If you’ve lived in Michigan your whole life and have never had the pleasure of dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant, there’s likely a very good reason for that—none exist in the state.

Today, we’ll let you in on the reason for that, as well as our list of 10 restaurants in the state that are worthy of one.

WEEKEND HEAT WAVE (MLIVE): A dangerous heat wave is headed for parts of Michigan, with an Extreme Heat Watch in effect from Saturday through Tuesday. Temps will feel like 100–104°F with little overnight relief, prompting warnings to stay hydrated, check on others, and avoid leaving kids or pets in vehicles.

MEASLES IN GRAND TRAVERSE (IPR): A Grand Traverse County resident has tested positive for measles after traveling, marking the area’s first case since 2019. Health officials are urging vaccinations as local immunization rates fall below the threshold needed for herd immunity.

BEAR FREED FROM PLASTIC LID (WNEM): After two years with a plastic lid stuck around its neck, a young black bear in northern Michigan has been rescued by DNR biologists, who safely removed the lid and found the bear healthy despite some scarring. The case highlights the dangers of improperly sized bait containers, which are regulated to prevent wildlife injuries.

(Jay Wennington /Unsplash)

Why doesn’t Michigan have Michelin star restaurants? You might be thinking it’s due to the fact that Michigan is famous (infamous?) for cuisine like Upper Peninsula pasties and Faygo pop, but the truth is pretty simple: Michigan does not have a Michelin chapter, so there is no one to award a Michelin star to any Michigan restaurants.

And honestly, now that I know that the history of Michelin stars was basically one giant marketing scheme to sell tires, I’m not that impressed by Michelin stars anyway.

If tire-inspired dining isn’t your thing, The ‘Gander’s Chaunie Brusie put together this list of Michigan restaurants that would totally be worthy of a Michelin star, but keep shining even without the distinction, including:

1. Prime and Proper

1145 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226

According to the restaurant, Prime and Proper is a modern interpretation of the classic American steakhouse born out of the Detroit Renaissance. You’ll find fine dining detail and a contemporary culinary experience. The entire restaurant was even named after the refined concept of being “prim and proper,” with a twist on one of its most famous offerings: a Prime beef, of course.

2. Mabel Gray Kitchen

23825 John R Rd., Hazel Park, MI 48030

With no official menu and a revolving experience of tastes and flavors, Mabel Gray receives high marks from Michigan locals and visitors alike. The restaurant is the brainchild of Chef Rigato, who decides his weekly menu based on fresh and local produce and fare, serving diners a handwritten menu upon their visit. Rigato calls his restaurant a “commitment to complex contrast,” an homage to the Michigan food scene.

3. Modern Bird

541 W. Front St., Traverse City, MI

Michigan may not have a Michelin star chapter, but it does have two Michelin-restaurant-trained chefs in the wife-and-husband pair who run Modern Bird in Traverse City. Andy Elliott and Emily Stewart trained in Chicago Michelin star restaurants, got married, and decided to open their own restaurant right here in Michigan. Stewart even grew up working her summers in Traverse City, so in a way, the chefs are returning home.

Michiganders gather on the lawn of the Capitol Building in Lansing on March 30, 2025 to celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility. (Lucas Henkel/’Gander Newsroom)

On the morning of June 18, more than halfway through Pride Month, the US Supreme Court issued a ruling in the court case US v. Skrmetti to uphold Tennessee’s categorical ban on hormonal therapies for transgender youth.

“This decision is cruel and dangerous. It ignores the overwhelming consensus of the medical community and opens the door for politicians to play games with kids’ lives,” said Erin Knott, executive director of Equality Michigan (EQMI), a statewide LGBTQ+ political advocacy organization.

Gender-affirming care includes counseling and mental health support, as well as some medical treatments, such as hormones and puberty blockers, that can help transgender and nonbinary people feel comfortable and accepted as themselves.

Despite the Supreme Court’s decision, LGBTQ+ advocates are reminding Michiganders that gender-affirming hormone therapy is safe in Michigan.

It’s been nearly a week since thousands of “No Kings” rallies took place across the US in protest of the Trump Administration.

Earlier this week, we asked ‘Ganders about their thoughts on the protests, and you had a lot to say. Along with newsletter replies, we received about a thousand comments on social media. I’ve included some highlights below, but you can read the thread for yourself here.

“My husband & I joined some friends to take part in the No Kings protest. We felt the significance of this movement plus the array of so many people from different races, religions, ethnicities and ages all coming together show their interest in our country and what it seems to be (sadly) turning into. We will do another protest if one is available!” – Linda Krispin

“I was extremely elated and encouraged with the robust participation of Michigan’s citizens in the “No Kings” protests [last] weekend! I hope we all continue the fight to save America’s democracy.” – Janette Mraz

“I went to one. It was great. Republicans and Democrats and in between all fighting for Democracy together. The veterans young and old reminded us what we were fighting for. Teens reminding who our next voters are.” – Becki Job

Have a question you want me to ask our community? Feel free to send it my way. I might feature it in a future newsletter.

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This email is written by Karel Vega, newsletter editor at The ‘Gander. Have a question or comment? Reply back to this email!