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Great Lakes Culinary Institute, Traverse City, MI

Great Lakes Culinary Institute

4.8
4.8
86 Reviews
$30 and under
Contemporary American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Experiences are available.
  • 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 am–2:30 pm
  • 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
  • Neighborhood
    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

Experiences

  • Cocktails and Charcuterie

    $39.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    It's cocktail time! Students' knowledge will be tested as they learn experientially at the Cocktails and Charcuterie series at Lobdell's. Sip on small batch cocktails and mocktails served by the Beverage Management class while enjoying sharable appetizers crafted by the Garde Manger students. A wine and beer selection will also be available. Menu includes 2 beverage selections plus a three course sampling of cheeses and assorted charcuterie.

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 86 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
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Best Overall

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Best Food

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Best Service

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Best Ambiance

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Best Value

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Great for brunch

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Innovative

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Good for groups

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Healthy

  • Northern Michigan / Upper Peninsula

    Good for special occasions

  • Northern Michigan

    Best Overall

  • Northern Michigan

    Best Food

  • Northern Michigan

    Best Service

  • Northern Michigan

    Best Ambiance

  • Northern Michigan

    Best Value

  • Northern Michigan

    Great for brunch

  • Northern Michigan

    Innovative

  • Northern Michigan

    Good for groups

  • Northern Michigan

    Healthy

  • Northern Michigan

    Good for special occasions

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Great Lakes Culinary Institute offers a "wonderful dining experience" with "impeccable service" and "beautifully presented" dishes. Guests rave about the "incredible" food, "friendly" staff, and "beautiful" views. While reservations can be challenging due to popularity, the "outstanding" quality and engaging student servers make it worth the effort.

86 Reviews

  1. Susan

    Northern MI

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    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

    Is this helpful?

  2. Brian

    Northern MI

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 21, 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.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Leslie

    Raleigh

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 21, 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. 

    Is this helpful?

  4. David

    Northern MI

    61 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    61 reviews

    Dined on November 21, 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.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Michelle

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 21, 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!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Ira

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 20, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This Cocktails & Charcuterie series is fantastic.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Lisa

    Northern MI

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 20, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our experience was great service, food and cocktails. The students and staff are kind and attentive!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Jack

    Detroit

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 20, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    My first dry Manhattan was very weak. It was clear, you could see through it. The second one was well done. Charcuterie board was not worth it. If each person paid $39, each person should have received their own board. I would have been better off attending by myself.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Don

    Northern MI

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 20, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Lobdell’s Culinary Restaurant has an excellent menu. The entrees are always excellent with great variety.The sandwiches and salads are delightfully presented and always delicious. The Lobdell speciality desert is 5 stars and more. A quiet atmosphere, beautiful view, and friendly staff makes Lobdell’s the best place to eat in Traverse City.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Anne

    Grand Rapids

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 20, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    What a wonderful culinary experience! We had the beef bourgnion, leek tarte, the best ice tea! Attentive and knowledgeable staff. Truly the best restaurant in Traverse City. We will be back! Thank you Courtney for your hospitality!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Great Lakes Culinary Institute is rated 4.8 stars by 86 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Great Lakes Culinary Institute

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

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Front Street and Barlow
  • Neighborhood
    Traverse City
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Tue, Wed 11:30 am–2:30 pm
  • 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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