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Lakeside Charm and Farm-Fresh Ambition: A Guide to the Rising Food and Wine Scene in Michigan’s Harbor Country

Just outside of Chicago, this lakeside district has morphed from summer vacation spot to year-round food and wine destination.

Point to the city of Chicago on a map, then draw the letter “U” along the shore of Lake Michigan, and your finger will land on the tiny little town of New Buffalo, the heart of what locals call Harbor Country. With a beautiful marina, lakefront sandy stretches along Lake Michigan that are doppelgängers for ocean beaches, and a high concentration of great local restaurants, the area has long been a vacation area for Windy City dwellers. Populations tend to swell in the summer months of July and August, but up until recently, the area was mostly a seasonal getaway.

Over the last few years, though, community-focused projects like Granor Farm have drawn an even higher caliber of chef, such as James Beard Award finalist and cookbook author Abra Berens, who now serves as the property’s culinary director. The farm’s impact on the area has been enormous. The abundance of organic produce, seedlings, herbs and flowers created a local ecosystem that can support other restaurants and local chefs, while the fine-dining service offered during their Taste of Granor meals raised expectations across the area. 

At the same time, young winemakers have begun to explore the potential of growing vines in the region due to the porous, rocky soils left behind by receding glaciers on the lakeshore. This quickly-draining terroir, along with proximity to the lake’s microclimates, makes it an ideal pocket for planting vineyards, and a new generation is following in the footsteps of the area’s earliest pioneering winemaker, Jim Lester at Wyncroft Wine. 

There are other, more practical reasons the area is thriving. People of all ages moved out of cities like Chicago in waves during the pandemic, driven partly by the rise of remote work and partly by increasing rent in urban areas. When these newcomers decamp to smaller communities like Michigan’s Harbor Country, some of them open bottle shops that double as indie music venues, like the recently unveiled Out There, or Southern cafes like Viola, and the result is a food and wine oasis that’s batting way out of its league.

With a pair of excellent, locally owned boutique hotels, an agriculturally driven brewery, and a day-to-night deli that morphs into a speakeasy at sundown, this little enclave has all the makings of America’s next great food and wine scene. And since it’s only about 90 minutes by car from Chicago, and less than an hour from South Bend and Kalamazoo, it’s easily accessible from quite a few directions. Here’s a rundown on the best of what Harbor Country, and a couple of neighborhoods just beyond it, have to offer.

The Ultimate Guide to Harbor Country, Michigan

Domaine Berrien Cellars

Warren Dunes State Park

600 W Water Street, New Buffalo, MI 49117

Located right on the edge of the sparkling Oselka Marina, a full-service harbor that’s a big part of why so many locals flock here every summer, Marina Grand Resort is a luxury property with pretty much everything a visitor could possibly want on vacation. Nearly every room at the 78-key property has a view of the marina; it’s a great home base for those passing through for a few days. Longer-stay guests can spread out in one of their expansive, apartment-style suites, which include a king bedroom, living room, dining table, fireplace and full kitchen, plus two walk-out balconies. Designed with lots of light, bright wood and blue and white accents that nod to the waterfront outside, modern art from local artists rounds out the elevated coastal vibe. It’s the epitome of lake house living, without the hassle of home ownership. The lobby features a full coffee bar that offers fresh pastries, plus a pop-up from Stand Magazines, a collection of sleek print publications curated by local writer Lena Singer. A seasonal rooftop lounge and outdoor pool open every summer, while the indoor saltwater pool and jacuzzi are available year-round. Beach cruisers, beach towels and chairs are also complimentary for guests to borrow in season.

111 W Water St, New Buffalo, MI 49117

The slightly smaller sister hotel to Marina Grand, Harbor Grand was the original property on the marina, and has the same lake house feel and waterfront views. Located just a five-minute walk apart, the hotels easily share services, including restaurants (more on that below) and treatments in the harborfront Foundation Spa, though the facilities are located within Harbor Grand. With just 50 rooms, this property’s cozy footprint is bolstered by accommodations with fireplaces and soaking tubs or walk-in showers, plus Grown Alchemist products and plush robes. Every stay includes a complimentary picnic basket breakfast delivered to your door for breakfast in bed, with options like a frittata, croissant, chia pudding and more. For a bit of pampering, head downstairs for a massage or a swim in the indoor saltwater pool and hot tub. Better yet, this guesthouse is barely even a block from the beach, so lakefront morning walks or afternoon lounging on sunny days are another perk.

3520 Warren Woods Rd, Three Oaks, MI 49128

Granor Farm first opened in 2006, but has grown significantly in size and scope over the last two decades. This certified organic farm in Three Oaks, Michigan, was initially founded by Rob Buono and Liz Cicchelli as a 10-acre vegetable garden and education center. It now spans over 400 acres, includes a distillery, and hosts various events like a farm camp every year. Granor grows over a hundred varieties of vegetables, grains, flowers and herbs that are used by many chefs around the community, but their Taste of Granor dinners are still the best way to experience the bounty for yourself. Now under the stewardship of........

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