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Your Summertime Guide to Outdoor Dining in Alpena

Posted on June 2nd, 2023
Summertime and the living’s easy in your Sanctuary of the Great Lakes!
PIFCider is also part of Alpena's downtown social district!

PIFCider is also part of Alpena’s downtown social district!

Nothing like relaxing on the patio with some good eats and a cold beverage, right? If you want to skip the effort and mess of cooking at home this summer, here are some great spots for outdoor dining in Alpena:

Downtown Alpena: 

The Sherwood Pita Wagon

  1. The Fresh Palate- Serving up a chef-curated menu of healthy and fresh options in downtown Alpena. 
  2. The Bulldog – Conveniently located downtown right next door to Bob’s Bullpen comic shop, this place has every hot dog you can imagine!
  3. Cabin Creek Coffee – Tables and chairs are set up for you to enjoy a custom latte with a delicious lunch. 
  4. Thunder Bay Winery- Offers prime outdoor seating in downtown Alpena- and you can order cuisine from the neighboring Fresh Palate while sipping wine!
  5. Mangos Tequila Bar- Has a cute and quiet outdoor space in the Chisholm St. pocket park with a fantastic view of the ‘Make a Splash’ fish mural!
  6. HopSide Brewery – A brand new brewery located in the heart of downtown Alpena with outdoor seating available in the back of the building.
  7. Red Brick Tap & Barrel – A recently renovated outdoor patio space is now available to eat and drink during the warmer months at Red Brick Tap & Barrel in downtown Alpena.
  8. Sherwood Pita Wagon – This Mediterranean-inspired food truck opened in the summer of 2021 and moves around to various locations. You can find them by Cedar & Threads, behind PIF Cider, or at the River St. Vault. Check their Facebook page for an up-to-date location.
  9. 808 Bowlz & The River St. Vault Smoothery – Another food truck located in the River Street Vault next to Red Brick Tap & Barrel except this one serves up flavors of the Hawaiian Islands. Bonus – grab a yummy smoothie or a sandwich from the Vault, adjacent to the food truck.
  10. PIFCider – serving up 12 different rotating taps of farm-fresh hard cider, Presque Isle Farms Cider is more similar to wine than the traditional sweet ciders you may be used to. Hungry? Try out a charcuterie board, some fresh baked goods, or the Sherwood Pita Wagon located on-site (seasonally).
  11. Thunder Bay Winery – specialty drinks and a wide selection of Thunder Bay wine can be enjoyed at the winery’s outdoor space on 2nd Avenue. You may also order your lunch/dinner from Fresh Palate, next door, and eat at the winery.
Alpena City Limits:

The Old Polish Corner

  1. The Owls Nest-  A great variety of gourmet hamburgers and appetizers (need we say more?!)
  2. The Court Yard – A newly constructed patio for outside dining awaits at this popular dinner spot.
  3. Hungry Hippie (Hippie Dome)– Providing fun, healthy options with a front-row view of Lake Huron across the street.
  4. Austin Brothers Beer Company- Enjoy your Michigan craft beer in the beautiful weather in their newly renovated outdoor section at Austin Brothers Beer Company.
  5. Nowicki’s Sausage Shoppe- Serving up high-quality, handmade specialty brats on a bun with a variety of toppings. 
  6. The Old Polish Corner – Still in the downtown area, just a few blocks out, this new restaurant serves up authentic Polish and American cuisine and just added a beautiful outdoor space for dining in the warm weather months.
  7. Pompeyos- A brand new outdoor deck for patrons to enjoy Mexican cuisine along with a Lake Huron view.
  8. Uncle Mike’s food truck – A family-owned & operated food trailer serving delicious eats to N.E. Michigan. This food truck rotates in location, please just their Facebook page for up-to-date daily locations. Seasonal.
Hubbard Lake:

Throwback to when Sasquatch himself enjoyed outdoor dining in Alpena for the filming of Major League Fishing

  1. Churchill Pointe Inn- A beautiful restaurant and inn with outdoor seating that overlooks pristine Hubbard Lake. Open seasonally May – October.
Ossineke:
  1. Connie’s Cafe – Enjoy a famous Connie’s breakfast or lunch in their screened patio section.
Long Lake:
  1. Sandbar & Grill – Drive up by car or by boat to the Sandbar & Grill docks and enjoy a pizza, burger, or a delicious appetizer after a day in the sun.

Did we miss you? Email nicole@visitalpena.com to get added to the list!