14 Of The Best Restaurants In The Great Lakes Region, According To Customer Reviews - Tasting Table

"Every year, millions of domestic and international visitors flock to the Great Lakes Region of North America, which spans the U.S. states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin as well as the Canadian province of Ontario. Indeed, those five interconnected freshwater lakes, called Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, have become prime destinations for families, couples, and friends alike, offering recreational activities in an idyllic setting, such as fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, picnicking, and scenic drives along charming harbors."

"All these exciting pursuits are likely to whet your appetite. Fortunately for foodies, those locations are brimming with excellent restaurants for all tastes, age groups, budgets, and dietary needs. They offer familiar dishes and desserts but also famous local specialties like Finnish and Dutch pancakes, butter tarts, whitefish chowder, buffalo chicken wings, apple fritters, and wild rice. To help steer you in the right direction, here's a curated list of some of the Great Lakes Region's most acclaimed eateries."

"Nestled in Oakland County, about 11 miles north of Detroit, Hazel Park is home to Mabel Gray, a first-rate dining experience in a relaxed and comfortable setting. Not only was the latter a James Beard semifinalist in 2016 for the Best New Restaurant award - the only establishment in the state to be nominated for that category that year - but it was also named Hour Detroit's 2025 Restaurant of the Year."

Millions of domestic and international visitors frequent the Great Lakes Region of North America, spanning eight U.S. states and Ontario. The five interconnected freshwater lakes—Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario—support activities such as fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, picnicking, and scenic drives along harbors. Dining options cater to varied tastes, budgets, ages, and dietary needs, ranging from familiar comfort dishes to celebrated local specialties like Finnish and Dutch pancakes, butter tarts, whitefish chowder, buffalo chicken wings, apple fritters, and wild rice. Notable eateries include Mabel Gray in Hazel Park, known for chef-driven, seasonally rotating tasting menus using locally and ethically sourced ingredients and for receiving industry recognition.

Read at Tasting Table