A 300-year-old barn, a working on-site farm, a wood-fired grill, and a plate of something you’ve never quite tasted before — that’s Sylvan Table in a nutshell. The eatery is situated within a 300-year-old barn that was acquired from Maine and moved to Sylvan Lake. The barn was discovered in Maine and brought to Michigan in early 2019, with the team spending about two years transforming its bones into the restaurant, which officially opened in June 2021.
Sylvan Table serves rustic, elevated, multicultural cuisine made from hyper-seasonal ingredients sourced from their backyard farm and local partners. The atmosphere makes you feel like you’ve been transported to another place rather than suburban Detroit. Whether you’re planning a special anniversary dinner, a romantic date night, or simply want to experience Michigan’s finest farm-fresh cooking, this is a place worth the trip.
Menu Highlights
The foundation of Sylvan Table’s fresh and flavorful fare is the wood-fired grill that highlights the best of the Great Lakes State’s diverse bounty. The open, scratch kitchen boasts an eight-foot wood-fired grill and a wood-fired pizza oven — and you can taste the difference in every charred, smoky, perfectly kissed bite that comes out of it.
The trout is seasoned with herb oil, salt, and pepper, cooked over the wood-fired grill, and served whole — with the team even working with an Indigenous community in the U.P. to source the rice that accompanies it, another way Sylvan Table showcases Michigan’s flavors on the plate. The Chicken Under a Brick is another standout — cooked to charred perfection and simply seasoned with salt, lemon, and fresh herbs to accentuate, not complicate.
Dishes like Roasted Beef Bone Marrow, braised short rib, sticky Toffee Carrot Cake, and Lake Superior trout receive high acclaim for their flavors. Cocktail-wise, the French Fashioned is a guest favorite, and starters like the ricotta & garlic flatbread and the Bee Sting flatbread are beloved — while mains like lamb, trout, and pappardelle arrabbiata earn rave reactions.
The shareable sides change often to reflect what’s in season — during late spring, for example, it’s peak ramps and fiddlehead ferns season, with some staff members even foraging those Michigan treasures themselves. As produce ebbs and flows with the seasons, so do the cocktails, wine, and brew. The menu reportedly rotates every two weeks, ensuring there’s always something new and exciting to try.
While “locally sourced food” is a buzzword many restaurants throw around, Sylvan Table is truly living the farm-to-fork ethos — even with something like marshmallows, with their on-site farmer Rick Rigutto planting the marshmallow plant itself on the property. That level of commitment to hyper-local sourcing is rare, and it permeates everything on the plate.
The expansive bar in the center of the restaurant is a convivial spot brimming with energy, where diners sip on cocktails like the “Can You Dig It?” with beet-infused tequila and the crowd-pleasing “Love Grows” with Valentine vodka, Aperol, grapefruit juice, and rosemary syrup. If you’re feeling adventurous, ask for the “Dealer’s Choice” and let the bartender whip up whatever they have in mind.
Atmosphere & Décor
The atmosphere mimics the warm, homey experience of dining in a special friend’s home, whether you’re sitting under the rafters of a 300-year-old barn or in the cozy stone-walled solarium surrounded by eclectic lighting and charm. Even though it feels grand and vast when you step into the stunning space, Sylvan Table is homey, welcoming, and inviting — in the early evening hours, natural light bathes the barn, and the view from the loft is among the best seats in the house.
Upon entering, you’ll find high ceilings, a big bar, multiple fireplaces, and — if you’re lucky — a second-story loft for elevated seating. The glass-roofed solarium, with its wood-burning fireplace, has a romantic feel, especially when the sun goes down and the candles are lit.
During warmer months, greenery and flowers abound throughout the outdoor dining area, with string lights adding ambiance while the restaurant is surrounded by five wondrous acres of farmland. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed into a cozy waiting area adorned with unique gifts available for purchase, setting a delightful tone before you even sit down.
Other Considerations
How’s the pricing? Pricing per person generally runs in the $50–$80 range, though some diners report spending over $100 per person with cocktails and shared plates. Some diners note that pricing leans toward the higher end, though they feel the cost aligns with the elevated food quality and atmosphere. For a special-occasion dinner, most find it well worth it.
Do I need a reservation? Sylvan Table always seems booked, and you’ll need to make a reservation weeks in advance. Reservations can be made through their website via Tock. The bar is first come, first served, so if you’re flexible, that’s a great walk-in option for a more casual visit.
Is it good for dietary restrictions? Many patrons value the restaurant’s dedication to gluten-free dining, with staff proactively ensuring safe and enjoyable meals through ingredient verification and dish modifications. Vegan and vegetarian options are available, though it’s worth noting that the farm-to-table freshness is evident in every dish, but flavor can be inconsistent for vegetarian options — the vegetarian pasta, for example, featured lemon and capers but lacked depth and balance for some diners. Meat eaters, on the other hand, tend to be thoroughly wowed.
What’s the dress code? People tend to dress very casually — “nice casual” is a good rule of thumb. The vibe is upscale-rustic, so you’ll fit right in whether you’re in a blazer or a nice sweater.
What about sustainability? Sylvan Table is committed to reducing food waste and practicing sustainability — since November 2022, they’ve participated in The PLEDGE™ on Food Waste program and have since earned a gold-level certification, outranking their previous silver-level distinction. They strive to continue their efforts through composting, recycling, and curating menus that reflect sustainable and seasonal produce and proteins.
When’s the best time to visit? The outdoor dining space is particularly popular during warmer months, providing a wonderful atmosphere for guests. Summer evenings on the patio — surrounded by the farm gardens and glowing string lights — are widely considered the peak experience. That said, the warm, fireplace-lit interior makes fall and winter visits equally memorable.
Sylvan Table
📍 1819 Inverness St, Sylvan Lake, MI 48320
Website: https://www.sylvantable.com
Leave a Reply