Saint Ignace is a charming waterfront town located on the shores of Lake Huron in the Upper Peninsula. As the gateway to Mackinac Island, Saint Ignace provides plenty of dining options for travelers.
From upscale eateries to classic diners, the town boasts a fantastic food scene. With creative cuisine, lakefront settings, and small town charm, these eateries showcase the best of what Saint Ignace has to offer.
1. BC Pizza
Address: 277 N State St, St Ignace, MI 49712
Family-owned since 1992, BC Pizza serves incredible handcrafted pizzas, subs, wings and more in a casual setting. Their specialty is Detroit-style deep dish pizza which has a thick, airy crust and gets stacked high with toppings like pepperoni, sausage, bacon and roasted red peppers.
Other offerings include thin crust pizzas, calzones, pasta entrees, salads, and oven baked subs. In addition to great food, BC Pizza offers a nice selection of craft and domestic beers. There is some indoor seating but many customers opt for take-out or delivery.
2. The White Buffalo Bar & Grille
Address: 312 E Central Ave, Mackinaw City, MI 49701
Serving American pub fare, seafood, and steaks, White Buffalo provides a taste of the North in a fun, laidback setting. The menu features starters like breaded mushrooms, chili cheese fries, and buffalo wings alongside burgers, sandwiches, tacos and pizzas baked in a stone hearth oven.
The full bar offers Michigan craft brews, specialty drinks like the Mackinaw Peach Bellini, and flights of Northern Michigan wines. Nightly live music creates an energetic vibe.
With seating outside overlooking Lake Huron, White Buffalo Bar & Grille provides scenic views and a wonderful taste of Northern Michigan in Mackinaw City.
3. The Gangplank
Address: 100 South N State St, St Ignace, MI 49781
Serving American and Greek cuisine in a casual atmosphere, The Gangplank has been owned and operated by the Papadopoulos family for over 50 years. The extensive menu features American classics like steaks, chicken, seafood, burgers, sandwiches, salads and fresh Great Lakes perch.
They also offer authentic Greek specialties including moussaka, pastichio, chicken Athenian, gyros, and spinach pie. Daily specials like Hawaiian chicken keep the menu fresh. Service is gracious and welcoming. The Gangplank hosts live entertainment on weekends, everything from piano bar sing-alongs to Elvis impersonators.
4. Java Joe’s Cafe
Address: 959 N State St, St Ignace, MI 49781
For freshly roasted coffee, tasty breakfasts, and lakefront views, head to Java Joe’s Cafe. This inviting spot starts mornings right.
Java Joe’s Cafe crafts excellent breakfast sandwiches, burritos, skillets, pancakes and daily specials. However, it’s their coffee that really stands out.
Java Joe’s roasts premium coffee beans daily on-site, ensuring the freshest, boldest cup around. Beyond expertly brewed coffee, the cafe serves cappuccinos, lattes, and light lunch fare.
The bright interior and outdoor deck allow you to soak up sunshine and gorgeous views looking out over Lake Huron as you sip your morning joe.
5. Zak & Mac’s Chocolate Haus
Address: 260 N State St, St Ignace, MI 49781
Specializing in handcrafted chocolates, fudge, and confections, Zak & Mac’s creates artisan chocolate treats on-site daily using high-quality ingredients. Their glass cases showcase an enticing array of truffles, caramels, barks, molded chocolates, and uniquely flavored fudge like Mackinac Island Fudge and Chocolate Cherry.
They also serve hot chocolate, milkshakes, floats, and housemade pastries like croissants and scones. The quaint cafe has seating inside and out for sipping and savoring.
Beyond ready-made treats, Zak & Mac’s offers classes in chocolate making and candy crafting. It’s the perfect stop for curing any chocolate craving.
6. Wild Blueberry Breakfast and Bakery
Address: 645 I-75BL, St Ignace, MI 49781
Opened in 1995, Wild Blueberry specializes in homemade baked goods featuring wild blueberries. Their bakery cases tempt with giant blueberry muffins, turnovers, scones, cinnamon rolls, danishes, cookies and elaborate fruit pies.
Everything at Wild Blueberry Breakfast and Bakery is made from scratch in-house, using wild blueberries from regional farms and orchards. The cozy cafe has a few tables for indoor dining and seasonal outdoor patio seating.
7. Molly Moo’s Ice Cream Parlor
Address: 576 N State St, St Ignace, MI 49781
Family-owned since 1997, Molly Moo’s crafts premium ice cream, gelato, sorbet, and frozen yogurt on-site daily. They offer classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla alongside creative Northern Michigan-inspired options such as Mackinac Island Fudge, Bear Paw, and Yooper Blueberry.
The bright, colorful interior provides a fun, welcoming atmosphere with seating for indoor enjoyment. A highlight for kids is the cow statue with udders serving up cold milk.
With its commitment to small-batch frozen treats and charming soda fountain vibe, Molly Moo’s Ice Cream Parlor is a beloved Saint Ignace destination to beat the summer heat or satisfy a sweet tooth any time of year.
8. Driftwood Motel Restaurant & Sports Bar
Address: 590 N State St, St Ignace, MI 49781
Open for over 60 years, the Driftwood’s restaurant provides a taste of classic Upper Peninsula fare in a fun, laidback setting. The menu features U.P. specialties like pasties, whitefish, and yooper tenderloin alongside pub staples like burgers, wings, nachos, and brick oven pizzas.
With plenty of TVs and Northern Michigan sports memorabilia decorating the walls, the Driftwood provides a casual spot to enjoy the game. The restaurant hosts live bands on weekends and offers shuttle service to area casinos.
Known for its hearty portions, cold beer, and welcoming atmosphere, the Driftwood Restaurant & Sports Bar provides a dependable spot for travelers and locals alike to refuel with U.P. hospitality after a day of adventures.
9. Village Inn
Address: 250 S State St, St Ignace, MI 49781
Village Inn is a historic restaurant serving American cuisine in a rustic inn setting. It was originally opened in 1933 and continues to charm diners today.
The menu features homestyle classics like pot roast, chicken and dumplings, and roast turkey alongside steaks, seafood, sandwiches, salads, and brick oven pizzas. Village Inn is especially known for its Sunday buffet brunch, offering an indulgent spread of breakfast and lunch items.
Dining rooms in the sprawling timber-frame inn provide cozy, welcoming spots to gather by a fireplace or take in expansive views of Lake Huron. Live music on weekends adds to the backdrop.
With its beautiful waterfront location, Saint Ignace offers some fantastic dining spots to fuel your Upper Peninsula adventures. From barbecue joints to diners, pubs to whitefish fries, this guide provides a great starting point to experience the best of what “St. Iggy” has to offer.
Whether planning a special night out or needing a quick bite after sightseeing, you’re sure find something delicious that captures the flavors of the U.P.
