an alley between Mitchell and Michigan streets is Petoskey’s answer to Traverse City’s wildly popular Little Fleet. Visitors can make the tough call between things like gyros from Mim’s Mobile Grill, fish and chips from the Reel Deal, or the popular smoked potato tacos from Happy’s Taco Shop.

Petoskey residents have been loyal fans of Julienne Tomatoes since the sandwich shop first opened more than a quarter century ago. Beloved for its turkey club sandwich, tomato basil soup, and commitment to area farms such as Bear Creek Organic, the Howard street icon is ideal for stocking up for picnic material here.

The Walloon Lake Inn has been a special culinary destination for decades, but a change in ownership and a remodel in 2014 made the historic inn “next level.” Now one of the most sultry dining rooms in northern Michigan, this lakeside gem might just be the hottest reservation in town…er, 10 minutes south of town. While the space screams steakhouse, it’s the John Cross whitefish that is most popular. With a panko parmesan crust, summer squash, a lemon beurre blanc, and capers it’s a lovely taste of the Fresh Coast and a storied Charlevoix-based fishery. The Walloon Lake Inn offers indoor and patio seating, both of which overlook Walloon’s stunning sunsets.