Nestled along the shores of Lake Superior, Munising is a charming small town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. While small in size, Munising boasts some incredibly tasty restaurants that serve up delicious meals showcasing fresh regional ingredients.From pasties to pizza to whitefish, Munising has appetizing options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
If you’re visiting Munising, make sure to stop by these excellent local eateries that shouldn’t be missed.
1. Bay Furnace Bagel Works
Address: 220 E State Highway M28, Munising, MI 49862
For a hearty breakfast or lunch in a cozy cafe, Bay Furnace Bagel Works is a go-to spot. This bakery café makes wood-fired bagels fresh daily along with breakfast sandwiches, soups, salads, and coffee.
The bagels have a perfectly chewy interior and crispy crust from being cooked in their wood-fired oven. Try the veggie bagel sandwich loaded with eggs, tomatoes, spinach, roasted red peppers and melted cheese for a satisfying start to your day.
Their Munising Special with egg, ham and cheddar cheese on an Asiago bagel is another top-seller. Be sure to also try their broccoli cheddar or chicken dumpling soup, served piping hot in a bread bowl – perfect for warming up on a chilly Upper Peninsula morning. And their chai tea latte made with steamed milk and Oregon chai is an excellent pick-me-up.
2. Muldoon’s Pasties and Gifts
Address: 1246 W State Highway M28, Munising, MI 49862
For an iconic Upper Peninsula pasty, stop by Muldoon’s. These savory handmade pasties are stuffed with tender steak, potatoes, carrots, rutabaga and seasoning baked in a flakey pastry crust.
Opt for a traditional beef pasty, or try their veggie or chicken versions. You can get the pasty baked fresh or deep fried for an extra crispy crust. Pair your pasty with their hearty chicken noodle soup or potato salad for a filling meal.
Muldoon’s also sells locally made gifts like smoked fish, fudge, syrups and souvenirs, making it the perfect place to grab an edible souvenir from your trip. The staff is extremely friendly and willing to offer recommendations if it’s your first pasty.
3. Grand Marais Tavern
Address: 14260 Lake Street, Grand Marais, MI 49839
Just 15 minutes from Munising in the tiny lakeside town of Grand Marais, this homestyle tavern and cookhouse is worth the quick drive. The menu focuses on comforting pub grub like burgers, sandwiches, fish fry and barbecue ribs.
Standouts include their Yooper sandwich with smoked whitefish and Swiss cheese on rye and the Jumbo Butterfly Shrimp Basket with slaw and fries. They have eight rotating craft beers on tap along with a full bar.
The rustic interior has a tavern atmosphere with some seating out on the porch when weather permits. Expect casual counter service and relaxed vibes. It’s a nice spot to unwind after a day of exploring Pictured Rocks and the surrounding area.
4. East Channel Brewing Company
Address: 209 Maple St, Munising, MI 49862
For craft beer and elevated pub fare, make your way to East Channel Brewing in downtown Munising. This brewery and gastropub offers 8-10 of their house brewed beers on tap like Point Beer amber ale and Shipwreck IPA.
Their menu features starters like pretzels with beer cheese sauce, salads, sandwiches, pizzas and heartier plates. Standouts include their pasty ploughman’s board with a chicken pasty, cheese, sausage, grapes and mustard and their smoked whitefish spread flatbread.
The interior has a chic industrial look with exposed ductwork, string lights and pops of green. When weather permits, snag a seat on their patio with views of downtown and the lake in the distance. East Channel provides a welcoming neighborhood vibe with tasty food and exceptional craft beer.
5. Fitzgerald’s Restaurant
Address: 5033 Front St, Eagle River, MI 49950
Just northwest of Munising in Grand Marais, Fitzgerald’s is legendary for its whitefish dinners and stunning sunsets. Housed in a historic 1930s log cabin lodge, this family-run restaurant overlooks Lake Superior and the Grand Sable Dunes.
Fitzgerald’s bakes or fries fresh caught whitefish along with homemade soups, salads and sides. Dinner reservations are recommended to snag a table on the back deck with unforgettable views of Lake Superior at sunset. The rustic interior with its stone fireplace also provides cozy, romantic dining.
6. Pictured Rocks Pizza
Address: 106 Birch St, Munising, MI 49862
Serving pizza in Munising since 1989, Pictured Rocks Pizza is a local institution known for its hearty, flavor-packed pizzas. Located right downtown, this casual pizzeria uses fresh, homemade ingredients to create pizzas piled high with toppings.
Signature pies include the Pictured Rocks with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions and green peppers and the Chicken Alfredo Pizza with grilled chicken, Alfredo sauce, tomatoes and spinach. The restaurant also offers oven-baked subs, burgers, salads and wings alongside 17 craft beers on tap. Gluten-free pizza is available upon request.
7. Falling Rock Cafe & Bookstore
Address: 104 E Munising Ave, Munising, MI 49862
Falling Rock Cafe & Bookstore is a beloved local spot in downtown Munising offering coffee, breakfast, lunch and secondhand books. The cozy cafe serves freshly baked goods like muffins, scones and cinnamon rolls along with breakfast sandwiches and burritos in the morning.
For lunch they have soups, salads and sandwiches like the pasty melt with beef pasty filling. Falling Rock’s coffee menu features espresso drinks, pour-overs and nitro cold brew using roasted beans from Rhythm Roasting. Adjacent to the cafe is their extensive collection of used books across all genres that you can buy for just a few dollars.
With its beautiful natural surroundings and charming small town character, Munising is an idyllic Upper Peninsula getaway. The town punches above its weight class when it comes to delicious dining options that highlight regional flavors.
So come hungry and get ready to indulge in Munising’s delectable food scene during your next U.P. escape.
