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    Modern Bird

    4.6 (89 reviews)
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    Modern Bird Photos

    MODERN BIRD ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Modern Bird

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    John F.

    Wow... What a local GEM for Traverse City! Top-notch food, service, and spirits. The food is the center of attention here. The atmosphere is simple and clean. No over-the-top decorations or distractions here. Yes, you MUST have a reservation. No, it's not for children or large parties. This is for a date night, special occasions, etc. Evan was our server and helped guide us. He recommended two dishes (I would not have chosen) and we loved them! Will return for sure. :)

    Amy W.

    Modern Bird came highly recommended by the locals so we were excited to check it out. It can be very difficult to get into. You want to make reservations! We lucked out but we had to sit at a chair rail along the window. This was still great though. It's a very small location and very popular. The menu is very confusing. So you need the waitress to explain it. We chose to split a few items and everything was amazing! I can't wait to come back and try something new!

    Fried chicken
    Erica C.

    This is a very cute intimate sized restaurant. The service was wonderful and I loved that they change out your plates and cutlery between each course. The fried chicken and crudo were standouts but truly everything was incredible. We ordered: Crudo - 10/10, husband said it is one of the top dishes for him. It was fresh be the combination of flavors and textures was amazing Bread - 10/10, fluffy and crunch on the outside with a perfect side of ranch butter. Could have had 10 more Fried chicken - 1000/10, the crunch of the skin, the tender chicken, and the depth of flavor made this an unforgettable dish. This white bbq sauce was tangy and sooo good I could have drank it NY Strip - 10/10, cooked perfectly and the sauce was the perfect complement. Also the caramelized crunch mushrooms were an unexpected and delicious addition

    Cucumber dish
    Casey M.

    Such a cute little corner restaurant that has a great seasonal menu with some permanent staples. We just stopped in for a couple of drinks and small plates, but will be going back in the near future to try out some of the amazing entrees. We started with two cocktails, one Modern Bird's White Negroni and another nice floral, hibiscus cocktail. I 1000% recommend the fried chicken on the supper menu, the white bbq sauce was delicious. Nick and Diana provided amazing service and were knowledgeable about the menu and had great recommendations for what we were looking to experience for the evening. The bar area was great to sit at, there's a lovely patio area but I would definitely recommend a reso ahead of time given the popularity of the restaurant.

    Mark R.

    My wife and I spent a week in Traverse City in September - she was familiar with the area but it was my first time. I was really struck by how many great restaurants are here, and this one topped our list. The owners moved here during the pandemic after having worked at some Michelin starred restaurants in Chicago. The creativity and flavor combination were just incredible. And relatively affordable. Service was genuine with some offbeat humor to boot. Space is a renovated 20th century structure very cool. Lively scene we went back a second time and as good an experience as the first time.

    Table Decor
    Jeff S.

    If Michelin were to give me say in it, I think they deserve at least a Bib Gourmand. Everything about this place was exceptional. From the moment we stepped in the door, we were warmly greeted and seated immediately. Our server was super knowledgeable and friendly, and came over to check on us regularly throughout the meal. Because it's a small location, it's always easy to get someone's attention if needed, and the service is very cordial, does a good job of explaining the menu items if asked, and was polite at all times. We followed our waiter's advice and ordered several dishes to share. We started with two appetizers or small plates. The potatoes with brown butter/cheese sauce (parmesan) and pickled mushrooms were out of this world. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with an unctuous parmesan sauce and bright pops of flavor with the pickled mushrooms. We followed this with the herb caesar/asparagus/country ham and cured egg yolks. The yolks were soft but thick, tasty morsels of ham, and some brioche breadcrumbs. We did have to ask, where is the brioche, because the breadcrumbs were nothing more than a fine dusting-should have asked about that before we ordered the dish, but we got a clarification from the server. We moved on to the soft shell crab with polenta-some of the creamiest polenta I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying-with General Tso's sauce which added a nice pop of heat. We ended the main courses with the Galette with spinach and artichoke, and a small side salad. This was a perfect amount of food for two people. We finished the evening with the Strawberry Pavlova-smartly made scoops of meringue had been baked to shape the Pavlova, underneath a layer of chocolate pieces, strawberries, and greek yogurt, and a warm chocolate sauce poured on at serving. Thoroughly well done. I would not hesitate to visit again if I'm ever back in Traverse City, as I'm sure this has to be one of, if not the top, place to dine there. Thank you, Modern Bird!

    Asparagus
    Nathan N.

    If you're local or even visiting Traverse City, do not miss this one of a kind dining experience. Nestled just on the outskirts of the downtown, Modern Bird is a quaint and warm setting that puts an elegant spin on Midwestern home cooking. This was our first time visiting and we were not disappointed in the slightest. Our server recommended 2-3 plates per person, but with our eyes on the desserts we selected three plates. The asparagus with prosciutto was the best we've ever had. Perfectly in season, we absolutely loved this dish. The fried chicken was equally savory with an awesome yogurt based dipping sauce to accompany it. We wrapped up our main course with the Galette filled with spinach and artichokes. Imagine a spinach artichoke dip inside a puff pastry? What's not to love! Our final selections for the evening were the Rhubarb Hand Pie and Key Lime Pie, and we will be dreaming of this meal for the months to come. From the cocktails to the dessert, everything is intentionally created to make you wanting more. With a welcoming staff, your needs will be attended to during your time at Modern Bird. We can't thank them enough for this incredible dinner.

    Halibut
    Cheney H.

    The staff and attention to detail were absolutely the highlight of our experience. I very much wanted to love every bite I took of the food, but maybe it's my palate or expectations of the dishes that led me to finding a few things a little lackluster. A few things to remember before you go, the menu changes often so don't have your heart set on trying anything particular and the kitchen may run out of your dish. That's nothing against the restaurant at all but as someone who always previews the menu I want to warn my fellow planners. Also the descriptions of the dishes are very succinct, so you won't have the full picture unless you ask one of their wonderful staff or have a surprise when the dish is placed in front of you. We tried five dishes all together; the trout crudo, smoked carrot, fried chicken, halibut and cream puff. The trout crudo- I found the fish to be really good quality and the cantaloupe broth (?) was very fragrant. The only off putting part of the dish was the char roasted rice in the middle of each bite. As a visual eater I had to convince myself it wasn't anything else. But the bites themselves were textually interesting with a refreshing flavor. The smoked carrots- there are so many layers to this dish. I think it's up to everyone's palate if they like that or not. The only part of this dish I was surprised on was the carrots were cold and for some reason I thought they would be a warm dish. The fried chicken- I would say a standard two pieces of fried chicken. The meat was moist and the batter was well seasoned. The white barbecue sauce comes on the side and had a strong vinegar base but the chicken mellows out the vinegar really well. Halibut- this dish is very green centered. With leeks and peas bringing the color to the plate the flavor was not what I expected. The fish is sous vide and gives it a very gentle texture, and it's definitely personal preference but I wish it was warmer than just above room temperature. The peas were pureed and had a citrus undertone which was nice but not the savory side I was expecting and the leek sauce really didn't have much leek flavor to me or my husband. The cream puff was delicious and the pistachio cream was my favorite part. I also really enjoyed the Wheres My Rind cocktail. Overall, the decor is very modern and the ambiance is upscale casual. The restaurant is very loud but the open kitchen is fun to watch. The staff were lovely and the attention to detail was impeccable. I appreciated the experience for what it was but maybe my palate needs to grow.

    Lavender dessert with olive oil
    Angela G.

    There is a lot of attention paid to the food and cocktails, with fresh ingredients and careful crafting. The location is in what appears to be a midtown-like neighborhood of downtown TC. The dining room is small and very noisy. Service is friendly. All of this (very sterile) said, the price point is way too high. Quite frankly, 2 small pieces of fried chicken (a thigh and leg) should NEVER cost $20!!! I had to try it. It was delicious. I got an auntie in Alabama who puts it to shame on her worst day, in the middle of a hurricane. The delightful surprise? A delicate lavender dessert with olive oil drizzle. It was on the menu in late July. I absolutely would pay $20 for this again. Modern Bird is best when it sticks to the modern. Well, except for the contemporary furniture. It was uncomfortable.

    Halibut

    PHENOMENAL! The service was great and we were able to get in fairly last minute surprisingly easily on a Saturday night in July. Every last dish was beautiful and delicious. We were thrilled. My halibut in particular was incredible.

    Bread with ranch butter

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    11 months ago

    The food was AMAZING! It is a must if you are in Traverse City. Love the intimate setting and the staff was top notch too!

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    9 months ago

    Food was good! But the atmosphere was cold and crowed! Intimacy Reminded me of a drug store counter top!

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    Our entire experience was flawless. Drinks, food, service, atmosphere there was nothing lacking. Highly highly recommend!

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    Ask the Community - Modern Bird

    Does this restaurant take reservations?

    Yes! I think we booked ours on line. Enjoy your visit! Great good and the chef is amazing.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Modern Bird - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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