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A street with a spire in the foreground and buildings in the background in an article about restaurants in Marquette MI

15 Best Restaurants In Marquette MI You Must Try

Home » 15 Best Restaurants In Marquette MI You Must Try

November 2, 2026 by //  by Midwest Explored

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Are you looking for restaurants in Marquette Michigan? You are in the right place. In this article, I will walk you through Marquette restaurants, vegan restaurants in Marquette MI, and the best places to eat in Marquette.

If you have never visited Marquette, then you are in for a treat. There is so much to do in the town, and the surrounding areas are incredible and offer so many options for hiking and outdoor activities.

This area is stunning in the Michigan fall, and it’s a great place for a romantic or weekend getaway. This harbour town has a lot to offer every traveller.

As Marquette attracts more and more tourists, the restaurant scene in the town has gone from strength to strength. There are lots of food options available, including American, German, Mexican, Cajun, and a lot more.

For your dining pleasure, here are 15 delicious restaurants in Marquette .

And if you’re planning to spend some time exploring the area, there are plenty of wonderful things to do in Marquette MI to enjoy between meals.

A street with a spire in the foreground and buildings in the background in an article about restaurants in Marquette MI

Best Restaurants in Marquette MI at a Glance

RestaurantBest ForCuisine
Earl E. ByrdsBreakfast and casual diningAmerican diner
Lagniappe Cajun Creole EaterySomething differentCajun and Creole
DonckersBreakfast, lunch and sweet treatsAmerican café
The DelftUnique atmosphere and date nightsNew American
The VierlingLocal fish and craft beerAmerican and seafood
Elizabeth’s Chop HouseSpecial occasions and steaksUpscale American
Lawry’s Pasty ShopTraditional Upper Peninsula foodPasties

15 Best Restaurants In Marquette MI You Must Try

Earl E. Byrds

If you are looking for a great breakfast or lunch in Marquette MI, Earl E. Byrds is well worth a visit.

This American-style diner serves classic comfort food in a cosy, retro setting. Originally opened in Munising, the restaurant expanded to downtown Marquette in 2026.

The menu includes hearty breakfast skillets, omelettes, pancakes, burgers, and sandwiches. It’s the kind of place where you can enjoy a traditional American breakfast with generous portions.

The restaurant also serves its own signature coffee blend, roasted by Gallery Coffee Company in Munising.

Located on West Washington Street, Earl E. Byrds is a great choice for a relaxed breakfast or lunch while exploring downtown Marquette.

Lagniappe Cajun Creole Eatery

If you love the Cajun New Orleans taste, then you will love this eatery. It’s like stepping out of Marquette and into Louisiana here.

They use spice for flavour here, not just for heat, and the chef really knows what he is doing. It’s good Southern food with a creative flair.

The menu is expansive and includes all you would expect and a few things you possibly wouldn’t. Menu items include things like gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and other Southern favourites.

Many locals believe this is one of the best restaurants in Marquette Michigan serving up Cajun food. They also have some vegan dishes on their menu.

There is also an in-house Voodoo Bar serving cocktails and a selection of beers, making this a great place to spend an evening.

Gumbo in a metal dish on a wooden board in a article about restaurants in Marquette MI

Donckers

Donckers is one of those landmark restaurants that everyone knows. It’s a very popular restaurant and nearly always busy. 

Founded in 1896 and at the same location since 1914 this restaurant is more of a mix between a confectionary, coffee house, and deli-style restaurant with a full-service soda fountain. It’s quirky and you might never have seen anything like it. 

Their motto is that all customers leave feeling valued and with a smile on their face.  The restaurant is on the upper floor with the soda fountain, confectionary, and coffee house on one level. It’s a great place to get breakfast or lunch. 

The menu serves soups, salads, burgers, grills, and sandwiches with weekly specials. They also have a great list of vegetarian and vegan options.  And when it comes to breakfast I don’t think I’ve seen such an exciting and enticing breakfast menu. 

The ice cream shakes and sodas are also something else. The ice cream flavors are numerous and very delicious sounding. 

Even if you don’t eat here you just have to go in and try one of their many ice cream flavors or chocolates. Donckers is one of those restaurants in Marquette MI you must visit.

A hot fudge sundae with a cherry on the top. It is in a glass dish with lots of chocolate sauce.

The Delft

If a restaurant could win an award for how it looked outside, it would be this one. It’s in a converted movie theatre and still has the vintage movie signage outside. It’s beautiful.

And if you need another reason to visit, apart from the great food, entertainment is projected onto the main dining room wall. This is one of those Marquette Michigan restaurants you have to see to believe.

It serves what it calls New American Fare, which is basically just a more high-end take on American classics.

The menu changes seasonally and includes a variety of dishes made using ingredients from local farmers and businesses.

There are also brunch options available at weekends.

This is a great place for a different date night or to bring family and friends. It’s something a little different and the food is excellent.

The outside of Delft restaurant on the street. The article is about restaurants in Marquette Michigan.

The Vierling

This is another one of those Marquette MI restaurants that everyone will have heard of. It’s one of those staples and also offers its own house-made beer.

The menu is diverse and you will find something to suit most people here. The restaurant has been a focal point in the downtown area for over 100 years.

The building was originally owned by Martin Vierling and still contains many of the original features.

You will find things like steaks, seafood, pasta, pizzas, salads, and sandwiches on the menu. The Vierling is open Monday to Saturday from 11 am until 9 pm and is closed on Sundays.

If you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy local fish and house-brewed beer, this is a great choice.

White fish with capers and spinach on a wooden plate

Iron Bay Restaurant and Drinkery

Located in the restored Iron Bay Foundry building, this Marquette restaurant has great service. It prides itself on the warm and friendly atmosphere it provides.

It’s a chic casual American restaurant on the Lake Superior shoreline. Iron Bay celebrates its history with some amazing pictures and captions located around the outer walls outlining the past of the Lower Harbor.

The food is great with such things as burgers, salads, sandwiches and the like. There are also local whitefish dishes, including Superior Whitefish and Chips and their whitefish tater tots.

There is also a selection of drinks available. The building is unique, the view over the lake amazing and the atmosphere cool and trendy.

This is one of the restaurants in Marquette MI that has a great many options for vegetarians.

Fish and chips with coleslaw, lemon and tartare sauce on a plate in an article about restaurants in marquette mi
Editorial credit: TonelsonProductions via Shutterstock.com

Portside Inn Is One Of The Best Restaurants In Marquette Michigan

This restaurant has been operating in this area for over 40 years. It’s an intimate restaurant with a nautical theme.

The full menu includes pizzas, sandwiches, burgers, salads, and appetizers. The food is very tasty and their famous breadsticks that come topped with butter and parmesan cheese are delicious.

It’s one of the best restaurants in Marquette MI that is a family-run and operated restaurant. Here they prefer to do things the old-fashioned way, so expect cooked-to-order great food.

The menu contains things such as local Lake Superior whitefish, homemade soups, and pasta dishes. It’s more of a local tradition than a restaurant and you will love this place.

One thing worth knowing is that Portside Inn doesn’t take reservations, so tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Souther Fired Chicken with Masked potatoes and corn. The article is about restaurants in Marquette Michigan.

Vango’s Is A Delicious Marquette MI Restaurant

The oldest pizza parlor in Marquette Michigan, Vango’s specializes in fresh homemade food with dough and sauces all made by hand.

The menu is a mixture of soups, salads, and pizza and has the best waffle fries according to reviews. You can build your own pizza and choose the size you need, super easy and quick. Vegetarian pizzas are also available.

In the evening they offer some great menu options including things like Roasted Greek Chicken and Dolmathes. They also have specialty days so it’s worth checking them out.

One local speciality worth trying is the cudighi sandwich, a traditional Upper Peninsula favourite made with seasoned Italian sausage. It’s a casual friendly place that the locals love.

If you love pizza this is one of the best restaurants in Marquette MI for you.

A pizza with tomatoes and rocket and Prosciutto.

Casa Calabri Is One Of The Best restaurants in Marquette MI

Voted the Upper Peninsula’s favourite Italian restaurant, so if you are looking for all the Italian vibes, this is the place to go. This is upscale Italian dining that has some of the best garlic bread around.

It is one of the restaurants owned and operated by the Johnson, Barbiere, and Fernandez families in this area. If their restaurant business is this successful, it says a lot about the food.

The menu offers a good range of dishes which includes their famous lasagna, pizza, other pasta dishes, and chicken and steak dishes.

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 4 pm until 9 pm, and closed on Mondays. Whenever you visit this restaurant you will probably love it. This is one of the best restaurants in Marquette MI that is well worth a visit.

Lasagna on a plate with a red and white napkin in the background plated in one of the best restaurants in Marquette Michigan

El Santo Tacos & Tequila

Located in downtown Marquette, this is a Mexican restaurant in Marquette with a lively atmosphere.

The restaurant serves a wide range of Mexican dishes, with a particular focus on tacos. There are also nachos, other Mexican favourites, and a selection of freshly made margaritas.

The colourful interior gives this restaurant plenty of character, and there is also patio dining available.

It’s a great place to enjoy Mexican food with family and friends while exploring downtown Marquette.

If you love Mexican food, El Santo Tacos & Tequila is one of the Marquette restaurants worth trying.

Bowl of Chili Con Carne with a side of sour cream at a Marquette MI restaurant

Bodega Is One Of The Coolest Restaurants In Marquette MI

This is real food from local farms cooked from scratch. Oh, and breakfast is served all day.

The bread is made in-house and there are vegan items available on the menu.

The restaurant is open Thursday to Saturday from 8 am until 9 pm and Sunday to Monday from 8 am until 4 pm. It is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This is a lovely trendy relaxed restaurant to have some wonderful food.

This restaurant in Marquette offers some great vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes.

Red Quinoa With Corn And Broccoli Salad By Vinaigrette at a popular restaurant in Marquette MI

Stuckos

If you love burgers then this is the place to go. These burgers have been voted the best in Marquette. 

The food is great, the atmosphere is relaxed and they have a  rotating tap list of more than 10 beers. 

They also have a great patio and this Marquette MI restaurant is in the heart of 3rd street so the location is fantastic too.

This is one of the restaurants in Marquette MI that is really affordable and well worth a trip.

Burger on a plate with fries with blue cheese on top in an article about restaurants in Marquette MI

Hudson’s Classic Grill & Bar

If you are looking for a restaurant in Marquette to take the family, this could be it. The service is friendly, the food tasty, and the atmosphere cool and laid back.

The restaurant in Marquette MI has been popular for over 20 years at this location. The restaurant’s motto is to provide its guests with an excellent Hudson’s experience. They really do live up to this.

They pride themselves on their fish dishes here and on Friday night they have an all-you-can-eat fish fry. A great all-around restaurant that everyone will enjoy.

They also have a dedicated vegan menu with a range of plant-based comfort food, making this a good choice for groups with different dietary preferences.

Shrimp and fries with lemon in a basket on a newspaper served at one of the restaurants in Marquette MI
Editorial credit: TonelsonProductions via Shutterstock.com

Elizabeth’s Chop House

If you are looking for one of the best restaurants in Marquette MI for something special, then this could be it. It’s an upscale restaurant with great food and much-talked-about steaks.

The owners describe this restaurant as a culmination of passion, devotion, and love, and it shows.

It’s a lovely Marquette restaurant, all dark brown brick and wood, and has a lovely porch you can dine outside on. The views over the harbor are also incredible.

This is the sort of restaurant where you go to relax and take your time. It’s good food cooked to order and food to be savored. It’s the sort of place you go and stay all evening. You will also find vegan and vegetarian options on the menu.

Steak with mashed potatoes on a plate with gravy in an article about restaurants in Marquette MI

Lawry’s Pasty Shop

If you are after something delicious, quick, and with no fanfare, then Lawry’s Pasty Shop is a must for your list.

It’s a traditional Upper Peninsula pasty shop that has been serving customers since 1946, and is a popular place for a quick and filling meal.

The menu is simple, with traditional meat and vegetarian pasties alongside other baked goods. The pasties are made by hand using a family recipe that has been passed down through generations.

The traditional pasties are filled with beef, potatoes, onions, and rutabaga, all wrapped in a homemade pastry crust.

You can enjoy your pasty with gravy or ketchup, and there are options to take away if you’re in a hurry.

This is one of the restaurants in Marquette MI that is great if you want to try a traditional Upper Peninsula speciality.

A pasty with meat and vegetables split open on a piece of paper

As you can see, there are some wonderful restaurants in Marquette MI, with something to suit every taste and budget.

From traditional Upper Peninsula pasties and delicious Italian food to Cajun cuisine, waterfront dining, and cosy local favourites, there are plenty of great places to eat in Marquette.

Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or spending a little longer exploring Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, make sure you leave some time to enjoy the local food scene.

Marquette is also one of the many beautiful places to visit in Michigan, so it’s well worth exploring more of the state if you have time.

I hope this list has helped you find some great Marquette restaurants to try on your next visit!

Filed Under: Exciting Cities, Food And Drink, Michigan Tagged With: Michigan, Restaurants, Travel, USA

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