The Munchies

Where to go in NoMi for your post-cannabis cravings

By Anna Faller | April 13, 2024

It’s a tale as old as time…weed brings on the munchies. It’s hard to achieve canna-bliss when you’re hungry, so we asked seven dispensaries throughout northwest Michigan for the restaurants, cafés, and coffee shops they recommend to their customers. (It’s always 4:20 somewhere, right?)

Lume Cannabis Co.

Petoskey, Honor, and Gaylord (plus other locations)
With a staggering 38 storefronts and counting, you’re never far from Michigan’s first adult-use dispensary, Lume Cannabis Co.—and that means scads of nearby snack opportunities!

For Gaylord-based buds, wholesale purchasing manager John Lohner says The Pine Squirrel Bar & Grill is a must. A short five-minute drive southeast of the dispensary, this local watering hole hits all the high notes with its relaxed atmosphere and killer pub fare, including pizzas, paninis, and a stacked burger lineup. “It’s a fun little place where you can count on good food and maybe play some pool or catch a game,” he says.

In Honor, things are doubly smoky courtesy of Jim’s Joint BBQ. Just east of Lume on Main Street, this family-owned barbeque spot lives up to its “no rules, no region” motto by means of house-smoked meats made with love. Go ham—literally—with the unrivaled Cuban sandwich, or keep it authentic with an entrée platter (the dry-rubbed ribs are Lohner’s pick), complete with scratch sides like baked beans, coleslaw, and corn cakes. You just can’t kill the buzz here!

Petoskey patrons are in luck: Lume has two local locations, and they’re both about equidistant from the flavor-packed paradise of Happy’s Taco Shop. Tucked into The Back Lot’s year-round bar yard, this gourmet truck does true Latin fare (think: street tacos with onion, cilantro, and lime) combined with some cheeky American fusion, like the better-than-Taco Bell Crunchwrap Royale and elusive Lamb Cheeseburger taco. “It’s absolutely amazing,” says Lohner.

Find Lume Cannabis Co. storefronts in Gaylord (499 Dickerson Rd.), Honor (9899 Honor Hwy), and Petoskey (1345 US-31). lume.com

Olean’s Northport Recreational Cannabis

Northport
Per dispensary owner, Daniel Caudill, the goal when developing Olean’s Northport was to push consumers’ assumptions a bit. From their eclectic small-batch cannabis stock right down to the 20-foot-tall mascot, that’s exactly what they’ve done.

For an innovative snack to match, Fingers Crossed is just the ticket. “It’s a great experience all around,” Caudill notes. Less than a mile south of Olean’s, this new American eatery is all about showcasing local ingredients. Belly up to the bar for a world-class cocktail (owner Dave Kwiatkowski is also the brains behind swanky Detroit bar The Sugar House), or dig into seasonal plates and tapas, rotating burgers, tacos, and some of the best chicken wings and chipotle ranch west of Buffalo.

Find Olean’s Northport at 776 Mill St. in Northport. oleansdispensary.com

Torch Cannabis Co.

Central Lake
Your visit to Central Lake starts with a celebration of self at Torch Cannabis Co., where CEO Kelly “Green Girl” Young has cultivated a one-stop shop for all things cannabis health and wellness.

From there, the buzz continues about a block north at The Blue Pelican Inn & Restaurant, which is not only known for its ghostly visitors but also upscale-casual dining (psst—there’s also a basement bar!). On the shareables end, Young highlights the signature Big Bang Shrimp and a creamy Caesar salad, while entrees range from hand-crafted burgers to seafood and newly-released specialty pizzas. “Their food is always top-notch, and they’ve done a fantastic job of making Central Lake a fun place to hang out,” she adds.

Find Torch Cannabis Co. at 7957 State St. in Central Lake. (231) 676-8252; torchcannabisco.com

Dunegrass Co.

Traverse City, Beulah, and Cadillac (plus other locations)
Dunegrass’s eight statewide locations are all about elevating local adventures through cannabis; but first, you need some nosh!

At the spanking-new Traverse City shop, whose grand opening is set for 4/20, tummy grumbles are quickly quelled with a trip next door to The Little Fleet. Dunegrass staff can’t get enough of their food trucks’ variety (check out the website for the 2024 lineup) and their seasonal kitchen takeovers, which promise scratch-made eats for every palette. Dunegrass marketing director Rebecca Herd also highlights the bar’s extensive zero-proof menu—in particular, the refreshing Pineapple Express—which won’t interfere with gummy dosages.

In Cadillac, all-day brunch awaits just up the stairs from Dunegrass at Roasted Café. Helmed by chef Matt Dykema, this spot really does have the cure for every craving, from classic egg-based breakfast plates (the sausage-stuffed breakfast burrito is Herd’s go-to), to soups, wraps, and global flavors, all with a distinctively local flare—and a signature cocktail menu, to boot! “It really is our go-to spot, and you can have it any time of day,” says Herd.

Tucked along the Bestie River about 14 miles south of Dunegrass in Beulah, Iron Fish Distillery offers the ultimate outdoor fuel. Stop in for a farm-distilled cocktail and pair it with a Sassage! pizza, made with buffalo sausage and recycled grain, or dip into a scoop of smoked whitefish pate. Other menu highlights include farm-fresh salads, brimming handhelds, and buttery maple shortbread.

Find Dunegrass Co. in Traverse City (440 E. Front St.), Cadillac (115 N. Mitchell St.) and Beulah (7803 Crystal Dr., Suite B). dunegrass.co

Apothecare Cheboygan

Cheboygan
Free smells reign in downtown Cheboygan, where Apothecare Cannabis’s certified organic herb arrives deli-style. Stock up before basking in the bacon-laced aroma of Step Inn just a few hundred feet west, whose diner-style offerings have been loved by locals for more than three decades.

Of these, homemade chorizo is an obvious standout (it headlines a breakfast skillet), as are the freshly-baked breads and plate-sized stacks of fluffy Reese’s pancakes. For an extra dose of AM motivation, Apothecare staff also highlights Cheboygan Coffee Roasters for a hot cuppa and sweet-treat to go.

Find Apothecare Cheboygan at 414 N. Main St. in Cheboygan. apothecarecheboygan.com.

Riverside Provisioning

Kalkaska
Kid in a THC candy store: check! Opened in 2022, Riverside Provisioning in Kalkaska is stocked floor-to-ceiling with leafy goodies, from the smokable stuff to waxes and oils to buzz-worthy drinks and sweets.

Once you’ve hit your sugar limit, a quick mile-and-a-half drive up 131 takes you straight to Nico’s Pizza & Grinders, where everything’s fresh and destined for sauce. Riverside staff recommends the garlicky-good bread nuggets, alongside toasty Italian grinders and syrup-drenched baklava. The pan pizza is a real gem, and its house-seasoned crust makes even the simplest pie feel like you’ve hit the gourmet jackpot. (Bonus: There’s a delivery option!)

Find Riverside Provisioning at 782 S. Cedar St. in Kalkaska. (231) 564-4005; rsmeds.com

The Oui-D Shop

Manistee
“Yes!” is the theme at The Oui-D Shop in Manistee, where guests can shop hand-picked selections of organic flower and CBD products.

It’s also the only answer to a stop at nearby T.J.’s Pub, located just across the river (about five minutes south of the shop by car) inside the historic Ramsdell Inn. It doesn’t get better than this cozy tavern for elevated comfort food. Snuggle up by the crackling fireplace and tuck into some of the restaurant’s famous soup—Oui-D Shop staff loves the famous Pub Prime—or buttery Lemon-Garlic Shrimp. High-piled sandwiches are also available, as are pub-style bakes, like meatballs and pot-roast and bacon-sprinkled mac ’n’ cheese. In short: The whole place is pretty lit.

Find The Oui-D Shop at 240 Arthur St. in Manistee. theouidshop.com