Modern Bird

Restaurant · Traverse City

Modern Bird

Restaurant · Traverse City

2

541 W Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684

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Modern Bird by null
Modern Bird by null
Modern Bird by null
Modern Bird by null
Modern Bird by null
Modern Bird by null
Modern Bird by null
Modern Bird by null
Modern Bird by null
Modern Bird by null
Modern Bird by null
Modern Bird by null
Modern Bird by null
Modern Bird by null
Modern Bird by null
Modern Bird by null
Modern Bird by null
Modern Bird by null
Modern Bird by null
Modern Bird by null

Highlights

Nestled in a historic building, this trendy spot serves up seasonal American dishes with flair, thanks to a Michelin-trained husband-and-wife duo.  

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541 W Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684 Get directions

modernbirdtc.com
@modernbirdtc

$50–100 · Menu

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541 W Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684 Get directions

+1 231 421 5046
modernbirdtc.com
@modernbirdtc

$50–100 · Menu

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Last updated

Jul 11, 2025

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@eater

"Modern Bird, the sexy little neighborhood spot that opened in the summer of 2022, is one of the hottest reservations in town. The husband and wife team that runs it spent time at Michelin-starred kitchens in Chicago before coming North, and they’ve nailed the intersection of elevated food, in a completely approachable space. Don’t miss the cheesy bread with ranch butter, before sinking into more seasonal offerings—such as a pea pesto, mushroom, and goats cheese galette." - Stacey Brugeman

18 Essential Traverse City Restaurants
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@cntraveler

"Modern Bird is the hottest new reservation in Traverse City, opened by Andy Elliott and Emily Stewart who trained in Michelin-starred kitchens. The cheese bread with ranch butter is addictive, and seasonal vegetable-forward dishes like smoked carrots with labneh and spiced almond crunch steal the show."

In Northern Michigan, Summertime Is Pure Magic
View Postcard for Modern Bird

S. Nicole Lane

Google
Ate here alone at the bar and enjoyed myself! The cucumber was maybe the best thing I’ve ever eaten. I also got the asparagus, corn dog and rhubarb fritters for dessert. I’m visiting from Chicago and this puts our food to shame. I’ll definitely be back with friends!

Douglas Ham III

Google
Creative dishes and excellent drinks. We got two small plates, two entrees, and dessert with a few drinks each and were very full. We splurged, spent ~$300 for our anniversary dinner. Could have been more frugal and still had plenty to eat. Bar, kitchen counter, dining room, and outdoor seating available. Bathrooms clean and spacious. Top notch bar tenders.

Geraldine Thomas

Google
I was not impressed it all with this place. First I didn’t know I made a reservation to seat at the bar ( I wasn’t giving an option ) I personally don’t like to seat at the bar and this bar specifically was uncomfortable on the legs. I ordered a cocktail, it was ok. The food was very mediocre, the “famous chicken” 2 baby size pieces of just fried chicken with some sauce on the side, nothing special. The other order was “spicy” curry carrots, I can easily make this at home. I wanted to try the duck but it wasn’t available and it was dinner time. The bartender was nice.

Brendan Dennis

Google
Modern Bird is nothing short of a culinary experience everyone in TC should place at the top of their short list. My wife and I have dined at the tables, as well as up at the kitchen on stools. The former provides a more direct experience with your party, while the latter is more akin to entertainment while you eat. Everyone wants delicious food while enjoying company, and Modern Bird delivers in every way. Whether it's a menu staple such as the fried chicken or wagyu steak, or something new and fresh, everything manages to delight the taste buds. Presentation and service are also odd the charts. Andy and Emily have created something tasty and fun. Anyone who has a chance, local or visiting, should make it a point to make a reservation.

Sarah Elgart

Google
Incredible! My sister and I came to TC to celebrate her birthday and escape the power outage at home, I stumbled upon Modern Bird’s website when looking for a fun place for dinner- wow! The staff was so knowledgeable, the food was incredible, and the atmosphere is 10/10. Can’t wait to bring friends back!

Ryan and Sabrina Daar

Google
Everything was incredible. I actually missed taking photos for a few dishes because I was just too excited. We sat at the kitchen counter and I would highly recommend that.

Lena Gunes

Google
We had a wonderful dining experience at Modern Bird—a small, modern restaurant with a cozy vibe and exceptional food. The halibut was tender and perfectly prepared, the chicken breast was juicy and full of flavor, and the tomato salad truly surprised us. It wasn’t just tomatoes—it came with capers and a unique, flavorful sauce that elevated it to something really special. Each dish was thoughtfully composed, with fresh ingredients and creative touches that showed real culinary skill. Modern Bird is a true gem in Traverse City. If you appreciate inventive, high-quality food in a relaxed setting, don’t miss it!

travis baldus

Google
One of the best meals I've had in a while. The service was great, the food and plating was excellent! Was not expecting this from a northern Michigan restaurant. Night and day dining experience from the rest of the city.