5 Reasons Frankenmuth Is For Foodies

When you make your way to Frankenmuth, venturing out on a flavorful foodie trail doesn’t mean dissecting an overpriced dish that looks more like an appetizer than an entrée and leaving with your stomach (and wallet) empty. Because, here, foodies can experience real Frankenmuth flavor and real portions, locally sourced with more made-in-Michigan ingredients than you can imagine. So, skip the skimpy servings and get straight to two of our long-time Frankenmuth favorites: Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Restaurant and Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth.

Once inside, you’ll find why more than 2 million chicken dinners are served here annually, to even the most discerning of foodies.

And while these stops may seem mainstream because of their massive following, the meals served here are every bit as monumental as they’re made out to be (think: platters of premium, golden, fried chicken next to warm, German noodles coated in crispy cracker topping, and breads so fresh the crust crackles when you break it).

And cheers, you will (German style!) at Frankenmuth’s wow-worthy hideaway, Prost! Wine Bar & Charcuterie. Here, a rotating selection of six wines on tap and an ever-changing selection of others by the glass (from dark fruity reds to dessert wines, bright and crisp whites to bubbles) pair with carefully curated boards of artisan meats and cheeses. Share small plates like Smoked Trout Spread or nosh on a delicious, pressed panini (like Prosciutto and Coppa sprinkled with summer greens and roasted red peppers). Looking to sample ample flavors without filling up? Craft your own charcuterie board from local, regional, and international selections of artisan meats, cheeses, and accompaniments, then finish up with sweet favorites like Chocolate Truffle Cake or Bread Pudding.

Fresh and local come to life inside Michigan on Main Bar & Grill, where a dedication to local sourcing and seasonality combine to bring only the purest of Pure Michigan flavors to the plate (and the pint glass)! Potatoes from Posen, fresh pork from Frankentrost, and 17 made-in-Michigan brews are just a few of the local finds on the menu, all made fresh and most made entirely of Michigan goodness. Later, you can experience even more Frankenmuth flavor with stick-to-your-ribs barbecue served inside Slo-Bones BBQ Smokehaus (alongside live, local blues music), try a turn-of-the-century restaurant called Tiffany’s, where fresh pastas, pizzas, and charbroiled specialties are on the menu, or cozy up at Michigan’s original craft brewery – Frankenmuth Brewery – for a made-in Michigan craft brew, a bite to eat, and a growler of the good stuff to-go.

Our flavors here in Frankenmuth are as diverse as they are delicious, and we can’t wait to help you travel the globe, plate by plate, without ever leaving Pure Michigan! Once you’ve sampled our world-famous German favorites, head to Poblano’s Mexican Grill & Cantina for a massive 55-oz. margarita and some more-than-worth-the-trip Mexican dishes. Dive into DaVinci’s for Italian delights like Shrimp Fettuccine and Veal Parmesan that live up to their 40-year tradition of great taste. Or, kick off your day as the French might, with made-to-order crepes at La Crepe du Jour, where over 25 sweet and savory varieties of this irresistible Parisian treat are waiting to be devoured. Before you head for home, be sure to make a stop at N’Orlins Beignets & Coffee for some true, Louisiana-style pastry and a cup of joe to go (hint: locals rave about N’Orlins’ own brew – the Big Easy Blend)!

Any worthwhile foodie foray ends with a sweet treat that lives up to the meal(s) before it. So, when in Frankenmuth, treat yourself in true, Bavarian sweet tooth-style with a stroll along Main Street (and quick stops at these can’t-miss sweet shops). Fancy some fudge? A trip into Frankenmuth Fudge Kitchen, Zak & Mac’s Chocolate Haus on Main Street, or Zak and Mac's Chocolate Haus in River Place Shops will leave you craving even more chocolatey goodness once you leave. Prefer freshly pulled taffy or hand-dipped ice cream? Frankenmuth Taffy Kitchen whips up taffies that range from the far-out to the familiar, while Jaami’s Ice Cream & Treats offers over 32 hand-dipped ice cream flavors and other favorites, served in handmade-in-the-window waffle cones.

Visit SugarHigh Bakery (winner of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars) for paper-lined perfection, or stop into their sister store, SugarRush Sweets & Treats for ice cream, bulk candy, and more! And foodies, make this one final stop on your way out of town: Rau’s Country Store. It’s our oldest and largest candy shop here in Frankenmuth, and the nostalgic favorites it features will leave you reliving your childhood the whole way home!