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.
Great Lakes Great Chefs dinner
Join us Thursday, Oct. 1 for this collaboration between GLCI Chef Michael Peterson and his Farm to Table students and cookbook author and , right.
- Dinner: $95/person + tax and gratuity
- Wine package: $45
World Cuisine
Travel to Italy and China while remaining right here in Traverse City! Attend GLCI's fall World Cuisine lunches. Italy is featured Thursday, Oct. 29 and China Thursday, Nov. 12.
Lunch consists of three courses including a first course, entree, dessert and a nonalcoholic beverage for $45 plus tax & gratuity.
Reservations open Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Cocktails and Charcuterie
Enjoy Lobdell's with a twist on Thursday, Nov. 5 and Thursday, Nov. 19. It's cocktail time! Students' knowledge will be tested as they learn experientially at the Cocktails and Charcuterie series at Lobdell's. Sip on small batch cocktails and mocktails served by the Beverage Management class while enjoying sharable appetizers crafted by the Garde Manger students. A wine and beer selection will also be available. Menu includes 2 beverage selections plus a three course sampling of cheeses and assorted charcuterie.
Event tickets may be purchased for different arrival times (4:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.) based on availability in each time slot.
Reservations open Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Garde Manger
Enjoy sampling from six different food stations as well as delicious cocktails and mocktails on Friday, Dec. 4. This is the grand finale for students in our garde manger students and they are ready to impress. Enjoy pates, terrines, cheeses, smoked and cured meats, pickled and fermented vegetables. You definitely will find enough food to make a great dinner out of. Then of course you need beverages to pair — our Beverage Management students will be providing craft-made drinks and sharing their new knowledge of beer and wine.
Each ticket is $85.00 and includes food and two beverages of your choosing. Additional drinks may be purchased separately.
Reservations open Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Make your reservations via OpenTable
Lobdell's returns September 16!
Lobdell's reopens for lunch on Wednesday, Sept. 16. Reservations for September and October are now open. Make your reservations via OpenTable.
Reservations for November and December will open Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Join the GLCI mailing list for more details and to stay up-to-date on other culinary events!
In the news
THE TICKER – January 20, 2026
9 & 10 NEWS – April 20, 2023
MLIVE – February 20, 2022
NORTHERN EXPRESS – February 12, 2022
9 & 10 NEWS – June 9, 2021