What do you get when a working farm, a craft brewery, a bakery, a farm-to-table restaurant, and a curated marketplace all share the same breathtaking patch of Northern Michigan land? You get Farm Club — and it’s exactly as remarkable as it sounds. A collaboration between Allison and Gary Jonas, owners of Traverse City’s The Little Fleet, and Sara and Nic Thiesen of Leelanau’s Loma Farm, Farm Club opened in July 2020. The timely farm-based concept serviced a region seeking safe connections within the community and grew quickly into an institution.
Farm Club is a Leelanau County farm, restaurant, brewery, bakery, and marketplace — a welcome escape for locals and visitors alike, tucked away just seven miles from downtown Traverse City, blending country living simplicity with a clean, contemporary haven. Whether you’re riding in on the TART trail or driving out for a long, leisurely lunch, this place has a way of making you feel like you’ve stumbled onto something truly special.
What Makes Farm Club So Extraordinary
Farm Club is proud to share that 90% of the vegetables on their menu are grown on their own properties, and with thoughtful planning, they are able to preserve, ferment, store, and dry produce to use on the menu year round — even through those long, cold, snowy Michigan months. That level of agricultural commitment is rare, and you can taste it in every dish.
A colorful array of fresh vegetables joins breads, garden dips, cheeses, smoked local fish, and other sustainably sourced meats on the menu. One of the original menu items, The Ploughman’s Platter, is filled with homemade breads, unique dips, locally sourced meats, and veggies that vary day by day depending on what’s in season. The Farm Board — a similar spread of seasonal vegetables, dips, and bread — is another crowd favorite that visitors rave about repeatedly.
You’ll also find dishes like robust bean soups in winter and light, bright green salads come spring. The menu is fluid, like the seasons of Northern Michigan, but will always land local, sustainable, and delicious. There’s a seasonal menu, so every visit brings something new to discover.
Standout dishes that keep people coming back include chorizo biscuits and gravy, fresh farm-to-table fare, and must-try items such as the veg board with liver mousse. The fried onion rings and marinated olives are also frequently mentioned as can’t-miss bites.
Craft Beer Worth the Drive Alone
Farm Club’s head brewer, Corey Valdez, was an organic chemistry professor in New York City before spending three years brewing at Jolly Pumpkin and then helping to open Farm Club. Corey aims to brew simple, nuanced, drinkable beers, with a focus on lagers, contemporary IPAs, and farmhouse ales. The result is a rotating, thoughtfully curated tap list that punches well above its size.
The selection includes two lagers (Czech and Schwarz varieties), three farmhouse ales, a bitter, a “bright little pale,” and a hazy pale — a modest but impressively well-rounded lineup. Visitors can also peruse and purchase an array of locally sourced produce, snacks, and gifts from the market while indulging in house-brewed beers such as the renowned East Coast Pale Ale.
Atmosphere & Décor
The out-of-the-way location sits in a sprawling field surrounded by natural forest, with ambient lighting both indoors and out, rough-cut lumber accents, and original paintings displayed inside — alongside plenty of farm-fresh food on the menu and available for purchase in their store. The overall effect is a space that feels both handcrafted and intentional, rustic without being rough around the edges.
Dining indoors is full of natural light, with a wall of glass that looks out to the outdoor seating area. In the fall, the place is especially cozy and comforting. Several outdoor fires invite patrons to gather with a drink and simply enjoy the moment. It’s the kind of atmosphere that slows you down — in the best possible way.
There’s no loud music or chaos here — the vibe is homey, relaxing, and genuinely laid-back. Farm Club is also located on the TART trail that runs through Traverse City and up to Suttons Bay and beyond, meaning people bike, run, and even cross-country ski right to the property.
Other Considerations
Do I need a reservation? Farm Club seats on a first-come, first-served basis and does not take reservations. During peak summer evenings, wait times can stretch to two hours, so arriving early — especially for lunch — is a smart move.
Is it family-friendly? Farm Club has a small hiking trail and a kids’ play area with wood stumps and boulders discovered on the property, making it a comfortable outing for families. The open, unhurried atmosphere lends itself well to kids who want to roam while adults linger over food and drinks.
Can I grab something to go? The market is stocked daily with fresh bread, grab-and-go food, canned beer, and produce from the farm. Even if you’re not sitting down for a full meal, it’s absolutely worth stopping in to browse and pick up a few things to take home.
What’s the pricing like? Farm Club sits in a comfortable mid-range bracket for the quality and experience on offer. Given that nearly everything on your plate was grown steps away, the value is genuinely impressive. Craft beers are modestly priced, and the market items make for affordable, high-quality souvenirs or picnic supplies.
Is it worth visiting in winter? Winter is a special, quiet time at Farm Club. The kitchen keeps delivering delicious, imaginative farm-to-table cuisine even in the middle of a long Northern Michigan winter — and the cozy indoor atmosphere, complete with a fireplace, makes it a deeply satisfying cold-weather destination.
What about parking? Farm Club has a large parking area, so arriving by car is easy and stress-free. Of course, if you’re feeling adventurous, the property is just 7 miles from downtown Traverse City via the TART trail.
Farm Club
📍 10051 S Lake Leelanau Dr, Traverse City, MI 49684
Website: https://www.farmclubtc.com
