Restaurants near Waterloo State Recreation Area

By far, the best restaurant in the area. I would recommend it.

Had a wonderful experience. Dinner was delicious and the service I have to say was excellent. Marina was very attentive, polite, and happy. It was busy since it was Valentine’s night but Marina was on top of it all. Looking forward to coming back and must have Marina as our server.

Outstanding experience for lunch- feels like dinner at a formal dining experience where the owner/establishment doesn't do cost saving short cuts a like many ann arbor restaurant managers do for lunch, like reducing dining room staff, removing buss person( clean assist in table clearing, or expeditors that bring entrees to table when server/waitstaff are occupied. So here you have a set of dedicated staff for all front of house service; a host, a waitress/waiter, a buss person, an expeditor( to bring waters, refills of coffee, entrees when order has been taken ) - this creates a production line kind of flow - for faster service for hot food arriving to table timely. Also they are not cheap about fine dining ware; white table cloth( almost non-existent today ) full set of silver/table wear, and hot pots for table set coffee if needed. The kitchen must be a classic proper chef/ professional production equipped kitchen, as they have capability to have dry meat locker( steak house type ), steaming option for vegetables, and all needed for scratch cooking - not from a box , again like many ann arbor restaurants. The menu is a sign of all mention here, as many items would rarely be offered in many places , like genuine lobster bisque, london broil, hand made cole slaw, hand made mashed potatoes, ext.- these things may seem trivial but go see where else you can experience all this, also most lunch entrees are $12-$21 , where portions are very generous and coffee is high caliber roasts with $3.50 with endless refills. So yea - worlds above a fast food joint or mass franchise feed lot, corn syrup, and box sourced food that often are same cost.

Our recent visit to Gandy Dancer in Ann Arbor was nothing short of exceptional. Nestled in a beautifully restored historic train depot, this restaurant offers a dining experience that is as unique as it is delicious. The ambiance is charming and nostalgic, with large windows overlooking the train tracks. During our meal, a train passed by, adding to the charm and making for an unforgettable moment. The food was outstanding. I enjoyed perfectly seared scallops and shrimp atop a creamy, flavorful risotto, while my wife had a delicious salmon dish with seasoned broccoli that was cooked to perfection. Each bite was rich in flavor and expertly prepared. We also indulged in some fantastic cocktails, which were well-balanced and refreshing. To top off the evening, we shared a decadent chocolate truffle cake, which was pure bliss—rich, velvety, and the perfect sweet ending to our meal. The service was impeccable, with attentive and knowledgeable staff who made our experience even more enjoyable. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner, a special celebration, or simply a great meal in a unique setting, Gandy Dancer is a must-visit in Ann Arbor. We will definitely be returning!

Faith was our server and she was well informed and attentive. Noise level was a little high making it hard to have a conversation at a normal level. Potato Leek soup was delicious, Caesar salads were overly dressed and the dressing did not have an authentic taste, salmon was well prepared, the panko chicken was a bit dry and could have used some herbs tossed in with the panko crust.