Northtown 794: Savor carefully crafted flavors in Muskegon

794 Kitchen & Bar
794 Kitchen & Bar
Photo: R. Christensen Photography

By Kelsey Smith

With restaurants, a brewery, coffee shop and retail store, Northtown 794 has everything you need for a fun-filled day, start to finish. Located in downtown Muskegon, Northtown is a shared space for work, shopping, dining and drinks.

The main floor is home to Polka Dot Paisley (a women’s clothing boutique), Aldea Coffee, 794 Kitchen & Bar and Capone’s Speakeasy & Pizzeria. The garden level hosts Rake Beer Project’s brewery and taproom, and the top floor has an open coworking space and office space.

For breakfast, head over to Aldea Coffee. Known for its ethical practices, Aldea strives to serve the best cup of coffee possible. 

 “Our approach (to coffee) is unique because our coffee is direct-trade,” said Brittany Goode, who handles sustainability and community outreach for Aldea. “We know the farmers who grew our coffees personally. This drives us to find relationships to grow with for all of our beverages.”

Aldea Coffee
Aldea Coffee
Photo: Aldea Coffee

Aldea’s lattes are some of the most popular items on the menu, and they’re all crafted with house-made syrups.

For lunch or dinner, you’ve got two great options: 794 Kitchen & Bar and Capone’s Speakeasy & Pizzeria. 794 Kitchen & Bar serves a variety of from-scratch Southern Americana classics, but with a modern twist. And if there’s one thing you’ve got to try, it’s the tater tots.

“The team we have built and continue to build is what sets us apart,” said Cody Christensen, operations manager. “Muskegon has an amazing independent restaurant scene, and we are trying to bring something just slightly different to the area with our signature items, like our house-made tots — varieties rotate every two weeks for something fun and new — or our famous beer can nachos, which have three different varieties to choose from.” 

Capone’s is a nod to Chicago in the 1920s and is full of old-school charm. The space has an authentic speakeasy feel and it specializes in deep-dish, Sicilian and Neapolitan pizza.

Capone’s Speakeasy & Pizzeria
Capone’s Speakeasy & Pizzeria
Photo: Design Force Marketing

“We only use the highest quality ingredients and create everything by hand, from scratch daily,” Christensen said. “We serve (pizzas) alongside our full menu of other great Chicago and Italian specialties in one of the coolest dining rooms in all of West Michigan. When you step through the doors, you feel like you have walked back in time to the 1920s.”

End the night with an ice-cold brew at Rake Beer Project, a brewery that pours progressive farmhouse ales with a focus on IPAs, sours and table beers. Rake is known for its creativity and pushing the boundaries. Its most popular beer is the Dead & Dreaming, an imperial sour farmhouse ale with fresh strawberry, blueberry, blackberry and raspberry.

“At Rake Beer Project, we strive to provide an immersive experience in our taproom,” said Josh Rake, owner and head brewer. “Our beers are all intended to be a little strange and make you think, so we try our best to have our taproom and beer garden represent the same thing. 

“Whether it is the large amount of murals that we have commissioned in and around our space or the live music, beer garden yoga, etc., we want you to feel like you have stumbled into a place that is warm and comforting, and just a bit different.” n

Northtown 794
794 Pine St., Muskegon
231-777-8777
northtown794.com

Rake Beer Project
Rake Beer Project
Photo: Rake Beer Project