We stopped in for a quick bite on a Friday about 5:30 and got in before the rush. The Pork Stew and Creole Gumbo were tasty, the Gumbo had a nice zing. My wife had the burger, which had a great charcoal finish. My fried perch sandwich was also very good. We enjoyed our dinner and Bethany provided attentive service. Bravo! read more

I've been going to City Park years but not recently. We took another couple for dinner and all of us were unhappy with our meals. The was either over cooked, mushy, very bland or cold. Our waiter was fine but he has no control over the kitchen. read more

We had dinner reservations later in the evening but we wanted to find a place to rest our feet, grab a beer (or 2) and watch the Tigers beat the Mariners in a playoff game. We were at at a high top, and we all got beers...our driver had an N/A Stella (they actually have a number of non-alcoholic options). Walking around were these gentlemen who offered us complimentary biscuits with whipped butter. I mean, how can you say no? We weren't there long, but I'll have to admit that we were treated well and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It didn't hurt that the Tigers whooped the Mariners, but that's another story. read more

We had a reservation for a Monday night. We're used to being up here in the summer, so we know it can get really busy any night of the week. It did get very busy, but only the bar and the dining room contiguous to it We're being used. We arrived on time and waited forever for the M.I.A. hostess to return to her station and seat us. I know young folks are easily distracted, so if we weren't on the books and just walked in, I can kind of understand the person not being at their post, but we did let them know we would be there. Anyway, we were taken to our table and after another long wait, our waitress took our drink order. 2 glasses of white wine. We already knew we both wanted the whitefish, so we ordered as soon as the waitress returned with our wine. Someone came around with a tray of fresh baked biscuits with ramekins of butter. Delicious! Warm from the oven, slightly sweet, golden brown! Nice touch. After another wait, our dinners were served. So, one thing you can always count on is the excellent whitefish in Northern Michigan. Well, maybe not always... This was potato encrusted fish that was baked. I think it was done 20 minutes before they pulled it from the oven. There was some type of carrot and broccoli medley that was sauteed with too much Thyme. Again, way overcooked. Very disappointing. 2 whitefish entrees, 2 glasses of wine and the tip = $90.00??? And the service wasn't very good, and the food was 3rd rate, and for $90 bucks we didn't even get a salad? Next time I'm in Petoskey and want whitefish, I'll go to Terry's in Charlevoix, or The New York in Harbor Springs. Oh, we did have a decent whitefish sandwich at The Perry Hotel. Only hitch is it was fried and all we really wanted was whitefish prepared meuniere or florentine. Sounds fancy, but even easier than deep fried... Google it, try it and thank me later!​ read more

Everything was amazing. Huge portions! Get the Michigan cherry salad. Fish and chips was enough for two meals. Cool atmosphere. Service was on point! read more

Visiting Michigan and heard this place has a great vibe and good food. Back in the day Earnest Hemingway drank here. Other than being put on hold for a long time , I finally gave up and just went. We were seated right away and our server came over quickly and took our drink order. Not long after that, a young man came around with a tray full of warm biscuits . Warm butter too! Willow was our server and did a great job. My husband loved his fish sandwich and I had one of their burgers . French onion soup was a starter and just lovely. The cherry flavored potatoe chips that come with the sandwiches are very good! All in all, a fun dining experience . read more

City Park Grill - The beautiful bar and tin ceilings are amazing - New American Near Me - Petoskey, Michigan

We came in the other day with a larger party, they were able to seat us quickly. Our server was friendly and quick. Everyone enjoyed their meal. The coleslaw was tasty, little heavy on the carraway, but I had to try it because it was mustard based. I enjoyed my burger as well, the bleu cheese sauce on it was delicious. I really liked looking at the paintings and the little lamps that look like tophats made my day. Very nice spot for a quick bite to eat. read more

Four different meals, all great. It's been our third time there. Normally visit when in Petosky.

Located in Old Town Petosky, a cozy little spot next to Pennsylvania park. The building itself was built in 1875 by Alanso McCarty and named McCarty hall. Over 100 years ago Ernest Hemingway hung out here (the Annex). The atmosphere is near perfect. It's busy, but friendly and inviting. The folks here are cheery and festive. The ambiance is enviable. Pans of biscuits are frequented through the room. Biscuits that are to die for. Especially, if you get them hot with enough melted butter! We just stopped in for a quick pick-me-up light meal, after a long day of adventure. Starting with a hummus plate that was so generous it's a meal all by itself. They also provide an over abundance of pita bread to go with. It could be the Tahiti paste-fresh garlic that gives it an incredibly unique taste. A must try. Thinking outside the box a bit, we ordered the vegetarian stir-fry and added grilled chicken. Another fabulous dish that was so large, we ended up splitting it. All-in-all, the prices are par to a bit below par for Petoskey. You definitely receive a fair amount of food for the dollar. When you add in the people, the decor and the atmosphere, you have a definite winner in the City Park Grill! 09/23 read more

City Park Grill - Name plate under the table - New American Near Me - Petoskey, Michigan

The setting is in an old downtown building. Very nice inside. Lots of room. We stopped for lunch. It was busy but we were seated quickly. The staff was very polite and prompt. We were served a delicious homemade biscuit and butter. The menu was built more for entrees however their salads were big and filling. They offer burgers and fries to pork chops. The food was good the service was solid. If you're looking for a good place to eat make sure and stop here. read more

If you're a serious food lover exploring northern Michigan, a trip to Petoskey isn't complete without a stop at City Park Grill. This isn't just a restaurant; it's a culinary institution that seamlessly blends historic charm with a menu that truly delivers.Despite its cozy exterior, the space unfolds into a surprisingly spacious and vibrant dining room. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, perfect for a lively dinner with friends.On our recent visit with a party of 10, the experience was elevated by our incredible server, Bethany. She handled our large group with remarkable patience and was a font of helpful recommendations. Her service was attentive without being intrusive, which truly made our night special.Now, for the food. The star of the show for me was an unexpected one: the biscuits. Fluffy, tender, and impossibly delicious, they were so good I ended up ordering a whole plate just for myself. But the rest of our table had plenty to rave about, too. The Philly cheese steak sandwich was a standout--a hearty, perfectly balanced dish that hit all the right notes. From the crispy, golden fries to the diverse assortment of dishes our group ordered, every plate was met with genuine satisfaction.City Park Grill is a testament to what makes a great restaurant: phenomenal food, a welcoming atmosphere, and exceptional service. It's a must-visit for anyone who appreciates thoughtful, well-executed cuisine in a classic setting. read more

Me and my husband love this restaurant, we love the biscuits that go around, and the greek walleye was delightful, my husband had the chimichuri steak and he absolutely loved it just perfect. And I cannot forget our wonderful waiter jason, he was fantastic, so kind and makes great recommendations. We will be back again for sure. read more

Found this on Yelp when six of us got to Petosky, and they loved me for it! What an amazing place - the history of it is great fun, the food was excellent and Meghan was a great server. We all started with the sweet drop biscuits - excellent. We all took a moment to enjoy those. From there we ordered the smoked turkey club, a burger, French onion soup, Iron Horse Root Beer - outstanding - and the club sandwich. No misses! Loved our meal here and would go back for sure! read more

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Crusted walleye special was dry and tasteless. I suspect it was reheated several times. The sides were equally awful. On the plus side the server and bar staff were top notch. A very noisy environment. read more

They Always great food here and service was great! We stop every time we are in town.

Great food and service a must stop for us when visiting Petoskey definitely a winner.

Stopped for a drink, the bartender was ruge and nasty. I had never met her before , or anyone else there. I will NOT be back.

The food was very mediocre and our server was not friendly or helpful at all. We would not return.

Great server named Gavin. Good French onion soup. Okay Reuben but the meat was really tough. Excellent ginger beer. Go if you want to eat and drink where Ernest Hemingway hung out in his youth, charming interior with a gorgeous bar. read more

We've been to City Park Grill a few times before, when visiting Petoskey. It's always been fine, but not spectacular. This time was really different; they had a special Irish features menu, which was really enticing, and we had the best waitress (though didn't catch her name). We had the best dinner...fantastic food, great service, wonderful ambience! read more

Neat restaurant and bar in Petoskey, it is located on top of the hill, so it's a great view of the downtown area. The restaurant inside is very old and neat with a very large wooden bar. When we walked in, we were greeted with a man with a baking sheet of hot biscuits that he followed us to the table and gave us one as we sat down it was a great treat! I had the wings which were good. They had a homemade buffalo sauce, which was more like a sweet and sour different and good. I wouldn't call them spicy, but they also came with a great homemade blue cheese dressing. My mom had the turkey sandwich which came with homemade mustard, coleslaw, and it was very good as well! The restaurant filled up fast with fall color patrons, but the restaurant is quite large with many different areas! we enjoy the bar are as it makes you feel like you're in a different era! read more

City Park Grill - Bar area - New American Near Me - Petoskey, Michigan

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Steak sandwich not bad. Has horseradish aioli got extra on the side. Very good try it if you like shrooms Gumbo: not bad, more tomato-ey side but not bad at all Seafood chowder: it's ok, watery so it gives me soup instead of chowder taste. If you like clam chowder, try it Paid-rounded up- to $34 for everything read more

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Inside of restaurant is very inviting and cozy. The food was terrible. Fish had 4 pieces which was surprising at such a large amount, but greasy and no flavor at all. The coleslaw was terrible and could not eat it - should not have mustard in it and to much of the celery seed or whatever the seeds were. The biscuits were super dry and straight out of a Bisquick box. The Chicago burger was really dry and the crumbled bacon kept falling off (strips would have been better). Last, my salad was drowned in dressing. We were really disappointed and unfortunately wont be back. read more

The host was very friendly and down-to-earth. The restaurant was busy this past Saturday night, but the crowds were handled quickly and efficiently. Hats off to the bartender who was quick on her feet and very personable. My mom and I ate dinner, a celebration of her discharge from a week in the hospital. The French onion soup hit the spot, as did the fresh, hot biscuits. She reported that her Chicago burger was good, too. My complaint comes with my flank steak. I ordered it to be medium-rare, but it came out somewhere between medium and well-done. When I brought this to the attention of the waiter, he did offer to order me a new steak. However, my mom was half done with her meal, and I didn't want to wait another twenty minutes to get my food. Therefore, I declined. I am surprised that no motion was made to account for the mistake. Offer a free dessert? Take it off the bill? Even offer a discount on the bill? Any apology from the manager? Nothing. For a higher-end restaurant, this is a touch that is lacking. Nearly $60 for a burger and half a dinner hardly seems right. read more

We went there this past Monday sept 29th. Wonderful bartender. We ordered soup as starters. We were sitting at the bar. Bartender offered use these wonderful biscuits to go with soup and great drinks. This evening we went back to order the same. Soup was luke warm but was heated up. I asked the bartender 3 times for bisquits and she told us all three times there was nothing she could do. I watched servers at the tables bring bisquits to the tables. The bartender even went to the kitchen to check orders. We finally just left and went elsewhere for the rest of our dinner. Funny thing is we drive quite a distance for the soup and bisquits...never again read more

For an afternoon stop, we had a great time here! I needed a snack after a hike and when I saw they had french onion soup on the menu, I had to say yes! This is the place that Hemingway would write and summer, and the vibe was great. While we were only there for a short time, I can say that the soup was fantastic - the cheese pulls and flavor were amazing! And the homemade biscuits were still warm when they brought it out on the cookie sheet. I want to come back and try more of their menu and enjoy the vibe with a book. read more

City Park Grill - New American Near Me - Petoskey, Michigan

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The food and service here is going down hill. I get the off season hurts business and it's hard in Northern Michigan to maintain throughout the year. We have been patient with slow and not so friendly service, because the food was good. This time not so much. I ordered the ribeye special for $45 and it was literally less of a meal than you could get at Denny's. It will be a while before we try again. read more

Had takeout with a big group and everyone loved their food. I had the salmon which was a solid reliable choice. Friends had the steak sandwich and jambalaya. Funny thing is the standout were THE BISCUITS. OMG maybe I was just hungry but those were by far the best side carb I may have ever tasted. Would love to go in and see the place next time read more

Another reason I don't like to spend $ on going out to eat in northern Michigan. Ordered a NY strip medium rare. It came out very rare... okay... I can live with that, but then it was so grizzly I could hardly chew it enough to swallow. I sent it back. I NEVER send food back, maybe 2 or 3 times in my life. The maître d tried to convince me that NY strip is more grizzly than other steaks by nature. As if I'd never eaten a good NY strip before. Then he wanted to know if I wanted a filet instead (at significant increase in price). Listen: I've eaten in fine restaurants in your price range, above and below, all over the country and on three other continents. My kid is a chef. I know food, so.... your condescension was aimed at the wrong guy. It took forever to get a replacement.... my wife was finished with her meal (not bad, if overly salted). Then I read in these comments about a barkeep there bragging about spitting in food for people who had something returned. Yikes. This is why I rarely spend money in restaurants in Petoskey... the more money they charge the more disappointing the food is. Another time, in a restaurant in the same chain, a burned entre was served with the sauce employed as a clear attempt to hide the burnt side, which was faced down in the plate!.... I've been served burned food in another higher end place in Boyne City as well, geez... why risk it?.... I think I'm cooking at home.... Didn't even offer a discount for the mistake and the delay, when even a small discount would have smoothed the mistake a bit. I guess if you're used to fast food you don't mind this kind of thing but..... read more

Had my first not good meal Friday. There's something wrong guys. Not only did you ruin perch, but came down with a surprise case of diarrhea. read more

OKAY PETOSKEY! I see you! Every single time I come to this city, I manage to stumble upon some seriously good food and City Park Grill is no exception! It's located in this stunning building in downtown Petoskey, which is already absolutely lovely and the food is just scrumptious! I ordered the prime rib sandwich while other people in my group ordered fish & chips and a fish sandwich. All were incredibly delicious, but I would highly highly recommend the prime rib sandwich the most! I'm still thinking about it! Love this place and can't wait to come back to have that sandwich again next time I'm in town and also really looking forward to what new food adventures Petoskey will have in store for me next! read more

City Park Grill - Shaved Prime Rib sandwich (mushrooms, onions, swiss cheese, focaccia roll, horseradish aioli) with their house BBQ chips - New American Near Me - Petoskey, Michigan

Wedge was good, as was the French onion soup. However, the NY strip steak was so tough that I LITERALLY could not chew it enough to swallow. They did the right thing and took it off the bill, but it wasn't the evening I expected. read more

One star for the biscuits. They were good. Worst restaurant experience ever-a place that literally made me angry for eating there. The noise was DEAFENING. Impossible to carry on a conversation across the table, and when that happens, of course you talk louder. A whole room of people trying to talk over each other. The food- The calamari had to go back. It was cold and not completely cooked. The salad was drenched in dressing. The gumbo was mostly just a broth. All the food was either too salty or completely bland. Everything gave the impression of mass produced, overpriced cafeteria food. The service - Terrible waiter-tried to bring 3 drinks to the table without a tray-spilling part of a beer all over. Would reach across the plate to fill the water glass, dragging his arm through the food. The bus staff would balance plates on their arms and drop silverware on the floor as they walked. Granted it was a Friday night in a tourist town, but come on-do better. read more

Was encouraged by several to visit but disappointed in City Park Grill. Service and ambience was very good, but the food fell very flat. Stuffed mushrooms were rubbery and lacked flavor, even though the ingredients were things we really love. The pork chop dinner was way overcooked, the chop was dry even with the light gravy. The salad with blackened chicken included pre-cooked chicken, dry, cold, and no flavor. Just a meh meal way over cooked and lacking flavor. So many interesting places to try in Petoskey, we were disappointed in this choice. read more

This restaurant is THE place to be. My friends and I would see live music there nearly 20 years ago - Joshua Davis and his band Steppin' In It was one of the bands! Mudbugz and Mike Moran being the other performers. Always good food - my favorite being their famous biscuits. Had the snapper today!! Always great service no matter how busy they get. Friendly faces! read more

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Service was fantastic. Sat at bar and greeted right away. Lunches look great. I had small Caesar salad. The size of it would be what I call large. Can't imagine what a large looks like. Staff were friendly and social. read more

We came here tonight for my 28 year old daughter's birthday dinner. She got a mint blueberry cocktail with a shot of vodka that was refreshing. We got complimentary hot butter biscuits right away. For dinner we got the sweet chili salmon with stir fry veggies & rice and 5 cheese penne with chicken. The chicken was kind of sparse on top the pasta. The food hit the spot. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive. It was cool to see the spot where Ernest Hemingway would sit at the bar. I gave the place 4 stars due to sparse chicken with the pasta. I would definitely come back here! read more

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Positives: -they were open. -French onion soup was delicious. -salads were very tasty. -our server was friendly. -the setting was warm and inviting. Negatives: -service was sloooooow. 55 minutes after arriving we still hadn't gotten our food. -cranberry mule was straight alcohol. -Mediterranean pasta that was supposed to have pesto didn't. -shrimp had tails on in the pasta. -fries were cold, but after waiting so long I was not about to send them back. -the aioli that came with them was definitely not aioli. I'm not sure what it was, but def not aioli. read more

It's a place to go for a chill dinner. The service was good and the food wasn't bad or anything fancy but it was flavorful. read more

City Park Grill - Chicken wings, with blue cheese - New American Near Me - Petoskey, Michigan

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Upon arriving in Petoskey for a recent visit, we wanted to find a great spot to grab a bite. Nearly every restaurant had a wait, but even the short one at City Park Grill didn't turn us off. We put our name in and took a seat at the grand old wooden bar for the short wait. A favorite spot of Ernest Hemingway's, I could almost envision him seated a few spots away, sipping a cocktail and scribbling down ideas for stories. After a short wait, we were seated outside. The Caesar salad caught my eye almost immediately, and I decided it would be my entree. Once it arrived, it didn't disappoint. While good, fresh ingredients are a must for any salad to hit the mark, the real test for the Caesar was in the dressing. This one was just salty enough from anchovies and tangy enough from lemon to keep it from getting too heavy in the creamy base. With thin slices of blackened chicken on top, it was both healthy and filling. Our servers were particularly attentive and welcoming, and we can't wait to return and see them again on our next trip to Petoskey and the City Park Grill. read more

City Park Grill - Large Caesar Salad with Blackened Chicken - New American Near Me - Petoskey, Michigan