My Favorite Dish: What Locals Order On The Art Coast®
Every town has its best-kept secrets—like the best place to catch the sunset, which roadside stand is always worth pulling over for, and where to find the quietest stretch of shoreline. Living on the Art Coast comes with a special kind of insider knowledge, so we asked business owners and residents one deceptively simple question: What’s your favorite local dish? Their answers were decisive, deliciously opinionated, and exactly the kind of advice you hope to get from a friend who knows the town.
What’s Good Around Here?
Let’s begin with the culinary equivalent of a blank check:
“Anything on the menu at Phil’s Bar & Grille.” Kerry Cunnion, Operating Partner, Rosemont Inn
For those who insist on narrowing it down at Phil’s:
“I keep going back to the Goat Cheese Croquette at Phil’s. It never gets old for me. The Romesco sauce served with it really is what makes it, but the whole thing is just so dang good.” Hannah VanBuskirk, Manager, BaySide Inn
These next votes arrive with zero hesitation:
“The Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit Sandwich from The Southerner. Hands down. Every time. It’s worth the wait.” Brittany Obetts, Project Coordinator, Saugatuck/Douglas Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
“The Short Rib Hummus at Duck Alley. Fresh, house-made creamy hummus, perfectly braised, melting short rib, whatever fruit or vegetable Chef Jazer decided to pickle, and fresh hot bread.” Jenn Davenport, Owner & Innkeeper, Judson Heath Colonial Inn
“The Asian Caesar Salad at Everyday People Café.” Nicole Lewis, Resident
Proof that a satisfying dish can still wear a halo:
“The taco salad with shredded chicken at Saugataco. It’s beyond delicious and healthy.” Wally Petersen, Owner, Amazwi Contemporary Art
When the best answer isn’t one dish—it’s an entire philosophy:
“I love eating the seasons at Pennyroyal Café & Provisions. Here, you always get to eat what’s local, fresh, and at its peak.” Gary Kott, Owner, Hidden Garden Cottages & Suites
A Hidden Gem in Plain Sight
And here’s where local knowledge really earns its keep. You don’t need a tee time—or even a set of clubs—to enjoy one of the area’s favorite local gathering places.
“Sit at the bar at Clearbrook Golf Club’s The Grill Room and order an Old Fashioned—or your favorite cocktail. The Grill Room at Clearbrook is the quintessential throwback: the warm, wood-paneled restaurant from our childhoods, or from the movies. The cocktails are great, the wine list is killer, and there’s always someone to talk with—or a game on TV. Folks don’t realize it’s open to the public, not just course members. But the locals know, and it’s where we all go!” Kristin Armstrong, Executive Director, Saugatuck Center for the Arts
For the perfect pairing:
“The Cedar-Planked Whitefish at Clearbrook with a nice, icy dry martini with blue cheese olives.” Martin Horner, Owner, Wickwood Inn
Sometimes the Best Menu Item Comes In Liquid Form
Not every local favorite requires a fork. Let’s raise a glass to the recommendations worth sipping.
“The gin martini at Phil’s Bar & Grille is chef’s kiss the best martini in town! The pour in the glass is so full, you have to sip it before you pick it up.” Eve McKeown, Destination Experience Ambassador, Saugatuck/Douglas Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
“ALL cocktails at The Southerner and the Jungle Bird cocktail at Singapore Room!” Philip Palazzolo, Owner, Art Coast Properties
“My favorite drink in Saugatuck is definitely a coffee from Uncommon Coffee Roasters. It’s hands down the best coffee around, but what makes it truly special is the sense of community they’ve built over the years. They make you feel like more than just another latte order, and I truly appreciate that.” Allyson Schafer, Owner & General Manager, Pumpernickels
Save Room. Trust Us.
The locals have one last piece of advice: Never skip dessert.
“Everyone needs to try the Basque Cake from Pennyroyal Café & Provisions. Once you eat it, you’ll know why.” Ruth Crowe, Owner & Artist, Ruth Crowe Artist Studio
Why commit to one flavor when there’s a far better strategy?
“You absolutely cannot miss the Michigan fruit pies from Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant & Winery in Fennville. Whether it’s their classic apple pie or a slice of cherry, they taste like pure tradition. The flaky, shortening-based crust and farm-fresh local fruit make it something I find myself coming back for over and over again. Pro tip: Get a pie flight so you don’t have to choose just one flavor!” Mark Lodenstein, Owner, Porches on Mason
Still Hungry? Good.
Taste even more of the region during the inaugural Art Coast® Food & Wine Festival, November 5–7, 2026. The three-day fall celebration brings acclaimed chefs, local vintners, themed dinners, curated tastings, live entertainment, and experiences inspired by Southwest Michigan’s rich agricultural landscape to locations throughout Saugatuck, Douglas, and Fennville.
Come for the dishes locals love, stay for an unforgettable weekend full of flavor, and discover a few new favorites of your own.
