Unearth The Voyage
Craving a classic Midwest fish fry with lake breezes and small town charm? Michigan’s Upper Peninsula delivers, from historic taverns to waterfront gems plating up fresh whitefish, perch, and walleye.
You will find generous portions, friendly regulars, and prices that still feel fair for travelers chasing flavor over frills. Map your route, arrive hungry, and let these beloved joints turn Friday into your favorite night of the week.
1. Portside Inn, Marquette
Portside Inn anchors Friday nights in downtown Marquette with a fish fry that packs the dining room early. You will smell crisp batter and buttered rolls before you sit down, and the fried cod arrives hot with coleslaw that tastes refreshingly bright.
Regulars swear by the garlic bread while travelers love the small town pace and friendly servers who hustle without rushing you.
Since 1983, the kitchen has kept portions generous and the fry light, so the fish stays flaky and not greasy. Order a half and half plate if you want baked whitefish alongside fried cod, then add tartar and a lemon squeeze.
Marquette pulls more than 1.6 million annual visitors according to regional tourism reports, and weekends here feel like a community reunion.
Insider tip: call ahead for peak Friday timing or go early for happy hour. Parking is easier on the west side of Washington Street, and you can stroll the lakeshore afterward to walk off dinner.
If you want leftovers, ask for an extra cup of slaw and reheat fish in an air fryer back at your hotel. It keeps the crust crisp and the flavor true.
2. The Brownstone Inn, Au Train
The Brownstone Inn sits right on M-28, the kind of cozy roadside stop where walleye and lake perch define Friday night. You will spot big platters leaving the pass, steam rising, with fries or baked potato and a tangy slaw.
The room is warmly lit and the service is familiar, like someone remembered how you take your coffee.
Lake fish is the draw, and when whitefish pops on the menu, grab it. The breading is delicate so the fillets stay moist, and a lemon wedge brightens every bite.
According to Michigan tourism figures, dining is among the top trip activities for U.P. visitors, and this place shows why: honest cooking and reliable value.
Arrive before the dinner bell if you want shorter waits, especially in summer. Ask about the soup of the day and save space for pie, because desserts feel like a tradition.
If you are road tripping between Munising and Marquette, Brownstone makes the perfect midpoint refuel. Bring cash just in case connectivity hiccups.
You will leave with that satisfied, road-worn grin only a proper fish fry can deliver.
3. Freshwater Tavern, Gladstone
Freshwater Tavern pairs big views of Little Bay de Noc with one of the U.P.’s most polished fish fries. You will sit facing the water as baskets of whitefish arrive golden and aromatic, with just enough seasoning to let the lake speak.
The menu leans modern, but the fry is classic, with coleslaw that snaps and fries that keep their crunch.
With a near constant stream of out-of-towners, this spot reflects Delta County’s growing draw for winter anglers and summer road trippers. Reservation windows help because the dining room fills when the sunset turns the bay copper.
If you are not into fried, order baked whitefish with herb butter. It is clean, flaky, and deeply satisfying.
Ask your server about local brews and pair a lighter lager with fried fish to balance the salt. Parking is easy, and families will appreciate kid-friendly sides.
According to statewide stats, Michigan’s food and drink experiences rank high among trip decision factors, and this place checks both boxes. Plan a lakeside photo after dinner, and bring a warm layer for shoreline wind.
You will remember the combination of crackling crust and calming water long after.
4. The Antlers Restaurant, Sault Ste. Marie
The Antlers is a Sault Ste. Marie classic, equal parts supper club and museum of U.P. curiosities.
You will come for the fried whitefish and perch, and stay to scan the walls for oddities while your meal sizzles. The batter is light, the portions hefty, and the tartar has enough zip to keep every bite lively.
Families love the friendly noise level and quick refills, while anglers swapping stories make the bar feel like a lodge. Sault Ste.
Marie continues to attract steady traffic thanks to the Soo Locks, which saw millions of tons of cargo pass recently, keeping tourism humming. That energy spills into dinner service, especially on Fridays.
Order perch if you want a delicate, sweet profile, or split plates so you can sample both. Ask about seasonal sides and the soup, which often tastes homemade.
Parking is straightforward, but go early during summer lock tours. You will leave with full bellies and a head full of stories.
The Antlers understands that a fish fry is more than food. It is social glue, a local rhythm, and a reason to linger a little longer in Michigan’s oldest city.
5. American Legion, Munising
Munising’s American Legion hosts the kind of community fish fry where you are greeted like a neighbor. The plates are simple and generous, usually featuring whitefish or cod, crunchy fries, and creamy slaw.
You will find folks comparing waterfall hikes and snowmobile routes between bites, because adventures start and end here.
Service is quick and sincere, with volunteers moving like a practiced pit crew. When Pictured Rocks visitation spikes, lines can form, but turnover is steady and seating is communal.
Recent Michigan tourism reports show the U.P. remains a road trip favorite, and this hall captures that spirit. It is affordable, hearty, and unpretentious.
Bring cash, tip heavy, and ask about upcoming raffles that support veterans programs. If you are pressed for time, grab takeout and eat by the harbor.
The fish holds up well for a scenic drive along M-28. For newcomers, start with a half order to leave room for dessert or a second round.
You will walk out feeling like you joined a tradition that keeps Munising stitched together, one golden fillet at a time.
6. Elks Lodge, Manistique
At the Manistique Elks Lodge, the Friday fish fry doubles as a community meetup. You will line up beside regulars swapping weather notes and mushroom rumors, then sit for crisp fillets and buttered rolls.
The batter hits that sweet spot between airy and sturdy, keeping the fish tender without getting soggy.
Prices are friendly, and service comes with smiling efficiency. On busy nights, the chatter is part of the charm, and it moves fast.
Manistique’s lakeside boardwalk draws travelers who then slide into the lodge for comfort food. State data shows small town dining remains a top spend for road trippers, and you feel that here.
Bring cash or ask if cards run that night. If you need gluten cautious options, inquire about baked fish.
Grab a seat near the window to catch a sliver of sunset if timing lines up. Tip the volunteers and check the board for bingo or charity events.
You will leave with warm memories and the pleasant weight of a well-earned meal after a day exploring the shoreline and lighthouse.
7. Trenary Tavern, Trenary
Trenary Tavern is the kind of place you stumble upon and immediately wish was your neighborhood spot. The fish fry lands hot and crackling, with fries that stay crisp and slaw that brings a creamy cool note.
You will meet loggers, teachers, and travelers trading tips on backroad shortcuts and bakery runs.
The batter is light and golden, never heavy, and the fillets flake apart with a fork. Order a draft and ask about the soup special.
If you are exploring the Hiawatha National Forest, this tavern is an easy detour that feels like a reward. Regional travel stats show winter recreation growing, and Fridays can buzz with sledders.
Go early to snag a table beneath the old photos. The staff will guide you on portions if you are deciding between regular and jumbo.
For takeout, request vented lids so the crust stays crisp. You will linger longer than planned, because the conversation flows and the hospitality is real.
Trenary delivers a fish fry that tastes like home, even if you are miles from yours.
8. Happy Hour Bar, Gwinn
Happy Hour Bar in Gwinn does a straightforward fish fry with a side of neighborhood warmth. You will get baskets that arrive hot, crispy, and unfussy, perfect with a cold domestic or a local lager.
The batter leans light, keeping the fish tender, and the fries hold their crunch to the last bite.
This is a locals’ hangout where service is quick and friendly. You can shoot a game of pool while you wait or claim a high top near the TVs.
Gwinn sits within easy reach of trails, so you will see muddy boots and snow gear depending on the season. Michigan travel figures show bar and grill visits remain a road trip staple, and this place proves why.
Insider tip: ask about sauce options and grab extra lemon wedges for brightness. If you like spice, a dash of hot sauce wakes up the crust.
Arrive early on Fridays, and consider takeout when the game crowd rolls in. You will leave happy, full, and already plotting a return visit on your next loop through Marquette County.
9. Moofinfries, Naubinway
Moofinfries turns the U.S. 2 drive into a delicious pause with a fish fry that celebrates simple, clean flavors. You will bite into whitefish that is flaky and fresh, wrapped in a crisp shell that never overwhelms.
Hand cut fries stand tall beside it, and portions feel generous without going overboard.
The window service moves quickly, perfect for travelers chasing daylight along the northern shore. Naubinway has a knack for sunny, wind-kissed afternoons, and this stop taps right into that mood.
State tourism data shows scenic byways are a key motivator for U.P. trips, and this joint fits the roadside fantasy. Grab an outdoor table and watch pickups roll past.
Order extra lemon and ask for coleslaw if you love creamy crunch with your fry. If you are continuing to St. Ignace or Manistique, the fish travels well in a vented box.
Consider a second basket to share, because someone will want more. You will remember the joy of honest food eaten with lake air in your hair.
Simple can be perfect.
10. Cut River Inn, Naubinway
Cut River Inn is a trusty waypoint near the dramatic Cut River Bridge, serving a fish fry that hits the spot after a long drive. You will get a golden crust with a gentle crunch, flaky fish inside, and sides that feel homemade.
The vibe is part roadhouse, part family dining room, with chatter that carries across the wood walls.
In winter, sledders fill the lot, and in summer, bridge gawkers swing in hungry. Regional recreation numbers show trail usage rising, and Fridays here can feel like a reunion of riders.
Ask for perch if available or stick with whitefish for a lake-forward flavor. The kitchen is consistent, which matters when you are miles between towns.
Insider tip: grab a booth near the window and order a cup of soup to start. If you need to roll quickly, call ahead and they will pack your fry with vents.
Service is straightforward and friendly. You will walk out satisfied, ready to chase sunset photos from the overlook.
It is exactly what a U.P. fish fry should be: hearty, unfussy, and welcoming.
11. King’s Fish Market, Moran
King’s Fish Market keeps things refreshingly straightforward, selling what they know best and frying it up right. You will taste the difference in the whitefish, clean and delicate beneath a crisp, barely-there coating.
Portions are fair, prices reasonable, and the mood is all about the fish rather than frills.
Because it is a market first, freshness is the headline. Ask what came in that day and order accordingly.
Travelers heading between the Straits and the central U.P. love this efficient stop, which still feels personal. Michigan’s commercial fishing heritage lingers in places like this, and you can sense the pride in every plate.
Grab a picnic table if the weather is friendly, or take it to a scenic pullout near Brevort Lake. Request extra lemon and a side of slaw for a balanced bite.
If you are stocking a cabin fridge, buy fillets to cook later and snag a bottle of local seasoning. You will leave with a new respect for whitefish’s subtle sweetness and a craving to return.
12. Ambassador Restaurant, Houghton
Ambassador may be famous for pizza, but the Friday fish fry holds its own with crisp, well seasoned fillets. You will feel the college town hum as plates fly out to students, families, and alumni.
The batter is light, the fish tender, and the sides keep everything anchored in comfort.
Houghton’s steady flow of students and visitors keeps the dining room lively year round. According to recent campus and tourism figures, the area continues to grow in overnight stays, and Fridays here prove it.
If you want something different, split a fish plate and a thin crust pizza. The contrast works surprisingly well.
Arrive early when hockey weekends pack the lift bridge corridor. Street parking is workable if you circle once or twice, and takeout is efficient if you are hotel bound.
Ask for extra lemon and consider a side salad to cut the richness. You will leave energized, full, and ready to wander the waterfront, a box of leftovers warming your hands against the Keweenaw wind.
13. Buckhorn Saloon, Lake
Buckhorn Saloon is a reliable stop where the fish fry tastes like it came from a cookbook written by friendly aunts. You will get a sturdy crust that stays crisp, flaky fish inside, and sides that lean indulgent in the best way.
The bar crowd is chatty without being overbearing, and the service keeps things moving.
Weekend riders and cottage families make this a regular waypoint. Michigan road trip research shows travelers prioritize value and comfort food, and Buckhorn delivers both.
Try the perch when available or stick with cod for a classic plate. Portions are generous, and leftovers reheat nicely in a skillet.
Insider tip: grab a tall glass of something cold and a side of pickles to cut the richness. Seating turns fast, but go early to avoid the dinner rush.
If you are cruising between lakes, this fry fuels the day. You will head back to the road happy, satisfied, and maybe planning a second lap just to justify dessert.
14. Skipper’s Bar & Grill, L’Anse
Skipper’s sits on Front Street with a view that makes fried whitefish taste even better. You will get a light, crisp coating that protects the fillet, keeping every bite moist and flavorful.
The room feels neighborly, with the owners often making rounds and swapping stories about the lake and catch.
L’Anse draws anglers and road trippers who want simple, well executed meals. Recent travel reports suggest small harbors keep attracting diners after outdoor days, and Skipper’s fits that pattern.
Try lake trout if you want a richer profile, or split whitefish and trout for contrast. The fries are sturdy, perfect for dipping and sharing.
Arrive for early dinner to catch the golden hour over Keweenaw Bay. Ask about daily soup and whether baked fish is running if you are going lighter.
Parking is easy, and takeout travels well if you want a picnic by the marina. You will remember the warmth of the staff as much as the crunch of the crust.
