The Lighthouse Restaurant
A relaxed American seafood and steak establishment offering hearty breakfasts and Thursday all-you-can-eat specials.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
The Lighthouse Restaurant
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A relaxed American seafood and steak establishment offering hearty breakfasts and Thursday all-you-can-eat specials.
"Praise for 'perfect breakfasts' and friendly service, though some note high prices."
Breakfast Only Until 2 PM
Expect breakfast fare only, as the restaurant closes at 2 PM, despite other online information.
Coupon Restrictions
Hotel coupons apply only to select '~special~' menu items, not all offerings.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
American, Seafood, Steak
Price
Mid-range
Phone
(802) 448-3361
Address
618 S Huron Ave, Mackinaw City, MI 49701, USA
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
All-You-Can-Eat Cod & Shrimp
Dive into a Thursday night feast with unlimited cod and shrimp, a crowd-pleasing special for seafood lovers.
Generous Breakfast Portions
Enjoy hearty breakfast plates featuring fluffy scrambled eggs, generous hash browns, and thick toast.
Prime Rib & Stuffed Mushrooms
Indulge in a succulent prime rib or opt for delicious stuffed mushrooms filled with crabmeat.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Breakfast Only Until 2 PM
Expect breakfast fare only, as the restaurant closes at 2 PM, despite other online information.
Coupon Restrictions
Hotel coupons apply only to select '~special~' menu items, not all offerings.
Avoid Kitchen Noise
For a quieter meal, dine outside of peak hours to avoid noise from the kitchen.
Consider 'Family Style' Meal
Opt for the family-style meal for plentiful, good food served in a rustic country setting.
Tips
from all over the internet
Breakfast Only Until 2 PM
Expect breakfast fare only, as the restaurant closes at 2 PM, despite other online information.
Coupon Restrictions
Hotel coupons apply only to select '~special~' menu items, not all offerings.
Avoid Kitchen Noise
For a quieter meal, dine outside of peak hours to avoid noise from the kitchen.
Consider 'Family Style' Meal
Opt for the family-style meal for plentiful, good food served in a rustic country setting.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Lighthouse Restaurant offers a classic American diner experience with hearty breakfast options and seafood specials. While some praise the generous portions and delicious food, especially breakfast dishes and all-you-can-eat specials, others find the prices too high and service inconsistent. Positive mentions highlight friendly staff and comforting meals, whereas negative feedback often points to long waits, perceived overpricing, and occasional service issues.
"The sign said "perfect breakfasts"... we were not disappointed! From the host, the waiter and the manager... great great great. The food? You would not believe how hard it is to get scrambled eggs cooked correctly! 3 of us eating not a single complaint! Highly recommended!"
carole beans
"Folks, you’re in Mackinaw City so everything is overpriced. The breakfasts are around $18-$20.00 per plate unless you get something “light” like a bagel and cream cheese. With that being said, we wanted a hot breakfast so we tried it out.
The waiter, Andre, was excellent. He was polite and attentive. We ordered our 2 plates and was not disappointed. I can actually attest the scrambled eggs were “fluffy” as stated on the menu. They give you a generous portion of hash brown. My husband’s bacon strips were large and crispy. Now, the toast was like Texas toast and soft with butter. Loved them!
I would recommend this place but know it’s expensive. I looked at other options and it’s not that much cheaper. Plenty of parking which was a necessity for us since we had an RV. We would go back."
Ashley
"We stopped by The Lighthouse for breakfast since it was just a short walk from our hotel, and overall it was a cozy, welcoming spot. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the service was truly excellent — attentive and friendly from start to finish.
The food itself was solid, though nothing particularly stood out. The French toast was tasty and comforting, but not extraordinary. The Lighthouse omelette was enjoyable mostly because of the flavorful fillings. On the downside, the toast was heavy on the butter, and the hash browns were quite greasy, which took away from the overall experience.
We’d go again for the convenience and hospitality, but it didn’t necessarily feel like a step above your average local breakfast place. A good option if you’re nearby and want a low-key meal with great service."
Tim Peck
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Diners often rave about the hearty breakfasts, especially the fluffy scrambled eggs and generous hash browns. Thursday's all-you-can-eat cod and shrimp night is also a major draw, as are the prime rib and stuffed mushrooms.
While some find the prices high, particularly for breakfast items around $18-$20, reviews suggest it's typical for the area. Other options like the all-you-can-eat specials offer good value.
No, the restaurant primarily serves breakfast items until 2 PM, and does not offer dinner menus.
The restaurant offers BOGO on select 'special' menu items with hotel coupons, but these are not applicable to all dishes.
The restaurant is described as a cozy, welcoming, and beautiful spot with nice woodwork and paintings. It can be quiet or lively depending on the time of visit.
The restaurant offers various seating, including booths. They may not automatically offer highchairs or booster seats, so it's advisable to ask if needed.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
Mackinaw City
Mackinaw Hotel Management -The Lighthouse Restaurant is a popular restaurant which is situated in the center of Mackinaw City. The Lighthouse Restaurant offers to the employees:. Possibility of finding an additional job in some of the nearby hotels and restaurants from Mackinaw Hotel Management group Accommodation for only $75/per week in completely renovated rooms/apartments Organization of socializing and excursions to the nearby tourist attractions Various local cultural events
30+ AWESOME Things to Do in Mackinaw City in 2025
If you want everything that a fine dining experience has to offer, The Lighthouse Restaurant can make it happen. All of the seafood is handpicked from local fisheries every day, and you can choose fresh lobster from its tank. There are salads, eggplant parmigiana, prime rib, steak, and other entrees on the menu as well.
Crooked Tree Cabins - Things to Do
Not to be overlooked are the numerous food festivals, music festivals, art festivals, car shows, and sidewalk sale days in Mackinaw City, Petoskey, Charlevoix, Boyne City, Harbor Springs and Traverse City. See the local websites for details of when and where, or check the local brochures and papers upon arrival.
Beachfront hotels in Mackinaw City
The Lighthouse Restaurant has an extensive menu offering a variety of dishes, from grilled fish to scrumptious burgers, all while providing a stunning view of the Mackinaw City beach front. It's more than just a dining experience, it's an opportunity to soak in the beautiful surroundings of Lake Huron.
Mackinaw City, Michigan
For lunch, I stopped at The Lighthouse Restaurant, just a short walk from the water. I ordered the whitefish sandwich with lemon aioli and a side of coleslaw. The fish was flaky and fresh, caught locally, with a crisp batter that crackled as I bit in.
Restaurants, pizzerias, barbecues, coffee shops locations in Mackinaw City, Michigan
Mackinaw City map with restaurants locations is the best place to discover restaurant, pizza, barbecue, grill or coffee shop locations. It helps you to quickly find your preferred place for taking your breakfast, lunch or dining.
mackinaw city restaurants near me
The Lighthouse Restaurant Mackinaw City See 300 Unbiased Reviews Of The Lighthouse Restaurant Lighthouse Restaurant Mackinaw City Mackinaw City Restaurants
mackinaw city food places
Lighthouse Restaurant Lounge American Bar Food Burgers Seafood Lounges Menu Available. Ad Discover Top Local Restaurants In Mackinaw City And Book A Spot.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit