1852 Grill Room

We had a salad, shared a filet and skirt steaks. Loved the Caesar salad. Filet was overcooked but still decent. Skirt was good. My gf claims the Cosmo was the best she's ever had. I really did not like the seating arrangements as they are too close to others, very cafeteria style though some tables are spaced out better.

This place is highly recommended if your on the island. We both got steaks with cream style corn and mashed potatoes. They knocked it out of the park. We sat outside and enjoyed the view. Its a classy place and hats are not allowed. We will be back in summer of 2026 for sure.

Do yourself a favor and go here for dinner. Everything was exceptional. Had the crab cake starter. Tons of crab meat! The special summer salad was very good. Filet super tender. Potatoes and Mac -n-cheese were great. And the carrot cake for dessert was truly one of the best I’ve ever had and it’s my favorite so I’ve had it a lot! Service great. View great. And to top it off we had a dinner voucher from our hotel. Paid $90 and got nearly double that in value. Just do it!!

The food- exceptional. The porterhouse steak was so very well seasoned & prepared. My wife had a skirt steak served over a Caesar salad which was very much to her satisfaction. Service is warm, personal, & professional. Kieth was our waiter for the dinner meal & Jacqueline was our breakfast waitress. Both of these individuals deserve a significant shout-out for their service. Additionally, Jeff, whom I believe is the restaurant manager. He also needs accolades - on this day, this upscale restaurant was to also serve 100+ elementary children in a buffet style service. Jeff was able to see that our reservation was at a time where the ambiance would have been "different". Jeff was able to reach out to us & move our reservation to an alternate time & maintain the relaxing & romantic dinner we'd hoped for. (I should note, the children throughout their stay on the island seemed to be very well behaved.) Atmosphere is upscale, warm, friendly... The views over the lake are so beautiful.

We had a nice experience at 1852. Pretty expensive for what it was (entrees don’t come with sides) but that being said the food was good and the service was very good. The ambiance was relaxing except for the tvs playing football on the left - didn’t fit the white table cloth environment. The drinks were good espresso martini was awesome. Our waiter was nice and attentive. The watermelon salad and crabcakes were the standouts for us. Overall would come back!

Dining at 1852 on Mackinac Island is more than just a meal . it’s an experience that captures the island’s elegance, charm, and culinary craft in one memorable evening. From the moment you step into the warmly lit dining room, there’s a sense of refinement without pretension. The ambiance strikes that perfect balance between upscale and welcoming, making it an ideal choice for a special occasion or a night when you simply want to treat yourself. Our meal began with the Strawberry Caprese Salad, which was a refreshing twist on a classic. The ripe, juicy strawberries paired with fresh mozzarella and fragrant basil offered a bright and vibrant flavor profile that danced between sweet and savory. The drizzle of balsamic reduction added just the right tang to tie it all together. It was the perfect way to awaken the palate without feeling heavy. Next came the Beef Carpaccio, and it was nothing short of outstanding. Paper-thin slices of tender beef were artfully presented and seasoned to perfection. The dish had that melt-in-your-mouth quality that makes carpaccio such a treat when done right. The light dressing and accompanying garnishes elevated the flavor without overpowering the delicate meat. Every bite felt indulgent yet balanced – easily one of the highlights of the evening. For the main course, I opted for the steak cooked chef’s choice , a decision I did not regret for a second. Allowing the chef to prepare the steak as they saw fit brought an element of trust and anticipation to the meal, and the result was phenomenal. The steak arrived perfectly seared with a mouthwatering crust that gave way to a juicy, flavorful interior. The seasoning was masterful, letting the quality of the meat shine through without unnecessary embellishments. Every bite was rich, savory, and satisfying … exactly what you hope for when ordering a steak on Mackinac Island. The wine selection at 1852 is another standout feature. The server recommended a pairing that complemented our courses beautifully, and each glass enhanced the flavors of the dishes without overshadowing them. The wine list itself is well-curated, offering both familiar favorites and unique finds for those who enjoy exploring new varietals. The service throughout the evening was exceptional - attentive without being intrusive, and knowledgeable without being overbearing. Our server not only guided us through the menu but also provided thoughtful suggestions that genuinely enhanced the experience. On an island known for its hospitality, 1852 more than holds its own. Overall, 1852 on Mackinac Island delivers a dining experience that is both refined and approachable, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking high-quality food, expertly chosen wine, and impeccable service in a beautiful setting. From the creative starters to the flawlessly prepared steak, every element of our meal was a testament to the skill and care of the culinary team. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in the pleasures of good food and good company, 1852 is a place that will leave you already planning your next visit before the night is even over.

This place is amazing! The food is incredible. My wife had the plank whitefish and I had the Lake Huron Walleye! Both were cooked to perfection. So tasty and perfectly flaky. My wife felt bad because she could not finish. The portions were generous. We also had the special salad which was watermelon corn salad with burrata and shrimp. So nice and light and really hit the tastebuds perfectly. We also decided to have the artisan bread. Again, amazing! And we ended with a strawberry cheesecake that had strawberry cooked in. To die for. Wow! We are planning to come back in two days. Very happy about that.

Let’s start with the good. Our server, Oscar, was as great as a server could be. He was very informative and helpful. He paid a lot of attention to our table. He helped my gf and I take plenty of pictures and was overall a joy to have as a sever. The atmosphere was also impeccable. The gentleman playing the piano did great and the restaurant is very very clean. The interior was very well maintained and I can tell a lot of thought went into to it. The host seated us right away and was also kind. He even remembered my name. Unfortunately, the food was about as bland as the water I was drinking. I ordered the walleye and I cannot recall the last time I ate something so tasteless. The only thing that saved it was the beurre blanc sauce which itself wasn’t anything to write home about. The Wiener schnitzel was also devoid of flavor. Neither dish seemed like it had a hint of even salt. The sides on the Wiener schnitzel were ok but weren’t anywhere near what they should be for the price point. I would not come back here again unless the food gets a very, very much needed upgrade.

Celebrating our anniversary on the island and made reservations at the 1852 Grill Room for our special dinner. We were not disappointed. Right from the start the host confirmed our reservations and wished us a happy anniversary, we were then seated at a great cozy and romantic table with a great view of the water. Our server was attentive and also recognized our anniversary. We shared the wedge salad, and each ordered an entree. I ordered the plank whitefish from the menu, which was very good. My husband ordered the Chef's special, which was incredible! Yes, it's expensive, but you know that going into it. It was worth it for a celebration dinner.

Love love LOVE this place! The staff were amazing and so attentive to us. The food was amazing and so flavorful. I will for sure come back here next year when we stay at the hotel!

Wonderful ambiance looking out over Lake Huron. Delicious entrees and great service. Had a lovely anniversary dinner here. Highly recommend!

We had a very nice dinner at this beautiful restaurant. The seating offers great views out the large windows of the historic hotel. Our food was very good, though the side dishes were a bit tepid. Service was spotty. Our server would simply disappear. Our initial drinks took a long time to come. We were well through our appetizers before our cocktails showed up. Overall, a good meal but we left with a hit-and-miss impression.

Had a wonderful dinner at 1852 Grill last Sunday. We were part of a small tour group, and they seated us close together, tho not at one table, which was OK since we were still getting to know each other. Waiters were very attentive Started with a wonderful martini and my rife had a glass of Chardonnay, delicious! House salad was next, nice and fresh, also delicious. For our mains, I had their Prime Rib rare, an excellent cut of meat, perfectly pink to my liking. Served with a side of delicious mashed potatoes. My wife had their freshly caught whitefish from Lake Huron, light breading served with a side of asparagus. Absolutely delicious! We finished with sampling of their deserts along with expresso. Fantastic meal, wonderful setting, highly recommend!

Always excellent food and service. Here are more characters to complete the review. And more.thouhjts.

We had breakfast and dinner at this restaurant. I'd recommend this place. It was spendy but so worth it. You could tell that the price was what you were paying for. Breakfast was good. The avocado toast and fruit plate (I didn't take a picture of) was more money than it should've been. The service was so attentive and friendly. Overall highly recommend if you're staying at the island house hotel.

Although everything on the island is pricy, the grill room is very pricy. But for a honey moon dinner it was perfect. Steak at medium rare is a must, while the service was outstanding!

Perfect choice for a special occasion!The view is spectacular, the food is delicious with colorful presentation, and the wait staff is attentive and prompt without smothering you. I ordered the ahi tuna appetizer, fresh gazpacho, and key lime pie. The piano bar was a nice touch. The tab (including wine) was $150 for two which was a pleasant surprise.

We had dinner here last week and the harbor view was amazing. I have to say it might have been the best meal I've had on the island the prime rib and the whitefish both were delicious. The service was also top notch and while expensive the quality is there to back it up. If you've got a special occasion this IS the place. Make a reservation you will not regret it.

Everything I've had here has been delicious. This is a top five restaurant for me in the world. It is also consistent every time good food and service.

Got there before 9pm at 845 and they would not serve dinner. Beautiful place and very excited to eat there but would not accommodate party if 3 unfortunately.

Don't hesitate to visit this restaurant the food is excellent and the service is excellent

Made reservations well in advance and selected this restaurant for our special night 30 year anniversary. Asked for a nice table with a view. When I arrived asked the host, looked like the manager to ensure I had a nice view. Seated on the side of the restaurant. I had a view of the customers while there were other fantastic tables up front that were available. I even asked the person seating us if we could sit at one of the other tables and was ignored. Giving it a 3. Service was good as well as the food.

We heard about the fantastic food and great drinks. We went and were not disappointed

Had a lovely brunch on Mackinac Island. The food was delicious. Ryan was our server and very attentive. We had a table by the window with a lovely view of the water.

Of all the places we ate at on Mackinac Island, this was hands down my favorite! First of all, the atmosphere and view were incredibly beautiful. We also had a very friendly and polite waitress. As an appetizer, we ordered the grilled shrimp, corn, watermelon, and burrata with lemon basil vinaigrette: it was very light, refreshing, and delicious. The flavors complemented each other very well. My dad and brother really enjoyed the beef tartare they ordered. It had many components that worked well together. Entrees: - Macadamia crusted Chilean sea bass with pineapple salsa and Parmesan risotto: it had a delicious, nutty, buttery crust on the outside of the fish. The fish was cooked perfectly and flaked apart. It was a huge portion! - Dover sole: served with a nutty brown butter with green beans on top of hash browns. It too was delicious and cooked perfectly. - Walleye: tasted very fresh and flavorful. - Seafood linguine with clam sauce: it was filled with fresh seafood and a rich clam sauce. My mom really enjoyed it, but found it to be a little salty. Dessert: we got the ice cream cookie sandwich to share, which looked incredible. Unfortunately, I did find it to be overly sweet. I don't think I'd order it again. Yes, this place is pricy. But if you're on the island, this is a must visit!

This is a must-do for an excellent dining experience at Mackinac Island. The wine list and dining choices were wonderful and we really enjoyed the fresh fish. The pianist was exceptional and we saw that he played by ear with no music sheets. The views were also enjoyable and scenic and the chairs outside made for a more relaxing time.

Thanks for a wonderful birthday meal! The food was absolutely amazing, a filet Mignon so tender I could cut it with a butter knife. I'm sure the flavor was the best I've had in the last several years combined with a side of morels. It was memorable. Service was impeccable, and as a single diner, they seated me at a regular table, not the bar!, facing the piano, popular music from all different genres was played by a very talented gentleman. Just perfect for my birthday. They also had a Vouvrey by the glass which is one of my favs and almost never by the glass. Their wine list was well rounded although not extensive, you would be sure to find something excellent. Kudos to this establishment.

I had the prime rib and I have had better. It was brought out and definitely not medium rare. The clam chowder is a smoked clam chowder and quite honestly didn't care for it. My wife had the white fish on maple plank and she liked it Overall food was okay but not worth the money. Overall bill with two drinks was over $200 and price wasn't bad but not five star food. Ambiance is ok we were seated along wall away from window with three other couples like right on top of us. Not very private waitress was good but I didn't get a spoon with my chowder and had to ask for one. Overall okay if you need a place to eat but definitely not my top pick on the island. Upon leaving no one wished us a good evening or thanks for coming. Kind of snobbish in that way

The service gas so nice and helpful. The food was amazing. We liked the view. Get the artisan bread board and plate whitefish.

Good service, acted like I was vip will go again with family good food good people would recommend.

Service is great its very fancy would come again and the workers are very nice and if you are visiting machinac island do come here.

Our food was wonderful, our server Beth was excellent, the view is fabulous and the piano player elevates it to a 5 star review. Definitely recommend.

Spectacular food. Beautiful setting overlooking marina. The French onion soup amazing. The chicken lollipops delish. The bread board app excellent. Best crabcake we have had in a long time. Seabass stupendous. Eddie argued that our requested med rare filet was MR but it definitely came out medium - we will forgive because everything was excellent.

The 1852 Grill Room is touted as one of the premier restaurants on Mackinac Island. Tonight we visited and I was very disappointed. They offered a special for the evening, "surf & turf". An 8 oz. Fillet and two prawns. Cost was only $5 more than the fillet dinner on the menu. I know why they made this a special, the shrimp were inedible. So overcooked I could barely cut it. I'm quite suspicious that prawns were recently on the menu and they didn't sell. Rather than dispose of them as they should have, they tried to reheat them into tonight's "special". No attempt to replace the horrible prawns with properly prepared ones, as their kitchen inventory was perhaps all last week's cooking. Our service staff apologized and I know he wasn't responsible for the gross error in producing the dish. I blame the executive kitchen staff for thinking they could get away with this. They certainly do not deserve recognition as one of the better restaurants on the island.

We were seated very quickly and our server had a beautiful French accent, extremely polite and knowledgeable. I had their Colorado Lamb Chops and Creamed Spinach. This was the BEST Creamed Spinach I have ever had; I've had many. The wisdom of the chef when he prepared the lamb was second to none and when paired with the sauce, had my taste buds smiling. The only Key Lime Pie that is better than this one are those from Key West. We canceled our reservations at another place and decided to dine here last minute; it was the best decision we made on the entire trip. HIGHLY  recommend! For a little oomph, when making reservations,  ask to be seated in the 'front over looking the downtown/bay' area' especially if you're dining at sunset.  Best view ever! Extras: This restaurant is attached to the "Island House Hotel" and sits beautifully along the visual shoreline. You can sit outside on the lawn after dinner and enjoy the beautiful views at dusk.

My husband and I had a reservation and ate dinner here on a Friday night. It was busy but not packed, and the service was the right amount of attentive. Our waiter was friendly and my water glass was always full, and the manager (at least I believe it was the manager) stopped over at one point to check on us. My husband ordered the French onion soup and I got the soup of the day (tomato basil) as starters. Both were very good! I would have liked the tomato soup to be less creamy and more tomato-y but that is just personal preference. I ordered the planked whitefish (one of the dishes they're known for) and it was fantastic! Well seasoned and baked and the potatoes and asparagus on the side were perfectly done as well. My husband had the salmon which he enjoyed - especially the caper sauce. Our only hitch was the dessert. We ordered the special of the day, tiramisu, and it tasted like straight alcohol and not much else. Wouldn't recommend that but they had several other desserts that looked amazing! Overall a very nice meal, and we enjoyed our time.

One of the fanciest "destination" restaurants I've been to, with some amazing food and atmosphere to match the experience! We've both ate at a few fancy restaurants in Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island. They've since closed down so for this trip, I was scrambling to find a place for us to celebrate our anniversary. I came across 1852 Grill Room, a place we had rode bikes and walked past many times. I figured we'd give it a shot. We had a reservation a half hour after they opened. The weather was turning sour and we got there early so I went in and asked the hostess if we can get our reservation moved up earlier. She said she could do that and would absolutely do that for us. We were off in the right direction already! We were then seated in a very personal setting (myself and my fiancé right next to each other on the same side). It was something we hadn't experienced before and it ended up being really nice. The weather though, not so much. We were looking out at the downpour of rain. Oh well! Our server brought out some amazing bread with raisins(?) in it that made the bread really sweet. Then we both got their clam chowder. It was incredibly good. A lot of vegetables in the broth which is what we like. Then came our main course, a large filet mignon for her and a large piece of walleye for me. We hadn't eaten a full meal all day, so these were very welcoming portions for us. Sadly, because of all the food and the wine we had, we didn't have room for dessert. We saw a couple banana fosters go by, so we'll be back to snag a piece of it! Another great part of our evening, other than the great food for our intimate evening, was the soft piano music played in the background by a gentleman in the center of the restaurant. He looked so focused the whole time and sounded so great. 10/10 evening at a 10/10 restaurant. Thanks again, we'll be back!

Great service from front of house to server, Brian (?) who managed our large, 13 person table expertly from drinks to apps on August 9, 6pm. The breezy atmosphere with classic, but updated decor and great lighting and views admittedly probably bumps up the total review. That said, food was very good. Not crazy about the price points (bread service? Maybe one round on house?), but hard to gripe about the quality and taste - the most important reasons to go out to eat. Love the piano bar! The sampler was very good - especially those duck egg rolls. Very complex flavor profile and perfectly fried. The french onion soup (which many restaurants phone in quite a bit) was excellent as a starter and my sazerac was dynamite, if a little light on the pour. The sole...divine. Everyone raved about the lobster mac and cheese but I thought the duchess potatoes shined. Also, prime rib, seafood pasta and tomahawk chop were well-received. The one average dish was unfortunately their signature fish dish which was a little dry but still flavorful. All in all, such a great experience. It was a special dinner for our family and didn't disappoint. Thanks! We'll be back.

Not sure what happened, but I'm very sad to not be leaving a 5 star review. We come here every year for our last night of vacation dinner & it is usually a highlight of our trip. This year was a definite flop. We requested a water view table at our reservation (usually we are able to make these through open table comments but they are not currently utilizing the app & the front desk individual must have not included), our food was less than stellar, the tablecloth was wrinkled and the setting amiss, and the wait service and ambience was mediocre at best. The saving grace were the nostalgia from years past and the live pianist (thank God that was not changed!). It was easily my least favorite meal this trip which was a huge disappointment. We will stick with Carriage House & The Woods in the future. Sad to see such a huge slide in quality in only a year.

The food is good, not fantastic. The service is not that good. We felt rushed during dinner and the waiter didn't come to pour the wine. We had to refill our own glasses. The ambiance could be better other than the view.

What an incredibly delicious meal we had here with impeccable service and beautiful view!! Menu choices were so good we had trouble deciding but ended up with the planked whitefish. Yum! Highly recommend!!

Beautifully decorated with attentive staff. Squid pasta with seafood was incredible. Everyone loved their entrees and we highly recommend the garlic bread board and crab cakes. Old fashioned was nicely made.

The servers were wonderful and very thorough! The food was amazing and very consistent during our entire week stay. The hostess made a point every morning to get everyone as close to the windows as possible for the best views.

Great food. Good staff. I recommend 1852 for Dinis with table cloths, cloth napkins. Whitefish is spectacular.

They added an extra 20$ to my tab ... just because? " A credit card fee." Ahem... that is insane. The waiter told us "everyone hates it!" No kidding!!! Great service. Great meal. Fine tomahawk steak. Everything high priced. Almost no difference between a cup and a bowl of soup. (Seemed like a scam.) Best meal I had on Mackinac and I have now literally eaten at every single place.

Enjoyed a lovely evening with cocktails and dinner. I'd recommend starting your meal with the summer squash soup, it was delicious!!

We honeymooned on Mackinac Island going on 10 years and stayed at the Island House Hotel! We had breakfast and dinner included in our package and the food was absolutely delicious!! We sat outside and inside and tried so many incredible dishes and desserts! Sitting outside was lovely! Beautiful flowers fragrantly were put in cute flower boxes along the grand window, the chimeneas on the property would get lit at early dusk so there was a cozy ambiance about sitting outside. Inside was lovely too! They always had a piano player playing live music that was both beautiful and calming. The beautiful views were just breathtaking and the food was both generous in portion and delicious! I also tried my first-ever mudslide here and loved it!! Your honeymoon is always supposed to be this incredible memory to look back on and for us, it was a treasure! So happy to have wined and dined here!! We always said we'd be back for our 25th wedding anniversary one day! We said that sitting outside one night being warmed by the chimneas right after dinner on our last night there. Beautiful!

Delicious meal at 1852. Nice atmosphere and wonderful food! The service was top notch! Very enjoyable.

Just up the street from the Fort, this might be the best "finer" dining on the Island. Lovely views - especially when dining outside - and healthy pours at the bar. As is often the case at higher end restaurants, the full bottles of wine can be pretty high, but the cocktail and wine-by-the-glass prices are fair & the pours are great. While the Grill Room has a fairly extensive menu, especially with excellent fish offerings, all four of us ordered the AMAZING walleye. The preparation is divine with a very light panko dusting and a light yet creamy beurre blanc sauce speckled with capers, all atop crispy hash browns & blanched green beans. Divine!

What a beautiful venue! We were seated outside on the porch! Lovely view, service was excellent! Our food was also amazing!

Great view and nice establishment; one of the nicer on the island. Service was excellent and outdoor seating was great at sunset.

Ranks as one of our fav dining experiences of all time. And we dine out a lot!! Ambiance, decor, service, live piano music all set the stage to present the most tasty dishes. Can't wait to go back!!

We enjoyed a nice simple breakfast here. The atmosphere and service was wonderful. We enjoyed the eggs Benedict, cinnamon roll and the mixed berry smoothy. Thank you for a wonderful experience.

Stunning dining room. Lovely view of harbor with enormous stained glass lamps. Pretty flowers outside. Excellent friendly service. Whitefish and steak were delicious! Definitely will return!

First of all the fish we ordered was very good. So was the sweet potato side. Why such a low rating? We asked for outdoor seating. They refused to give us a table. The whole time we were there, there were vacant outdoor tables. Our waitress asked us if we wanted a drink and did we want a starter. Wife ordered a salad. A few minutes later the waiter at a nearby table immediately welcomes the diners at this table and starts describing the specials- which included a starter. When our waitress comes back and asks us to order- we have to ask if there are any specials (knowing there were). She gives a very short description. It was good we heard the waiter at the other table to know really what was being offered. When main course came, we had to ask for utensils because they had taken them after our salads. Bottom line, the kitchen did a good job , but the service totally took away from us having a good experience. This place isn't cheap either. Example: they wanted $40 for a glass of Stag's Leap Artemis. I have two different vintages in my cellar and paid $48 and $53 a bottle! Not going back.

The food , service and ambiance was excellent. I had the Whitefish and it was served with Duchess potatoes and asparagus. It was delicious!! Simply done but very tasty. My boyfriend had the Linguine ai Fruitti di Mare. He loved it as well. I tried it and thought it was delicious also. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to people looking for very good food and a lovely ambiance .

We stayed at the Island House and with our stay/package we received vouchers for the 1852 Grill House. We decided to get breakfast. The dining area is fresh, airy, and bright. The patio was not open outside even though it was a beautiful day out, so that was a little disappointing. A decent amount of tables that did look out over the straits that was inside the restaurant. Bathrooms are the bathrooms of the hotel lobby. We were seated in a tiny two person booth looking out at the water. Our waiter was a bit awkward. He was not very friendly and had no personality. Other waiters were making conversations with guests, suggestions on where to go on the Island, and an overall interest in patrons and what brought them to the Island. Our waiter on the other hand took our order and was gone. We got the buffet which included fresh toast, smoked salmon, dry cereal, fruit, eggs, bacon, biscuits, etc. Good options and it was tasty but the price still is very pricey. We also were not sure if we could go up for a second plate. We decided to go up for a second plate and while walking to the back of the restaurant where the buffet is set up our waiter said goodbye to us and then went to our table to get the bill. We were very confused...? He must have been equally confused since no money was in the checkbook. I then felt extremely guilty for going up for a second plate when our waiter was saying bye and going to get the bill. The whole interaction was just strange. My husband said to me "for the amount this buffet costs we are getting a second plate". My coffee was re-filled a few times. I also got an orange juice and the bill totaled well over $60+. We still spent a nice amount of our own money even with the vouchers. Our customer service was poor and I still don't know if we were allowed a second trip up to the buffet?! If our waiter was servicing us and friendly like I noticed other wait staff were I would have given 1852 a 4 star instead of 3.