Coast 236 Restaurant & Bar

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Where the Coast Shapes the Kitchen

At Coast 236 in Saugatuck, Michigan, the guiding principle is straightforward: let the season and the region lead. The contemporary American menu changes frequently, drawing on ingredients sourced from local farms, sustainable fisheries, and responsible producers. Nothing is fixed for long — the kitchen moves with what is freshest and most honest, resulting in dishes that feel both refined and grounded.

The People Behind It

Executive Chef and Partner Rick Bower brings over two decades of culinary experience, including training under Michelin-starred chefs and work at establishments recognized by Michelin and Zagat. His path started at fifteen in a fine-dining kitchen, and that early discipline shows in how he approaches every plate. At Coast 236, Bower is known for his close relationships with local farmers and foragers, and for running a sustainable fish purchasing program that reflects a genuine commitment to the Saugatuck community. In his own words: "Each ingredient is treated in its best interest, and I prepare it with the love and grace that it deserves."

On the floor, Tanna Knapp — Front of House Manager and Sommelier — holds a certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers and trained at the Great Lakes Culinary Institute in Traverse City. She built the wine program from the ground up, centering it on Old World selections curated to complement the contemporary American cuisine without overshadowing it. That program earned Coast 236 a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, a recognition that speaks to both the depth of the list and the thoughtfulness behind it.

How the Evening Works

Guests choose between à la carte selections and curated tasting menus — either a six- or nine-course format — with optional wine pairings. The format rewards those who want to settle in and let the kitchen show its range. Private dining is available for groups of ten to twenty, making the space well suited to celebrations that call for something more considered than a standard restaurant booking.

The result is a dining room where the kitchen's precision and the floor's warmth work in the same direction — a quiet confidence that is rare at any address, and particularly welcome along the Michigan coast.