Traverse City’s restaurant scene never seems to sit still. This year has brought new restaurants, new locations for familiar local favorites, and a few creative concepts popping up around downtown, the Warehouse District, and Eighth Street.
For those of us who live here, these changes are part of what makes Traverse City such a great place to call home. And for people considering a move to the area, the restaurants, shops, trails, beaches, and businesses surrounding a neighborhood can be just as important as the home itself.
Here are a few of the new and noteworthy places around Traverse City this fall.
Dojo + Bonobo | 115 Franklin Street
After closing its North Long Lake Road location earlier this year, Dojo Sushi has returned with a new downtown concept in partnership with Bonobo Winery.
Located inside a two-story Victorian overlooking Grand Traverse Bay, Dojo + Bonobo combines two Northern Michigan favorites under one roof. Bonobo operates the wine side of the business, while Dojo serves sushi, sashimi, nigiri, and rolls.
The intimate space seats about 27 guests, including eight seats at the sushi bar, creating a much different experience from a large downtown restaurant.
The Franklin Street location also puts it within easy reach of Front Street, the waterfront, and the Warehouse District, adding another dining option to this increasingly active corner of downtown Traverse City.
Chez Amie | 144 Hall Street, Suite 107
Longtime Traverse City residents may recognize the name behind Chez Amie.
Eric and Amy Fritch originally opened Patisserie Amie on East Front Street in 2005. After later moving to Lake Avenue and eventually operating as a food truck, Eric Fritch has returned with Chez Amie inside Warehouse MRKT.
The Paris-inspired brunch café brings back some longtime favorites, including the Croque Monsieur and the beignets Patisserie Amie was known for, along with crepes, Belgian waffles, breakfast pizzas, and other French-inspired dishes.
The move also adds another local business to Traverse City’s Warehouse District, an area that has evolved considerably over the years with restaurants, shops, residential properties, and entertainment all within a compact, walkable part of town.
Streamline Sushi | 1125 E. Eighth Street
Traverse City sushi fans may already know Eric Kolden from Red Ginger and White On Rice. His latest venture, Streamline Sushi, takes a decidedly smaller approach.
The restaurant operates from a retrofitted 1966 Streamline trailer in the East Side Social District on Eighth Street.
The intentionally focused menu includes sushi along with Japanese-inspired dishes, including shrimp tempura rolls and katsu curry.
It’s another example of the continued growth along the Eighth Street corridor, which has become home to an increasingly diverse mix of restaurants, businesses, and residential development.
The Three Pigs | 221 Garland Street, Suite D
After serving Korean BBQ from the Heart N Seoul food truck at Earthen Ales, owner Chad Perrault brought his concept indoors this year with The Three Pigs.
Located on Garland Street in Traverse City’s Warehouse District, the restaurant draws inspiration from the decade Perrault spent living in South Korea.
The menu centers around Korean-inspired dishes, including Korean BBQ, pork belly, kimchi jjigae, seafood pajeon, and plant-based options.
Its Garland Street location puts The Three Pigs in the heart of one of downtown Traverse City’s most distinctive areas, close to restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and the Boardman River.
Pretty Penny Steakhouse | 201 E. Front Street
Pretty Penny Steakhouse opened on East Front Street during Traverse City Restaurant Week in February 2026.
Owner Dean Sparks is another familiar name in Traverse City’s food scene. Sparks began with Sparks BBQ as a food truck before opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant on East Front Street.
Pretty Penny represents a new direction, with a traditional steakhouse-inspired menu featuring steaks, seafood, shareable sides, appetizers, and other dinner options.
Unlike many of this year’s smaller restaurant concepts, Pretty Penny occupies a larger downtown space right on Front Street, putting it in the middle of Traverse City’s shopping, dining, and entertainment district.
Umbo | 430 E. Front Street
Umbo brought something a little different to East Front Street when it opened this spring.
Created by Sarah Welch and Cameron Rolka, the intimate restaurant focuses on oysters, seafood, tinned fish, and a carefully selected menu designed around a smaller dining experience.
That size was intentional. Rather than creating a large restaurant designed for big crowds, the owners focused on creating a smaller space and more focused concept.
Umbo joins a growing collection of locally owned restaurants and businesses on the eastern end of Front Street, extending the downtown dining scene beyond the busiest blocks near Union and Cass streets.
Colibri Wine Bar | 414 E. Eighth Street
Colibri Wine Bar opened this summer inside the Commongrounds building on Eighth Street.
The concept comes from Guillaume Hazaël-Massieux, known locally for La Bécasse and the former Bistro Fou Fou, along with partner Bastien Le Guen.
Colibri offers wines from Northern Michigan alongside selections from around the world, complemented by a deliberately small food menu.
Its location inside Commongrounds also makes it part of one of the more interesting newer developments near downtown, where housing, businesses, food, entertainment, and community spaces come together in one building.
More Changes Around Traverse City
Restaurants aren’t the only local businesses making moves.
Bay Bread Company plans to close its longtime Randolph Street location at the end of 2026 and shift retail operations to its Lake Avenue location near Hagerty.
Common Objects, a gift shop and quilt studio featuring artists, independent brands, and Michigan makers, is opening in the Front Row Centre building on Front Street.
India Garden on State Street has added beer, wine, and cocktails, while Beyond Juicery + Eatery is expected to open in the former Dreoloco Taco location at 1201 E. Front Street.
There may also be a familiar name returning to the Traverse City restaurant scene. Plans have been underway to bring back Zakey, the Middle Eastern restaurant known for dishes such as shawarma, falafel, hummus, and wraps.
As with any new business, opening dates, hours, menus, and plans can change, so it’s always a good idea to check directly with a restaurant before making a special trip.
Living in Traverse City Is About More Than the House
One of the things we enjoy about working in real estate in Traverse City is that conversations about homes almost always turn into conversations about the community.
Which neighborhoods can you walk or bike from? Where’s the closest beach? How far is the TART Trail? Can you walk downtown for dinner? What’s nearby for coffee on a Saturday morning?
Those details matter because choosing a home isn’t only about bedrooms, bathrooms, and square footage. It’s also about choosing the lifestyle and location that fit you.
From Front Street and the Warehouse District to Eighth Street, Old Mission Peninsula, East Bay, West Bay, and the communities surrounding Traverse City, every area offers something a little different.
At Viewpoint Realty, we’re local. We know the neighborhoods, lakes, roads, businesses, and communities that make this area home. If you’re considering buying or selling in the Traverse City area, we’re always happy to talk about the real estate and the community surrounding it.
Restaurant and business information was compiled using local reporting from The Ticker and Northern Express and was current as of October 2026. Hours, menus, locations, and opening plans are subject to change.