Best Coffee & Brunch Near Sleeping Bear Dunes: Empire & Glen Arbor

Leelanau Coffee Roasting Company

Northern Michigan's largest roaster, operating 360 days per year

Order this: Nearly 100 varieties including USDA-certified organic and fair-trade options. Pastries from Third Coast Bakery with gluten-free options.

The vibe: The chaotic, energized hub of Glen Arbor mornings. This is where everyone goes before the Dune Climb. Smells incredible inside due to on-site roasting (fluid air-bed process since 1993). Seating can be scarce in July, but the patio helps.

Good to know: One of the most reliable year-round options in the area. High energy—grab your fuel and go.

The Mill Glen Arbor

Elevated café experience in a restored mill along the Crystal River

Order this: House-milled heritage grain pastries, Brooklyn-sourced Parlor Coffee. The riverside deck has stunning views.

The vibe: The most significant architectural restoration in the area—elegant, serene, 'Nordic-meets-Michigan.' Minimalist, wood-heavy, high-end. A reprieve from the tourist bustle. Also operates as a boutique hotel with fine dining Thu-Mon evenings.

Good to know: More expensive than other options, but worth it for the setting and quality.

Grocer's Daughter Chocolate

Artisan chocolate shop with excellent hot chocolate and espresso

Order this: The drinking chocolate—rich, decadent, essentially a melted chocolate bar in a cup. Chocolate-covered coffee beans make great trail snacks.

The vibe: Bright, colorful, joyful, smells of rich cocoa. A 'treat yourself' stop with green space outside.

Good to know: Open year-round. Perfect for warming up after winter hikes.

Legendary local tavern—a Glen Arbor institution

Order this: Homemade sausage patties, Michigan-made sourdough with 'Tim Barr's Best Damn Jam,' famous tater tots, and legendary Bloody Marys made with Northern Latitudes horseradish vodka. The 'Old Settlers' biscuits with house sausage gravy fuels hikers before the dunes.

The vibe: Iconic. The ceiling is covered in pennants. Loud, cramped, and bursting with character—locals, billionaires, and day-trippers all pack in together. Breakfast here is a rite of passage. The opposite of pretentious.

Good to know: ⚠️ CASH OR CHECK ONLY (ATM on site). No reservations. Expect a line out the door in summer.

Family-owned takeout spot—ultimate 'hiker's fuel'

Order this: Breakfast sandwiches and wraps on fresh-baked pretzel, Italian herb, or plain buns. The 'Lighthouse' (egg, hashbrowns, cheese, meat) and 'The Crib' (veggie) are legendary for size and portability.

The vibe: Small, incredibly friendly, focused on high-quality handhelds. Run by a local family (the Nowickis) with a cult following. Not a place to sit and work—a place to grab lunch for the trail.

Good to know: Excellent grab-and-go before the dunes. Wood-fired pizza available spring through fall only.

Empire's steady anchor—rustic tavern with breakfast

Order this: Empire Omelette (ham, mushrooms, onion, cheddar), The Friendly Two (classic two-egg breakfast), buffalo burgers, homemade soups. Thursday trivia nights.

The vibe: Similar to Art's but in Empire—rustic, wood-paneled, welcoming. 'Friendly' is in the name for a reason. Beer garden open seasonally.

Good to know: A great spot for hearty fuel before a dune hike.

Winner of 'Best Breakfast' from Northern Express Readers' Choice

Order this: Classic breakfast in a historic building with wainscoting, hardwood floors, and a toy train circling the dining room.

The vibe: Charming, nostalgic, family-friendly. Only about 30 seats.

Good to know: Arrive early for Sunday breakfast—limited seating.

Among the area's most beloved breakfast spots—but summer only

Order this: Cherry-cinnamon coffee cake, malted waffles. Fresh, healthy principles—no fryers, locally sourced everything. Founded 1991.

The vibe: Devoted fans return year after year. The kind of place that makes people plan their vacations around its season.

Good to know: ⚠️ Closed November through April. No reservations accepted—expect significant summer waits.

Nostalgic ice cream parlor with surprisingly strong breakfast

Order this: Homemade stroopwafels—freshly made in-house, a rare find and a must-try. Affogato (espresso over Ashby's ice cream). Oat milk lattes use frozen coffee cubes to prevent dilution.

The vibe: Classic beach town parlor—checkered floors, bright colors, relaxed pace.

Good to know: ⚠️ CASH ONLY (ATM across street). Hours vary significantly—verify before visiting off-season.