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    Wren

    4.5 (88 reviews)
    ModerateNew American
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Wren Photos

    WREN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Wren

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    Reviews With Photos - Wren

    The BEST tomato soup I've ever had...roasted tomatoes blended w/a bit of fennel and coriander drizzled with a basil oil.
    Linda S.

    While we try to get up here several times per year, haven't officially reviewed in a few years, so here's the latest experience: Chef Adam is a gifted and innovative chef, utilizing the freshest ingredients, most locally sourced, exquisitely! His staff (love you, Hannah!) and bartender are top notch and knowledgeable/welcoming. Ambiance warm and intimate. Our favorite dining spot...and we travel 6 hours to get here. Our starters and meal pictured below (pictures posted out of order but are labeled): 1) heirloom tomato soup w/chèvre, basil oil and toasted breadcrumb 2) beet fritters w/cabbage salad, kimchi, and black garlic aioli, 3) melon salad w/arugula, prosciutto, basil, honey, shaved melon, and bee pollen, 4) scallops w/oyster mushrooms, spinach, lobster cream, and apricot aigre-doux, and 5) kurobuta pork tenderloin, pumpkin puree, roasted tomato, gremolata, and leek powder. OUTSTANDING DINING ONCE AGAIN! Highly Recommend!

    Butterscotch dessert with shortbread
    TLynne S.

    We managed to score a last minute reservation on a Saturday evening and we are so happy that we did! This is a cute, cozy place! The food and serve are phenomenal; It was nice because they did not make all 3 of us do the tasting menu, so my husband and I opted for that and my daughter ordered the Rolls and the Waygu Steak. (she loved both). The tasting menu included celery root soup, Kimchi fritters with beet sauce and carrot salad, Tile fish or Waygu Steak (we ordered one of each) a Romaine Salad with fresh peas and a Butterscotch Pudding Cup. The kimchi fritters were the only thing we didn't love, just felt they were a little mushy on the inside and not a strong kimchi flavor. The steak came with this amazing homemade ranch dressing, shallots, bok chow and mustard. At first I was not sure about that ranch dressing but everything together was just a lovely umami bomb! The butterscotch dessert was so good, butterscotch just reminds me of being a kid but this was super elevated with a level of chocolate mouse in it and topped with whipped cream and some crunchy toffee like pieces. Before the meal, we were given an amuse bouche - sweet potato chip with mushroom foam. Even my daughter who isn't the most adventurous popped that into her mouth and loved it. Service was fabulous. We also felt that the pricing was great for such an amazing meal - to be honest they could cut the portions in half and I don't think anyone would complain! Would highly recommend.

    Our table setting
    Cassy J.

    On a recent trip to the Leelanau Peninsula, my husband and I dined at Wren for the first time and were very impressed. This small, cozy restaurant has so much charm, from the historic building to the warm and friendly staff, we were made to feel right at home. Everything on the menu appealed to us, which made it very difficult to decide what to order. When we return, we will definitely try the tasting menu. We were very pleased with each course, but felt dessert came up a bit short. Our favorites included the octopus, beets and whitefish. Service at Wren was top-notch. Our server was helpful, prompt and friendly. Overall, we were so pleased to find a special restaurant to fill the hole that formed when Alliance closed several years ago. If you are in the Traverse City vicinity, the short drive up to Sutton's Bay will take you to one of the best dining experiences in the area!

    Menu as of 8/2/24
    Emily C.

    I can't say enough good things about Wren. The moment we walked in the hostess had us sat (we made reservations for inside) at a two top next to the bar. Our server was prompt asking if we wanted any drinks. We ordered a cocktail and a soda and she gave us time to peruse the menu. They offered a tasting menu with several courses, but we ultimately went for the Ala cart options. Started with the rolls that are fresh baked in a cast iron skillet to order. They were so yummy! The dill butter was very flavorful as well. My husband got the bone in pork chop and you could tell everything was highest quality. It was marbled with fat making the flavor out of this world. It sat on top of a zucchini puree and had roasted tomatoes on top. He said all of it together was a great bite. I went for the beef tenderloin cooked medium. It was melt in your mouth. It came with roast potatoes and milk weed pods. The milk weed had a shallot/mustard sauce on them that was so good, and the house made ranch it came with was divine. We were too full for dessert, but before leaving the server brought a few sweet treats. A chocolate almond, spicy pepita brittle, and lemon hard candy. It was the perfect end to the dinner. We loved sitting in the dining room, getting to hear the bartender describe drinks and food was fun, as well as the art gallery hanging on the wall behind the table. An enjoyable meal all around.

    Eowyn K.

    Lovely farm to table restaurant in Northern Michigan, a short drive from Traverse City. Housed in a refurnished fire house, the decor is simple and clean. It suits the area as well as the food. There are not many interior tables, but they have a patio area as well. The menu is short, and as it is seasonally and product based, constantly changing. We came as a group of four for a Birthday dinner, so were able to try each other's orders. I'm not generally a huge fan of cauliflower, but I tried my friend's cauliflower soup and it was phenomenal, a standout. Perfectly creamy and full of complex flavor. I had the raw artichoke salad, which was fine, though a bit boring, too simple. I like that they wanted the product to be forward, but this dish was a bit too dull. I ordered the scallops, also wonderful. The scallops were just caramelized, and the sauce was flavorful with good accompany textures. My friend's steak was also excellent. A nice cut of beef, cooked perfectly. This was a lighter meal, if you are wanting to really leave full, it is going to come with a higher bill. At the end of the meal, we were brought complementary sweet bites (pictured). Since we came for a Birthday, we did order a couple of desserts. The key lime pie dessert was perfect, every note right. I'm glad it's far enough away as to not be temping. Wren is an example of upscale fare, not overly pretentious, but interesting and delicious.

    Butterscotch Pot de Crème
    Abby F.

    My friend really wanted to go here during her bachelorette party, and I was nervous about going here as a vegetarian because there wasn't a vegetarian entree on the menu. The chef made a vegetarian entree for me from the veggies they had and it was really well seasoned and had a delicious sauce. The drinks and desert were also really delicious! I wanted to make sure to post a review for any other vegetarians who were nervous about going to this restaurant!

    Mj J.

    The Wren has been on our list of farm to table restaurants in the TC area. The Wren is what I consider a dining experience! The restaurant is small with a warm, cozy atmosphere welcoming patrons. They offer a unique list of Cocktails, but when you're in wine country...go for the wine! A deep, red wine is always my favorite. After spending some time with the menu, the potato leek soup sounded divine, especially during the chilly Fall season. To be honest, there's nothing better than a warm bowl of soup to sooth the soul, I like to say. The Lamb Bolognese was a must try for me and Oh my...the flavor still lingers! Everything was fantastic! The service was great and I can't wait to come back during another season!

    Beets!
    Susan M.

    One of our favorite meals in the Suttons Bay / Traverse City area. This feels like a high quality tasting menu you would find in a much bigger city, but this restaurant is nestled into downtown Sutton's Bay. Loved every dish but especially the dessert and the wine pairing. Chef's kiss!

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    11 months ago

    Great food, not the best service or atmosphere. For the money did feel the overall experience matched, felt rush and mor of a nuisance

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    2 years ago

    Excellent menu, service and food. Bar/cocktail service a big plus. Great date night selection.

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    Streetside Grille

    Streetside Grille

    3.8
    (150 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Cute little place on main street! Very accommodating for a…read morelarge group which was much appreciated!! The pulled pork mac n cheese was 10/10, meatloaf cupcakes and fish & chips were all also enjoyed by several people in the group. Even went back 2x on the trip because of the wide variety of options on the menu and space for a big group. Service was slightly disappointing and unhelpful

    Let me start by saying the food was very very good. There were 12 of us and we all liked what we…read moreordered. Pizzas, salads, and burgers - all good. Kids meals also very good. With that being said... the service was the downfall. When we walked in, the only other table that was seated was leaving so we were the only group. They were not busy. We had 12 and they cleared an area and seated us. We placed our drink order and then I asked about splitting the bill and I am not exaggerating one bit. She looked at me and rudely said "It literally says in the menu that we do not split bills and that there will be a 20% gratuity". So, since she is already guaranteed the 20% there is no sense in her being a good waitress from that point on. Again, we were the only table. There were times that we had to go to the bar to refill drinks. Another table did come in while we were there and that waitress was super friendly. Wish we had gotten her as our server. So, we each went to the ATM machine and withdrew $ to split the bill on our own. The very next day, we went to Rare Bird Brewery and when we walked in the staff told us right away about their policy to not split bills. Which we praised them for - excellent service. And in the end because they were not busy, they split our bills anyway. So, my suggestion is that Streetside Grill announce their policy when a table that large asks for seating. It costs nothing to be up front.

    Photos
    Table area
    Table area
    Thai chicken wrap
    Thai chicken wrap
    Streetside Grille

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    Hop Lot Brewing

    Hop Lot Brewing

    4.3
    (486 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    Hop lot has become one of our must visit destinations when the the Suttons Bay area!…read more We have been visiting for years now and what exemplifies a successful operation is one that is consistently evolving to meet the needs of people looking to eat and drink at unique venue. The bier garten is constantly voted one of the best in the conference and depending on the time of year you visit it may be filled with cozy igloos, roaring bonfires or like today, just a awesome summer vibe. The staff are always friendly, the food gets better every time we visit and the beer is delicious! And now that they distill their own spirits, my wife is even more excited to visit Hop Lot, she even bought a tee shirt on this visit which is a very rare thing for her to do. Thanks Hop Lot!

    If there is one lunch spot you are looking for in Traverse City, please let it be this…read more First off-- let's talk ambiance. You gotta have it, and they've got it! The outdoor is absolutely amazing and you're essentially nestled in a forest. Nature on total display! The food was insanely delicious. We got the pulled pork, chicken sandwich, cheese curds and pickle fries... we basically battled each other for the last bites. And the Czech Pils beer, wowowow! I wish I could give them more than 5 stars for the sheer fact that I'm a Bears fan and wore a Bears sweatshirt... and they put the game on so I could watch. Didn't even have to ask them. Visit them, support them, and give them an awesome review!

    Photos
    Hop Lot Brewing
    Hop Lot Brewing
    Hop Lot Brewing

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    The Cove

    The Cove

    3.9
    (381 reviews)
    6.2 mi
    $$

    We ate here this weekend. The perch was great, but the homemade fries were soggy and not worth…read moreeating. 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!

    This was such a great spot for lunch! If you're looking for a local place with good food and scenic…read moreviews 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!

    Photos
    Seating area near host stand
    Seating area near host stand
    The Cove
    The famous "Chubby Mary" featuring a pretty good sized delicious smoked chub.

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    The famous "Chubby Mary" featuring a pretty good sized delicious smoked chub.
    Modern Bird

    Modern Bird

    4.6
    (94 reviews)
    14.8 mi

    This was a spot that served American cuisine and changed their menu seasonally. The menu items…read morewere meant to be sharing plates. The service was top notch. We were at the kitchen counter and the head chef/owner talked to us a lot while he was at the pass finishing dishes. He was not overbearing, where it was annoying. He was very friendly. He asked a lot of questions and we returned the favor. He went around talking to other tables too. Besides him, the rest of the staff was very pleasant and accommodating, including the chefs doing the cooking! It was one of the best experiences I had in regard to the staff. I have included what I ate below. Everything was timed out well too. Our Bread ($8) - This was a cheddar bread with ranch butter. This was very good. It came out extremely warm. The ranch butter was light and paired perfectly with the soft inside and slight crisp on the outside of the bread. Cucumber ($16) - This came with salsa Macha, pickled jalapeno, and cilantro. This appeared extremely fresh. There was a slight kick from the jalapenos and/or salsa. It all went well together with one another. Ricotta Gnudi ($17) - This came with pea, basil, country ham, and Marcona almonds. The gnudi had an unreal texture. The almonds were a nice added touch for some crunch. I did not really think the ham was needed. Potato ($17) - This came in a brown-butter cheese sauce with shallots and pickled mushrooms. This was my favorite non dessert dish of the night. The cheese sauce was unreal with tons of flavors, while the pickled mushrooms combined with the crispy shallots made for a superb pairing. Fried Chicken ($16) - This came with two large chicken pieces with a white BBQ sauce. This was brined in Earl Grey tea. The skin was crispy as anything, and the chicken was cooked to perfection. It was moist with great color. The white BBQ sauce was one of the best sauces I had in a while. I do not have much experience with white BBQ sauces, but this was tremendous. The vinegar could really be tasted and paired well with the hot crispy skin of the chicken. Halibut ($47) - This came with white beans, chermoula, and black garlic. The halibut was cooked perfectly, and the chermoula was ideal with the slight crisp from the large beans. There was also a nice crunch from crispy brown rice it seemed like. Key Lime Pie ($16) - This was with a homemade graham crust, white chocolate, and a basil meringue. This was my favorite overall dish of the night. The crust was one of the best I ever had. It was so buttery and had a perfect thickness to the key lime filling. The little meringue pieces on top was an ideal topping. Will I go back? Obvious.

    We were lucky to snag reservations at Modern Bird over the weekend and what a treat it was. This…read moremay have been one of my top favorite meals ever. Tastebud perfection from first dish to dessert. Each dish was creative, perfectly balanced, with wonderful textural components. The asparagus was the best asparagus I've ever eaten. The smashed potatoes delightful. The halibut with mousse was perfection. And that galette was amazing. But the dessert? OMG. The strawberry cheesecake with lemon curd and cucumber sauce was wowzers. Spring in dessert form. Thanks to the wonderful chefs and server Amanda for a delightful anniversary dinner. We hope to be back next time we travel to Traverse City.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Corn dog
    Corn dog
    Modern Bird

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    Wren - newamerican - Updated August 2026

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