Taste of Southwest Michigan: Your Culinary Destination for Small Meetings

Southwest Michigan isn’t just a place to gather — it’s a destination that inspires creativity, innovation, and productive conversation. If you're tired of traditional boardroom settings, Southwest Michigan offers vibrant, refreshing alternatives for your next small meeting. Whether planning a corporate retreat, an executive strategy session, or an intimate brainstorming getaway, this region blends its scenic beauty with a rich culinary landscape that can fuel your team and your ideas.

Amazing Flavors & Local Ingredients

Food is one key way attendees evaluate the quality of a company gathering, and Southwest Michigan’s culinary scene ensures your next meeting will stand out. Say goodbye to bland conference fare and excite your team with meals crafted from local, farm-to-table ingredients. Whether you're seeking casual breweries or upscale restaurants, our variety of small-to-mid-sized group dining options guarantees a taste of Southwest Michigan that will leave a lasting impression.

Where to Eat

Benton Harbor Arts District

The Benton Harbor Arts District in the heart of Benton Harbor has a bohemian vibe that fosters creativity among all its chefs who call this area their culinary canvas. Two of the many dining favorites in this neighborhood are well-suited for small groups or their traveling companions:

Mason Jar Cafe: Ask locals to name a favorite place for breakfast and lunch, many will point you to the Mason Jar. Most ingredients are raised within a few miles of this busy kitchen. They specialize in delicious made-from-scratch, locally sourced organic menu options ranging from a spicy egg sandwich, stuffed French toast, corned beef hash, huevos rancheros, and a daily crustless quiche. Specialty lattes, boozy beverages, and hot chocolates are standouts, too. Four-season indoor seating and summer patio tables are gathering spaces for your meeting or break destination. 

Houndstooth: This is a unique setting for an intimate dinner or post-meeting gathering. The chef will impress you with innovative shareable plates, creative dishes, and expertly crafted cocktails—including non-alcoholic options. The intimate and relaxed ambiance makes it easy to continue sharing ideas.

St. Joseph

Bistro on the Boulevard: Within The Boulevard Inn, the downtown Bistro offers a refined dining experience showcasing seasonal American cuisine at The Boulevard Inn. It elevates seasonal American fare with its breakfast, brunch, and dinner choices. A recipient of the prestigious Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, it perfectly pairs its diverse menu — from appetizers to desserts — with its carefully curated wine selection. Seasonal outdoor seating lets your group gaze out on Lake Bluff Park, Lake Michigan, and spectacular sunsets. 

Plank’s Tavern on the Water: This restaurant housed at the Inn at Harbor Shores provides one of the closest waterfront dining views. Gaze out at the St. Joseph River harbor as you gather around tables for brunch or dinner in the indoor dining room or on the seasonal deck. There are choices for those who like their food from hot and spicy to light and elegant to pure comfort. 

Silver Harbor Brewing Company: There are numerous reasons to bring your small to mid-size group to this downtown brewery. Its 16 well-loved handcrafted beers and American-style lunch and dinner fare will please your team’s palates. Silver Harbor smoothly handles groups. The Garden comfortably accommodates 50 guests. It brings the best of the outdoors, indoors with its open-air, live green vines and pines and two 13-foot controllable windows/garage doors. For your group of up to 250 guests, reserve the Union + Social venue next door. Its ambiance blends urban with history. 

221 Main Restaurant & Cocktail House: Satiate your group’s cravings for seafood, steaks, upscale burgers, and expertly crafted cocktails and drinks at 221 Main.  Upstairs, its sister restaurant, The Terrace, offers indoor and seasonal dining in an upscale yet comfortable atmosphere for those 21+. It is THE place for handcrafted traditional to modern cocktails and the bartenders currently pour over 320 whiskies from all over the world — one of the largest selections in Michigan!  

Stevensville

Tosi’s Restaurant: This Italian restaurant has been a local favorite since 1939. Its chefs still follow Old World family recipes passed down for generations. House-made pasta, fresh seafood, and expertly grilled steaks are prepared with high-quality ingredients, many of them grown locally. With an extensive wine list and a warm, inviting atmosphere, Tosi’s is a popular choice for business dinners, team gatherings, or casual networking events. Summer guests enjoy the beautiful garden patio.

Grande Mere Inn: This cozy, cottage-style restaurant, serves delicious lake perch, fork-tender steaks, duck, Alaskan king crab, African lobster, and various farm-to-table specialties. Local breweries and wineries contribute to the beverage choices. The friendly, attentive staff will make your staff feel right at home. Time your visit to watch a Lake Michigan sunset through the westside windows. 

Buchanan and Union Pier

Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant: Set amidst picturesque vineyards, this restaurant is one of the reasons Southwest Michigan is called the “Napa Valley of the Midwest.” Bring your group for an expert-led wine tasting, then gather indoors by the fireplace or outdoors on the seasonal deck to pair your favorite vintages with their signature lamb lollipops, raspberry chicken, Faroe Islands salmon, or butternut squash risotto. Meet or unwind here. Walking the Mt. Tabor Trails allows you to freely discuss strategies and new product ideas while sipping craft wine, beer, or spirits.  

Timothy’s Restaurant: Chef Timothy delights in creating standout American cuisine along Red Arrow Highway. You will savor the pan-seared scallops, Thai Chilean sea bass, cedar-planked Alaskan halibut, and grilled filet mignon. Welcoming business groups is also a specialty. 

More Flavorful Destinations

Check out other choices on our Group Dining page, discover local foodie hotspots in our Foodie Finds blog, and a list of al fresco dining options in our Best Outdoor Dining blog.

Choose a Unique Meeting Space

Southwest Michigan offers small meeting spaces with distinctive character, designed to keep your team focused, engaged, and inspired. Here are two standout options among many unique settings:

The Inn at Harbor Shores: This all-in-one resort on the St. Joseph River simplifies planning your Southwest Michigan meeting or c-suite retreat. There are small to ballroom-size meeting spaces, 92 guest rooms with balconies, a spa, an indoor and outdoor pool, a hot tub, a marina, and a championship-level golf course. Have food delivered to your meeting space or dine together in the resort’s two restaurants, a coffee shop, and a dockside bar. Activities include a two-hour trip on the resort’s cycle boat, renting kayaks, canoes, or bikes, and exploring 12 miles of paved nature trails, nearby shops in walkable downtowns, and beautiful public beaches. 

Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve: This year-round natural gem in Niles offers indoor and outdoor meeting spaces surrounded by serene beauty. The gardens and walking trails provide an inspiring backdrop for team-building activities or post-meeting reflections.

These unique venues are just the beginning. Learn more about what Southwest Michigan offers in small meeting destinations and team-bonding activities in or near your venue. 

Reach Out for Help in Your Planning

Southwest Michigan’s combination of farm-to-table dining, scenic meeting spaces, and team-building opportunities makes it a top-tier choice for planners seeking a unique and engaging destination for small meetings. Whether you’re hosting a leadership retreat, a brainstorming session, or simply looking to escape the city for a change of pace, Southwest Michigan delivers a memorable experience that will leave your team feeling refreshed and inspired.

When you're ready to plan your next small meeting or retreat, submit an RFP for a room block or contact us for more ideas on making your Southwest Michigan meeting one your attendees will talk about for years.