Harrington’s By The Bay is an upscale-casual American steak and seafood restaurant located at 13890 S West Bay Shore Drive (M-22) in the Greilickville waterfront corridor, just northwest of downtown Traverse City, Michigan. Situated along the western shore of West Grand Traverse Bay at the entryway to the Leelanau Peninsula, the restaurant combines an airy, rustic Up North timber interior and a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace with panoramic views looking back across the water toward the downtown Traverse City skyline and Old Mission Peninsula. Travelers and Northern Michigan locals visit for Great Lakes fish specialties, hand-cut steaks, prime rib, and seasonal waterfront deck dining.
What to Expect at Harrington’s By The Bay
Inside the main dining room, expansive eastern-facing windows frame the turquoise waters of West Grand Traverse Bay, marina slips, and passing sailboats. The architecture blends exposed wooden beams, subtle nautical accents, and a central fieldstone fireplace that anchors the room during crisp autumn foliage drives and snowy Lake Michigan winters. During late spring, summer, and early fall, guests can request seating on the outdoor patio to dine directly beside the bay breeze while watching charter boats and ferries move along the Greilickville shoreline.
The all-day menu bridges classic Northern Michigan steakhouse fare with fresh regional seafood and approachable lunch plates. Starters feature crispy Brussels sprouts, lobster bisque, New England clam chowder, coconut shrimp, and baked Brie with Michigan cherry compote. Entrees emphasize locally favored Lake Superior whitefish prepared parmesan-crusted or broiled, cedar-plank Atlantic salmon, fish and chips, slow-roasted prime rib, filet mignon, and New York strip steaks, alongside gourmet burgers, perch sandwiches, and salads topped with dried Traverse City cherries and candied walnuts. The full-service bar pours Michigan craft beers from regional breweries alongside local Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsula Rieslings, Pinot Grigios, and Pinot Noirs. Current menus and seasonal specials are posted on the Harrington’s By The Bay official website.
- Panoramic West Bay Views: Both the indoor windowed dining room and seasonal outdoor patio look directly across West Grand Traverse Bay toward Clinch Park Marina and Old Mission Peninsula.
- Great Lakes Whitefish & Perch: Regional freshwater staples including parmesan-crusted whitefish and crispy perch plates served with classic sides and tartar sauce.
- Hand-Cut Steaks & Prime Rib: Charbroiled ribeyes, tender filet mignon, New York strip steaks, and slow-roasted prime rib seasoned and cooked to order.
- Fieldstone Fireplace & Nautical Lounge: A cozy timber-framed interior warmed by a massive stone hearth and an inviting bar pouring Michigan wines, craft IPAs, and classic cocktails.
- All-Day Lunch & Dinner Menu: Continuous daily service from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM offering soup-and-salad combos, stacked burgers, seafood sandwiches, and full dinner entrees.
Harrington’s By The Bay at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 13890 S W Bay Shore Dr, Traverse City, MI 49684 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Greilickville / West Grand Traverse Bay (M-22 Corridor) |
| Operating Hours | Monday–Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Admission / Price Range | $$ (Sandwiches & lunches $14–$22; Dinner entrees $24–$45) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1 to 2 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Free on-site surface parking lot; BATA Bayline & Route 10 bus stops along M-22; adjacent to TART Leelanau Trail connection |
| Official Website & Phone | harringtonsbythebay.com | +1 231-421-9393 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Because Harrington’s By The Bay sits directly on M-22 (S West Bay Shore Drive) about three miles northwest of downtown Traverse City, it is a natural lunch or dinner stop when driving to or from Suttons Bay, Leland (Fishtown), and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Summer evenings between 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM—especially during the National Cherry Festival in July and peak August vacations—draw heavy demand for window and patio tables. Calling ahead at +1 231-421-9393 to reserve a table or arriving between 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM for a late lunch gives you the best chance at waterfront seating without a wait.
The restaurant offers a spacious, complimentary paved parking lot right off M-22 with designated accessible spaces and a step-free entrance leading into the single-level dining room, bar, and ADA-compliant restrooms. If you are exploring without a car, the paved Leelanau Trail and TART Trail network run just west of the corridor for cyclists, and Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) Route 10 serves West Bay Shore Drive. Before or after your meal, walk five minutes south to Elmwood Township Marina and Greilickville Harbor Park for shoreline strolls, visit the Great Lakes Children’s Museum and Discovery Center Pier just down the road, or drive five minutes south into the Warehouse District and Front Street in downtown Traverse City.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours at Harrington’s By The Bay and when is the best time to dine?
Harrington’s By The Bay is open seven days a week from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, serving food continuously through lunch, afternoon, and dinner. For prime views of the afternoon sun glittering across West Grand Traverse Bay with minimal wait times, arrive for an early lunch at 11:30 AM or an early dinner around 4:30 PM.
How much does a meal cost and are reservations recommended?
The restaurant falls into the moderate-to-upscale $$ price tier, with lunch sandwiches, burgers, and salads generally ranging from $14 to $22 and dinner seafood or steak entrees ranging from $24 to $45. Walk-ins are welcome daily, though calling ahead for reservations is strongly recommended for Friday and Saturday nights or summer waterfront dining.
How much time should I budget for dining at Harrington’s By The Bay?
Plan to spend about 60 minutes for a casual lunch of chowder, salads, or sandwiches on your way up the Leelanau Peninsula. For a relaxed multi-course steak or whitefish dinner paired with local Michigan wines overlooking the bay, allow 1.5 to 2 hours.
Is Harrington’s By The Bay family-friendly and wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the restaurant welcomes families with children and maintains a relaxed resort-casual dress code where everything from boating attire to smart evening wear fits right in. The property provides ground-level accessible parking right outside the entrance, wide aisles between dining tables, and step-free access to both the main dining room and restrooms.
When planning your Traverse City travel guide or comparing verified restaurants and bar & grill in Traverse City, pair this stop with standout local spots including Cambria Hotel Traverse City, Mode's Bum Steer, Hippie Tree, and Apache Trout Grill (0.3 km away).
