Carriage House — Restaurant in Mackinac Island

Food from heaven, service from hell…

My boyfriend and I had dinner reservations for last night and we were really looking forward to the food, ambiance, and beautiful view for the last night of our vacation. I've been vacationing on the island my whole life and the Carriage House is the only long-standing establishment I've never tried.

We were seated by one of two very sweet hostesses. We were unfortunately seated at a table where Andrea from Colorado was our server (side braid with flowers in hair). She was the meanest, rudest, most unpleasant server I've ever experienced. It started with my drink order.

When I made a small special request she looked at me like I was the dumbest person on the planet and then proceeded to condescend to me about how an old fashioned is made, when she clearly knew what I was asking and was just making it difficult for me to make my request. Then, it was a good ten minutes before she returned with my drink, even though it was ready at the bar.

She ran through the dinner specials quickly with the attitude of a wolverine and regarded us with disdain. We ordered an appetizer as we were trying to decide between what we saw on the menu and the specials we JUST learned about when Andrea nastily told us we needed to order our entrees at the same time as our appetizer. What? My boyfriend told her we weren't going to do that, so she mumbled something about bringing bread over while we decide. I'm certain she didn't put the appetizer in.

When she brought the bread back, my boyfriend tried to soften things up by asking an innocuous question, which was very nice, but she regarded him with contempt as she answered him. That was it for me. If the town weren't so busy that night, we would have left and sought food elsewhere, but I instead called the hostess over and told her that we're not going to spend $$$ for bad service. We're good people and Andrea's behavior was completely uncalled for. By this time, I was in tears.

The hostess worked with the manager who had us moved to the dining room behind the bar and transferred our order to a different server. Our new server brought us our appetizer (whitefish cakes) and bread and was incredibly kind and professional. My boyfriend ordered the New York Strip and I had the filet with a side of Morels. All of our food was delicious and the service impeccable at that point.

The manager came over and apologized and offered a complimentary desert. We ordered the peanut butter pie and it was perfect. I wish I knew the names of the two hostesses, the new server, and the manager. They saved our experience and we really appreciate it.

This was a special trip and you never know what people are going through. Kindness is the best approach, but Andrea doesn't have a kind bone in her body. I've seen at least three other reviews in which she was called out for her inexcusable behavior. I know the restaurant industry is struggling to find help, but my Boston Terrier would have been a better server. I don't understand why a restaurant of the caliber of the Carriage House would continue to subject their customers to that kind of treatment (assuming the manager/owner is reading reviews and paying attention to what's going on in the dining room, it's hard to miss). I also don't understand why people who clearly don't like people choose to be in the service industry.

I definitely recommend dining here, but avoid Andrea from Colorado at all costs. Hopefully she won't be back to ensure guests have a bad experience...

The Carriage House on Mackinac Island is an absolute gem and easily one of the highlights of our visit to the island. From the moment we arrived, the experience was first-class all the way. The staff was incredibly warm, attentive, and professional—our server struck the perfect balance of being knowledgeable, welcoming, and never overbearing. Everyone from the host to the waitstaff seemed genuinely passionate about creating a memorable dining experience.

The grounds and setting are just stunning. Located right on the waterfront, the views from the outdoor seating area are truly breathtaking. We were seated on the patio surrounded by blooming gardens, overlooking the harbor—a picture-perfect backdrop that added so much charm and elegance to our evening. The gentle sound of horses passing by and the calm lake breeze created a peaceful ambiance that you just can’t find anywhere else.

As for the menu—every bite and sip felt thoughtfully crafted and regionally inspired. We began with cocktails, and the Mezcal Negroni was a bold and smoky twist on a classic—perfectly balanced and ideal for sipping while taking in the view. For starters, the smoked whitefish dip was a must-have: creamy, savory, and rich with just the right amount of smokiness, served with crisp crostini that complemented it perfectly.

For our mains, the grilled shrimp and asparagus salad was fresh and vibrant, dressed lightly to let the sweetness of the shrimp and the seasonal crunch of asparagus shine. The Mackinac whitefish sandwich was another highlight—fresh-caught, lightly breaded, and served on a soft bun with a zesty remoulade. It was simple but done with finesse. The steak sandwich was hearty and indulgent, featuring tender slices of beef cooked to order, topped with caramelized onions and served with fries that were crispy and golden. For a vegetarian option, the portobello and zucchini sandwich was deeply satisfying—grilled perfectly and layered with flavor, it didn’t feel like a compromise at all.

Every dish felt like it was prepared with care and attention to local ingredients. The presentation was clean and elegant, and the pacing of the meal allowed us to relax and soak in the atmosphere.

Whether you're visiting Mackinac Island for the first time or returning for the hundredth, the Carriage House is a must-dine destination. It’s the perfect combination of gracious hospitality, culinary excellence, and unbeatable scenery. We’re already looking forward to...

Celebrated my mother’s birthday here and every part of the meal was fantastic. The large windows overlooking the water were impressive and they had live piano music playing throughout dinner. Our server, Steve from PA, was one of the best servers I have ever had. He perfectly balanced attentiveness with allowing us time alone to enjoy our meal. He was very knowledgeable about allergies, gave great recommendations and had a fun personality.

Everything we ate was spectacular. The lavash crackers and bread they bring before the meal were warm and the butter had salt on top which brought it to the next level. We started with a French onion soup and the goat cheese salad. Both were great, especially the salad. The bacon dressing tasted exactly how it sounds and paired perfectly with the goat cheese.

Entrees at the table were Filet, Porkchop, NY Strip, and the Seafood Pasta. Each one was perfectly prepared. The Filet was one of the best I have ever had, cooked to a perfect medium rare and was extremely tender. The potato served under it was full of flavor and the Bernaise sauce was the perfect consistency and taste. The Porkchop was well cooked and served with wild rice. There was a cherry flavor present throughout the dish which I enjoyed. The seafood pasta was packed with meat and the sauce was lighter for a tomato sauce, which is how it should be when accompanying delicate seafood. The NY Strip was gluten free and prepared celiac safe. The vegetables and twice baked potato were also delicious.

For dessert we had the Hot Fudge Cream Puff and Orange Almond Cake. Both are a great option to finish off the evening. The almond cake is very fresh but does taste heavily of orange so be prepared.

Overall this was one of the best restaurants I have been to. The View, Service, and Food were all exceptional. I highly recommend this place if you want a nice meal...