Rustic cabin exterior, homey interior - like a cross between your grandmother's house and Gaston's beer hall (?) from Beauty and he Beast -- there's seriously a mounted bear coming out of the wall, ready to pounce. Really adds to the ambiance. All our drinks were good -- Mojitos, Manhattans, beer, and a basic gin and seltzer. Not only did the bartenders make great (and strong) drinks, but they had excellent beer on tap. We were very happy. And saucy, I'm sure. The four of us ordered two walleye specials, the duck, and the trout. The duck was huge, and came with both rice and potatoes, which was unconventional but not disappointing. The potatoes au gratin were delicious - not greasy or overly cheesy. The perfect au gratin potatoes. The pecan-encrusted trout was perfect. Huge piece of fish with a fantastic texture - loved the crunchiness of the outside, and the inside was moist and really flavorful. My only complaint with my dinner was that the amount of walleye served for the special was pitiful. Really tiny piece of fish, and it definitely looked alone and sad on the plate next to the potatoes. Of course, it tasted wonderful, but for the price ($26 or $27), it definitely was not worth it. My appetite as not sated. I wish I would have ordered the trout for sure. We all got dessert - two of their famous blueberry/raspberry pies, the frozen peanut butter pie, and the key lime pie. Everyone else loved their pies, but I hated mine. It was lukewarm and oozing all over the place, like it hadn't been properly cooled. It was unappetizing to look at, and I only had a couple bites because I really didn't like it at all. Despite a few negatives, we really had a great time at Manitou. I'll definitely visit again the next time we are in Michigan - but during the summer only, because it's a seasonal restaurant.
(4)
Andy G.
My memories of this place were from a decade ago, so when my elderly Aunt wanted to go there I was not looking forward to it. How wrong I was. Wonderful food, pleasant setting, efficient staff. It was so good I went two days later with some local friends! The "early bird" prices from 4:30PM - 6:00PM are about 1/2 the regular prices, with smaller portions, but PLENTY of food for a normal appetite. The white fish - the trout - even the Delmonico Steak were all excellent.
(5)
Michelle C.
Very good dinner and good service. I had the broiled cod. They were very accommodating for food sensitivities.
(4)
Ben K.
Wow, I was just blown away by everything here. Literally everything on our table was amazing. I had the lemon herb broiled whitefish, which was perfectly cooked and just swimming in deliciousness. The au gratin potatoes are also clean-your-plate fantastic. My table was similarly enamored with the rainbow trout and the tenderloin filet. Also, the caesar salad was one of the best I've ever had, with a great dressing that wasn't too heavy and awesome croutons. We polished off the baked artichoke dip too, an item I would absolutely get again. I cannot wait to come back here for more!
(5)
Julie G.
Excellent food, service good. Unfortunately, google & apple maps are both wrong. Manitou is 9 miles north of Frankfort. Visited 9/1/13
(4)
Sam S.
Been coming here for years and it's consistent. I'm a huge fan of the pan fried garlic perch. I'm also a huge fan of the blueberry raspberry pie, and you better reserve a slice of pie when you sit down or prepare for disappointment! Also in high summer season, make a reservation. It's slightly upscale American dining. I wouldn't call it "new" American. Only two things could improve this place. The bread is good but it's not made in house... it's good but it just has a little too much "commercially pre-made" as part of it. And for the life of me I'm not sure I'll ever understand the carrot stick, celery stick, radish, dressing pre-dinner munchie thing. It worked for a couple years, but it's long in the tooth now and there are so much more the clever things one could be doing. Great little gem "in the middle of no-where." Having a restaurant like this where it is, is a labor of love. Very few people can do this successfully. I give the owners props.
(4)
Ken B.
Worth a trip from Arizona just to have the lake perch (sauteed) and the blueberry/raspberry pie. Casual atmosphere--always feels like a good place to go with friends.
(4)
Gary P.
Kitchen was very fast. One meal came out cold. We had a great waitress. She got every order correct and on time. There were seven of us so that was quit an order. Drinks were good . Very good wine choices .
Getting scared away from Traverse City by the $300 hotels turned out to be a good thing, as this delightful restaurant would be a bit out of my normal northern Michigan radius. And normally, the only way I'd set foot in a restaurant during "early bird" dinner time is by pretending it's lunch (hat tip to Philip Seymour Hoffman in "The Talented Mr. Ripley.") But the 4:30-6 deals here are excellent, categorized as smaller portions but decent-sized by my difficult standards. The waitress was excellent. I take out-of-town food seriously, some would say too much so, and she helped narrow down the choices. I had the sauteed perch, which was a good, garlicky preparation that treated these small fish with respect instead of overpowering them with batter. I enjoyed the asparagus and cheese soup and the potatoes au gratin. I'll get on the blueberry/raspberry pie bandwagon too. The only flaw was that the iced tea was on the dark side instead of the golden ideal. The decor was very woodsy.
(5)
Colleen C.
I had the fried chicken and must say I was not impressed. Our service left a lot to be desired. I don't know that I will ever be back. Too many restaurants available who want my business!!
(1)
Al S.
We have been vacationing in the Sleeping Bear area for the past ten years and would drive by the Manitou and comment about all the cars parked alongside the road, and said it might be worth trying this place given the apparent popularity. As it turns out, we should have kept driving. Last Saturday, our group of 3 arrived at 7:15 and were promptly seated outside, but no one took our drink order until 7:45. Three dinner rolls appeared around 8:15 followed by a wilted salad and soup which came about 8:30. We were told the kitchen was backed up because of two large parties of 10. Imagine that! Being caught off guard on a Saturday night by a full house! 9:00 rolls around and our dinner was nowhere in sight. Looking at the label on my beer glass that read "Fine Dining since 1979" I began to wonder how many people were still here from that year waiting for their meal. You think management might have offered a round of free drinks while we waited, but that was not to be. At this point we were ready to pay for our drinks and salad and leave, but given the late hour and distance to another restaurant it was not a viable option. The dinner entrees finally arrived at 9:15, but by this time our impatience and disappointment with the service precluded our ability to enjoy the meal. All we wanted to do was eat and get out of there before midnight! By the time the Prime Rib and potato arrived, they had cooled off and sending it back would've been as effective as tossing it into the nearby woods and hoping it would come back out the right temperature. We have dined in Frankfort, Glen Arbor and Traverse City for ten years and this is the first bad experience we have had in a local restaurant. Time to start a new dining winning streak, and to ensure the streak will be a long one, we will avoid the Manitou at all costs.
(1)
Denise S.
Food barely acceptable and service poor. Other great places to try so won't be going back.
(1)
Marshall L.
Last night of an amazing golf trip with friends. Outstanding diinner. Food quality superlative, staff - Alex - attentive and engaging. Amazing that in such a rural location there is such a diverse and quality menu.
(5)
T D.
Server was very unknowledgable of food and described it as baseball park food. Drinks while absurdly strong were over priced. The desert we had was decent...
(1)
Heidi F.
Spot on food!!! We have enjoyed Manitou on two previous occasions over the last two years during summer. This weekend was the best! The romaine & cherry house salad was one of the best I've ever enjoyed. Cocktails are good & taste like they do use alcohol, not just wave bottle over top of glass or shaker. Warm bread & veggie appetizers were a nice start. Whitefish, perch & walleye were succulent & light. Rhubarb pie for dessert---sensational. Nice to enjoy dinner here before the summer masses descend on northern Michigan!!!
(5)
Denise Z.
I had the most delicious pecan encrusted lake trout ever here. We had the smoked lake trout as an appetizer and that was excellent as well. Garlic mashed potatoes were delicious. We had a really nice experience, and can't wait to go back. Wish we could have made it to the early bird dinner (cheaper prices!), but our 20 month old did not fall asleep in the car like we hoped he would...
(4)
Jon J.
The atmosphere is relaxing and fun. The staff was awesome and the food even better. I would drive past a lot of restaurants to get to the Manitou. I'll be back as soon as possible. I had the perch dinner with sweet potato fries. It was hard to pick a meal, everything on the menu sounded and looked good.
(5)
Galen P.
Worth the drive out into the woods. Really well prepared food with very friendly atmosphere. This place gets really busy on weekends and holidays so be sure to call first, or make reservations. The servers are very cheerful, and even when it's crowded the service is pretty swift. I've been eating at the Manitou for years, and it is consistently high quality, and always makes me eager to return.
(5)
Paula D.
Best fish fry since we moved here from Wisconsin. Early bird hours have smaller portions (just right) for less $. Liked the sweet potato fries.
(4)
Jamie S.
Sorry people, having grown up here I couldn't wait to have my honeymoon meal at the Manitou. The server, when I saw her, was friendly. The food was a big disappointment. Starting with the brown salad with slimy spinach and ended with finding moldy raspberries in my drink at the very last sip. My husband had the lamb chops, they seemed a little underdone but were tasty. My trout was good so I'll give them that. No water refills and no ask for any other drink orders throughout the entire meal. When I asked for salt and pepper I was waved at but nothing came. If that made me tacky whatever: I likes me salt and pepper. I promptly left instead of asking for the manager because I was too disappointed to talk or argue with anyone. I called today once I calmed down only to be met with excuses for service and an apology. They did tell me to look them up and have dinner on them should I be in the area again and be willing to give it another try. I'll stop in when I'm back at the end of August or September and see if they honor this offer. If so, and its good, I will happily review this establishment again and I hope I can say something nice...
Sit outside if you can. Our server knew the drink menu really well and offered us samples of local beers before we ordered. Later she came to the table to let us know that the kitchen was backed up and offered to bring out some of our sides in advance. Try the trout with pecans topping. The fish fry special was fine but a bit greasy (it's fried so I should be surprised. The baked and then deep fried duck was tough and I wouldn't order it again. Would visit again.
(4)
Bill K.
We have eaten here three times this summer . The lake Perch is to die for !!! Of course we can't get lake perch in Vegas , where we live most of the year . We drive from Ludington , so it's 1.5 hours , but the food is worth the drive !!! We have never had a bad meal here !!! Very consistent and always great service !!! The desserts are great , and the wine selection , while small is full of great choices !!! I don't think Whitefish at 22.00 is to much either !!! This includes a salad and potato !!! Can't wait till next Summer !!!
(5)
Keon P.
It was fantastic!!!!! They had such fresh fish that i had to order another plate just to take home. The service is incredibly fast. If you ever come here you wont be disappointed.
(5)
Ari B.
The Manitou was by far our best dining experience in Northern Michigan. Our waiter, Brandon, was excellent and dining on the enclosed patio was a nice touch with the woods surrounding us. The bread was delicious as was the house salad with cherry vinaigrette. The perch was fine. The "nutty" trout was indeed that. I would have liked to try their famous blueberry raspberry pie. The table behind us reserved 3 whole pies!
(4)
Vanessa W.
Really, really a let down after being so jazzed up after the other reviews. Maybe its because I don't own a house in the area and therefor don't dine at Manitou weekly but I found the entire experience to be rushed, unfriendly and a rip off. Now that being said, the food was great, the whitefish was cooked perfectly (though not swimming in anything as Ben K said). It was good but debatable if its worth $22. The dried out veggies served with a plastic cup filled with dressing before hand hardly said fine dining to me and the same goes for the bread with land o' lakes butter. The wait staff and hostesses were young, confused. and it was really, really obvious. I should have known when we waited 20 minutes after our reservation and then got seated next to the restroom door. They ran out of anchovies for the ceasar salad and asked us if we wanted dessert before we had even finished dinner, clearly turning tables is very important to them. Now maybe its because my husband and I don't scream "we have money" like some of the other patrons did but it was a big expensive bummer. I'd maybe consider giving them 3 stars because clearly the bar tender does know his stuff, great martini however that alone was hardly enough to recommend Manitou to friend or fellow yelper.
(2)
Michelle C.
We've been here twice; both times in the summer for the early bird menu. My scallops were delectable - the pie was awesome (blueberry-raspberry). The drinks were generous with the liquor and you can't beat eating outside among the flowers. Excellent place and would highly recommend! And thank you to the motel owner at the Northwoods in Beulah who told us about it!
(5)
Haroun K.
Manitou is one of the nicer places to get a meal in the neighborhood. We sat on the patio, which was pretty empty. Inside, it was packed, and there was a wait. Reservations are a must for a summer weekend night. As for the food, I had the cheddar+asparagus soup, which was good. The black bean burrito was also pretty tasty, with a much appreciated spiciness. It probably would have benefited from some sour cream or avocado. At any other restaurant, it also would have cost about half of what it does here. The trout got very good reviews, as did the wedge salad. The provided breadbasket was quite good, and at the beginning of the meal they give you some carrots, cucumber, celery, and radish to nosh on. The wine list was ok, with a handful of Michigan whites, and a few malbecs (pretty good). Service was great. I'd come back.
(4)
Dominique K.
This is one of our favorite places to go when we visit the area, and we've been going here for years. The "northwoods" ambiance and decor particularly appeals to us. It's a nice spot for casual dining, yet the meals can be casually elegant. I usually have the quintessential "up north" whitefish, although I've never been disappointed with any meal here. It's a bit out of the way, and away from the big tourist towns of Traverse City and Frankfort, but it's a pretty drive on out M-22 to get there and well worth the trip. As Mick noted, they have a great beer and wine selection, with many selections from local vineyards and breweries. The staff is always extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient. The place is extremely popular in summer and during prime fall color season weekends, so it's best to reserve. The Manitou has a lot of summertime regulars who have cottages in the area, so it does close for the early part of the year. I was thrilled when they decided to stay open through the end of the year (they opened just for the summer and through the early fall for years), and the vibe is especially relaxing during a meal there in the colder months.
(4)
Ed B.
If you want fine dining big city style, keep driving. If you want solid, good food in a fun, casual atmosphere, enjoy yourself. Been to a Wisconsin supper club? This is it, only with better food. If you're not health conscious, start with an order of Skinny Dippers. Most soups are very good. House salad with dried cherries and cherry vinaigrette is classic. Fish is great. They will broil, pan fry, deep fry, etc. even if not on the menu. So are the lamb chops. One of the best wine lists for a place like this you'll ever find: while not deep, it is broad with a great range of choices. And save room for the pie. My fav is blueberry/raspberry pie; ask and they'll warm it so the the a la mode melts all over it.
(5)
Mick S.
Been going here since the early 1980's. My uncle has a summer place not far from the Manitou. This is perhaps my favorite restaurant of all time. It is expensive, it can be very very crowded... you get what you pay / wait for. The perch dinner is amazing. I've never had a bad meal there. The staff is friendly and informative. This is the perfect place for a good, expensive, treat yourself and significant other kinda meal.
(5)
Mick B.
The Manitou is another small and out of the way primarily seafood restaurant nestled in the trees on Scenic Highway 31 near the entrance to Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. The seafood offerings rival the finest places in far larger cities and also include northern Michigan favorites such as walleye and whitefish. Their specials are truly special; so listen closely when the server reads them to you. The au gratin potato side dish is a personal favorite of mine, but they usually have at least two vegetable sides to choose from. There is an exceptional wine and beer selection featuring local wineries and breweries. It's a small place and the word is getting around, so be sure to call ahead at least a day beforehand for a table. Even with reservations it's likely that you will have to wait for a table, so why not have a seat on their patio and order an appetizer and a drink?
(5)
Lien L.
The service was friendly and the atmosphere nice, but the food was only okay. Both the whitefish and nutty trout were plain, not much flavor. The sweet potato fries were the only thing we really liked. The food is definitely over priced though.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
Shannon C.
Rustic cabin exterior, homey interior - like a cross between your grandmother's house and Gaston's beer hall (?) from Beauty and he Beast -- there's seriously a mounted bear coming out of the wall, ready to pounce. Really adds to the ambiance. All our drinks were good -- Mojitos, Manhattans, beer, and a basic gin and seltzer. Not only did the bartenders make great (and strong) drinks, but they had excellent beer on tap. We were very happy. And saucy, I'm sure. The four of us ordered two walleye specials, the duck, and the trout. The duck was huge, and came with both rice and potatoes, which was unconventional but not disappointing. The potatoes au gratin were delicious - not greasy or overly cheesy. The perfect au gratin potatoes. The pecan-encrusted trout was perfect. Huge piece of fish with a fantastic texture - loved the crunchiness of the outside, and the inside was moist and really flavorful. My only complaint with my dinner was that the amount of walleye served for the special was pitiful. Really tiny piece of fish, and it definitely looked alone and sad on the plate next to the potatoes. Of course, it tasted wonderful, but for the price ($26 or $27), it definitely was not worth it. My appetite as not sated. I wish I would have ordered the trout for sure. We all got dessert - two of their famous blueberry/raspberry pies, the frozen peanut butter pie, and the key lime pie. Everyone else loved their pies, but I hated mine. It was lukewarm and oozing all over the place, like it hadn't been properly cooled. It was unappetizing to look at, and I only had a couple bites because I really didn't like it at all. Despite a few negatives, we really had a great time at Manitou. I'll definitely visit again the next time we are in Michigan - but during the summer only, because it's a seasonal restaurant.
(4)Andy G.
My memories of this place were from a decade ago, so when my elderly Aunt wanted to go there I was not looking forward to it. How wrong I was. Wonderful food, pleasant setting, efficient staff. It was so good I went two days later with some local friends! The "early bird" prices from 4:30PM - 6:00PM are about 1/2 the regular prices, with smaller portions, but PLENTY of food for a normal appetite. The white fish - the trout - even the Delmonico Steak were all excellent.
(5)Michelle C.
Very good dinner and good service. I had the broiled cod. They were very accommodating for food sensitivities.
(4)Ben K.
Wow, I was just blown away by everything here. Literally everything on our table was amazing. I had the lemon herb broiled whitefish, which was perfectly cooked and just swimming in deliciousness. The au gratin potatoes are also clean-your-plate fantastic. My table was similarly enamored with the rainbow trout and the tenderloin filet. Also, the caesar salad was one of the best I've ever had, with a great dressing that wasn't too heavy and awesome croutons. We polished off the baked artichoke dip too, an item I would absolutely get again. I cannot wait to come back here for more!
(5)Julie G.
Excellent food, service good. Unfortunately, google & apple maps are both wrong. Manitou is 9 miles north of Frankfort. Visited 9/1/13
(4)Sam S.
Been coming here for years and it's consistent. I'm a huge fan of the pan fried garlic perch. I'm also a huge fan of the blueberry raspberry pie, and you better reserve a slice of pie when you sit down or prepare for disappointment! Also in high summer season, make a reservation. It's slightly upscale American dining. I wouldn't call it "new" American. Only two things could improve this place. The bread is good but it's not made in house... it's good but it just has a little too much "commercially pre-made" as part of it. And for the life of me I'm not sure I'll ever understand the carrot stick, celery stick, radish, dressing pre-dinner munchie thing. It worked for a couple years, but it's long in the tooth now and there are so much more the clever things one could be doing. Great little gem "in the middle of no-where." Having a restaurant like this where it is, is a labor of love. Very few people can do this successfully. I give the owners props.
(4)Ken B.
Worth a trip from Arizona just to have the lake perch (sauteed) and the blueberry/raspberry pie. Casual atmosphere--always feels like a good place to go with friends.
(4)Gary P.
Kitchen was very fast. One meal came out cold. We had a great waitress. She got every order correct and on time. There were seven of us so that was quit an order. Drinks were good . Very good wine choices .
(3)Elle N.
If you're looking for ambiance and a really good sense of regional specialties, look no further than the Manitou. Wood paneled interior, an assortment of mounted fish, deer heads, antlers, and extraneous other (there's a bear. Did I mention the bear?) makes it feel like a cozy, intimate setting although they're capable of seating groups and serving more people than you'd expect. Service is spectacular. Waitresses are friendly and knowledgeable. When you ask them for suggestions, you don't get defaulted to the most expensive item on the menu, which is a big plus. Drink service is spectacular - they have a bar in one of the rooms (where you can sit and drink) and they've got a variety of drinks on their list that my friends and I enjoyed. The wine list is a collection of familiar "safe" options and some more local wines. While I'm not a beer drinker, the one in our party was satisfied with the offerings. I really enjoy the food here. Many of the fish options are clearly great lakes options. The fish fry is spectacular. Trout, perch, and whitefish are all Lake Michigan originated and amazingly fresh. If seafood isn't your style, the chicken is one of the write-home-about options. (It's odd. Chicken normally seems relegated to a menu position of "need one bland chicken entrée to satisfy picky eaters, and little attention is given to it after that's present.) It's well cooked, flavorful, and comes with amazing sides. The M22 (sirloin) is fantastic and probably one of my favorite things on the menu. Tip: Order the onion rings. You won't regret it. Crispy, crunchy, and delicious without being overly greasy. We have a house on Crystal Lake and spend summers here. I've been coming to the Manitou for many years and, based off of my recent visit, will continue to make it a must-do on every trip.
(5)Cat K.
I've been coming here with my family since I was a baby; 1994! We stay at a cottage nearby in Frankfort every summer. Food is always outstanding. My top three favorites and recommendations are the broiled whitefish, the sautéed lake perch, and the duck. You really can't go wrong with any of the menu choices. Not too crazy about the frog legs; too chewy for me. And the blueberry raspberry pie is a MUST for dessert. So delicious!!! Great location on Scenic Hwy tucked back in the trees and just a short drive from Point Betsie. However, my family is not impressed with the owner. 20 years loyal customers and he has never so much as acknowledged us in any way.
(4)Josh B.
Getting scared away from Traverse City by the $300 hotels turned out to be a good thing, as this delightful restaurant would be a bit out of my normal northern Michigan radius. And normally, the only way I'd set foot in a restaurant during "early bird" dinner time is by pretending it's lunch (hat tip to Philip Seymour Hoffman in "The Talented Mr. Ripley.") But the 4:30-6 deals here are excellent, categorized as smaller portions but decent-sized by my difficult standards. The waitress was excellent. I take out-of-town food seriously, some would say too much so, and she helped narrow down the choices. I had the sauteed perch, which was a good, garlicky preparation that treated these small fish with respect instead of overpowering them with batter. I enjoyed the asparagus and cheese soup and the potatoes au gratin. I'll get on the blueberry/raspberry pie bandwagon too. The only flaw was that the iced tea was on the dark side instead of the golden ideal. The decor was very woodsy.
(5)Colleen C.
I had the fried chicken and must say I was not impressed. Our service left a lot to be desired. I don't know that I will ever be back. Too many restaurants available who want my business!!
(1)Al S.
We have been vacationing in the Sleeping Bear area for the past ten years and would drive by the Manitou and comment about all the cars parked alongside the road, and said it might be worth trying this place given the apparent popularity. As it turns out, we should have kept driving. Last Saturday, our group of 3 arrived at 7:15 and were promptly seated outside, but no one took our drink order until 7:45. Three dinner rolls appeared around 8:15 followed by a wilted salad and soup which came about 8:30. We were told the kitchen was backed up because of two large parties of 10. Imagine that! Being caught off guard on a Saturday night by a full house! 9:00 rolls around and our dinner was nowhere in sight. Looking at the label on my beer glass that read "Fine Dining since 1979" I began to wonder how many people were still here from that year waiting for their meal. You think management might have offered a round of free drinks while we waited, but that was not to be. At this point we were ready to pay for our drinks and salad and leave, but given the late hour and distance to another restaurant it was not a viable option. The dinner entrees finally arrived at 9:15, but by this time our impatience and disappointment with the service precluded our ability to enjoy the meal. All we wanted to do was eat and get out of there before midnight! By the time the Prime Rib and potato arrived, they had cooled off and sending it back would've been as effective as tossing it into the nearby woods and hoping it would come back out the right temperature. We have dined in Frankfort, Glen Arbor and Traverse City for ten years and this is the first bad experience we have had in a local restaurant. Time to start a new dining winning streak, and to ensure the streak will be a long one, we will avoid the Manitou at all costs.
(1)Denise S.
Food barely acceptable and service poor. Other great places to try so won't be going back.
(1)Marshall L.
Last night of an amazing golf trip with friends. Outstanding diinner. Food quality superlative, staff - Alex - attentive and engaging. Amazing that in such a rural location there is such a diverse and quality menu.
(5)T D.
Server was very unknowledgable of food and described it as baseball park food. Drinks while absurdly strong were over priced. The desert we had was decent...
(1)Heidi F.
Spot on food!!! We have enjoyed Manitou on two previous occasions over the last two years during summer. This weekend was the best! The romaine & cherry house salad was one of the best I've ever enjoyed. Cocktails are good & taste like they do use alcohol, not just wave bottle over top of glass or shaker. Warm bread & veggie appetizers were a nice start. Whitefish, perch & walleye were succulent & light. Rhubarb pie for dessert---sensational. Nice to enjoy dinner here before the summer masses descend on northern Michigan!!!
(5)Denise Z.
I had the most delicious pecan encrusted lake trout ever here. We had the smoked lake trout as an appetizer and that was excellent as well. Garlic mashed potatoes were delicious. We had a really nice experience, and can't wait to go back. Wish we could have made it to the early bird dinner (cheaper prices!), but our 20 month old did not fall asleep in the car like we hoped he would...
(4)Jon J.
The atmosphere is relaxing and fun. The staff was awesome and the food even better. I would drive past a lot of restaurants to get to the Manitou. I'll be back as soon as possible. I had the perch dinner with sweet potato fries. It was hard to pick a meal, everything on the menu sounded and looked good.
(5)Galen P.
Worth the drive out into the woods. Really well prepared food with very friendly atmosphere. This place gets really busy on weekends and holidays so be sure to call first, or make reservations. The servers are very cheerful, and even when it's crowded the service is pretty swift. I've been eating at the Manitou for years, and it is consistently high quality, and always makes me eager to return.
(5)Paula D.
Best fish fry since we moved here from Wisconsin. Early bird hours have smaller portions (just right) for less $. Liked the sweet potato fries.
(4)Jamie S.
Sorry people, having grown up here I couldn't wait to have my honeymoon meal at the Manitou. The server, when I saw her, was friendly. The food was a big disappointment. Starting with the brown salad with slimy spinach and ended with finding moldy raspberries in my drink at the very last sip. My husband had the lamb chops, they seemed a little underdone but were tasty. My trout was good so I'll give them that. No water refills and no ask for any other drink orders throughout the entire meal. When I asked for salt and pepper I was waved at but nothing came. If that made me tacky whatever: I likes me salt and pepper. I promptly left instead of asking for the manager because I was too disappointed to talk or argue with anyone. I called today once I calmed down only to be met with excuses for service and an apology. They did tell me to look them up and have dinner on them should I be in the area again and be willing to give it another try. I'll stop in when I'm back at the end of August or September and see if they honor this offer. If so, and its good, I will happily review this establishment again and I hope I can say something nice...
(1)Colleen M.
This place looks warm and homey - the perfect place to stop for dinner and drinks! It's like eating at a log cabin in the north woods. My husband ordered a Maker's mark old fashioned off of their extensive cocktail menu and really enjoyed it. You got an extraordinary amount of food for your money. We got the onion rings (which are hard to mess up) and and the potato skins for an app. The skins were crispy and incredible! With your entree you get a soup or salad. I order the portobello mushroom bisque - yum! The rest of my party really enjoyed their salads. I ordered the sautéed perch for my meal and was disappointed, it seemed more fried, and just wasn't what I expected. However, my husband loved his pork chops and the whitefish looked good. A great place to come for dinner when visiting the area.
(4)I E.
Sit outside if you can. Our server knew the drink menu really well and offered us samples of local beers before we ordered. Later she came to the table to let us know that the kitchen was backed up and offered to bring out some of our sides in advance. Try the trout with pecans topping. The fish fry special was fine but a bit greasy (it's fried so I should be surprised. The baked and then deep fried duck was tough and I wouldn't order it again. Would visit again.
(4)Bill K.
We have eaten here three times this summer . The lake Perch is to die for !!! Of course we can't get lake perch in Vegas , where we live most of the year . We drive from Ludington , so it's 1.5 hours , but the food is worth the drive !!! We have never had a bad meal here !!! Very consistent and always great service !!! The desserts are great , and the wine selection , while small is full of great choices !!! I don't think Whitefish at 22.00 is to much either !!! This includes a salad and potato !!! Can't wait till next Summer !!!
(5)Keon P.
It was fantastic!!!!! They had such fresh fish that i had to order another plate just to take home. The service is incredibly fast. If you ever come here you wont be disappointed.
(5)Ari B.
The Manitou was by far our best dining experience in Northern Michigan. Our waiter, Brandon, was excellent and dining on the enclosed patio was a nice touch with the woods surrounding us. The bread was delicious as was the house salad with cherry vinaigrette. The perch was fine. The "nutty" trout was indeed that. I would have liked to try their famous blueberry raspberry pie. The table behind us reserved 3 whole pies!
(4)Vanessa W.
Really, really a let down after being so jazzed up after the other reviews. Maybe its because I don't own a house in the area and therefor don't dine at Manitou weekly but I found the entire experience to be rushed, unfriendly and a rip off. Now that being said, the food was great, the whitefish was cooked perfectly (though not swimming in anything as Ben K said). It was good but debatable if its worth $22. The dried out veggies served with a plastic cup filled with dressing before hand hardly said fine dining to me and the same goes for the bread with land o' lakes butter. The wait staff and hostesses were young, confused. and it was really, really obvious. I should have known when we waited 20 minutes after our reservation and then got seated next to the restroom door. They ran out of anchovies for the ceasar salad and asked us if we wanted dessert before we had even finished dinner, clearly turning tables is very important to them. Now maybe its because my husband and I don't scream "we have money" like some of the other patrons did but it was a big expensive bummer. I'd maybe consider giving them 3 stars because clearly the bar tender does know his stuff, great martini however that alone was hardly enough to recommend Manitou to friend or fellow yelper.
(2)Michelle C.
We've been here twice; both times in the summer for the early bird menu. My scallops were delectable - the pie was awesome (blueberry-raspberry). The drinks were generous with the liquor and you can't beat eating outside among the flowers. Excellent place and would highly recommend! And thank you to the motel owner at the Northwoods in Beulah who told us about it!
(5)Haroun K.
Manitou is one of the nicer places to get a meal in the neighborhood. We sat on the patio, which was pretty empty. Inside, it was packed, and there was a wait. Reservations are a must for a summer weekend night. As for the food, I had the cheddar+asparagus soup, which was good. The black bean burrito was also pretty tasty, with a much appreciated spiciness. It probably would have benefited from some sour cream or avocado. At any other restaurant, it also would have cost about half of what it does here. The trout got very good reviews, as did the wedge salad. The provided breadbasket was quite good, and at the beginning of the meal they give you some carrots, cucumber, celery, and radish to nosh on. The wine list was ok, with a handful of Michigan whites, and a few malbecs (pretty good). Service was great. I'd come back.
(4)Dominique K.
This is one of our favorite places to go when we visit the area, and we've been going here for years. The "northwoods" ambiance and decor particularly appeals to us. It's a nice spot for casual dining, yet the meals can be casually elegant. I usually have the quintessential "up north" whitefish, although I've never been disappointed with any meal here. It's a bit out of the way, and away from the big tourist towns of Traverse City and Frankfort, but it's a pretty drive on out M-22 to get there and well worth the trip. As Mick noted, they have a great beer and wine selection, with many selections from local vineyards and breweries. The staff is always extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient. The place is extremely popular in summer and during prime fall color season weekends, so it's best to reserve. The Manitou has a lot of summertime regulars who have cottages in the area, so it does close for the early part of the year. I was thrilled when they decided to stay open through the end of the year (they opened just for the summer and through the early fall for years), and the vibe is especially relaxing during a meal there in the colder months.
(4)Ed B.
If you want fine dining big city style, keep driving. If you want solid, good food in a fun, casual atmosphere, enjoy yourself. Been to a Wisconsin supper club? This is it, only with better food. If you're not health conscious, start with an order of Skinny Dippers. Most soups are very good. House salad with dried cherries and cherry vinaigrette is classic. Fish is great. They will broil, pan fry, deep fry, etc. even if not on the menu. So are the lamb chops. One of the best wine lists for a place like this you'll ever find: while not deep, it is broad with a great range of choices. And save room for the pie. My fav is blueberry/raspberry pie; ask and they'll warm it so the the a la mode melts all over it.
(5)Mick S.
Been going here since the early 1980's. My uncle has a summer place not far from the Manitou. This is perhaps my favorite restaurant of all time. It is expensive, it can be very very crowded... you get what you pay / wait for. The perch dinner is amazing. I've never had a bad meal there. The staff is friendly and informative. This is the perfect place for a good, expensive, treat yourself and significant other kinda meal.
(5)Mick B.
The Manitou is another small and out of the way primarily seafood restaurant nestled in the trees on Scenic Highway 31 near the entrance to Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. The seafood offerings rival the finest places in far larger cities and also include northern Michigan favorites such as walleye and whitefish. Their specials are truly special; so listen closely when the server reads them to you. The au gratin potato side dish is a personal favorite of mine, but they usually have at least two vegetable sides to choose from. There is an exceptional wine and beer selection featuring local wineries and breweries. It's a small place and the word is getting around, so be sure to call ahead at least a day beforehand for a table. Even with reservations it's likely that you will have to wait for a table, so why not have a seat on their patio and order an appetizer and a drink?
(5)Lien L.
The service was friendly and the atmosphere nice, but the food was only okay. Both the whitefish and nutty trout were plain, not much flavor. The sweet potato fries were the only thing we really liked. The food is definitely over priced though.
(3)