A good trip up north starts with good coffee. These are the places we stop on the way to the lake, the trail or the ski hill.
In Bellaire
Ruthann's Gourmet Bakery & Coffeehouse, 105 N. Bridge St., Bellaire. Right downtown, known for its baked goods, from pastries to cupcakes and custom cakes, plus good coffee. Grab breakfast here before a walk around town.
Elk Rapids
Elk Rapids, about 26 miles southwest, has two of our favorites a block apart on River Street:
Michigander Bakery & Coffee Co., 108 River St. A bakery and coffee shop downtown, a great breakfast stop on the way to the Short's Pull Barn or the beach.
Happy Camper Coffee Co., 212 River St. It started in 2022 out of a vintage camper, run by an Elk Rapids native, and opened a storefront later that year. They use beans roasted in Traverse City. Try a seasonal latte.
Ellsworth
Front Porch Cafe, 9235 Main St., Ellsworth. A small, friendly community café in the village, close to Seven Pines Chalet and the Lake Michigan shore.
Farm cafés
For breakfast or lunch with farm-fresh ingredients, try the café at Providence Organic Farm in Central Lake, or the café and bakery at Friske's Farm Market in Ellsworth. See the best restaurants near Bellaire.
Best for working remotely
Every home we host has fast Wi-Fi and a dedicated workspace, so you can work from the house and save the coffee shops for a treat. If you need a change of scene, a weekday morning at a café in Elk Rapids or downtown Bellaire works well.
Where to stay
Alm Haus, Northwoods Treehaus and Seven Pines Chalet all have coffee bars, with Nespresso, Keurig or pour-over, so your first cup is ready before you head out.
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 →
Seven Pines Chalet
A cabin on 1.6 wooded acres with a private trail to a Lake Michigan beach, a hot tub under a gazebo, a game room and two fire pits.
Check dates and book direct →Frequently asked questions
Where can I get coffee in Bellaire, Michigan?
Ruthann's Gourmet Bakery & Coffeehouse, on Bridge Street in downtown Bellaire.
What are the best coffee shops near Bellaire?
Our favorites are Ruthann's in Bellaire, Michigander Bakery & Coffee and Happy Camper Coffee in Elk Rapids, and the Front Porch Cafe in Ellsworth.
Sources
Picks are our own. Addresses checked against each business's listing in October 2026. Hours change seasonally, so confirm before you go.