An eclectic mixture of surprises. The patchwork of styles and cuisines can't hide the extensive wine selection and excellent food. Truly a hidden gem worth a visit. read more

This restaurant has amazing food. The staff have always been friendly. You don't expect the gourmet dishes you get when you walk in, necessarily. Those that grew up in town know that this was always Rau's Tavern prior and I think a lot of people still think it's "bar food". It is far from it. The menu is reasonably priced, portions are great and they have a huge wine selection, which is great! read more

We discovered this new eatery on Yelp -- thanks, Yelp! Located in the former Rau's, an old local bar, Tipsy Bear has quite a small plates menu, a menu of entrees and sanwiches, and a decent selection of domestic and imported wines -- nothing too fancy or spendy in any category. We were not in a wine frame of mind this particular day, so we concentrated on a quartet of small plates: chicken lettuce wraps; fried calamari with a caper/lemon/ butter sauce; Korean beef on skewers; and macadamia-encrusted mahi-mahi. Our two favorites were the lettuce wraps and the beef. The former, with chicken, water chestnuts, mushrooms, cashews and some crispy noodles, were savory, umami and satisfying. The calamari was also good, but the sauce needed a bit more salt and lemon, and there needed to be a bit less of it. The beef was melt-in-your-mouth, perfectly grilled, with a sriracha cream drizzle. The mahi was perfectly fried, with a pleasing nut crust, but the accompanying sauce was cloyingly sweet -- it desperately needed some lime or other tart tropical fruit juice to balance the flavor. There was also overmuch sauce on the plate. The beef and the mahi both came on a bed of rice pilaf; I might have switched up some starches, but it was okay. Suggested tweaks aside, we were happy with our meals and are looking forward to trying other items on the menu. The small plates are in shareable portions, so it's a great place to bring friends for a nosh. Service was very friendly. This is not a big-city tapas or small-plates restaurant. On the other hand, it's a fun, casual place you can visit with friends, pass some tasty plates around and share a bottle or two of wine....you won't find another small-plates restaurant for at least 50 miles in any direction.And it has the potential to become even more special as it refines its recipes. My only other suggestion would be providing customers with a formal wine list instead of leaving us to our own devices or depending on the server for suggestions...again, just a tweak to make a positive experience even better. We will be back; looking forward to more good food, and wine too next time. read more

Tipsy Bear Bistro - Bear artwork inside the bistro. - New American Near Me - West Branch, Michigan

Eh... wasn't overly impressed with anything for dinner. Food was decent, service was subpar. Not to mention the restaurant was freezing inside! I had to get jackets for everyone at our table... If I were in West Branch I think I would prefer to try something new vs going back here again. read more

If you want gourmet food at family dining prices look no further. The menu is so good it's hard to make a choice. My goal is to travel over 2 hours here as many times this year to eat everything on the menu before December 31. Throw in a pretty diverse wine and beer menu and you have got the perfect formula. It is a small building so seating is hard to come by when they are busy. Every time I'm there they are busy. read more

The food is tasty. A lot of locals were eating here. The menu is different but you can still get a soup or sandwich if you want something more standard. read more

The coconut shrimp and crab cakes!!!!!! Yum!!!! Great drinks and service too! We will be back for sure!! read more

Tipsy Bear Bistro - New American Near Me - West Branch, Michigan

Awesome prices for the quality of bistro food. Fred is a gift to the community and has brought us a delicious spot to get a meal. Love the appetizers alone. He takes obvious pride in his food, and you can always taste that. read more

Oh my gosh! What a wonderful gem in West Branch. Our food was cooked perfectly, Mahi mahi, cocount shrimp, beef tenderloin, and a giagantic beef taco. Seasoned & cooked to perfection! Service was great also! We will be back!! read more

This place was charming and the food and service was outstanding! It was our first time at The Tipsy Bear Bistro but we will definitely be back! Fred and Mary thank you for an amazing meal and a wonderful evening! read more

Stopped in after golfing nearby. This place is a hidden gem. Excellent service that was friendly and full of great recommendations. Kimi was an exceptional server. The food was very good. All 4 of us loved our meals and 1 guy insisted that the brisket and sausage sandwich was the best sandwich he had ever eaten. Highly recommend the coconut shrimp and ribeye BLT. I will definitely be back! read more

Always enjoy eating here. Food is always incredible. Mary was an excellent server. Will definitely stop here again. We enjoyed the outside seating area. read more

We have been back many many times. We have never had a bad meal here. I am in love with their house Pinot Noir. Their wine selection is wonderful. We love this place and it is such a great addition to our little home away from home. Thank you Tipsy Bear! read more

Just started my new job in west branch. Found this place with one of my co-workers. Great food, friendly staff and just a great place to enjoy a good meal. Bring cash if you want to avoid paying an additional charge on your bill, no big deal though. Air Force approves Tipsy Bear Bistro!! read more

I had so much hope and promise from this place as I heard so much about it. We went for dinner on a week day and it was dead, no music, no TV, no ambiance. In fact, it was kinda dull and boring and not what I was expecting. Sure they have wine and the food is drenched in the secret "butter" recipe, but yawn I don't like to eat in silence like a library. The server was so lackadaisical and uninformed, I assume from poor training. The food was delicious, again if you like butter butter butter. We had the filet medallions which comes with no sides, but a few potatoes and vegetables and calamari for an app, kinda tasted dry and flash fried, not a big portion. So if you are looking for reasonable price, it is not here when you add the sides (salad, bread, etc.) to your meal. read more

I've been going to Tipsy since I could remember. They serve gourmet food at a VERY good price, and their wine selection is vast and very impressive. I will always recommend Tipsy Bear to people when they're staying in the area! Keep it up, Tipsy! read more

Such great food. You will not be disappointed with any choice. The brisket grilled cheese and tomato bisque are amazing. We recently visited for my birthday and did 4 of the small plates and each was better than the last. Scallops, Ahi tuna, mushroom tart and Korean beef. And don't pass on the Margaritas, best in the county. We love Tipsy!!! read more

Love his daily specials. Great portions for a reasonable price. Highly recommend Fred Garcia's Tipsy Bear.

Great find in West Branch! Will definitely be back. Ordered surf and turf, chicken enchilada, prime rib sandwich and burrito. All were great. Service very fast and friendly! read more

Driving up north on our way to go skiing. We were starving. So hard to find a place to eat while driving. Stumbled on this place. OMG. This is a real small plates restaurant (they had sandwiches too but who can resist a small plate selection). Everything we tried was amazing. Thai Lettuce Wraps, chicken tortellini, chicken enchiladas, tomato bisque, chicken quesadilla and one of the best dishes I've ever had, Beef Ribeye with Wild Mushroom Tart. Huge wine selection, craft beers on tap and craft cocktails. You have to give this place a try. You won't regret it. Already trying to figure out how to get back here to try more plates. read more

We found Tipsy Bear on our way home from Mackinaw Island and we're utterly shocked at how satisfied we were. The service was fantastic, the prices couldn't of been more reasonable, and the food was not only delicious, but beautifully portioned and presented. I was nervous because of all the options since that usually means some dishes lack in quality, but I had an Asian style salmon dish, my boyfriend had a Rueben, and we split nachos that may of been the best I've ever had. read more

Dinner at the Tipsy Bear tonight and we are so impressed. First of all Tapas plates are so large! We had the ahi tuna, the scallop wonton, the Korean BBQ tacos and the Chicken Curry Bowl on the small plates. Two of us had the shrimp pasta adding lobster. Everything was great and the vote was the scallops as the best dish. It's difficult to find excellent food up north and this makes these travels worth it. Try it you will not be disappointed. read more

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Don't judge by the outside - we had the lunch special and it was great - just a little on the noisy side - good service

Amazing food, service, staff and prices! A hidden gem. Korean kebabs and Calamari were best we've had!

Ordered both the Grilled Chicken Wrap and a Grilled Cheese sandwich. The cheese sandwich, which is one of the easiest to make came with grease dripping out of it and half the sandwich was not melted. When I asked the staff to fix it, they brought back a microwaved soggy sandwich. I asked again for a correction, which came out "ok". I was also sat at a table with 2 overhead leaking spots. Ceiling fans are all caked with dust, haven't been cleaning in a long time. read more

The meal was excellent. The salmon stuffed with crab, wild rice and broccolini were made to perfection. The meal arrived hot and in a timely fashion. The waitress was very nice and friendly. This is definately the best restaurant I have eaten at in the Houghton Lake/ West Branch area. We will absolutely be going back....and telling our friends about the great food! read more

A great lunch! Joey, the bartender was extremely pleasant & attentive. Two cups of soup, a prime rib sandwich, a beer & a coke for under $20. The beer was cold, the soup was tasty with unique flavors and the prime rib was very tender with a delicate dip sauce. It is well worth the short drive off the expressway. Also displayed was a great selection of wines. The atmosphere is a quaint old time bar under renovation. read more

Friendly, relaxed and tasty food. Nice place to visit just off the highway. Only 5 minutes from 75.

Came here on a whim, great atmosphere, food was outstanding. Will add this to my go to places read more

Tipsy Bear Bistro - Crime burle - New American Near Me - West Branch, Michigan

What a great place to top and eat, the apps are to die for followed closely by the entries, service was good and pricing is good, I couldn't be happier. read more

Worth the detour off I75! Great food and lots of wonderful wines, all at reasonable prices. Going to the Tipsy Bear is like finding a jewel in West Branch. This is worth seeking out. Great value! Great food that you would not expect to find in Northern MIchigan. read more

Came here on a whim through town...Fred makes some amazing dishes! Where else can you get perfectly seared ahi tuna as an appetizer for $6.50?? They also offer Thai lettuce wraps, bruschetta, enchiladas with homemade enchilada sauce. Stacy, our server, was attentive, knowledgeable and friendly! This is the old Rau's bar--still has that dive bar feel but with a full menu and wine list that any foodie would love!! read more

If you want some minimum wage employee microwaving your food then don't come here. The food obviously represents a chef who cares what he puts on the plate. Everything was absolutely amazing. If you're in West Branch and eat anywhere else you are crazy. To top it off they have Bells Oberon on tap. This place deserves every bit of a 5 star rating, a true hidden gem. read more

Have been going there since they opened, and have not had a bad experience. Great food, excellent service. I love their special themed events. read more

Love Fred and Mary, you get great food for a great price. Fred and Mary tend to say hello to folks, wish we could see him more, but he does a lot of cooking, read more

This place is a hidden gem! The head chef Fred Garcia is a wizard of soups, appetizers, terrific salads, Italian, Latin American, and western cooking. I've never had a better Chicken and Sausage Gumbo. The seared Ahi Tuna appetizer is perfection. Try the Mahi Mahi fish tacos, or the Shrimp Mac-n-cheese. Very reasonable prices, and outstanding good quality! read more

Was looking for a place to stop on our way to Mackinaw City. The reviews for this place were great so we decided to try it. No one was disappointed. Even my son, the pickiest eater on the planet, was happy. He sucked down his plate of grilled chicken tortellini in record time and then asked if we could come here again on our way back home next week. The hubby and I tired the giant tacos; they wee delicious. Would definitely come here again. There are lots of other items on the menu that we'd like to try. read more

*****WOW!***** What can I say, service here was excellent, the food is stellar and somehow inexpensive. Total quality over quantity. This is budget gourmet if there is such a thing! My boyfriend is a food snob and he thoroughly loved this place. From the crushed ice to the bitter green side salad (omg so good!), we couldn't find a flaw with our dining experience. We both got the Saturday surf and turf dinner special, $22 for two, that was magi magi and sirloin beef tips (Deleah) over rice pilaf. Heavenly. We had 3 drinks between us, a side of fries (gotta try them too!) the ahi tuna app, and walnut encrusted chocolate cheese cake dessert. Applied the 10% off Yelp and the bill came to $42... The food and service was SO GOOD we felt guilty, rolled up that $ and gave it back in tip form!! Thank you Fred and Stacey, looking forward to our next visit! read more

Whoops! Was too excited and forgot to take a picture! I had the seared ahi tuna and the scallops dish. My husband had the peppered salmon salad. All were delicious! Fresh ingredients and chef inspired. Definitely highly recommended. I hope West Branch can keep a quaint home style gourmet place like this and be proud. read more

My husband & I were traveling thru town and decided to stop for lunch. What a great experience. We had the soup & sandwich special-YUMMY. The tomato bisque was awesome, the sandwich was flavorful and the fries, wow. We shared a turtle cheesecake, because everything was so good and the cake was awesome. Service was fast & friendly. read more