Viola Cafe

07/03/2026

Celebrate the 4th with Southern Flavor!🎆
Open all weekend, 8am - 3pm
Try one of our specials on the board!

06/26/2026

A heartfelt thank you to the Observer for the wonderful feature! We’re honored to be recognized along with our amazing neighbors!

Viola

102 N Elm St, Three Oaks, MI 49128
Scott King and Anthony Bellon are two Southern expats who wanted to bring a taste of the region to their new home in Michigan. Finding truly authentic Southern food isn’t totally impossible in the Midwest, but it’s still exceedingly rare, which is definitely part of why Viola Cafe was an instant hit. From fried green tomatoes to crawfish etouffee, fluffy biscuits and beignets, and unmissable pimento cheese, this delightfully kitschy spot overdelivers on flavor.

Though all the dishes are inspired by recipes from the couple’s family matriarchs, the cafe itself was named Viola in its last iteration, and the new owners chose to keep the name. Louisiana-born Bellon runs front of house at the restaurant with plenty of southern charm, and back of house duties get lots of input from Alabama native King, led by chef Shelley Young, who owned The Chopping Block cooking schools in Chicago. Open five days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the restaurant frequently throws special events and southern-themed meetups, so keep an eye out for additional programming when you’re in town.

Click here for the full story.

https://observer.com/list/harbor-country-new-buffalo-michigan-travel-guide/

06/19/2026

Weekend Specials are here, y’all!🎉🎉🎉

06/19/2026

Let us do the cooking!

06/15/2026

Scoot on in….We’re now open Tuesdays during summer season!

06/10/2026

Viola Cafe is turning ONE!🎉
Thanks for a year filled with great food, good times and amazing guests! We’re so grateful to be part of this amazing community!

We are also now open on Tuesday’s during the summer, 8am-3pm!

Stop in This week for a free beignet with your meal.

Here’s to many more good times ahead!✨✨

06/04/2026

A big thank you to WBEZ and Dunes Diva for the wonderful shout-out! 🙏✨🙏

https://www.wbez.org/travel/2026/05/30/indiana-dunes-southwest-michigan-travel-red-arrow-highway-beverly-shores-michiana-union-pier-new-buffalo-sawyer-three-oaks?fbclid=IwdGRzaASJc6FjbGNrBIluoGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHkhIkJeF80LFE36JNr7G8VuncS-jmWhHHLHHx1EH9DMQtb0x9DeqO3XeNRUG_aem_gZBY_pp-vahpIDS8Jwg6ow&sfnsn=m

“For breakfast or lunch, two Chicago transplants have reopened the popular Viola Cafe (102 N. Elm St.), which was closed for a few years. Along with their chef, former Chopping Block owner Shelley Young, they’ve put a Southern twist on it. Think po’ boys, beignets, meat loaf, greens, fried green tomatoes and mac ’n’ cheese alongside breakfast classics.”

All within easy driving distance from Chicago, the charming towns that dot U.S. Route 12 and Red Arrow Highway are buzzing with openings.

05/22/2026

Memorial Day Specials🇺🇸
Crepes, crab cakes, fresh salads and southern favorites all weekend long!

05/17/2026

Rockin’ the newest swag and wearin’ it well - now it’s your turn. Come and get yours!😎

05/16/2026

Thanks for the shout out! Y’all come back and visit again soon!🙏🌸🌸