Modern Bird in Traverse City has quickly captured the hearts of locals and visitors alike. This restaurant is not just a spot for a meal; it offers a captivating culinary experience. Guests rave about the joyful atmosphere, especially when seated at the kitchen counter, where the vibrant cooking processes unfold before their eyes. The menu features a delightful blend of dishes that highlight both creativity and quality. From the crispy fried chicken to the luxurious wagyu steak, each plate is a testament to the chefs' artistry. Reviewers like Brendan Dennis and Kathy Smith highlight the layers of flavor in every dish, emphasizing the thoughtful presentation and impeccable service that accompanies each bite. The drinks - including custom cocktails and draft beers - further enhance the dining experience. Customers describe Modern Bird as a place where excitement meets exceptional cooking. Many, like Ryan and Sabrina Daar, find themselves so enchanted by the food that they forget to photograph their plates—a sign of truly memorable cooking. With its combination of high-quality ingredients, innovative flavors, and a charming atmosphere, Modern Bird truly stands out in Traverse City’s dining scene. This is a destination that should not be missed, whether for a special occasion or a casual night out.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
From the business
Identifies as women-owned
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves healthy options
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Upmarket
Crowd
Family friendly
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Usually has a wait
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Has changing table(s)
High chairs available
Parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Photos
Reviews For Modern Bird
Brendan Dennis
May 27,2025
Modern Bird is nothing short of a culinary experience everyone in TC should place at the top of their short list. My wife and I have dined at the tables, as well as up at the kitchen on stools. The former provides a more direct experience with your party, while the latter is more akin to entertainment while you eat. Everyone wants delicious food while enjoying company, and Modern Bird delivers in every way. Whether it's a menu staple such as the fried chicken or wagyu steak, or something new and fresh, everything manages to delight the taste buds. Presentation and service are also odd the charts. Andy and Emily have created something tasty and fun. Anyone who has a chance, local or visiting, should make it a point to make a reservation.
Ryan and Sabrina Daar
May 19,2025
Everything was incredible. I actually missed taking photos for a few dishes because I was just too excited. We sat at the kitchen counter and I would highly recommend that.
Ben Foster
Apr 28,2025
Wow, just wow! This place is fantastic, we tried just about everything and ate way too much but it was SO worth it! Top quality dishes that are fun and very well crafted. And the service was top tier as well, we’ll be back and likely often. Love what y’all are doing, keep up the great work!
Kathy Smith
Apr 12,2025
We went for a special anniversary meal tonight- Sat at the kitchen counter which was so special! The service was outstanding- with great recommendations from our server. The food was out of this world phenomenal with so many layers of flavors- every flavor well thought out! It was an experience that made our anniversary memorable. Don’t miss the chance to dine here and experience top notch dining!
Abby Cribbs
Mar 8,2025
10/10 best meal I’ve had in a minute! Shortrib ravioli, potato & chicken breast were TO DIE FOR. Cocktails, ambiance & service also A. Can’t wait to return!
Sarah Elgart
Mar 3,2025
Incredible! My sister and I came to TC to celebrate her birthday and escape the power outage at home, I stumbled upon Modern Bird’s website when looking for a fun place for dinner- wow! The staff was so knowledgeable, the food was incredible, and the atmosphere is 10/10. Can’t wait to bring friends back!
Reuben Sarkar
Feb 18,2025
Went here on a recommendation. It lived up to the high reviews online. Brief but interesting menu. The bread was unique and amazing. Try their take on a corn dog, it was so delicious and not what you’d expect. So was the fried chicken. I went during off-peak season in the middle of the week and it was still quite busy. So plan in advance.
Jason Davis
Feb 17,2025
We’ve eaten at a couple incredible places recently, and I didn’t expect tonight at Modern Bird to be in the same range. So happy to be wrong! The creativity and quality of food is outstanding. The corn dog is not from the northern Michigan fair midway, and the carrots are not from your mom’s crockpot. We sat at the kitchen and watched all the food preparation. Nothing usual, everything exceptional. Our mains were rainbow trout and chicken breast, both were excellent. The old fashioned and “for the love of peat” were great cocktails. There are plenty of expensive restaurants up here. This one is a class of its own.
Reviews For Modern Bird