Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a local looking to rediscover your hometown, dining in Saugatuck is an essential part of the experience. The food here hits different—where lakeside views meet culinary craftsmanship, and every meal feels like a celebration. So whether you crave fresh-caught whitefish, farm-to-table Midwestern fare, or just a perfect slice of cherry pie, start your journey at one of these exceptional spots.
The Butler
$$ | (269) 857-3501 | WEBSITE
Any day of the week, you can count on The Butler in Saugatuck for an epic waterfront view. If salmon with beurre Blanc sauce and clam chowder sound too rich, there’s the hedonistic, crispy cheeseburger with bacon and avocado, or the flaky street corn briochetta that’ll leave your hands shiny with flavor. But the summer-only hangout menu items—like BBQ brisket pizza alongside a pickle and dill pie, or strawberries with goat cheese salad—are dishes to plan your day around.
Siena Coffee House
$ | (269) 857-5676 | WEBSITE
With a comfortable patio area offering both indoor and outdoor seating, the charming eatery Siena Coffee House in Saugatuck is perfect for anyone looking for a cozy meal, really, from breakfast through lunch. The menu stays consistent throughout service, but there are certain things that shine during morning hours, like the Chicken Shishkabob Wrap, a BLT with avocado, and one of the best chai tea lattes in west Michigan. Just make sure you don’t skip the pierogis.
Scooters Cafe & Pizzeria
$ | (269) 857-1041 | WEBSITE
Scooters Cafe & Pizzeria in Saugatuck is where you go when you’ve spent the day exploring the lakeshore and want to keep the relaxation going, just a little, while also satisfying some serious hunger. Pizza isn’t the only thing on the menu here, but it’s probably what you should be getting at a place with pizzeria in the name. Each pie arrives with a perfectly thin, crispy crust, generously topped from edge to edge with flavorful ingredients—it’s all but guaranteed to leave you happily full.
And if you want to find out what the “Cafe” in the name is really about, make sure to order one of their fresh, crisp dinner salads with that delicious Mediterranean feta dressing.
Spectators Sports Bar & Grill
$ | (269) 857-5001 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for a sports bar where you can catch the game or just unwind, try Spectators Sports Bar & Grill in Saugatuck. There’s the type of killer patio you might design for your dream hangout, and the cool, cozy interior is ideal for drinking strong drinks and eating tender slow-roasted beef on a Pot Roast Sandwich with zesty caper mayo and caramelized onions, or a Delmonico steak that’s flavorful and perfectly cooked.
Make sure to order the wings for the table—they’re a crispy, saucy delight that pairs perfectly with the reasonable prices.
Ida Red’s Cottage
$ | (269) 455-9834 | WEBSITE
During the summer, Ida Red’s Cottage is one of our favorite spots to sit by the water with an omelette, some pancakes, and coffee—this Saugatuck restaurant seems to do it all. Adding further to its list of food accomplishments is the year-round brunch menu. And while you can (and probably should) get the thick-cut toast with real butter and good jams to share with the table, most of the menu is made up of classic breakfast items that you’ll want to make a part of your order.
Omelettes arrive filled with fresh ingredients and cooked just right, while pancakes get the cornmeal treatment—thick and hearty—before getting topped with real butter and maple syrup.
Coast 236 Restaurant & Bar
$$$$ | (269) 455-5112 | WEBSITE
On weekends, the crowds waiting at this upscale seafood destination spill onto the corner of its Saugatuck location. Coast 236 Restaurant & Bar is its own mini-scene where the ambiance and the food are equally refined. Many of Coast 236’s dishes, like the Tuna Crudo appetizer and Faroe Island Salmon entree, taste almost as fresh—and just as good—as anything from the coast itself.
It’s a great excuse to sip wine pairings or craft cocktails after a day at Lake Michigan, and seeing the out-of-towners you bring with you praise the restaurant’s elegant lighting, buzzing bar area, and tasteful nautical decor might soften your gripes about the winter drive.
Bowdies Chophouse
$$$$ | (269) 455-5481 | WEBSITE
Walking into Bowdies Chophouse feels like stepping into a classic American steakhouse, complete with warm lighting and attentive staff moving between tables with plates of perfectly cooked steaks. The menu reads and tastes like what you’d expect from a top-tier chophouse—with a little Michigan flair mixed in—which means you can find dishes like deconstructed crab cakes right next to filet mignon with truffle fries and market vegetables.
They won’t be the most delicate crab cakes or the most tender filet you’ve ever had, but they also won’t disappoint. Especially on a Saturday night when you’re celebrating something special. It gets busy for special occasions, so make a reservation or prepare for a wait during peak hours.
Duck Alley
$$ | (269) 455-5216 | WEBSITE
Nothing says “it’s a hidden gem” quite like Duck Alley’s Chicago Handshake—made up of a dirty vodka martini with quality organic olives. It’s a fun and tasty way to start the evening, and a great accompaniment to duck wings, curry mussels, and fried mushrooms off Duck Alley’s French-inspired menu. This is one of the best restaurants in Saugatuck, and with its cohesive framed artwork and pendant lights, it’s one of the most inviting spaces to be in, too.
Throw in attentive service from staff like Emma and Grace and it’s one of the best places to spend a night out.
The Mitten Brewing Company
$$ | (269) 455-5719 | WEBSITE
There are plenty of breweries in Michigan, but if you’re seeking a cozy and inviting spot with a beautiful patio and excellent draft selection, you’ll want to head to The Mitten Brewing Company in downtown Saugatuck. Beers, ciders, sangria, and seltzer are served daily—show up during the week for a relatively quiet and relaxed atmosphere, or on the weekends for the fun brewery experience, complete with Mediterranean Pizza, Margherita pizza, and the Big Show pretzel with three dipping sauces.
While the menu leans classic brewery fare, you’ll also find some distinctly Michigan twists, including vegan breadsticks and sour/tart beers. You can’t make a reservation here, but you can grab your drinks to go or enjoy them on the patio.
Charlie’s ‘Round the Corner Ice Cream
$ | (269) 857-2100 | WEBSITE
Charlie’s ‘Round the Corner Ice Cream feels like a sweet escape tucked away in downtown Saugatuck. The shop is a cute little spot just around the corner from the main drag, with outdoor seating that’s always buzzing—on sunny afternoons, you’ll find families and couples lingering at the picnic tables. String lights crisscross above the patio, while the cheerful blue-and-white striped awning adds a sense of whimsy and charm.
The difference between here and your average ice cream joint is that the flavors are worth the trip alone. Grab a double scoop for yourself, then dig into cotton candy, pineapple Dole Whip, or one of the creamy oat-based dairy-free options.
Drug Store Soda Fountain
$ | (269) 857-2300 | WEBSITE
Sometimes we like stopping by Drug Store Soda Fountain even better than grabbing a full meal elsewhere. And while you can still get the classic green river phosphate any time, there’s a good amount of memorable treats, like sundaes served in those cute vintage glasses or refreshing lemon-lime sodas. You should just order all of the fun and imaginative sweets—they rotate all the time.
Service-wise, this family-owned spot means friendly staff who make you feel welcome, or, for when you really need to cool down, a charming atmosphere that’s been a beloved part of the community for decades.
El Burrito Feliz
$ | (269) 455-5587 | WEBSITE
Craving tacos, but not in the mood for a quiet dinner? At El Burrito Feliz in Saugatuck, every night can feel like a festive gathering with friends, lively music, and sports on the TVs. That’s because the atmosphere here isn’t limited to just special occasions—because who said you can’t enjoy carne asada tacos and a cold drink on a random Wednesday evening?
Expect to find generous portions of American Mexican favorites on the menu, served hot, fresh, and quickly enough that you’ll rarely wait long. The restaurant doesn’t take reservations—so show up ready to grab a table, or expect to take it to go—but you can pass the time chatting with the friendly staff or soaking up the welcoming vibe.
Wicks Park Bar & Grille
$$ | (269) 857-2888 | WEBSITE
You’ll want to arrive early if you hope to snag a spot on the dog-friendly patio during peak summer evenings (it fills up quickly, but you can always try your luck inside). There’s a lively bar area where you can catch the live music, a few cozy tables in the main dining room, and that patio that looks out onto the nearby park and river through a row of potted plants.
Order the chicken tenders to see what keeps the regulars coming back, or take advantage of the full kitchen by trying the popular Sicilian pizza. The root beer on tap is a must-try.
The Southerner
$$ | (269) 857-3555 | WEBSITE
The Southerner seems to exist in two entirely separate worlds. By night, it’s a lively and energetic dining room set in a space that feels like grandma’s house with southern classics, and very much a place that should be on your weekend roster.
During the day it transforms into a postcard-worthy spot for whiskey, chicken biscuits, shrimp and grits, and whatever else people have grown accustomed to eating and drinking between the hours of lunch and dinner—most of them with thoughtful seasoning, like fried chicken that requires no salt and pepper on the tables. There’s also a beautiful outdoor area with views of the water that look like they belong on a dock somewhere in the South.
The BARge
$$ | (269) 455-5068 | WEBSITE
The team at The BARge on the waterfront harness all of their strengths—fresh seafood, creative sauces, and scenic dining—in every meal. So yes, you should order all the seafood, including the highly recommended ahi tuna for its freshness, delicious shrimp tacos, and tasty gator bites with Baja sauce. Yes, you will have a hard time choosing between the fantastic food arriving quickly or simply relaxing with the cool vibe and watching the boats go by.
And yes, the atmosphere here sitting on the water is the best part you’ll ever experience.
The Annex Bar,Coffee shop.
$ | (269) 857-2162 | WEBSITE
During the week, The Annex Bar and Coffee Shop serves up excellent coffee and breakfast staples—it’s a spot that does a few things, and does them well. But once the weekend hits, it’s all about the quiet mornings, with a cozy atmosphere that focuses on the peaceful view—like the river panorama from the second-floor patio, the friendly baristas, and the reusable glasses—plus a veggie omelette and fried potatoes in case you need a little weekend fuel.
There’s also a variety of quick lattes where you can order plenty of caffeine, with about half a dozen breakfast options at reasonable prices.
Lady Bird
In a beautiful setting in Saugatuck, Lady Bird delivers excellent food across the menu, particularly for festive occasions. The lobster roll comes with perfectly buttered brioche and generous chunks of fresh meat, while the steak flatbread features tender slices with caramelized onions and arugula. Don’t miss the incredible smash burger that brings together a crispy patty, melty cheese, and special sauce for a gloriously satisfying handheld meal.
The Hugo spritz refreshes with elderflower and prosecco bubbles, and creative drinks like the fig martini balance sweetness with botanical notes. Service remains consistently friendly in the spacious indoor and outdoor seating areas, all wrapped in attractive decor that makes this a year-round destination worth recommending.
