Great place for fresh fish! Group of six of us came on Friday night just before 6PM and waited about 30 mins for a table on the patio. Nice shades table at this time with great breeze on the riverfront/marina area. We all ordered fresh fish with half of getting the almond Whitefish ($30) and it was outstanding! One BIL got the New Orleans Whitefish ($33) and the other BIL got the Whitefish tacos ($21) and it was unanimous...everyone loved the food. What really made our night special was our server Julie! She was super friendly, fun, helpful and very prompt. She is a precious asset for the restaurant! read more

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This was such a great spot for lunch! If you're looking for a local place with good food and scenic views in this area, The Cove is it. The only reason I'm rating this restaurant 4 stars, is because the hostess is extremely rude. I don't know her name but she was working at 3PM (there were 2 or 3 girls at this time). The way she responded after we asked "what" when we couldn't hear what she was saying, was extremely condescending and "valley girl" like with a high pitch/annoyed tone. I also saw her do this to someone else too. it's not a good look and almost turned us away but we really wanted to try the food. My fiance and I both got the fried white fish sandwich with fries and it did not disappoint! The batter wasn't super thick and it absolutely melted in your mouth. I also love the type of bread they used for the bun. I think it was ciabatta bread? I might be wrong but I think that's what it was. The entire flavor combo was really good. Also, our waitress, Jillian, who was fantastic, gave us extra tartar sauce without even asking! I think she knew we were about to ask lol! We also asked for the fries well done and they definitely were. The fries also didn't taste like old oil or anything, they were really fresh. All in all, we were both very satisfied with our meals and were happy with the entree choice! Oh, I also had a Moscow Mule but made with whisky and that was also very good. I had the house whisky and it was very light and very good. All in all, a good experience with the food and the views -- the hostess just needs some training on customer service. If you're in the area, I'd recommend stopping by and grabbing a bite! read more

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This place is a gem of the Leland area! I went with a party of nine, and it seemed everyone's food was great. The drinks seemed nice (even though I just had water) and the atmosphere was great! I got the something New Orleans, which was pasta, in a Cajun Alfredo sauce, with whitefish and shrimp. Everything was AMAZING! Our server was a hero, having all of us without notice, and being pleasant while doing it. Amazing seafood and overall vibe, ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND!!! read more

Great service and food tried the fried walleye. Plenty of beers to pick from. Many different dining rooms to pick from some patios. read more

The Cove - Chubby Maria's - Seafood Near Me - Leland, Michigan

Try to get a seat on the patio along the water... It was closed when we arrived. We sat outside in front of the restaurant since we had our pup with us and it was a bit busy with foot and vehicle traffic. The food was very good, we started with the Chubby Mary and the chowder. We tried the garlic Parmesan whitefish and the campfire whitefish for our entrees. Both were cooked extremely well, and were flaky and tender. Included sides were a very tasty coleslaw and fries. Service was very good and the food came out hot and quickly. read more

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The location was great. It is right on the water so the view is great! Our server was great. The food was ok. I had the whitefish taco. It was bland and was sloppy to eat. It was really more of a wrap than a taco. It came with potato chips that I didn't eat because they were greasy. My hubby got a burger that was cooked to his liking but he said was only ok. He said his fries were excellent! It was a pricey lunch that wasn't worth the price. read more

The Cove - Whitefish taco with chips. (More of a wrap) - Seafood Near Me - Leland, Michigan

Love the Ambiance, food, and service! We had fish and chips & the fish tacos! Would recommend! read more

The Cove - Fish and chips, and Fish Tacos! - Seafood Near Me - Leland, Michigan

This restaurant is amazing. Great views, great service, and great food! Highly recommend the beef tenderloin. read more

The Cove - Beef Tenderloin Entree - Seafood Near Me - Leland, Michigan

The place is a whole vibe. Great view. Great service. I would skip the pomme frites (overpriced fries) and go straight to entrees like fried fish or campfire fish. Whitefish tacos were great. Love the postcard we got at the end of our meal. read more

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Food was delicious. Whitefish pate, fried perch dinner. Nothing better in northern Michigan. Service was prompt and accommodating. Ambiance was super. read more

The Cove - Outdoor patio at the Cove at sunset. - Seafood Near Me - Leland, Michigan

Restaurant is super cute, the food was excellent highly recommend the fish tacos. Also any fish platter for an entree and my husband had the chowder which was excellence. The wines were very good and the beers he said was tasty. Definitely go back again. read more

Off the charts cool rustic boating atmosphere... located in an idyllic fishing village of "FishTown" that looks like it was teleported from the 1800's. The place sits on the edge of and slightly over a dam/waterfall next to a short river next to Lake Michigan... The interior is filled with old nautical paraphernalia, rustic wood, super views of the water... it's hard to imagine how cool it is. They have great fish and chips. Several varieties of whitefish from the lake. We had the Waleye and loved it. Likely the best we have had ... period. The clam chowder was also up there with the "as good as it gets" grouping. You can sit in a room that's almost over the waterfall if you want... we did and loved the view. Service was excellent. Our waitress impressed us enough to prompt us to leave her a Benjamin. read more

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The Cove, a respite from some of the touristy nature of Leland, with some outstanding dishes and views! Pros: Service Sadly cannot recall waiter's name, but he was amazing! A cool dude with a cool story. Very genuine. Wine selection The Cove understood the assignment! They reside in an area abundant with wineries, and delivered with local selections. The Leelanau Cellers Late Harvest Riesling was *chef's kiss* Dessert Did you even dine at The Cove if you don't have the Burnt Caramel Sea Salt Gelato? Absolute perfection. No notes. Order it and end your meal on cloud 9. Not so great: Though I am obsessed with the local whitefish, serving it only baked in foil style does it a disservice. Even the peppadews (which I love) couldn't save the Campfire Whitefish. Texture and flavor was meh. All in all, I'd dine at The Cove again definitely! But would pick a different main dish. read more

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Absolutely amazing! Lucy was a great waitress! Food was amazing. I had the chicken ceaser salad as I'm not a fish fan and it was excellent. My husband had the whitefish New Orleans which was amazing! The pasta was in a cream sauce which was the perfect spice. I ate the pasta and it was amazing! read more

The Cove - Whitefish New Orleans - Seafood Near Me - Leland, Michigan

Don't know how this place has a 4 star average - it was a perfect seaside restaurant. Classic nautical atmosphere, right on the water, every dish was perfect. My wife's smoked whitefish Cesar was the best salad I've had in years. Seafood chowder? I'm from Boston and this was an A+. I had white fish with peppers and onion cooked in foil, with great mashed potatoes and perfect corn on the cob. The "award winning cherry pie" was the best I've ever had by about 75 cherries. Excellent service for our table of 9. Probably the best seaside spot I've ever eaten at, these are usually tourist traps of average quality. This one is special. read more

Great place. As good as advertised. First rate bloody mary. The seafood chowder is also fantastic. I had the mixed sampler of fried fish. Excellent. Even the coleslaw slaw! read more

The Cove - Great views! - Seafood Near Me - Leland, Michigan

The food is fantastic! The chowder is the best I have ever had. I usually also get a Caesar salad with smoked whitefish on top. In good weather, Rick's Cafe', which is a deck on the river, is a great spot to dine. Indoors, the ambiance is relaxing and nautical. The location is amazing, as the restaurant is on the Carp River, right in historic Fishtown, and the sunsets are outstanding! read more

Everything was great. Our server was kind, attentive, and knowledgeable. The food was wonderful. I would probably have to say the best fish and chips I've ever had...crispy, light breading, mild flaky whitefish inside, with delicious French fries on the side. I highly recommend! read more

The Cove - Whitefish Fish and Chips- best I've ever had - Seafood Near Me - Leland, Michigan

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Second time at the Cove with our rowing group. They are very gracious and accommodating our group of about 40 people. They gave us a back room and supplied separate checks which we were thankful for. I ordered a bowl of clam chowder and their homemade cherry pie. Win-win on both. The soup was flavorful and not too thick and the warm cherry pie hit the spot afterwards. read more

The Cove - Seafood Near Me - Leland, Michigan

To be fair, we were there for a quick, light lunch and both of us ordered the same, chicken salad wraps with fries. The chicken salad was a bit bland but fine. It could have used some real local cherries since it claims to have cherries in it. We couldn't find or taste them. The fries were ok, nothing spectacular. Overall, a nice time overlooking the water fall. read more

The Cove - Chicken salad wrap and fries - Seafood Near Me - Leland, Michigan

If there were a Hall of Fame for seafood spots, The Cove would be front and center. Tucked away like a coastal gem, this place absolutely blew us away. Let's start with the Seafood Chowder--hands down, the best we've had in the entire USA. Creamy, rich, perfectly balanced with ocean-fresh flavor in every spoonful. It wasn't just a soup. It was a moment. And then came the Smoked Whitefish Pâté served with homemade chips, and oh. my. goodness. That smoky, delicate spread paired with the crisp, golden chips? Culinary poetry. We were scraping the ramekin like it owed us money. Service? Our server Justin was Warm and welcoming and quick! Ambiance? Nautical charm with just the right splash of cozy and casual. Do yourself a favor: run, don't walk to The Cove. Your taste buds will never forgive you if you don't. read more

Same old Cove. Good food, good service and Great Lake atmosphere. Thanks for a great lunch!!!

I arrived at lunchtime and was seated right away. My table was at a window looking out to the water. My server was quick to grab my drink order. I decided on the whitefish sandwich. It came out super quick and was hot and fresh. The fish was flaky and tender. The breading was crispy and flavorful. I loved the tartar sauce that came with the sandwich. The inside of the restaurant was home-y, lots of wood, and felt like you were quite literally in a cute fish town-which you are. Loved the decor, the ceiling, and the views. Is it a little pricey, yes, but look where you are! You are paying for the views and atmosphere and location. Service was great. My server and I chatted about MSU, she's a recent grad. I had a great experience. read more

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For all the years I'd been coming to the area we'd never been to The Cove. Usually we're just too intimidated by the crowds of folks waiting for a table. But, a few weeks ago we came to Fishtown with some family with a plan to grab some Cheese Shanty sandwiches only to realize we got their hours wrong. We needed a back up dinner plan. There were some folks waiting outside but we decided to just ask what the wait was like and, to our surprise, there was none for a group of 5. Seated inside at a comfortable round table. We split a few apps (and joked that we should have brought a lazy susan with us to help pass them around) including the whitefish dip (which my inlaws had never had before and they are now HOOKED). I started my meal with an order of the seafood chowder. Even though I typically don't do hot soup in the summer I was ALL OVER this soup. I ordered a cup but sincerely wish I had gotten a bowl. My SIL also got it and loved it as well. For my entree I got the whitefish fish and chips. Oh man it was also quite good and quite a generous portion. When in the area I always go for a whitefish and I don't regret that here. BUT, my mom went walleye for her fish and chips and I'm not gonna lie, I think I liked that better. Both were great but the walleye edged out the whitefish by a bit. It's slightly pricier but worth it, I thought. She agreed after trying my whitefish as well. But you won't be disappointed with either, TBH. Our server was really nice and accommodating. Food came out quickly and, though it was busy, never felt uncomfortable. We all agreed that we'll be adding The Cove into our regular vacation rotation. No matter the wait. read more

The Cove is a hidden gem in Northern Michigan. We were seated outside and saw the charter boats heading out. Great views all around. Service was amazing with no complaints. I ordered the smoked whitefish pate and the garlic parm whitefish. Both were phenomenal. If you are ever up in the Traverse City area, it is definitely worth the trip up! read more

The Cove - Garlic parm whitefish - Seafood Near Me - Leland, Michigan

This restraunt was incredible from start to finish. So me and my family were going on a trip to Michigan, and we happened to stop by this little town called Leland, aka Fishtown, which had a bunch of stores and places to eat, and a incredible view. So we got there and there was a 30-40 minute wait time, but it ended up being 20 minutes before we got seated. We were then intorduced to our waiter, who was extremely nice. i got a Diet Coke and it tasted fantastic, no issues whatsoever. The menu looked phenomena, with tons of tasty dishes, but i ended up getting Whitefish and chips, and they were phenomenal. The fries were amazing, the waiter even brought us extra ketchup without us even asking. The fish also tasted very good, basic whitefish, but the crispy and crunchy taste was just soooo good. we tipped $50 just for the service and the quality of the food. If I lived around the area, I would come here often. Highly recommend eating here and visiting Leland! read more

We had a terrific meal here! After reviewing other Yelp posts, we decided on: Seafood chowder (2 bowls) This was very hood , with few potatoes and lots of seafood, just as others had reported. Not the best I have ever had, but very good. Smoked Whitefish Pâté (shared) Interesting and good. I personally don't like a smoky taste. Cherry Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream (each had our own!) excellent : heated in an oven, so crispy, not microwaved and hard, or cold. I was disappointed they could not make a regular mojito, which prompted me to look up a recipe for a cherry mojito. Now that would be appropriate here in Michigan. I look forward to making one at home. Noise level: inside- 4 of 5. Julie was our very cheerful and attentive server. Deserving of a "5." Hope to return to this charming town one day! read more

The Cove - Cherry pie- wishing I had some now! - Seafood Near Me - Leland, Michigan

No reservations so we had to wait maybe 15-20 minutes but they gave us a buzzer so we could walk around and enjoy the evening a bit first. We were given the best table in the place, it seems: right in the corner where we had a lovely view of the dam and the little river, as well as being able to see the rest of the main dining room. Once we were seated, our server, Jess S, greeted us promptly and asked if we'd like anything to drink. We ordered our drinks and then she read our minds by saying it seemed as though we might be ready to order everything. We were impressed. I stopped in the bathroom to wash my hands and was impressed with how pretty it was, and clean. By the time I got back, our drinks had already arrived! We didn't have to wait too long for the meal either. We love whitefish and this was definitely top notch quality. We'd never had it presented in tinfoil before - really ensured the fish stayed moist. I wasn't too hungry, having eaten too many snacks, so was happy with the tiny mashed potatoes but others might want to order an appetizer if very hungry. But the real triumph was the award winning cherry pie. Whenever we visit Door County Wi or northern Michigan, we always hunt for the best cherry pie. This slice was hands down the best in our lives. Perfect flaky crust with ripe, amazingly flavorful cherries and not so much sugar, allowing the flavor of the cherries to really shine. I asked Jess S if the ice cream was French vanilla, letting her know I don't like French vanilla but would like it if it's regular vanilla. She checked and brought the pie without the ice cream, knowing that since it was French vanilla, I wouldn't want it. At each turn, she was friendly, speedy, and seemed to read our minds. I'd go every week just for that pie if I lived in town! read more

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Classic location in Fishtown - we were lucky to sit outside with a sunset view. My husband is obsessed with whitefish pâté and it was delicious. I had the stuffed flounder and it was tasty as well. Service was friendly and you can't beat this spot for a classic 'Up North' Michigan evening. read more

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We ate here this weekend. The perch was great, but the homemade fries were soggy and not worth eating. The service was great and our waiter was always checking in on us! The Cove is great with most seating with a view of the outside! read more

A local recommended this restaurant to us. We came here for a late lunch on a Saturday and it was still packed and busy at 2pm! Located right on the water, this casual and fisherman themed restaurant has great views and tasty food. I tried a bowl (larger size) of the seafood soup and it was very delicious and filling. Not overly laden with potatoes like some chowders are prone to doing. And you could taste all the seafood components. Not sure if it's really necessary to have the krab in it, but the shrimp, fish and clams were great. My husband got the perch basket and the four pieces of fish were not overly breaded and quite large. Fries were well done too. Coleslaw is a sweeter mayo version. Higher in price but at least a good amount of fish! Service was prompt and nothing special, but got the job done (the restaurant was busy and we sat at a high top near the bar so the busy bartender had to take our orders/do our check out and make drinks for the whole restaurant!) Would go back again and hopefully on a non rainy day to be able to sit outside! read more

The Cove - Seafood chowder (bowl) - Seafood Near Me - Leland, Michigan

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My husband and I discovered The Cove two years ago after visiting several wineries along the Leelanau Peninsula. This cozy restaurant is located in Historic Fishtown, which offers amazing views. And the staff is extremely friendly. During our previous visit, we ordered the Whitefish and Chips, which is amazing! The breading is light, and the fish is quite tender and flaky. This time around my husband ordered the Garlic Parmesan Whitefish, which I sampled, and I ordered the daily special Cherry BBQ Glazed Salmon. Both dishes were perfectly prepared and quite flavorful and delicious. The star of the meal, though, was the Seafood Chowder that we shared as an appetizer. OMG! I cannot remember the past time I enjoyed a bowl of soup so much. Incredibly flavorful with nice chunks of shrimp, crab, and clams. And despite being quite satisfied after finishing our entrees, we shared a slice of chocolate cheesecake with cherry glaze. Yum! I highly recommend The Cove the next time you're in Fishtown. Your taste buds will thank you. Bon Appétit! read more

The Cove - Chocolate Cheesecake with Cherry Glaze. Sinfully yummy! - Seafood Near Me - Leland, Michigan

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Being originally from this part of the world, this is always a must stop. The menu is diverse, the food delicious and of course you need to get a chubby Mary read more

The Cove - The View - Seafood Near Me - Leland, Michigan

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Located above and below the Leland Dam at the head of Leland's Historic Fishtown overlooking beautiful Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands is The Cove. I had a wonderful birthday dinner at The Cove and highly recommend. They do not take reservations. It gets very busy so plan to wait or try to get there before the lunch and dinner rush or better yet, go between lunch and dinner rush. They have various seating options and they do have quite a few tables, but it gets busy fast. We were seated right away because we visited just before peak dinner time. Our waitress was very attentive. We sat inside and still had a very nice view of the dam. For an appetizer of course we had the smoked whitefish paté. It was some of the best we've had. It did have chopped almonds on top, something to note if that's not your vibe! The Cove specializes in fresh Lake Michigan Whitefish. I had the baked parmesan crusted whitefish with asparagus & mashed potatoes. It was DELICIOUS. So flavorful and FRESH. Allen had the Whitefish New Orleans which was whitefish and shrimp tossed in a mild creole sauce over linguine. I tried it and if we go back I will definitely be getting this! The parking situation in Leland is not great. It is such a small town but hundreds of visitors each day. There is free street parking when you can find it. If you plan to eat at The Cove, prepare to walk from down the road where you found a parking spot! The Cove has been featured in various magazines such as PEOPLE, Midwest Living, Coastal Living etc. It is worth the hype! A true Michigan gem located in the historic Fishtown and a "must do." read more

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The New Orleans whitefish is our absolute favorite dish! This keeps us coming back for more!

Excellent food, outstanding service. We had a terrific lunch, starting off with the smoked whitefish pate, the Parmesan garlic, whitefish entree, and the whitefish fish and chips. Did not dare pass up the cherry pie... It's award-winning after all! Our waiter, Andrew, was just fantastic. Speedy, polite, and attentive. Looking forward to coming back soon. read more

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We were visiting the area and got a strong recommendation to visit The Cove for their seafood chowder. We stopped and were not disappointed...here's why: - The chowder was amazing! It had little baby shrimp, and lots of whitefish that just melted in your mouth. There weren't too many potatoes, and they make their own hot sauce, which was excellent on top. For lunch, a bowl each was plenty enough for both my wife and I. - We visited in early May so it wasn't crowded at all yet...but the place is massive, very eclectic with memorabilia related to the lake all over the walls, ceilings, etc. - Service was great! Bottom line: I would recommend The Cove to anyone visiting the Leelanau Peninsula! read more

The Cove - Bowl of the Seafood Chowder - Seafood Near Me - Leland, Michigan

We always try and go here once a year. I love the perch! Watching the fish jumping in the water is a lot of fun! Id recommend this to anyone who likes seafood :) read more

I love love love this place. The service is good, the food is really good, and we got a great parking place in front of the restaurant! What more could we ask for? read more

This place was a great spot. Food was good and nice to be on the water and able to view Fishtown. Definitely recommend checking out. read more

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