Great Lakes Culinary Institute

Name: Great Lakes Culinary Institute
Address: 715 E Front St, Traverse City, MI, United States, 49686-2619
Telephone: (231) 995-3120
Price range: $30 and under
Rating: 4.8

4.8

90 Reviews

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Make a booking

2 people

25 Dec 2024

22:30

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
Website
http://www.nmc.edu/lobdells
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive Chef
Chef James Morse

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

Noise • Moderate

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

N
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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P
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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D
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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d
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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S
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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L
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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B
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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D
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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M
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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I
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.
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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

25 Dec 2024

22:30

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

Website
http://www.nmc.edu/lobdells
Phone number
(231) 995-3120

Great Lakes Culinary Institute

Make a booking

Additional information

Menu

What 90 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Great Lakes Culinary Institute restaurant rated?

Is Great Lakes Culinary Institute currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Additional information