Watercolor Cafe

This was my favorite spot of the day on my visit to Mackinac Island. Such a neat cafe! If I had the time it would’ve been really cool to do one of the watercolor classes. The wait was extremely long in the morning so we came back at around 2 pm and it only took about 10 minutes, so if you’re wanting to try this place out and don’t want to wait long I would recommend coming after the breakfast rush. I got a blueberry lemonade and we tried the strawberry poppies which were amazing. Kind of wish I ordered one of the coffees because they sounded really good.

The coffee is amazing, service is wonderful, and the views are beautiful!! Highly recommend!! Pictured is the avocado toast (one piece already eaten), and the fudge shop latte.

What a fun place! Cute and colorful! We had breakfast there and the home made pop tarts (poppies) are worth the trip alone! The oatmeal is yummy, the avocado egg wrap is out of this world. Even the men were happy with their breakfast choices. Cute indoor and outdoor seating makes it fun! Love that they support local artists so picked a few things for Christmas gifts. I would say this is a must stop while on the island for breakfast. Tad hard to find since it's behind the stores on Main Street so I'm glad someone told us to go there. Put it on your to go to places for sure!

Great breakfast on the island. We had avocado toast with a chocolate raspberry pop tart. We also purchased the homemade energy bites for a snack while bike riding. All were great. They also had a fun selection of merchandise.

Very cozy and relaxing spot for a morning coffee. The best part was the Poppy's aka homemade pop-tarts. The home crust and filling was to die for. They have different flavors daily so go as much as you can if you're staying overnight on the island!.

Adorable place with great views! Has a quaint cottage feel. Their coffee is really good. We had it black and also tried the turmeric milk latte, which was very good. Their breakfast burrito is really big and we were able to get our orders made with gluten-free burritos and toast. Highly recommend.

One of the best coffee shops and cafes in the island! They have the best homemade pop tarts anywhere! They have a great selection of drinks and food items and the vibe is awesome with an amazing view! Highly recommended!

This place was absolutely delicious! We ended up visiting it twice on our short stay on the island. They have amazing breakfast and lunch. I would definitely go there again if we are ever back.

The food is very good! If you want a poppie, I recommend getting there between 8-10am or else they will be all sold out and you'll be heart broken. Service is okay. Ambiance is very nice. Right on the water and it's a very cute cafe with little gifts/merchandise as well.

Really cute down to earth restaurant out of the main busy section on Mackinac Island (and by the water). I ordered the Curried Chickpea Wrap, but I wouldn't recommend it. The gluten free wrap was stiff and the wrap didn't have a lot of flavor (and the chickpeas felt large and hard). But I split the Beanery on Greens salad with a friend, and that was great! Everyone else in my group got The Monet sandwich and all said it tasted great even though they each had it made a little differently. Overall cute place and service!

The location was perfect. It was right on the water. We had our treats while looking out to the sailboats - perfect! The view was so relaxing. The food and drinks were great! I was pleasantly surprised by everything we got. Additionally, the staff were nice. I can't wait to go back!

Watercolor Cafe is a bit of a hidden gem on the island. It's tucked away but right on the water and offers a gorgeous combination of amazing coffee, charming location, and wonderful service. We stopped by here multiple times during our 5 day stay on the island (which for folks who like to adventure and find new spots to go while on vacation--this is saying something!). It's an order at the counter and they'll bring your food/drink to you sort of set-up. They have all the usual coffee shop favorites and a few specials on any given day. While we were there they had a white chocolate pistachio latte on special, which I ordered and enjoyed. We came for breakfast as well as for lunch and it's great for either. The dining room is eclectic and cute and overlooks the water. They also have some outdoor seating that's tucked away and protected for lovely weather (and so protected, might be ok for cooler less-than-lovely weather as well). The service is friendly and wonderful in every way. Get to it!

We came here twice during our 3 night stay on Mackinac Island. Each time I got the Lilac Latte, which was FANTASTIC. I cannot recommend this drink enough. I got the breakfast sandwich the first day, which was good. The second day I got the breakfast burrito, which was very good, but be warned that it is spicy. My mom got the avocado egg wrap the first day and The Monet the second. The Monet was very very good. Inside the cafe, there are a lot of handmade items available to buy. The cafe itself was also very cute. They had a really nice sitting area outside as well. I would have loved to come back here for one of the art classes they offer at night. This is a great gem on Mackinac.

This was the best find after the ferry ride!! The picture of the pop tart captured my attention and it is definitely a must. There is no wrong sitting with the option to sit out front, in the pink corner, or by the most picturesque views looking out the window. The individual at the counter was very kind and welcoming. Always the best feeling when visiting a tourist location.

One of my favorites on the island! I always stop here and sometimes stop here more than once while on vacation. Watercolor Cafe is outside of downtown and so charming and quiet. It is behind the Bay View B&B (yellow building) and can be hard to find at first. It is on the water by the harbor. Seating outside but not on the water. Inside is adorable with pastels and gentle colors greeting you. The cafe is also an art space. Staff are always friendly and working hard to get out orders quickly. Menu wise they have smoothies, breakfast, lunch, and of course coffee. But their "poppies" aka homemade pop tarts and they are amazing and a must! They are huge and worth the price and calories. I have had their oatmeal and smoothie bowls and I am never disappointed. The oatmeal is hot and filling. You can order add-ins as well. The smoothie bowls are all delicious. Great toppings too! Their coffee is also great and they offer a seasonal menu as well for coffees. All reasonably priced which is great especially on the island.

We had sandwiches for a late lunch and it was busy and pleasant. We signed up our 6.5 year old for the afternoon kids art class, which was lovely and a great way for us to relax while they were occupied. They were also coloring before the class began. Came back this morning for their homemade poppies (pop tarts) because they sounded delish. We tried the peach and pb&j poppies and both were great. The strawberry banana smoothie and fruity tutti were both good too, we did no ginger for the little. The strawberry banana was very melted during the busy lunchtime but the fruity tutti was nice and thick. I ordered the lilac latte and as a big fan of taro, I enjoyed it but had to sweeten it just a bit. Overall, great choice for away from Main Street and very kid friendly. Shoutout to the art teacher for being very patient and kind!!

Popped in on a Tues morning after a bike ride. No line, friendly staff had a very enjoyable strawberry banana shake and could not fend off the temptation of a lemon poppie & a cinnamon roll. Both were delicious. So I came back Wednesday morning to be greeted by a line! Hahah. After about 15 min I had my strawberry banana shake & all was right with the world. Would definitely return.

The only good food I've gotten in Michigan. I got the bacon wrap, would highly recommend. The poor employees were absolutely swamped, but they still managed to provide a quality experience. I would not recommend their espresso. I would recommend their golden milk latte if you are prepared for a decent amount of spice, I would also recommend a spoon or straw to stir it up, as it settles out pretty fast.

"Give me Watercolor Cafe or give me death" - a founding father, I'm sure. Great food. Wonderful service. Cute little cafe.

This cafe is so amazing. Every time I arrive on Mackinac Island I make it a plan to go to Watercolor Cafe. The staff is so friendly and creative and their menu is delicious. I always recommend their lilac latte to any new triers! Their menu is very allergy friendly as well to vegetarians and Gluten-free diets. My favorite cafe ever

Based on the high reviews, I was expecting something extraordinary. My experience is that the sandwiches were decent to good, but nothing noteworthy. I did like the art themed atmosphere and the view of the water. I ordered the Monet sandwich: it sounded really good on paper with the contrasting sweet & salty flavors, but it tasted kind of one dimensional...it probably would be a lot better if it was made like a grilled cheese, with butter. I wasn't a fan of the strong-tasting whole grain mustard - I'm glad I asked for it on the side. I tasted my brother's Chipotle Turkey sandwich: it tasted better than the Monet. The sourdough bread was nice and crusty. The chipotle mayo tasted really good. This is a decent place for a quick bite, but the food isn't really anything to write home about.

This was such an adorable cafe for lunch just off the beaten path. The blueberry lemonade was excellent as were the sandwiches and chips from Traverse City! The view of the water was lovely and the interior showed off its cozy, creative character. Highly recommend if visiting Mackinac Island around lunchtime!

What a cute little spot full of character! We went on a Friday (summer) around lunchtime and it was very busy! We got a seat inside, right up against the window so we were able to look outside onto the water. We ordered the paradise lemonade, iced team, chipotle turkey sandwich, pesto grilled cheese, and the breakfast sandwich. The lemonade was so so good. I'm usually not a huge turkey fan, but the sandwich just sounded so good and I'm really happy I ordered it because it was delicious. My sister got the pesto grilled cheese and she said it was probably the best grilled cheese she has ever had. My dad said the breakfast sandwich hit the spot.

The poppies we had were very good, I'd say lemon beat the strawberry. Cute little business.

Amazing little cafe tucked away by the waterfront. Serve breakfast and lunch all day, but their day is short (closes by 4 pm). Inside seating is idyllic--straight out of a rom com--very peaceful to enjoy the sun and sound of the lake waves rolling with a visual of all the boats in at port. There is outside seating too, but not on the waterfront, but still close enough you can hear the water rolling. As for the food, delicious and fresh ingredients. There were plenty of sandwiches on the menu that sounded amazing, but I had the chicken salad sandwich on sourdough bread, which was so refreshing and yummy. There are gluten free options available if needed. We also tried the homemade pop tarts for breakfast on a different day. They are huge/shareable and well worth a try for a morning pastry!

When I tell you this is one of the best coffee places, I'm not kidding! The lilac latte is out of this world! I think about the lilac latte at least once a week and wish I could have one weekly! It's so good! They have alternative milk here as well if needed. They have a small food menu as well. They have nice breakfast sandwiches and açaí bowls as well. The service is friendly and they will bring your stuff directly to your table. It is the cutest little cafe with plenty of outdoor seating. They also offer art classes as well if you are interested in that!

Very cute place. The pop tarts are delicious! I would say get there early because they get pretty busy

One has to be careful when looking at reviews from vacation destinations. It's a scientific fact that food tastes better when on vacation. Google it. So I understand both the rave reviews of Watercolor Cafe, and those who are perplexed after trying the food because it didn't knock their socks off. Still, I am very thankful for Yelp to pointing me towards Watercolor Cafe on my recent trip to Mackinac Island, because it was just about the perfect spot for me and the family! We have a set of difficult criteria. The missus is avoiding gluten. We're still not eating indoors. And I can't stand over priced touristy food traps. Plus there are the kids, who are great, but maybe not super adventurous. Watercolor Cafe was a breath of fresh air from the tourist packed mobs on the main drag. Not like this was far away from the ferry landing. It was surprisingly close. But it is a little tucked away. Just being able to get a simple sandwich, with the option of having it on GF bread, was such a blessing. It doesn't hurt that the surroundings are beautiful. The sandwiches themselves? They were fine. I could pick nits about the quality of the bacon on the turkey chipotle sandwich. But ultimately, I was very happy with this cafe, and I am convinced it was the best choice for my family. Everything on the island is more expensive. That makes sense. It's an island. Ingredients and supplies all need to be brought there by ship. The same is true at Watercolor Cafe. But it felt nice to be able to enjoy a simple lunch without feeling like I was being robbed blind.

Super lovely cafe right on the water only a short walk away from the ferry dock. Loved the interior of this place super artsy and colorful. Lots of seating inside overlooking the water or outside in the warm sun. Super friendly staff. They have delicious coffee - great signature drinks especially lattes. Only 4 breakfast options to choose from and overpriced for what you are getting. Breakfast sandwich with chipotle aioli was pretty good, breakfast burrito with chorizo not so much. We really enjoyed our coffee and our experience here and would still definitely recommend for anyone traveling to the island.

LOVE this place! I have been going once a week on my day off from work. Gluten free and vegan options. Super friendly staff. Great environment.

This cafe was conveniently close to the inn we stayed at. Lattes are amazing: had the Lilac Latte twice - yummy. We also ordered takeout online for an easy lunch. Pesto grilled cheese (4/5), BLT wrap (5/5), turkey chipotle (5/5). Great lunch. Small portion size. Would be nice if they also included a bag of chips. Quaint atmosphere on the water. Wish we would have had time to take an art class!

Worth the extra walk down Main Street. This place is quaint, clever and creative. Food and drinks are unique and delicious.

Friendly service with fun, creative and delicious food. The waterside location and views can't be beat.

Highly recommend. No better breakfast than here, at the Watercolor Cafe. And especially if you are looking for (wonderful) gluten-free options! Service is amazing and the view is right on the water. And do not pass on the homemade pop tarts... yummy!

Our barista was amazing and gave us amazing service, and the cinnamon rolls were delightful. The place was very cute and had an amazing view and cute decor.

Yummy sandwiches! Good service. Quaint seating area. I'd love to take a class next time around. Great location!

Super cute cafe on the island! It is quite busy & a little on the pricier side (as to be expected on the island). I got the 24oz iced vanilla latte & it was $7 even. It was a good latte for a Starbucks price. It is a quick and easy cafe to stop by for a drink or a light brunch!

Cute little place. Very casual. Good gluten free options and staff was helpful. Was a bit hard to find.

Enjoyed a lovely cup of coffee at very reasonable pricing at this quant little shop on Mackinac Island their bakery items and sandwiches looked good as well

We stopped here because we got up too late - about 10 o'clock and couldn't find anywhere else on the island that was still serving breakfast food. The only reason I'm not giving this cafe 5 stars is because the wait was very long... about 30 mins and my mom did not like her tea. She ordered the original Lotus tea and it was way too sweet, she likes unsweetened green tea and this was not her style. Otherwise the food was delicious and we would definitely go back next time we are on the island. I would recommend going here if you're looking for a super casual breakfast/brunch setting that's right next to the water. Everything was reasonably priced and there are a lot of seats inside and outside. We order the breakfast burrito, the special toast (the figgy pig), & the original lotus tea w/ extra ice.

Amazing food, cute and cozy atmosphere, perhaps one of my favorite parts of the island

I'm really stunned by the other positive reviews because they do not match up with our experience. The Cafe is very small but right on the water. All I really wanted was an iced vanilla latte, but what I got looked nothing like a standard latte. The cup was at least 3/4 full of just milk, and it looked like they poured espresso or maybe it was coffee on top of the milk without stirring it. I say maybe it was coffee because it completely lacked the traditional espresso flavor. Whatever it was, it certainly wasn't the right ratio to the milk. When I mixed it up on my own, the liquid went from white white milk to a very light beige color. What do you know, when I tried it, it just tasted like a glass of milk. Awful. Not to mention, while we were in there, it was uncomfortably hot. It was cooler outside than it was in the Cafe. When we left, I tried to talk to one of the employees about where to find the nearest bathroom, and they wouldn't even acknowledge me at first.

This little cutie is hidden behind the water color gallery by the water. They offer kids crafts activities. Great place to have a bite and hangout with friends and books.

The atmosphere was really cute and their staff was extremely nice. Get there before 9am though because they run out of inside seats really quickly. Their iced coffee was spectacular and I absolutely loved it. For food, I had a whole-grain toast with feta cheese and a soft boiled egg. It was just OK - the bread they used tasted very nice but the soft boiled egg I asked for was basically a fully cooked cold boiled egg. I also had the PB poptart which was decent but I think it tasted a bit dry.

Fantastic find on Yelp as we were headed to Mackinac Island for the day. I sought it out specifically from the reviews here. It was just as expected: location and atmosphere are lovely! Chai latte and smoothie for the adults and my kids enjoyed splitting the Paradise Lemonade. It was a little too early for lunch but the kids had mac and cheese. Coloring kept all artists busy, young and not-so-young. If I were ever on the island for a substantial length of time I would be here daily!

Everything we had was delicious, from the multigrain toast options to a toasted turkey sandwich, the homemade "pop tart" style peach pastry to the lemonade. Great view, healthier, gluten free and vegetarian/vegan options and reasonably priced. Go!

Oh my wow is this place so cute! I came based on a friend's recommendation and tried the lilac latte and it was delicious! The perfect afternoon treat pick me up. This place is a little farther from the big touristy area which is nice but makes it a little harder to find it.

I was expecting to stuff my belly full of fudge for breakfast, lunch and dinner on the day we visited Mackinac Island because I didn't remember the island having particularly good food. But the island has come a long way since I was last there (at least 20+ years ago). When my party of 4 consisting of 2 children started to get a little hungry we turned to Yelp for help and discovered the Watercolor Cafe. It was a little bit of a walk from the main strip, but well worth it. Once we got there we were the only people in this tiny restaurant, but that soon changed because there was a small line out of the door by the time we finished our meal. My friend and I tried their acai bowls, while our kids went for their usual grilled cheese staple. I also ordered a much needed coffee. Kids can stay preoccupied at the craft table while waiting for food, but it was only a few minutes until our food arrived. The acai bowls were as delicious as yelpers say. I also really appreciated eating something healthy since the rest of the day was fudge, taffy and more fudge. And the kids were very happy with their grilled cheese sandwiches, which looked pretty standard imo. My coffee didn't make it out to me and I had to ask the woman behind the counter 3 times for it since she became preoccupied with all the customers. They also don't have a restroom here and the nearest one is a few blocks away, which was a bit challenging when our kids needed to go mid meal. If you're looking for somewhere healthy that's a little removed from the craziness of the main street this is the perfect spot. I just recommend a stop at the restroom first and going on the earlier or later side to avoid any crowds in this tiny adorable restaurant.

The best place ever to visit while here! I cannot recommend it enough, and we were so bummed we didn't get back in time to get more!! It is a little off the downtown area, but it is almost better because it's somewhat secluded from the in-town craziness. The staff was amazing and so sweet to us. We ended up just getting the kids meals because we wanted something small and not super greasy. They had a great selection of healthier and less overwhelming foods. We got their blueberry lemonade which was AMAZING along with their strawberry banana smoothie which was just as good!! I also loved that they offered the coloring books as well. I think it is a great option for kids, especially if they are on go-mode! It was an all-around great experience, and we will definitely look forward to coming back every time we come up :)

Such a wonderful little cafe. It's a little off the beaten path and easy to pass if you aren't looking for it. Breakfast burrito with chorizo, eggs and cheese was delicious. It had a little kick but not too spicy. The banana oatmeal was thick and delicious. Last but not least the snickerdoodle latte was just the right treat to go along with breakfast. All the toasts and smoothie bowls looked amazing too! You order at the counter, you get a number for your table and then they bring the food out to you. There are a handful of tables inside and outside. Highly recommend this little cafe!

Service was amazing and food was great! If you like coffee the lilac latte was awesome!

Very cool little spot on the water. Staff is very happy and ready to help and the food and drinks were awesome. Everything came out very fast! Great job!

On a recent trip to the island with our puppy, we chose watercolor cafe because they allowed dogs to dine on the patio. I had the Monet and my husband had the breakfast burrito. Both were delicious and their lemonade was so tasty! Will definitely come back when we visit the island again.

I'm disappointed my first review has to be a negative one, but the experience was that poor. My cousin is on the autism spectrum and struggles with social skills. The staff seemed cold and pompous. The looks we were getting it felt like a middle school and the vibes just felt uncomfortable and cruel. The food was underwhelming. I have no desire to return.

Quick, easy and delicious. Family ordered the breakfast burrito, sandwich, avocado toast and poppy. Very happy and will be back next time we visit.

Went with my friends here for lunch and it was so nice! They have outdoor and indoor seating. It wasn't too busy and we were able to find a nice shaded spot to sit outside. The drinks were 11/10!!! I would recommend the wildflower latte, it was so good that I wish I could buy another ferry ticket just to get it again. The right amount of sweet with a kick of caffeine! The food was also pretty good. Be warned, the breakfast burrito is spicy I would recommend this place as a quick bite to eat before headed up to the art museum (right across the street), or to the arch rock (a 20 minute hike away).

Any negative review is an over privileged person looking for the silver spoon on an island. It's the healthiest option for those wanting a more organic, gluten and dairy free option. Our family of 6 from South Dakota loved it! Headed back in the morning to watch the sunrise and have breakfast! Thank you for being an option of goodness on the island!

Cozy nook with great breakfast and coffee! Their seasonal ube latte was very flavorful. The cafe sits on the lake with great views.