Last chance!
Our voting deadline is at 3 p.m. today, Jan. 29, for Michigan’s Best Outdoor Dining.
As of 6 a.m. we’ve had more than 16,000 votes for 130-plus restaurants that were nominated in 11 regions from all parts of the state.
We thank you for supporting these hardy restaurant owners, managers and employees who have endured the current dine-in shutdown, which will end on Feb. 1 when restaurants are allowed to open to 25 percent capacity.
That doesn’t mean outdoor dining will end any time soon.
Igloos, shanties and other patio dining set ups will remain open to help these restaurants survive. Pro tip: Many of these establishments require reservations more than a week in advance. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so plan accordingly.
As for our search, most poll leaders remain the same.
RELATED: See our Poll Leaders for Michigan’s Best Outdoor Dining
The biggest change has been in the Muskegon & Lakeshore poll where The Hearthstone Bistro in Muskegon has steadily moved up in the poll. It is now a few votes ahead of The Curragh in Holland, which is now No. 2.
In Kalamazoo & Southwestern Michigan, The NODE-Niles Outdoor Dining Experience was only three votes ahead of the River St. Joe in Buchanan, which came out of nowhere.
How to vote
Again, the deadline is 3 p.m. today (Jan. 29), when the polls close.
You can vote every three hours, once per email address. You can vote in more than one poll.
Once the polls close, Michigan’s Best reporter Amy Sherman and I will visit several restaurants and give a first-hand account of our dining experiences.
Look for poll winners and more stories in early February.
Click on the links below to vote.
The NODE-Niles Outdoor Dining Experience at Main & 2nd Streets in Downtown Niles, Michigan has nominated for Michigan’s Best Outdoor Dining.Courtesy of Lisa Croteau/Niles DDA
Northern Lower Peninsula – VOTE HERE
Upper Peninsula – VOTE HERE
Bay City, Saginaw, Midland – VOTE HERE
Detroit Metro – VOTE HERE
Ann Arbor area – VOTE HERE
Jackson area – VOTE HERE
Kalamazoo and SW Michigan – VOTE HERE
Grand Rapids area – VOTE HERE
Muskegon & Lakeshore area – VOTE HERE
Lansing area – VOTE HERE
Flint and Thumb region – VOTE HERE
If you missed our complete nominations list, click on the link below.
RELATED: See all of the nominations for Michigan’s Best Outdoor Dining
The search for Michigan’s Best Outdoor Dining is sponsored in part by Warm Fitness.
MLive reporters Amy Sherman, left, and John Gonzalez, right, speak with Ravi Patel in a search for Michigan’s Best doughnuts on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020 at B&J Donuts, located at 4021 Richfield Road in Genesee Township. (Jake May | MLive.com)Jake May | Mlive.com
If you have questions, feel free to email us.
Amy Sherman: [email protected]
John Gonzalez: [email protected]
Follow our Michigan’s Best adventures on social media:
@mlivemibest on Twitter
@mlivemibest on Instagram
Facebook at MLiveMIBest.
Join in by using the hashtags #mibest, and #outdoordining.
In addition:
Amy Sherman is on Twitter @amyonthetrail, as well as Facebook and Instagram @amyonthetrail.
John Gonzalez is on Twitter @michigangonzo, as well as Facebook and Instagram @MichiganGonzo.
More Michigan’s Best Stories
Lula’s Louisiana Cookhouse owners look forward to re-opening ‘celebration’
Michigan craft beer trends, what to look for in 2021
Have a sweet tooth? Here are Michigan’s Top 21 Pies
21 of Michigan’s must-eat items for 2021
Non-alcoholic beer creating a buzz in Michigan
Two Guys Brewing in Wyoming is finding success, and giving back