Known for its lakes, beaches, forests and freezing winters, the Mitten State is often associated with people who love the great outdoors. The state is also popular among sports enthusiasts. What not many people realize is that foodies will have plenty to rave about too when they visit, with plenty of excellent Michigan restaurants that show off the tastes of the region.
The Midwestern state of Michigan lies in the Great Lakes region. Two peninsulas form its surface area and it's the lower one of these that inspired the nickname, the Mitten State, because of its distinctive shape. Lansing is the capital but by far the largest city here is Detroit. Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor are important cities too.
While the state is known especially as being a center for the automotive industry, it also boasts vast farmlands. The fertile soils are used to produce a wide range of products, from berries and other fruits like cherries and apples to vegetables and legumes. The livestock industry is extensive too, with dairy and pork just some of the animal products coming from the region. Naturally the many lakes and waterways mean that there is plenty of fresh fish too.
The people from Michigan are a diverse lot. Most Michiganders are of European descent, usually of German, English, Scottish, Irish, Scandinavian, Dutch, Italian or Polish stock. There are important Hispanic and African American communities too and the state also has sizable populations of Hmong, Japanese or Middle Eastern descent.
The different people who settled in the area brought their culinary traditions with them, such as the pasties of the Upper Peninsula, brought to the region by miners from the Cornwall region in England. The existing traditions were combined with the plentiful produce available to create unique regional specialties. For example, Michiganders won't settle for a plain old chicken salad if they can add cherries to it. Mackinac Island is the place to go for the most delicious fudge and throughout the state you'll find wineries and breweries for quenching your thirst.
At different times of the year there are different festivals that celebrate the many agricultural products of Michigan. Keep an eye out for these when you visit. However, if the thought of going to a festival completely dedicated to something like cherries or pickles doesn't really appeal to you, you may prefer the restaurant weeks in cities like Ann Arbor or Detroit.
While Traverse City is the current foodie hot spot, no self-respecting food lover should visit without checking out the Detroit dining scene. Down-to-earth specialties in the city include the Coney Island hot dog and Detroit-style deep-dish pizza. Expand your horizons in ethnic neighborhoods such as Greektown or the Polish suburb of Hamtramck and if you prefer fine dining, you have plenty of options. There are more than 130 restaurants just in the downtown area.
The one problem with a gourmet paradise is that there is so much choice that you may not know where to start. One way to get introduced to the delights of the Mitten State is to take a food tour. Otherwise, simply check the suggestions on food websites, consult the local listings, ask Michiganders for recommendations or follow the kitchen smells as you stroll along the sidewalks.
The Midwestern state of Michigan lies in the Great Lakes region. Two peninsulas form its surface area and it's the lower one of these that inspired the nickname, the Mitten State, because of its distinctive shape. Lansing is the capital but by far the largest city here is Detroit. Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor are important cities too.
While the state is known especially as being a center for the automotive industry, it also boasts vast farmlands. The fertile soils are used to produce a wide range of products, from berries and other fruits like cherries and apples to vegetables and legumes. The livestock industry is extensive too, with dairy and pork just some of the animal products coming from the region. Naturally the many lakes and waterways mean that there is plenty of fresh fish too.
The people from Michigan are a diverse lot. Most Michiganders are of European descent, usually of German, English, Scottish, Irish, Scandinavian, Dutch, Italian or Polish stock. There are important Hispanic and African American communities too and the state also has sizable populations of Hmong, Japanese or Middle Eastern descent.
The different people who settled in the area brought their culinary traditions with them, such as the pasties of the Upper Peninsula, brought to the region by miners from the Cornwall region in England. The existing traditions were combined with the plentiful produce available to create unique regional specialties. For example, Michiganders won't settle for a plain old chicken salad if they can add cherries to it. Mackinac Island is the place to go for the most delicious fudge and throughout the state you'll find wineries and breweries for quenching your thirst.
At different times of the year there are different festivals that celebrate the many agricultural products of Michigan. Keep an eye out for these when you visit. However, if the thought of going to a festival completely dedicated to something like cherries or pickles doesn't really appeal to you, you may prefer the restaurant weeks in cities like Ann Arbor or Detroit.
While Traverse City is the current foodie hot spot, no self-respecting food lover should visit without checking out the Detroit dining scene. Down-to-earth specialties in the city include the Coney Island hot dog and Detroit-style deep-dish pizza. Expand your horizons in ethnic neighborhoods such as Greektown or the Polish suburb of Hamtramck and if you prefer fine dining, you have plenty of options. There are more than 130 restaurants just in the downtown area.
The one problem with a gourmet paradise is that there is so much choice that you may not know where to start. One way to get introduced to the delights of the Mitten State is to take a food tour. Otherwise, simply check the suggestions on food websites, consult the local listings, ask Michiganders for recommendations or follow the kitchen smells as you stroll along the sidewalks.
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