Pink Pony

This place is a classic tourist trap but is good for what it is. We came for lunch, we were not provided the option to sit with a view of the lake so for us this was just a normal restaurant experience. I ordered the whitefish dip. It was OK but somewhat fishier than other ones I’ve tried. The pita chips were crunchy and yummy. The French dip I ordered with caramelized onions and mushrooms. I wouldn’t do that upgrade again. The French dip was good and had a lot of meat but nothing to write home about. Upgraded to fries cost $4. Beers range from $11-13 and cocktails $20-$30, I would not order alcohol here unless you’re ok with those prices. Our server was a bit standoffish and efficient but not very friendly. Overall, I likely wouldn’t come back and would try a different restaurant but there is nothing wrong per se with this restaurant. It’s just very mid.

Was highly recommended this place for lunch or dinner when we went to the island and it didn't disappoint. The drinks were strong and delicious and the food was great. We got the flatbread appetizier, a salad with goat cheese and apples, and the whitefish tacos. Our waiter (sadly I can't remember his name now) was amazing and hilarious. We got to sit outside on the back patio near the water. It was a relaxing lunch with delicious foods and drinks. Highly recommend.

The Pink Pony is such an iconic spot! My mom kept telling me I had to go, and now I can see why! The place was packed, and we had to wait a little over an hour for a table, but it was worth it. We just shopped around until we got the text that our table was ready. We were seated outside right by the water, and the view was incredible. Everything was clean, the music was great, and the staff was super friendly. The atmosphere was lively and fun—everyone around us seemed to be having a great time. For food, we ordered the fish tacos and the whitefish sandwich, and both were delicious! The sweet potato fries were the real standout, though—so good. The only downside is that they never played Pink Pony Club while we were there, which would’ve been the cherry on top! Lol Overall, this place lived up to the hype and then some. I would absolutely come back next time I’m on Mackinac Island!

Cool atmosphere and good drinks, but food was disappointing for the price - came at exactly 11:30 (start of lunch) and had them add me to waitlist which was about 35min. Good: They got us outside on the deck and the server Harry was polite and quick. My wife tried the Rum Runner (frozen which she wasn’t expecting) and dirty martini - both good. Kids liked the kids meals and the French onion soup was good as well. Mid: Tacos were good and matched what the other peoples pictures showed but sat under heat lamp too long and the tortillas were hard and stiff. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt since it was busy and other people seemed to have good luck with it. Bad: My $21 Prime Rib French dip was not Prime rib (see picture) and on par with the Arby’s version for flavor. I was so looking forward to some nicely slice ribeye on there. This is a wild price for this level of sandwich - would not order. Overall it wasn’t bad, but I would choose a different spot next time and recommend against the roast beef sandwich.

It was the best prepared food and best service that we have had in a long time. The Prime Rib, vegetables, and mashed potatoes were all fabulous. My wife had Beer Battered Whitefish which was great. The harbor view was beautiful. The service was terrific. Food came out very quickly. This place is VERY well managed. Thank you, Pink Pony, for a terrific dinner.

We chose here to eat outside on the enclosed deck. We were apprehensive at first as it was the day before the Grand Hotel shuts down for the season and was a bit chilly out. To our pleasant surprise they had several pyramid outdoor heaters that kept the area toasty and still enjoy the fall colors! The food was even better than the last time we ate here. The white fish sandwich hit the spot!!! Very glad we made the decision to stop here and eat.

The Pink Pony is a must stop when on the island. A fun, eclectic atmosphere with great food, drinks, and more. We loved sitting in our booth streetside. Great for people watching! The Patty melt with sweet potato fries was a great choice for lunch. Came back on day 2 and the beet salad was fantastic. Best pulled pork sandwich I’ve had!

Outstanding experience from start to finish! From the friendly service at the bar while waiting for a table to the delicious meal, drinks, and excellent service from Cory, everything was perfect. The broiled whitefish was moist and cooked to perfection. My husband loved his whitefish and chips, and the rum runners with a rum floater were outstanding! We highly recommend this restaurant

One of my favorite spots on the island! Great food, great views, amazing drinks! Pink Pony is probably the most popular restaurant on the island and for good reason! The staff here has always been hard working, friendly, and so helpful. I've been here for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a late bite to eat as well. I haven't had a bad meal. My favorite meal is the chicken riggies pasta (minus mushroom) So delicious! My boyfriend loves their boursin stuffed chicken. The rum runner is their most popular drink and for good reason! Stop in during the evening for live music and fun! Can't wait until next year!

So much hype and it's not apparent why. The Pink Pony is a fairly large establishment that includes an extremely overpriced gift shop even accounting for the need for the shipping, a bar area, a dining room and an upstairs dining room that is fairly expansive. The beet salad was earthy as you'd imagine and tasted fresh. The French Onion soup needs some love. There was no cheese pull cause it all came off in 1 big glob. It wasn't really oniony and was more salty. The croutons which were big hunks of bread were just absorbing all the liquid so I could squeeze it out a/my spoon. My order and my girlfriend's orders were not quite right. We both sent them back and they were immediately corrected. My girlfriends indicated that the drinks were really good. Loved sitting upstairs on the covered area - it's a great view.

We love the Pink Pony, However $19 whitefish dip has changed and it was so-so and definitely not worth the $19. This is my absolute favourite dish and the last two times I have ordered it (2023 & 2024) it just was not the same. The rest of the food coming out of the kitchen looked scrumptious.

The party starts at Pink Pony on Mackinac Island. Great vibes with live music, plenty of seating (though a lot easier for a party of 2), and service was excellent.

Vibe and views were a 5/5, as was the service. Unfortunately Pink Pony was our introduction to how criminally overpriced Mackinac Island food is. The rum runners were great. Were they worth $16 ($18 to add a shot)? Not particularly. I will say, the portion sizes were generous. We arrived before they were officially serving dinner and ordered the whitefish dip and apple salad. They were good, but I was aghast that our bill + tip was nearly $90 for just two drinks and two appetizers. Sticker shock is a typical Mackinac experience, so I wouldn't discourage anyone from going here - especially if you want a fun patio experience.

Stopped in while I was in town and sat at the bar (first come, first serve!) for a late lunch. The food was good & drinks were strong: *Tacos (choose from fresh Great Lakes pan seared whitefish or tempura battered shrimp tacos. Served with a house slaw, ginger dressing, and spicy avocado aioli layered in three flour tortillas. Served with fresh house-made salsa and tortilla chips) -- I picked the pan seared whitefish and it was delish (no fishiness, good flavor)! I also subbed the tortilla chips for the roasted beet salad! *Famous Island Rum Runner (Specialty blend of premium rums & tropical juices. Even better with a Myer's Dark, Captain Morgan Pineapple or Malibu Rum floater!): Boooozy even without the floater!! So a good value! I'll definitely be back when I'm in town & make a rezzie!

Went here in October for dinner. We were told the wait was going to be about 45 mins, but it was actually 10! Service overall was very quick. They have a pretty decent menu selection and some seasonal dishes and drinks. Overall it was very tasty! We sat on the patio near the water. Super good views, and they had heaters for when it got a little chilly at night. Overall super nice and would eat here again!

The outside bar was absolutely terrible, the setting was beautiful. We sat down on a Saturday afternoon , there were two bartenders there . The woman bartender literally looked at us. Cleaned the spot in front of us but never said a single word to us . Ever. Thanks for ignoring us. We were super close to walking out and then the guy came over and apologized for the wait and we ordered a beer. Suffice to say we won't be coming back to this bar

It's decent. The branding is thoughtful, the restaurant is situated in a nice area, the staff are nice, but the food is beyond underwhelming. The wait for a party of 2 around 7PM on a Sunday was roughly 45 minutes. The restaurant is pretty spacious, the ambiance is lively, there's live music later into the night, and theres a patio that overlooks the ocean. It's lovely. Pan Fried Calamari ($20) // (3/5) It's forgettable. It could've been crispier and while the calamari tasted fresh, it was overall just okay. Tacos ($21) // (1/5) I got the battered shrimp tacos. It came with 3 tacos, salsa, and chips. I've never had such bland and flavorless tacos in my life. The salsa had a singular note of tomato and was too watery. The chips were stale. The chips and salsa at the supermarket taste better. Beer Battered Whitefish & Chips ($29) // (4/5) These were really good. The whitefish was soooo crispy and the housemade tartar sauce is amazing. Rum Runner ($16-18?) // (4/5) It's good and really refreshing on a hot day. It had me hella blasted but I'm not sure if it's because of the alcohol or because I was running on two hours of sleep. Anyway, it tastes good and not too sweet. My only complaint is that there is zero transparency with prices on the drinks menus (it's literally not there!).

My favorite meal that I had in Mackinac Island!The whitefish sandwich was perfect. The ambiance in there is so fun, and the staff was so sweet. Wait time on a Saturday around 1pm was about an hour and a half, but they were able to accommodate my partner and I in quickly! Next time I'm on the island I will definitely be back.

This was probably the best meal I had on a recent Michigan trip. Beautiful views waterside at the docks watching the ferry's come in and out and a good selection of beers and cocktails. The concord crush was a nice twist on a gin mule and the strawberry elderflower aperol spritz also was delightful. The smoke whitefish dip was delicious and honestly an unexpected treat in that it was hot with most Florida fish spreads being chilled. We paired that with the French onion soup and half sandwich of turkey. The soup was pretty decent and fresh with a rich flavor full beef broth and topped with a crisp caramelized cheese. Not bad sandwich. It was very picnic-esk with home made chips. 5/5 would recommend to a friend for some beautiful bayside dining

Pink Pony is one of the more unique restaurants on Mackinac Island. The restaurant is a part of the Chippewa Hotel, but has its own entrance on Main St. The patio offers views of the harbor where the ferries dock. The interior contains two different dining rooms. One room features the fun and bubbly main bar, where the "pink" and "pony" themes are comically evident. The other room is attached to the hotel lobby, and its look aligns more with the hotel's than the main bar's. Pink Pony's claim to fame is its rum runner. It's a great drink on its own, but I recommend adding a shot of dark rum. Overall, the food is satisfactory, but nothing to write home about. The pretzels sticks appetizer is decent, but I prefer the pony wings. As for the entrees, I've tried the burger, French dip, and whitefish tacos. Out of those, the tacos are the best option. This is easily my favorite bar on the island, as the atmosphere and cocktails make it one of a kind.

Excellent food, beverages and service! We saw a Tik Tok video about The Pink Pony... we arrived and had dinner here. Sir Winston was our server and suggested the Whitefish and Prime Rib... I had to try the signature Famous Island Rum Runner... even on 18 October with warm 63 degree temperatures... had to do it. All good! Enjoy!

Very busy Thursday! Seems a lot of folks are on the island- great weather! Restaurant has like 1 hour wait but worth it! One Pony Burger and Fish Tacos to order! Happy Dining!

This is a very popular lunch restaurant on Mackinac Island so as soon as 11am hits, make sure you are in line to make reservations since they won't take them sooner. Probably a good practice when dealing with vacationers who are on their own "island time". We were sat in the bar side this visit. We didn't want to be outside because it was a cool day and for some reason they didn't seat us in the restaurant side. I didn't like the bar side - despite all the pink accents and ceiling, it's dark and dingy. The restaurant side is bright and clean looking. This did not ruin my dining experience because we were there for the food. Our server was great - she's a summer worker, as most are, and she was cheerful and accommodating. I ordered the Brie and Apple Flatbread and the Michigan Salad (half size portion and without onions). The flatbread also has arugula and honey drizzled on top. The combined tastes are really amazing - 10/10! The salad has a light vinaigrette already on it and it's very light so it didn't weigh the salad down - it complimented the apples, walnuts, and goat cheese tastes nicely. I would have enjoyed more goat cheese Hubby ordered the French Onion Soup and the BBQ pulled pork sandwich. The soup was really good with an awesome cheese pull (see pic) and the sandwich was very good - served with homemade chips. The food is fresh and the service is excellent - we will return here on our next visit to the Island!

A beautiful dining area, spacious and very clean. Our waitress, Lauren is very knowledgeable of the menu and is able to provide information of menu items that area gluten free. I ordered the white fish sandwich and it was perfectly cooked. My party also ordered the big pony hamburger and it was cooked as ordered, and the gluten free chicken BLT which she thought was prepared perfectly. Lauren checked on us frequently and I will add, I recommend for gluten free or not. Excellent eating experience.

Gotta try one of the most popular spots on the island for lunch. They don't accept reservations just walk in. They were busy, we were told 30 min wait but got called just merely after 5 mins! -Whitefish sandwich was excellent! Cooked perfectly. -Shrimp tacos were tasty and fresh. -Michigan salad was refreshing and the salmon was flaky and lightly seasoned. Service was quick and friendly. Would love to be back. Happy tummy!

We arrived a little early, but were seated as soon as they opened. The waitstaff were really pleasant and attentive. The restaurant is beautiful and has large windows overlooking the lake. My daughter had the Breakfast Combo and loved it. I had my first skillet, Mackinac Country Skillet, and it was amazing. Our food came out piping hot and the portions are huge, come with an appetite. It was our first time on the island and this breakfast was a great way to kickstart our day. I highly recommend giving them a try.

Amazing experience! We were on the island on a busy Friday afternoon and we'd planned to have lunch at the Pick Pony. We put our name in for a table and sat at the bar and had a drink while we waited. Jake was our bartender. He was super nice and quite the mixologist. We were seated at a booth in about 10 minutes and a moment later, Omar, our waiter stopped by to greet us. We shared the following for lunch: - Smoked Whitefish Dip - Apple and Goat Cheese side salad - Patty Melt sandwich with homemade chips All of the food was amazing and while we shared these dishes, it was still too much. Great service and great food. We'd eat here again.

Fabulous food, fabulous service! Starting with Aliesha, the hostess with the mostest. Aliesha was so friendly and made us feel right at home. We didn't have a reservation and were worried we wouldn't get a table for dinner as we arrived at prime dinner time. Next, our server Duwayne was equally impressive. He was friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, and gave excellent recommendations from all sections, including the nightly specials. Duwayne took our drink order and came back shortly after serving our drinks to check in, allowing us time to review the menu. We both ordered the filet tips and wild mushroom risotto, which were absolutely delicious! There's a nice view on the upper deck if you can sit outside. ---

We had a nice lunch - the food was fine - a bit overpriced as you would expect on Mackinac Island. We liked the vibe - would have liked to sit outside but there was an hour and a half wait at 11:15 in the morning.

Our first day one Mackinac island we came here for lunch, and surprisingly only had a 15 min wait. We sat outside which was so pretty! We got fries as an appetizer- both regular and sweet potato, and we liked them a lot. I got a classic pink pony burger with nothing on it and it was so yummy! I tried my dad's prime rib French dip and it was so flavorful and really good! Would come back!

We were at Mackinac Island and went to the pink pony. They have a great reputation and I can see why. The food was outstanding along with the service in the ambience. Will be coming back through here in about a month plan to stop again. If you haven't tried it I highly recommend that you do. The old guy

My mom and I had a really great dinner - with drinks - here. The staff were patient and helpful, as we weren't sure which end was up, so to speak. Our waitress made sure my mom understood the drink she ordered was a 'sleeper' though my mom drank so slow, along with the delicious food we had, that it wasn't an issue. It was busy and so the tables were poppin' and I would happily return for the vibe and the food!

We had a large group and the staff was so accommodating! The food and drinks were 5 stars as always. Love the classiness of Pink Pony! Hannah behind the bar was outstanding!!

Definitely a popular place right along Main Street on the water. We put our name on the list (Tuesday at 5:30 pm) and there was a 40 minute wait. Luckily, they text you and we were able to shop and walk around while waiting which worked nicely. We were able to sit outside on the mid upper deck. The service was good and helpful. We split the Thai salad (good, but needed some extra dressing) and beer battered fish and chips (good but the fish still had some skin on it, which is not my preference). I had the cosmo (boozy) and my mom had the non-alcoholic spritz which was nice. We didn't stay for the live entertainment, but I can tell it's a fun vibe inside. Maybe next time.

The Pink Pony is an island staple for us. They (Brian) run a great operation here. Well trained staff that clearly understands hospitality. The dinner menu is excellent. We had a fairly large group and enjoy the Pony everytime whether in the bar, the patio or the dining room.

We came here because everyone says it's a must. First off their rum runner is supposed to be the drink of the island. It kinda fell flat for us, we were not impressed. My prime rib dinner was very good, besides the veggies those weren't seasoned very well. My boyfriend had the veggie burger and didn't really care for it. There's probably better on the island.

Awesome ambiance. Super chill. Good was slightly above average fare - service was outstanding Just a relaxing Andy fun restaurant connected to the hotel. We will be back!

We love coming here! The rum runner with floater is a must get! The food is always good. I got the French dip and my wife got the fish tacos and both were tasty. The white fish dip was perfect. Can't beat the views outside or the great music/atmosphere inside. Don't come around 4p or you may be limited to the appetizer menu as they're switching from lunch to dinner. Service is always incredible. Our bar tender offered to get his personal supply of "tums" for our heartburn. So kind!

We ordered the Smoked Whitefish dip, French Onion soup and the Prime Rib French Dip sandwich with Sweet Potato fries. Everything was DELICIOUS! The sweet potato fries had a light sprinkle of cinnamon sugar so that was new for me. We were seated outside by the water on the second floor. Such a beautiful view. Our server was kind and welcoming.

The Pink Pony has a fun ambiance with a cool bar, pink chairs and pink benches out front, and both indoor and outdoor seating on the waterfront. I loved the whitefish tacos (the kale was a nice touch) and my husband devoured his fish and chips. The service was pleasant and fast. They don't take reservations and it's a bit pricey, otherwise I would give it 5 stars.

Great food, great service and great ambience! Big portion size and very tasty! Open later at night as well.

I had an amazing experience at Pink Pony. Stopped into Pink Pony for lunch, and it was the best decision to sit at the bar. I'm usually not one to dine alone, but the bartenders Matt and I can't remember the other one were amazing. Great conversationalist while keeping up with everyone at the bar in a timely manner. I ordered the PInk Pony cocktail, and it was delicious. Very refreshing taste to it. I love a good fruity cocktail. But let's get to why I loved this place so much. Besides the cute decor of the quaint place. They also have an outdoor patio area if you choose to dine outside. I absolutely loved their white fish tacos. Every bite my mouth was heaven. The fish was fresh, and the combination in the tacos just made it a great experience in my mouth. Pink Pony is a must visit when you're on the island.

Great spot on the island. We sat at the outside bar. Nice views. Great food and service. Definitely recommend!!!

A legendary place to go on Mackinaw Island. Great patios and good food. Highly recommend the calamari. Rum Runners cost about $16 which seems a bit high for a slushie. Everyone should go here at least once.

We had the best experience at the Pink Pony during our first-ever trip to Mackinac Island! This place gets busyyy, so we opted to go during a less crazier time between lunch & dinner. Although we were told we would have to wait 20 minutes, it took about 5 minutes to receive the test that our outside table for 2 was ready. We sat out on the patio which has a great view of the water. The weather was perfect, so it was an ideal set-up. My husband and I each ordered a rum runner with a floater to start...if you want to feel GOOD then order this - you will not have a care in the world afterwards haha it was much stronger than we thought it would be. For an appetizer, we ordered the Smoked Whitefish Dip (delicious and a large portion!) and for entrees, we got the Michigan Apple & Goat Cheese Salad w/ Salmon and the Prime Rib French Dip. Everything was so good and we were so full by the end of it all. Truly a great spot!

This place is cute. It's a nice ambience and it's got plenty of fun colors. The whole place is on that east coast/ vineyard vines decor and it honestly works for the place The only reason I give it 4 stars is that the food was very mid. The drinks tasted great and the staff was super nice. Loved the way the place was, so we even bought some merchandise at their store.

Amazing food & awesome bar staff! The white fish tacos were out of this world & the views are spectacular! If you time it right, there's daily live music at well. Highly recommend!

The best view, good vibes and great drinks! Came for a drink and liked it so much that we went back for dinner, glad we did. Boursin chicken was especially good. Thanks Pink Pony; we'll be back in the summer. It's beautiful in the fall but now I need to visit when it's warm too!

Our experience at the Pink Pony restaurant was one of a kind, the wait was a bit long I'm not going to lie but it was worth it, we understand that they don't take reservations and it's a really busy place therefore we didn't mind waiting (we knew that already) the service and ambience was warm and welcoming, service really does appreciate and treat you with kindness and always with a smile. Food was delicious and the view of the outdoor seating was one we would never forget. I highly recommend this place for a good time and dinner. Thanks much

While visiting the Mackinac Island and staying at the Grand Hotel, one of the guests recommended we stop at the Pink Pony for lunch. It was fantastic! Visiting here from Texas, we loved the weather (in Texas, it's over 100 degrees). There was a bit of wait because it's so popular but the wait was well worth it. The restaurant is on the water and we sat on the upper deck. The view was amazing and the food and the service made our experience over the top! Sienna was our waitress and she was awesome! She was friendly, informative and made us feel right at home. We highly recommend everyone checking out this place! You won't be disappointed!

Perfect service, delightful food, presentation was excellent! We sat on the patio and loved the decor

Iconic spot to eat outside on the patio. Food is pretty good, a bit pricey, but everything on the island is. Put your name in early and expect to wait 45 mins or longer. Omar was our server, he was excellent!! Was so professional and knowledgeable about the menu and food. Fish(whitefish or fried shrimp) tacos were super good. We also got the whitefish dip as an appetizer, it was pretty good. Overall recommend if sitting on the patio for the full experience

Wow! I had been recommended Pink Pony before but figured it would be typical tourist-area food... you know, everything from Sysco... But this was amazing! The cocktails were superb and the food was delicious! Better than I've had anywhere in northern Michigan. I will make this place a must-stop every time I'm on the island!

This is a 4.5 star review. My husband summed up our visit perfectly- I am not sad about this choice. We asked for patio seating and it was very nice. Our server Omar was top notch. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. The patio was open with great views and not crowded even though every table was kept seated. Our party consisted of my husband and I and our 3 teenagers who were hot, hangry, and irritable. The Pink Pony worked some magic and they all left better than they came. We ordered drinks (sodas for everyone else and a Pink Pony Punch for me). Note on the Pink Pony Punch - it tasted great and not very alcoholy - it was a deceitful taste and I was feeling it before I finished it - even with food. Appetizers: soft pretzel sticks and margarita flatbread. I didn't get a picture of the soft pretzel sticks because they were gone so fast. The flatbread was delicious and flavorful. For lunch entrees we had 2 prime rib dip, a Santa Fe chicken wrap (me), classic pony burger, and a kids grilled cheese. The burger got two thumbs up from my daughter. She went with the handmade potato chips and we both agreed they were crispy and not greasy. My husband and son both enjoyed their prime rib dip. My son said it could have used a bit more flavor on the meat but he would happily eat it again. My daughter said her grilled cheese was a little above average. This is high praise. My wrap was very good. All of the ingredients were fresh and proportioned perfectly. The chips and salsa were a nice touch with my meal. I don't think you can go wrong here.

We had a fabulous dinner at the Pink Pony. The whitefish appetizer was amazing! I loved my salad and by husband loved the prime rib. It was a great atmosphere.

We went here for dinner one night on our Mackinac Island vacation and then went back for cocktails and live music another night. The dinner was fantastic. We sat outside on the patio overlooking the water, and the view was absolutely gorgeous. The whole vibe of the restaurant is very fun. Most of the specialty cocktails are pink, and there are pink ponies everywhere. I got the Boursin Stuffed Chicken, and it was delicious. When we went back for drinks and live music later, I started with the Tequila New Fashioned and then got a lemon drop martini. Both were good and strong. The live music was very fun. It was just an old man and his guitar on stage behind the bar. He didn't seem to mind us poorly singing along. It was overall a great time. I would highly recommend the Pink Pony for a meal or nighttime fun.

I ordered the royal burger and my wife got the French dip. Both were so delicious and worth the wait. We sat on the back upper deck. The atmosphere was awesome. The waiter was very friendly and made sure we were taken care of.