Dining by the water is worth it

Macomb County is home to two bodies of water: the Clinton River and Lake St. Clair.

Not only are these two a great resource, they also host a variety of recreational activities. Boating, fishing and watersports are just a few of the amenities people can enjoy. But, of course, there's also dining by the water.

Along the 32 miles of Lake St. Clair coastline within Macomb County are some of the nicest establishments to eat at. Over 15 restaurants live close enough that you can actually catch a glimpse of the lake while chomping away at your meal; some even sit directly on top of the water! But this doesn't mean these dining options are easy or obvious to find - and I don't mean the action of simply looking it up on a map.

For anyone who's been to St. Clair Shores, for example, the waterfront dining options there are nestled deep within the marinas along the shoreline, making it hard to spot your destination. Customers have to drive through parking lots and alleyways to get to fine establishments like Hook(pictured), Zef's Docksideor WaterMark Grill(if you didn't know, now you know!).

There is also the option of docking your boat at a nearby marina and reaching your destination that way, too. Whichever technique you choose, the dining experience will be well worth it!

Restaurants like Crews Innin Harrison Township, for example, offer an outdoor bar and dining option that provide a wonderful waterfront experience you'll have trouble finding anywhere else: good food, a nice martini, a scenic view of the lake and a light breeze to cool you down on a hot summer day.

Fun fact: you can encounter a similar feeling when dining along the Clinton River, as well!

The Clinton River is clear (on a good day), clean and connected, and is also home to Octopus' Beer Garden. Burrowed in Mount Clemens along N. River Road, this restaurant is easier to find than others, but also gets a lot of business, making parking somewhat of a chore. Similar to establishments along the lake, customers can boat in from the river, but even then the wait can be long depending on the time of day. Nonetheless, it is all worth it just to take a bite of one of their delectable sandwiches and take a sip of their refreshing cocktails.

All in all, waterfront dining is a worthwhile experience that you should notpass up!

To find more dining by the water options visit our waterfront diningpage and see what establishments our shoreline communities have to offer!

Rachel Dearing is a Communications Specialist for Macomb County Planning and Economic Development.