8 Top-Rated Cherry Pie Spots In Traverse City Michigan For The Ultimate Summer Dessert Experience
Traverse City has built its entire summer identity around cherries, and the pies coming out of these spots justify every bit of that reputation. Tart filling, properly set, inside a crust that holds its structure without turning dense.
Getting there requires fruit this good and bakers who know exactly what to do with it. Each location on this list approaches the classic differently.
Some lean into rustic simplicity while others push the filling toward something more refined. The common thread running through all of them is cherry quality that most other regions simply cannot match at the source.
Summer in Traverse City moves around this fruit in a way that feels organic rather than manufactured. These pie spots sit at the center of that seasonal rhythm.
Visitors plan entire day trips around a single slice, which sounds excessive until the first bite makes the case for itself. Michigan cherry season does not last forever.
These spots make every week of it count.
1. Grand Traverse Pie Company – Front Street
Since 1996, this place has been hand-rolling pie dough like it is a serious life skill. The Cherry Crumb Pie here is literally the official signature pie of the National Cherry Festival.
That is not a small deal.
Tart Michigan Montmorency cherries fill every slice, and the crumb topping is perfectly golden. The crust is flaky without being dry, and the filling is bright without being overly sweet.
You will want two slices. Maybe three.
The Front Street location has a cozy, welcoming vibe that feels like a neighborhood bakery should. Regulars come in knowing exactly what they want, and first-timers leave with a whole pie to go.
It has earned a 92% Customer Love Score on Goldbelly, which means people are ordering this pie from across the country. That kind of loyalty says everything.
The Old Mission Cherry Pie with a lattice top is also worth every single bite.
This spot is pure Traverse City. It is the kind of place you bring out-of-town guests to prove Michigan does summer right.
Go early because the popular flavors sell out fast on busy days.
Find it at MA US, 525 W Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684.
2. Grand Traverse Pie Company – Park Street
Yes, there are two Grand Traverse Pie Company locations in Traverse City, and no, you do not have to choose just one. The Park Street spot has its own loyal crowd and its own charm.
Both locations serve the same legendary cherry pies.
What makes this location stand out is its neighborhood feel. It sits in a quieter part of town compared to the busy Front Street energy.
People come here to slow down and actually enjoy their pie.
The Cherry Crumb Pie is just as good here as at any other location. Same hand-rolled dough, same Northern Michigan Montmorency cherries, same golden crumb topping.
Consistency like that is rare and worth celebrating.
If you are exploring Traverse City and want to avoid the tourist rush on Front Street, this is your move. You get the same incredible pie with a little more breathing room.
Win-win.
Families with kids love this spot because it is relaxed and easy to navigate. You can grab a whole pie to take back to your rental or just enjoy a slice right there.
Either way, no regrets.
The staff here is friendly and genuinely happy to help you pick a flavor if you are new to the menu. First-timers often leave clutching a box and already planning their next visit.
That is just how it goes.
Visit it at 101 N Park St, Traverse City, MI 49684.
3. Potter’s Bakery
Potter’s Bakery is one of those places that locals guard like a secret. It sits on East Eighth Street and has been feeding the neighborhood for years.
Once you find it, you will wonder how you ever lived without it.
The cherry pie here leans into that old-school homemade style. No fancy frills, no over-the-top presentation.
Just a solid, honest pie made with care and real Michigan cherries. That simplicity is exactly the point.
The crust has that sturdy yet tender texture that is incredibly hard to nail at home. It holds the filling without getting soggy, which is a technical achievement most home bakers dream about.
Respect where it is due.
People in the know stop here on the way to the beach or the farmer’s market. It is a quick detour that always pays off.
Grab a slice, grab a whole pie, or grab both and figure out the details later.
The bakery has a warm, no-fuss atmosphere that feels genuinely local. No lines are stretching out the door like at some tourist-heavy spots.
That alone is a reason to visit.
If you want a cherry pie that tastes like someone’s grandma made it specifically for you, Potter’s is the answer. It is unpretentious, reliable, and seriously delicious.
Do not overlook this one just because it is not on every tourist map.
The address is 908 E Eighth St, Traverse City, MI 49686.
4. Third Coast Bakery
Third Coast Bakery brings a more artisanal energy to the Traverse City pie scene. Located on Munson Avenue, it draws in a crowd that appreciates baked goods made with real intention.
The cherry pie here is not an afterthought.
The filling is rich and tart in a way that actually wakes you up. Michigan cherries shine through without being buried under sugar.
That balance is what separates a great cherry pie from a forgettable one.
The crust at Third Coast has a beautiful golden color and a texture that holds up bite after bite. It is the kind of crust that makes you want to eat the edges first.
That is high praise from any serious pie person.
The bakery itself has a cool, contemporary feel without being pretentious. It is the kind of place where you can sit with a coffee and a slice and feel completely at home.
The vibe is relaxed, and the quality is consistently high.
Locals recommend coming in the morning when everything is freshest. The cherry pies move quickly, especially on summer weekends when the whole region is buzzing with visitors.
Early bird gets the pie, basically.
Third Coast also rotates seasonal offerings, so there is always something new to try alongside the cherry classics. But honestly, once you taste that cherry pie, branching out feels unnecessary.
It earns your loyalty fast.
Find this place at 523 Munson Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686.
5. 9 Bean Rows
A short drive from Traverse City lands you in Suttons Bay, and 9 Bean Rows is absolutely worth making that trip. Sitting on Duck Lake Road, this place has orchard energy built right into its DNA.
Cherry pie here comes with a side of stunning Michigan countryside.
The farm-to-table philosophy is real here, not just a marketing phrase. The cherries come from local orchards, and you can taste the difference.
Fresh, tart, and full of flavor that reminds you why Michigan cherries are famous worldwide.
The atmosphere at 9 Bean Rows feels like a well-kept secret that everyone in Suttons Bay already knows. The space is warm and unpretentious, with a farmhouse vibe that makes you want to stay for hours.
Bring someone you actually like talking to.
The pie crust is made with care and has that satisfying crunch when you cut through it. The cherry filling is not overly sweet or gummy, which is a relief if you have had too many mediocre versions.
This one is the real deal.
People drive out here specifically for the pie and end up staying for a full meal. That is the magic of this place.
It pulls you in and keeps you comfortable.
The surrounding landscape adds something intangible to the experience. Eating cherry pie with orchard views in the background just hits differently.
It is one of those moments where Michigan summer feels absolutely perfect.
The address is 9000 E Duck Lake Rd, Suttons Bay, MI 49682.
6. King Orchards – Fruit Stop
King Orchards on US-31 in Kewadin is not just a fruit stand. It is an experience that reminds you where cherry pie actually starts.
Rows of cherry trees surround the property, and the pies here are made from fruit grown just steps away.
There is something genuinely exciting about eating pie this close to the source. The cherries are Montmorency tart cherries, the gold standard for pie filling in Michigan.
They are picked ripe, processed quickly, and baked into pies that taste incredibly fresh.
The Fruit Stop has a charming, unpretentious roadside feel that locals love. It is not fancy, and it does not try to be.
The whole point is excellent fruit and excellent pie, and both deliver every single time.
Stopping here on a summer road trip along the Cherry Capital Coastal Drive is basically mandatory. You pull over, grab a pie or a slice, and suddenly the whole day feels like a win.
It is that simple and that satisfying.
The staff at King Orchards knows their product inside and out. Ask them anything about cherries and you will get a genuine, enthusiastic answer.
That kind of passion shows up in the quality of every pie they sell.
Cherry season in Northern Michigan runs through July and into August, and this is prime time to visit. Fresh-picked cherries going straight into a pie crust is about as good as summer gets.
Do not skip this one on your route.
Visit this spot at 986 US-31, Kewadin, MI 49648.
7. The Cherry Hut
The Cherry Hut has been open since 1922. Let that sink in for a second.
Over a century of cherry pie in Beulah, Michigan, and people are still driving from all over the state to get a slice. That is a legacy.
Located on North Michigan Avenue in Beulah, this place is about 45 minutes from Traverse City. That drive is absolutely worth it.
The pie here has a reputation that has outlasted multiple generations of dessert trends.
The menu famously includes a disclaimer that cherries may contain an occasional pit. That honesty is charming and oddly reassuring.
It tells you these pies are made with real, whole cherries and not some overly processed filling.
The atmosphere inside The Cherry Hut is vintage in the best possible way. It feels like stepping into a slice of Americana, complete with friendly service and no pretension.
The focus here has always been the pie, and nothing has changed that.
The cherry pie itself is described by fans as perfect, and that word gets thrown around a lot in the dessert world. Here, it actually fits.
The filling is bright and tart, the crust is golden, and the ratio of filling to pastry is exactly right.
Visiting The Cherry Hut feels like a Northern Michigan rite of passage. First-timers often walk out with multiple whole pies.
Repeat visitors have their order memorized before they even park the car.
Find The Cherry Hut at 211 N Michigan Ave, Beulah, MI 49617.
8. Great Lakes Pie Company
Great Lakes Pie Company sits on Elk Lake Road in Williamsburg, just outside Traverse City, and it is one of those finds that makes you feel like you discovered something special. The setting alone is worth the short drive out of town.
The cherry pies here are made with a clear appreciation for Michigan fruit and classic technique. The filling is tart and vibrant, using locally sourced cherries that make the whole thing taste genuinely seasonal.
Summer in a pie crust, basically.
The bakery has a warm, cottage-style feel that matches the Elk Lake surroundings perfectly. It is the kind of place where you slow down and actually enjoy being somewhere.
No rush, no noise, just good pie and good air.
What sets Great Lakes Pie Company apart is the attention to crust detail. The pastry is buttery, layered, and golden in a way that shows real skill.
A great crust is the foundation of a great pie, and this place clearly agrees.
People who stumble upon this spot while exploring the back roads of Northern Michigan tend to become regulars immediately. It has that effect on people.
One visit and you are already planning the next one.
The surrounding area near Elk Lake is gorgeous in summer, so combining a scenic drive with a pie stop here is a genuinely excellent afternoon plan. Grab a whole pie to go and find a spot by the water.
Michigan summers do not get much better than that.
The address is 8150 Elk Lake Rd, Williamsburg, MI 49690.