Southwest Michigan is several miles (90 minutes) from downtown Chicago’s bustling restaurant scene. However, the SW Michigan food scene is expanding by the minute as diners strive to eat locally grown goodness. Chicagoans rely on Michigan as an escape and a place to bask in nature’s bounty. Meanwhile, chefs have fallen in love with the area’s proximity to farm fresh ingredients. Most of the incredible restaurants in Chicago source from nearby farms which is great– but being able to walk to your farm (or neighboring farm) and gather your own morsels takes things up a notch. Granor Farm in Three Oaks, MI has truly set the tone for what an outstanding farm to table meal looks and tastes like. While Granor is primarily an active, operating farm, they offer limited private dining experiences with the intention of broadening people’s understanding of organic farming. Taste of Granor dinners feature crops grown on their farm enjoyed by celebrating the food culture of southwest Michigan around long tables and good conversation. Throughout the season, they offer a variety of events (in addition to the dinners) connected to the farm. Granor’s innovative and multi-purpose greenhouse, a portion of which includes the farm’s kitchen and programming space, is sensational. Granor Farm’s Culinary Director and Chef, Abra Berens, was a semifinalist in the James Beard Awards ‘Best Chef: Great Lakes’ category. Berens’ mission is simple: to consistently make pure and delicious food that celebrates the Midwest. She has been cooking since 2006, everywhere from Zingerman’s Deli to chef driven restaurants in Chicago. In 2017, she left her position as Executive Chef at Local Foods in Chicago to join the Granor team. Berens oversees multiple departments that help bring Granor ingredients to the table, which combines her love of Michigan, cooking farm-fresh vegetables and grains, and sharing them with others. In her book, Pulp, Berens comments on the importance of farms and how genuine awareness and support is vital. “I find vapid discussions glorifying food while ignoring the people who grow or process our food very, ahem, frustrating. It is trite but true: no farms = no food. We have to go beyond a superficial rah-rah-rah for growers.”
Froehlich’s Bakery is another example of how the community rallies around quality food! For nearly 30 years, Froehlich’s has collaborated with local farmers to create delicious meals for their dedicated customers. The company has steadily and beautifully expanded over the years. Across the street from their original location in Three Oaks, MI (which now houses their bakery), they’ve added Froehlich’s Kitchen & Pantry, which offers a sit down restaurant, carry out sandwiches and a well merchandised selection of jams, specialty foods and home goods. Don’t miss the newest addition to the Froehlich’s family: Sweet on Elm, which features hand-dipped ice cream from several different local creameries, nostalgic candies, gourmet fudge made in small batches and decadent chocolates from a family-run company – YUM!
Another Southwest Michigan mainstay is Journeyman Distillery (also in Three Oaks, MI). Journeyman was the old E.K. Warren Featherbone Factory — a 19th-century corset and buggy whip maker. Today, it’s one of the few certified organic and kosher distilleries in the country, and it’s often recognized by critics worldwide — don’t miss sampling their spirits (rye, whiskey, bourbon, etc) as they’re all delicious. Journeyman uses grain exclusively from local farms which is super cool and neighborly. Signature cocktails and flights are served throughout the day into the evening between their two bars. They also have a restaurant, event space, guest flat, and an amazing, 18-hole putting green. Check their schedule for festivals and markets throughout the year! The American Spirits Council of Tasters is [ASCOT] declared their Best In Show, the single greatest liquid tasted during the 2023 iteration, was Corsets, Whips & Whiskey by Journeyman Distillery! This year, ASCOT awarded Journeyman Distillery 6 more medals — a gold medal, three platinum medals and two double platinum medals for its rye heavy bourbon and cask strength malted rye.
While many of Southwest Michigan’s most celebrated dining establishments have been around for decades, there is room for more. Tourists and locals are welcoming fresh concepts and dishes with open arms! PostBoy will land in New Buffalo this fall. Developer Ben Holland has partnered with local Chef/Restaurateur James Galbraith, one the area’s most outstanding chefs known for sought after Houndstooth and Anemel in the Benton Harbor Arts District (in addition to his many years spent in the kitchen of premier Chicago restaurants). PostBoy will feature a chef-driven menu that’s meant to be enjoyed on their expansive, outdoor patio. Holland and Galbraith have long-standing personal ties to the Southwest Michigan community (Holland spent his childhood summers in New Buffalo).
Chicago based pizza and beer enthusiasts hit Middlebrow in Logan Square for scrumptious sourdough pizza plus natural wine and beer. Middlebrow is all about sourcing fresh ingredients from nearby towns in the Midwest. Their passion and appreciation for the abundance of Southwest Michigan led the owners to buy a property in Sawyer, MI with the intention of digging into the community while building and growing their natural wine business. They’ve also launched a community supported subscription program for pickup shares in Michigan that hits on the last Sunday of each month. Here, you’ll find goodies like: wine/beer, homemade bread, pizza dough, etc..
Hungry yet? Book now and plan your food tour! The beauty of The Neighborhood Hotel New Buffalo and Grand Beach is the proximity to calming nature minus the feeling of total isolation. We invite you to go off the grid and/or hit the food scene hard — we’re here to support whichever journey you choose!
About The Neighborhood Hotel
The Neighborhood Hotel was founded in 2020 by travel enthusiasts who enjoy spaces that inspire, comfort and fuel. Each suite is well equipped for short and longterm stays (i.e. kitchens, laundry, etc.). The Neighborhood Hotel transforms old buildings with compelling history into well outfitted apartment style hotels that honor the old while representing the now. The vibe is fresh and fun with rooms that are stocked to support everyone from the homebody to the adventurer. The hotels provide a basecamp for the explorer and a sanctuary for the traveler who needs to recharge, reset or just chill. The suites are simple and clean, punctuated with accents that bring the right amount of pop. The Neighborhood Hotel has locations in Chicago: Lincoln Park, Little Italy, West Loop (2025 opening) and Southwest Michigan: New Buffalo and Grand Beach.
Read about TNBHD in: Architectural Digest, Midwest Living and CN Traveler!
Connect with @the.neighborhood.hotel on Instagram and LinkedIn!
