Unearth The Voyage
Most people do not expect a golf course restaurant in northern Michigan to serve seared ahi tuna, wood-fired pizza made with 72-hour aged dough, and slow-smoked brisket on the same menu. But this clubhouse restaurant has built a following by going far beyond standard course food, drawing both golfers and locals looking for a reliable dinner spot with standout views.
The menu mixes elevated comfort food with rotating specials like Fish Fry Fridays and Shrimp Fest, while the setting overlooks one of the region’s best-known championship courses. What keeps people coming back is the consistency.
The food feels more ambitious than expected, the atmosphere stays relaxed, and the experience works just as well for a casual lunch as it does for a weekend night out.
Where You Will Actually Find This Place
Not every great restaurant is easy to find, and this one is no exception. The Nest at The Chief Golf Course sits at 5085 Shanty Creek Rd, Bellaire, Michigan 49615, right in the heart of northern Michigan’s Antrim County.
Bellaire is a small, charming town known for its lakes, forests, and outdoor lifestyle. The restaurant is privately owned and is not affiliated with the nearby Shanty Creek Resorts, even though many visitors assume otherwise.
The Chief Golf Course itself is recognized as one of northern Michigan’s most scenic destinations, an 18-hole championship layout that winds through wooded hills and opens up to stunning views of Lake Bellaire. Reaching The Nest can feel like a treasure hunt down winding roads, but the payoff is absolutely real.
If you are driving in for the first time, keep your eyes open for the signage. First-time visitors have noted it can be tricky to spot, but once you find it, you will understand why people keep returning season after season.
The Menu Goes Way Beyond Golf Course Food
Golf course restaurants have a reputation for playing it safe with burgers and basic sandwiches, but this kitchen clearly did not get that memo. The menu here reads more like a thoughtful bistro than a clubhouse snack bar.
Appetizers alone set the tone immediately. Seared Ahi Tuna, in-house made Crab Cakes, and Blue Mussels steamed in white wine show up right at the top of the menu, signaling that Chef Keith Verellen means serious business.
The salad section is equally creative, featuring a Southwest Chopped Salad and the signature Nest Salad loaded with apples, dried cherries, candied pecans, and goat cheese. Entrees cover a wide range, from Haddock and Perch to Parmesan Crusted Whitefish and Walleye baskets.
There is also a smash burger lineup and slow-smoked brisket that has earned its own loyal fan base. The variety here is genuinely impressive, and the freshness of ingredients comes through in nearly every dish that lands on the table.
The Wood-Fired Pizza Oven That Changes Everything
There is something almost theatrical about a wood-fired pizza oven. The heat, the crackle, the smell of dough crisping at high temperature.
At The Nest, that oven is not just a decoration; it is the centerpiece of a genuinely impressive pizza program.
The dough is made from scratch and aged for a full 72 hours before it ever touches that fire. That slow fermentation process creates a crust with real depth of flavor, a slight chew, and a char that pizza lovers will immediately appreciate.
Flavor combinations range from a classic well-done cheese pizza that regulars rave about, to more adventurous options like a dill pickle pizza that has developed its own cult following. The shrimp white pizza is another standout, arriving hot and fresh with a satisfying richness.
The BBQ chicken pizza is consistently praised for its balance of sweet, smoky, and savory notes. For anyone who thinks golf course pizza is just a frozen puck reheated in a box, this oven is a full rebuttal.
Daily Specials That Give You a Real Reason to Return
One of the smartest things this kitchen does is keep things fresh with rotating daily specials that give regulars a genuine reason to come back every single night of the week. The lineup is creative and covers a lot of comfort food territory.
Monday brings Mexican Night, which is a fun departure from the typical Up North fare. Tuesday features Hot Roast Beef, and Wednesday is reserved for the Chef’s Choice, which keeps things unpredictable in the best possible way.
Thursday rolls out the Meatloaf Dinner, a dish that sounds humble but tends to win people over completely. Friday is Fish Fry night, one of the most beloved traditions in Michigan dining culture, and this version delivers on that expectation.
Saturday is Shrimp Fest, and the large, well-prepared shrimp have earned genuine praise from diners. These specials are not afterthoughts; they feel carefully planned and executed with the same attention to quality that defines the rest of the menu.
The weekly rhythm makes every visit feel a little different.
Views That Make Every Bite Better
Food tastes better with a great view, and The Nest has one of the best in northern Michigan. Large windows frame the fairways of The Chief Golf Course, letting in natural light and offering a front-row seat to the rolling wooded landscape that defines this part of the state.
At sunset, the scene becomes genuinely stunning. The last light of the day catches the tops of the trees, and the fairways take on a soft golden tone that makes the whole dining room feel warmer.
Lake Bellaire is visible from certain vantage points, adding another layer of natural beauty to an already picturesque setting. Whether you are a golfer or not, the view alone provides a kind of quiet entertainment that keeps the atmosphere relaxed and unhurried.
The outdoor seating area amplifies the experience even further, putting you right in the middle of the landscape instead of just looking at it through glass. There is a reason people describe this place as having an Up North vibe that feels completely authentic rather than manufactured.
The Outdoor Space Has a Surprisingly Social Energy
The outdoor area at The Nest has a social energy that is hard to manufacture and impossible to ignore. The space is large enough to accommodate big groups comfortably, which makes it a popular choice for family gatherings and casual meetups after a round of golf.
A practice sand trap sits near a stage area outside, and kids absolutely love it. Watching children play in the sand while adults enjoy dinner nearby creates a genuinely relaxed family-friendly atmosphere that feels organic rather than forced.
Live music is a regular feature, and local musicians set up outside to provide a soundtrack for the evening. One Friday night performance by a guitarist named Kenny drew enthusiastic praise from first-time visitors who described the outside bar as having a terrific vibe.
The outdoor bar itself is a draw on its own, especially on warm northern Michigan evenings when the air smells like pine and freshly cut grass. The combination of music, food, and open sky makes this space feel like a proper summer destination rather than just a restaurant patio.
Burgers Worth Talking About for Days
The burger program here has developed a quiet but devoted following, and it is not hard to understand why once you see what comes out of the kitchen. The Pickleback Burger has become something of a local legend, described by at least one enthusiastic diner as one of the best burgers they had eaten in 53 years of living.
That is a bold claim, but the combination of a smash-style patty, melted cheese piled high, and the tangy punch of pickle flavor creates something genuinely memorable. The Black and Blue burger is another crowd favorite, praised for its juicy interior and bold seasoning.
Smash burgers in general have taken the restaurant world by storm, and The Nest executes the style well. The crispy, lacey edges on the patty give you texture that a regular thick burger simply cannot match.
Gluten-free bun options are available and have been praised for being better than most alternatives on the market. For a golf course restaurant, the burger quality here sets a standard that many dedicated burger spots would envy.
Fresh Fish and Seafood Done Right in the North Woods
Northern Michigan has a deep connection to freshwater fish, and The Nest honors that tradition with a seafood lineup that feels both regional and refined. The fish options here go well beyond the standard Friday night fry, though that tradition is absolutely present and popular.
Parmesan Crusted Whitefish is one of the more elegant offerings, delivering a golden crust over flaky white fish that pairs beautifully with the restaurant’s relaxed but polished atmosphere. Perch is another standout, and it has earned consistent praise for its clean flavor and careful preparation.
The Grilled Salmon Sandwich brings a lighter, fresher option to the menu for those who want something satisfying without feeling too heavy. Walleye baskets round out the freshwater fish section with a more casual, shareable presentation.
The Seared Ahi Tuna appetizer has been called exceptional by multiple diners, and it serves as a strong signal that this kitchen takes its seafood seriously. Fresh ingredients and consistent execution are the foundation of every fish dish that comes out of this kitchen.
The Nachos and Comfort Apps That Steal the Show
Sometimes the appetizer is the whole point of the meal, and at The Nest, that is not an unusual outcome. The Trash Can Nachos have become one of the most talked-about dishes on the entire menu, and the enthusiasm surrounding them is completely justified.
Described as enough to feed a small army, these nachos arrive loaded and unapologetic. The sheer volume of the portion tends to surprise first-time visitors, and the flavor combination keeps people going back for more even when they are already full.
The Garbage Can Nachos, another variation of the concept, have also drawn serious praise. One visitor noted they were enough to serve eight people as an appetizer, which gives you a clear sense of the kitchen’s generosity with portions.
Beyond nachos, the appetizer menu features Blue Mussels and Crab Cakes that bring a more sophisticated edge to the starter lineup. The contrast between the indulgent nacho experience and the refined seafood starters shows just how wide the kitchen’s range actually is.
That range is genuinely rare to find in a setting like this.
Practical Details Every Visitor Should Know Before Going
Before you make the drive out to Bellaire, a few practical details will help you get the most out of your visit. The Nest is open Monday through Thursday and Sunday from 4 PM to 8 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 4 PM to 9 PM, with Saturday also offering morning hours starting at 9 AM.
The restaurant holds a 4.5-star rating across more than 530 Google reviews, which is a strong indicator of consistent quality. Pricing falls in the moderate range, making it accessible for families and couples without feeling like a budget compromise.
The phone number is 231-533-9000, and the website is thepelicansnest.com for anyone who wants to check current specials or hours before visiting. The indoor seating area features warm wood tones and a clubhouse feel, while the outdoor space works best in warmer months.
Service can occasionally run slower during busy periods, so arriving a little early or outside of peak dinner hours tends to make the experience smoother. The atmosphere is family-friendly, the food is genuinely good, and the views make the whole trip worthwhile.
