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Great Lakes Culinary Institute, Traverse City, MI

Great Lakes Culinary Institute

4.8 (127)
$30 and under
Contemporary American
715 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49686-2619

Make a booking

2 people
19:00

About this restaurant

  • Great for scenic views
  • Innovative
  • Good for special occasions
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

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Menu

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What 127 people are saying

Great Lakes Culinary Institute reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.9Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Best Overall

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Best Food

  • 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 Food

  • 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
Lobdell's at Great Lakes Culinary Institute offers an "outstanding experience" with "5 star quality" food and a "beautiful view" of West Bay. Patrons appreciate the "creative menu," attentive service, and unique cocktails. Despite occasional slow service, the ambiance and student-led culinary expertise provide a "wonderful dining experience."
127 Reviews

  1. David

    Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula1 review

    3.0

    Dined on 23 April 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The mushroom entree was much too salty, especially the risotto.

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  2. Don

    Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 23 April 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Unfortunately my wife and I were only able to make two reservations this quarter and we had to cancel one because of a funeral. We always enjoy our lunches at Lobdell’s. The food is always outstanding and a good value. Merrill is always a great server and she is pleasant to talk to. My wife had a Thai chopped salad I believe, and the “grown up” grilled cheese. I had the gumbo and pastrami sandwich. Everything was delicious.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Mary

    Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 16 April 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    If you want a unique experience with a fabulous view, try to book a table at Lobdell’s.

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  4. Greg and Mary Jo

    Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula1 review

    4.0

    Dined on 16 April 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Pinot Noir should be chilled 55-60 degrees. Ours was room temp. Medium filet was medium well to well. Other than that service and food was superb! What a treat to see the talent at work. Dessert was outstanding as was the service!

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  5. Mary

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 16 April 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our group of 4 had an outstanding experience at Lobdells. Our service and food was great. Also enjoyed the view of the bay.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Rebecca

    Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 15 April 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Great Lakes Culinary Institute continues to showcase excellence in the dinning experience. Culinary students, instructors and management are a team with the goal of providing a delicious and well thought out menu, it's a Five Star dining experience with the best view in all of Traverse City.

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  7. NANCY VIP

    Seattle / Eastern Washington10 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on 9 April 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    The food for the most part is generally excellent. Remember, this is a teaching restaurant so everyone working there is a student under the guidance of professionals. The ambience is beautiful overlooking grand Traverse Bay. This is a dining experience and you can expect to spend at least two hours there. Come with friends and enjoy a lovely conversation and very interesting meals with a delightful presentation.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Tom

    Chicago / Illinois3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 9 April 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was delicious. Server was excellent. Food preparation was a bit slow, but made for relaxed meal

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  9. Tracy

    Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 9 April 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our leadership team had a working lunch meeting GLCI and it was a perfect place for great food and conversation. We recommend coming for the service, food, and beautiful views!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Heather

    Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 2 April 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Love Lobdell’s! Always a wonderful experience for lunch

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Great Lakes Culinary Institute is rated 4.8 stars by 127 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula
  4. Northern Michigan
  5. Traverse City

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
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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