Lobdell’s: A Teaching Restaurant

Part of the Great Lakes Culinary Institute

Lobdell’s serves as a working laboratory for Great Lakes Culinary Institute students. The 90-seat restaurant overlooks beautiful Grand Traverse Bay and is open to the public for lunch during the fall and spring semesters, breakfast treats and coffee during the summer, and dinners and special events throughout the year. It is named in honor of longtime NMC supporters Wayne and Terry Lobdell.

Lobdell's is located on the second level of NMC's Great Lakes campus, at 715 E. Front St.

Lobdell’s is closed during NMC holidays and Spring Break.

Lunch Service

Dates: Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the Fall and Spring semesters
Reservation times: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

View the Fall 2025 Lunch Menu

World Cuisine Lunches and Dinners

World Cuisine events provide our students experience with small plate prix fixe menu service while exploring cuisine and culture from around the world.

Lunch consists of three courses including an appetizer, main course and dessert for $39 plus tax & gratuity.

Dinner consists of four courses including an appetizer, soup/salad, main course, dessert and a glass of wine, beer or non-alcoholic beverage for $59 plus tax & gratuity.

Dates:

France: Thursday, Feb. 26
Reservations open January 19.
Vietnam: Thursday, March 19
Reservations open February 19.

Event Reservation Times:

Lunch — 11:45 a.m., Noon, 12:15 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Dinner — 5:45 p.m., 6 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.

A Toast to Pete Peterson

March 12, 2026, 6 p.m.

Join us as we pay tribute to a Northern Michigan fine dining pioneer and icon — Chef Harlan "Pete" Peterson. Disciples and Friends of "Chef Pete" are gathering together to honor him with what else — food.

The evening will include a reception followed by a five-course dinner prepared by well-known chefs from the area and beyond. Many of these chefs worked directly under or with Pete, or were influenced in some way by his mentorship and friendship.

Cost is $125 for the reception and dinner, plus $50 for an optional wine package curated by Amanda Danielson of Trattoria Stella.

Reservations open January 20.

Farm to Table Dinner

April 15, 2026

Savor a farm-to-table dinner where students craft an unique prix fixe menus from local farm ingredients.

Dinners are $65 per person plus tax and service. Add an optional wine flight (additional cost) for the perfect pairing.

Event Reservation Times:

5:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m., 6 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.

Reservations open February 19.

Lobdell’s opens February 4!

Lobdell's Restaurant will be open for lunch on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from February 4 through April 22 for the Spring 2026 semester. The first round of reservations open Monday, Jan. 19.

NEW: Lunch reservations will be available monthly for the following month. The January 19 open reservation window will be for February, reservations for March will open on February 19, and reservations for April will open on March 19. (Lobdell's will be closed March 30–April 5 for Spring Break.)

Join the GLCI mailing list for more details and to stay up-to-date on other culinary events!