The Pines (906/289-4222, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. daily, $4–15), a small café in downtown Copper Harbor, is great for rainy-day breakfasts, with its homemade cinnamon rolls and crackling fireplace. Delicious soups, sandwiches, and local fish specialties keep folks coming all day. The adjacent Zik’s Bar (906/289-4222, 10:30 a.m.–close) is the hangout for Copper Harbor locals.

In Eagle Harbor, the Shoreline Restaurant (906/289-4441) draws ’em in for homemade pies, but there’s plenty of other home-style cooking—like soups, sandwiches and well-prepared fresh lake trout—to make it worth the stop.

Fitzgerald’s Restaurant (5033 Front St., 906/337-0666, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. daily, $9–27), located in the Eagle River Inn, offers upscale dining overlooking Lake Superior. The menu features Black Angus steaks, fresh fish and seafood, inventive vegetarian dishes, and a comprehensive wine list.

Combine a college town with a large ethnic population, and you’ll conjure up a good range of eating options in the Houghton/Hancock area. Marie’s Deli & Restaurant (518 Shelden Ave., Houghton, 906/482-8650, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. daily, $4–16) is a terrific find—the place for homemade breads, soups, sandwiches, salads, vegetarian options, and lots of Middle Eastern dishes like kibbie and spinach pies, reflecting the Lebanese heritage of its cheery owner. It’s a good value at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.