While the Dunes Pavilion has existed since the 1930s, the restaurant and lounge itself—along with the National Park moniker—is new.

The Pavilion offers a sit down restaurant, beach eats with a walk-up window, and a third floor rooftop Lakeview Lounge. We chose to eat on the patio because patios are amazing and well, anywhere named Lakeview Lounge speaks for itself. The patio is 21+, but the restaurant on the 1st floor is all ages. Worth noting, too, the patio is reached by elevator so it is handicap accessible.

This was our first visit and it most definitely exceeded expectations! For a Friday night, it wasn’t super busy, the lounge is beautifully decorated and equipped with patio fire tables to combat the lake breezes, and there is an on-site bar. The menu itself is small and mostly focuses on appetizer type meals, but we noted that many people had eaten at the first floor restaurant and then came up for drinks after dinner. Although they just recently opened, service was great, the food was tasty, and the specialty cocktails (all named after various things relating to the Dunes) were incredible. Aside from specialty cocktails, a full bar, wine, and beer is also offered. Ultimately, this is the perfect way to refresh and refuel after a day at the beach, a run, a hike, or even just a trip to see the sunset.

-ELC

Dunes Pavilion

Dunes Pavilion (Instagram)