One of Leelanau County’s most popular restaurants is expanding to Traverse City, MI. Eric Nittolo, owner and head chef at Nittolo’s Seafood & Pizza in Lake Leelanau, is preparing to open a new restaurant concept called Nittolo’s Little Italy in the Breakwater complex on Garland Street.

Nittolo tells The Ticker that demolition is underway to convert the space – formerly occupied by the Cut and Run coffee shop – into a 60-seat eatery. The restaurant is tentatively slated to open in April 2025 and will bring a version of the Nittolo’s menu to downtown Traverse City, with a new focus on economical dining.