(231) 420-7745Open daily from 11:00 AMUS-27, Sturgeon River Valley

Bar & Grille on the Sturgeon River

The Thirsty Sturgeon

A Northern Michigan favorite tucked in the Sturgeon River Valley on US-27. Great burgers, shareable starters, cocktails, and deck seating with river views.

Call to Reserve See What's Cooking

4.7

Google rating

1,648

reviews

Deck

river views

Kids

menu available

Fresh food served at The Thirsty Sturgeon

Our Story

Perfectly nestled in the Sturgeon River Valley

This little gem sits right off US-27 between Indian River and Wolverine, welcoming locals, trail travelers, fishermen, and hunters alike. Inside the log-cabin building you will find a full bar, hearty plates, and a deck that looks out over the river.

Whether you are snowmobiling through Northern Michigan, boating on the river, or looking for a relaxed lunch with the family, The Thirsty Sturgeon is the kind of place people plan their route around.

Full barRiver deckKids menuBig portionsLocal favorite

From the Kitchen

Plates people come back for

Signature starters, stacked burgers, tacos, wings, and desserts worth saving room for. Portions run generous, so come hungry.

Signature

Reuben Balls

A local favorite. Crispy, savory, and impossible to share.

Shareable

Spinach & Artichoke Schmeer

Creamy spin-dip on homemade toasted herb bread slices.

Burgers

Bleu Cheese Burger

Juicy, loaded, and cooked to order. A deck-side classic.

Burgers

Mac & Cheese Burger

Comfort food stacked high. Big portions, big flavor.

Plates

Tacos

Fresh, flavorful, and a repeat order for regulars.

Bar bites

Wings & Cheese Bread Sticks

Bar favorites built for sharing with a cold drink.

Bar & Drinks

Mixed drinks done right. Guests praise cocktails mixed to perfection, whether you are at the bar or on the deck watching the river roll by.

For the Whole Crew

Kids menu, shareable starters, and seating inside or out. A welcoming stop for families, groups, and anyone riding the North Central State Trail corridor.

Deck seating with views of the Sturgeon River

River views from the deck

Grab a table outside, order a round, and watch the Sturgeon River. It is the kind of setting that turns a quick lunch into the highlight of the trip.

Plan Your Visit

Guest Reviews

What people are saying

4.7 stars from 1,648 Google reviews. Here is what recent guests had to say.

“Thirsty Sturgeon is a great local spot with delicious food. You can't go wrong with the Reuben balls, and their burgers are hands-down our favorite! The staff is warm and friendly, even if the service can occasionally take a little longer. We love taking in the river views from our table.”

Megan M

Google review

“So glad we grabbed lunch here!! Yumm!! We had the Spinach and Artichoke Schmeer. Never had heard of it and OMG it was SO GOOD!! Creamy delicious spin-dip on homemade toasted herb bread slices. I had the bleu Cheese burger and my husband had the mac and cheese burger, both were cooked perfectly, juicy, topped with mounds of DELISHIOUSNESS!! Our server Olivia was spot on, super friendly. BIG portions. Will absolutely be back when visiting the area again!”

Jamie Schimmel

Google review

“Lovely place! Have a great deck and good food, decent prices and a kids menu as well. Our server was so kind, she brought us a piece of cake on the house! Excellent customer service experience.”

Allyson Stokosa

Google review

“The food here is outstanding. Wait staff was very good and friendly. I would suggest coming early because there was a long line to get in. It was well worth the wait. Drinks were mixed to perfection. Desert was top notch. Everything we had was so good. We even got some merch.”

Shaun Rogers

Google review