Cafe Santé
1 Water St, Boyne City, MI, 49712
Cafe Santé Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Boyne City for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Boyne City for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Boyne City for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1 Water St
Boyne City, MI, 49712 - Phone (231) 582-8800
- Website https://www.cafesante-bc.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :8:00 am - 11:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Daniel W.
Can only speak of breakfast and brunch, but you can never go wrong with the eggs benedict or sausage platter. Service is the best and the atmosphere is great.
(5)Nancy C.
Very cute brunch place that I had the good fortune of stumbling upon (and by stumble, I mean yelping and hitting up the highest rated yelp establishment) while vacationing in Boyne City, MI with a group of friends. The menu had such great sounding offerings, we had a hard time making up our minds. I ended up going with the eggs benedict, which was delicious. Instead of English muffins, the benedict was served atop the baguette that is made in house. Though I still prefer the English muffins version, that was very original. It was the first time I've seen a grinder sandwich on the menu. The half I shared with my friend was pretty good, but nothing I'd write home about. Would come back to try the croque madame, that looked really good! Very cute restaurant with beautiful views of the lake, nice and accommodating waitstaff, and very solid menu offerings.
(4)Joe V.
This place continues to impress me. Just wanted to freshen up my review as the old one is nearly 3 years old. Have been back multiple times. Will continue to come back. I have yet to try anything on the menu that wasn't excellent. Service is always good. I feel like you can be in and out of here in an hour if you'd like, or linger for a couple hours if you want to do that, too. Just can't say enough good things about this place.
(5)N C.
For today, just two stars. Had dinner here tonight and was disappointed with my meal. Before I explain why, let me first say that my husband loved his meal and I also loved his meal. He had the white fish with a potato dish that was very good. Our waiter Andy was great. Very attentive. Now for my meal... I had a craving for pasta, so I ordered the fettuccine with grilled shrimp. As soon as the waiter set my plate in front of me (and when no one could hear) I said to my husband, "this is going to be bad." The pasta was all stuck together and dry. I could take my fork and pick the entire dish up, all at the same time. The shrimp was just as disappointing. Small and dry. Eatable? Well yes, it was eatable enough to eat half and then help my husband eat his meal. I was very hungry. Will I return? Yes. I'd eaten here last summer and had a great meal. I'll just know better than to order the fettuccine again.
(2)Papa D.
First time to dine in here. Place is cozy, near the lake front,stratigically located. Pizzas are great tasting but love to order their Calamari again & again & again- delicious coupled with their homemade dipping sauce. Tiramisu for dessert! It didnt stay on the table for long.. Gone in 60 sec..!
(4)Brian D.
Our server was Renee. Started with the Escargot. Very tasty. We had the Lamb Kabob and the Filet. Lamb was very tasty. The highlight was the tzatziki had a little kick to it. Maybe Chipotle? My wife had a perfect prepared Filet. The Tiramsu was a large portion and delicious.
(5)Gregg S.
My wife's meal was a 5 and mine was a 3. She had the lobster pot pie which apparently used to be a mainstay on the menu, but was too popular according to our waitress ( I am scratching my head too) and is now a special. I on the other hand had the mussels and fries. They apparently are sourced from Maine rather than PEI. They were large but not as tasty as PEI and a large number of them did not open, not a good sign. We will try again. One of the better restaurants around the area today.
(4)Heather M.
One of the best there is in Northern Michigan. An amazing French Bistro that serves rich coffee, delicious escargot- they used to have an escargot omelette which you can still ask them to make for you- it is impressive and you haven't lived until you've tried! They really should officially put it back on the menu. They serve still or sparkling water with your meal- which is a nice touch. French Baguettes vs toast- which is a must in a French Bistro! The ambiance is perfect whether inside or out on the patio overlooking the water and fireplace. Great local beer on draft and great local produce incorporated into their menu. Do not miss! Breakfast my favorite.
(5)Madison F.
One of my all time favorite spots. A bit pricey but you pay for the high quality meals. Drinks are always delicious as well, the Cucumber Cooler is my go to. The stone over pizza, whitefish Caesar salad, and steak are my favorite entrees. Some of the best tiramisu I've ever had here.
(5)K C.
Used the call ahead seating "service" and were basically told they would not help accommodate our group of 9 in any way. If you offer call ahead seating you should try to be helpful or at least kind. Or, just don't offer it.
(1)Liza V.
My dad grew up in Boyne, and my grandmother still lives there, so I've been fortunate enough to have visited at least once a year thorugh my entire life. I've seen the evolution of Boyne from small town to tourist destination. While that means the quiet, slow-paced, small-town feel is sometimes impeded upon by masses of families coming to enjoy Lake Charlevoix, it also means that places like Cafe Sante pop up- and for that I am grateful! My family that lives in Boyne didn't have much to say (they are Red Mesa people), we wanted to try it anyway. So my boyfriend and I made a date night out of it on our most recent visit. We knew we needed to try some cocktails, so we each had a few, and hey were all fantastic. They have lots of great options and a wide variety of liquors. We had the blueberry salad off, ala carte, off of the prix fixe menu. It was so perfect! A wonderful balance of flavors with the sweet almonds and blueberries, the warm chicken breast marinated in lemon, and the great dressing. MMMMM. We also shared a cup of the french onion soup, made with duck stock, since that was the one suggestion we got from my family. It was amazing. Packed with flavo, and it had just the right amount of bread and cheese on top. We also had mussels- the French Quarter. When I tell you these were the most delicious mussels I've ever had, that isn't giving them enough credit. Made with a blackened tomato broth, and not one tasted fishy. So, so great. Everything was absolutely worth the price, and our server was very friendly. I only wish that the wall around the patio didn't block our view of the lake! I can't wait to go back!
(5)John S.
Server Mr Gavin was terrific! Would recommend. All the menu is great, something for everyone. We loved the London Curried Mussels and pork tenderloin and Pom frites. Mike at the bar was 1st class. You will love it!!!!
(5)Josh B.
In the top five dinning experiences I've ever had. 1st or 2nd in America. The French style mussels were amazing!!!!!! Best mussels I've had in the U.S. Probably just as good as the ones I've had in Europe. The waitress, Jamie, was amazing. We'll be eating here every time we are in the area. And will actually make a few more trips just to eat here.
(5)Santiago A.
I enjoyed all aspects of this place! The food was absolutely delicious. For the first time ever, I tried Beef Bourguignon and it was very satisfying. The beef melted right in mouth and the sauce was to die for. In fact, I couldn't get enough of it so I asked for bread to eat my plate clean. Then, for dessert, I enjoyed a scrumptious peach tart with a simple yet mouth watering crust. Along with the food, the atmosphere was very appealing with a beautiful view of the lake and warm,European look. Lastly, I would like to mention that the service was superior. Our waiter was very nice and on the ball. This one is definitely a do-again.
(5)Billy P.
I had the pleasure of dining here more than once last week while spending a week skiing. My 1st visit was for a light dinner and I had the German flavored mussels with a salad , Caesar salad I might add. Mussels were very tasty in a unique mustard like buttery concoction. Very good although the mussels I am sure were frozen being January. The Caesar dressing was really tasty and since I eat romaine all the time I noticed the romaine was crispy and fresh. Especially like the hint of anchovie in the dressing. Figured a return visit was in order for a full meal My second visit I tried the pork tenderloin which the waitress asked how would you like that cooked? Having no fear of trichinosis I stated "a little pink in the middle" not expecting it to come back that way. It was served with a creamy sauce and perfectly cooked with a tad of pink. Wow, it was served with a dolphinaise potato which which I did not order but I really enjoyed that although she brought me the green beans I requested. Great meal all around. Noteworthy is the wine selection which featured a great Super Tuscan. You can not go wrong here and its the only place in town with entertainment every night. I rarely give 5 but the minor mistake by the waitress was corrected by not charging for a second side item. Do yourself a favor and try breakfast there which I also enjoyed very much.
(5)Wendy V.
Great location by Lake Charlevoix in Boyne City. Nice atmosphere in patio seating area. We had an excellent server with a fun personality, and our food was delicious. I had the cherry french toast and ate every bite. It was so good! We will definitely go to Cafe Sante again! :)
(5)Robert B.
A group of nine of us are lunch today and we're very happy with the service and food. The waiter was both efficient and very friendly. The mussels were excellent. Everyone was happy with their meal. The manager stopped by to make sure we were happy which we were.
(5)Ron C.
Sante' has to be the best of chain this owner has stabled thus far. We stopped in on a Monday night, on a little honeymoon trip north and was blown away by the service, atmosphere and food quality. "Koz" took great care in retrieving a couple house cocktails made to perfection. I enjoyed the luscious Beef Stew while my bride devoured a delicious pizza. We sat the night away in. Our cozy booth while being serenaded by the solo guitarist. We will be back for more Sante'
(5)Betsy P.
Delicious food. Came with a party of 10 and everyone loved their meal. The portions were on the small side, which I liked but my husband didn't. Everything from the house draft root beer to the classy glass water serving bottles made me love the place. My new favorite dinner spot in northern Michigan.
(5)Julie J.
Wonderful Superb Amazing!!! Had a spicy bloody Mary to beat the band. Eggs Benedict.. unbelievable. We had a pizza with fresh tomato & mozzarella. Cafe Sante is a beautiful place set in a beautiful location. If you can sit out on the patio to enjoy your meal, even better!!! Love it!! WILL BE BACK!
(5)Andy G.
The proprietors of this restaurant (and I understand they have been developing other concepts around the area) have done an excellent job putting together a package of food, service, and ambiance. I had the steak and frites dish, which was cooked to perfection and extremely delicious. I hate cooking steak at home because I never seem to buy the right cuts and end up overcooking them anyway, so it's one of the top things I'll order at a restaurant if it looks promising. I had a few bites of the other dishes ordered by my group as well, including the mussels. I'm not even that big of a fan of shellfish, but these were really good. I'd be remiss in not mentioning the bar as well--they have a great selection of beers and interesting cocktails. I chatted up one of the bartenders on the way out (Mike) and he was clearly very knowledgeable about the industry, and about his product. It is always great to see someone back there who's not just mindlessly pouring Bud Light and Cuervo. The restaurant itself is a nice location and probably has a fantastic view; however it was night and freezing cold while I was there, and the visibility was about zero. The only thing I didn't really like is that they had live music and had carved out a ridiculously small little alleyway for the band to set up. The alleyway happened to be right next to my table--so I went from feeling roomy at the beginning of the meal to having musicians rattling by me with gear for 20 minutes. By time they got set up, I could have reached over and tickled them without getting out of my chair. Probably OK for a solo or duo act, but they brought in like an 8-piece Irish band. I don't blame the band, though. All musicians have nightmares about arriving for gigs and beholding what the proprietor thought was a good place to set up. Hope they fix that situation for the sake of musicians, the customers at those tables, and the poor servers who have to squeeze by them.
(5)Mike R.
We came here for dinner and the atmosphere is just fantastic. They also have a great draught beer selection (lots of Belgians)....and even cider and mead on tap! Food is great and the service was stellar. We can't wait to come back here. Definitely worth a stop if you are even remotely close-by.
(5)Krystle T.
We had a great Valentine's Day brunch here! Drinks, food and service was fabulous! Kathleen waited on us and she was amazing! Will definitely be going back again and again!
(5)Jim A.
We came here for brunch and dinner. Both expertly prepared. Great service. Great wine list. A little bit of Paris in Northern Michigan. Croque Madame for brunch and Whitefish Meniure for dinner. If you're around here you have to try this restaurant.
(5)Ana G.
Stopped in a few years ago when we were driving up to Mackinac. Great location on the water, and lovely ambiance. We were there for lunch and I had the eggplant and butternut squash salad that had a really light dressing with a side of fingerling potatoes. I still think about it. If I was up that way again, I would have to stop in!
(4)Valerie C.
All you can eat Mussels and Frites for $17 every Thursday and they are delicious! Cafe Sante does not disappoint.
(5)Emily V.
While certainly the 4th of July can complicate dining up north this restaurant didn't appear to be too busy so we decided to have lunch. You wouldn't know that the restaurant wasn't busy by how the waiter/host approached up when we came in. He did not appear eager to seat is but instead moseyed over to us. My son ordered a kids pepperoni pizza and I ordered a Greek saad with chicken and without olives. We were pleasantly surprised that it didn't take long for our order to come out. I was disgusted to see on my Greek salad 2 sardines! I'm allergic to fish but didn't share that with my waiter because I was pretty sure sardines weren't listed as ingredients in the Greek salad. I didn't have a menu so I could make sure it just wasn't my oversight so I removed them and didn't eat that part of the salad. I also had to remove a few olives that they had either accidentally put on or didn't get them all when taking the olives off. On our way out I checked a menu and sure enough, sardines aren't listed. For some sardines would be a welcome addition to their salad by the chef but not for me. For a $40+ lunch for an adult and a child I don't feel as though I should have to remove things I asked not to be on there or remove unlisted items that would have made the rest of my 4th of July very bad. My son did enjoy his pizza and the piece I ate was tasty as well, so for that, 3 stars but we probably won't be back. Advice to those with allergies though, tell your waiter about your allergies even if you believe you're chosen something that doesn't contain your particular allergen.
(3)J. H.
I love Sante. I love Magnum Hospitality. As a hotelier I focus on customer service wherever I go especially in hotels or restaurants. I have been to Sante plenty of times but the last time I went was just a really disappointing experience. The food will blow you away. They have amazing flavors put together that will make for an unforgettable experience. In my tenure, a product that is easy to sell, should rarely have the normal problems you deal with as a restaurant. Complaints on things you cannot control are understandable. Complaints on your waitstaff take note. Our waiter, Perry, was one of the worst waiters I have ever had and not just at Cafe Sante. He acts like he is amazing and knows what he is doing. He does not. He brought us soup without the garnishments promised in the menu. He rarely came to check on us or even take our order. He argued with a couple members of my family about drink when all they were doing was asking if they could make a certain drink that used to be on their menu. We had a toddler with us that would have been fine if only Perry had brought us some bread, that we asked for several times, to snack on while we waited a very long time for our appetizers, but it he would not bring it. I love visiting Boyne and Cafe Sante is usually a regular stop for us. Each time we have Perry as our waiter we question our thinking as to if the food is even worth our time and money. We were not there to put anyone out of their place. We were only there to dine. It's too bad when such a sour taste is left in one of your patrons mouths even with all the great food. I would rethink your staffing priorities.
(2)Chris V.
Bring on the French mussels and fresh baked bread. We eat here every time we visit Boyne. They will not disappoint with a great bar and excellent food. They even have live music sometimes. One of my favorite potato side dishes of all time is their Dauphinois Potatoes.
(5)Liz V.
Fantastic - best mussels and great atmosphere. A place to linger, meet up with friends, sit and stare at the lake and work through their long long list of wines and beer.
(4)Tim T.
On a frosty night when winter returned to Northern Michigan, good friends gathered at Cafe Sante for some good cheer and sustenance. I hadn't been back here since August of 2010 so it was nice to be back in newly trendy Boyne City. (Back in my high school days about the only place worth visiting was the Sportsman Bar for the occasional Jelly Roll Blues Band gig and some pool. But I digress. Cafe Sante seem to be hitting on all cylinders these days; the food and drinks were fantastic. I had the greek chicken; roasted and served in a mini cask iron dutch oven. Very flavorful and satisfying with a carmelized half lemon and beaucoup garlic, this was a great dish and priced right at $17. My date enjoyed the smoked mozzarella gnocchi while a buddy had the hangar steak frites. The frites were double fried and crisp while his steak was cooked exactly as it should be, just over rare. From the fresh house baked bread to Pete Kehoe performing in the background, Cafe Sante makes for an enjoyable meal. I'll be back for breakfast after perusing that menu!
(5)Jacqui H.
A true European style bistro. We are regulars every summer for a solid weekend. Wonderful cocktails, huge fresh mussels, amazing cuisine all around. The Pot De Creme is a must! AND fantastic care for food allergy sufferers. Hands down best cuisine in Northwest Mi!!!
(5)Fletcher M.
5 stars, we'll deserved! With a large outdoor seating area including a back with a fire pit, a large indoor area with a nice solid wood bar, and live music to boot - this place is fantastic! The food specials are local and delicious; right now they're focused on blueberries from Traverse City and the lollipop pork chop with blueberry reduction is about as decadent as dessert. Try the charcuterie as well, they have homemade sausage and cheese that will start you off right. Other than the long wait (standard for Northern Michigan summer), the service is friendly and attentive and you'll want to come back!
(5)Brad P.
Nice place to eat for 2, with a medium-sized group, or even a large group. We came with a large party and were seated promptly (after having called ahead). The menu offers plenty of delicious meals and the waiter was knowledgable regarding best choices. I had the pork sirloin and it was cooked perfectly. Tips: 1.) Ask to sit in outside for an amazing view of the lake. 2.) After dinner skip the chocolate shop next-door and go across the street to Kilwin's instead.
(5)Dan B.
Sante continues to deliver great food. The breakfast is the best in BC. (Splurge: order the fries with your eggs!) The dinners are fairly priced and always good. Lots of options on tap for beer drinkers. The music is usually good. It does make for a loud scene. Outdoor dining in nice as well. If I could give 4.5 stars I would.
(4)Robert P.
Down to one star for taking the Beef Borg off the menu. What were you thinking? That and the chicken fric gives you the Northern European (Brussels) feel. Horrible!
(1)Diane B.
We always have an excellent experience at Cafe Sante. Tonight the moules frites. Delicious. We recommend this restaurant to everyone and bring friends and relatives when they visit.
(5)Fr. K.
Amazing. Great food, incredible service. The draft beer selection was vast and diverse I ordered the lobster spinach pizza and it was literally one of the best pies I've had. My buddy ordered the Eggplant panini and loved it. This was fantastic.
(5)Howard N.
Incredible bistro with great beer, wine and food. All in a European theme. Best onion soup, beef bourguignon union. They also have best breakfast in town with unusual items, but you can always order old standards.
(5)Brittany M.
Not only was this restaurant one of the best we've been to in the Midwest, it may be one of the best we've ever been to! Our waitress was extremely attentive and thorough. She spared no detail and patiently explained each and every dish/beverage so that we could make informed decisions about our order. The food was very decadent and delicious; the charcuterie platter was full of flavor, the pork was tender and flavorful, and the mussels looked awesome. While the pizza options looked appetizing, they were a bit dry and definitely not one of their signature offerings. We loved that, for 25c each, you can taste each of the many beers they have available (they specialize in Belgian styles it seemed). When all was said and done (2 appetizers, several rounds, 2 entrees, and mussels), our total was only $80. Given the caliber of the food and service, a great valuable. Plus the ambiance (outdoor seating that's heated in the winter) was awesome. 10/10 would recommend :)
(5)Scott G.
Awesome food, great drinks, unique style. Be ready too wait in the summer. Fair prices for what they offer along with presentation.
(5)Kate F.
We arrived just after 6 on Saturday before President's Day. Amazingly, our party of 3 was seated immediately. Service, ambiance, food and prices were all great. Our table had the Whitefish à la Meuniére, Boeuf Bourguignon and Truffled Wild Mushroom wood fired pizza. Food was served at lightening fast speed. Everyone was pleased with their selections. By the time we left about an hour later there was a wait, as I would expect.
(4)Jim M.
Felt like I was having breakfast in a bye gone era and it was awesome. German octoberfest band serenading us while we ate was cool. Great food and amazing drink menu, most of food is local grown or harvested and lots if Michigan brew, wine, and spirits. You should eat here.
(5)Lisa L.
I have been saving this review until I was ready. This place has rocked my Boyne City world! First the food, our first visit was while staying in the state park. It was a lousy, windy morning, our last day Up North. We couldn't get our stove to work well enough, so we decided to pick something up in town. I suggested that the nice place on the water might be cheaper for breakfast. It really wasn't, but OH MY GOD! I ordered the eggs Benedict. It came with home fries or some wonderful variation. I couldn't believe the flavor! I asked what was the secret, I am told it is BUTTER! The owners were in house at the time and I needed to talk to them; they needed to know how they had rocked my world. Fast forward to January 2012. My husband and I have realized our dream, we have finally bought a home in our favorite town, Boyne City MI. Our gift from our realtor was a gift certificate for Cafe Sante. We were treated like royalty. We were given a welcome appetizer. Service is stellar; over time, our wait staff remembers us! I always know that when bringing down-state friends, they will feel pampered and satisfied. I haven't even mentioned that they have an awesome wine list and my favorite Belgian beer, Delerium Tremens on tap! This place really is "all that!" I need to write another review! Tonight I had the Lobster Newburgh. I would say it was "Better than Sex" but, it wasn't. Close, I am sure! Every time I go there, I think that this might be the time that the service isn't up to my high standards, and every time it is SO MUCH BETTER! Tonight BRIAN made our meal the best. He recommended the Belgian sampler, which made me so happy! He was kind and considerate and made an otherwise gloomy winter day excellent!! We love this place!
(5)Liz R.
Heirloom tomato & bread soup was awesome, as we're the fish & chips. Nice atmosphere and good service. I will be back!
(4)Melissa A.
I've been sitting at the bar while "Mike" and "Greg" are tending bar. The taller one is coming and going while the other is socializing with some regulars, I assume. I've been here for about 20 minutes with an empty glass ready to purchase a second (I am guessing $12 drink) but here I sit with an empty instead. They have yet to take my food order and I'll be honest, as good as the food here is, I probably won't come back.
(2)Jessica F.
The food is delicious! However, the girls who hostess are unbelievably RUDE. I came to have a nice family dinner and they tried to seat us in the bar area. When we said that we would prefer a lower table, they put us at the bottom of the list below 8 other parties. To top it off, when my mother went to check on our wait time after 40 min. they told her it would be another 2 hours. She then proceeded to ask to speak to the manager and the hostess told her to move out of the way so she could serve other customers. (There were no customers trying to check in) This experience was horrible in the customer service realm. I love this restaurant, but I will definitely reconsider coming here in the future.
(3)Amy S.
We found this place by accident and came in on a Sunday around 12:45 pm. It was crowded but not full. We had two celiacs with us and was told when we called ahead that they had a gluten free menu. First, the service is slow. We waited about 30 mins for our meals to come out. Second, the gluten free menu is very limited. A staff member who herself is celiac came over to help, which was useful. The food was very good. Highlights - salmon and kale salad, grinder sandwich, Eggs Benedict. I agree with previous reviews re: glasses are weirdly small. Also, new construction blocks some of the views from the outdoor seating, which is too bad.
(4)Jennifer G.
We stumbled into Cafe Sante while waiting for the fire works to start on the 4th of July. What a great place. They were super busy and after eating there, I'm not surprised. We ended up eating at the bar. The bartenders will genuinely friendly and excited to share their beer knowledge and menu recommendations. They were quick to offer up tastes of beers/wines we were interested in. Cocktails were hand muddled, Sangria was great and beer selection top notch. Sadly they were out of mussels but... The French Onion Soup, White Fish and Fries were memorable. We will be back to check out breakfast. Yum!
(4)John C.
Fantastic Food at reasonable prices, Great selection of beers and wine, Best-ever wait staff keep us coming back again and again.
(5)Kerrie M.
We absolutely loved this French inspired restaurant on the water in Boyne City. My husband declared it as one of his favorites! Our waitress explained that they try to use local seasonal ingredients whenever possible. They even have a special seasonal menu which featured a blueberry theme while we were there. And everything is made from scratch! We started the meal with a choice of sparkling or regular water (no ice). Just like in France! Fun! And a loaf of freshly baked french bread was served too. My husband loves bread so he was in heaven. I ordered the chicken fricassee which was served in a big iron pot with light cream sauce, potatoes and leeks. So homemade and so good. My kids chose the steak and frites and my husband chose the boeuf bourguigon. He couldn't stop raving about it! He said it was one of the best dishes he ever ate. We ended the meal with a pot de creme which was very tiny but just enough to satisfy our sweet tooths after a heavy meal. What a great find! We will return!!
(5)Edward W.
Jenny was great! Loved the location right on the lake. Really liked everything we ordered. We got a strawberry pizza for an appetizer. Believe it or not it was good. Will definitely be back.
(5)Jodi F.
The mussels are amazing. My only small complaint is that the water glasses are tiny. Other than that, this restaurant rocks. But I still plan to visit here each year during our week Up North.
(5)Jim L.
My favorite place to go when it's just the wife and I. Great food and atmosphere when they have live music.
(5)Rachel B.
Probably the best dining experience I've had this year so far. That being said, there were definitely some things that could be changed for the better. My husband and I got a date night for the first time in, oh, I don't know, maybe 9 months or so. We were excited to try Cafe Sante. From what we'd read, it's sort of like a French/Belgian bistro, with many beers. Good enough for me! Other than a good, old-school Italian restaurant, this is my favorite type of place. I can compare it to only a few other restaurants I've been to (namely, Sardine in Madison WI and Bar Cento in Cleveland OH). It's got this vibe of coolness without being hipster or snarky, just laid-back, professional staff, with great food and beer. We got the last table on the patio with a great view of Lake Charlevoix ... and of the table next to us who had, count 'em, FOUR kids who were totally annoying. Oh well, can't have everything. If being a parent has made me realize anything, it's that you can't really ever get away from children. But it also makes you sort of understanding of/immune to the incessant chatter, the glasses breaking, and the mommy-speak while escorting kids one at at time through the crowd to the bathroom ("We're playing musical potty, ya'll!!!!). I digress. We started off with some Belgian beer (a wheat for me, and a sampler for my husband). Delicious. It was a hot day, and the sun was strong even at 6 pm, and the beers hit the spot. (What didn't hit the spot? The water, which was really NOT cold, and not even cool actually. They did, however, give us a pitcher for the table.) We also got some frites, which were good, but not the best I've had (Bar Cento takes the trophy for that). The dipping sauce was great. The rest of the things we ordered were INSANELY amazing. Blackberry and duck salad with goat cheese and walnuts? Beef tenderloin with beans and potato gratin? Pizza primavera which had huge slices of zucchini, eggplant, roasted red peppers, fresh mozzarella, and a bright, tangy, homemade tomato sauce atop a perfectly charred crust? YES. The fact that the water glasses were smaller than the beer sampler glasses? That the bread, although plentiful and presented like a little surprise wrapped in brown paper, was dense and lacked flavor? That the restaurant's interior was so crowded and set up so poorly that I almost got bumped into 3 times by servers and other patrons just going to the bathroom? NO. Our waitress was very friendly, and took care to explain things in painstaking detail. Almost to the point that it was too much, especially because the sun was in my eyes the whole time and I had to keep looking away from her. Weird things also happened ... she'd get distracted and one of us would get served a course or a drink, and then she'd walk away to get the other one because there was a delay, and then end up chatting with another table, and then the other one of us would get the thing the first person was almost done with. That sort of thing. Not a big deal, but just something that I noticed was out of sync with the restaurant in general. All in all, I had a WONDERFUL time here. I'd highly recommend it. But go early like we did, take advantage of the happy hour specials (3-6 pm), sit on the patio away from the mayhem inside, and enjoy a leisurely meal. As we were leaving, I saw they were setting up for a large party. How large? "15 adults and 2 kids," one of the servers muttered to her table of middle-aged Republicans. "Oh HELL naw!" they said back. So, I guess I'll include in the checklist that Cafe Sante is "Good for Groups" and "Good for Kids." Although I really don't think it's good for either. The staff's helpful nature and attention to detail makes it more of an intimate dining experience, in my opinion -- although it's not fancy or quiet. I just can't explain it, but I don't think I'd want to bring a large group or a kid here.
(4)Krissy G.
Everytime we go up to Boyne cafe sante is a must! I've had just about everything on the menu and It's all been amazing. The pasta dishes are great and not too heavy. The chicken dishes are unique. And the pizzas are also amazing. They have a huge wine list so there is always a new region to try. The live music is also great to add to the ambiance and not too loud where you can't talk.
(5)Samantha S.
Waitstaff was friendly and explained the menu options very well as it was our first time there. Had focaccia appetizer and chicken pesto pizza. Both were delicious! Prices weren't too steep either. We will definitely be going back.
(5)Colleen C.
We rang in 2012 at cafe Sante. It was perfect. It was simple. It was fun. It was a beautiful way to do things. While they don't take reservations, they do take "call aheads" and so we were set for a table of 10 at 915ish. After parking easily (and freely!) nearby, we showed up and were told things were running a little slower due to the holiday. No biggie, we all grabbed some great beers at the bar and waited around a few minutes until we were seated right in front of the upbeat band that was energetically infusing the restaurant with NYE spirit. Whether they liked it or not. Just kidding, they were really great. I didn't get the name, but they were a big (and unexpected) draw. Wine/Water: We kept it simple with a few bottles of red and white table wine ($21 each!) and a bottle of cava ($24) for the table. Our server whisked us wine glasses, still and sparkling water (on the house!), AND smiles. Service: She was so friendly, and I wish I had caught her name because she really made our meal sparkle. For the record, she was young and blonde and had the main band seating area on NYE, in case her boss is reading this! Very sweet, even OFFERED to do split check for our table of 5 couples...(which we declined, splitting evenly is so much easier on everyone). Regardless, our group from Chicago and NYC much appreciated the non-hostile NYE hospitality. Food: *They were offering a $31 prix fixe for the evening...though I felt it lacked a bit of selection. Just one entree? And it was ribeye, a bit heavy for me. Prix fixe is a great idea (especially on a holiday), but one choice for each course is pretty limiting. As such, only one in our party opted for that. *I personally had the Parisian salad with egg, bacon, fresh lettuce, tomatoes and carrots...very good, and at $11 more of an entree salad really. But still great! I also had the pork stuffed quail with tomato based potatoes. It was good, not great...but filling, just lacked the "wow" factor. I sampled the steak frites, which was a great portion for $15. *Entrees range from $12-$22, I found it all to be quite reasonable, but our barometer has been wacked out since moving to NYC. Still, for our ENTIRE party, with a very joyful tip...was $50/pp. In Chicago or NYC, easily at least $100 pp. So, we were all very pleased! Festivities: At midnight they did a countdown, passed out party favors and a champagne toast and the band played their hearts out one last song. It was all just so enjoyable, I'd definitely return if I was in the area. Solid food, great service, reasonably priced, great location and just really...a wonderfully simple and easy way to ring in the New Year. 2012 should be a good one :)
(4)Jess F.
While I have eaten at Cafe Sante several times, this review is specifically a reflection of the excellent service we received during an anniversary party held in Sante's covered patio (which is enclosed and heated for the winter months). My expectations were surpassed in every way. If you are looking to hold a casual, but still intimate, private event, Cafe Sante is worth seeking out. Management was readily available to discuss our needs in advance and accomodated our requests. It was evident that there was a team effort among the staff to make our experience enjoyable and operate seamlessly. Chef Kyle arranged a beautiful house-made charcuterie and cheese platter for our guests arrival and attended to several other details that went above and beyond the usual duties of a chef. Our servers were attentive and efficient, but never intrusive. Beautiful job. The food was on all counts satisfying. The cocktails were excellent, the espresso was smooth, the desserts- pot de creme, tiramisu, and chocolate creme brûlée -were perfectly delicious. Everything was beautifully presented, with nods to the rustic European inspiration of the restaurant. A relaxing and festive time was had by all. Perfect!
(5)Barbara M.
Seated at once. Waitress was helpful and prompt. Food was excellent. Our only problem was that I had the Chicken Snitzel and ask the waitress for a small sample of the German potato salad. She said she would bring a small dish. It was maybe a 3-4 oz sample cup. While it was very good (almost as good as my own), I do not think it was worth the $4.00 dollars we were charge. Next time I will ask what the charge for a sample portion is. My bad.
(4)Adam L.
In my option this is one of the finest restaurants in all of Michigan. The food is amazing, the drinks are superb, staff is top notch from the management down to the bussers. I have not one single complaint nor would I change a thing about it. They are consistently amazing. The mussels are always a great choice, as are the pizzas. If you find yourself anywhere near boyne do yourself a favor and just stop by you'll be glad you did.
(5)Keith H.
Delicious food, excellent servers, great atmosphere. Truly a phenomenal dining experience.
(5)John L.
Excellent spot to dine while up north! Have visited a handful of times now and can confirm "well-oiled-machine" status. The food and service has been superb each time and the prices are reasonable for such high quality dishes. Classic bistro fare, great wine and beer lists, killer Lake Charlevoix views.
(5)Scott M.
Great atmosphere, live music during dinner... Good food, affordable pricing. We were here during winter but I can imagine in Summer the open window layout is fabulous. I would pick first out of all the Choices right in town:) Family friendly too.
(4)Mariya S.
Our favorite place to have a delicious dinner! Love all you can eat Mussels on Thursday, and $5 Wood fired Pizza on Mondays! Staff is wonderful, live music enjoyable, overlooking Lake Charlevoix breath taking for all seasons! Large selection of Beer, wine and interesting concoctions! If you have not tried this delightful gem of the North, you are missing out!
(5)Emily W.
Tonight was a culinary gastronomic delight for myself, my boyfriend and my parents. Exquisite cuisine and over the top awesome service! Our server's name was Tina and she was the most accommodating server my parents ever had. When we wanted hotter soup are brought them all back steaming, she brought endless cups of hot coffee and when my mom had dessert envy, she replaced her tomato tart with a new chocolate mousse. The drinks were fun and the mussels were amazing. We had cucumber coolers, bells beer and cherry margarita with our French quarter mussels and 3 loaves of fresh hot bread. Mom and I enjoyed the prix fix heirloom tomato themes menu with a tomato bisque soup with kalamata olives, basil and corn. Creamy with a kick. The guys had rich French onion soup. With dinner the gals enjoyed wine - try the house white. It's a crisp and delightful Sauvignon blanc. The second course were buttery melt in your mouth scallops over a creamy tomato risotto prepared perfectly with a soufflé like corn cake that tasted fluffy as am omelette. My dad loved his beef bourguignon and my boyfriend's steak frites tasted authentic off the grill savory. For dessert the prix fix dinner came with to die for - didn't think we had room chocolate mousse. Best meal in a long time at reasonable price. The surprise was the indie name. Oh my goodness they did covers of Brandi Carlile, Sarah McLachlan and She and Him. We enjoyed them and were dancing in our seats! Most fun night out up north!
(5)Timm W.
Fancy-ish, good service. Used their WI-FI and a glass of wine (Black Star Arcturous by the carsfe, great choice)
(4)Cheryl R.
Wow! What an amazing place in little Boyne City! Great European food on the shores of Lake Charlevoix. They have indoor and outdoor seating with a beautiful fireplace outside. The bar is stocked full of great beer, wine and even Absinthe! The staff is knowledgeable about the menu and can help you decide on what to have. My favorites are the escargot, duck french onion soup, pork tenderloin, the steaks, the risotto with scallops, and anything for breakfast! The sausage is awesome!! The prices aren't bad for what you get. Homemade with fresh ingredients! I think dinners range from $15 to $25. Live music some nights too, and it was FUN! This place get busy, and does NOT take reservations, so go early or don't be in a rush. It'll be worth the wait though!
(5)Sam C.
Ordered carryout from there tonight - Indian curry mussels with a side of frites and bread. Worth every indulgence! Best mussels I have ever had and the sauce was just so tasty and addicting. The bread was soft and melts in your mouth - not to mention wonderful in the curry sauce after I finished my mussels. The frites (fries) were outstanding as well with the mustard sauce that came with it. Would eat there everyday if I could! Such a treat :)
(5)Joe B.
I became a huge fan of Cafe Sante on my last trip to Boyne. I had read the Yelp reviews and made it my mission to seek this place out and try their fare. I was not disappointed with the result. We began ordering drinks. They have a nice selection of everything from Belgian style beer to Scotch. For hors d' oeuvres I ordered the Coquilles St. Jacques (scallops, white wine, mushrooms and Gruyere) which was crazy delicious. We also ordered the Cider Braised Pork Belly. ..a must try for sure!! For the main I had the Boeuf Bourguingon and my lady friend, the Truffled Wild Mushroom pizza. The boeuf was silky and robust with huge chunks of tender beef and a braising sauce worth bottling. The pizza was fantastic and finished with arugula once baked. The crust was slightly charred, crisp but tender while the truffled mushroom and garlic cream was a perfect topping. I only wish they were still offering the duck and onion pizza from their previous menu. The interior was somewhat elegant and cozy. Our server, Will, was very good...attentive and knowledgeable about the menu options. He also sent us home with a complimentary slice of Tiramisu which was a nice midnight snack while on vacation. Also very good I should add! There is so much to try on their menu that looks sinfully amazing from pasta to steaks and that's not even getting into the brunch menu which also looks like the jam! You really need to try this place. The owners also run Pearl's Cajun creole kitchen and the Red Mesa Grill Latin kitchen which we didn't get a chance to sample on this trip but worth noting. I'll definitely be back to Cafe Sante! Plates are very affordable and if you're on a budget they have $5 pizza night Mondays and a great little happy hour menu on the cheap.
(4)Pat M.
A great place for a nice dinner in Northern Michigan. The food is outstanding and the location is great. You are right in Downtown Boyne City on Lake Charlevoix. This is not your normal "up-North" place - Outstanding food but you pay for it. It is a good value overall and I keep coming back! Only downside is that it can get busy on a Friday or Saturday night. We go early and get on the list and enjoy a walk along the lake!
(5)Josh S.
easily one of my favorite places for dinner in all of michigan. fantastic menu, extensive wine list, and a great selection of michigan craft brews on draft. Every weekend ive been there they have a pianist or guitarists playing music, very enjoyable. highly recommend it to anyone vacationing in the northwest michigan area
(5)Karl L.
Whitefish with butter was delicious and fresh! When we had a problem with the noodles in the Bolognese sticking together, they refired it quickly, and it was perfect when you return. An added bonus was that they didn't charge us for it! The still water is free, which was a big help with four kids in tow. Our waiter, Marvin, was fantastic, attentive, and friendly. He really made the meal even better than it would have been otherwise.
(4)Deborah N.
A higher end, date-night restaurant, up north, by the water. Families ok too. This lovely restaurant has outdoor seating, lake views, and a polished, fancy menu with enough variety to satisfy couples and families. We had a lovely couples dinner on the veranda with a family behind us (well behaved kids) and a delicious meal from sharing a varied Charcuterie Platter (meats & pate' appetizer), to perfectly baked whitefish or roasted pork in mustard sauce. Desserts were lovely as well, such as the large Chocolate Raspberry Gâteau (plenty for two) with a lovely cappuccino to set it off. I also posted some photos to Flickr of our meal.
(5)Nickie P.
Great location for a restaurant, cute patio and nice decor. I ordered the Vienna Pancakes, which were very light and fluffy. Good pancakes, but next time I would get them without the pistachio butter, especially if you like your pancakes to taste more on the sweet side. I did like the fresh berries on top. I also ordered a side of bacon. I paid $3.50 for 3 strips of bacon, maybe 3-4 inches long each. Not only were they tiny, overpriced strips of bacon, they consisted almost entirely of fat. Maybe some people like that, but I couldn't finish them. One of my friends had the shredded eggs with mushrooms, if I ever make it back that way I would try that instead. It looked much better than what I had.
(3)randy c.
Exceeded our expectations. Duck Frech onion soup, mussels, carbonara ....all excellent.
(5)Jessica N.
This is such an adorable little French cafe on the water. Their outdoor seating has a cozy firepit AND there is glass that helps eliminate wind from getting in the way of enjoying a peaceful meal! Mussels were tasty Scallops and Risotto - some scallops were good some were overcooked. The risotto was also just "ok" Others get the fettucine alfredo which was actually a little on the bland side. The flat breads, however, were amazing. There are some fun beer tastings to enjoy. Overall great atmosphere and worth going. Food can be hit or miss.
(3)Andrea J.
This has become our Go To place for breakfast in Boyne City. We love the European style menu, and every dish we've had there has been excellent. For the beautiful ambience, knowledgeable staff and decadent food, the prices are quite reasonable. A four hour drive to Boyne City? Worth it, if I get to go to Sante! While quiet and peaceful during the morning hours, I can easily see how the restaurant could get cramped and loud at night. They've got two too many tables crammed into the main dining room, it might be tough to get a stroller or walker through the space.
(5)Huston M.
Debated between 2-3 stars and went with 3 because they have a good bar. BUT I was so excited to see Pimms on the menu but was way disappointed when it was presented to me. It had NO fruit.... and was weak! Our waitress was mediocre along with most of the food. Gypsy Eggs were spicy and came with hardly any chorizo- what a rip off. The toast was burned so I sent it back. The best part of my meal was the Jam. French Coffee was a joke... French coffee doesn't come from crappy beans and a bunn coffee maker. Duck onion soup was wayyyyy to salty. Omelet primavera was bland. Herbed potatoes were bland and came out cold. The beef in red wine breakfast plate my mom ordered was good along with the price.
(3)Danielle P.
First things first, Cafe Sante has very good food (that's the important part, right?). Not to mention a beautiful location on the water, friendly staff, a lengthy beer and wine menu and excellent cocktails. I've been here a handful of times now, and the stand-out dishes I've had are: escargot (really excellent!) charcuterie platter classic French mussels (the mussels are served with excellent frites) curry mussels steak au poivre (served with rich dauphinois potatoes, beautifully layered) creme caramel (think it was a special dessert) chocolate gateau tiramisu The "meh" dishes I've tried are: truffled wild mushroom pizza gruyere gougeres (love the concept and gruyere itself, found these a bit dry) Cafe Sante is a lovely find in northern Michigan, with a rather European menu and lots of excellent choices. I am sometimes a little surpised at how many elderly folks are in here. While this is most certainly not a drawback, if you are a lady and had a couple of those tasty cocktails, try and hit the water closet (they Euro it up by marking it as such) at the right time. Sometimes the older gals take a while. :) Overall I would recommend Cafe Sante to just about anyone for it's exceptional food.
(4)Bradley S.
Great place to enjoy premium beer, many reasonable priced wines, amazing food, and make sure to save room for their dessert. We have been there a handful of times, never disappoints. Last night went with a group of friends for thier End of the World party. The special menu was spectacular. Lobster Bisque, Liverbutter and Lobster topped, bacon wrapped filet, and the moist, rich, chocolate cake finished the meal off perfectly, just in case it was our final meal.
(5)Missy C.
Love this place so much, we usually go once every trip Up North. The ambiance is just great, the service is friendly, the drink menu is extensive, and the food is simple and wonderful. I've never had breakfast here, but it looks great! I always get the ham and cheese panini with a side of frites. Order rouille sauce if they don't bring it to your table, it is so good! My husband doesn't order fish and chips often, but at Cafe Sante, they are his go-to dish. The pizza's are made in a brick-over and the pasta is made in-house too. Talk about fresh ingredients which makes all the difference in simple dishes.
(5)Suzanne S.
I visited Cafe Sante for breakfast and enjoyed their "tourist breakfast" special. My meal included coffee and a tomato basil eggs benedict. My companion had crepes with fruit compote. Both of us enjoyed our meals. The food was prepared perfectly and the portions were just right. Cafe Sante has a couple of options for outdoor seating, a row of tables on a patio along the street and an uncovered deck in back. Both outdoor seating options include excellent views of Lake Charlevoix. We will definitely come back here anytime we're in the area!
(4)Brad O.
Let me preface my review with saying that I love Red Mesa, owned and operated by the same people. Further, the location on the lake and the space are very nice. And the mussels and salad were good, as well. My beef with this place is that they have everything they need to be the only restaurant Up North that can make real Italian-style pizza (I'm not knocking American style pizza - I love that too). They've got a wood-fired pizza oven in this place. Notwithstanding, it was some of the worst pizza I've ever had. It was too thick to be thin crust, which a wood-fired pizza necessitates, and the crust was so incredibly tough that it made my jaw tired and I had to send it back. Granted, I am particular about my pizza, but it was supremely disappointing. If you go, just don't have your hopes up for decent pizza. Maybe I was just there on an off night, or the pizza guy was a trainee. If the pizza improves, I would love to give them a better rating.
(2)Kim H.
Super crowded and noisy when we were there. Food was different a d good. Salads were HUGE!! Good service. Not my favorite place, but fun.
(4)Bruce T.
This was my 4th time at Cafe Sante. This is a european cafe with some unique offerings. The thing that I've noticed the last 2 times there was that the waiters were very pushy. They do seem to always be busy but give me more that 30 seconds to look at the wine list before you start asking me if I'm having trouble deciding. Same thing with the food. He also never brought us the salad we ordered but we had enough food ordered so didn't remind him and we weren't charged for it. We got the German Mussels, I've gotten the mussels before and it seems to be hit or miss. This time was a miss. They just were not fresh and seemed under cooked. Having said that, my wife got the whitefish and is was excellent. The unique potato side, I forget what it's called is also very good. I ordered the Spanish paella, it was also very good, with shrimp, grilled chicken, and unfortunately those same musty mussels. Overall though it was a good meal and I do give the place 3 stars. Just not a memorable meal and it won't be on the top of my list with all the other choices in the area.
(3)Chelsea H.
Far exceeded my expectations. The menu is totally solid, there is a nice view of the lake, and this is one of those rare places that you can feel comfortable coming to in jeans or all fancied up. The service is really great, friendly but not fake. I appreciate the good selection of Belgian and harder-to-find European beers. I highly recommend the German style mussels, which is a slightly different take on the traditional, but the sauce is SO good. We asked for extra bread (perfectly crusty and chewy) to mop up all of that delicious mustardy sauce. If you come here on one of the specials nights, the food is actually quite affordable. I am a little sad that grilled endive is no longer on the menu, but I still cannot wait to come back.
(5)Karen S.
Food is excellent. Duck French onion soup is fabulous. Best bloody Marys in the world. As is the quiche. Service can be slow. Outside seating offers lovely view of Lake Charlevoix. My only complaint is that when I took a friend of mine there for dinner (she had never eaten there), we wanted to sit at a four-top outside with a water view. The host said he could seat only a party of three or more there. So we had to settle for a less-desirable table. Minutes later, he sat a party of two there. I was less than happy!
(4)Bruce W.
This is a nice place to catch a good meal in a casual setting. Have visited several times over the past year and like it best in the winter when there are not so many people. Friendly staff, comfortable atmosphere, good service. Not gourmet food but very good and the prices are very reasonable.
(4)A R.
What a refreshing place! I've been here a half dozen times and have never had a bad experience. These people know how to run a restaurant. Great food, excellent service and a nice selection of drinks. The atmosphere is very dim and relaxing. The booths are very comfortable. The setting and view are second to none in the area.
(4)Tane C.
Outstanding food on the shores of Lake Charlevoix. I had the mussels in the French style with wine, garlic, and butter sauce as an appetizer that made my eyes roll back like a shark eating a surfer. That and a glass of belgian Jeffe beer put a smile on my face. Outdoor seating was great while watching the sun go down. This place is tasty.
(4)Megan M.
Ate at cafe sante for brunch/lunch today and it was great. Our servers Marvin and john were very helpful and knowledgable about the menu and ingredients. I had the margarita panini and it was yummy! My husband had the special eggs on tomato sauce and he loved it. The view was great - it was our first visit to boyne city and it will not be our last.
(5)Adam H.
We where staying at the Grand Mountain Lodge and wanted to go out for a nice meal. So i called around and found Cafe Sante. They Do Not take reservations but do have call ahead seating.(whats the point of that?). Anyway, we had 8 people ; 3 adults + 5 children! Anyone w/kids knows the anxiety of eating at a busy restaurant! we waited a total of 15 minutes and sat at a nice table for 8. I had a filet aur poive(sp?). Very good. Other people had whitefish(very good) and we also ordered a mushroom pizza for the table. Over all the meal was delicious and so was the service. Its worth the trip. OH yea, good french fries too........... just saying
(4)Adam M.
this is a great European Style food place. we sat outside with a beautiful view of the lake. our waiter was really nice and friendly. i had the french toast it was topped with nutella. they have a good Beer and wine menu. if you are in Boyne City i Highly recommend it
(5)Casey L.
Cafe Sante is a brand new French restaurant from the owners of Red Mesa Grill and Pearl's New Orleans Kitchen. Located in Boyne City in a new development where One Water Street previously stood, Cafe Sante's patio has great views of the marina. The bar has a nice selection of draft beer with 18 micros and imports on tap and many more in bottles, as well as a nice selection of cocktails. The wine list is eclectic and very reasonably priced. All the food I've had here was great - they serve brunch until 3pm every day and the nutella french toast is to die for! The pizzas are good, the salads are tasty(especially the duck confit salad), the mussels are great, and all the entres I've tried were nice - braised lamb shank, salmon with lentils + whitefish muniere. The prices are also very reasonable for the quality of the food - the most expensive entre is only $22 - downright cheap in my book. Cafe Sante is casual fine dining so there's no need to dress up - always a plus. This is my new favorite restaurant on Boyne City!
(5)Christine T.
I guess this is the place to be seen on a Saturday night during ski season. Cafe Sante was packed and if you are looking for a place where you can hear your dinner mates, try elsewhere. If you're looking for good food, good service and live music, then you've found your place. We started with the wood fired pizza, artichoke and goat cheese and tons of fresh spinach. Loved seeing all of the green on the pizza and it was very tasty, would definitely order this again. I ordered the wild Maine mussels, Portuguese-style, with chunks of tomatoes. A very generous portion, definitely a Midwestern serving size. The mussels were cooked just right and the broth was deep and flavorful. Also enjoyed the side of Belgian fries. The beer and wine list is extensive, if you enjoy Belgian-style ales, there is a wide variety to choose from and enjoy. They offer a flight sampler with four samplings to taste. Love it when you get to try a small taste of things. Overall, a good time was had by all at Cafe Sante. Can't wait to come back to enjoy the sunset views of Lake Charlevoix during the summer.
(4)Rachel B.
My favorite place to eat in an area filled with different restaurant choices. The atmosphere is amazing, the food is out of this world! The drink menu is one of a kind. The pasta...well, lets just say you will never enjoy a pasta dish from another place again!! So be prepared! The terrimisu is WOW WOW WOW! The pancakes, well, I don't even like pancakes, but Sante pancakes are my favorite breakfast. No matter what you order, it is going to be the best thing you have ever tasted.
(5)Tiffany E.
Staying at a condo at Boyne Mountain and needed a break from cooking and decided to check out the local options close by. Cafe Sante was a pleasant surprise. Great atmosphere and bar. Menu was unique with lots of French and european options. We lived in Europe for 6 years and did a lot of traveling and the food preparation was the real deal! We started with the Pate- Have not had pate at a restaurant in forever- was yummy and a real treat! Next was a celery and blue cheese soup- interesting- must try. It was light but had that blue cheese flavor at the finish- very rich so only had a cup. Erik, my husband, had the white fish and loved it! I had the goat cheese salad. To finish - we split the warm bread pudding cake that had egg nog sauce over it- YUM! AWESOME wine. French Sauvignon blanc and a French Pinot Noir. Service was outstanding! Highly recommend!!!!!!!! I will be back again next year and will have to go at least twice!!!!!
(5)Rebeka M.
I think this is owned by the same company who own Red Mesa. Everything is home made, including the noodles for pasta dishes. Decent prices. You get a decent amount of food for your money. I got the broccoli rabe and sausage dish. It was good. Their super special ultra uber filtered waters are neat too. Our server was nice and very prompt.
(3)Megan C.
Fancy looking, casual feeling! Cafe Sante looks like the type of place where everyone in it would be looking down their noses at you if you order the wrong wine with dinner, but everyone was genuinely friendly and made our first time visit feel like we were regulars. Sarah and Gaola were amazing, and I would go back just for the service! The spaghetti special came with an appetizer desert, a choice of a tomato peach tart or pot de creme. Parents both got the spaghetti and one desert each. I had scallops and risotto which was delicious! No desert included with mine, and I didn't order one. But surprise from Sarah (server Gaola's manager), a chocolate tart was sent out for me. Really dense, delicious tart! My sweet tooth is satisfied. Both Gaola and Sarah were helpful with menu choices, and knew the menu well enough to make recommendations (which was pretty much... Everything!) Definitely an excellent experience. Cafe Sante came recommended from Lisa at Red Mesa Grill nearby, which is owned by the same company. Had great experiences at both places and would highly recommend checking them out.
(5)Paul T.
My favorite restaurant in northern Michigan. Each time I'm in the area we end up eating here more than once. Even on one day visits. Typically we eat breakfast at Sante but their dinner menu is excellent as well. Always impressed. Tomato Basil Eggs Benedict is over the top. The cheese sampler is well thought out, typically has six complimentary cheeses from around the globe --- prices vary but are fair.
(5)Natalia B.
Great restaurant in Boyne City! We had a curry infused mussel dish to start and OMG! The Pistachio Shrimp Risotto and the Ricotto Gnocchi came after! Both were delicious! The service is outstanding! You have a choice or tap or sparkling water (at no charge). Ask for Brittany! We went back 2 days later for lunch and experienced happy hour!
(5)Katie C.
What a gem up North! Food is delicious - a must visit when at Boyne.
(5)Drew E.
This restaurant is stupendous! We come here every time we come up north. The service was amazing and the location was beautiful (on the water). The food was terrific and in particular, my favorites are the French Mussels, the ravioli, the awesome frites, and surprisingly on the breakfast menu, the beef hash.
(5)Steve J.
Probably the best meal we had on vacation in the Charlevoix area. Excellent service, nice atmoshphere.
(5)Matt R.
Great staple of Boyne City. The Ricotta Gnocchi with Wild Mushroom Ragu is luscious and rich without being too heavy. You must try it. Great location on the water, outdoor seating too!
(5)Jane K.
We just happened on this place when we were traveling and stopped to see what was in Boyne City. Glad we did, food was very good and we had a great waitress. It was a bit late for lunch and quiet so she had some time to talk , we enjoyed meeting her. We shared the Charcuterie Platter and Classic French Mussels, both were delicious. The view of the lake even from inside was excellent from where we sat . I'd definitely go back .
(4)Justin S.
The food and service was fantastic! We had the Duck French Onion and Whitefish. It was the best we have ever had. Andy our server was great, very prompt and knowledgable.
(5)Claire D.
Cafe Sante is a good place to grab a meal if you're in Boyne City. It's not excellent by any means, but surrounded by fast food places galore, Sante is a nice alternative. Our service was great, the never-ending water was a plus but the food itself was chain-food quality. I had the chicken Alfredo with house-made pasta but it wasn't spectacular. My husband sampled the house special pizza (turkey and gravy) but wasn't impressed. The bead however, was delicious - it was fluffy and warm on the inside but possessed that pleasant crunchy crust you look for in bread. The best thing we had by far was the dessert. The tarimisu was WONDERFUL. It wasn't too soggy, it had a lot of taste (and our great waitress recommended to us - steering us away from the apple turnover.)
(3)Denise E.
We've never had a bad meal at Cafe Sante and we go there often. Everything is good. Try the pizza for sure and if you're there in the morning, the breakfast selections are awesome. Atmosphere is very much like a french bistro, wonderful location on the lake too. Oh, I almost forgot my favorite menu item - Moules and frites! Wonderful! Also love the coquille st jacques appetizer! The staff are consistently cheerful, helpful and service is good.
(5)Peter F.
Gavin is awesome and food was outstanding. Nice little outdoor seating with fireplace on the water.
(5)Liz B.
This is a great little restaurant in downtown Boyne City. Highly recommend the food and the prices are reasonable for food well-prepared.
(5)Chris H.
Great view and cool interior. Food very good. Friendly service. Nice bar as well. Had brunch so not able to judge dinner. Would come back.
(4)Cindi M.
I could swim in their Egs Benedict with herbed potatoes - my secret breakfast guilty pleasure! Soo good. Pate Maison and I get along really well too.
(4)Jasmine T.
Quality service, food and atmosphere. Cafe Sante has it all. Great menu, creative specials and wonderful beer/wine selection. I took someone who has never been to northern Michigan and glad I did. Overlooking the bay (outdoor seating available but too cold in Oct), fun service, delicious (and good selection) food, all made our evening memorable.
(5)North Girl M.
Oh just love this place!! Cider beer by the fireplace in winter, pasta on patio in summer. Locally owned and civically minded, it's the best place to go anytime.
(4)Clairellen M.
This is our FAVORITE restaurant; we found it by chance last year with friends and come back as often as possible, although we live 2+ hours away. It is casual but with an elegance that is hard to describe. Great food, friendly service. In good weather, you can sit outside overlooking the lake. There is a good variety on the menu, from apps to entrees and desserts that make calories more than worthwhile! Enjoy...
(5)Doink B.
The place was ok, but they could have went more minimalistic in regards to decorating the place.The server who was fine and quite friendly wrote his name on the paper table cloth which really bothered the crap out of me. I'm not just hungry and cutting off the highway popping in at a Macaroni Grill. I planned on dining there. They really don't need to overemphasize that they have a VERY EUROPEAN in regards to their menu. That was quite annoying. The french onion soup was really delicious and one of the best I have ever had. REALLY REALLY GOOD.... I myself had steak and frites for my main course. The fries were quite good, but the steak was a fucking hockey puck. It came out medium rare as I ordered, but so crazy small in size and super super leather tough. Worst steak I have ever had in a restaurant and I am including all all the greasy spoon breakfast steaks as well. It was so far beyond redemption in my mind that it made no sense to complain because I knew there was no capable way for them to make it right. And why the hell are the charging $10 a pint for "Dragons Milk" by New Holland Brewing when it costs far less on average elsewhere! I would go there again, but they need to straighten things out. I would NEVER NEVER NEVER get a steak there again though.
(2)Matt R.
I'm not easily impressed and i'm not too impressed with this place. I like to be wow'd. Cafe sante has a small menu, but has many interesting choises. I've had the mussles are loved them, availible in several styles. Friendly knowledgable staff, but loud crowded dinning room very little room to walk around. The charcuterie plater was a nice change from the norm I've also tried the salmon florentine the spinach cream sauce was wonderful, but the salmon was awful (dry and fishy). Overall I enjoyed my experiance but they need to focus on something that I don't have the words for.
(4)Catherine H.
What a wonderful restaurant. Great Italian and French wine selection. Fantastic food, nice atmosphere and friendly staff. Put this on your list if you are in this area.
(5)Matt R.
T.J. was our server and he did a great job helping us with the menu by answering questions concerning the menu and providing personal suggestions. Our whole group enjoyed all our meals. We began with two orders or moule frites and the charcuterie de jour, both which were excellent. My entree was the chicken fricasse which is a stewed half chicken in a flavorful broth with bacon and watercress. Some other people got pizzas, the margherita pizza was simple but well executed and the lamb chop special was done very well. Not only was the food great but the combination of helpful staff and the lively ambiance and decor made for a memorable evening. Will return and recommend.
(4)Ryan H.
Great environment. Good food. Good service. Beautiful view. Awesome live music on Friday nights.
(4)