Thank you for all of your support throughout our 2021 season, which included outdoor seating under the tent, on our patio, evenings in the Tavern, and take-out orders. Our Patio overlooks the Leland River and is a great place to enjoy a drink and a meal as you watch the wooden boats drift by. The Bluebird Tavern is a perfect place to get lunch and relax with a full bar featuring regional wine & beer.
Services
For over 80 years, The Bluebird has been the gathering place in Leland for locals and tourists alike. From the casual 100 seat bar, to the more elegant, scenic dining room on the banks of the Leland River, The Bluebird tradition of excellence is always apparent.
Long known for the finest whitefish, walleye, and perch in Northern Michigan, The Bluebird is constantly striving to raise the level of quality across the board, to include the finest steaks available, Prime Rib, and a variety of other meat, chicken, and seafood entrees.The menu contains many timeless favorites, and the nightly specials offer our chef's the opportunity to stretch their culinary "legs" and try new ingredients and cooking styles.
Long known for the finest whitefish, walleye, and perch in Northern Michigan, The Bluebird is constantly striving to raise the level of quality across the board, to include the finest steaks available, Prime Rib, and a variety of other meat, chicken, and seafood entrees.The menu contains many timeless favorites, and the nightly specials offer our chef's the opportunity to stretch their culinary "legs" and try new ingredients and cooking styles.
NV Good Harbor Fishtown White - Leland - Deliciously fruity, semi-dry white made from chardonnay, seyval blanc, and vignoles. Great with our Whitefish and other mild dishes. Fontaine Pinot Gris - Lake Leelanau - Fresh, delicious pear and citrus fruit flavors, with hints of minerals adding complexity, make this a perfect partner with seafood.
Reviews (20)
Nick N.
Aug 07, 2021
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Wouldn't recommend. My youngest sons pizza came out 15 min before we got the rest of our meal. Waitress didn't stop by to give an update or ask if we needed anything while waiting. My oldest son ordered a white fish sandwich and ended up getting white fish. The waitress said I can bring out a bun. My wife ordered a salad ($24) and it was supposed to come with bread , but didn't. People next to us had their dog there and it kept barking. Waitress never stopped by when we got our meal to ask if we needed anything, etc. Not an enjoyable experience for $100.
Scott C.
Jul 20, 2021
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Doesn't get much worse than this. There is no management of the staff. Severely understaffed and unorganized. 25 minutes before anyone came to our table - and another 70 minutes before our grilled cheese and club sandwiches came. Waitress spilled the bowl of peanuts & peas on the table, and just left it there. Zero apologies for the wait time. This place has seen better days - and this had nothing to do with COVID.
Jeff W.
Jul 19, 2021
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So sad to see this, been coming here for years but this was biggest joke ive seen.. Tent outside, cook left in middle of dinner , food took 1.5 hours after we sat down and came out in small servings. Paid 120.00 for 4 baskets of food that i could get anywhere for 50.00, wont ever go back.. even got charged 1.00 for. A water after waiting 1 hour for food.. very sad..
Howard C.
Jun 21, 2021
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Steve S.
Jun 10, 2021
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Jenifer M.
Oct 31, 2020
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Brooke H.
Sep 26, 2020
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Honestly i expected this restaurant as one of the few by the water in Leland to be better than it was...certainly wasn't the most pleasant with the bus boy walking around with pajamas after we sat down. Upon receiving my fish, with a side of italian pasta salad, i soon found that my $3 side contained 6 noodles in a small plastic sauce cup making it a whopping 60 cents per noodle. Which after dropping one to my dismay, i calculated with its less than convenient packaging. To top it off my battered cod could easily have been found with better taste at a local McDonalds.
Ann P.
Sep 11, 2020
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Kim W.
Aug 16, 2020
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Also not messing around with Covid is the Bluebird. They're not currently seating indoors, but have a nice outdoor tented area available with plenty of seating - and precautions (not that we're overly concerned, just mindful of keeping our general distance from others with the Covid Cooties). While the tented area is in the parking lot, it offers nice views of the Leland river and passerby on the main Leland thoroughfare.
My pizza (carry out), and then our pizza (eat "in") were both very good. Their pizzas have that yummy buttery crust! MmmmMmmmmm! Ditto the side garden salad
My pizza (carry out), and then our pizza (eat "in") were both very good. Their pizzas have that yummy buttery crust! MmmmMmmmmm! Ditto the side garden salad
Kat C.
Oct 26, 2019
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Brett S.
Aug 24, 2019
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Stopped in for a quick lunch on a recommendation from my parents. Our party shared a couple pizzas and everyone enjoyed them. The crust is airy and soft. The cheese and sauce were not distinct but no complaints about either. I think it is baked in a low pan because there is some caramelization of cheese around the edge of the crust, I found to be the best part of the crust. Even though this is not my favorite style of pizza it is good and for me a One Bite rating of 5.6. Was happy to see Bell's Oberon on tap. I will be back and next time I will drive into their menu. I would recommend if
Mike E.
Aug 06, 2019
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Very disappointed in the parchment whitefish. Normally I choose whitefish due to its white flesh and gentle color . This whitefish was Haney and fishy and maybe not fresh.
There were 3 sprigs of asparagus with it which seemed for the price very inadequate. My wife did enjoy her prime rib but the potatoes with it were dried out and in a small ice cream scoop mound.
Our dining partners had the walleye which was good but very small portion and the pork sandwich with chips. The chips were not played they just handed her a bag. I expect that if I am at the cheese shop but not at a sit down restaurant
There were 3 sprigs of asparagus with it which seemed for the price very inadequate. My wife did enjoy her prime rib but the potatoes with it were dried out and in a small ice cream scoop mound.
Our dining partners had the walleye which was good but very small portion and the pork sandwich with chips. The chips were not played they just handed her a bag. I expect that if I am at the cheese shop but not at a sit down restaurant
Cindy G.
Jul 24, 2019
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Not for vegetarians. Soups all had meat and salad bar had lots of salad type dishes such as potato salad and chicken salad. Salad bar was really expensive for what it was...$21.00. There were no non meat entrees at all. Server was very sweet but slow service. Husband said his prime rib was great though. Wish I had ordered prime rib entree which includes salad bar for $5.00 more. I could have taken prime rib home for husband to have the next day.
Heather H.
Jul 22, 2019
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David L.
Jul 17, 2019
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We Stopped here via the Fido AP. Real nice garden setting along the water on a gorgeous day.
Location n setting- 5
Service- 4
Quality of food. (Fish tacos & Walleye fish sand)-3
Size of portions- (2 tacos) small filet (walleye)
Value. 2
Overall-3 but worthy of 1st visit
Negatives: no local draft beer on deck at the craft beer Mecca- bizarre. Offer baked n blackened fish; this is a fishery bonanza not land locked Indiana; portions if smaller we would have walked.
We left hungry.
Location n setting- 5
Service- 4
Quality of food. (Fish tacos & Walleye fish sand)-3
Size of portions- (2 tacos) small filet (walleye)
Value. 2
Overall-3 but worthy of 1st visit
Negatives: no local draft beer on deck at the craft beer Mecca- bizarre. Offer baked n blackened fish; this is a fishery bonanza not land locked Indiana; portions if smaller we would have walked.
We left hungry.
Suzanne O.
Jun 19, 2019
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Standard American fare with an emphasis on fried fish.
As far as the fish goes, they mainly offer walleye and whitefish, and occasional specials of perch and bluegill. The walleye I had was pretty fishy tasting and the whitefish was a bit dry. The big winner was the bluegill that had a slightly sweet flavor and was perfectly moist. All the fried fish has a light coating, that doesn't take away from the flavor of the fish. Besides fried fish, they offer soups, salads, and other sandwiches. They also have delicious fries!
The dining room is a bit dated as far as decor goes, but there&apos
As far as the fish goes, they mainly offer walleye and whitefish, and occasional specials of perch and bluegill. The walleye I had was pretty fishy tasting and the whitefish was a bit dry. The big winner was the bluegill that had a slightly sweet flavor and was perfectly moist. All the fried fish has a light coating, that doesn't take away from the flavor of the fish. Besides fried fish, they offer soups, salads, and other sandwiches. They also have delicious fries!
The dining room is a bit dated as far as decor goes, but there&apos
Elena D.
Jun 10, 2019
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We are out of towners that checked out BlueBird on a sunday evening and ate in the Tavern part of the restaurant. It's a nice interior and the staff was very friendly. Seating a party of six at this time was not an issue. We shared the asparagus "mock-amole" and it was pretty good, but I guess I wouldn't have called it "mock-amole" so much as an asparagus cheese dip. I had the Bird Pie pizza and it was delicious. My husband had the walleye platter and said it was good. It came with cole slaw. I only tried his fries, not the fish or cole slaw and unfortunately my husband
Sonam P.
Aug 13, 2018
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Not my favorite diner/bar food place but descent menu options. I can only rate the bar menu as
We didn't eat from the diner menu. It's your typical burgers, sandwiches, pizza type restaurant. At night there are a ton of locals as it's also the popular bar in town.
I got the house-smoked bbq beef brisket sandwich and snickers pie. The beef brisket was well done. I just wish I had more sauce on it similar to pulled pork! They should also add something special flavor wise since they make a house made special ranch sauce. However, the brisket was very tender and tasty.
I have to say
We didn't eat from the diner menu. It's your typical burgers, sandwiches, pizza type restaurant. At night there are a ton of locals as it's also the popular bar in town.
I got the house-smoked bbq beef brisket sandwich and snickers pie. The beef brisket was well done. I just wish I had more sauce on it similar to pulled pork! They should also add something special flavor wise since they make a house made special ranch sauce. However, the brisket was very tender and tasty.
I have to say
Alex T.
Jul 07, 2017
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I had heard good things about this place. Unfortunately, the first time I tried to come, they were closed for cleaning in the late fall.
This past weekend, I had the chance to go. When you walk in, you can either go to the bar area which has a lot of seating, or wait for the dining room. Both areas have very different menus from what I understand. We went to the dining room. This area has a beautiful view of the river. I ordered the whitefish, which includes cinnamon bread, french bread, and the salad bar. All were very good, especially the cinnamon bread. Oh, and they were completely
This past weekend, I had the chance to go. When you walk in, you can either go to the bar area which has a lot of seating, or wait for the dining room. Both areas have very different menus from what I understand. We went to the dining room. This area has a beautiful view of the river. I ordered the whitefish, which includes cinnamon bread, french bread, and the salad bar. All were very good, especially the cinnamon bread. Oh, and they were completely
Adam J.
Jun 06, 2017
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There aren't many places to go in Leland, but Bluebird offers a nicer dining room for a more upscale dinner, but also a tavern to visit if wanting something a bit more simpler or to sit down for a beer. Because of that, there usually isn't a time when Bluebird isn't a good choice. Not to mention they have a patio.
The beer list is what one would expect with varied local bottle and draft options as is the menu with fish, pizza and sandwiches. Not sure how people can complain about that. They also have some interesting renditions from a Smoked Trout Chowder to an Asparagus Guacamole
The beer list is what one would expect with varied local bottle and draft options as is the menu with fish, pizza and sandwiches. Not sure how people can complain about that. They also have some interesting renditions from a Smoked Trout Chowder to an Asparagus Guacamole
