The Little Fleet is a food truck and craft beer bar in a converted parking lot near the bay, and it has become the casual social anchor of downtown Traverse City. The outdoor format — rotating food trucks, communal picnic tables, string lights — works extremely well in Michigan's summer months, and the local craft beer selection is excellent. Filling Ground Brewing, Jolly Pumpkin, and other regional producers feature regularly.
The vibe is relaxed and deliberately informal: no reservations, you order at the trucks and grab a table. In summer the place fills by early evening, so arriving before 6pm is advisable if you want to find a seat. In cooler weather the covered areas and fire pits extend the season into autumn.