Looking for a quick bite to eat? Some Michigan brews or local wine? Caffeine to get you through the day?
Check out our dining and drinking scene in Downtown Alpena below.

Restaurants + Bars

Quick Bites

Cafes

Sweets

 

Restaurants + Bars

The Black Sheep Pub
113 S. Second Ave.

The English pub of Alpena. Hearty food with English and Michigan craft beers on tap. Full lunch and dinner menu. Live entertainment on the weekends. For more information about live music and specials, check out their Facebook page. 

HopSide Brewery
129 W. Chisholm St.

Hopside Brewery is downtown's only microbrewery, brewing and serving a variety of beers from IPAs to stouts to goses.  They also have a full menu of delicious food and apps including pizza, sandwiches, and nachos for lunch and dinner.

John Boy's
​817 W. Chisholm St.

An unpretentious restaurant in the West End of our downtown that's been serving the Alpena for over thirty years. Open daily from 7 am- 2 pm with hours until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. Menu includes breakfast, burgers, fries, sandwiches and more.

JJ's Steak & Pizza House
411 N. Second Ave.

Casual American cuisine with a wide variety on the menu and sports bar. Pizza, burgers, sandwiches, Mexican, pasta. Full menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can see their full menu on their website. 

Latitudes Tavern
307 W. Chisholm St.

Local bar and tavern, popular nightlife spot. Offers a selection of delicious sliders, sandwiches, salads and other great tavern food as well as a pool table, specialty cocktails and Michigan beers on tap. 

Mango's Tequila Bar
121 W. Chisholm St.

A locally-owned Mexican restaurant with a traditional Mexican and American menu. Margarita towers, delicious tequila, vibrant and fun atmosphere for lunch and dinner. Enjoy a drink and bite to eat on their outdoor patio!​

The Old Polish Corner
626 N. Second Ave.

Polish & American restaurant featuring authentic Polish dishes like pierogis, Nowicki's Polish sausage, and rotating specials. The Old Polish Corner has a full bar and cocktail menu, including Polish beers on tap. Dine outdoors on their patio during the summer and fall months on historic North Second Ave.

Player's Pub & Grub
​113 S. 9th Ave.

Player's Pub is an iconic Alpena dive bar, featuring beer on draft, wine, cocktails, pool, and a full lunch and dinner menu. Rotating specials include sushi, bento boxes, and their delectable "tot-chos." Stop by their pub right off the Chisholm St. corridor near the County Courthouse.

Red Brick Tap & Barrel
109 River St.

Red Brick is downtown's go-to dinner spot! In a renovated historic building, they offer upscale pub food and unique menu items highlighting local ingredients. Try their extensive whiskey list or dine outside in the alleyway next to their building.

Samantha's on 2nd
109 N. Second Ave.

Downtown's newest restaurant (opened April 2025) in the historic Center Building! A full-scale restaurant with everything made from scratch, including steak, seafood, a lunch menu, and weekend brunch. 

Sports Page Lounge
​823. W Chisholm St.

A casual bar sports bar in the West End of our downtown, offering cold beer, pool, and sports games on TV. Enjoy a drink in their back outdoor dining area! At this point in time, they do not have a kitchen, drinks only.

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Tasting Rooms

Knaebe's 
​Tasting Room
​123 Water St.

Knaebe's is bringing their hard cider from Rogers City to the new Water Street Commons! Their tiny shop offers pints or flights of their hard cider along with other merchandise from their farm like jams, salsas, dips and baking mixes.

PIF Cider
​Tasting Room
205 W. Chisholm St.

 Presque Isle Farm Cider is made from Michigan orchards, Great Lakes’ winds, and the farmland and forests of the mitten. Their taproom serves a variety of their own hard ciders made in the traditional style, ranging from semi-sweet to dry, cider slushies, cider cocktails, and mocktails. Now serving pizza from Birch Hill Grocery! 

Rusty Petunias
Wine & Craft Beer Bar
123 W. Chisholm St.

Rusty Petunias Marketplace opened a Wine & Craft Beer Bar in their shop in 2021. They offer a rotating selection of wines, craft beef, and cocktails to enjoy in their lounge or sip while you shop. Check out their Facebook page to find out what they're pouring this week. They also offer charcuterie boxes and snacks.

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Thunder Bay Winery
Tasting Room
109 N. Second Ave.

Local winery’s tasting room in the historic Center Building with outdoor sidewalk seating. Wine tastings, wine flights, and a variety of red, white, rose, fruit and dessert wines available by the glass or by the bottle. Bring your own food or enjoy their selection of charcuterie and snack trays.

 

Quick Bites

Blu Blends Smoothies & Acai
​123 Water St.

Head over to the Water Street Commons and enjoy a delicious selection of smoothies, açaí bowls, bold coffee, and wholesome grab-and-go foods designed for everyday adventures.

The Bulldog
125 N. Second Ave.

A hot dog joint connected to a comic book shop featuring specialty dogs, pizza, popcorn and more in a vibrant colorful space. Vegan and Gluten-Free friendly. Stay up to date with their daily hot dog specials on Facebook!

Blue Moon Cafe
130 W. Chisholm St.

Local deli and lunch spot with a variety of salads, sandwiches, soups and wraps in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Online ordering and downtown delivery available. Check out their full offerings on their Facebook.

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Mango's Express
Center Alley

If you want a quick grab and go lunch, stop by Mango's Express and build your own bowl, burritos or tacos. You can even get a margarita to go!

Sanctuary Dogs
480 W. Fletcher St.

Located next door to NOAA, Sanctuary Dogs offers gourmet hotdogs locally sourced from Nowicki's Sausage. They also offer appetizers to go with your hotdog!

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Food Trucks

Downtown Alpena now has food trucks! The River Street Food Truck Court next to Red Brick Tap & Barrel officially opened June 2022, and there are other trucks you may be able to find downtown that are listed below.

 While you're at the court, enjoy a drink from any participating establishment from the Downtown Alpena Social District!

River St. Vault Bar & Smoothery
115 River St.

Located in the River St. Food Truck Court, the Vault Bar & Smoothery is open seasonally and offers freshly crafted smoothies, sandwiches and alcoholic beverages to enjoy as part of the Downtown Alpena Social District. Also home to 808 Bowlz, offering Hawaiian inspired food, poke bowls, rice bowls, and more.

Fresh Palate Throwback
115 River St.

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Cafes

Biggby Coffee
224 E. Chisholm St.

A coffee franchise founded in Lansing, Michigan, Biggby Coffee offers a wide range of brewed coffee, espresso drinks, bagel sandwiches and more. 

Cabin Creek Coffee
201 N. Second Ave.

Family-owned coffee house featuring full coffee bar and food menu of sandwiches, salads, toasted pitas, soups, and homemade baked goods. Find a complete menu on their website.

Friendly Foodees
108 N. Third Ave.

Fresh plant-based cafe featuring bagel sandwiches, coffee drinks, and fresh pressed juices. Enjoy rotating specials including vegan mac and cheese, sushi, ramen, tacos, and more. For full menu, visit their Facebook page.

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2nd Ave. Coffee Co.
​624 N. Second Ave.

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Sweets

Dairy Queen Alpena
600 W. Chisholm St.

Dairy Queen franchise offering all your favorite sweet treats, including blizzards, dipped cones, slushies, and more. 

Downtown Scoops
101 N. Second Ave.

Local ice cream shop featuring 24 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream, custom sundaes, homemade waffle cones, shakes, malts, and other gourmet treats. Check out their Facebook here. 

Lulu's Sweet Shop
​125 W. Chisholm St.

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Riverside Ice Cream
​480 W. Fletcher St.

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