Bay City's food scene runs from classic diners and Polish comfort food to waterfront steakhouses, wood-fired pizza and craft-brewery pubs. Rather than rank places, this guide sorts them by what you might be craving. Every restaurant named here is listed with its address on our Eat page.
Before you go: hours, menus and ownership change often. Check each restaurant's own page or call ahead, especially on weekends and event nights. We do not rate or rank businesses.
Breakfast and diners
Uptown Grill (3 E Main St) serves breakfast and lunch, and Mandy's Diner (819 Saginaw St), Zef's Coney Restaurant (201 3rd St), Lasko's Restaurant (3966 Wilder Rd) and Suzie Q's Breakfast Nook (2410 38th St) cover the classic diner side of town. Broadway Family Grill (2020 Broadway St) is another family-style option.
Coffee
Local coffee shops include Harless + Hugh Coffee (1003 Washington Ave), Excited Goat Coffee Company (916 N Euclid Ave), Live Oak Coffeehouse (5 E Main St), Beatles and Beans Coffee Emporium (916 N Water St) and Legacy Coffee House & Calypso Wine Bar (810 Saginaw St).
Steak, seafood and a nice night out
Gatsby's Seafood & Steakhouse (203 Center Ave) pairs surf 'n' turf with a 1920s-inspired setting. Old City Hall (814 Saginaw St) serves casual fine dining in a historic building. Real Seafood Company (199 Uptown Dr) is known for lobster, oysters and a waterfront patio, and Gilly's Bistro (1023 N Johnson St) offers a fusion menu. Riverfront Grille and Lounge (1 Wenonah Park Place) sits next to Wenonah Park, and H2O's Waterside Grill (966 E Midland St) is another American option near the water.
Polish and comfort food
Bay City has a deep Polish heritage, which you can taste at Krzysiak's House Restaurant (1605 Michigan Ave), a longtime standby for Polish cuisine. Read the story in our Polish heritage guide. Roma's Family Restaurant (1209 Broadway St) is another longtime neighborhood-style option.
BBQ
Try BarqueBC (818 Washington Ave), Meaty's Roadhouse BBQ & Sausage Shack (1411 S Wenona St) or That Guys BBQ (1590 S Euclid Ave).
Sandwiches and delis
Intermission Deli (111 3rd St) is an art-lined stop for sub sandwiches. Pfund's Sandwich Company (508 E Midland St), Wanigan Eatery and Pub (1905 S Wenona St) and Mean Rooster Deli (1411 S Wenona St) round out the list.
Pizza and Italian
Gulino's Pizza & Sons (1406 N Henry St), Brooklyn Boyz Pizza (507 E Midland St), Eudici's Pizza (404 E Midland St), Vinny's Pizzeria (160 Uptown Dr) and D'Angelo's (1305 Columbus Ave, with burgers and vegan options) are the pizza picks on our list.
Asian and Mediterranean
Izakaya (512 E Midland St) is a Japanese restaurant, Sushi Remix (152 Uptown Dr) serves Asian fusion, and Blossoms Asian Bistro (4124 Wilder Rd) and Chan's Garden (215 3rd St) are also listed. Pita Way (196 McKinley Ave) serves Mediterranean bowls, gyros and fire fries.
Mexican
Los Pinostacos Mexican Grill (1614 Kosciuszko Ave), Coco Loco Mexican Grill & Bar (201 N Euclid Ave) and Casa Flores Taqueria & More (6907 Westside Saginaw Rd) are on our Eat page.
Pubs, bars and grills
For pub food and a drink, try Mulligan's Pub (107 Center Ave), Latitude 43 (1013 N Henry St), Barney's Bar & Grill (800 Michigan Ave), Governor's Quarters (1304 S Wenona St), Bay City Bill's Bar & Grill (1215 Michigan Ave) or Bay View Bar & Grill (3008 Patterson Rd). Several breweries also serve food; see the craft beer guide and the Nightlife page.
Sweets
Michigan Cream & Sugar (160 Uptown Dr) and Buddy's Columbus Cone (801 Columbus Ave) serve ice cream. Parlor Doughnuts (606 N Euclid Ave), Little Pastry Shop (401 Center Ave) and Vienna Pastry & Bakery are the bakery stops on our list. Around Fat Tuesday, ask bakeries about paczki.
Eating with kids, or on a budget
Pizza places and diners are easy with kids; see our kid-friendly day. A picnic from a deli at one of the riverfront parks is a nice way to keep costs down; see free things to do.
Find more
The Eat page has filters, links and a map button for each listing. Save favorites with the heart icon and find them later in My List, or let the Weekend Planner build a day with meals included. If we are missing a place, add a business.