If you are a foodie like us, when planning a trip, you are also researching where to eat to make sure you visit the best restaurants in Ludington. Nobody wants to waste a meal on bad food!
Located in West Michigan on the shores of Lake Michigan is the popular summer tourist destination of Ludington. With so many cool things to do in Ludington, you will definitely become hungry and crave a great meal.
Stroll through downtown Ludington, and you will find some of the best restaurants in the area, including an Italian restaurant, BBQ joint, cafes, breweries, seafood restaurants, and many more delicious food options.
Ludington has multiple culinary options and dining atmospheres that will keep everyone in the family happy and full! Ludington offers families the opportunity to select fine dining, casual, quick service, or all-day breakfast restaurants.
Pure Ludington even has some restaurants that have outdoor decks that overlook the harbor so you can enjoy the scenic views while you enjoy good eats. No matter your preferences or taste buds, you will enjoy the best restaurants in Ludington!
For many travelers, the thought of choosing where to eat in Ludington can be overwhelming, so let us guide you to finding the best spots to eat in Ludington, including the hidden gems.
Ludington Restaurant Guide
1. Ludington Bay Brewing Company
When traveling, we always seek out local breweries since we love craft beer! So it is totally fitting that the number one in our guide to Ludington restaurants would be a brewery. We love beer and consider ourselves foodies, and Ludington Bay Brewing Co. has both on tap!
After exploring all of the amazing attractions in Ludington, you will have worked up some thirst, so why not grab a locally grown and sourced beer?
Ludington Bay Brewing has a dog and kid-friendly patio that serves beers locally crafted on the shores of Lake Michigan and also offers takeaway beers in cans or growlers. Make sure to check their menu for current daily specials.
Make sure to try the shrimp or pulled pork tacos, Crab Rangoon Pizza, Michigan Craft Blue Burger, Falafel Balls, Loaded Fries, Asian Wings, and much more! Their house-made mac and cheese is REALLY good too, and we suggest adding bacon and chicken. Mac and cheese isn’t just for kids!
- Menu
- Address: 515 S. James St.
2. House of Flavors
We loved the House of Flavors restaurant – it is the best place for families traveling with kids. The dining room is large, has excellent service, a great selection on the menu for both adults & kids, plenty of highchairs, a parking lot, and really good food.
This 1950’s themed diner is the premium location in all of Michigan to get ice cream and even broke a Guinness World Record for Longest Ice Cream Dessert, manufacturing over twenty-five million gallons of ice cream a year.
Guests will enjoy home-cooked menu items such as sandwiches, salad, soup, and burgers for their meal – but make sure you leave space to enjoy an ice cream soda, milkshake, sundae, or ice cream cone, as they serve over 40 unique flavors. If you enjoy waffles, then you may enjoy their Wacky for Waffles menu section that has a Waffle Montecristo, Chicken and Waffles, and Chicken Waffles and Bacon.
House of Flavors also offers an excellent menu, especially for kids, at a reasonable price including kid’s favorites: hot dogs, mac and cheese, and grilled cheese. The best part is the kid’s meal comes with a scoop of ice cream for dessert!
During the busy summer months, you will often find a line out the side door, which is the entrance for those just wanting to get some homemade ice cream. The line moves quickly and is worth the wait.
- Menu
- Address: 402 W. Ludington Ave.
3. Jamesport Brewing Company
Another fun stop in the downtown area is Jamesport Brewing Company. If you like craft beer like us, grab a pint in the beer garden and watch the S.S. Badger return to port each evening at 7 p.m. If you visit between 6 and 7 p.m. any day of the week, you can take advantage of the $3 Badger Brown Ale pints. Or enjoy “Hoppy Hour” daily 4-6 p.m. with $1 off brews, house wines, and well drinks.
Not only do they have really good beer, but they are also one of the best restaurants in Ludington, serving up some tasty eats. We dined on their outdoor patio and ordered a few of their lunch items. If you are looking for where to eat in Ludington for lunch, this would be our top pick.
Jamesport Brewing Co. has excellent food, fun vibes, and over a dozen craft beers to try! The back patio is the perfect place to see the sunset and enjoy some lawn games like ladder ball, corn hole, and giant Jenga.
Its summer 2023 menu includes new items such as Beer Battered Cheese Curds, Black Bean Hummus, Spring Rolls, Cajun Smoked Shrimp Dip, Goat Cheese Bruschetta, Tacos, Spicy PB&J Burger, Veggie Wrap, Falafel Gyro, Sesame Crusted Seared Tuna, Michigan Cherry Stir Fry, Manicotti, and Strawberry Shortcake for dessert. They also offer an exclusive gluten-sensitive menu for guests.
- Menu
- Address: 410 S. James St.
4. The Blu Moon Bistro
The Blue Moon Bistro has two different restaurant menus, including the downstairs menu and the rooftop menu. The restaurant uses fresh, sustainable ingredients and serves a mix of Japanese, American, and French food, including sushi.
The Blu Moon has some great vegan options, including Baked Vegetable Ratatouille, Curry Vegetables, and Tempura Vegetables. Japanese-inspired foods include sushi, Japanese salads, rolls, nigiri, and sashimi in its in-house sushi kitchen.
The rooftop patio serves a variety of comfort foods like Cuban Sub, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Fish Tacos, and Corn Dog Baskets. Start your meal off right by trying one of the three nachos on the menu: lobster nachos, pulled pork nachos, and Nico’s Nachos.
- Menu
- Address: 125 S. James St.
5. Table 14
Enjoy great food with a Southern twist as Table 14 serving twists on old favorites and new creations. This restaurant has a warm, easy-going vibe that will have guests wanting to come back time after time.
Start your meal off with unique appetizers, including Pan-Fried Fritters, Crappy Chips, Crabby Cake, and Shrimp and Crab Cocktail. Enjoy Southern specialties, including Shrimp and Grits, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Carolina Sweet Tea Duck, and Cherry Smoked Chicken Thighs.
Reservations are recommended and can be booked up to two weeks in advance. You must be on time, as reservations will only be held for 20 minutes. If you are looking for a fancy meal out at one of the best restaurants in Ludington, Table 14 is one of the best places.
- Menu
- Address: 130 W. Ludington Ave.
6. Old Hamlin Restaurant
This historic restaurant has been in Ludington for over 80 years and is known for hearty home-cooked meals that are affordable and delicious. Old Hamlin is kid friendly and has been offering great service since 1912.
Eat in the restaurant in the heart of downtown Ludington and enjoy the vibrant murals on the historic downtown buildings or take a meal to go! If you are traveling with kids, it is a short walk to Sandcastles Children’s Museum, making it a great breakfast stop or lunch.
When you eat at Old Hamlin, you should come hungry, as they serve large portions of home-cooked meals that are time-tested classics. The Old Hamlin makes homemade bread, pastries, soup, and pies to delight customers’ taste buds. The diverse lunch and dinner menu includes Greek, Italian, and Mexican specialties, sandwiches, steaks, and appetizers.
Old Hamlin offers a seasonal breakfast that has charter fishing captains regularly visiting in the early morning hours. Their breakfast menu features freshly ground coffee, homemade toast, pancakes, homemade skillets, omelets, and sides such as corned beef hash. Come hungry and enjoy the Badger Bounty with pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, and home fries.
- Menu
- Address: 122 W. Ludington Ave.
7. The 10 Spot
For a casual meal, head to the 10 Spot, which consists of five food trucks, a shaded tent with plenty of seating, outdoor games, and often live music. We visited during lunch with the kids and ordered food from Lakeside Wiener Wagon and BBQ, though you can also order breakfast classics with a twist from Brunch Babes, Mexican Street Corn from Roast’d, and homemade tamales from Chavela’s Taco’s.
We enjoyed food from this gourmet hot dog food truck that also serves freshly smoked pulled pork sandwiches. Adam ordered the BBQ pork sandwich, I had one of their specialty dogs, and the kids had hot dogs with a side of mac and cheese. Be sure to try the Ludington Street Dog, which is a hot dog covered in sweet corn, parmesan cheese, garlic mayo, and chili powder.
- The 10 Spot and Weiner Wagon Menu
- Address: 5750 W. US 10
8. Keeper’s Fish Shack
If you love fish, this is one of the best restaurants in Ludington for you. Keeper’s Fish Shack is a seasonal restaurant open from May through to September serving hot fresh fish and fresh seafood and sharing secret family recipes.
Keeper’s Fish Shack serves Great Lake specialties, including The Real Sammy featuring Lake Perch and The Tacklebox Fish featuring a variety of fish options, fries, and Michigan cherry coleslaw.
If you’re looking for a quick snack, then order takeout salmon jerky, smoked whitefish, or smoked salmon dip with pita chips.
Located in Legacy Park of downtown Ludington, this walk-up, family-owned restaurant serves fish and seafood from both salt water and fresh water. The restaurant has a few tables right outside the restaurant, plus some shaded picnic tables in the plaza where you can enjoy your tasty and freshly prepared meal.
- Menu
- Address: 106 N. James St.
9. Timbers Prime
If you are looking for the best steak in Ludington, dinner at Timbers Prime is the place to go. Timbers Prime serves prime and dry-aged steaks. Adam and I love dry-aged steaks and consider ourselves steak snobs.
Timbers Prime is Ludington’s premier steakhouse that features USDA Prime, which is convection broiled at 1600 degrees and makes a huge taste difference.
Although it serves premier cuts of meats, it is a great restaurant for families too, offering a kids’ menu for children under 12 years old. They also serve fish, chicken, and freshly made desserts if you don’t enjoy steak.
- Menu
- Address: 103 W. Ludington Ave.
10. Timbers Hideaway
Connected to Timbers Prime, the Timbers Hideaway offers a family-friendly casual atmosphere that serves pub food like chicken nuggets, pizza, wraps, and salads… however, you can order off the Timbers Prime Menu as well.
This is the perfect place to grab a drink or watch a game on the big screen. Grab a variety of appetizers such as Mozza sticks, garlic knots, chicken wings, or bruschetta, and share family style. They also have an event space that is a nice place for parties.
- Menu
- Address: 101 W.Ludington Ave.
11. STIX Ludington
STIX is more than just a restaurant, it is a world-class entertainment facility. Yes, there is a restaurant with really good food, but there is also a beer garden with tons of outdoor games and a stage for live music, a bowling alley, a second-floor patio, and more.
STIX is open every day of the week, and when we visited for an early weekday dinner. Our kids enjoyed playing out on the patio with all the outdoor games like cornhole and Tik Tack Toe. At the same time, Adam and I enjoyed a cocktail and a nice dinner.
When dining in Ludington, there is nothing else out there like STIX. This is the perfect place for couples sitting in the inside dining room, families with toddlers like us, friends wanting to meet out for a drink, and large groups too.
If you are staying at the Hobby Crest Resort like we did, this is the closest restaurant to you. It is about a 5-minute drive from the resort and is only a 5-minute drive from Ludington.
- Menu
- Address: 1946 N. Lakeshore Dr.
12. Cafe 106
Cafe 106 is a hidden gem in Ludington that is a great place for breakfast in Ludington. Their patio is pet friendly and the perfect spot to enjoy a meal on a sunny day. Be sure to try some of the house favorites, including Country Benedict, Brad’s Skillet, and Jane’s Stuffed Hashbrown (these are my favorites), as you won’t regret giving them a try!
For those looking for healthy food options, Cafe 106 has a Healthy Cafe option with menu items that are full of flavor but have a reduced fat and calorie count. They are prepared in-house using fresh ingredients and created with healthy eating in mind.
- Menu
- Address: 106 N. Rath Ave.
13. Crown and Cork
Crown and Cork is a trendy restaurant with a relaxed vibe with great views of the Ludington Marina, offering impressive dinner dishes and fun handcrafted cocktails. They are only open for dinner.
Start off your dining experience with one of the many handcrafted cocktails such as the Key Lime Margarita, Buzz Kill Martini, Sangria, or Moscow Mule. Appetizers include Salmon Bites, Crab Cakes, Oysters, and Pesto Caprese Salad. Serving yummy handheld sandwiches such as French Dip, Nashville Hot Fried Chicken, and the Famous Crown and Cork Burger. Some unique offerings are Great Lakes Fish and Chips, Crab Bisque, or Char-Grilled Ribeye.
- Menu
- Address: 502 W. Loomis St.
14. Red Rooster Coffee & Company
If you love checking out small local coffee shops when traveling as we do, a stop at Red Rooster is a must. Red Rooster Coffee and Company is known for community and coffee. This is the place to go for coffee in Ludington to start off your day with a cup of coffee.
Red Rooster serves fair trade brewed coffee, pour-over coffee, nitro coffee, Ghirardelli hot chocolate, hot teas, and lattes. If you are looking for a light breakfast in Ludington, they serve organic scones, yogurt & acai bowls, muffins, organic breads and spreads, and organic cookies.
- Menu
- Address: 207 S. James St.
15. Chuck Wagon Pizza
Our first meal on our Ludington trip was from Chuck Wagon. We called in a pizza order for pick up but later found out from the owners of Hobby Crest Resort (where we were staying) that the Chuck Wagon delivers to the resort.
By the time we got off the BADGER car ferry, got our car, drove to our resort on Hamlin Lake, and got the kids settled in, we needed something quick and easy.
Thankfully Chuck Wagon Pizza was open until 10 p.m., and their pizza did not disappoint! If you are looking for restaurants in Ludington serving food after 8 p.m. on a Sunday night, this is a great option since not much is open then.
- Menu
- Address: 971 N. Lakeshore Dr.
16. Sportsman’s Restaurant and Bar
While we were on our Ludington vacation, one of our followers reached out to us on Instagram and said she lived in Ludington. So naturally, I asked for some tips and, of course, for her favorite local restaurant in Ludington.
She told us we had already visited a bunch of the best places, but we must try Sportsman’s Restaurant & Bar. They have really good bar food – think elevated bar food with all the classic menu items you could imagine.
Sportsman’s has been around since 1955 and is located right on Ludington Avenue, right next to the Mitten Bar (another must-visit stop featuring exclusively Michigan-made beer and wine). They are open during the day for lunch and dinner. What we really liked is that you could order online and pick it up, which is what we did. Bring your dinner to the top of a sand dune at Ludington State Park or the beach and watch the sunset.
Thanks, Addison, for the restaurant recommendation!
- Menu
- Address: 111 W. Ludington Ave.
Try Several Best Ludington Restaurants
Whether you are planning your first trip to Ludington Michigan, you are a returning traveler, or you are a local foodie, the food scene in Ludington Mi, has many excellent restaurants and breweries to enjoy!
Whether you are looking to try a locally made beer, a great burger, or a hot cup of coffee, you will be sure to find many local restaurants to try in the Ludington area. We hope our Ludington Restaurant Guide helped plan out most of your meals! For more restaurant ideas, check PureLudington.com/Dining.
All of the things to do in Ludington will make memories. However, a great meal can make a trip memorable and leave you wanting to come back!
