Patio season is here. After a long Michigan winter, eating outside feels like a small celebration every single time. There is something about a warm evening, a cold drink and a view of the water that makes a meal taste better.
These are the patios I would send you to, from Holland up to Grand Haven and down to South Haven. Most of them are on the water, and a few are only open in season, so check before you go.
Why this blog? Hi, I'm Katie. My family and I run Mitten Rentals, and I have been hosting vacation rentals for more than ten years (Superhost since 2015). This is where I share the places I send our own guests along the West Michigan lakeshore.
READ: A Day on South Haven's Black River
My Favorite Lakeshore Patios
1) Boatwerks Waterfront
Boatwerks Waterfront sits right on Lake Macatawa in Holland. Ask for the patio and take your time. This is not a place to rush.
Go around dinner and watch the boats come and go.
It is a nice pick for a long, slow dinner on a warm night.
2) Sandy Point Beach House
Sandy Point Beach House in West Olive does seafood and steaks just off the lakeshore. It is a good pick for a nicer dinner after a beach day.
If you are staying north of Holland, it is an easy one.
Dinner here pairs well with an afternoon at one of the quiet West Olive beaches nearby.
3) The Unicorn Tavern
The Unicorn Tavern is a Belgian style pub in Grand Haven, and in summer it opens a tiki patio. That combination makes no sense on paper and works perfectly in real life.
Personally, I think it is one of the most fun patios on the shore.
Go on a warm night and plan to stay a while. The tiki patio is a summer thing, so it is best enjoyed in the heart of the season.
READ: The Great Lakeshore Ice Cream Crawl
4) Captain Lou's
Captain Lou's offers riverfront dining in South Haven, in season. Sit outside and watch the Black River traffic.
Check that they are open before you go, since it is seasonal.
If I were planning one South Haven summer evening, this is where I would start.
5) Admiral Jack's
Admiral Jack's is a floating tiki bar on the Black River in South Haven. Yes, floating.
It is also seasonal. Pair it with dinner at Captain Lou's for a full South Haven river night.
It is a fun stop for a drink before dinner, especially when the weather is nice and the river is full of boats.
Of course, the patio at the house is pretty great, too. Some nights the best seat in town is the one you do not need a reservation for.
Book a summer stay with us, then decide each night if you are going out or staying in.