“There is no sincerer love than the love of food.”
~ George Bernard Shaw
Food Lovers Explore All The Best Saugatuck Restaurants and Artisans
Experience A Food Lover’s Adventure In Saugatuck Restaurants And The Wickwood Inn
Saugatuck has the best restaurants and artisan food producers for food lovers! Our area is heaven for foodies. And at Wickwood Inn, we love everything about the food experience at the Inn and in Saugatuck. We search for the best ingredients. Once we find them, we bake, cook, taste, and share. Our secrets are something we share with our food lover guests! A visit to Saugatuck means you tour our orchards, vineyards, breweries, distilleries and tasting rooms. Our farmers’ markets, food trucks, and roadside stands celebrate the second most diverse agricultural area in the country! Food lovers experience all the farm to table goodness at Saugatuck’s amazing restaurants, bistros, pubs, and pantries. Our local chefs are friends with the farmers and regulars at the Farmers’ Markets. You taste the difference this makes at the best restaurants all over town.
At Wickwood, it’s all about the Food! Thanks to our farmers’ hard work, finding fresh and interesting ingredients is easy. Wickwood turns their harvest into made-from-scratch tastes during your stay. It begins with the scent of freshly baked Afternoon Sweets when you walk in our door. Then experience our Sips And Small Plates At Five, a fun evening appetizer social hour. Finally, wake up to the Inn’s delicious house-made farm to table breakfast. Wickwood Inn is where food lovers celebrate good food all day. This is all complimentary during your stay. After you have a taste of Wickwood Inn, experience the very best Saugatuck has for our fellow food lovers.
Here is Wickwood’s Getaway Guide with local favorites, experience suggestions and insider secrets. When you visit Saugatuck, use these tips as your guide and live life like a local!
What Food Lovers Must See In Saugatuck
Watch the baby goats frolic while you taste the artisan cheese at Evergreen Lane Creamery. Join in the hustle and bustle of the Saugatuck, South Haven, and Holland Farmers’ Market. Vist and tour the farms that grow Michigan strawberries, blueberries, peaches, apples, and pumpkins at Cranes, Dee’s, Pleasant Hill, and Blue Star Farms. Tour the vineyards and taste the wines at Wyncroft, Petter Wine Gallery, and Wine Sellers. Find out why Cider is all the rage when you sample at Virtue Farms. Sample craft beers and eat great food at Guardian Brewing and Mitten Brewing. Or, make your own beer at Saugatuck Brewing. Order a craft cocktail at Coppercraft Distillery as the local grains in your glass make the drink truly special.
These are among the best restaurants in Saugatuck, Michigan. Bowdies Chophouse, Saugatuck’s amazing steakhouse, is just a short walk from Wickwood Inn. Take in river views and farm fresh flavors at The Southerner. Eat what they grow on their farm at the new Pennyroyal Café & Provisions. Be sure and try the new Grow, Guardian Brewing and Mitten Brewing (pizza!) both in downtown Saugatuck. There are also the iconic Saugatuck favorites of Phil’s and The Butler.
Downtown Douglas is home to two locals’ favorites, Borrowed Time and Everyday People Cafe. There’s also FarmHouse Pantry, Wild Dog, Alley’s, Vicki’s and the retro-style Blue Star Cafe that are simply delicious. These are just a few highlights in a town full of good food. 
How Food Lovers Spend 3 Days In Saugatuck
Friday
1:00 p.m.
1. Arrive in Saugatuck | Lunch at Ida Red’s
Guests of Wickwood Inn can park at Wickwood and walk up Water Street to Ida Red’s. We think their lunch is one of the best kept secrets in town. The orange juice is fresh-squeezed and everything is made from scratch. Make sure you have cash. No credits cards accepted here.
2:15 p.m.
2. Find the Right Flavors | Food Lovers Explore Downtown Saugatuck
Start at the Old Hardware Building and find every culinary tool you could ever want at The Butler Pantry. This well-stocked kitchen store carries everything from cookbooks to high-end cookware. Plus, there’s a tasty selection of gourmet foods. Follow along Butler Street to Spice Merchants, American Spoon and more. Sample your way through scrumptious truffle salts, spices and Michigan fruit preserves.
Visit the downtown Saugatuck wine shop, Wine Sellers. Owner, Michael Gustaitis, brings experience and his Level III Advance Sommelier certification to this well-stocked wine store. Taste and experience Michael’s knowledge and passion of fine wine. Find the right bottle to have in your room later. Peruse their glasses, decanters, cigars, craft beers, fine cheeses and local chocolates. Continue tasting at the many craft drink tasting rooms downtown Saugatuck among them, Coppercraft Distillery, Ridge Cider, and Fenn Valley Winery.
5:00 p.m.
3. Check-In Time | First Taste Of The Delicious Difference at Wickwood
You take note of the fine art and fresh flowers when you enter Wickwood. Enjoy a steaming mug of local roast Simpatico Coffee. Taste Wickwood’s Signature Chocolate Chip, Sable and Molasses Cookies. Relax in your room and refresh a bit before strolling down to Sips And Small Plates Hour.
6:00 p.m.
5. Sips And Small Plates At Wickwood Inn | Time To Experience Food From Julee Rosso
The Food At Wickwood one of the real reasons for this food lovers vacation getaway. You’re a long time fan of Julee Rosso’s award winning work and her Silver Palate Cookbook. Bring that bottle of wine you just bought. It pairs perfectly with the Smoky Potato and Arugula Soup. Wickwood’s selection of Charcuterie is impressive. You taste the Spiced Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower and you know you need the recipe. The Yellow and Red Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta with Burratta is spectacular. The flatbread with Pepperade, Mozzerella and Parmesan Shards is something you can’t wait to recreate at home.
7:15 p.m.
6. If You Have Time…Sunset Stroll Along Lake Michigan | Saugatuck’s Oval Beach
Take the short drive (5 minutes) to our award-winning Oval Beach. Find out why Travel and Leisure exclaims, “Saugatuck has one of the World’s top 10 beaches!” Stroll along the warm beach as the sun slowly sinks into Lake Michigan.
8:00 p.m.
7. Time For An Amazing Dinner | Bowdies Chophouse or Clearbrook Grill Room
Bowdies Chophouse is the best Saugatuck Restaurant if you are looking for the perfect steak. The food is classic and top notch. Order Escargot, Truffle Fries and a Tomahawk Steak for two.
Just a short drive from Wickwood is Clearbrook’s Grill Room. Located on the Clearbrook Golf Course, they always have interesting dishes for our food lovers. Think Duck Confit Flatbread and a Warm Sweet Potato Salad. Or try Griddled Walleye for a taste of a fish from our Lake Michigan.
9:45 p.m.
8. Time For Evening Sweets | Return to Wickwood Inn
No matter what time you arrive, Wickwood Inn welcomes you with a little something sweet. Love the combination of sweet, salt, and crunch? Our Dark Chocolate Almond Bark always satisfies. 
Saturday
7:30 a.m.
9. Hike & Climb The Sand Dunes At Saugatuck Dunes State Park | Lake Michigan Dunes
Enjoy the scenery along Lake Michigan as you wind your way to the Saugatuck Dunes State Park. Take in the birds, trees and nature as you hike. Cast off your shoes as you hit the sandy parts. You are now nearing Lake Michigan. Take in the amazing view before you meander down the sand dune to the lake’s edge. Skip stones. Build another sand castle. Let time slip by. The scenery and sand dune climb work up an appetite. So, head back to Wickwood for your farm to table breakfast.
9:00 a.m.
10. The Wickwood Inn Farm To Table Breakfast | Gourmet Champagne Brunch
Sure, you like to cook. And this is the sort of food you want to cook at home, because you love a luxurious brunch. You found the perfect food loving place in Wickwood Inn. Savor the fresh fruit salads (Green Apple, Grapes, Honeydew and Kiwi with a Lime Mint Sauce and a sprinkling of Blueberries . . . it’s gorgeous!) And it only gets better. The Caramelized Onion and Bacon Strata is so light and full of flavor. The Bismarcks with Berries and Lemon Cream have just the right amount of sweetness. The Pistachio Sausage Patties . . . who thought of this amazing combo and what is that hint of spice? Wickwood’s warm Raspberry Razzle Dazzle Cake provides the perfect finishing touch.
10:15 a.m.
11. Perfect Local Sources For Farm To Table Inspiration | Saugatuck Artisans
Make your reservation to brew your own beer at Saugatuck Brewing. Before your brewing experience, discover the foodie spots in the Saugatuck-Douglas area. One of our favorite Saturday morning destinations is a farmers’ market. Choose Holland or South Haven to see the incredible goods that our farmers produce. If you stay nearer to town, then Dee’s Market is a charming local roadside stand to shop. Then head toward Blue Star Highway for your fill of art, wine and cheese. J. Petter Galleries is the Saugatuck fine art gallery with a wine bar. They celebrate the pairing of fine wine with the best cheese and chocolates…and so should you. A bit further along Blue Star, tuck into The Farmhouse Deli where you find delicious salads, snacks and our favorite cookies! Or maybe you decide on Penny Royal Provisions for modern farm to table (literally!) fare.
1:00 p.m.
12. Brew Your Own Beer | Saugatuck Brewing Company
Tour the brewery and learn how to brew your very own craft beer with the brewers at Saugatuck Brewing. Choose your style and follow along as Saugatuck’s seasoned beer makers teach you to brew. Note: every great brewer must return in a few months to bottle their custom beer to take home.
2:15pm p.m.
13. Outdoor Seating | Beer Tasting | Late Lunch At Guardian or Mitten Brewing
After you play brewer, these local Saugatuck breweries are a perfect follow-up for your authentic pub lunch. Mitten Brewing is a relaxing place for a bite to eat and a cold local craft beer. Their delicious hand-crafted pizzas are truly impressive. Do order the Pizza Flight (for the table) for your choice of six pizza tastes. Guardian Brewing is the newest foodie (and beer) hotspot with Korean BBQ Wings, Kale & Squash Salad, Popcorn Ice Cream and more, of course!
3:30 p.m.
14. Local Cheeses, Ciders & Wines | A Taste Of Saugatuck’s Farms, Orchards & Wineries
First up: Evergreen Lane Creamery. Delight in the La Mancha and Alpine Goats. Don’t get too
distracted though, you’re here for cheese! Standouts include the spreadable and creamy Fresh Chèvre, and the jersey cow’s milk, Poet’s Tomme.
Next up, Virtue Cider uses heirloom apples for their branch to bottle ciders. Head into their Tasting Room to try hard ciders like Red Streak, Sidra de Nava, or The Mitten. Play games, eat, watch farm demos and catch live music in their outdoor event space.
From Virtue, it’s a short jaunt across the street to Fenn Valley Vineyards & Wine Cellars. Your wine and wagon tour awaits. Sip wine as they cart you through the grapevines.
6:00 p.m.
15. Appetizers At The Inn | Sips & Small Plates At Wickwood
Life at Wickwood Inn is festive, and it centers on great food. Tonight, you sip the Roasted Butternut Squash Soup and try the American Artisanal Cheeses. Perhaps the Montrachet is your favorite? There’s something about Wickwood’s Tomato Jam on the Seedy Salt Crostini that really makes you happy. The Crispy Zucchini Frites with Lemon are genius and the Fava Beans, Mint and Pecorino with Prosciutto Slivers atop Crostini is perfect.
7:15 p.m.
16. A Casual Dinner In Saugatuck | Choose The Southerner or Everyday People Café
You walk for 7 minutes from Wickwood to get to The Southerner. Chef, Matt Millar is award winning and his Southern Comfort style dishes make this restaurant a local and foodie favorite. Known for Buttermilk Brined Fried Chicken, grandma’s recipe Biscuits and BBQ. Make sure you try their house-made B&B Pickles!
You may choose the short drive to another local favorite, Everyday People Café in downtown Douglas. Our favorites currently are the Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna or the Gorgonzola Pork Chop.
9:30 p.m.
17. What To Do In Saugatuck At Night | Live Music All Around Town
We love all the quirky places Saugatuck and Douglas have to offer. There are plenty of places you can visit for a nightcap and a little live music. Find out who’s playing at Saugatuck Brewing, The What Not Inn, Guardian Brewing or Waypost Brewing. Maybe stay in downtown Douglas for live Music On The Lawn at Borrowed Time. Or have a look at the Wickwood Events Calendar to see the many more options for live music in Saugatuck. When the music is over, it’s back to Wickwood Inn for Evening Sweets and a glass of wine on the back porch before bed. 
Sunday
9:00 a.m.
18. Farm To Table Breakfast At Wickwood | Bring Home The Silver Palate Cookbook
This morning, you start with the Four Citrus Salad drizzled with Honey & Mint. The Leek, Onion, Scallion, Chive and Garlic Scape Frittata with Goat Cheese and Gremolata is like nothing you have ever tasted. The Vanilla Sauce on the Raspberry Blueberry Bread Pudding is to die for. But, then there’s the Glazed Walnut Scone with Dried Cherries. Remember, before you leave, pick up your copy of the Silver Palate Cookbook. Continue your Wickwood Inn experience at home!
11:30 a.m.
19. When It’s Time To Leave, You Hate To Go | Off To Pick Berries
Whether it’s strawberries, blueberries, peaches, apples or pumpkins, there’s always something ripe and ready in our area orchards and farms. Cranes Orchard, Pleasant Hill and Blue Star Farms offer fruit directly from the farm and u-pick. Dee’s Market is that charming local roadside stand that you should not just pass by.
1:30 p.m.
20. One More Lunch | Phil’s Bar & Grill In Saugatuck
From here, it’s a short stroll to the restaurant with the Movie Marquee on Butler Street: Phil’s Bar & Grille. The Broasted Chicken is the house favorite for a reason, but don’t be afraid to branch out. We’re a bit nutty for the Nutty Salad. Favorites from the sandwich menu: Portobello Sandwich, Fish Tacos or the Blackened Burger. Scallop Pad Thai (equally delicious prepared vegetarian), Walleye, or the Ribs from the entree menu.
2:45 p.m.
21. Saugatuck Farm To Table To Go | Farmhouse Deli & Penny Royal Café & Provisions
These are two great last visits. Farmhouse has everything you need from fresh salads to cookies, including delicious vegetarian and gluten free options. Pennyroyal is the newest modern farm to table spot in town. Our pick is the Duck Confit Sandwich, a few freshly baked Croissants and a Mad Cap Coffee for the road.
Reserve Your Return Getaway To Saugatuck
We know that you don’t have time to see all the food loving goodness here in Saugatuck in 3 days. So, reserve your return getaway to Wickwood Inn’s bed and breakfast now. The menus in Saugatuck’s restaurants and at Wickwood are completely different in every season. And, that’s a whole new food lovers experience!