These are the places we actually send our guests, and where we eat ourselves. It's not a list of everything in town, just our favorites in Bellaire and the towns around Torch Lake.
Our favorites at a glance
| Place | Town | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Corner Bistro | Bellaire | Bistro dinner and the patio |
| Chloe's | Bellaire | A steak dinner or a night out |
| Short's Brewing Company | Bellaire | Beer, pub food and the classic Bellaire stop |
| Cellar 152 | Elk Rapids | Wine bar with a full menu |
| Providence Organic Farm café | Central Lake | Farm-fresh breakfast and lunch |
| Boyne City Tap Room | Boyne City | Bar and grill on a Lake Charlevoix day trip |
Dinner in Bellaire
Corner Bistro, 102 N. Bridge St., Bellaire. Right in the middle of downtown, with true bistro fare and a patio that's hard to beat on a summer evening. A great pick for a relaxed dinner.
Chloe's, 213 N. Bridge St., Bellaire. A chophouse-style spot on the main street, the place to go for a steak dinner or a celebration. Reserve ahead on busy weekends.
Short's Brewing Company, downtown Bellaire. The original Short's pub, open since 2004, with pub food and a long list of house beers. It's the most famous stop in town, so expect a wait in summer. See our Short's Brewing guide.
Worth the short drive
Cellar 152, 152 River St., Elk Rapids. It started in 2015 as a wine bar and has grown into a full restaurant with an eclectic menu. Pair dinner with a walk along Elk Rapids' harbor.
Providence Organic Farm, Café & Natural Food Market, M-88, Central Lake. A certified organic farm on the north end of Torch Lake, with a café serving breakfast and lunch from a seasonal menu, plus a market with the farm's produce, pastured meats and a coffee bar.
Boyne City Tap Room, 220 S. Lake St., Boyne City. A bar and grill downtown, a good stop on a day trip to Boyne City and Lake Charlevoix, or after a day at Boyne Mountain.
Breakfast, coffee and bakeries
Our favorite morning stops are Ruthann's Gourmet Bakery & Coffeehouse in downtown Bellaire, and Michigander Bakery & Coffee and Happy Camper Coffee in Elk Rapids. See our guide to coffee shops and bakeries near Bellaire.
Drinks: breweries, wineries and cocktails
Bellaire's drink scene goes well beyond Short's: a cocktail lounge in Central Lake, a meadery downtown, and wineries on Torch Lake and near Charlevoix. See breweries, wineries and distilleries near Bellaire.
Groceries and farm markets
Cooking at the house? These are the markets we use:
- Village Market, Elk Rapids: a full grocery store
- Eastport Market, Eastport, on US-31: groceries, a deli and pizza, wine and local craft beer. A great stop for boat-day supplies on the way to Torch Lake
- Providence Organic Farm, Central Lake: organic produce, meats and local fish
- Friske's Farm Market, Ellsworth: a fruit stand, bakery, café and general store, plus seasonal activities for kids
- Royal Farms, Ellsworth: a farm market and winery with seasonal fruit, baked goods and u-pick in season
Tips for eating out up north
- Expect waits in July and August, especially at Short's on weekends.
- Check hours before you go. Many places shorten hours or close for part of the off-season.
- Make reservations for dinner on holiday weekends.
Where to stay
Our homes all have full kitchens set up for group meals, and they're a short drive from downtown Bellaire.
Overlook Bellaire
A 2021 modern home on 10 private acres above Bellaire, looking out over Intermediate Lake. Sauna, cold plunge, hot tub and a game room.
Check dates and book direct →
Alm Haus
A renovated Northwoods chalet 5 minutes from Schuss Mountain, with a hot tub under the pines, triple-queen bunk room, game room and stargazing dome.
Check dates and book direct →
Northwoods Treehaus
A 1960s A-frame in the pines at Schuss Mountain Resort, with three kings, a stone fireplace, a bunk room with arcade and a treetop hot tub.
Check dates and book direct →Frequently asked questions
What are the best restaurants in Bellaire, Michigan?
Our favorites in town are Corner Bistro, Chloe's and Short's Brewing Company, all downtown. Nearby, we love Cellar 152 in Elk Rapids and the café at Providence Organic Farm in Central Lake.
Where can I get a steak in Bellaire?
Chloe's, on Bridge Street in downtown Bellaire.
Where should I buy groceries near Bellaire?
Village Market in Elk Rapids and Eastport Market on US-31 are our go-tos, with Providence Organic Farm, Friske's and Royal Farms for farm-fresh food.
Sources
Picks are our own. Addresses checked against each business's listing in October 2026. Hours and menus change, so confirm before you go.