Wonderful food; I've loved every dish I've had at The Golden Stag: appetizers, salads, specials, pizza... everything. Service was always prompt and friendly. read more

Most of the food was super good. We loved the chicken marsala and the ribeye. The gondola pasta was huge. The scallop entree was the size of an appetizer portion. Service was good. Caesar salad dressing tastes like a Greek vinaigrette, you would definitely be disappointed if you were expecting a classic caesar. read more

From the moment we stepped in we were transported into a warm and welcoming environment, much needed after being outside in the bitter cold. The staff were extremely friendly and very attentive. We could tell they were very passionate about their food and drinks which made us eager to try it We started off with drinks. We got Hermes Wing and French Blonde. Both very elevated and balanced cocktails which were beautifully presented. We could drink them all day For appetizer we got the prosciutto wrapped brie. I'm not a prosciutto fan to be honest but my husband was and he encouraged us to try it anyways. I was pleasantly surprised. The prosciutto was cooked to be like a crispy thin piece of bacon. It worked perfectly with the hot honey glaze and to our surprise in house candied nuts. This was an exquisite mix of sweet and savory. For dinner everything on the menu looked really good and we wanted to try it all! We got the sea bass with black rice. I don't know what exactly they put in the sauce but it was by far the best sea bass I've ever had. The pairings with the sauce and rice were intentional and worked extremely well. My husband got the blackened swordfish which was cooked to perfection. This is not a common menu item we see and so we jumped at opportunity to try it. The outside of the fish was crispy but the inside juicy. It paired well with the tzatziki sauce to give a coolness to the blackened fish. We heard the pork ribeye was a must have from other customers so we decided to give that a try as well. The pork was extremely tender and juicy. It was paired with apples which I've never had before with pork but it not only elevated the already delicious pork but also gave a unique flavor and twist Mid dinner we ordered the Figtini and Greek Martini. Again, both did not disappoint. The Figtini was very delicious and you could taste the fig. The Greek Martini was perfect especially for my husband who will get a dirty martini wherever we go Lastly, we got the Tiramisu for dessert. This is absolutely a must have. I love tiramisu and this was a creative and delicious twist on the classic. It had a mix of fresh berries drizzled with caramel sauce. Heaven on a plate Overall 10/10 experience. We will definitely be back. PS I also realized their menu on yelp is not updated. Not sure why but I took pictures from their Facebook page of the updated menu and attached here read more

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A stay in Manistee is not compete without a trip to the Golden Stag. We have a home in town and this place is by far our favorite! Get the Mediterranean Trio - it's a staple app for us. Creamy hummus topped with olive oil and feta, fresh stuffed grape leaves and tabouli. Delicious! And fresh homemade pita has wonderful texture! They are very cognizant about food allergies. Tonight and many nights I had the Chicken Marsala without cream. The chicken melts in your mouth and the Marsala sauce is well developed - a mound of potatoes and fresh seasonal veg which tonight was zucchini and squash. I always have half my meal left and it reheats beautifully. Their Expresso martinis are perfect. Friendly service and the owners stopped by to check on the food. Beautiful interior she changes with the season. I'd say we expect high quality from restaurants and this place is special! And we are overjoyed when we receive service from Shelby. read more

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As a result of a couple of recommendations, we decided to try The Golden Stag while in Manistee. We were able to get a last minute reservation on a busy Saturday night. We were quickly seated, ordered drinks and began to study the menu. My wife really enjoys a true Greek salad. The Golden Greek salad description came pretty close to what she's enjoyed in Greece, Italy and Spain. She also added chicken for protein. She thought her salad was "pretty good" but not great due to the chicken being pretty dried out and the beets microscopic. She did enjoy the lemon Greek dressing, however. I opted for the Spaghetti al Bisonte which was basically bison meatballs with a very nice marinara sauce. Pasta was good as was the marinara. Bison meatballs were tough and dry so basically flavorless. A little disappointing because I really enjoy bison. Service was attentive and the restaurant really has a nice atmosphere. I just wish the food was better! Based on the many excellent reviews, I will likely try The Golden Stag again as there are many other items on the menu that looked good. read more

The Golden Stag - Golden Greek Salad - Mediterranean Near Me - Manistee, Michigan

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First time I have been to this place, we had Shawarma platter and then Baklava after that ! Food was amazing! Great service! Friendly staff . Great atmosphere . Definitely going back again to try different Mediterranean dishes! highly recommended. read more

The Golden Stag - Shawarma platter - Mediterranean Near Me - Manistee, Michigan

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One of the best meals you'll have in Manistee! The Golden Stag in Manistee is a total gem. The ambiance sets the tone - cozy yet elevated, with a laid-back elegance. Laura & Jamil are two of the best owners - if you get the opportunity to meet them, say hello. I ordered the lamb chops, and I can confidently say they were perfection. Grilled to a beautiful char on the outside, tender and flavorful on the inside, served over fluffy rice and paired with a citrusy grilled lemon and chutney that pulled it all together. Cocktails were classic and strong - exactly what you hope for in a proper martini. The presentation was beautiful, and the attention to detail across the board was truly impressive. Whether you're a local or just passing through Manistee, The Golden Stag is a must! Elevated comfort food, incredible drinks, and a vibe that feels both upscale and inviting. Can't wait to return! read more

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A most amazing birthday dinner! I had the elk and my partner the seafood pasta dish. Presentation and flavor were impeccable. I can't recommend this restaurant enough! If in the Manistee area worth the stop. read more

The Golden Stag - Seafood pasta - Mediterranean Near Me - Manistee, Michigan

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We really enjoyed their pizza. It may be the closest I have had to Italy! We went back and I had the chicken marsala and it didn't disappoint. The service was great and the drinks are excellent too! I would put this on your list if you are visiting Manistee. read more

Friends recommended the Golden Stag and it did not disappoint. Skye was our server and everything she recommended, from salad to dessert, was a 10! read more

Food was amazing. Service was lousy. Male wait staff never returned to ask how the meal was. Basically ignored us except to take order. It was not busy. The table next to us had a female wait staff, and that wait staff checked on that table frequently. On a side note Monday 2/16 to the man with the white hair who left in the Tesla truck, you are disgusting. I did not enjoy hearing your extremely loud conversation over speakerphone and you completely grossed me out when you loudly blew your nose into the cloth napkin. read more

Found this place while traveling, when the restaurant we planned on was closed. We started with cocktails - we each had the Greek Old Fashioned and they were tasty. We also had the Prosciutto Wrapped Brie and it was delicious. We struggled choosing entrees because there were so many good options. We decided to share two - the Pasta di Mare and the Golden Stag. Both were amazing. The flavors in the pasta dish were unique and balanced. The elk was tender and the sauce was so good. My husband and I went back and forth, trying to decide which as better and we couldn't pick one over the other. Very different dishes but each was incredible. The best meal at a restaurant in a long time. We were there on a Monday so it was quiet, which was a plus. The service was excellent. Will definitely go back sometime. read more

Unexpectedly excellent. Eating vegetarian is always a challenge particularly when traveling "Up North". What a surprise to find such a diverse menu with plenty of vegetarian, gluten-free and traditional options for the carnivores. Something for everyone. Wood fired pizza was outstanding. Great cocktails. Delicious salads and unique appetizers. Attentive and knowledgeable service. Reservations are a must. We were lucky to get in at an off-peak time but you'd definitely need a reservation if dining later. Just what we needed after an afternoon of exploring Manistee. Highly recommended. read more

The Golden Stag - Mediterranean Trio - Mediterranean Near Me - Manistee, Michigan

"Mediterranean Fusion". What?! In downtown Manistee. What?! We looked at the menu on line several times before curiosity won. Mediterranean and wood-fired pizza. What?! I mean, you're asking that question, too, right? Well, I'm here to say, it's amazing! Wait no longer. Get over here and go to The Golden Stag. The Mediterranean food is on point. I had lamb and I have zero regrets. The staff is fantastic - attentive without hovering and rushing. I can't wait to go this week and check out the pizzas. As they passed our tables, they looked great and smelled even better. Desserts sounded fantastic, but we didn't indulge - this time. And if it's summer, you'd better make reservations in advance - they book quickly, which should tell you all you need to know. Bon appetit! read more

Food was amazing! From the seafood dish to the Elk and all the way to the Bison meatballs, everything was amazing. We also had the Caesar salad and a Greek salad that didn't disappoint! But the cu de gras was the Tiramisu and the warm Baklava, these two were the best we have ever had! I can't leave a review without mentioning the service! Laura was very attentive and was a true pleasure to meet! We can't wait until our next visit! Stop by it will be worth your time! read more

You are always going to have an amazing meal at The Golden Stag. Waitstaff is top notch and the ambiance is second to none. Highly recommend! read more

We got a Greek salad which was good and the worst Margherita pizza I've ever had. The first one the dough wasn't cooked. We were told that's how a true Margherita pizza is made?????? There was a half grape tomato on each piece and one bite of cheese. The green peppers we paid extra for were almost non existent. The balsamic glaze was barely a thread wide. Ambiance was nice server was nice. Would not eat here again. read more

Absolutely amazing Mediterranean food, especially for a quaint, northern Michigan town. Pizza and pasta phenomenal, including the insane Gondola. Best old fashioned I ever had with the Greek old fashioned. Greater waiter. Shawarma platter for appetizer was also awesome. read more

Everything at the Golden Stag was great (atmosphere, service, drinks, food). We went as a family of 4 (two kids) on a summer trip up to Manistee. This was easily our best dining experience and we can't wait to go back. Highly recommend. read more

We stopped in for dinner tonight and they told us 15 to 20 minutes and took our name and number. They called us 20 minutes after taking our name, saying that they were "full" and couldn't seat us and even if they could it would be another hour. I talked to a very arrogant young man at the host's station that claimed to be the manager. I expressed my displeasure in being told conflicting information. I asked that they just give us an accurate wait time so we can plan our evening. He never apologized, owned up to their mistake, or offered any solution to make it right. He blamed us for not having a reservation. He rudely told us that they were full and they wouldn't serve us tonight. This is some of the worst service I have ever received trying to be seated at a restaurant. The sad thing is, some of the exact same tables that were open when we checked in 20 minutes prior were still open Customer service is all about managing expectations. First, give an accurate wait time. If they would have said it was going to be an hour or even two hours, that would have been fine. Second, when a customer is unhappy, the worst thing you can do is to arrogantly dismiss their concerns and blame us for their mistake. read more

Amazing food!! You must get the fresh made pasta, it was like being back in Italy. I had the Gondola and it was amazing, from the homemade pasta, from Alfredo sauce, everything we had was made with care and was excellent. read more

The Golden Stag - The Gondola - Mediterranean Near Me - Manistee, Michigan

What a magical surprise when we entered The Golden Stag for the dinner on the 31st of December. It was a savory memorable delight with all the ambience and festivities of the evening, but it was cozy. All the dishes that emerged from the kitchen were created from fresh and most organic ingredients. We could all hear and participate in the conversation without risking life or limb bending and contorting to catch what the people at our party was saying. I had the creamy heirloom pasta that was exquisite and had never tasted such a succulent sauce, my husband had the alfredo classico, my sister had the stuff grape leaves, loaded hummus and my brother had the loaded vegan peppers, but before we had to try the hot buttered rum to wet our appetite and for dessert we had the decadent and succulent Moscato berry tiramisu, and my brother had the pistachio e melegrano. Jamil and Laura have always taken enormous pride in serving the best nutritious dishes and never fail their patrons. We usually need a doggie bag, but due to their clean and wholesome ingredients we were almost able to finish everything on our plates. I could only speak for my dining experience--from heirloom pasta to the tasty fresh tabouleh salad with the amazing citrus flavor to the Moscato berry tiramisu cake, we had elevated our palettes to another heavenly dimension. It was a euphoric This local nook could be on the streets of NYC, Chicago or L.A. Thank goodness we were able to partake in this memorable sleepy, Currier and Ives picturesque little town. read more

Holy wow! Did not expect to be blown away in Manistee but hold on to your hat when you go to The Golden Stag. They KNOW exactly what they are doing. The food, service, ambiance, energy and options are on point! The balsamic is hands down the best I've ever had, and the sauce on the elk dish was beyond flavorful. Forget burying me in a casket, I want to rest peacefully in a tub of that remoulade. Make sure to get a pizza, you can't go wrong with any option when it's hand crafted in their wood fire oven. Cocktails are on point, I had the pomegranate mojito and I would choose that over and over again. Make sure to try the tabouleh; phenomenally fresh. Barely had room for the home made baklava but don't worry, didn't even leave a crumb.(and got one more to go!) read more

The Golden Stag - Fig & prosciutto pie - Mediterranean Near Me - Manistee, Michigan

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Well If you are a vegan like me and in Manistee town and having hard time to find food Cz everybody here only wants meat then this is ur place, I loved how many vegan options they had and I ordered pepper dish and it was just so yummm....quantity was enough for two I ended up packing for myself...one pepper filled me up. Definitely recommend this place to all my vegan and non-vegan friends. Amazing staff and great ambience....Go for it read more

The Golden Stag - Vegan pepper dish - Mediterranean Near Me - Manistee, Michigan

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Great atmosphere service was exemplary and it was cozy but not too crowded Perfect for date night Food is top notch We will be back Thanks!! read more

So in the year of the Olympics it's not a coincidence that it's not the Silver Stag or the Bronze Stag. Nope this deer is the champion of Manistee. Food? 10. Ambiance 10. Service? Not a 10.....an 11! Move over Simone Biles these folks are crushing the bar(s). Little Mister says the Perch was amazing. The sauce well...that and the salmon we fab. The pizzas are big enough to share--and the crust and cheese are a delicacy. Saganaki was fire. The Elk. While delicious, it was "their take" and he took it. And swallowed it all. And liked every minute of it. Waiting for the baklava. Melts in your mouth. Ok so to keep our Olympic theme going from the opening ceremony to the closing ceremony we are glad we paid the ticket price to experience all the events. You will be too. read more

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Best restaurant on our tour de Western Michigan! Hailing from Scottsdale, we are difficult to impress at a dining establishment- we have many good restaurants there. But this was the best meal any of us had experienced in a long time! Our teenagers were even blown away. Saganaki - YUM! Blood orange coconut marg - outstanding and not too sweet. Pizza - the best we've had in years, even as frequent travelers to Italy. Food is amazingly fresh, super friendly service, comfortable and romantic atmosphere. Made our trip to the town worth the long drive! read more

The Golden Stag - Kebabs - so fresh and yummy - Mediterranean Near Me - Manistee, Michigan

Wonderful dining experience. A family favorite. Their specialties are reasonably priced and really consistently very well presented. read more

Best food around, Mediterranean cuisine, unique pizzas and good people. Even has a dish that you can order Elk. Doesn't get much better than that. read more

Excellent food, service and atmosphere. I have ate here multiple times and it's been great each time. By far the best restaurant in Manistee! read more

Pretty good pizza. The "Mediterranean Trio" was a nice quality surprise. Good atmosphere, maybe a little crowded in the layout (But it was fine). Prices were a little high for what you get, but not totally unreasonable in this economy. Service was weird. We sat at the bar and listened to a server badmouth another customer. They weren't wrong: the customer was a meathead jerk who was trying to get the exact ounces of each steak so he could figure out how he could get the most meat for his money. The dude was a complete tool, so I don't blame the wait staff...but it wasn't very professional within earshot of other customers either. I'd go again, if only for some good pizza and drinks. read more

Cool guy space with excellent food. Their carbonara is so good, more creamy than the classic but it did not disappoint. The pizza was also flavorful with 3 kinds of meat and a nice chewy crust. The only ding I had was the saganaki appetizer was pretty bland and not to our liking and our dinner and apps were served out of order. Otherwise, really really good food. Make a reservation if possible. read more

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The food is exceptional. The wait staff is great, but, it's clear they need more staff. The Chicken Marsala is fabulous, as is the fig and prosciutto pizza! Best place for a nice, well prepared dinner in Manistee! read more

Wonderful chicken fettuccine! The chicken just melts in your mouth! Greek salad healthy and yummy. Decorated for Christmas beautifully and very festive. Takes reservations so no wait. Wait staff exceptional. Perfect evening out. Thank you. read more

The food at Golden Stag is very good. My wife and I have eaten there several times. The last time we went in, we were really disappointed with the service. We we did not want a huge meal, but just wanted to sit at the bar, order their Shawarma platter and have a couple of drinks. We did not have a reservation. When we arrived, there were three bar seats open that we could see at the bar straight ahead. We walked in and I just told the greeter we were just going to sit at the bar. He said, "oh, wait. Let me check with the bar tender." Ok. I thought that's a bit odd since there were seats open. He went back and talked with the woman at the bar and I could see her shaking her head. He came back and told us he was sorry, but perhaps we could give it ten minutes, the bar was busy. What? So, we gave it ten minutes and before the ten minutes was up, two guys came in and walked to the bar and sat down. The greeter had missed them, so I gave the greeter a shrug and motioned to the two new folks at the seats that were still open? He ran back and told them they couldnt sit there either. They left. He then came back to us and asked us if we'd like a table instead. We took the table after all of this and still ordered two drinks and one shawarma platter. The food was very good as always. I have never been in a restaurant where the bartender is calling the shots on how many seats they can cover, particularly when the bar isn't even full. We stay a lot in a major metro in the south and the bars are two and three people deep and they don't turn anyone away. That's where they make money! Their management needs to take a closer look at this - or get a new bartender that can handle the dinner rush. It was very odd. read more

My family of five wasn't sure what to expect when we were seated at The Golden Stag. We are vacationing so we had our 2 year old, 8 year old, and 10 year old with us. The ambiance and decor are stunning - definitely more suited for date night than a family meal. I am a vegetarian, so there weren't a lot of choices on the menu (something I am used to). I had the stuffed pepper, and I was BLOWN AWAY!! I was expecting a mediocre dinner but got an exceptional meal!! The pepper was delicious, but the homemade tabouli it was served with almost stole the show!! if it wasn't frowned upon, I would've licked my plate clean- ha! My husband ordered the chicken marsala. He is more of a steak guy so when he sung the chickens praises, I know it has to be good! He said it was the best chicken he has ever ordered from a restaurant. There is no kids meal so the three of them split 2 entrees. One entree was the lemon piccata - they all loved it! And the other was something special and the reason I think everyone should support this restaurant. My oldest has a severe tree nut allergy and there are nuts on site. After we ordered, the chef came out to go over our options. I could tell he was nervous to serve her. He asked if he could make her something that wasn't on the menu, but something he knew would be safe for her to eat. As always, there is always a risk of cross-contamination, but he talked with my daughter about a noodle dish, making sure it was something she would enjoy eating. After going over the meal with my daughter, he went back into the kitchen. A few minutes later, he came back out again to go over the ingredients he was going to use. As a parent, I was extremely appreciative for the care he took preparing her meal. She was served first. The chef came out wearing gloves when he presented the meal. After she devoured the meal, the chef came back out again to check on her and make sure she liked it. As we were leaving, I asked our waitress the name of the head chef, so I could write about him in my review. The waitress let me know that he was, in fact, the owner of The Golden Stag. She said that she loves who she works for as she knows he takes pride in everything he does. Well, Chef J, I can attest that what your waitress said is true!! You are a true gem. The food was fantastic, and we will certainly be back! Although, next time, I hope it will be for a much-needed date night with my husband ;-) read more

Simply outstanding hostess-service-food. We accidentally stumbled into the Golden Stag Sunday evening after being made to feel like a burden requesting a table for dinner next door. At the end of the day we couldn't have been happier. We were received by the hostess and seated right away. The restaurant was busy but we got drinks and enjoy exploring the menu and people watching. As it turned out our waitress and her husband own the place and we instantly connected with her friendly charm and hospitality it was nice to feel like welcomed guests. Our biggest problem is that we like to share to avoid overeating but struggled to narrow from the list of amazing menu options. In the end we went with the Burrata De Caprese as a starter and the Golden Stag (elk dish). If you're never tried burrata give a try, it's silky smooth texture elevates a traditional caprese to the next level. The sweet and tart tomatoes paired with the fresh basil and balsamic made this a perfect starter for 2. The Golden Stag was the highlight though. Our waitress said it was her husband's creation and appreciated the compliment. I'm not sure I've had elk before but to be fair the sauce was the star. Direct quote from wife "the sauce was so good you could cover flip flop with that and you'd never see that flip flop again ". We will definitely will be back to try other stuff I hear the chicken piccata is worth the drive read more

Exceptional. They just opened so they should be working through the kinks -- but there are none that I could see. The Mediterranean platter was delicious. The baklava was out of this world. The best I've ever had. When they ask you if you want the Tahitian vanilla gelato, do yourself a favor and say yes. Causal, cool ambiance with just a touch of gothic. Very friendly service. We will absolutely be back. read more

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Make a reservation. We walked in last night with a party of four & were told it would be half hour. First on their wait list. Checked back at 45 minutes & it was going to be another hour. We ate at Blue Fish next door. read more

This was our first experience at The Golden Stag and it was one of the best meals we've had in a long time. The service was great and the staff were perfectly attentive. Everyone's dish's were perfectly cooked my ribeye had a great flavor. The shrimp with squid ink pasta was one of the best meals in a while. The atmosphere was cozy not extravagant but comfortable for all crowds and dress. Make a reservation because you might have to wait otherwise. read more