Dinner and Drinks in Traverse City
5 stops · about 3 hours · Updated October 12, 2026
Build an evening of dinner then drinks in Traverse City, MI around an early start or a later dinner reservation. Forrest, A Food Studio combines a natural wine shop with a cozy eatery, table service, cocktails, and dessert; reservations are required, and it closes at 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Modern Bird serves dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. those same days, pairing seasonal American cooking and local produce with a historic building and craft cocktails. For drinks after an early dinner, Oakwood Proper Burgers has beer, wine, cocktails, and a casual, vintage-style setting; it closes at 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Nolan's Cigar Bar extends the evening with whiskey, bourbon, Scotch, and staff-assisted cigar pairings for guests 21 and older, staying open until 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Keep The Towne Plaza's seasonal, pork-centric menu and leafy outdoor seating for a daytime visit: its listed hours end at 2 p.m.
Dinner
Stop 1
Forrest, A Food Studio
5.0(73)Traverse City
Forrest, A Food Studio earns its place with natural wine, dinner with table service, and cocktails in a cozy eatery with an on-site bar.
Stop 2
Modern Bird
4.8(325)Traverse City
Modern Bird brings seasonal American cooking, creative use of local produce, and craft cocktails to a historic building with a cozy, upscale atmosphere.
Stop 3
The Towne Plaza
4.7(1113)Traverse City
The Towne Plaza combines a seasonal, pork-centric menu with vegan and vegetarian options and leafy outdoor seating, with dogs welcome outside.
Drinks
Stop 4
Oakwood Proper Burgers
4.9(1567)Traverse City
Oakwood Proper Burgers offers beer, wine, cocktails, and happy-hour drinks in a casual, vintage-style setting with a fireplace and outdoor seating.
Stop 5
Nolan's Cigar Bar
4.9(596)Traverse City
Nolan's Cigar Bar pairs craft cocktails and an extensive whiskey, bourbon, and Scotch selection with staff-assisted cigar pairings for guests 21 and older.
