Best Restaurants for Special Occasions in East Lansing

Bowdies Chophouse is such a great place. From the food to the service to the ambience, everything is top notch. We cannot wait to come back!

Really great place for are first time there! My fiancé got the shrimp and crab cake, he wishes he would have gotten something else but he loved the lobster bisque! I got raw oysters, yumm!! With seared scallops with sweat potato and miso risotto! 10/10 over all it was a great place!!

Our recent visit to Gandy Dancer in Ann Arbor was nothing short of exceptional. Nestled in a beautifully restored historic train depot, this restaurant offers a dining experience that is as unique as it is delicious. The ambiance is charming and nostalgic, with large windows overlooking the train tracks. During our meal, a train passed by, adding to the charm and making for an unforgettable moment. The food was outstanding. I enjoyed perfectly seared scallops and shrimp atop a creamy, flavorful risotto, while my wife had a delicious salmon dish with seasoned broccoli that was cooked to perfection. Each bite was rich in flavor and expertly prepared. We also indulged in some fantastic cocktails, which were well-balanced and refreshing. To top off the evening, we shared a decadent chocolate truffle cake, which was pure bliss—rich, velvety, and the perfect sweet ending to our meal. The service was impeccable, with attentive and knowledgeable staff who made our experience even more enjoyable. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner, a special celebration, or simply a great meal in a unique setting, Gandy Dancer is a must-visit in Ann Arbor. We will definitely be returning!

This is a wonderful new venue to enjoy a great meal. They have a varied price range so you can enjoy a lower price point meal, at a nice restaurant, without it breaking the bank. There are also higher price point items for your choosing. I am impressed with the service, food quality, and quantity, as well as the atmosphere. We chose to request a booth so we didn’t feel like we were sitting quite so close to our neighbors as the next table. Just a personal preference. Our server was wonderful and attentive. I have food allergies, and was impressed that the manager came over with a laminated list of food items that I should avoid. This was so helpful! The noise level is one of people simply enjoying their time together over a lovely meal! I will admit… the music that was playing at the time was not a genre that was one I’d choose for dinner music. It didn’t feel like it added to the ambiance, and was up a bit louder than I would expect for this venue. Could be that we were sitting right under or close to a speaker, too. This is just personal preference. Everything we’ve tried so far has been fabulous! I give this establishment top scores in all areas. This was our second time there. We definitely will return!

Our dinner was amazing and our server Toby was one of the best that we ever had. Thank you Toby for making our dining experience a memorable one, Gary & Kathy.