MANISTEE — Manistee is giving food lovers a new reason to get out and explore its first ever restaurant week.
“People who come here, they need a reason and we’re giving them that reason, we’ve got great food,” said MT Plates Owner Matt Catlin.
The event brings together more than a dozen local restaurants, with some offering special menus and deals designed to draw people in and showcase the area’s growing food scene.
Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce president Carmen Kott said the idea has been in the making for years, but finding the right timing was key.
“The restaurant community continues to evolve and grow, and we want to make sure we have something that’s an amazing thing for people to come and explore,” said Kott. “Because who knows, maybe they’ll fall in love with the restaurant they’ve never been able to explore before.”
Organizers said restaurant week is also about giving people a reason to try something new, whether it’s a restaurant they’ve never noticed before or a dish they wouldn’t normally order.
Thirteen restaurants across Manistee County signed on for the first year of the event, including MT Plates. Catlin said opportunities like this can make a big difference, especially for small, locally run restaurants.
“Exposure like this is awesome, we’re part of a restaurant week and people can come up and learn we’re here, and find out what kind of foods we have, I think it’s going to be great.”Restaurant week is also expected to help bring more people into the area during the slower season, boosting foot traffic for local businesses.
Manistee County restaurant week begins March 16, 2026.