Fresh air, waterfront views and excellent entrees. Dining outdoors is one of the many joys that the warmer weather of summer provides, and Pure Ludington delivers some must-stops on your next visit.
Pub patios and beer gardens
A Biergarten at Stix is the latest addition to the outdoor dining scene in Ludington. The restaurant on M-116, as you head out to the Ludington State Park, held a grand opening celebration this spring to spotlight its expansive outdoor space that offers its own exclusive food and drink menu. The garden features lighting, a pavilion to host live music and turf yard games like cornhole and bocce ball. Stix also has added an inviting deck overlooking the Biergarten, as well as seating at seven fire pits.
A beautiful beer garden with views of Pere Marquette Lake and Lake Michigan can be found at one of Ludington’s mainstays, Jamesport Brewing Company. The new biergarten offers a casual atmosphere complete with lighting and games, perfect to accompany one its many brews. Visitors also can enjoy dinner on the deck along with seasonal favorites like Hefeweizen and Blueberry Wheat.
Ludington Bay Brewing Company has a spacious 1,500-square-foot patio that often is the place to catch Ludington’s live, local musicians. The patio also is complete with a fire pit and fireplace if there’s a chill in the air. They offer up an impressive menu and 24 beers on tap. You won’t want to miss Summer Fling, a local crowd seasonal favorite brew.
Waterfront views
Want a view of the lake while sipping on a cocktail and indulging in a great meal? We’ve got you covered. With a patio view of the Ludington marina, Crown and Cork is a trendy new restaurant with a relaxed vibe. Impressive dinner features like char-grilled ribeye, Great Lakes fish and chips, and a signature alfredo pasta can be paired with one of the bar’s hand-crafted cocktails. If you time it right, you may even get a glimpse of the SS Badger going in or out of port.
Rooftop decks and sidewalk cafés
For a skyline view of the city, climb the hidden staircase to Over the Moon, Blu Moon Bistro’s rooftop patio, featuring a more casual menu from its downstairs counterpart, like lobster nachos and poutine. Additionally, a sidewalk patio at the street level serves food from the bistro menu, plus your pooch can join you.
Ludington’s newest fine dining establishment featuring Charleston-inspired dishes is Table 14, right on Ludington Avenue, where you can catch all the views of downtown while dining outdoors. For a quieter corner, head around the block to Cafe 106 for a scrumptious brunch at an outside table. Or try Italian favorite Luciano’s Ristoranti, right across the street, for award-winning pastas and pizzas.
Picnic takeout
If you’re headed to one of Ludington’s many parks or beaches, there are some great grab-n-go options that hit the mark. Keeper’s Fish Shack, a walk-up restaurant adjacent to Legacy Plaza, also has to-go options for the casual diner. With specials like fish cakes, local asparagus and its always impressive options for fish to-go, you will not be disappointed. Additionally, Q Smokehouse offers delicious hot meals like chicken, beef brisket, pork tenderloin and chipped pork, smoked daily on-site. Grab a custom-built sandwich to go and enjoy everything Ludington has to offer outdoors.
