1852 Grill Room — Restaurant in Mackinac Island

Dining at 1852 on Mackinac Island is more than just a meal . it’s an experience that captures the island’s elegance, charm, and culinary craft in one memorable evening. From the moment you step into the warmly lit dining room, there’s a sense of refinement without pretension. The ambiance strikes that perfect balance between upscale and welcoming, making it an ideal choice for a special occasion or a night when you simply want to treat yourself.

Our meal began with the Strawberry Caprese Salad, which was a refreshing twist on a classic. The ripe, juicy strawberries paired with fresh mozzarella and fragrant basil offered a bright and vibrant flavor profile that danced between sweet and savory. The drizzle of balsamic reduction added just the right tang to tie it all together. It was the perfect way to awaken the palate without feeling heavy.

Next came the Beef Carpaccio, and it was nothing short of outstanding. Paper-thin slices of tender beef were artfully presented and seasoned to perfection. The dish had that melt-in-your-mouth quality that makes carpaccio such a treat when done right. The light dressing and accompanying garnishes elevated the flavor without overpowering the delicate meat. Every bite felt indulgent yet balanced – easily one of the highlights of the evening.

For the main course, I opted for the steak cooked chef’s choice , a decision I did not regret for a second. Allowing the chef to prepare the steak as they saw fit brought an element of trust and anticipation to the meal, and the result was phenomenal. The steak arrived perfectly seared with a mouthwatering crust that gave way to a juicy, flavorful interior. The seasoning was masterful, letting the quality of the meat shine through without unnecessary embellishments. Every bite was rich, savory, and satisfying … exactly what you hope for when ordering a steak on Mackinac Island.

The wine selection at 1852 is another standout feature. The server recommended a pairing that complemented our courses beautifully, and each glass enhanced the flavors of the dishes without overshadowing them. The wine list itself is well-curated, offering both familiar favorites and unique finds for those who enjoy exploring new varietals.

The service throughout the evening was exceptional - attentive without being intrusive, and knowledgeable without being overbearing. Our server not only guided us through the menu but also provided thoughtful suggestions that genuinely enhanced the experience. On an island known for its hospitality, 1852 more than holds its own.

Overall, 1852 on Mackinac Island delivers a dining experience that is both refined and approachable, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking high-quality food, expertly chosen wine, and impeccable service in a beautiful setting. From the creative starters to the flawlessly prepared steak, every element of our meal was a testament to the skill and care of the culinary team. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in the pleasures of good food and good company, 1852 is a place that will leave you already planning your next visit before the night...

Hard to explain how disappointing our experience was at this restaurant. My wife and I were excited to spend our anniversary weekend at the Island House Hotel and dinner at 1852. I called over a month in advance to make our dinner reservation, told them we were staying in the hotel and that we were celebrating our anniversary. I specifically requested a front table near the windows so we could enjoy the harbor view. I called a week before we arrived to confirm the reservation and remind them it was a special occasion. When we checked into the hotel a couple days before our dinner I walked into the restaurant to once again confirm the reservation and remind them we were celebrating our anniversary and would like to be seated with a view. I started to get worried when the morning off our dinner the restaurant called me to confirm our reservation and I again reminded the gentleman we were celebrating an anniversary and would like preferred seating and he had no idea what I was talking about. And then when we arrived we were seated in the back of the restaurant next (literally) to the piano and a family with a young child. Not all the window seats were full and those that were included a family with multiple young children. My lovely wife never complains, but I was infuriated because I made every effort to make our anniversary dinner at 1852 special (other than grossly tipping the maitre d’, which I shouldn’t have to do). I later made my disappointment known to the manager/maitre d’ who explained the seating was done on a first come first serve basis, including families with children. In the end, the manager kindly comped our dinner and we generously tipped our waiter who had nothing to do with the debacle. The food was fine, nothing spectacular. Clearly, the restaurant monitors these reviews closely and will likely respond with a “there isn’t a bad seat in the place comment,” but the bottom line is this isn’t the place to celebrate a special occasion if you want to...

Here’s our timeline, you decide if this is an experience you’d like to have: reservation at 7:45pm, we arrive and are seated at 7:40 (which is great) our server visits our table for the first time at 8pm but says he’s going to give us more time to review the menu. We were ready to order drinks at that point but he left quickly to check on other tables. He seems stressed, I’ll give him that. 8:17pm he takes our drink order and we get our drinks at 8:30pm. Not terrible but rough to be seated for almost an hour before getting drinks. When he drops the drinks, he asks if we need anything else and three out of four of us said we’d like to order dinner. Our server walked away. We were very confused. He came back at 8:50pm and we finally ordered dinner. Our food arrived at 9:15 and despite three of us ordering filet medium, we had three wildly differently prepared steaks. One of as tough and inedible so needed to be remade, one was almost raw. Very inconsistent. Finished our meal at 9:45 and plates were cleared without asking if we’d like boxes (probably better we didn’t get them).

2 hours maybe doesn’t seem too horrible for a steak dinner but we finished an entire bottle of wine before our order was taken. The restaurant closed while we were eating. For the price, we were all extremely disappointed in the inattentive service and the poor quality food.

I hear some people have had a great experience here so I think their issue is INCONSISTENT. I understand being busy (they weren’t, it’s post-labor day, slow season), but the lack of care to acknowledge was disappointing and the food was really just not good, very disappointing. I would not recommend this restaurant because you don’t know what you’ll get and it’s not worth the risk for such...