Cafe Santé

Café Santé offers a charming bistro atmosphere along the Boyne City waterfront, with a menu rooted in classic European comfort fare. Across two visits, I found the experience uneven, with one dish meeting expectations and another falling short. On the first occasion, the fish and chips delivered exactly what this pub classic should: crisp, golden batter giving way to moist, flaky fish. The fries were competently executed, and the portion generous, though a touch more seasoning in the batter could have elevated it further. The second visit, featuring the whitefish with lemon sauce, proved less successful. While the fish itself was cooked with care, the overall composition lacked vibrancy. The lemon sauce was pleasant at first but quickly became repetitive, with little in the way of contrast to keep the palate engaged. The accompaniments offered texture but not freshness; the absence of a green vegetable or herbaceous counterpoint left the dish feeling incomplete. Service on both visits was warm and efficient, and the space itself is inviting. Still, for a destination bistro in a region known for its fresh local whitefish, I had hoped for a more balanced and dynamic plate. My rating: ★★★☆☆ 1 star — I will never return. 2 stars — If nearby, I might return, but without urgency. 3 stars — Worth a visit if in the area, though not a destination in itself. 4 stars — Worth going out of your way to enjoy. 5 stars — I would fly around the world for this meal.

We had such a great experience at Café Sante! The location is absolutely perfect—right on the water with stunning views. The atmosphere was amazing, especially if you sit outside during sunset. It’s such a peaceful and beautiful setting. Our server was wonderful—super friendly and attentive—but things were a bit slower than usual, likely just due to being short-staffed. That said, it didn’t take away from the overall experience. The food was truly delicious—everything we ordered was flavorful and well-prepared. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a scenic spot with great food and a relaxing vibe!

Michael, Amber and all the folks at “Santé” were so kind and considerate. 🥰 Yes, the food is made from scratch, and seasoned perfectly. 🥘 Yes, the location at sunset park 🌅 is perfect. Yes, there is free parking. Yes, that have a conscientious staff and a beautiful candle-lit, 🕯️dining room and full bar. 🍸If only they had wood fired pizza 🍕, fresh seafood, 🦞 , divine desserts 🍮 and supported local farms 🌾and charities-🫶 oh wait. They do. 👏👏👏 We’re here for 5 days and we’ve eaten here twice already. As Michael would say; “You’re Welcome…” 🙏

Had a wonderful meal this afternoon in the outdoor seating area. Our server Zoe was wonderful and very inviting! I would hire her at my own restaurant if I had one. We ordered the zucchini involtini (lunch) and the sausage plate (breakfast) they were both packed with flavor. Definitely returning if we come back to the area again!

Had the Quiche Lorraine and the Sausage Plate, both were delicious. The Quiche Lorraine's eggs were creamy and the crust was light and flaky. The two types of sausage on the Sausage Plate were flavorful, the eggs were requested over easy and were perfect, the potatoes were soft inside and a nice light crunch on the outside, and the bread was also soft on the inside and a nice crunch on the outside. The staff were very knowledgeable and polite. The atmosphere is great - French feel and beautiful views of the lake. I hope to get back for dinner before we head home.

You get sparkling and/or distilled water with your meal. Fresh made bread was delicious. Our waiter, Todd, was excellent. We were there during strawberry season, so we tried all the strawberry offerings. Veal with roasted strawberries, strawberry pizza, cheesecake, nothing disappointed. You will not be sorry if you order the duck onion soup. There is outdoor seating with view of the lake and a beautiful little park on the other side of the parking lot. Just a very nice place in a nice location.

We still love Sante! We have been going here since they opened. I had the morel feature, there was a small issue with my soup, but they took care of it promptly and appropriately. Their breakfast is excellent, and their dinner features are great as well.

Delicious food in a relaxed atmosphere. Our server was Madeline and she was helpful and friendly. I recommend this restaurant if you're in the area.

Host was spectacular joked with the kids made them feel at home BEST breakfast I've ever tasted definitely going back

Very impressed with the cafe-restaurant! Super-caring service from our waiter Jeff, very good quality food and all at reasonable prices. The onion soup was the best I've had in a long time and all dough dishes (pizza, bread) were excellent. I liked the escargot and the pate. We were also lucky to take advantage of a 30% off a bottle of wine deal and got an excellent French wine recommendation (Georges Dubeuf Carbernet Sauvignon). Overall, the quality-to-price ratio was very pleasing, and it's not often I can say that about restaurants lately.

Cafe Sante has been our to go spot for years - the only reason I deducted a star, is due to the same old menu day in & day out. :( For those frequenting the restaurant often they get it, I would love if we opened our menus when day and observed F R E S H..... N E W..... D I S H E S :) WE WOULD JUMP FOR JOY!!! *Note Why would anyone install flower pots right at the line of sight towards a million dollar water view? Absolutely mind boggling!!! Now customers do not have an unobstructed view to the water. Not everyone is 6 ft tall :(

Was excited to go to a nice place and enjoy some good food w friends. The place has a great vibe if you don't look down. There was just food and garbage under literally every table. Not what I would have expected here. We had the French onion soup and charcuterie board and a bottle of Rose. Everything was absolutely delicious. But seriously - sweep your floors. Our server was nice, attentive. Hit the spot but for the price - sweep your floors.

A friend had recommended this spot a while back and I'm glad I saved it. We were near by visiting the Skybridge and decide to get some dinner. I am so glad we came here. Our server Todd was really great! He answered all our questions and was attentive. It was a Saturday evening when we came in and they have live music. We did have about a 1/2 hour wait, as expected, but it was SO worth it! All of our food was phenomenal! We also ordered two drinks from their long list of non alcoholic options, both of which were very good! I would totally come back if we were in the area again.

Broiled white fish with cheesy potatoes incredible.. duck French onion best I ever had .. great service too .. on lake Charlevoix .. Perfect ...

2nd time into Cafe Sante... pretty awesome spot. The ambiance is great (think Butchers Union for Grand Rapids, MI ppl), servers are joyful, and the food better than it should be for the price you pay. I got the steak frites w/ a cup of the duck French onion soup - very good. Other picture was the house special (chicken morel pastry type bake) also very tasty.

Cafe Sante is so unique and it's right in the heart of Boyne City. It uniqueness comes due to its very European feel. They do a great job of ambiance and seriously I totally felt like Europe had come to the North Michigan. From the decor, signage, to an old feel of this has been here for centuries, they nailed it on atmosphere. They have a gorgeous outdoor patio for those amazing summer nights. We were able to take advantage of their Monday night pizza special which is not available in the summer, but it doesn't matter their pizza is just as good as full price. They have amazing other great menu items, but they do their pepperoni pizza well, it will not disappoint. You'll love Cafe Sante it has such a hip vibe and has music on certain nights, which is always a nice touch. This is for sure one of the best restaurants in Boyne City, it's awesome

We stopped at Cafe Sante for a late lunch on our way into Boyne Mountain. Service and food were both 10/10. We enjoyed a few happy hour drinks as well. We had the meatball appetizer to start and the marinara sauce so so fresh and flavorful, we ended up dipping the bread in the sauce too! For our entrees we had the chicken Marsala and steak frites. I really enjoyed the Marsala sauce and ended up mixing my noodles and veggies in it. Both meals very delicious and the steak was cooked to my husbands liking. We can't wait to try brunch next time we're in town.

Great food & service! We had the 3 course special with fresh strawberries & it was delicious. Caprese, salmon & cheesecake. Will definitely be back.

I am a member of the frequent dining program. We have enjoyed your food for 20+ yrs so we know that summer you rush things. Last night we came in to enjoy a lovely dinner and were lead to a table that I immediately expressed to the hostess we were not pleased. She quickly responded I know but we're so busy. It's that high top near the bar. It's impossible to enjoy a meal there. People always crowd you from the bar. A gentleman chatting with friends at the bar actually elbowed my husband and had his back leaning against our table. One of the food runners almost took my husband's arm off as my husband removed his hat. As our frustration grew we changed our order to takeout so yes you still got our revenue but what you also got was a long time patron who will not recommend Sante to anyone again. The Provision Wine Lounge has been providing better food and has now become our #1 restaurant in Boyne City. My advice to anyone going to Sante never ever let them seat you at that table. The hostess should have changed our table as soon as we showed displeasure. We knew better we should have left immediately.

Hidden gem at Boyne city, tasty food, well made cocktails , wonderful service - if you are so lucky to meet Todd! Vintage Belgium pub ambiance! A must try

Food- bacon is terrible Overall breakfast options should be expanded. Coffee isn't quality Staff is rude Was told I couldn't be in their establishment with an outside coffee(which I purchased because their coffee isn't favorable), and after my party was seated. Proceeded to tell me it was a state law, which after researching found this to be a lie. In Michigan each establishment can set their own policy. Go to Sunnyside just down the street for friendly service and great breakfast options.

Loved the whole experience. Waiter was fun and obliging. We went specifically for the eggs Benedict and we weren't disappointed.

Eggs Benedict and quiche are Amazing! Service is quick and friend. Dinner was also great!

My favorite is zucchini involtini! Our kids crush their pancakes and my husband loves the all of the breakfast sandwiches.

It was a beautiful Labor Day Weekend day, our party of 4 was seated outside on the patio overlooking the water.... Our food was a decent portion, I don't remember much of the details now unfortunately except that my quiche and fresh berries were REALLYYYYYY GOOD! If you look at the photo, you can tell how perfectly the quiche is cooked and the berries are super fresh! The 2 items looked great and they tasted even better! So no complaints, a great view, anything by the water is a winner! I do recall our server being very friendly and attentive...and I remember we did have quite a few questions, she was also very patient! Definitely would recommend to anyone in the area. There are a lot of places to choose from, don't miss this one. It's right in the heart of the little town!

Cafe Santé is a great spot, aesthetically and pricewise. My wife and I are not partakers in "adult beverages" but we are fond of eating good food at a fair price! It is a great location as well, on the edge of Lake Charlevoix... anywhere in town is within walking distance... including the Charlevoix coffee shop just around the corner! If you have read any of my other reviews, I don't want to bore you with this statement, but... I stick to the old adage that there are two things I love to do... And both of them is EAT‼

This cleverly carved out waterfront café brings a taste of Europe to Northern Michigan. French, Italian and a wee bit of the Irish all in one bistro. It's a comfortable little niche' that's tastefully decorated fora harbor town that's a sure pleasure to visit. A little old world brought forward. The food is divine. Starting with the Duck French Onion soup. A diplomatic portion with an equally generous amount of Gruyère. The chunks of French bread complete this triumph! The combined creamy goodness and the sweet/spice of the Butternut Squash Bisque make it another winning start. The Chicken Marsala is a true triumph as well as the simple French dip sandwich. Our server, John, tells us it's made with bacon smoked pastrami. A definite must. If Tiramisù is offered, I'm obliging. This dish featured well saturated lady fingers with a mild, fluffy cream that provided a perfect balance. Not too rich, most certainly not bland. John is really the only member of staff we were exposed to. He was very professional, but ready to crack wise if you're up for it. It was fun! 10/23

One of the best places to meet with friends and family. The menu is phenomenal and the food is 5-star.

Not at all what I was expecting in such a great way! We were looking for a brunch spot but this didn't seem like the usually place you'd have brunch. The decor was old Italian style and very clean. The hostess and waiter were very nice, helpful and efficient. The food was the best part! We had the pistachio pancakes, arugula pizza, French onion soup and classic American breakfast. Everything was delicious! Nothing was too salty or bland. My favorite was the French onion soup. I was so surprised with how well the food tasted! You have to check this place out when you are in Boyne.

Amazing experience! The staff was incredible - I planned to propose to my girlfriend by the lake outside the restaurant, so I called the Cafe Sante in advance to see if they would help with the timing. They nailed it! The staff was all in on it and made sure that we were out in time for the photographers, and they even brought out champaign for us after I proposed! Such a friendly staff, so glad they were able to help make the night unforgettable. Thank you all very much!!

The menu has interesting selections for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner plus unique dessert options. Full bar. Indoor and covered patio seating. Friendly service.

Kids perspective- Has root beer I got a kids hot cocoa and it was very good I finished it in about 6 minutes. It wasn't HOT but it wasn't cold. We ordered a Meat & Cheese board, it was pretty good. Our server named Jeff was nice. I got a kids Alfredo and it was pretty good very HOT. Yummy garlic bread on the side. Lots of sauce mixed with water. I did get locked in a bathroom stall when I was about 4 so about 3 flushes for the bathroom.

I couldn't write this review soon enough because you cannot get to Cafe Sante soon enough! We went for dinner. No res needed at 8;00, got a table inside and there was live music so we loved it! The service was friendly and professional. The atmosphere was romantic but not stuffy. The food!!! Top notch. We had the whitefish and a couple of pasta dishes. The meatballs were tasty and the sauce was slightly sweet but really good tomato flavor. Good bread soaker Now the whitefish. I tend to only eat half my dinners but here I cleaned my plate. This fish was flavorful and melted in your mouth, prepared with lemon butter and served with dauphinois potato. We are only in town one more day but might have to make a second trip to Cafe Sante!

Started with the steamed mussels & soaked our bread in the sauce. So much garlic it's coming out our pores! The cacophony in the room was overwhelming with the small band jammin out their cover song list. Thank God i didn't wear my audio gadgets. Now their server was totally worthless. We had to track this clown down just to get our bill. His response to our inquiry about our entrees was "oh you're missing your min dishes"! Certain this guy never sent them into the line cooks. Must say Café Santé has done better - could have headed out for great Italian across from Young State Park.

Wow. This place absolutely blew my socks off. From the outside, you really wouldn't expect this kind of dining experience, especially in Boyne City, but the minute I had my first bite of brunch. I was so so insanely happy with my food. I was eating by myself, and my waiter was very friendly and helpful. My friends were off skiing for the day, but my knee wasn't in the mood for another full-day. So I set off to wander Boyne City on my own. Honestly? My skiing friends missed out. Also I missed out on them ordering different things so I could sneak bites of their plates because I would be so so excited to try everything this place has to offer. I ordered the sausage breakfast, and you could just taste how freshly it had been made. The scrambled eggs were perfect. The potatoes melted in your mouth. You knew this was made with love. I had to control myself from just ordering another entree. It was my first time in Boyne City. We usually spend our time in Petoskey when we go skiing, but you can 1000% bet that I will drag my friends to Boyne City for dinner here at Cafe Santé. It is that good. Sign-me up. Jump in the car. We're going out.

I had the Croque Madame. Beautiful Layers of melted Gruyère cheese, brociche bread, and shaved ham and a sunny side up egg , and to top it off Mornay sauce form this opulent yet comforting sandwich that will hold you over until lunchtime. Jaden was a great waitress. The restaurant was aesthetically pleasant.

Everything was very good. Such a special place in Boyne City. We will be back!!!! We tried a little of everything from chicken Marsala to pizza and we were not disappointed. Top shelf!!!

Beautiful restaurant and bar. Lots of character. Our server could have understood the menu a bit better, but she did a good job still. Pretty good pizza and meatballs.

It's a fifty minute drive from my house to this place, so let's start with that, someone's driving fifty minutes to eat here! Sadly because it's a bit of a drive I've not been here many times, and not as often as I would have like, but it is still a place I MUST go to when I'm in the area. Today's lunch with friends was inside, a cozy interior with a lovely view of Lake Charlevoix. We started with the pâté which was divine. All three of us were drawn to the fish and chips which was also fantastic! Wait staff was fun, funny and friendly. My only complaint would be that the kitchen was very slow for a restaurant that wasn't that busy at the time. I'd also recommend the charcuterie board, a heavenly selection of meats and cheeses. Looking forward to coming back...see you soon!

Had brunch today. Everything was great! Relaxed ambiance & great service by Jaden. Definitely a must visit if you're in the area. Try to come early to beat the rush time in the evening. Can't seem to be wrong about anything we ordered today.

All three of us ordered the Steak and Fritas. Very yummy! Service was quick and courteous. Enjoyed the festive atmosphere.

This is my third time here and Mom's second although she kept insisting that she had never here. Good thing I sometimes remember to take pictures. Had one of her eating mussels. Then she remembered. We drove an hour and we were not disappointed. I love that you have a choice of water--bubbles or no bubbles--we chose bubbles. And they leave you the bottle. Mom started with a vodka (well vodka is Sobieski) martini and I had a Strawberry Sangria non-alcoholic. The sangria was not sweet like most alcoholic sangrias. Might be the kombucha. There was not a drop of liquid when I got done. We knew that portions can be overwhelming but couldn't pass up Escargot and Duck French Onion Soup for appetizers. Our server Michael, brought us extra bread for the escargot to soak up the garlic butter. For entrees Mom had the Croque Madame and I had Quiche Lorraine. I couldn't get over how fluffy the quiche was. I ate it all. Mom got two meals out of the Croque Madame--actually she got a meal and I ate the rest the next day. We finished the meal with a coffee and cappuccino. Mom said the coffee was strong and the cappuccino is more like a latte. We took a piece of cheesecake home.

The atmosphere here hits the mark. It definitely has a European flair to it. It very much has mood lighting. I ordered the Pappardelle Bolognese ($22), which is house made wide Egg noodles, meat sauce, and Parmigiano Reggiano. It was absolutely amazing. The noodles were delicate and obviously freshly made and sooooo good. The meat sauce was so good it melted in my mouth. The portion size at first seemed a little small, but it was deceptive and I was full and happy. The person I was with ordered the Whitefish a'la Meuniere ($26.50), which is Whitefish sauteed & finished with lemon butter, and dauphinoise potatoes. It was stated to be an excellent meal. They were very busy, but the service was very good. Overall a 5 star review. Would I return? Yes I would, I'm also interested in their European Breakfast.

I'm very confused by the ratings of this place - maybe because it's one of the only places to eat in Boyne? The chaos of walking in there - on a Wednesday night no less - was crazy. No one - hostesses or servers - seemed to know what was going on with what tables or where to seat people and they were seating people who came in after us. The food was meh. Our friends liked their spicy pizza but the Margherita tasted like cardboard. The only saving Grace was the attentive and friendly server who unfortunately got slammed with two 10-person parties in between our tiny table and he never faltered.

Food is consistently yummy. Cocktails are always good, especially the cucumber cooler with Hendricks gin. Ask for it at the bar. Views from the porch area of the sunset are always wonderful. If you are in the area, stop in.

Great food, great service (Joan) Definitely a place not to be missed if you are anywhere near Boyne City

The best fancy dining experience in Boyne - great food quality and atmosphere. We eat at Sante during causal times for breakfast or dinner with the wood fired pizzas (mushroom pizza or sausage pizza is so good)! But the entrees for a special occasion are top top shelf. Had the seared yellowfin tuna today, so good! Pasta sauces are premium. Service is good, close to the water for some nice views. Sante is the definition of 5 stars!

I know the food is good but I've been here multiple times and the service is offensively bad. It's not the first time I've waited literally 20-30 minutes, watching everyone around me get served, while i have not having even ordered. I feel that's a little ridiculous. It's rough because they have very nice food but I can't recommend a resturaunt where it's random if I'm going to get served or not. I dont like leaving negative reviews but I just had to bail on a resturaunt on my birthday for lack of service.

Awesome experience for a Sunday brunch. No wonder Saturday night was packed with folks waiting in the wintry cold outside. Friendly concierge at the door pointed out where my wife was. We had our breakfast and Boyne City mineral water before our 256mile trip back home.

Food was delicious! I had the Chicken Marsala and my husband had the Steak Au Poivre, both were cooked to perfection! Shout out to Mark our server! Thank you!

I came here with my partner for our first vacation. We're both in our mid-twenties, and not very familiar with higher-end, fancy eating. We got dressed up for dinner and our server, Amber, was wonderful. We ordered a bottle of wine and I remarked that I wasn't familiar with how the bottle opening worked, so she walked us through each step and what was "expected." It was just a very thoughtful gesture that made the experience so much more nice. The dinner food was amazing, so we decided to come back the next morning for breakfast. Amazing breakfast as well. Mark, our server, was also very friendly, as was the manager Michael who recommended a few places for us to go to. Everything here is full of flavor and the staff is clearly well-trained and kind. We're lucky we aren't locals, or we would be spending the last of our budget here. Can't wait to come back!

Always great service the menu changes regularly so it's always fun to come back to a few been before. And is nice right on the water and Boyne city with exceptional sunsets so perfect place for dinner or lunch or brunch

Good food Great service and ambiance! Not wish I expected in Boyne Michigan... Always nice to find a gem! Food and drinks to die for... Kids menu. Special price fix menu and drinks. $5 happy hr drinks and food.

Went to Cafe Sante not once but TWICE during our time in the area. Ambiance and atmosphere is really nice. Zoe was our waitress both nights and she was fantastic. Very customer service oriented and great personality. First night I had the salmon and my brother had the yellowfin tuna. Both were super flavorful. Second night I had the 3-course tomato special that started with the sente salad, then a rigatoni pasta and ended with a tomato cheesecake. I know it sounds like a weird combo for dessert but I was pleasantly surprised. Only thing that could use some work was the pork ribeye. Think my parents just got a bad piece of meat. Would highly recommend this place to anyone visiting the area. Very well executed restaurant.

The bacon on the eggs benedict was a nice touch! It tasted amazing! The potatoes had a very tasty seasoning on them. The service from sever Tommy was great and the atmosphere was very nice. I highly recommend this place!

Food was amazing. Server was very nice and the view was spectacular. Prices were fair.

Our favorite restaurant in Boyne City! Goala & Sarah are phenomenal people. Three different meals in this post, breakfast, happy hour specials & then their special. We haven't had anything bad here...everything is top notch!