“Simply put, the best food and overall experience…ever. I am not joking. The atmosphere is cozy and quiet. The food, wine, service, coffee, and atmosphere, is outstanding. Food so fresh and prepared in an out-of-this-world fashion. Best meal I’ve ever had. Great, pleasant service too. You must experience this!”
Laurie
Martha Ryan opened Martha’s Leelanau Table in 2008. Her focus was on the local food grown in abundance along with local wines.
Martha was a food service director at Leland Public Schools for 20 years and a manager at Stone House Bread, when the bakery was in Leland. She has worked at many places in the area as a server including The Cove, Sugar Loaf, Hattie’s, Windows, and other local businesses. Serving people and being centered around food is what interested Martha the most. The comradery of the restaurant business in Leelanau County is what made Martha want to open a restaurant of her own. Martha faced struggles in opening her restaurant, but Martha’s Leelanau Table officially opened on July 3rd, 2008.
Martha Ryan, Founder
Jimmy Clark, Chef
With a passion for fresh and local products, Chef Jimmy brings fresh ideas and culinary expertise to our team. He relocated from NYC in 2025 where he worked as a private chef and caterer to the stars.
Mert Karadag, General Manager
Mert started as a bartender in 2018, and has worked in almost all of the positions. Hospitality is in his culture, and Mert brings that knowledge to Martha’s traditions and atmosphere.
“Wow! Five star food and service from the very beginning! We had a late evening reservation, but we were treated with nothing but smiles and respect upon our arrival and we were seated immediately in our own semi-private front room space! We dined well on fresh locally sourced veggies, cheese, meat & fish.”
Jackie