When it comes to Ludington’s food scene, you have a myriad of choices to fill your belly. From quick and casual to upscale, and everything between, we’ve got you covered.
Comfort Food
If you’re looking for something that’s down-home, relaxed and with plentiful portions, try one of these Ludington traditions:
- House of Flavors – Kids of all ages love the iconic, 70-year-old House of Flavors with 50s diner décor, vintage memorabilia from its days as Park Dairy, and plentiful servings of some of the best comfort food around. Breakfast is an all-day affair at this third-generation, family-owned business, but it draws a crowd for lunch and dinner too (including the not-to-be-missed, fresh-roasted turkey dinner with all the trimmings). Cap it all off with a scoop of one of 30 flavors of ice cream in house at any given time from one of Michigan’s original, continuously operating ice cream makers.
- Ludington Pub – This recently modernized pub on James Street is a cozy spot to grab a bite and a pint. The menu of American cuisine includes tasty starters, salads, fresh-grilled burgers with unique toppings, chicken wings, and more. Catch a football game or live music for added entertainment. Watch its Facebook page for deals like 50-cent wings and $1 all-beef hot dogs.
- Old Hamlin Restaurant – This family-owned, family-friendly restaurant has been a Ludington dining tradition since 1942. Renowned for its homemade bread, soups, pastries and pies, the Old Hamlin offers a comfortable atmosphere with a diverse menu – including Greek, Italian, and Mexican specialties, as well as steaks, seafood, sandwiches, and appetizers. Favorite features include the massive salad bar and all-you-can-eat seasonal breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets.
- Q Smokehouse – This order-at-the-counter establishment offers delicious hot chicken, beef brisket, pork tenderloin and chopped pork smoked daily on site, plus tasty southern sides like smoked baked beans, mac and cheese, collard greens, coleslaw and “Not your Mama’s Potato Salad,” along with scratch-made sauces and pickled condiments. Order ala cart, single meals or family combo meals.
- Sportsman’s Restaurant & Bar – Third-generation, family-owned Sportsman’s has been offering a destination of “great food, good spirits and friendly people” as its motto says, for more than 60 years. Whether you want to watch a football game while enjoying appetizers, like Sporty’s crazy crust and deep-fried pickle chips, take your date out for Great Lakes walleye, or feed the family with one of its signature thin-crust pizzas, you’ll get filled up in a fun atmosphere.
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Bistro Fare
Ludington has a sweet spot for combining excellent food with great drinks in cozy settings, from Italian bistros to craft beer gastropubs like the following favorites – a perfect stop whether it’s dinner with the family or cocktails with friends.
- Barley & Rye – With the tagline “more than just whiskey” (though that’s a big draw with the largest whiskey and scotch selection in the area), there is everything to love about Barley & Rye’s savory menu specializing in fresh dishes with a Mexican-inspired flair – including burrito bowls, chopped salads, sammies and even mac & cheese (six different kinds). Wash it down with a craft cocktail or lawnmower beer on draft. Dine inside or in the beer garden if it’s a nice day.
- Jamesport Brewing Company – Ludington's first brew pub features tasty grub in a friendly, casual atmosphere that also is a slice of Ludington history, located in an 1890-era Victorian storefront that originated as a saloon and hotel. Its rich history is palpable today with high ceilings, exposed brick walls, windowed facade and wide, wooden doors. Jamesport offers an extensive menu of lunch, dinner and cocktails, plus handcrafted beers (including favorite Blueberry Wheat, complete with Michigan blueberries for garnish). Snag a table on the back deck overlooking Ludington's harbor for views of the S.S. Badger or sunset.
- Luciano’s Ristoranti – Dine at this charming mom-and-pop Italian restaurant and whet your appetite with Chef Leo's mouth-watering eggplant rollatini before moving on to a delicately prepared “veal luciano.” Or, if you’re after something simpler yet still delectable, try one of his gourmet pizzas like Leo’s famous white pizza. Enjoy all your Italian favorites in this relaxed corner bistro that includes an outside patio. And if you’re lucky, you might catch live, acoustic music during dinner.
- Ludington Bay Brewing Company – The newest entrant to Ludington’s craft beer scene, Ludington Bay Brewing features 20-plus beers on tap daily (with Ludington-themed names like First Curve, James Street Brown and Great Lakes Brown) in its 1,800 square-foot tap room and 1,500-square-foot patio, where you can enjoy a custom brew or one of many excellent dishes. And this isn’t your run-of-the-mill bar food either – pizzas are elevated to gourmet status with flavors like asparagus and crab rangoon, and entrees include “adult” mac & cheese, grilled mahi mahi and house-smoked back ribs.
Upscale Dining
Ludington is a comfortable town all the way around, so even our most upscale restaurants still welcome jeans- and shorts-clad customers. That said, we offer a sophisticated food scene that takes it up a notch if you’re looking for something special.
- Blu Moon Bistro – This stylish bistro in downtown Ludington specializes in fusion cuisine with a menu influenced by Japanese and French cooking techniques – serving fresh, hand-rolled sushi, a variety of entrees and small plates, plus a full bar with specialty cocktails. There are many seating options as well, from the main-floor dining rooms with cozy nooks, to the bar area with sliding garage doors and adjacent streetside patio for warmer days, to the “Over the Moon” rooftop patio featuring a more casual menu, with favorites like lobster nachos and poutine.
- P.M. Steamers – Offering waterfront views of Pere Marquette Lake from the large picture windows and the patio, P.M. Steamers offers a top-flight menu of lunch, dinner and specialty cocktails that change seasonally based on Michigan’s bounty. Enjoy fresh Great Lakes catches like Michigan rainbow trout, Great Lakes perch and Italian whitefish, or seafood from further afield like Alaskan halibut and wild-caught Canadian walleye. If you’re more into turf than surf, order up a juicy New York strip or filet mignon.
- Scotty’s Restaurant – The more casual cousin to P.M. Steamers (same owner), Scotty’s serves up delicious dishes, whether for brunch (from Swedish pancakes to deluxe omelets) or dinner. Run by the Scott family for more than 40 years, the restaurant is famous for its lake perch and prime rib. Enjoy a glass of wine, beer or spirits with your dinner.
- Table 14 – Ludington’s newest fine-dining restaurant, Table 14 is an upscale, Southern-inspired bistro serving an eclectic and seasonal menu that will transport you to the low country of Charleston, S.C., where Chef Howard did his culinary training. Feast upon Charleston crab cake sandwiches, she crab soup, shrimp and grits, Carolina sweet tea duck and New Orleans crab and crawfish rolls, among other Southern specialties.
Learn more about Ludington’s dining scene here. You can also read our blog about outside dining options here.
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