The Grand Hotel has five restaurants throughout the island, each with its individual menu and style. However, children are welcomed at each and a children's menu is available.
The Main Dining Room
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the Main Dining Room. Breakfast and lunch are informal and include buffet or table service. Dinner is a five-course meal and appropriate dress is required. Children may dine with their parents or dine together as a part of the Children's program. Executive Chef Hans Werner Burtscher developed a children's-only evening buffet that includes hamburgers, hot dogs, PB&J and similar treats.
For breakfast, a less formal option is a continental breakfast available from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Geranium Bar just outside the Main Dining Room. If the Grand Buffet in the Main Dining Room is a little overwhelming for lunch, the Carleton Tea Room serves light sandwiches, soups and salads from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Pool Grill also offers snacks during pool hours. Picnic lunches are also available. Order forms are available at the Concierge desk or simply ask your server at dinner. Picnic orders must be placed by 9 p.m. the prior evening for next day pick-up.
The Gate House
A part of the Grand Hotel complex, yet accessible without entering the hotel, the Gate House is part sports bar, part family entertainment venue, but with high-quality food. The white fish sandwich, something you must get your kids to try while on the island, is really good here. The children's menu includes peanut butter & jelly, mac & cheese, and chicken noodle soup, as well as a draft root beer to drink.
There's a game room adjacent to the patio dining that includes shuffleboard, air hockey, and other such goodies. For your older children, there's live music in the evening and several big screen TVs to watch their favorite sports events.
The Jockey Club
The bright red and white umbrellas of the Jockey Club create a fun and sporting atmosphere for lunch or dinner with a view overlooking The Grand Nine golf course. Building on the horse theme that is prevalent throughout Mackinac Island, the Jockey Club decor is filled with horse racing memorabilia. A children's menu is available. Each evening, S'mores are available for families gathered around the fire pits at The Jockey Club.
The Woods
This restaurant is reached via a short walk or buggy ride along the back trails of Mackinac Island and appears as an Old World hunting lodge with oversized fireplace and heavy furnishings. (Think Gaston's home in "Beauty and the Beast.") The building that houses this restaurant was originally designed as an amusement/entertainment facility for the young people of nearby Stonecliffe Mansion. A duck pin bowling alley remains, along with a small stage where children once performed skits.
Tables are covered with white paper and children are supplied with a cup filled with crayons. The menu includes wild game, such as rabbit and venison, but a children's menu of mac & cheese, burgers and hot dogs is also available.
Fort Mackinac Tea Room
On a beautiful summer day, there's no more lovely spot on the island than the veranda at Fort Mackinac to have lunch. Located at the highest elevation on the island at 150 feet, the view across Marquette Park to the Straits of Mackinac is spectacular. There's always a special of the day, but the pizza, sandwiches and salads are always fresh made. And of course, there's the Grand Hotel Pecan ball in Fudge Sauce.
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