Since its construction in 1875, City Park Grill has become a historic establishment in the heart of Petoskey, Michigan. One street north of Petoskey's main roadway, the building stands at 432 East Lake Street, conveniently located in the center of the city's downtown. Just a couple blocks north is beautiful Lake Michigan.

Known during the Prohibition as the Grill Cafe, business boomed, despite the inability to serve alcohol legally. It was situated near the now demolished Cushman Hotel and its restaurant hot-spot, the Annex. During this period, Ernest Hemingway, author of such classics as "For Whom the Bells Toll" and "A Farewell to Arms," frequented the restaurant. It is here where he was inspired to write the short story "Killers," based on his experiences in the Annex.

In 1932, the grill was renamed The Park Garden Cafe, derived from the Pennsylvania Park just west of the restaurant and the Palm Garden that was to the east. In 1954, the cafe expanded to the east where the Palm Garden once stood. This addition is now called The Peacock Room and serves as an additional dining room that allows more customers to enjoy the restaurant's history. Soon after, a modern kitchen was added to the rear of the dining room.  In 1963, the facade of the cafe changed from its Victorian style to English Tudor. With this redecorating came major architectural changes. A bay window was added to the first floor and the front door was moved to the side. As ownership changed hands, the bay window remained, the Victorian facade and interior were restored to the original character. Though ownership changed several times throughout its history, the cafe remained (and still remains) a popular and prosperous establishment.