The Riverside Inn

Fine dining restaurant · Leland

The Riverside Inn

Fine dining restaurant · Leland

2

302 E River St, Leland, MI 49654

Photos

The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null
The Riverside Inn by null

Highlights

Riverside hotel offering individually decorated rooms with period decor, plus a chic restaurant. This storied, riverside hotel sits in Downtown, a 5-minute walk from sandy Lake Michigan beaches and Manitou Island ferries. It's also a 32-minute drive from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Traverse City. The 4 airy rooms feature period decor, plus Oriental rugs, en suite bathrooms and Wi-Fi access. There's stair-access only. There are no TVs. The sophisticated restaurant features a patio with river views and serves dinner, as well as Sunday brunch. There's also a bar. Children age 10 and older are welcome.  

Featured in Eater
Placeholder

302 E River St, Leland, MI 49654 Get directions

theriversideinn.com
@riversideleland

$$$

Reserve

Information

Static Map

302 E River St, Leland, MI 49654 Get directions

+1 231 256 9971
theriversideinn.com
@riversideleland

$$$

Reserve

Features

payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations
wifi
outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 12, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@eater

"This 120-year-old inn and restaurant in Leland has seen it all in recent years — a jaw dropping remodel, a kitchen fire, and — a few years back — an ownership change. Leelanau locals were rightly nervous when one of the region’s most beloved restaurants changed hands, but over the past few seasons “the Riv’s” new team has proven that the future of this longstanding jewel is as bright as ever. Under the direction of Executive Chef Jeff Gong, a seasonal menu includes hits such as yellow tail  crudo with pea shoots and cured ramps or house made campanelle pasta with morel butter. For special occasions book a table on the porch, or ask to be seated on the more informal but newly refurbished side patio — both of which overlook the Leland River." - Stacey Brugeman

17 Great Waterfront Restaurants in Northern Michigan
View Postcard for The Riverside Inn
@eater

"Initially, the Riverside Inn, a pillar of Leelanau County, opened its dining room at the beginning of the summer, but the restaurant ultimately shut it down in favor of the restaurant’s outdoor deck, patio, and lawn." - Stacey Brugeman

Despite COVID-19, Northern Michigan Restaurants Broke Records During Summer 2020 - Eater Detroit
View Postcard for The Riverside Inn

Paul Borucki

Google
The perfect getaway. Amazingly cozy, only 5 guest rooms, but loaded with charm. Incredible restaurant on site but only open from Wednesday to the weekend. Just a block from "downtown" Leland and the water front. To us, the bonus of no TV and no phones in the rooms added to the old world charm. Highly recommended and we will go back. Sorry the photos are from the shore that is a block away.

jennifer younger

Google
Overall, the Inn was wonderful. Great location. Room was small. I wished for a second luggage rack. The walk-in shower was terrific. Although as the staff mentioned, there are good restaurants in easy walking distance for breakfast, I would have loved the option for breakfast at the hotel. Dinner there was excellent - the best in town.

Andrew Leonard

Google
Wife and I visited while Oma and Opa watched our kids. Everything… I mean…everything was top notch, but service won the day. Our waitress, after an amazing meal brought us a glass of wine on the house with our check (great strategy for tipping 🙃😉) and recommended we enjoy it on their dock. Which we did….after we gave her a beautiful tip. Can’t wait to come back.

Ann Ryan

Google
We were in town from out of state for our daughter's engagement celebration. We made reservations with an online app. When we arrived, the male manager said we did not have a reservation. He said they never take reservations after 8. He then looked it up under the phone number and found it. He was visibly upset with us and said we would have to order very quickly. He was very rude, which was unfortunate because we were all looking forward to the celebration. Luckily, we got Sue as our waitress. She was amazing! She turned everything around! The food was good but Sue was the star of the night! Thank you, Sue, for turning a bad experience into a fantastic evening!

Jen Phillips Kirkwood

Google
My celebrated my daughters birthday and were greeted by the host/ DR manager who were terribly rude. We were seated and the ambiance is lovely but the server and food- worthless and bland & terribly overpriced! I was so upset by how rude the server (Katie) was- she couldnt recommend meals, talk about specials, recommend desserts- nothing. i thought maybe she was just new but she greeted other tables clearly known locals, she had enthusiasm, knowledge and it was obvious, a family of 4 adults not known to them, was not welcome. (BTW the place was nearly empty). The menu was incredibly limited. Things you see online are not on the menu. Two desserts - no cake. No good selection of salads and very limited overall. The prime was 85 and steak 56, Chicken- plain- about 47. Sides of carrots were 16$ a piece and indible due to the heavy pepper or inappropriate spice use. (and we normally love spice!). The food took forever and staff could be seen screwing around in the kitchen, loud, pinching each other. Bread was 7$ for three pieces and no ability to add one slice for our fourth family member without ordering another order. (Really?) We are huge foodies and travel the world enjoying fine dining. I love special places and was hoping this was it. What a waste. My daughter on her bday, was so terribly sad since it really made all of us feel, unwanted.

Dan Bachman

Google
Such an amazing time! We had our wedding ceremony nearby and decided to stay the weekend at Riverside Inn. We also had our dinner there. Colleen and Sue were great and I highly recommend to anyone considering a visit. We’ll be back!!

Kelly DeMoss

Google
Kiki Flees is the Best! The staff and management as well. We look forward to our Anniversary Celebration every year at Riverside Inn and we live this special place! ❤️

Hally Malott

Google
Many open tables as we arrived, however we walked in and stood for 1-2 minutes at an open reception area while the hostess talked to another employee and ignored us. Asked for a table or bar seat and we were told they were full! No wait or suggestion just turned away as she wanted to close obviously close shop an hour before closing. Will never return due to rudeness.

Karen P.

Yelp
We have traveled for over 33 years and love the M-22 drive in Up North Michigan. We made a reservation at Leland Michigan's Riverside Inn's restaurant called "RIV." The bed and breakfast is a quaint, quiet place to stay. It has gone through many changes. The decor is pleasant. They are adding an outside Patio, right on Lake Leelaneau. This will be wonderful. My family has dined here over the past 30 years and was always great food. We never stayed at the Inn but it is beautiful. My daughter and I dined on a busy Saturday night on Memorial Day weekend 2024 and I was stuck in detours and Memorial Day traffic on Saturday. My daughter kept in touch and we ended up taking the last dining reservation for 8:30. The young hostess was very accommodating and pleasant. We ordered a glass of house wine and it was decent. We split a "Caesar" salad which was delicious and very fresh but I have never had a Caesar salad with grape tomatoes? It was delicious. We both ordered the grilled fresh Lake Trout, which was a very large portion of trout. I believe the trout was grilled with olive oil , butter, capers and and maybe anchovy for a wonderful taste? Umami? We should have split the trout entree because it was very large. All in all, a great meal, but would have appreciated a dinner roll or potatoes/vegetable, asparagus? This beautiful dish was lacking a side to compliment the fish. Price point was 2 glasses wine, Caesar salad and the two trout dishes were $100 plus we aded a 25% tip because our waitress was very good. Atmosphere: 10, service 10. Delicious fresh fish10. However, no bread, potatoes or vegetables 2. Definitely a restaurant to go in Leland, Michagan!

Art J.

Yelp
Was a 5 rating a year ago, now just average. Food quality and portions were disappointing. Maybe greedy owners are more concerned about profits than happy customers. We didn't buy drinks or stay for dessert, went to another place. Too bad, will look elsewhere for dining.

Barbara C.

Yelp
Service was good but food not so good. My beet salad didn't have any greens in it. The ribeye entree came without anything on the plate except the meat. The bowl of pasta was about 1/4 full. We left hungrey.

Thomas T.

Yelp
Not what it used to be. Total disappointment, server repeatedly forgot one of four drink orders and accidentally doubled another one. 45 minutes to get a cocktail to one in our party. It got worse from there, overly scripted and un-trained server, $65 steak special was literally 1/4" thick and served cold. I've loved this place for decades, really sad to see what it has become. I've had better service at the bowling alley in Northport.

abigail v.

Yelp
I'm not even sure where to start, because our evening here for dinner was so amazing! We were celebrating our anniversary weekend in Northern, MI and we're staying in Leland (our favorite place ever) on our last night. My boyfriend booked us dinner at The Riverside Inn, which we'd never been to before. The food and the service absolutely blew us away. The setting inside is romantic and welcoming, plus you can't beat dining right next to the river. We enjoyed delicious drinks, a few great martinis and signature cocktails. The seasonality and freshness of the menu is part of what drew us to dining there, and we sure are glad we did. We started with cauliflower as an appetizer and shared a wedge salad. The ramp ranch was to die for! Main entree was a pork chop with foie gras braised cabbage, bacon jam, and shishito peppers. I don't think there are even words to describe how fabulous it was! Just writing and thinking about it makes my mouth water. Perfectly balanced dishes when it comes to taste, portion, and presentation. After dinner we enjoyed a hummer ice cream dessert drink and an espresso each. If I could go every week, I would! It left us feeling happy and full and extremely excited to go back.

Mary Ellen W.

Yelp
Dined here while staying at the Inn. Ambiance is excellent. Very modern farmhouse. Felt at home. Staff is appropriately friendly. Menu is limited but selections prepared to perfection. Mussels were average. Chicken, perfect. Pork chop, tasty. Special. Evening. Come.

Sheryl R.

Yelp
The ambiance was nice. The food was ok, but service was terrible. The bartender was very rude. We assumed she was having a bad day, but we cut our visit short because of her. Maybe we will have a better experience next time.

Fonda S.

Yelp
My husband and I were so excited to go back to the Inn. We have had so many wonderful experiences and food through the years. First the good - the staff was great, our waitress was delightful. Now for the food - charcuterie was bland, octopus over done, halibut with calamari was over cooked and simply awful and my husband's steak was raw. Please improve!!!!!

Sopla R.

Yelp
Was so looking forward to this. Our room #2 didn't meet our expectation for the price point charged per night. $315. We are used to the little quirks of Inns and BNB's. However, even in London you can get a very nice accommodation for $315 a night right? It didn't occur to me to ask about what you don't see in the photos. I come from a F & B and hotel background so I'm surprised I missed it. In any case, there is zero storage save for a couple of hooks on the wall for clothing. The sink is not located in the bathroom it's a couple of feet from the bed. There's a tiny desk/simple chair which are cute enough but for 2 ppl? This room isn't big enough. I think it's better suited for one person. If you are an early riser? You have no place to sneak down to. Unless it's summer then you could go sit outside before the staff gets in at 9am then you can sit in the dining room that overlooks the river or the bar. But it's closed off before that we were told. And no oversized chair or nook even in the "lobby" so you'll make your coffee outside your room then you'll take it back to the room. You can hear people passing bc it's a very close quarters to the other rooms. Which is fine. Just making note of that if you are light sleeper. Also, steep staircase to the rooms didn't impact us. But just noting that. No porters were there when we arrived. Maybe ask if that's an issue for you? Lastly, the host never thanked us or asked us how was our stay when we left. Kinda not gracious. If this room was under $200? IMHO that's a far better realistic price point for this room. If you are unsure of the sink or storage in your room you are looking at online? You should call them to ask for the description prior to booking. There are larger rooms with dressers/storage and maybe even a comfortable chair to sit? Unsure of the sink location in the other rooms as we just peeked in when the doors were all open (not occupied) so just call prior and ask. The #2 room does have a nice view of the both the river and the dining room rooftop. Overall this Inn is charming but I can't say that room in particular is worth the $.

Dame R.

Yelp
We booked a meal at the riverside to celebrate a fiftieth birthday. We'd heard such great things about the venue but couldn't have been more disappointed. While the staff are very attentive and the decor delivers a premium restaurant vibe this is not worth the $$$$. I had the pork chop - it was a thin cut and dry/overcooked. The accompanying cabbage/polenta was overly acidic and lacking any of the complexity you'd expect in a $50 plate. The Otto chicken was bland and not even close to delivering on its premium price tag. Furthermore the portions are ridiculously small. We ordered the arancini balls (delicious but barely an amuse-bouche portion size). The panzanella salad, while tasty, was also very small (and expensive). I rarely write reviews but this was not even close to the premium experience we'd hoped for. Especially disappointing for a fiftieth celebration If you're looking for a fine dining experience go to la becasse or really anywhere else

Carol Z.

Yelp
Lovely atmosphere (soft lighting, white tablecloths, beautiful water view), elegant and delicious offerings on the menu - plus excellent service! Great "date night" spot. Nice cozy bar area too! Highly recommend!

Melainie M.

Yelp
Fine dining in Leland! People looking lovely in flowy dresses, bright blouses and collared shirts up north! Food is fantastic--high end and quality but approachable. And the new decor is beautiful. Very comfortable and lovely. Service is top notch to go with the food. Definitely worth a splurge night among the more casual options!

TY Y.

Yelp
A historic restaurant up the street from Leland Fish market docks, this was established in 1902. Highly recommend making reservations, a popular place for finer dining and quality service from a team of friendly and knowledgeable wait staff. The menu has a variety of fresh and interesting selections, from appetizers, main courses and yes suggest to check out their dessert menu. Many fresh seafood choices, plus both traditional and interesting meat selections, so from beef tenderloin to duck breast, venison or lamb as well as vegetarian and GFO options. They also have daily specials, so ask your server for anything off the menu, but beware it may have limited quantities, so don't be surprised if they run out. We also tried an Oregon Pinot Noir (Daffodil) recommended by our server that was excellent, unfiltered, smooth and easy to drink with any meal selection. I tried the Diver Scallops over a bed of fresh smoky, creamy corn - both flavorful. Scallops were prepared perfectly, seared golden and very tender to eat. Also tried a side of Brussels sprouts with bacon, again cooked to tenderness and very tasty. Others tried the beef tenderloin, sea bass, cauliflower steak and the tomato bisque which all looked great! Topping it off, we shared the chocolate Opera torte with a scoop of ice cream, and the Creme Broulee Cheesecake. Both were rich and just the right touch of sweetness, so a few spoonfuls was all I needed. This is definitely a nice restaurant to try when in the area. Enjoy!!

Lynn V.

Yelp
I read so many excellent reviews but i am sorry to say that this will not be one of them. From the mi Ute i walked in, i felt a dated vibe. The place needs a definite decor update. We ordered the charcuterie to start. The toast points were so crisp they broke when you spread on them. The cherries didn't really work since they weren't spreadable and the pork rilettes were tasteless. I ordered the salmon and it was over cooked and the polenta on which it sat was dry and co healed. My husband got the duck which was rubbery and hard to cut. I will say the homemade ice cream was very good but if i want waterside dining n this area, i am going back to The Boathouse!!

Gene K.

Yelp
This Restaurant is one of, if not the finest restaurant in the State of Michigan. Flavorful ingredients well and imaginatively prepared. The Chef at The Riverside Inn is a standout amongst Chef's. A true Master of her craft. Add to the wonderful dining experience is this lovely small Inn located in idyllic surroundings. Well worth the drive.

Miguel C.

Yelp
Came here for dinner while in town for a wedding. We were looking for a nice place to eat, and this is def that type of place. They market themselves as a fine dining locale and they do live up to that standard. Hostess was exceptionally polite and professional. Server was very nice, professional, well informed about the menu and wine. Tables were set well and excellent silver and glasses. The people and the place were great, but how about the food. Well--it was a bit disappointing. I had the pheasant and my lady had the lamb. Both were cooked perfectly and plated beautifully, but unfortunately didn't have the flavor we expected from it's look. It's for this reason we thought that the experience didn't justify the fine dining price we paid. Riverside Inn is a beautiful location right on the water with a great staff, but hopefully our dinner was an outlier in it's disappointing lack of flavor. I would consider stopping in again in the future to try something different.

Susan M.

Yelp
Happened into the Riverside. Warm greeting; great wine/cocktails. Enjoyed the scallops with fresh chips...perfection! Another lovely night in Leland!

Logan S.

Yelp
My wife and I have dined at the Riverside many times over our years in Leland, yet I've never written a review. However, after our meal last night during COVID times I felt compelled to do so. Our meal was phenomenal. Charcuterie starter to split (we have probably sampled 100 other charcuterie and cheese boards across the country and nothing holds a candle to the Riv's board), my wife had the Sea Bass and I the Filet. I would honestly say it was one of the best meals I've ever had there - and that's not just my post quarantine pallet talking. Our food was awesome! We sat at the bar (our favorite spot to eat there), had exceptional service from Aurelia, and met two other nice couples who were looking to buy property in the area. We were safely distanced, and the bar area (and whole restaurant) was constantly sanitized - but in no way was it a nuisance. We felt completely comfortable. So for anyone wondering if they should take a chance on dining out during these crazy times, 100% - I would highly recommend the Riv. We felt completely safe, the service was outstanding, and the food was divine.

Justin R.

Yelp
My wife and I ate there Memorial Day weekend 2021. The food and service were exceptional. The steak tartare was nicely prepared and well seasoned, but the accompanying sauce made the dish stand out. The charred avocado was subtle but stood out in the best ways possible. The entrees are where the meal really stood apart. I ordered the beef tenderloin, which was perfectly seasoned and cooked. It was one of the best prepared steaks I have had in recent years. Simply perfect which made the well prepared sides unnecessary. My wife ordered the scallop dinner, also seasoned and cooked exactly to our preference. The cocktails and desserts did not disappoint, nor did the service. If you are debating a Leelenau dining experience, look no further. If your dinner is anywhere closer to our experience, you'll be thinking about it for days after.

Dolores H.

Yelp
Excellent service. Delicious food and cocktails. Beautiful atmosphere. Highly recommend.

Todd M.

Yelp
I typically do not leave reviews, but our positive experience at this restaurant made it worth reviewing. We had the pleasure of going here shortly after its reopening from COVID restrictions. The restaurant was very clean and there were very organized social distancing mechanics in place. Everything from start to finish was amazing, from the tuna tartare and charcuterie board for apps. Then for the entrees, the sea bass and scallops were incredible. Our waitress, Olivia, was phenomenal. She was very helpful and did a wonderful job. She provided my wife and I with dessert and glasses of champagne on the house to celebrate my wife and I's honeymoon. We will absolutely be coming back next time we are in town and will recommend this place to everyone. Thank you for making our night special!

Gena W.

Yelp
One of our favorite Northern Michigan restaurants. Outstanding food, attentive service. Beautiful location.

Alex T.

Yelp
The next-door restaurant was closed for cleaning, which was a little odd to me, so my girlfriend and I decided to give this place a try. I went in blind, without much knowledge of what it was before going in. We were surprised to see such an upscale place in Leland, but rolled with it. The restaurant is very small, and has a cozy feel. We were instantly greeted by the waitstaff who was very informative. The menu was very small, which was what I had expected, and selections were diverse, with unique combinations that I had not seen before. Overall, the restaurant has a very old fashioned feel, but in a way that did not necessarily appeal to me. It definitely seems to cater to an older demographic, which we were not a part of. Regardless, my food was very tasty. Most people in the restaurant seemed satisfied, but there seemed to be a few other parties who originally had not planned to go to this restaurant like we had. Ultimately, this is a fine establishment with quality food and great service. However, it's not my cup of tea.

Rachel G.

Yelp
Yum. We love the Riverside Inn. Anything you get will be delicious. Ask your server for their recommendations - they have never disappointed me. Great drink menu too!

Rose T.

Yelp
Beautiful restaurant in beautiful Leland Michigan heavy touristy area and all the restaurants had 2-3 hour wait times. I entered the lobby area and was told they had 0 places to sit me and my husband. Sadly I left. The manager named Dillon actually ran out the door and caught me and said he could get us in!! WOW! Never has that ever happed to me. Since it is my 70th birthday I feel really special

Michael C.

Yelp
The Riverside is now open and as wonderful as ever! The Vilter Family had a tough year after the fire, but is back stronger than ever! Dinner for four this evening , with an intelligent, informed and friendly staff, led by Kate Vilter has done a couple of soft openings, as they try to capture the close to Labor Day crowds. The apps, salads, entrees and desserts are all as fresh and inventive as ever. Not too many suggestions to confuse, each course well presented and flavorful. The Northern Leelanau is blessed with some great dining, with The Riverside being at the top!

Laurence K.

Yelp
Came for dinner last night nice place overlooking water We first had cocktails mine being a brandy old fashion Which was good For our first course we had the smoked Gouda beer soup which was very good except it was a bit too thick almost seemed like they used flour or corn starch to thicken it up when it probably didn't need it . We also had the beet salad which was Julienned like Cole slaw. Problem With that you don't get the true flavor of the local beet its muddled and to make things worse it's over dressed so that's all you taste . The arugula salad was the best of the three but it too was over dressed with the vinaigrette . For the main course I had the whitefish special with Fiddleheads as they are in season The fish was perfectly cooked atop some hash brown type potatoes both excellent The other main courses were the pasta made from golden squash with peas I tasted this and thought it was very good , and the walleye which was also good . Jim Had the Berkshire pork chop which was suppose to be med well . It came out rare so he sent it back . So almost everyone is finished with there meals and his refire comes out and it's still way undercooked like now it's med rare. So he sent it back and said he's not hungry anymore. Bummer he didn't get an entree said he was ok But still that's disappointing . we didn't have desert . Food was good and our Server Kayla was excellent

Jenn A.

Yelp
For the price of the food this place was quite a disappointment. I ordered the halibut and both my mom and I agreed that it was very bland. They really could work on their wine selection as well. My mom sampled three different white wines and did not find one she liked--even the waitress admitted to not liking one of them. The red wine I ordered I wish I would of had them take it back as well. It tasted more like chemicals. My mom rarely sends back wine and I never have. My mom really enjoyed her scallops and the atmosphere is nice, hence the three star rating. For the kind of money you will spend, go somewhere else that's a real taste treat instead of just an up north small town restaurant masquerading as fine dining.

Nancy C.

Yelp
Unbelievable dining experience and outstanding top chef quality cooking. The tuna tartar was phenomenal. Scallops and beef tenderloin equally so. I mean the food was superb. Pricey but worth every penny. I did struggle with the $8.98 Covid charge on a $200 bill after paying $3.00 for a relatively small basket of bread. That was not cool. And it's the first restaurant I've seen do this and we eat out a lot. Regardless if you want an amazing dining experience this is your place. Same if you're a foodie.

Melinda S.

Yelp
This app s a difficult review to write. I gave it 3 stars because of the way they handled a very upsetting situation. Received a call the afternoon of check in. They had double booked and had to inform us there were no more rooms. Remedy- they booked us in another Inn. They offered us a gift card. I was upset to say the least. We declined the alternative inn because I wanted to stay here. Hope we can return some day to use the gift Card. Bad situation 08/10/18 update No gift card received.

Howard N.

Yelp
This is a really terrific restaurant with great food and great service. The wine list is extensive with lots of French and other international wines as well as U.S. Our server, Brady, was really really great which made the evening more enjoyable. Lamb and rib eye were really good. Good salads and good deserts. A little pricy, but worth it.

Jeff G.

Yelp
We had dinner at The Riverside Inn twice this fall. We enjoyed everything about it both times. The atmosphere is excellent. The staff was professional and helpful. The food was delicious. Bridget was our server both times. Bridget clearly takes pride in helping guests choose the items that will be just right for them. She made suggestions that helped make our experiences special.

Everett D.

Yelp
Dinner on June 23rd. Two appetizers. Started with Octopus Carpaccio. Dish probably could have been excellent. Paper thin slices of Octupus with large portion of Arugula on top . Oversalted. The delicate slices of Octupus could have been apples or onions or anything else. Rabbit ravioli was very good. Cream Puff for dessert. Cream Puff had been refrigerated resulting in very stale pastry. Nothing creates stale bread or pastry quicker than refrigeration.

Barb D.

Yelp
The location is perfect and the food definitely top notch. We started with Arancini. How to make risotto better? Fry it! The crispy shell and the cheese center all made better by the accompanying red sauce. My husband had salmon which was beautifully cooked - not over done. I had scallops over spring pea purée and potatoes. Again perfectly opaque in the middle and tender! Topped off dinner with cappuccino with a little Baileys. Whatever bean blend they use they need to continue because it was a beautiful way to end a good meal. The main dining room gets a little loud when full but not enough to distract from the meal experience. One not so good part was the margarita my husband ordered before dinner - not up to par - mostly sour mix and not at all what we expected given the level of the food itself. Clearly the best choice for dinner in downtown Leland!

Sylvia F.

Yelp
The food is terribly overpriced for the taste level. Pros - the atmosphere is lovely, looking out windows onto water. The waitress was wonderful, very knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive. The drink menu is stellar and the wines, also quite good, are very reasonably priced. Cons - the food is expensive, the portions small, which is somewhat okay as you expect it at this kind of place, it's about quality over quantity. But if I am going to pay $35 for a tiny entree, it had better taste fabulous, which ours didn't. My husband got the shrimp and scallops, which consisted of 3 of each on a bed of what seemed like canned tomatoes with a few white beans thrown in. Incredibly bland. I got the whitefish, which I kept salting before realizing was going to be flavorless no matter how much salt and pepper I put on it. The appetizers looked great, but were equally bland, and the crab cakes were actually one very little crab cake in the center of a plate. Meh. The salads were the only thing we felt worthy of note, they were quite fresh and tasty, but again, extremely small portions, even for this kind of place, and it's pretty much impossible to screw up a salad in this area of the country as there is so much fresh produce available in the summertime. My suggestion would be to visit their bar and enjoy one of their lovely and very reasonably priced cocktails before heading somewhere else for dinner.

Michael B.

Yelp
This if my favorite Restaraunt in Leland we had an excellent meal and Scott provided Superb service

Jenny Z.

Yelp
In a tourist town packed with overpriced standard fare, the Riverside Inn is a standout. In fact, it wouldn't matter where it was, the food here is always incredible. Located in a bed and breakfast, this place has been tempting my taste buds for about 10 years. We heard from neighbors that there was a new place in Leland, and have been enjoying muy delicious meals there ever since. The dining room and bar area are quite lovely, done in a Mission style and very understated without being cold and minimalist. A wonderful environment in which to enjoy a great meal. Menu changes regularly, a few standouts are always available. We generally go in groups and get one of everything and have yet to be disappointed! The Tenderloin Tower is always available, meat is fork tender and expertly prepared, the demi-glace and blue cheese whip are perfect compliments, the mashed potatoes are fantastic and the vegetables are always cooked correctly and very fresh. They generally have duck, ostrich and lamb on the menu as well and they are always wonderful as well. I tend to get nervous when I see a restaurant in Northern Michigan with a very ambitious menu as I'm generally disappointed, but this place is the exception - they can do no wrong, everything that comes out of that kitchen is delicious! Fantastic staff, wonderful wine list, beautifully located - make reservations and get a table outside looking over the river. This is a great place for a dress up dinner, a date, or to mark a special occasion. *******Edit 11/7/2007********* Check their website before you get too excited in the off season - they are closed the ENTIRE month of November and most of December as well. Sob.

Tania S.

Yelp
I really hate that I feel compelled to write this review about the Riverside Inn. I have eaten here a number of times and have always enjoyed the experience; decent service, delicious food. There are very few fine dining restaurants in the Leelanau, so this has always been a welcome respite from typical Northern Michigan vacation food. Sadly, I had a pretty rough experience there this week and it has shifted my view of the place towards the negative. Knowing that I would be staying in Leland on a Sunday, I called the Riverside to make a reservation. Note that I have been there 4 times and it has never once been packed. But, with it being the height of summer in a lake town, I decided it would be best to secure a table. When I called I requested 6:30pm reservations. The girl on the phone told me that she only had 8:15pm reservations or before 6pm. I figured they must have a large party coming in and took the 6pm slot. When we arrived at 6pm the place was not full..at all. And did not get full...at all. And the waitstaff was mostly standing around. We moved on and placed our order. I had enjoyed oysters at the Riverside several times before and have always loved them. We were presented with 3 options; I selected 6 each of 2 of them. The waitress misunderstood me and brought 6 of all three varieties. There were only 2 of us, but we decided not to say anything as two of the other tables surrounding us had been giving her a hard time (one of the tables was complaining about the reservation system). When she set the third plate of oysters on the table, the smell of rotten fish was extreme. We both tried one from that plate in the hope that they tasted better than they smelled. Horrible. I can still taste them. What's worse is that when we sent them back (which I never do), the waitress didn't offer to take them off our bill and instead gave us a very rubbery and cold Creme brûlée as an apology. We did thoroughly enjoy our salads and the halibut dish there is impeccable (albeit a little overcooked this time). The waitress also recommended a decent glass of wine, which was appreciated. This ended up costing $200; which was approved twice on my credit card. I will not be going back soon..it bums me out, but it's just not worth the money and inconvenience.

Bill D.

Yelp
Had dinner on September 23 and was completely impressed with the food and staff. Very charming historical restaurant with turn of the century decor. A must do when in Leland.

Sherry H.

Yelp
Something's gone terribly wrong at this picturesque spot. We were told they were "completely booked up" other than an early reservation we were offered. We took it and at no time were more than 70% of tables occupied. Our waitress was rude, didn't tell us all of the specials, didn't want to answer questions and generally made us feel as if we were inconveniencing her. The food was uninspiring, in fact we ordered the halibut on the menu and they substituted the "special" fish - Ono they were undoubtedly trying to clear out. Nice spot in need of a complete Redo - clear out the chef and trim the nasty staff. Expect a whole lot more for $200!!

Kira S.

Yelp
The Riverside Inn is a charming little restaurant (as the name indicates on the River) within walking distance of the main drag and fishtown. It has a cute "up north" feel, a friendly staff and delicious food. I had the Pan seared halibut with herb smashed fingerlings, shaved brussel sprouts, oyster mushrooms, leeks, basil puree, roasted tomato. It was incredible from the halibut to all of the surrounding items. For dessert our waiter recommended a sweet cheese dessert - the name of which I'm blanking on - but it was gorgeous, lemony and refreshing.

Jessica L.

Yelp
We heard good things about this place so we decided to give it a try for our anniversary dinner. Beautiful outdoor setting. Unfortunately the dinner experience was awful. What started with minor things like our server spilling a beer on our table and then forgetting to bring napkins to clean it up for 10 minutes, to forgetting to bring our drinks for 10 minutes etc, ended with big issues. We waited for over an hour for our dinner to arrive when all the tables who arrived after us were already eating. When we finally got our food they gave me pork chops when I ordered salmon. The server apologized that he had put the order in wrong and they were out of salmon. Nothing like eating a meal you didn't want. The food quality was just mediocre. It took 15 minutes to get a bill, another 10 to return. Servers delivered another tables Food to us... I could go on and on... unfortunately it was an awful experience overall and we will not return. For paying $40-$50 pp we would've expected at least high quality food, and service As well! Won't be back...

Dina S.

Yelp
We started off with the charcuterie platter which was very good... we did feel rushed tho to put in our entree order.. I ordered the seabass which came cold and under cooked .. after I sent it back it came shrunk up half the size and was inedible (fishy) my Husband ordered the pork chop medium which came rare, had to send that back... It was good when brought back... the Brussel sprouts came almost raw and very salty ehh.. the best was the fingerling potatoes... all in all wouldn't come back. Side note... the waitstaff was very good and knowledgeable....We also stayed here for a couple of days at the Inn. And was not treated anyway special because of it...

Daniel C.

Yelp
I'd known of this place for many years and hadn't gone. What a big mistake, charming setting and excellent food. It has since become my regular haunt when I'm up here.

Mary S.

Yelp
Good food! Though portions small. Salad just lettuce greens sliced asparagus yikes!! It's only lettuce and for the price? That was disappointing. Might want to step that up! Don't mind paying the cost just want to get my monies worth. I have been coming here for a long time and each time I'm disappointed. Step it up lots of new restaurants popping up everywhere in the area now.

Koko C.

Yelp
What a lovely place. I love that the integrity of this landmark remains intact - the knotty pine interior, the true divided lite windows, the crisp linen tablecloths for interior tables. We started with rabbit ravioli (such flavor!) and the miracle of socca (tears of joy streaming with each bite). We both ordered the kurobuta pork chop, which was prepared to a pink perfection, surrounded with charred brussels sprouts, crisped sweet potato cubes, and addictive crispy/salty oyster mushrooms. The pork was tender and juicy, and the chorizo glaze added an extra pop of flavor. Highly recommend. Coming back for more socca!!

Gina M.

Yelp
We had a fabulous meal and our great waiter Hugh indulged us by serving our ending libation on the dock overlooking the river. All of our wine pairings at his suggestion were excellent. A great way to begin our vacation in lovely Leland.

Abe M.

Yelp
Brunch is always the best. As a resident, get there a few times each year and usually stay away from the fudgies who pack the place in during the summer. A great setting right on the Leland River. My favorite is to take the boat up to the dock, enjoy a brunch, then spend the rest of the day on the water.

David H.

Yelp
Consistently great food and service. The setting on the river is beautiful and a soft summer night on the deck with friends is Leland at its best. They have a terrific bar that offers every drink you can think of (including killer Hummers!) along with great atmosphere and a view of the river and their gardens.

Mary R.

Yelp
Had a great dinner here to kick off a weekend with girlfriends in Leland! Lovely wine list, and a knowledgeable waiter who could talk us through all the options (and we tried MANY, haha!). We shared the truffle mac & cheese (INCREDIBLE), some oysters, and a goat cheese medallion to start, and in our party we had a halibut, a duck, a beef tenderloin, and scallops/shrimp. We all wanted what everyone was having--each dish was amazing and really perfectly done. We sat on the patio and loved everything about this place--highly recommended.