Grab a Fresh, Local Bite at Sweet Water Cafe in Marquette

Marquette is home to many fine restaurants. It’s also renowned for cafes and shops that focus on fresh, local produce and other ingredients. But Sweet Water Cafe, located on Third Street in Marquette’s lively Village neighborhood, is the best of both worlds. Its commitment to expertly crafted, perfectly portioned meals is second only to its focus on fresh, local ingredients from across Marquette County and the greater U.P. Whether you’re in the mood for a tasty weekend brunch or need to impress an out-of-town family member or business contact with a made-to-order lunch, Sweet Water has you covered.

The Sweet Water Cafe Difference

Sweet Water’s interior is rustic yet lively, with locally made artwork and crafts adorning the walls and floors. Though the bulk of the shop is devoted to seating space for in-house diners, there’s also a small retail area where you can buy locally made maple syrup, hot sauce, cakes and other treats — including many menu items available for consumption at Sweet Water.

But what about the food? According to Sweet Water’s website, the cafe specializes in “multicultural cuisine” that “represents a living art because it borrows from, rather than replicates, traditional ethnic cuisines.”

“We select and purchase ingredients that are nearest their natural state; fresh, wholesome and full of nutrients,” Sweet Water’s owners add. “We then use these ingredients to make our breads, pastries, cakes, desserts, sandwiches, dinner entrees, pancakes, stocks, soups, sauces, smoked meats, salads, dressings and much more from our own recipes.”

Delightful Dining for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

What does that mean for Sweet Water diners? Here’s a small sampling of what you can expect to find on the cafe’s menu, which is subject to change from week to week:

• Basic, made-to-order country breakfast
• Huevos rancheros, a popular Southwestern egg dish
• Rise and shine sandwich, Sweet Water’s version of a sausage McMuffin (with higher-quality ingredients, of course!)
• Made-to-order omelets
• Pesto grilled cheese and pesto-lentil sandwich
• Mackinac Reuben, a Reuben-style sandwich that uses whitefish salad instead of corned beef
• Ginger stir fry
• Nachos
• More than a dozen salads

Check out the complete menu here. Oh, and don’t forget about the gourmet coffees and teas available at Sweet Water.

Drinks and Fun

Sweet Water Cafe doesn’t have a separate bar area, but it does serve a full lineup of alcoholic beverages throughout the day. In fact, it’s known for a “signature cocktail” menu that showcases the creativity of Marquette’s mixologists. There might be a few cocktails on this menu that simply aren’t available anywhere else! Here’s a sampling:

• North Coast Margarita: Cherry Berry Smoothie, Cuervo Especial tequila and Grand Marnier
• Lake Breeze: Freshly squeezed orange juice, Absolut vodka and cranberry juice
• White Russian: Grand Traverse vodka, Kahlua and cream

Sweet Water also has about 10 Michigan-made beers at any given time, including the latest releases from Blackrocks.

When and Where to Go

Is your mouth watering for a taste of Sweet Water’s fresh, local menu? So is ours, come to think of it. Next time you’re in Marquette (or, if you live in town, as soon as you can), give Sweet Water Cafe a try. It’s conveniently located on Third Street between Michigan and Ohio Avenues in Marquette’s Village neighborhood, right between NMU and downtown Marquette.

Sweet Water is open for breakfast and lunch (8 am to 3 pm) on Monday and Tuesday, all day (8 am to 9 pm) Wednesday through Saturday, and all day (8 am to 8 pm) on Sunday. For private parties, larger gatherings, special events, catering and other information, call (906) 226-7009 or email [email protected].