Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Travel Guide: Local Food
As I explained in the first part of this series, my partner and I spent our three-year anniversary visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Our weekend trip was relaxing, had some of the best views we’ve seen in Michigan, and had some great eats!
Grocery Store Grabs
For breakfast, I recommend stopping at the grocery store to get your favorite on-the-go breakfast order and some other healthy snacks to eat throughout the day. We left with protein shakes and granola bars. As you’ll be active all day, be sure to grab some water or fill up your reusable bottle.
Empire Highlights
After hiking all day, we stopped at a local restaurant in Empire called Empire Village Inn. Due to COVID, Empire Village Inn was not offering dine-in. However, we walked in and ordered a takeout pizza. While ordering, we met a couple who chatted with us. They found Empire Village Inn on their last trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes and extended their trip an extra day just to eat the food one more time.
While the menu has burgers, sandwiches, wraps and salads, we ordered a pizza with extra cheese and their parmesan crust. It was amazing! They provided us with plates, silverware, and napkins as well. I highly recommend stopping here if you can wait 20-30 minutes for them to prepare your order.
Exterior of Empire Village Inn in Empire, Mich.
Extra cheese pizza with parmesan crust from Empire Village Inn in Empire, Mich.
While waiting for our pizza, we ran across the street to Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate. It was a quaint chocolate shop. Since it was a rainy day, we ordered milk drinking chocolate. My milk chocolate, goat milk, caramel drink was to die for! I would make a trip back just for another one of these.
Exterior of Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate in Empire, Mich.
Also, kudos to Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate for having an excellent system for social distancing. Only four people were allowed in the store at a time, hand sanitizer was provided, and masks were required.
If you wander over to Sleeping Bear Dunes, tag me on Instagram @cassiemalhado with the local food you try out! For more information on lodging or the national park itself, please read part one and part two.
