The Stray Dog Bar & Grill

Came here with a group of 8, the service was friendly and fast. The food is amazing, simple, delicious and absolutely mouth watering. Ended up coming back the next day because we wanted to try more of their food. If you’re hungry, look no further, this place hits the spot!

We just love this place. We started with HUMMUS, and was fenomenal. I tried this time the fry fish, and it was huge and tasteful. Chips were so good as well. My wife tried TINGA TACOS, and that was not tinga. Tacos had a rare flavor other than Chipotle sauce witch is the main ingredient for TINGA, but they were good. No disappointment at all. Drinks are always great. My wife ordered SANGRIA, and ordered a couple drafts. We will be definitely coming back during the summer.

I give it 3 starts due to their mission & being named after their shelter pup! I just didn’t care for the food. First impression, wasn’t sure where to go? No signage. I walk with a cane right now due to knee surgery & I could not walk to our table without removing my cane due to the tight space between tables. Server was polite & quick to table. She did get sat with another big table right next to us (which was too close for comfort). So it’s understandable she took a few moments to grab the ranch she forgot when bringing our apps. Cheese curds over done, cheese wasn’t very edible. Truffle fries good! However I was disappointed this large top got their food right as we did? We had ordered apps, drinks and then food as they got sat. Everything is al a cart so don’t expect sides with your $19 wrap or $15 burger- the sides cost $5-$10 a piece. This is definitely not normal for restaurants. Glad we asked. I read the menu and knew what I was getting into- but wasn’t about to go elsewhere. It was a Sat night and we waited to be sat. I was just hoping the money I was about to pay was going to be worth it. Deeply disappointed. My husband did not like his burger at all. The cheese wasn’t melted at all and it was blah- no seasoning. He ate small portion & he ate mine because I didn’t care for my steak wrap neither. He liked that more then the burger. My chili was ok/ nothing to be excited over. It was basically vegetarian- rarely any meat and no seasoning. We left with a $90 tab and won’t return due to the food.

Such a great local spot! The Stray Dog Bar & Grill has a welcoming atmosphere, excellent service, and outstanding food. The staff is always attentive without being overbearing, and the vibe is perfect whether you’re there for a casual meal or a night out. We’ll definitely keep coming back!

🗺️ The Stray Dog Bar & Grill: A Must-Stop in New Buffalo We arrived at The Stray Dog Bar & Grill on a Friday evening and were greeted with a short 10-minute wait—just enough time to take in the lively, welcoming atmosphere. The lobby filled quickly after we arrived, a good sign that this spot is popular with both locals and visitors. 🍹 The drink menu was impressive, with a wide selection of beers and cocktails. I started the evening with an ice-cold beer that hit the spot after a day of exploring the area. 🧀 For an appetizer, we ordered the cheese curds. They were excellent—crispy on the outside, piping hot and gooey on the inside. A great way to kick off the meal. 🥪 I went with the Cubano sandwich for my main course. It was packed with juicy shredded pork, rich ham, melted cheese, and topped with pickles and mustard. The bread was toasted perfectly, adding a satisfying crunch to every bite. 🧅 On the side, I had the onion rings, which were clearly hand-battered and freshly fried. Crunchy, golden, and full of flavor. 👨‍🍳 The service was fantastic throughout our visit. Staff were attentive, friendly, and kept our drinks topped off with regular check-ins. Whether you’re passing through New Buffalo or staying for the weekend, The Stray Dog is a great place to relax, enjoy a well-crafted meal, and soak in the local vibe. #NewBuffaloEats #StrayDogExperience #FoodieFinds #LakeMichiganDining #WeekendGetaway #TravelTastes

The food was pretty good! The service was amazing. Our waitress was very attentive to us the entire time. We got the nachos verde with tinga. The chicken was not tinga style Mexican chicken but the nachos were still delicious. I got the feta farm salad and it was so good, my friend got the fish and chips, and my brother got the tavern burger. Everything was very good!

I thought of this a summer tourist spot, boy was I wrong. Stopped in on the way to a relative and had a Reuben and Truffle Fries. The service was friendly, fast and helpful. The sandwich was very generous and able to split, the fries hot and flavorful. Just had pop as we were traveling but I saw wine, cocktails and more from the bar. The atmosphere is a star with lakefront view and cozy spaces.

I highly recommend visiting! The fish and chips were incredible, arguably the best we’ve had! Cody was exceptional bartender, he was warm and welcoming, very attentive, and personable. Overall, this restaurant doesn’t just serve food—it delivers an experience. We walked out already planning our next visit.

The food choices were great and the food was awesome ‼ the atmosphere was very beach like and we will definitely be going back

Had dinner at the bar last night while visiting New Buffalo. My friend I was visiting with recommended it as a great place on the water. They don't take reservations so we walked in and put our name in, but luckily snagged a spot at the bar. They were BUSY! Prime time on Memorial Day weekend! Our service was fantastic! I didn't catch our bartender's name, he had awesome colorful tattoos. Even though they were slammed, it did not impact the speed or quality of service. We ordered a cucumber martini and espresso martini. I liked the espresso martini better. We also ordered cheese curds and each got a cheese burger. The cheese curds were unfortunately overcooked and came out at the same time as the burgers. So we ignored the curds and enjoyed the delicious juicy cheeseburgers! They were so good! While the curds were not up to par, they were taken off the bill so I am not taking a point off for that. I will definitely be back next time I visit and look forward to waiting for a seat with a view.

Great service on the roof top bar today! I have been coming here since I was younger, they have definitely grown and cleaned up a lot. Parking has never been the best. Have never been immediately seated but today we were told a 50 minute wait and it was closer to 15, nice to be able to walk around and wait for the text. As mentioned, the service was great and everything came out fast and hot. The Jacks special (fish and chips) looked the best in my opinion. Little bit of an odd thing to add: The Gear store located onsite for all your Stray Dog merch needs was practically unshoppable on a Sunday afternoon due to the amount of staff in the store. 3 people along the back wall, and 3 up front. The store is no bigger than a living room. Could not look at much stuff, because every time you turn a worker is right where you want to be, staring at you.

Smidge better than Redamak's burgers, but that is all. See that review. You feelin me? Dada da da da... not loving it.

Everything was delicious. Albeit a bit pricey. The star of the show was the chips! They were seasoned perfectly and fried just right. My sandwich was tasty I appreciate the vegetarian options. The server was very attentive.

Grabbed dinner here this afternoon, after driving into town. Opted for the rooftop patio until the weather had other plans, and we all ended up inside. Great views from the patio, peaceful setting, one does have to be 21 years of age to sit up there. For dinner I picked the Yum Yum burger. It comes with asian bbq sauce, avocado, jalapeño, napa slaw, cucumber, rice wine vinaigrette & sriracha mayo. It was definitely "yum, yum". I lean toward Asian cuisine, and when deciding between the Yum Yum and the Maui my waitress said the Yum Yum - I understand why she voted for it. Did a side of fries, they are ordered separately -- the burgers and fries are single order items (this caused my rating to decrease, for the price it should come with at least fries then up charge for a specialty item - IMO). Great service, friendly staff, and the food is worth a visit.

Just a couple of steps from New Buffalo's beach, The Stray Dog Bar & Grill boasts some of the most unique views of the harbor, drawing in crowds eager to enjoy its picturesque setting. From the second-floor terrace, diners are treated to breathtaking vistas, while the interior exudes a chill, inviting vibe that makes it a perfect spot to unwind. Despite the place being packed and the wait times often lengthy, the experience is well worth it. On my recent visit, I decided for the Grilled Shrimp Tacos, a dish that exemplifies the restaurant's commitment to fresh and flavorful cuisine. The plate arrived with three beautifully assembled shrimp tacos, each nestled in a warm corn tortilla. The grilled shrimp were cooked to perfection, with a slightly charred exterior that added a smoky depth to their naturally sweet and tender flesh. Each taco was generously topped with creamy avocado slices, adding a rich, buttery texture that complemented the shrimp. The corn-black bean pico de gallo provided a delightful burst of freshness and color, with the sweet corn kernels and earthy black beans melding harmoniously with the tangy tomatoes and zesty lime. The citrus slaw added a crisp, vibrant crunch, balancing the richness of the avocado and the slight spiciness of the pico. The flavors in these tacos were a perfect balance of everything--sweet, smoky shrimp; creamy, smooth avocado; and bright, zesty pico and slaw. Each bite offered a symphony of textures and tastes, from the tender shrimp to the crunchy slaw and the soft, slightly chewy corn tortilla. Dining at The Stray Dog Bar & Grill is more than just a meal; it's an experience. The combination of stunning harbor views, a relaxed and lively atmosphere, and expertly crafted dishes makes it a standout destination. Even if you have to wait a bit, the culinary delights and overall ambiance make it absolutely worth it.

Just a day trip away! We love taking a trip around the lake and stopping here for lunch or dinner or just a snack and a drink! Their service is wonderful'

Never been in Michigan, pretty cool spot for a first meal. Really close to Lake Michigan. The wait staff was very friendly and they did a good job taking care of our 20+ group. I got their Maui burger which I was pretty happy with. It was medium rare as I asked for, the bun was crisp, and it wasn't bland. I will say that the menu is a bit on the expensive side, I mean a side of fries is $5 but I think you get what you pay for. The restaurant itself looks really nice inside and I really liked all of the dog photos around. I would definitely come here again and I had a good time. Dude at the front when I left was super chill too. He earns the fifth star for this place.

I always make a point to stop at The Stray Dog when I'm in New Buffalo! Great food and service, every time. Our waiter, Cyle, was a gem! He's definitely a keeper- very friendly, outgoing, and personable. I like the rooftop seating option, especially on a beautiful summer day. It is ironic though that The Stray Dog is all about dogs, yet they don't allow them. Kind of a bummer because I often travel with my little buddy.

Busy well Known Restaurant in New Buffalo. Very busy on the weekends and a perfect spot for meet ups with friends and family. We ordered Grouper Fish Sandwich, Tinga Chicken Tacos, Chicken Club Sandwich, Boiled Shrimp and side of Onion Rings. Tinga Chicken was our favorite and the onion rings was tasty as well. Good Service, clean facilities and accommodating for food allergies. Parking can be a challenge, wait time can be quite long on the weekends especially for dinner. Thank you

It's a popular choice to grab delicious food when you're in New Buffalo, MI. There was a wait to get in when we went. It could be as long as 30mins to 1.5 hrs depending on day. Other than that, once you're seated, the service and speed of food is pretty good. No long wait to enjoy the food and the quality is great. Very delicious. Great portions too. Lots of seating and ambience is very reminiscent of a marina which is what it's nearby. Walkable from the beach and downtown. They also have a gear and merch shop across the street that you could buy souvenirs from.

Our first time here in New Buffalo and heard so much about this place. Arrived here at 5pm on a Saturday and just a short 10 minutes wait. Place was so cute with lots of pictures of what else? Adorable dogs! Not too busy and we were the only one waiting to be seated. Food was exceptional!!! Hubby and I shared everything since we're both not a big eater and we just went to a wine tasting before. We shared a large blue moon, fried calamari, onion rings and a short ribs grilled cheese. It was soooooo delicious. A bit greasy but I needed the grease to absorb the wine. Cute bar atmosphere and would absolutely come back for the food again if we're ever in New Buffalo again. Yum!

Coming here for dinner on a Monday in April is very different than weekends in the summer. Not too crowded so easily got a table. It's nice to look out the views sitting in the back of the restaurant. I ordered the Diablo burger on a lettuce bun, crisp, juicy and delicious! My friends ordered the Cubano and regular burger splitting some fries. Both raved about their dishes as well.

Was in town and grabbed lunch at The stray dog this weekend. Overall it was quite good. The restaurant itself is tucked near the harbor. It was the off season but in the summer I assume the view would be really nice. The restaurant is big and fairly nice and the staff was super friendly and quick! For our appetizers we ordered the nachos verde which were loaded and well built as they did a good job covering the chips. We also had the Philly cheese steak egg rolls which were sooo good! Super crispy outside with flavorful meaty steak filling. It was served with a spicy ketchup which was really tasty. For mains I got the Tavern Burger with Fries and my buddy got the fish and chips. The burger was just OK as the bun was a little dense, but the sauce and grilled onions were tasty. His fish and chips looked really good as well. Will definitely go back if we're in New Buffalo again.

This place lives up to the hype! I'd heard so many great things about this place and I wasn't sure if it'd live up to all the lofting expectations in my brain but it did! They've got a great drink and food menu and the rooftop patio is awesome! It gets crowded really quickly though so I recommend going right when they open!

Give a little update from when I was there last time three years ago. Got another burger and it was still excellent. I'm actually pretty impressed with the food. It's kind of a bar and grill type menu with sandwiches and such, but the taste is higher than average. The only downside for me was that sides are extra (and expensive). Still, the sides were top quality and decently sized. Still; I think fries should come with a burger. Still holds up after all these years. That's probably why it's a classic!

The Cobb salad was really good and massive. I was able to sub out the blue cheese for feta, which was great. All the servers and bartenders were super friendly and the manager even came over to check on how we were doing. Would go back next time I'm in the area.

Second time eating here, this time we did carry out. The place is big for tourists and normally that means the food won't be great - that is NOT the case here. The food is very good. Portions are large and quality is great. Highly suggest eating here both for the tourist qualities of it and the actually food!

I love finding unique restaurants in small towns that make me want to visit again. I was here several months ago and loved it so much that I made point to stop here as we were passing through on a road trip. The truffle fries are amazing, and the Philly cheesesteak egg rolls are a unique appetizer that did not disappoint. I love the decor and cozy and feel of this place. The staff have been so friendly and helpful each time I was here. This is worth a jog off the freeway for a delicious meal.

Great spot! We had the shrimp salsa and ahi tuna tostadas and we were very happy! This made for the perfect stop between Milwaukee and Detroit, made us want to come back and stay in New Buffalo when it warms up!

Was told a 60 minute wait and thankfully it was only 30 minutes! We sat on the rooftop which was very enjoyable on a nice summer day. My friends and I split the pork potstickers and queso dip. Both were delicious! I would order both as apps again. I also split the Chinese salad with my friend. It was a good portion. It was very fresh and has a nice flavor. I would also get this again! I wanted some new Buffalo merchandise so I ended up getting a sweater from here. Their merchandise is kind of pricey for free advertising and how many sales they probably get. It was $65 for the hoodie. Most tourists have a stray dog souvenir so be prepared to be twinsies with half the town. That said I like the hoodie I purchased. I'll definitely be back!

Wow! We are visiting from Columbus Ohio and what a gem we found with Stray Dog! Amazing good, FANTASTIC staff, and tasty cocktails. The fish and chips was SO FRICKIN GOOD and HUGE portion! I ate it so fast I forgot to take a picture. I wish we were closer so we could try the entire menu! The southwest egg rolls were bomb too. 10/10

Onion rings delicious. Very helpful waitress. First time dine in, great experience. When you visit New Buffalo MI you have to stop at The Stray Dog!

Visited New Buffalo, MI and decided to stop by The Stray Dog for a quick bite before heading to the beach. If you are a dog lover, you'll love the decor of this place! It is everything dog! Super cute! I love the vibe of the restaurant. They also have cute merchandise you can purchase. Parking may be hard to find since their private lot is pretty small. We stopped by on a weekday around the tail end of lunch rush. We waited about 10mins before getting seated. Although they may be a "tourist trap" I'd still recommend stopping by if you are hungry! I got a classic hamburger with everything on it and it was delicious and very filling. Fries are NOT included. The burger itself was $11. If you like hummus, their hummus appetizer is great! My friend got their Cilantro Lime and it was light and refreshing to eat especially during the hot summer months. Although they are pretty busy, service was tentative and quick. Our waitress was very sweet. Would love to dine outdoors next time we visit and try other items on their menu!

It's a nice restaurant. Lovely setting. The service was very nice and efficient. The tuna tostada was bland though. I got the Cuban too was it was just ok. My husband enjoyed the fish tacos though. I hope next time I go I get something I like.

My first visit back to The Stray Dog in several years, and we had a great experience! The managers were very quick to get us seated on the rooftop deck, and our server was attentive and did a great job checking on us throughout the experience to make sure we had everything we needed. My boyfriend got a cheeseburger and fries which he said was very satisfying and tasty. I tried the shrimp po' boy and loved mine as well. The bun went well with the sandwich, and the Cajun remoulade was delicious as well. The sandwich was a bit messy but the shrimp was great quality and everything on the sandwich went well together. Our dining experience went seamlessly and it was nice to come back again for a meal that you can rely on to be great.

Perhaps my favorite thing about The Stray Dog was the service--every server we encountered was super smiley and friendly and I absolutely love that! It didn't hurt that the food was good, too. They had an extensive menu with options for everyone--from salads, to tacos, to burgers and sandwiches, etc. The location is great, too--very close to the beach and on the street with all of the other shops and restaurants. I would definitely go back the next time I'm in New Buffalo. Next time I'd love to go back kid-free and go to the 21+ rooftop! Xoxo, Is this thing on?

My family went here a year ago and has been raving about it ever since. I finally got to see what the hype was about! The location is top tier and located footsteps away from the beach. They don't take reservations which is fine, and gives you time to check out the bar or explore the area. We enjoyed a lovely table on the rooftop with the most gracious host! All of the food that we had was amazing and I highly recommend the poke bowl and hummus! The staff members were so sweet: from the hostesses, bartender and waitress, everyone made us feel so welcomed! Highly recommend!

Food and service where excellent! Cyle with a C was our server! All you have to do is to drive by the restaurant to know it's good!

This was a good spot. Good atmosphere and very close to the lake. You'll wait longer, but the rooftop will give you the best view, but they have plenty of seating downstairs too. We waited longer than they originally said but eventually we got our table and ordered the fish and chips and jasmine rice bowl with short ribs. My wife said it was one of the best fish and chips she had, she just wished the portion size was bigger. My bowl was great, it was just hard to get all the flavors together in one bite the way it was set up. But very tasty. The staff were super friendly and the place seemed pretty clean. We walked out paying over $50 and weren't super full. So felt like either the price should be lower or the portion sizes bigger. But overall a good experience.

OMG. THE FISH AND CHIPS ARE AMAZING I will drive 1.5 hours back here just to have them. They are seasonal so make sure you come snag some before summer is over. Our server was very kind and great at guiding us thru the menu. If you like beer the ace perry is such a good choice, it's bright and fruity. The ambiance is a whole vibe. They have the cutest rooftop on the our skirts of the lake.

We've really been wanting to try this place but wouldn't during CoVid. We had a family group that included a pre-schooler & didn't want to be inside with her. Being cautious ‍. Their rooftop patio is not for families, only 21 and over. Just us two loved the rooftop patio & service was terrific. Great ambiance. Husband got the tilapia fish tacos, said they were decent, but needed more flavor. I had the Cobb salad, very large, good but not exceptional. Makes us wonder if all their food is just 'ok'. We'd rather eat somewhere & say 'wow, that was delicious!!!' Could not say that here. We'll give them another try over the summer.

The service and food were fantastic. The waiter was a young man who had no attitude and smiled the entire time. It was a nice change of pace.

Heading east out of Chicago to take care of some business, my wife and I found ourselves crossing three state lines and one time zone all within 90 minutes. Where we come from (CA) you need 4 hours just to hit Nevada. That being said, we took care of what we had to take care of and it was time for lunch. Heading back (westward), we got hungry and I (the driver) asked my wife (the navigator) to find a place to have lunch. She went to YELP, and quickly found The Stray Dog in New Buffalo, Michigan. This lovely bar and grill is set right on the a harbor / beach which was a picturesque place stop for our meal. It was surprisingly crowded for being such a small town, so we figured, "this must be the right place to stop at". The staff here was very nice and our lunch was very good. I had an Asian cheeseburger that I devoured pretty quickly. My wife had peel and eat shrimp and a glass of Pinot Gris that she also enjoyed. The theme here at The Stray Dog Bar and Grill was (I'm assuming) stray dogs. There were so many pictures of dogs everywhere, and we found it very cute and charming. I'm very happy we stopped here (thanks YELP)!

I was there yesterday. Lovely restaurant but bad experience. I have a disability and a service dog. The manager aggressively grilled me for over 5 min and even demanded proof for my dog. No one, disabled or not should be treated this way. Evidently, a Stray dog would be more welcome than a trained 4 year service dog!

service was outstanding, ample seating with a wide variety on the menu. Food arrived fresh and deliciously prepared. highly recommend!

The food was really good and fresh and my server was great. I loved the jalapeño poppers but they filled me up quickly and the chicken sandwich was super flavorful. I ate on the rooftop after it rained and I wasn't that hungry so I think I would've enjoyed it more if every thing wasn't wet and if I were starving because it's a lot of food especially if you're solo dining. It's a touristy place that gets really busy but I enjoyed it either way!

We were seated on the roof .... Loved eating outside after a day of beach and shopping. I ordered a beer and the fish tacos. Both were really good. I really wanted to give it 4.5 stars... but we can't do half stars. I would definitely eat here again when I'm in town.

Everything was great from service, food to ambiance!!! Absolutely love this place this was our 3rd time visiting and our go to when in the area!!!

Visited New Buffalo yesterday and had to try The Stray Dog for the first time. It has a beautiful indoor seating area with a bar too. Came in during dinner time and decided to get their Haddock Fish and Chips for an appetizer. That was amazing! Will definitely order again. Also tried their double tavern burger and that was perfect too. Its more of a smash burger, but it was juicy and tasty. The service was superb. Our waitress was really nice when asking for recommendations. Food came in a timely manner. Definitely will want to try more of their menu the next time I'm in New Buffalo especially on their roof deck seating for the view of the lake. Street parking is free, but may get busier during the weekends.

LOVED my visit to The Stray Dog! I sat up on the rooftop and enjoyed a cocktail and fish and chips. everything was delicious. Thye also have a little shop across from the restaurant with cute items and I bought a shirt there. It's great!

Great roof top bar area. We had a group of 9 and our waitress was amazing and so patient as we all got into town at different times she was there as soon as the new people showed up. The food was great I had the chicken tacos and they were flavorful and would 100% get them again. We also shared Parmesan fries and they were delicious! Fast to receive food too. We drank wine and really enjoyed our choices. I would get there early it does fill up fast! If you have to park there isn't much around so you might have to drive around or pay at a lot down by the beach.

We spent the day at the beach and wanted a good dinner. This restaurant was recommended and we were not disappointed. Loved the ambiance, the friendliness of the hostess, the quick service, delicious food, and atmosphere. I had the short rib tacos. Yummy! Others had burgers and greatly enjoyed them. The truffle fries were also a hit. When we visit the area, we WILL be back!

We LOVE this place. Always a good value for the money. A must go to on the lakeshore. Food is awesome, service is best at the bar. Cool atmosphere. Never a bad decision to come here no matter the time of year.

Truffle Fries Cheese Curds (very crunchy and perfectly crisp(maybe best ever?) Cocktail Italian Beef (damn tasty) Rooftop Sunset This was a gem of a find. Great summer evening

Always a good experience for solid bar-food fare. I love the Buffalo chicken wrap and several of the apps. Try to sit on the rooftop if the weather is decent and you are child-free.... Really nice atmosphere. Yes, it's a tourist trap and, yes, there is usually a wait and, yes, they have souvenirs with their logo that you might buy while you wait, but this place has a solid formula that works. I've been here at least 20 times and it's been good food and competent service every time.

This is definitely a hidden gem but very popular. The wait list can be long, but it goes pretty fast. We visited a nearby park and thoroughly enjoyed the views. The food was good and not too pricey. We were actually surprised to find this place while heading back to Lansing from Chicago. I told my husband that I wanted a sit-down meal by the water, and this place popped up on Yelp. We would definitely go back.

Everything was Amazing!!! Food, Service and the atmosphere is breathtaking! We ordered a variety and tasted a lot ! The fish and chips A+, Wings A+, Jalapeno Poppers A+, Queso Dip A+, Shrimp Tacos A+ and Nachos B+. Nachos were good just need to have wet cheese instead of shredded cheese or even have both but they were good. I took an order of Fish and Chips home!!!! Definitely making a regular spot to eat with family and/or friends!!!

Came here for dinner over Labor Day weekend. The wait was quite a while so we ended up getting seats at the bar. It was pretty lively and the bartenders were great. However, it did take quite a while to put in our order and get our food. We got shrimp tacos - definitely recommend.