Iron Bay Restaurant & Drinkery

Food is good and super cool atmosphere with the brick work in the building! Be aware, there is a 4% “Transparency Fee” that’s not super transparent listed in a smaller print at the bottom of the menu. Doesn’t really make a ton of sense, we just tipped the waitstaff 4% less then since they’re already getting it added

Yes the prices are on the more expensive side but we've never been disappointed. Everything we have tried is phenomenal. There isn't one dish I wouldn't recommend. The staff is so very friendly. The fact they partner with local farms is the icing on the cake. And you truly can taste the freshness. Every time we go to Marquette we stop here. If I could give ten stars I would.

A great spot on the edge of town, Marquette , with a nice relaxing view of the bay from the patio. The food is good, there is a nice selection of items for lunch and dinner. I like the vegetarian options like the veggie tacos, they are thoughtful chef-created and delicious. Cocktails are professional, nice beer and wine offerings. The servers are young and friendly, and well-trained. Seating options include dining room, bar area, and patio. The Iron Bay Restaurant has become a favorite.

I was really skeptical at first. The menu has different types of items then the typical upscale bar fare. I was pleasantly surprised. Everything was hot and delicious. I would definitely go back!!!

Had lunch her during my Explore Marquette Day adventure and was served by Courtney. She was AMAZING! The food here is Delicious and the service is Outstanding. One of the Top 5 places I ate at during my Great American Road Trip of 2025. Highly recommend to anyone traveling through Marquette. BRAVO and THANK YOU Courtney!!

Iron Bay is one of my favorite spots in Marquette! The whitefish tater tots are crispy, flavorful, and a must-try. I’m also obsessed with their cherry mule—refreshing with just the right kick. For dessert, the root beer float brings back all the nostalgic vibes, and their cheesecake is rich and creamy without being too heavy. Great food, great drinks, and a fun atmosphere with friendly service. Highly recommend!

Visiting NMU on a school counselor visit from Chicagoland area. Prices were comparable to back home which surprised me a lil but it felt worth it. Service was great; our server was Maddie who was friendly & attentive throughout our dinner. My wife & I each had 2 beers (her- IPA, me- sour 😍) & we shared the whitefish tater tots which were delicious. I ordered the Bell Tower burger which was so yummy & exactly what I was seeking from a burger- cooked medium, beautifully juicy & flavorful. My wife ordered the cherry chicken panino with the seasonal vegetables, which she rly enjoyed. We sat in the tap room area which had no wait compared to the dining area.

The food was fresh and delicious. Especially liked the beer cheese and crispy chicken. There is a 4% fee to support staff but I didn’t mind because everything was on point. Reservation recommended.

Arrived in town on a Saturday night. We walked in and there was a line and a wait. There is seating outside and inside. As we were waiting in line a bartender walked past and mentioned a free table with seat yourself FCFS in the tap room. We snagged the table and were greeted immediately. The table was decorated with some cute hand drawn coasters. Ordered a couple beverages and appetizers as well as mains. The food was all delicious and service was great. We ordered a carrot cake cupcake to share for dessert. This was our least favorite part of the experience, but my partner's only complaint was the surprise golden raisins. He's not a huge fan of "pieces" in his cake. I loved the frosting, although it wasn't traditional cream cheese frosting. It was decadent and rich. 8/10.

Food and drinks are massively overpriced for basically pub grub. There's also a "fee" added on to the already overpriced food. This is why I'm giving this place 3 stars. The actual food was good. The service was good. It's just that pub grub for 2 adults, 2 drinks, and a kiddie meal shouldn't be $70. The value just isn't there.

Food was delicious and the service was excellent! We ordered the whitefish dip, which was served with grain crackers and pickled watermelon rind. We split the crispy chicken sandwich ( I'd heard this was good, and it definitely was!!) This is one of my favorite places to go when I'm in Marquette. Bonus was sitting outside on the patio on a beautiful sunny day!

A bit crowded and a short wait but we went to the tap room and found a table right away. Food was good. The burger was decent. The Lemon Chicken soup was really tasty. There really isn't a different in size between a cup or bowl of soup so just go with the cup. I thought it odd that dogs couldn't even sit on the patio so if you have dogs with you go somewhere else.

Ok but the menus on here are out dated. I posted a new one. No more grilled cheese or quesadillas. :( if we would have known that we wouldn't have stopped here. Kids didn't want fish tacos or the other options. You also have to pay for parking. For 2 hours it was $7.

Atmosphere was pleasing. Service was ok. Food was less than anticipated. Wife's soup and salad was a train wreck! Salad was warm/hot and soup was cool at best. Soup was bland without flavor. Waitress could not care and just said sorry with no feedback to kitchen and no resolve. My fish taco was ok but lacked flavor. I was anticipating a wonderful meal on the harbor but was disappointed. I would not return

We had a wonderful food experience as visitors to this area. It was busy but efficient. Server was very nice. Cheese curds appetizer, whitefish chowder & beet salad, lamb sandwich, and beer were all delicious with quality ingredients. Loved the ambience and historic vibes of this place. It was a bit warm due to AC issues but the amazing view and beautiful building made it worth it. A definite local gem & must try.

After a crisp but beautiful hike at Little Presque Isle Park, we were in search of a cozy spot with a view to unwind over a slow, satisfying dinner. Iron Bay Restaurant & Drinkery, located right on the water in downtown Marquette, offered the perfect setting, with a view of the historic Ore Dock and a warm, inviting atmosphere. One of the highlights of the space was the collection of photos and descriptions showcasing the building's history as an iron foundry--an authentic touch that added to the experience. We were seated immediately and started with drinks and an appetizer of jalapeño poppers. Though they appeared a bit charred at first glance, they turned out to be just right--perfectly blistered with a great balance of smoky heat and creamy filling. For my main course, I debated between a burger or steak but ultimately went with a true Upper Peninsula-inspired dish: the Deer Camp Shepherd's Pie, paired with a cup of whitefish chowder. Both were excellent. The shepherd's pie was pure comfort--rich, hearty, and full of flavor--while the chowder was creamy and packed with fresh, local whitefish. To round out the meal, we shared the goat cheese cheesecake, which was nothing short of incredible--light, tangy, and just the right amount of sweet. Beyond the food, the service was outstanding. Our server was friendly, knowledgeable, and offered great recommendations, making the experience even better. Iron Bay is a fantastic spot in downtown Marquette, whether you're looking for a casual drink, a cozy meal, or just a great view of the waterfront. Highly recommend!

Food was all great from the whitefish tots, to the chicken wings. Everyone was very pleased with their meal food but it is on the expensive side for a family of 6.

My daughter and I had marvelous service from Maggie. Our meal consisted of whitefish tots, burgers, & a brownie w ice cream all accompanied by Marquette Mules. Everything was excellent with one exception: the burgers were WAY too salty my smash burger was pretty much inedible, until I removed an ultra salty patty. All of this said I would go back. I would just avoid the Burger or ask to have the salt dialed down.

Really nice place, Connor was very good and pleasant. Definitely loved the smash burger, and we ordered whitefish Tatar tots as an appetizer. Definitely recommend!

Beware! Tipis and fees are automatically added to "to go" orders. We stopped in for lunch on a day where they were having some plumbing issues, they were not serving in the dining area. They did offer take out, so we ordered some food to go. I also bought a t-shirt from the merchandise rack. After ordering, they spun the signature pad around and it asked for a tip. I'm fine with tipping, so I added a tip, signed and took my food (and t-shirt) to go. It wasn't until we looked at the receipt that we saw that there was already a tip added (which was never shared at signing). There was also an added "to-go" charge, even though we couldn't sit in the dinning room because there plumbing wasn't working!! And on top of that, tips and charges were also put on the fricken t-shirt I bought! I get that staff is really hard to find, and tips are needed to find and keep your staff. But at least be honest and tell your customers that fees and tips are already included when you spin the pad and say "just a question, and a signature please". And don't charge a 'take out fee and tip" on your merchandise. That's really nasty! Sorry, I do love your chowder... but likely the last time you'll see me, there's lots of places in Marquette that have good chowder!

First time visiting and we had snacks and drinks. Great location near Lake Superior. Tap room, restaurant inside and outside. Friendly staff. The whitefish tators were different and good. We will be back I didn't take a lot of photos, sorry.

Overall, I really enjoyed my experience at Iron Bay! My favorite thing about it was not only the inclusive nature of the restaurant that made me feel so comfortable, but our server was so incredible. When we ordered she would ask "are you hungry?" And then when we were enjoying the meals we were asked "are you happy"? I can't really explain why that tickled me so much but it is a testament to the incredible staff! The food was really good but not necessarily the most standout meal I've ever had. I think if the food were a little less pricey my opinion may be a little different-- but to be fair, being in a more rural location things will naturally cost a little bit more. Would go again next time I am in Marquette!

We are here twice during our stay in Marquette because we enjoyed it so much. I absolutely loved the fish and chips, with the white fish. It was awesome. My bride ordered a bowl that she liked very much. We ate on the wonderful patio overlooking the bay. Recommend it very much!

Such a fun spot with water views! The food features local, fresh ingredients with a modern twist. We ordered the fish fry, whitefish dip and quinoa bowl with whitefish chowder for dinner. You can taste the freshness in each bite! Loved the tahini flavored quinoa with lots of veggies. Hubby said the fish was fried to perfection. Excellent service with our meal and everyone was very welcoming and helpful! I like the adjacent bar area for a casual meal or wait for your table. Highly recommend this spot for a night of causal dining without sacrificing any flavors!

A trip to Marquette should include a trip to this place. I liked the atmosphere and the food. Here is my only complaint: They are very loose with the phrase "gluten friendly". Basically if they are not serving you bread they consider it gluten friendly and that is not what gluten friendly means. All French fries are not gluten friendly. Celiacs like me would strongly ask you either label it GF or take some of the gf off the menu. Can you imagine labeling something peanut friendly ? No. We get sick off gluten so please....... Ok. Gripe over. The place is the bomb and I really liked the place.

Solid burger, fries, and mixed cocktails. Great service and experience for our 2nd time.

Always great service and tallest. When the weather permits, the patio has a great view. The whitefish chowder os a must-try! We stop here every time we're in Marquette.

Demetris was our excellent server. Fish tacos were a 10 Tabbouleh salad a 10 Atmosphere was fun, laid back, great views. We will go back. Highly recommend

Great spot in downtown Marquette. Stopped for a LATE dinner. They were out of one of the specials. Friendly staff. Good food. Spot for dogs outside.

Lovely, lively restaurant located in an historic building downtown. It's a bit noisy and busy but worth the stop. Food is very good and the service was outstanding. The parking lot across the street is unfortunately high-priced but don't let that deter you.

Stopped by Iron Bay for lunch. It's a cute place with a spacious outdoor seating area. A little cold for sitting outside but the patio was still packed, with heaters to keep customers warm. We ordered the baba ganoush for an appetizer- it was good, but the crackers were pretty dry and flavorless. For the entree I ordered the falafel tacos with asparagus, and my boyfriend ordered the whitefish tacos with the quinoa lemon chicken soup. The falafel tacos were good- nice texture and flavor, and a good crunch from the veggies. The asparagus was amazing- cooked and seasoned perfectly. My boyfriend loved the whitefish tacos and the soup was amazing. For dessert we split a slice of the goat cheese cheesecake. It was very cheesy- but the blueberry lavender topping complimented it well. Service was good and quick as well. Would definitely recommend!

From the food to the atmosphere, you can't go wrong with the iron bay! We sat outside with a view of Lake Superior and it did not disappoint! This was mid July and weather was fantastic. Service was great and fast. I had a burger and fries and the fries were crispy, salty and very good. My burger was AH-MAZING! I got the bbq burger and the perfect amount of sauce, juicy burger and fried onion straws. Parking was either street parking or paid lot across the street. I would come again!

Sat at the bar. Was good service and friendly. Very neat place and glad I stopped in. Had the white fish tacos which were very tasty. Also had the white fish chowder which was really good. Bill for just me w 2 beers w tip was $43. Just to give you an idea of price.

This place was my favorite during my trip to the UP! Love that it's right by the dock so you can enjoy your meal with a view when sitting outside. Staff was super friendly and had great customer service. To start, we got the beer cheese with pretzel bites and they were so delicious! The pretzel bites were shiny and nicely coated with salt. It came with beer cheese (warm) and a cold cheese. The cold cheese really stood out to me so much, I even ate it with my salad. Overall I recommend this starter! I wanted something on the lighter/healthier side so I ordered the half salad & soup as my main. The lemon chicken soup is refreshing, flavorful, and a great choice for the summer. The farmer's salad has bacon, blue cheese and candied pecans which is right up my alley. Overall super happy with my choices and experience here!! :)

CORRECTION- My review is only for the unfriendly greeting as we walked in Labor Day weekend 2024. We stood there for a good 2-4 minutes with not even a "hello we will be right with you" while 4 waitresses gathered around the front register talking about who knows what. The hostess told us it was Michigan Law that dogs are not allowed on restaurant patios. So we left and found other pet friendly restaurants about 2 blocks up the hill with much better ambiance. BTW, Michigan law allows restaurants to apply for a variance from their county health department and to date this particular restaurant apparently chooses not to be pet friendly.

Fantastic ambiance and service. Views of Lake Superior. Try the whitefish tots appetizer!

This is a great lunch spot in a nice setting by the lake, park, and ore dock, that offers outdoor seating and is dog-friendly. There's a wide selection of beers and the menu is varied and tasty. Service is prompt and friendly. The price for lunch is a little high, which is why I would give it four stars instead of five.

There is absolutely no excuse for not having an item that is in your menu, it is unforgivable. On vacation, sign on the door that they were out of whitefish. Every restaurant we passed had whitefish. This was not due to a shortage, it was due to terrible planning by the restaurant. Again, unforgivable. Will never be back regardless of how good the food and service might be. Also, you do not need to come back to the table 12 times, bring me my food, come back once and leave me alone. And one final thing, if I have to do your job by running my card on your hand held, no tip. I HATE it when the server stand over me while I decide what they deserve.

Absolutely must try every white fish dish this place has to offer. Had the white fish tator tots and they were AMAZING, great view of Lake Superior too!

Service is great and staff is very friendly. Great ambience and nice to spend with friends or a date. Portions for the main course are good but appetizers are a bit on the small end and pricey. *NOTE* I asked for a side of goat cheese and got charged 3 dollars unknowingly. Assume any changes/add ons come with a price. Or ask. I didn't ask. My bad Depends on what you get but you should bring at least 30 dollars minimum (25 if you're just getting water). If you plan to get an appetizer, dessert or cool drink expect to spend close to 50 on just your own. 3/5 on price range for me. I would go again

I asked the waitress if there was a charge for using my debit card. She said no. I was fleeced. They added a 4% transparency fee. Ripped off. No stars for this crooked business practice. Thats illegal BTW. I was forced to give one star for a post.

It was a Sunday afternoon, and the restaurant was not busy. I was greeted and seated right away. I was searching for a fresh salad, and they delivered! The greens were crunchy, avocado was perfectly ripe, and those are normally the make/break for me. It was a delicious salad. The fries were very crunchy and slightly similar to steak fries. The only downfall was the portion size vs price point for the salad, and it didn't have any meat. I loved the amount of windows, it brought a very warm relaxing experience.

Very overpriced. Food and service were good, but not THAT good. We were charged a "transparency fee" which after we asked goes to the owner for increased prices since COVID. The servers tip choices on the point of service were 20%, 22%, 25%.

I have grown up coming to Marquette and I have tried all the usual spots, even the old Mexican spot upstairs. Iron Bay popped up as sponsored on my Yelp search and I just knew it was up my alley. It was just me and my 3 young kids. My son has a gluten allergy and their menu has great options. My kids ended up sharing the Whitefish Tater Tots with aioli. They were delicious and perfect for kids! I got the half soup and salad which I chose the chopped salad and whitefish chowder. The soup was definitely not a chowder but it was delicious. It was more runny and clear. On the way in I saw a case with deserts and they had a gluten free brownie. We took it Togo because the baby had had enough and it came with a side of ice cream and chocolate sauce. We had it for desert after dinner that night and it was incredible! I told my family I think it was my new favorite spot and they informed me they were closing because their location is being turned into condos! I truly hope they move somewhere else because it was an incredible experience!

Excellent food, but pricey, hamburgers average $19.00. Nice atmosphere overlooking the lake.

Being up north, it's a must to order whitefish. Ordered the whitefish dip and the whitefish chowder/salad combo. Both did not disappoint. The dip was not overwhelmingly fishy but light. I appreciated that you know it's fish and not simply puréed fish. The thoroughly enjoyed the whitefish chowder. It was not heavy and it was full of flavor.

Nice out of the way location overlooking the lake. It's a couple blocks off the main downtown region. The location feels quiet but close. We all had burgers, but was intrigued by the other offerings. Appetizers were white fish pate, beer cheese and pretzel bites (yum!) and deep fried white fish tots (yum again). The pate was delicious but the other two were more delicious. The beer cheese was more of a sauce and they did not use horse radish. Don't be fooled, it had a bite to it. It was awesome. I don't remember what I had for desert, as the goat cheese cake erased any memory of it. That's to die for. I wish I ordered it. I'd go back just to order the cheese cake. It's definitely worth it. Though we didn't need it, I recommend making reservations. There was a steady flow of people and we were able to be seated in an acceptable amount of time, we could've gotten delayed. The staff was BUSY. I gently asked if we should go somewhere else because we didn't have reservations and the server said no. She then explained OPENLY that the table were to be seated had people that were just sitting around socializing. But were moving. She noted that everyone was ready to move to quickly bus our table and seat us. She had it under control. I appreciated her openness and honesty. I didn't get an answer that was placating and apologetic. She was on it and was in our court to get us seated quickly.

I was visiting from Honolulu, where I'm accustomed to many fresh food, and I was very impressed by the quality of the ingredients and presentation of the dishes at this restaurant! The server was pleasant and helpful with recommendations on the menu. The view of Lake Superior makes dining here extra special. Well worth the money spent! We had a lovely visit! Mahalo nui!

I wish I could give this place 4 or 5 stars. The food was delicious...what there was of it. For $23, I got two tiny fish tacos and asparagus. I left hungry. That's never happened at any restaurant I've visited.

This place is a must visit when in Marquette. White fish tots are great. We also got the beer cheese spread with pretzel bites which also happens to come with a spicy mustard. I liked the spicy mustard a lot more. Dirt pudding was excellent. This place is the place to be, so it's a good idea to make a reservation. We got the last open table when we got here. This is right on the waterfront and a great summer spot.

If it's a Monday night and everything is closed, ok option. Service was great, cute view!

Excellent food, service, and views! Ate on the patio on a bit chilly night, they have throws you can borrow to stay warm, and outdoor heaters. Beer was great. Food was phenomenal, whitefish perfectly done, option of seasonal corn basil and tomato salad instead of fries. Service was excellent.

Overpriced crappy food. Roasted vegetable salad okay at best and kind of small. Fish soup side watery but tasty. Chicken cranberry sandwich was worse than anything I've had outside of a bad dennys. I would avoid this restaurant if in area. On top of all that despite just okay service they surprised by adding 3% credit card fee, a fee for kitchen bonus and the options for tips started in the 20s and went up. I didn't mind these too much but it was just a little salt in the wound after a bad meal. My bad. I should have noticed how many half filled plates there were in the other tables when walking in. Look, I've written far more good reviews than bad on yelp but I've rarely felt more regret than the meal I had here. Caveat emptor.

I've eaten at many restaurants before and let me tell you, this is by far one of my favorite places to have a delightful meal. The atmosphere, oh my! Superb ! The scrumptious bites! The lovely beautiful staff! All around a wonderful lakeside restaurant. I DCP

My one true love is Iron Bay beer cheese and pretzels. We lived in Marquette for a little over four years and think 80% of our date nights have been here. I'm dreaming of the Marquette mule and Foundry burger and beer cheese spread tonight. The Michigan cherry BBQ on the wings is a must and cherry chicken panino is so yummy. All the staff are just SO so kind and always chit chat with us. There's typically a bit of a wait on weekends, so if you don't want to sit at the bar or in the taproom call ahead. Outdoor seating in the summer lookin over lower harbor is the best part !! Miss you Iron Bay. Xoxo

Good was great but ruined by the fact that they tack on a "transparency fund" of 4% to help with providing a "livable wage"!!! Sorry that's not on me, that's on the owner of the business to take care of the employee!!! Definitely not going back again.

Food was so great! Service was excellent. Loved the Whitefish Tots, Farmer Salad, Spicy Chicken Sandwich and the Panini. Fries are too good