Ralph&#x27;s Italian Delicatessen

Finally tried this local legend! The pizza will not disappoint. Highly recommend coming early or…read morecalling ahead to order pizza and reserve a table. Please take the time to read the history of this restaurant. So cool to see a mining family create a legend. I have been coming up to the UP for years and love seeing the community this place creates. It's so special! We called ahead and ordered 2 pizzas which helped speed up the process. We ordered the pesto and gluten free pizzas. The crust is thin and so good! Great spot up north to get pizza!

The pizza is amazing! We come every time we're in the UP! worth the wait! Wish they had cocktails…read morethough

Wonderful atmosphere and history.

Cudighi Pizza

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Lovely outdoor garden

Mama Mia's Italian Restaurant

3.8(50 reviews)

1.0 mi

Mama Mia's Italian Restaurant is one of the few long-running restaurants in Ishpeming that…read moregenuinely feels tied to the town rather than just located in it. The place has been around for decades, and the experience reflects that kind of stability and familiarity. On the food side, I ordered the Lasagne Dinner, which is a verified menu item, along with garlic bread. The lasagne is exactly the kind of old-school Italian-American comfort food that works best in a place like this. The layers hold together properly instead of collapsing into sauce, the cheese has a rich baked texture without becoming oily, and the meat sauce has a slow-cooked flavor that feels consistent rather than rushed. The garlic bread also deserves mention because it comes out with a crisp edge and soft center that actually complements the heavier pasta dishes instead of just sitting on the side untouched. Service is one of the restaurant's strongest qualities. The pacing feels experienced rather than scripted. Staff know how to handle regulars, larger dinner rushes, and slower tables without making the room feel chaotic. Refills, check-ins, and food timing all happen naturally, which gives the place a much more relaxed rhythm than newer restaurants trying too hard to feel upscale. The ambiance is a huge part of why the restaurant works. The interior has that older Italian restaurant warmth with dimmer lighting, darker furnishings, and a dining room that feels lived-in rather than renovated for trends. It is comfortable in a way that makes people stay longer than they planned to. The atmosphere feels personal and local instead of corporate or interchangeable. Overall, this is one of the more complete dining experiences in the area. The food is deeply consistent, the service feels experienced and natural, and the atmosphere has enough character that the restaurant stays memorable long after the meal is over.

When Yelp hands you a challenge, you do not decline. That Italian restaurant badge was flaunted in…read morefront of me and we decided that it was a mission to get it! As luck would have it, I chatted with a new local friend a few days before and 'got the lowdown' on Mama Mia's. Her words and advice were spot on! She gushed over the bread - so good! - and mentioned how she and her mom often shared plates because the serving sizes are so generous. She also said that they used to make their own spumoni and, admittedly, I hoped that was still true (I didn't confirm one way or another). There was a 20 minute wait. Our hostess was running a tight ship and we were confident in her forecast, so we chatted and looked over the carryout menu, planning our meals. It was pointless, of course, because it was still hard to decide! Our server Missy took great care of us, from fetching a craft beer menu to boxing up our leftovers. The restaurant was busy yet we never felt a moment of neglect. The hustle is STRONG here, with servers weaving intricately between the tables with food and beverages. It was a bit like dinner and a show! I had the tortellini Parmesan dinner, which started with one of the best bowls of minestrone that I can recall. The vegetables were on point, firm with no mush. The dinner salad had a lot of lettuce but also a nice collection of 'stuff' including cheese, meat and olives. I loved the tortellini; straightforward and not smothered, it let the pasta shine. Smokin'Hubster had the stuffed shells a la carte and added some meatballs. Everything was well-presented and prepared, super tasty and, well, it tasted like it was made with love. Nonna would approve! Because I had the dinner, I had my choice of ice cream. While I had hoped for the spumoni, the option I chose was amaretto Mackinac Island and it was divine. If they didn't make it on prem, they have an amazing partnership. I can't recall the last time I had ice cream after dinner and I certainly don't ever think that I've remembered it so fondly a week later. Trust me, it's THAT GOOD! In the best Italian tradition, the leftovers were even better the next day. The value cannot be overstated. We were fat, dumb and happy twice with this dinner. Crazy as it sounds, Smokin'Hubster was already planning a carryout order because he wants to try some other dishes (as do I)!! Start to finish, it was the best date night! Lots of street parking and easy to find in the burgeoning metropolis of Ishpeming. Get yourself here and enjoy la dolce vita!

Minestrone Soup (w/Oyster Crackers)

Amaretto Mackinac Island ice cream

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Garlic bread!

Huron Mountain Bakery - Ishpeming

4.5(30 reviews)

0.1 mi

No surprise; as soon as Smokin'Hubster and I moved to the area, we had to figure out who had the…read morepaczki. The bakery is amazing and it would be hard to select what to taste, except that I was a woman on a mission. I stopped in the week before Fat Tuesday. Placing the order was easy and took only moments to complete. I returned for Mardi Gras and the bakery was understandably busier. There were folks that failed to plan ahead, so their paczki pleasure was impacted. Me, I walked in, the same helpful person was retrieving orders and I picked up my pre-paid dozen quickly. The paczki were amazing and brought me right back to Michigan. The paczki we had in MN were good, but they aren't the same. And I've honestly never had paczki that were SO filled. And the fillings were so fresh, so perfectly balanced with the pastry. We tried six varieties (oof, yeah!) and loved them all. The prune paczki is an easy favorite, being traditional, but that Bavarian Cream was sublime. I was completely spoiled. It was fun that my first visits here were for 'holiday shopping,' which makes me look forward to coming back and trying more yummy baked items!

Wonderful neighborhood bakery with friendly caring staff! Everything from fresh baked breads,…read morecroissants, donuts , pastries and delightful bagels. Coffee and excellent gourmet sandwiches at a very reasonable price! Wish we had one in Cape Coral!

Behold the Paczki!!

Cupcakes and cookies!!

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Cupcakes, cookies, and candie!

Pasqualis

4.7(6 reviews)

2.6 mi

Best pizza in Negaunee. They are fast, friendly, and local. They also have comedy on Fridays in the…read morewinter. 5 stars

The prices are great, the staff is always friendly. The pizza here is absolutely amazing,.my…read morefavorite thing is the cheesy bites. I haven't eaten inside the restaurant yet but the outside is clean.

Tino's Bar & Pizza

3.8(25 reviews)

2.7 mi

Great pizza. This is truly just a pizza place. No salads etc. Pizza or cudighy(Italian sausage with…read morea twist). So if your into pizza and a beer, this is a great Upper Peninsula local treat

We took Tuesday Night Social Club (aka Date Nite) to Tino's and were not disappointed. It was funny…read moreto be the 'new locals' and overhear the banter between the regulars. The line to pick up pizzas is no joke, so be prepared to wait for your pie. That said, it's totally worth the wait! Madi handled the details at the bar expertly. She hustled all night, bringing drinks and taking phone orders while coordinating table service and pickup orders. She's the best and pretty fun to talk to (when she gets a moment to do so). The ingredients are fresh and diverse, especially when you build your own pizza. That's what Smokin'Hubster and I did, with the intention of taking home leftovers for lunches. He built a fun pie with pineapple (don't judge!), sausage and bacon. I was a bit more classic and understated with onions, pepperoni and extra cheese. Oh. My.Cheese! I totally stringed that out; SO YUMMY! Add that we are now known as the "Couple by the tap" and it's easy to see how much fun we had. We each brought home 1/2 a pizza, which reheated perfectly at 375 degrees for 10 minutes on the pizza stone. Yes, you could ask 'Chef Mike' and nuke your food in the microwave, but then you miss the chance to make your house smell fantastic. Keep it old school and you can't go wrong!

POP-A-SHOT

Meat and veggie pizzas while sitting outside

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Pizza On The Patio

Little Caesar

3.0(10 reviews)

0.1 mi

The food was cooked well We ordered an online menu people went in and ordered and got their pizza…read moreinstantly but it took an hour to get are food

I ordered 9 pizzas online from the Ishpeming Michigan store for my class at school. I watched the…read moreonline site saying it was made and done. I drove 10 miles to pick them up and the lady at the counter said she gave them to someone else. They had a print out of my order and my order number. I never left my computer between ordering and leaving to pick them up. Someone stole my pizzas and Little Ceasers has no record of who picked them up. Poor business model especially with 9 pizzas and the person picking them up was 20 minutes early.

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Jasper Ridge Brewery

3.5(68 reviews)

0.7 mi

The food is always cooked perfectly. The staff is super friendly, too. We usually get take out now…read morebecause I have some medical issues that I can't sit up in a regular chair for long without my pain getting worse We order all the time from them and we are never disappointed!

Jasper Ridge Brewery feels like it should be a solid sit-down brewery experience in Ishpeming, but…read morethe execution across the board did not match expectations. On the food side, I ordered a Reuben Melt. The sandwich came out unevenly heated, with the corned beef leaning dry in parts and the rye bread slightly over-toasted on one side. The balance of sauerkraut and sauce felt inconsistent, which made the overall flavor feel flat rather than cohesive. It was edible, but not well executed. Service was slow and lacked structure. There was a noticeable delay in initial table attention, and once the order was in, there was very little communication or follow-up. The pacing of the meal felt disorganized, like the kitchen and front of house were not fully in sync. The ambiance does not really elevate the experience either. The space has the layout of a brewery-style restaurant, but it comes across more chaotic than inviting, with noise carrying unevenly and the dining area feeling a bit worn rather than maintained in a way that enhances comfort. Overall, this was a disappointing visit. The food was poorly balanced, service was slow and inattentive, and the atmosphere did not make up for the gaps in execution.

A pint of their blueberry wheat! It was pretty good!

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Windy City hurricane, Buffalo traditional wings and battered mushrooms.

Pizza Hut

2.4(15 reviews)

0.1 mi

Having Pizza Hut in the neighborhood has been very beneficial for anytime you're looking for a…read moretasty meal. Often on a sale or promo. Delivery is prompt and as always the pizzas are delicious. Wish the dining room was open.

Since Corona, you still can't eat inside but there is takeout available. Still some of the best…read morefast food pizza!

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Gravedoni's Pizza

5.0(2 reviews)

2.5 mi

The best pizza I ever had! I love everything about the pizza, the crust, sauce, cheese, and…read morewhatever toppings we get! We always get takeout and they are so fast and friendly. The order is always ready when they say, and nice and hot. We don't stay in the restaurant, we always get to go orders. The inside is so comfortable and clean. I want a Gravedoni's pizza now!

The Cudaghi here is awesome better than most in my opinion, the bread is so fresh and light…read more Definitely a huge thumbs up to the owner and staff of this small town eatery.

The Cade

4.0(1 review)

5.7 mi

Cozy bar with a strong Up North vibe that's not far from home. We stopped by for Date Night and…read morewere not disappointed. The beer list features a lot of local brews and the prices are great! The menu is full of good things to choose from. You are bound to find a favorite! Smokin'Hubster had the deluxe chicken sammich with the upgraded batter fries. I had an amazing Cudighi sammich with shoestring fries. What I have to share is that this might be the best ratio, bread to Cudighi, that I've had yet! The bun had the perfect crust without being tough and really complimented the sausage and toppings. The staff is super friendly and make you feel like one of the regulars. I'm looking forward to visiting The Cade again soon!