Andrew Zimmern Raves About Traverse City Restaurants

It’s always a rush to see Michigan’s food scene get some love on a national stage. But when a four-time James Beard Award winner and celebrity chef gives a shout-out? You definitely stop and take notice!

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Why Was Andrew Zimmern in Traverse City?

Renowned chef, restaurateur, and host of Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods, Andrew Zimmern, was Up North as a headlining guest chef for the second annual Traverse City Food & Wine Festival. During his visit, he hosted a special outdoor dining experience, "Under the Northern Star," at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay.

UP NEXT: Black Star Farms Crowned Best Winery in Michigan

He curated an interactive feast featuring everything from seared tuna with caponata to poached shrimp with remoulade, putting a massive spotlight on vibrant seasonal ingredients and local agriculture.

👇BELOW: 20+ Michigan Restaurants Locals Recommend To Out-Of-State Visitors👇

Naturally, in between hosting duties, prepping live culinary demos, and soaking up the summer vibes, a chef's gotta eat, right? Zimmern did some exploring of his own across the local dining scene and took to social media to give major praise to two Northern Michigan eateries that blew him away.

Chef Andrew Zimmern's Up North Favorites

Zimmern headed to Bubbie's Bagels on Front Street for what he says is one of the top ten bagels in the country.

He raves about the three day process to make the bagels, continuing,

It's so robust. Chewy and delicious. Smoked salmon... The bagel is insane. Local heirloom tomatoes. But maybe most importantly, I think this is the coolest thing... Whitefish salad made with local Great Lakes Whitefish. Bubbie's Bagels, Traverse City. World Class. Spectacular.

Zimmern then hit up Umbo, an intimate 25-seat raw bar and restaurant, also located on Front Street. He called the selection "exquisite" and claimed the grilled stone fruit and corn puree was one of the best dishes he's eaten in a while.

Whenever I'm in Traverse City, I try to hit up new-to-me restaurants, and these are both going on my list!

And Zimmern wasn't the only Food Network star falling in love with the area. Chef Aarti Sequeira was also in town as a headlining guest for the festival, collaborating with local chefs like Sarah Bobier at Artisan and putting on live cooking demos.

Speaking with the Detroit Free Press, Sequeira couldn't stop raving about Northern Michigan's food scene and local agriculture, even mentioning that a local farmer managed to grow fresh curry leaves specifically for her dish.

Sequeira shared,

There is something about this part of the country that I don't want anybody else to know about, because it's so magical and I want to keep it just for me... I cannot believe the quality of produce you guys get to eat out here.

Zimmern and Sequeira are on long list of celebrities who spent time in Traverse City. Most recently, Paris Hilton visited last month during the National Cherry Festival.

20+ Michigan Restaurants Locals Recommend To Out-Of-State Visitors (2026)

Michigan is a big place with multiple peninsulas, all with incredible restaurants from lakeshore to lakeshore and everywhere in between. If you're visiting, you can't afford to waste time eating bad food - that's why these 20+ restaurants recommended by locals are guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds.

List made based on this post.

Gallery Credit: Tommy McNeill