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Great Lakes Culinary Institute, Traverse City, MI

Great Lakes Culinary Institute

4.8
4.8
90 Reviews
$30 and under
Contemporary American

Make a booking

2 people
23:30
  • Great for scenic views
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
At Lobdell's, a Teaching Restaurant, you'll enjoy food prepared and served by Great Lakes Culinary Institute students and beautiful bayside views. Lunch is served regularly during fall and spring, while bakery and coffee service is provided in summer. Special events throughout the year include farm to table and world cuisine dinners, as well as cocktail and charcuterie events.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, American, Bistro
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Tue, Wed 11:30–14:30
  • Phone number
    (231) 995-3120
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Chef James Morse
  • Area
    Traverse City
  • Cross Street
    Front Street and Barlow
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Public transit
    In front of the building on Front Street
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 90 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.7Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Best Overall

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Best Ambience

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Best Value

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Great for brunch

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Innovative

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Healthy

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Great for scenic views

  • Northern Michigan

    Best Overall

  • Northern Michigan

    Best Ambience

  • Northern Michigan

    Best Value

  • Northern Michigan

    Great for brunch

  • Northern Michigan

    Innovative

  • Northern Michigan

    Healthy

  • Northern Michigan

    Great for scenic views

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Great Lakes Culinary Institute offers a spectacular dining experience with "amazing food" and "wonderful service" in a setting with breathtaking views. Guests rave about the delectable, beautifully presented dishes and the attentive, friendly staff, many of whom are students honing their skills. A true gem in Traverse City!

90 Reviews
  1. NANCY

    VIP

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on 4 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As always, the food was excellent. The view is superb and the students and staff do a wonderful job serving you.

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  2. Paula

    Detroit

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 4 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Had an amazing lunch. I had the trout which was delicious and was accompanied by shrimp and cheesy grits, the other two diners with me had the chicken and gnocchi and vegetarian pasta. We all loved our meals!

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  3. David

    VIP

    Northern MI

    62 reviews

    5.0

    62 reviews

    Dined on 4 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    It's a teaching restaurant, so allow 1 ½ hrs for lunch and more for dinner. Classic choices such as the beef bourguignon entree and the soup of Shredded Chicken with fennel and a hint of star anise were very good. No time today to linger for deserts which are superb. Pastry Chef Megan is a pro. Merrill at the bar always has a fun delicious special drink, plus the standard classic cocktails. It's nice to see they now offer a better range of Non-area wines , as well as local wines to please visitors. Wine choices are 8 or so of both whites and reds. Best view of the bay, even on a very snowy day. Beautiful setting.

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  4. diane

    Northern MI

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 3 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Always great service and food. Noise level high because there's nothing to absorb sound.

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  5. Susan

    Northern MI

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We truly enjoyed our meal Beef borignone would like the receipt Staff were a pleasure

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  6. Leslie

    Raleigh

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 21 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had such a fun time dining at the charcuterie and cocktail event hosted by Great Lakes Culinary Institute and the students in training in the Beverage Management class. Traverse City is blessed to have such a beautiful culinary Institute that provides its students an outlet for practicing their trade.  Reservations go quickly, so it is hard to get into events, but when you do get in, you will be impressed. 

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  7. Brian

    Northern MI

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 21 November 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    The bar let this experience slip. They could not keep up with the pace. And we understand. So it’s important to these learners to know that all aspects of a restaurant experience matter. Not getting drinks, and even just water, out quickly can taint a customer experience. We waited 15 minutes for a glass wine and a two mix cocktail. I hope they do get better.

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  8. David

    VIP

    Northern MI

    62 reviews

    4.0

    62 reviews

    Dined on 21 November 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Appetizer & cocktails special event. The smoked duck is my favorite. Merrill mixes up some great cocktails and this event had eight or so to choose from along with several beers and wines. Students are fun and engaging as they are working on their craft. Worth a try if you can snag a table.

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  9. Michelle

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 21 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had bar seating and we love sitting at the bar. Merrill was fabulous as usual. William, who was new, started out nervous (they are in training), but then once he found his grove, he was chatty and engaging!! We had a GREAT time and they even made an accommodation for a vegetarian! Fabulous!

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  10. Ira

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 20 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This Cocktails & Charcuterie series is fantastic.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Great Lakes Culinary Institute is rated 4.8 stars by 90 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
23:30
Google Map for Great Lakes Culinary Institute

715 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49686-2619

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Front Street and Barlow
  • Area
    Traverse City
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Tue, Wed 11:30–14:30
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, American, Bistro
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Public transit
    In front of the building on Front Street
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Chef James Morse
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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