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Best Restaurants in New Buffalo Michigan: Waterfront, Burgers, Breweries & More

ByJill Halpin Hours

Last Updated: April 2026

New Buffalo has a food scene that routinely surprises people who expect a small beach town to have limited options. From a Civil War-era church turned brewery to a lakefront terrace with housemade pasta, the restaurants here are worth planning around — not just filling time between beach visits.

This guide covers the best restaurants in New Buffalo Michigan across every category: waterfront dining, fine dining, burgers, breweries, breakfast, and casual eats — plus a few nearby Harbor Country spots that are too good to skip.

Steak dinner at a New Buffalo Michigan restaurant

Waterfront Dining in New Buffalo

Bentwood Tavern

Bentwood Tavern is my go-to for a proper waterfront dinner in New Buffalo. The menu rotates between wood-fired pizzas, sushi nights, and tacos — and the Lake Macatawa setting earns a reservation even when the food alone might not require one. Book ahead on summer weekends; it fills fast.

  • 📍 15990 Lakeshore Rd, Union Pier, MI 49129
  • 🌐 bentwoodtavern.com
  • ⏰ Confirm seasonal hours before you go

Terrace Room at the Harbor Grand Hotel

Italian-leaning menu, handcrafted pasta, and lake views that make a long dinner feel justified. The outdoor terrace is the draw here — there aren’t many spots in New Buffalo where the setting and the food are equally worth your time. Romantic, unhurried, and better than it needs to be for a hotel restaurant.

  • 📍 111 W Water St, New Buffalo, MI 49117
  • 🌐 terraceroomhg.com
  • ⏰ Confirm current hours before you go

The Stray Dog Bar and Grill

The rooftop deck at the Stray Dog is one of the best spots in New Buffalo for a Lake Michigan sunset — order the Truffle Fries, get a Michigan craft beer, and settle in. The menu covers burgers, tacos, pizza, and a giant club sandwich that I always end up splitting. And yes, get the T-shirt. It’s a New Buffalo tradition at this point.

Dining and restaurant options in New Buffalo Michigan

Fine Dining in New Buffalo

Brewster’s Italian Café

Handcrafted regional Italian in a cozy room just off Whittaker St. The Sausage and Shrimp Pasta — sautéed shrimp, rope sausage, white garlic sauce — is the dish to order. Ask for the patio in warmer months; it’s a genuinely lovely spot to linger over dinner without feeling rushed.

Copper Rock Steakhouse at Four Winds Casino

55-day dry-aged beef and a serious wine list inside the Four Winds. Order the Lobster Mashed Potatoes — they’re as good as everyone says. The casino setting might put you off, but the steakhouse itself delivers. Good for a celebratory dinner when you want something more substantial than the usual beach-town menu.

  • 📍 11111 Wilson Rd, New Buffalo, MI 49117
  • 🌐 fourwindscasino.com
  • ⏰ Confirm current hours before you go

Burgers & Casual Dinner

Redamak’s

The line wrapping around the building is not a deterrent — it’s a signal. Redamak’s has been the best burger in New Buffalo since 1975, and the milkshakes are just as good. The line moves faster than it looks, and I’ll be honest: I’ve never regretted the wait once I was sitting down with food in front of me.

  • 📍 616 E Buffalo St, New Buffalo, MI 49117
  • 🌐 redamaks.com
  • ⏰ Seasonal — confirm open dates before you go

Casey’s New Buffalo

Steaks, seafood, and Italian fare inside a 200-year-old building with an art deco bar. The patio is a good call on warm evenings — casual enough for a beach day dinner but with a menu that holds up to a longer night out.

Villa Nova Pizzeria

Thin-crust New York-style pizza that holds its own. If you’re a thin-crust person, this is your spot in New Buffalo. Sandwiches and classic Italian sides round out the menu — but the pizza is why you come.

Variety of dining options at New Buffalo Michigan restaurants

Breweries Worth Eating At

Beer Church Brewing Co.

A beautifully restored Civil War-era church with small-batch craft beer and some of the best pizza in Harbor Country. The Pizza Napoletana is the one to order — pair it with whatever’s on tap. This is one of my favorite spots in all of southwest Michigan; it’s worth going out of your way for.

  • 📍 4048 N US-12, New Buffalo, MI 49117
  • 🌐 beerchurchbrewing.com
  • ⏰ Confirm current hours before you go

Greenbush Brewing Co.

About 10 minutes north in Sawyer, Greenbush has built its reputation on high-ABV, bold craft beers and Southern-style BBQ that’s genuinely serious. Platters of brisket, pulled pork, and smoked chicken with cornbread, slaw, and beans — this is not brewery-as-afterthought food. A heads-up: they don’t smoke meats every day, so it’s worth calling ahead if BBQ is the reason you’re going.

  • 📍 5885 Sawyer Rd, Sawyer, MI 49125
  • 🌐 greenbushbrewing.com
  • ⏰ Sun–Thu 11:30 AM–10 PM — confirm current hours before you go

Staymaker’s Restaurant at Journeyman Distillery

Grain-to-glass organic spirits in a former corset factory in Three Oaks — one of the few certified organic and kosher distilleries in the country. Staymaker’s kitchen is the real surprise: Idaho trout, butternut squash soup, and a rotating menu that changes more than you’d expect from a distillery restaurant. Plan to spend a couple of hours here.

Wine tasting at wineries near New Buffalo Michigan

Breakfast & Lunch in New Buffalo

Jackie’s Café

Made-to-order breakfast with a modern twist, and the blueberry French toast is as good as everyone says. Jackie’s ‘Back Door’ bakery is worth a separate stop for treats, desserts, and take-home meals if you’re heading out for a beach day and want to pack something good.

David’s Delicatessen and Coffee

A local favorite for breakfast and lunch, with coffee, espresso, and fresh-baked pastries made with ingredients from local farms. The menu changes regularly because the sourcing is seasonal — which means it’s worth checking what’s new each visit. My go-to before a morning at the beach.

Luisa’s Harbert Swedish Bakery

A short drive north in Harbert, Luisa’s is an authentic Swedish bakery serving fresh-made coffee cakes, sweet rolls, biscotti, kolachki, and more — plus gluten-free options. It’s one of those finds that makes you feel like you’re in on something. Friendly staff, genuinely great pastries, and worth the detour on any Harbor Country drive.

  • 📍 13698 Red Arrow Hwy, Harbert, MI 49115
  • 🌐 luisascafe.com
  • ⏰ Confirm current hours — closed some weekdays
New Buffalo Michigan in winter with snow along the Lake Michigan shoreline

Casual Eats & Quick Bites

Oink’s Dutch Treat

Legendary New Buffalo ice cream in a thoroughly pig-themed shop. A non-negotiable stop if you’re traveling with kids — and honestly just as good without them. Check out Oink’s Chocolate Pig next door for more sweet treats while you’re there.

Song Asian Cuisine

Sushi and Chinese classics in a compact, colorful space. The Crab Rangoon is the thing to order. A reliable option when you want something different from the burger-and-pizza rotation that dominates New Buffalo’s casual dining scene.

  • 📍 218 N Whittaker St, New Buffalo, MI 49117

Milda’s Corner Market

A genuinely interesting stop in Union Pier — imported products from over 40 countries including Lithuanian ice cream, Koldunai dumplings, imported chocolates, jams, and sweets. It’s the kind of place you stop in for one thing and leave with five. Good for stocking a cottage or grabbing something unusual for the drive home.

  • 📍 9618 Union Pier Rd, Union Pier, MI 49129
  • 🌐 milda.us

Kankakee Grille at Four Winds Casino

Casual surf-and-turf, burgers, and pizza inside the Four Winds. Reliable when you want something easy without leaving the casino — also the spot for live entertainment at Kankakee Live.

Planning an overnight trip? Use our complete New Buffalo travel guide for beaches, things to do, where to stay, and Harbor Country day trips.

New Buffalo’s restaurant scene keeps getting better — and it was already worth the drive from Chicago. Breweries near New Buffalo and the wineries near New Buffalo round out a food-and-drink weekend that can easily fill two days without repeating yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most famous restaurant in New Buffalo Michigan?

Redamak’s is the most iconic — a classic burger and milkshake spot open since 1975, known for lines that move faster than they look. Beer Church Brewing Co. is a close second for visitors looking for craft beer and wood-fired pizza in a restored Civil War-era church.

Are there waterfront restaurants in New Buffalo Michigan?

Yes — Bentwood Tavern in the Marina Grand Resort and The Stray Dog Bar and Grill both offer waterfront or lake-view dining. The Terrace Room at the Harbor Grand Hotel also has lakeside outdoor seating.

What New Buffalo restaurants are good for families?

Redamak’s, The Stray Dog, Kankakee Grille at Four Winds, and Oink’s Dutch Treat are all family-friendly. Beer Church Brewing has good pizza in a unique setting that works well for kids.

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