Chef’s Take on the Best Restaurants in Midland, MI
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“Hospitality has been my entire life,” says Sergey Pokanevych, chef and co-owner of Chef Sergey’s Bakery in Midland, Michigan. “I started working in kitchens at the age of 16, literally peeling potatoes, and grew step-by-step from there,” he says of his start in restaurants in his native Ukraine.
After earning a university degree in tourism and restaurant management, he became a jack-of-all-restaurant trades – general manager, chef, food blogger and, ultimately, co-owner of five restaurants in his home country. But Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine “destroyed everything we had built. We lost our businesses and our home and made the difficult decision to leave so our son could live and study in a safe place,” Pokanevych says. “Living in a city like Odesa, under constant missile attacks, is something no family should endure.”
That year, Pokanevych’s family arrived in Caro, Michigan, under the auspices of the now-defunct Uniting for Ukraine program with local residents sponsoring their immigration. The couple quickly found jobs in Midland and soon partnered with another Ukrainian family to open the bakery’s doors in early 2025.
“Chef Sergey’s Bakery has become a local gathering place, and people travel from across Michigan just to buy our bread and pastries,” he says of the spot. After finding a new home in Midland, and rebuilding restaurants from scratch, Pokanevych remains committed to hospitality, doing right by his customers, and providing a home away from home.
Here, he shares a handful of what he considers the best restaurants in Midland, MI, that he appreciates for their ability to do the same.
H Hotel Offers Great Places to Eat in Midland
Downtown’s H Hotel houses a pair of Pokanevych’s favorites, starting with upscale One Eighteen. “It has the coziest atmosphere in town, a thoughtfully designed menu, fresh oysters, great cocktails and consistently strong service,” he says. The menu trends toward classic American crowd-pleasers while featuring regional ingredients: Think smoked Great Lakes whitefish dip, a house-smoked Rueben topped with tangy Michigan sauerkraut, tender Bourbon-and-Coke meatloaf, and local walleye. Pokanevych calls it “my favorite spot, especially in the summer on the patio. It works beautifully for both special occasions and relaxed evenings.”
Also on the premises of the H Hotel is Cafe Zinc, Pokanevych’s “go-to lunch spot.” The kitchen sets itself apart with lighter, healthier options, he says, and the quality is consistent. The bright, cream-and-gold dining room evokes easy elegance, especially during midday, when items such as beet salad with spiced pepitas and blood orange vinaigrette, butternut squash curry, and tagliatelle topped with walnut pesto are on the menu.
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In addition to lunch, Cafe Zinc also serves breakfast and dinner, and the bar offers Michigan craft beers, including several from the city’s own Midland Brewing Co. as well as nationally known outfits like Bell’s in Kalamazoo and New Holland Brewing Co. in Holland.
Looking for the Best Pasta in Midland?
Midland’s city center is also home to Gratzi, which, says Pokanevych, is “a wonderful Italian restaurant with, in my opinion, the best pasta in Midland.” The dining room boasts white tablecloths, yes, but it’s not stuffy. Expect classics like spaghetti and meatballs in red sauce or chicken Parmesan and be surprised by cheese tortelloni in a vibrant green creamy pesto or shredded short rib piled atop ricotta-stuffed mezzaluna. Also of note is the Alfredo da Tavola: Fresh pasta and cream are tossed tableside in a giant wheel of Parmesan cheese. Says Pokanevych: “The atmosphere and service are always on point.”
Where to Score Scrumptious Asian Fare
“My family and I love Asian cuisine,” Pokanevych says enthusiastically. His pick for sushi is Maru, which has been serving up perfectly sliced and seasoned fish across the street from Midland’s Dow Diamond baseball field for over a decade. “It delivers excellent sushi along with a high level of service,” he says.
In addition to serving nigiri, sashimi and familiar maki such as spicy tuna rolls, the kitchen incorporates nontraditional ingredients into its playful signature rolls; observe the gochujang in the Ocean’s Twelve roll and pico de gallo in the Rio Grande roll. Other Korean touches, such as the bulgogi donburi bowl and kimchi arancini, add variety to the eatery’s offerings.
For affordable, family-friendly Asian fare, Pokanevych recommends the casual Fuji Sushi. The expansive Japanese menu includes hibachi-grilled meats and veggies (note the luxe steak and lobster tail version), chicken katsu, teriyaki plates, sashimi, hand rolls and a truly extravagant number – upwards of 30 – of specialty sushi rolls. It’s a great option for a lower price point, Pokanevych says. “It’s family-run with a very hardworking staff, a large menu, fair prices and they’re always open, even on holidays – just like us.”