Modern Bird

Restaurant · Traverse City

Modern Bird

Restaurant · Traverse City

2

541 W Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684

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Highlights

Seasonal American fare with creative dishes & craft cocktails  

Featured in Eater
Featured in Conde Nast Traveler

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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Aug 17, 2025

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@eater

Traverse City’s Best Restaurants, Bars, and Cafes | Eater Detroit

"Modern Bird, a 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 refined food, in a completely approachable space. Don’t miss the cheesy bread with ranch butter, before sinking into more seasonal offerings such as halibut served with picked ramps and smashed English peas. Reserve a table on Tock." - Stacey Brugeman

https://detroit.eater.com/maps/best-traverse-city-restaurants-bars
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@cntraveler

In Northern Michigan, Summertime Is Pure Magic

"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."

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/in-northern-michigan-summertime-is-pure-magic
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Olivia Denham

Google
If there is one place I could eat at every day for the rest of my life, this would be it. Modern Bird has thought of everything with each dish. Acidity, texture, salt and flavor are perfect. My sister and I ate at the chefs counter and ordered the carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, bread, Halibut and Key lime pie. The tomatoes for me were an absolute must. This will be the dish you dream about, but everything we had was delightful. Easily top five best meals I’ve had in the last 10 years.

Daniel Dahlhausen

Google
This place is excellent. You can tell the owners really care about what they do and take pride in it. I’m not usually a fried chicken person, but this chicken paired with the white barbecue sauce was easily the best fried chicken experience of my life. The prices are very fair, too.

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.

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.

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.

Kathy Smith

Google
We went for a special anniversary meal tonight- Sat at the kitchen counter which was so special! The service was outstanding- with great recommendations from our server. The food was out of this world phenomenal with so many layers of flavors- every flavor well thought out! It was an experience that made our anniversary memorable. Don’t miss the chance to dine here and experience top notch dining!

Kitty E.

Yelp
We ordered several menu items and would give them all 5 Stars. Great service, amazing food. Go there!
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Bill F.

Yelp
Modern Bird is my most favorite restaurant in the whole wide World. Yes, somewhat hyperbolic, but the chef and crew at Modern Bird have earned my respect. First, I always start with a gin martini, shaken not stirred. Second, the menu is always a surprise like "Happy Birthday!" not "You're fired." Third, Modern Bird is to be shared. Our table of four were able to experience almost the entire menu in small plates, with an excellent wine service, with room for dessert. Fried chicken? Superb! Roasted eggplant? Who knew! Imaginative dishes excellently executed and delightfully presented by an upbeat, charming staff. It's everything you hope for in a restaurant but so rarely experience. As they say, Modern Bird, the bird is the word!
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Cheney H.

Yelp
The staff and attention to detail were absolutely the highlight of our experience. I very much wanted to love every bite I took of the food, but maybe it's my palate or expectations of the dishes that led me to finding a few things a little lackluster. A few things to remember before you go, the menu changes often so don't have your heart set on trying anything particular and the kitchen may run out of your dish. That's nothing against the restaurant at all but as someone who always previews the menu I want to warn my fellow planners. Also the descriptions of the dishes are very succinct, so you won't have the full picture unless you ask one of their wonderful staff or have a surprise when the dish is placed in front of you. We tried five dishes all together; the trout crudo, smoked carrot, fried chicken, halibut and cream puff. The trout crudo- I found the fish to be really good quality and the cantaloupe broth (?) was very fragrant. The only off putting part of the dish was the char roasted rice in the middle of each bite. As a visual eater I had to convince myself it wasn't anything else. But the bites themselves were textually interesting with a refreshing flavor. The smoked carrots- there are so many layers to this dish. I think it's up to everyone's palate if they like that or not. The only part of this dish I was surprised on was the carrots were cold and for some reason I thought they would be a warm dish. The fried chicken- I would say a standard two pieces of fried chicken. The meat was moist and the batter was well seasoned. The white barbecue sauce comes on the side and had a strong vinegar base but the chicken mellows out the vinegar really well. Halibut- this dish is very green centered. With leeks and peas bringing the color to the plate the flavor was not what I expected. The fish is sous vide and gives it a very gentle texture, and it's definitely personal preference but I wish it was warmer than just above room temperature. The peas were pureed and had a citrus undertone which was nice but not the savory side I was expecting and the leek sauce really didn't have much leek flavor to me or my husband. The cream puff was delicious and the pistachio cream was my favorite part. I also really enjoyed the Wheres My Rind cocktail. Overall, the decor is very modern and the ambiance is upscale casual. The restaurant is very loud but the open kitchen is fun to watch. The staff were lovely and the attention to detail was impeccable. I appreciated the experience for what it was but maybe my palate needs to grow.
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Mark R.

Yelp
My wife and I spent a week in Traverse City in September - she was familiar with the area but it was my first time. I was really struck by how many great restaurants are here, and this one topped our list. The owners moved here during the pandemic after having worked at some Michelin starred restaurants in Chicago. The creativity and flavor combination were just incredible. And relatively affordable. Service was genuine with some offbeat humor to boot. Space is a renovated 20th century structure very cool. Lively scene we went back a second time and as good an experience as the first time.
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Jeff S.

Yelp
If Michelin were to give me say in it, I think they deserve at least a Bib Gourmand. Everything about this place was exceptional. From the moment we stepped in the door, we were warmly greeted and seated immediately. Our server was super knowledgeable and friendly, and came over to check on us regularly throughout the meal. Because it's a small location, it's always easy to get someone's attention if needed, and the service is very cordial, does a good job of explaining the menu items if asked, and was polite at all times. We followed our waiter's advice and ordered several dishes to share. We started with two appetizers or small plates. The potatoes with brown butter/cheese sauce (parmesan) and pickled mushrooms were out of this world. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with an unctuous parmesan sauce and bright pops of flavor with the pickled mushrooms. We followed this with the herb caesar/asparagus/country ham and cured egg yolks. The yolks were soft but thick, tasty morsels of ham, and some brioche breadcrumbs. We did have to ask, where is the brioche, because the breadcrumbs were nothing more than a fine dusting-should have asked about that before we ordered the dish, but we got a clarification from the server. We moved on to the soft shell crab with polenta-some of the creamiest polenta I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying-with General Tso's sauce which added a nice pop of heat. We ended the main courses with the Galette with spinach and artichoke, and a small side salad. This was a perfect amount of food for two people. We finished the evening with the Strawberry Pavlova-smartly made scoops of meringue had been baked to shape the Pavlova, underneath a layer of chocolate pieces, strawberries, and greek yogurt, and a warm chocolate sauce poured on at serving. Thoroughly well done. I would not hesitate to visit again if I'm ever back in Traverse City, as I'm sure this has to be one of, if not the top, place to dine there. Thank you, Modern Bird!
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Nathan N.

Yelp
If you're local or even visiting Traverse City, do not miss this one of a kind dining experience. Nestled just on the outskirts of the downtown, Modern Bird is a quaint and warm setting that puts an elegant spin on Midwestern home cooking. This was our first time visiting and we were not disappointed in the slightest. Our server recommended 2-3 plates per person, but with our eyes on the desserts we selected three plates. The asparagus with prosciutto was the best we've ever had. Perfectly in season, we absolutely loved this dish. The fried chicken was equally savory with an awesome yogurt based dipping sauce to accompany it. We wrapped up our main course with the Galette filled with spinach and artichokes. Imagine a spinach artichoke dip inside a puff pastry? What's not to love! Our final selections for the evening were the Rhubarb Hand Pie and Key Lime Pie, and we will be dreaming of this meal for the months to come. From the cocktails to the dessert, everything is intentionally created to make you wanting more. With a welcoming staff, your needs will be attended to during your time at Modern Bird. We can't thank them enough for this incredible dinner.

Mary T.

Yelp
Inventive menu. Delicious food. Friendly & responsive wait staff. We really enjoyed this dining experience. And the atmosphere was terrific: lots of energy.
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Joe S.

Yelp
Had a lovely Friday night date over MDW at Modern Bird. The relatively small space is modern, minimalist, and elegant, but doesn't feel cramped. Your eyes immediately focus on the back of the dining room where you can see chef expediting dinner service (you can actually eat your meal here). The service was what you would expect from a restaurant of this caliber, my water was never empty, and our server brought a little gadget so my fiancé could hang her purse! Cocktails here were good, they had a short list of 4 or 5 house cocktails but also had full bar service and an extensive wine list. I had the old fashioned and a mezcal margarita that hit the spot! The food was all delicious. Stand outs for me would be the cold smoked carrots, fried chicken, and wagyu. The carrots especially had such an intense smoke flavor that really played well with the earthiness of the carrot. Fried chicken was incredibly crisp, had a potato chip! Don't skip out on dessert, our key lime pie was gorgeous and perfectly balanced! I will definitely be recommending this place to any friends headed up to TC. This was easily one of the best meals I've had in 2024!
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Angela G.

Yelp
There is a lot of attention paid to the food and cocktails, with fresh ingredients and careful crafting. The location is in what appears to be a midtown-like neighborhood of downtown TC. The dining room is small and very noisy. Service is friendly. All of this (very sterile) said, the price point is way too high. Quite frankly, 2 small pieces of fried chicken (a thigh and leg) should NEVER cost $20!!! I had to try it. It was delicious. I got an auntie in Alabama who puts it to shame on her worst day, in the middle of a hurricane. The delightful surprise? A delicate lavender dessert with olive oil drizzle. It was on the menu in late July. I absolutely would pay $20 for this again. Modern Bird is best when it sticks to the modern. Well, except for the contemporary furniture. It was uncomfortable.
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Samantha M.

Yelp
8.19.23 So excited! We found a new Traverse City favorite. The food & service is absolutely impeccable! Sinfully delicious....Scallops served with creamed corn & topped with pickled kombu (wow this makes the dish!) & a little popcorn. Fried Chicken with white BBQ sauce. I promise you this is not your average chicken. The meat is oh so moist and the BBQ sauce is a great compliment. You will be sad when you finish this dish. Start with the cheddar bread with ranch butter & the Country Ham Toast (with peas, ricotta, balsamic). You won't be disappointed! Make a reservation.

John H.

Yelp
My wife and I ate at the bar and ordered three of their small plates, beets, cheese bread and vegetarian mushroom pot pie. All were delicious. The staff was great!
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Kyle R.

Yelp
We sat at Chef's/Kitchen table and it was truly an unforgettable dinner and a show. One of the owners was serving as Expo and she walked my youngest (13) through every step and procedure. Staff treated us like family and fed us like family as well. We had Bread and Potatoes as starter...outstanding. We went with Fried Chicken, Gallete, and Sockeye for entrees...one of the top five meals I've ever eaten. I would've ordered two Sockeye had I known how life-changing a dish it would be. Cocktails were tasty as well. Must stop if visiting Traverse City.
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Grace K.

Yelp
I sat at the chefs counter and had an amazing experience with my boyfriend. Loved getting to meet the owner, Andy and hear from him during our experience. Everything we had was amazing and I can't imagine not coming back anytime I'm anywhere near Traverse City
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Martha R.

Yelp
We went to this restaurant to celebrate my 50th birthday and it was absolutely lovely. It was during the winter, so it was a little less crazy... and given the very small space, I am glad. It was full, and quite loud... but I'm guessing much louder in the summer months. The food was great, wine list wonderful, service fantastic. I would say that the only issue was that they suggested WAY too much food. We were at explosion level, and we under-ordered on how many dishes they suggested. Other than that, top notch. Would definitely return.
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Katherine R.

Yelp
Enjoyed every moment of this experience. The ambiance, service, and food were superb. My significant other and I loved watching the meticulous craftsmanship of the team at the chef's counter. The three dishes we shared were bread, copper river sockeye, and wagyu coulotte- all excellent. Can't wait to come back to celebrate another special occasion.

Daniela M.

Yelp
Food was amazing! Service was excellent and the owner came over and introduced herself and thanked us for coming in. Very impressed overall from food to service to the whole experience.

Kip F.

Yelp
Food: Ordered the $98 strip streak. Who charges a hundred buck for a steak? Modern Bird does and I will remember that steak forever Service: Excellent. Server (Amanda) right on top of things, funny and very informative. Ambiance: situated in a working class neighborhood; tables inside and on the sidewalk. Pretty tight inside and a little noisey outside but fun all the same.
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Brad M.

Yelp
Truly incredible dining experience. Everything we tried from the drinks to the main course were clearly crafted with intent. The flavors were just awesome. My wife and I were talking about how amazing this dinner was for hours after. Evan at the bar gave us great service and the restaurant had the ambiance you expect from such an establishment. They deserve a Michelin star and there is no doubt in my mind that they will get one.
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Andrea J.

Yelp
Our entire experience was flawless. Drinks, food, service, atmosphere there was nothing lacking. Highly highly recommend!

Dayna V.

Yelp
The food is out of this world. Crafted with such thought and care. The servers remember you and your preferences, which makes this upscale experience feel homely and neighborly. Chef Andy is a visionary! Love this place.
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Emily G.

Yelp
So delicious and a wonderful experience! You can just tell you're eating high quality food. Cauliflower appetizer was amazing. Galette that was very good. No complaints but I'll try something else next time. My husband ordered the Bass with parsnips and butternut miso soup which was one of the best meals he's ever had! Overall a bit pricey for a normal night out, but worth it. This will definitely be our new Go To for special occasions! They're also very knowledge and accommodating if gluten free or other allergies.
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David G.

Yelp
Great food and friendly atmosphere. We sat at the counter in front of the kitchen and the owner and chef was very friendly, answering all our questions and giving us the history of his journey. His wife and co-owner is the pastry chef, and the desserts were incredible. All in all a wonderfully enjoyable dining experience.
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Amanda K.

Yelp
Such an excellent food and service experience. Highly recommend. One of the best restaurant experiences in the state of Michigan.
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Lindsey B.

Yelp
When you first walk into modern bird I was in love with how minimal yet beautiful the decor was. The lighting was amazing and the food was incredible. We went for my birthday and sat at the bar at the chefs corner and he was so great to chat with during his busy evening. The service was wonderful and we felt very taken care of
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Jonathan P.

Yelp
This restaurant has to be the best on Michigan's West. We were blown away by how good the chicken breast and sockeye were. Absolutely phenomenal and the owner is a great guy too. We can't wait to come back to this cool little place again. The service was fantastic too!
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Lori H.

Yelp
We were in Traverse City for a weekend getaway and made reservations at Modern Bird based on a recommendation from Eater Detroit, and we were very happy with the choice. The restaurant has a clean, modern European layout and decor, and it was full and lively on a beautiful Saturday. We were greeted by the host who checked our reservation and immediately seated us. From there, our charming and attentive waiter tended to our service along with support from other very attentive staff. They were excellent at explaining the scaling of the plate size and assisting us in ordering just the right number of plates for our appetites. They also warned us ahead that they have excellent desserts, which we saved some space for. We ordered and shared a variety of plates: Trout crudo (very good, mild with just a little heat from radish and serrano(?) chili) Duck croquette (outstanding, very hearty made with duck confit) Tomato & shishito with pickled shrimp and bonita flakes (outstanding) Halibut with sauce vin jaune, spinach, and smoked trout roe (outstanding, perfect sauce) Scallops with "creamed" sweet corn, togarashi popcorn, and kombu (outstanding, perfect flavor and texture) Dessert was the (excellent) key lime pie that everyone around us was ordering. Cocktails were black Manhattan and a nice, juniper IPA. We were really pleased with our dining experience and left very happy, and nicely full, enjoying a walk back to the hotel on a gorgeous night. If you are in Traverse City, I recommend getting a reservation at Modern Bird.

L F.

Yelp
A reservation required a wait of two weeks, so we expected great food. The fried chicken was overcooked and of a quality below a fast food chain. The much-hyped bread was a bust. Largely hollow inside, cold on the bottom and served with dill butter and a bit of oil. Any ranch flavor was not detected. The halibut was prepared by some hot water method which produced a thin, mushy and tasteless strip of fish. Not wanting to disappoint my partner, my brain searched for anything on the plate that might satisfy my tongue and allow me to continue eating it. A crushed brown ?spice yielded no flavor but a bit of texture. The green pea puree and dehydrated bits produced the absolute worst taste that a dried pea delivers. The only palatable find on my plate appeared to be a topping of microgreens and pickled shallots. The beet salad was tasty, but the wet beets prevented the horseradish crema from sticking to them and not a hint of walnut was discerned. A good bottle of white burgundy can be had for twenty dollars, but here it will get you a glass with a bad plate of food. Our service was good. The historical building provided a nice ambience but not one for a cozy dinner. The visual presentation of our food was magazine-worthy. If only it tasted good.
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J F.

Yelp
Appetizers were very good. The beets, carrots and breads were all a hit. For dinner, I had the monk fish , which was prepared and presented exquisitely. Excellent. I had a taste of the Wagyu steak, which was also excellent. Additionally, I sampled the chicken, again, excellent. I don't think you can go wrong here. The restaurant is smaller, so plan ahead of you have a big party.
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Joseph H.

Yelp
SERVICE: 5 FOOD QUALITY: 5 DRINK QUALITY: 5 ORDER TIME: 5 AESTHETICS: 5 NOISE LEVEL: 2 MENU SELECTION: 5 OVERALL EXPERIENCE: 4.57 After our original dinner plans were spoiled due to unanticipated closing we scrambled around looking for something suitable for a party of 3. After browsing Yelp we decided on modern bird because it had plenty of meat, pasta, and veggie options to satisfy everyone in the group. When we arrived the hostess was very polite and accommodating. There was no wait, and we had an option of indoor and outdoor. We chose outdoor because it was extremely loud inside. They have a medium size menu. Not overwhelming with options, but everything on the menu sounds amazing. Their drink menu is also really good. Lots of locally made drinks and high end wines. My favorite pepper is Shishito peppers, and they had some on the menu so, of course, I ordered them. Not a lot of places carry them, and many that do usually keep to cooking them in a traditional manner. These were unique, and absolutely amazing. For dinner I ordered the fried chicken with white bbq. Happened to be my first encounter with white bbq and I was amazed. I was informed that white bbq was an Alabama style bbq which is heavy in vinegar. Quite possibly my favorite bbq sauce now. The fried chicken was cooked to perfection, and the meat was juicy. For dessert I had the key lime pie. This key lime pie was an absolute treat. The meringue candies were delicious and it was the perfect size. It was a little more tart than the usual key lime pie which I liked so much more. Definitely one of the best pies I've ever had. Overall, we lucked out. Was the best meal we had the whole Traverse City trip. This place was perfect in every aspect except the noise. The inside was so noisy that you couldn't hear yourself think. Not sure why it's so noisy considering they don't even have music playing, but they might want to consider consulting an engineer, and changing some things to damper the noise vibrations. Either way, it's a must go restaurant. The chef is creating some master pieces in that kitchen.

David F.

Yelp
I'm reluctant to say what I'm about to say for fear Modern Bird will become as hard to get a table at as the Cook House... but this is one of the best restaurants we've eaten at anywhere in the world. Despite TC being a "foody town" we are often uninspired and decided to give 'the new place' a try... we were blown away. It's small, it's intimate (in the 'close packed, friendly, talk with your neighbors' sort of way), and it only gets better from there. The staff are friendly, pleasant, enthusiastic, experienced and ubiquitous Their is a full service bar and the cocktails were great It's a small plate sort of place though the portions are perfect for sharing [or hording all for yourself] The menu is small but EVERYTHING on the menu was AMAZING, not just good, not just great, but OMG AMAZING. And the presentation was 'playful' with many of the dishes being completed at the table. We tried 2/3 of the menu and it was all amazing. From cocktails to dessert, Modern Bird's wife and husband team are offering an experience that rivals any in this foody town! As a bonus it's one of the easiest "downtown" restaurants to get to. But please... don't everyone go... I still need to be able to get a table!
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Gianna G.

Yelp
Wow we had the best dinner here! The food, service, and ambiance were all amazing. We had the beet salad, carrots, fried chicken, schnitzel, bread, and key lime pie. The chicken and key lime pie were outstanding! Drinks were great too especially the Paloma and the jackfruit cosmo! Can't wait to go back!

Lauren F.

Yelp
We went to this restaurant the first time we visited TC this year, and the food was absolutely amazing. It is creative, beautiful, and most importantly tasty. It is a definitely a foodie spot and we knew we would have to visit every time we went to TC going forward. Aside from the amazing food, I also felt like I needed to do a review after the service the last time we were there. We took my disabled brother, who recently had surgery on his esophagus after not being able to eat solid food for the past couple of years, as a celebratory weekend after he got out of the hospital. We mentioned that we really wanted him to enjoy food again and that he had pain with harder foods that he was a bit afraid of. All of the staff went above and beyond. Making sure he had a spot that was comfortable with his wheelchair, speaking to him directly even though he is nonverbal, explaining the texture of each item that he might want to try, accommodating requests for additional sauce for him (which were hella flavorful on their own), and just making him feel extremely welcome. Put simply, this restaurant and its staff are outstanding.
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Maria P.

Yelp
So it's pricey, just let me get that out of the way. But if you want to splurge, this is the place to go! We ordered five items, the house bread with housemade ranch butter, Char Tartare, Horseradish Beets with Jammy Eggs, Tomatoes with trout roe and Key lime Pie with Basil oil. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, was incredibly delicious. My hubby and I were so on food cloud nine. We also had an amazing Cabernet which made everything even better. Excellent service as well. We can't wait to come back. Soon!!!
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Leslie E.

Yelp
Food was delicious, server was attentive and prompt. You can really tell that the chefs put a lot of thought into their food and the bartenders into their cocktails. The menu is small with meat, fish and vegetarian options. Prices were rather high, small plates were $10-15, entrees $25-30ish, and desserts were $14-15. We went for a birthday dinner with reservations for three. We were seated at high top seats at a window counter that accommodate four people. A single diner was already at the counter. We were never told our table request was placed at a high top table when making the reservation. This made an intimate birthday celebration a bit awkward in regards to conversation (not facing each other) and being seated uncomfortably (being squeezed together at a small counter). A good portion of seats at this restaurant are high top style and for this reason it is important to let guests know when making reservations over the phone that they may be seated at high top tables or counters. The reason I am making such a fuss over this is that two of the three of us cannot comfortably sit at high top seats. There was no option to wait for a table because they were completely booked for the evening so we took this seating option. Our reservation was at 7 PM and the dining room was fairly noisy at that time. As the evening progressed it became exceptionally loud to the point where we couldn't have a good conversation without yelling and continuously saying "what?" Would I go again? Yes as the food was delicious but next time I'll make sure my reservation request is for a regular table and I'll bring earplugs.

Peggy J.

Yelp
We are so lucky to have this level of gourmet in our small town! From the creative cocktails, to the amazing details in each dish. The service is impeccable, timing each small plate course to arrive hot and ready now. The chef stopped by the table, interested in the feedback we provided. We ordered the bread, like a croissant mini loaf of bread with Midwest inspired ranch butter, followed by the asparagus - perfectly Al dente with a flavorful delicate sauce, soft shell crab (better than any I've had in Maryland), the fried chicken-thigh and drumstick, and finally, the halibut (so delicate and melt in your mouth), and galette-a light crusty French pocket like a quiche-so delicious! Portion sizes are perfect to share so you can try all the dishes you want. Each is awe inspiring! If you appreciate expertly prepared food and bar, delivered by a knowledgeable, professional and friendly staff, you will enjoy Modern Bird!
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Laura S.

Yelp
Wow. Just wow. An outstanding meal. The food was all phenomenal - unique flavor combinations and so fresh. Save room for dessert - the desserts were as delicious as the dinner items! The service was also wonderful. What a gem of a restaurant.

Josh W.

Yelp
This place was absolutely exceptional. Between the diverse range of food, overall flavors and service it couldn't have been a better experience. Having eaten at every possible quality restaurant in the area Modern Bird is easily one of the top if not overall top restaurant in the area.
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Sam S.

Yelp
This place was amazing! The staff was great, but more importantly, the food was amazing. I had the fried chicken - nice and juicy. But the star of the show was the asparagus (ramp top caesar, anchovies, pickled lemon). I love ramps, so that was amazing, but I've never had anchovies before. They were served whole, so I thought I could just remove them if need be. I ate every bite - the flavors with everything else melded together wonderfully.
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Greg L.

Yelp
One of the best meals in town. All courses were excellent. Fried chicken a must have app.
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Mimi M.

Yelp
What a great new TC restaurant! Every dish we had was excellent, with interesting flavors, high quality ingredients, and impeccable preparation and presentation. Both the meat and veggie dishes impressed - the venison was the best I've ever had (not gamey at all). This place is run really well with high attention to detail. Modern fine dining at its best!
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Barbara H.

Yelp
Great food, great service. Sit at the counter and watch your food being made! Fresh local food made by a very staff. We had the ramp/asparagus, the soft shell crab with polenta which was not too spicy, nicely balanced. The big hit was the halibut, perfectly cooked, full of textures. My husband raved about it. He is a very picky fish eater. Finished with the house made key lime pie, delicious!
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Tony D.

Yelp
This place is a refreshing change to the many restaurants in the area. Creative menu and good flavors, skilled informed staff tend to your needs. The place is very clean and cool music playing in the background!

Maggie C.

Yelp
My husband and I and another couple sat at the bar for dinner and were so impressed with the food and cocktails that we had!! The service was excellent and the presentation of every dish was beautiful. Every bite was delicious and the cocktails were awesome, too. Modern Bird will definitely be on our list of places to go to again when we are back in Traverse City!

Pat S.

Yelp
This is a truly great restaurant. The plates are small, but exquisitely crafted. In fact, we ordered another loaf of bread at the end of the meal to mop up all the delicious sauces. The staff is super friendly and the food is extraordinarily good.. Don't come in thinking, cheesecake, factory amounts of food... Think of tapas and specially crafted plates of food!

Liz S.

Yelp
The food was absolutely delicious. The presentation is Instagram worthy. They provide the little extras of service make this feel 5 star such as replacing it silverware between courses, clearing the crumbs, etc. I'll definitely come back next time I'm in town! Highly recommended!

Sabrina A.

Yelp
I travel a lot and like to try out locally owned restaurants. This place had good reviews, so I checked it out and was not disappointed. The menu was unique and the staff were very friendly! I had the Galette and it was very good! If you are looking for something a little different but delicious, this is your place!

Paul M.

Yelp
Amazing food, outstanding service, great great drinks. Best rest. dining experience in TC in 35 years!

elizabeth c.

Yelp
We had an absolutely fantastic dinner here last night. Definitely the best meal we've had in Northern Michigan all summer! The vibe has a nice energy and is super welcoming. The cocktails were impeccably prepared (Paloma, old fashioned). Every dish - I think we tried 8 things? - was composed in an interesting way and features really fresh, hyper local produce. And the bread - something like a cheese croissant with a hint of tang? - was really out of this world. Our server was poised and warm and super capable. Really can't recommend this spot enough!!

Becki B.

Yelp
This restaurant has never dissapointed me. Food is exceptional-interesting and tasty. Menu changes with seasons. Service is friendly and professional. The Walleye was perfect..and the pumpkin pie...suggest u try it!!