Corktown is Detroit’s oldest existing neighborhood and as such, has a wealth of culture embedded on every block. Situated on the city’s southwest side, just west of downtown, Corktown is named after County Cork in Ireland, in recognition of the influx of Irish immigrants who made their way to Detroit in the 19th century.
The Best Restaurants, Bars, and Cafes in Corktown
From wine bars and biergartens, to cafes and delis, to vegan-friendly brunch food, here’s where to eat in Detroit’s first neighborhood
Courtney Burk is a writer born with over two decades of experience in the restaurant industry, and she has been covering the local food and beverage scene for the past eight years.
Through the generations, the area has worn many hats: welcoming the first waves of Mexican immigrants; home to several legendary sports bars, thanks to its proximity to old Tigers Stadium; and more recently, a major transportation development hub for Ford with the renovation of Corktown’s most iconic building, Michigan Central Station. Now, the neighborhood is home to one of the most dynamic food and drink destinations in the city — featuring old-school dive bars, vegan-friendly diners, wine bars, live music venues, and chill breweries.
With the redevelopment of Michigan Central Station and a spike of interest in real estate throughout the surrounding area, Corktown continues to draw thousands of residents and visitors every year. Whether you’re in the neighborhood for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Opening Day, to catch an indie garage band, or are looking for innovative approaches to dining in the city, Corktown’s where it’s at.
New to the map: We’ve merged the Corktown restaurant and bar maps for ease of access.
- Additional reporting by Serena Maria Daniels
The Best Restaurants, Bars, and Cafes in Corktown
From wine bars and biergartens, to cafes and delis, to vegan-friendly brunch food, here’s where to eat in Detroit’s first neighborhood
Courtney Burk is a writer born with over two decades of experience in the restaurant industry, and she has been covering the local food and beverage scene for the past eight years.
Corktown is Detroit’s oldest existing neighborhood and as such, has a wealth of culture embedded on every block. Situated on the city’s southwest side, just west of downtown, Corktown is named after County Cork in Ireland, in recognition of the influx of Irish immigrants who made their way to Detroit in the 19th century.
Through the generations, the area has worn many hats: welcoming the first waves of Mexican immigrants; home to several legendary sports bars, thanks to its proximity to old Tigers Stadium; and more recently, a major transportation development hub for Ford with the renovation of Corktown’s most iconic building, Michigan Central Station. Now, the neighborhood is home to one of the most dynamic food and drink destinations in the city — featuring old-school dive bars, vegan-friendly diners, wine bars, live music venues, and chill breweries.
With the redevelopment of Michigan Central Station and a spike of interest in real estate throughout the surrounding area, Corktown continues to draw thousands of residents and visitors every year. Whether you’re in the neighborhood for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Opening Day, to catch an indie garage band, or are looking for innovative approaches to dining in the city, Corktown’s where it’s at.
New to the map: We’ve merged the Corktown restaurant and bar maps for ease of access.
- Additional reporting by Serena Maria Daniels
Mudgie’s Deli and Wine Shop
The sandwich and wine shop, founded by Greg Mudge in 2008, offers monthly wine tastings, rotating weekly specials, and a large patio with a seasonal tiki bar that features live music throughout the summer. The deli’s already popular sandwich lineup gets a brunch-worthy upgrade on Sundays. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., diners can enjoy sandwiches like the Gutty, Stinson, and Sho’Nuff — each topped with a fried egg — along with classic brunch fare including eggs Benedict, the Mudgie Cristo, biscuits and gravy, grits, and vegan-friendly options. Online ordering is available.
Courtney Burk
Lager House
Yes, Lager House has been through a lot over the years. Longtime owner Paul “PJ” Ryder called it quits in 2022, leaving some wondering if the famous indie music venue and venerable bar would remain. Under new ownership, it’s still a destination for affordable drinks, vegan fare, and to catch a local show. Online ordering is available.
The Brooklyn Street Local
This bustling all-day brunch spot offers one of the best selections of poutine in the city, a nod to the owners’ Canadian roots. Each month, the “Poutine for the People” special is created in collaboration with a local chef, with proceeds benefiting area nonprofits. Brooklyn Street’s menu also includes other breakfast and brunch items, salads, sandwiches, burgers, soups, salads, and quiches, and has been known to routinely open its space up to pop-up collaborators. Online ordering is available.
Brooklyn Street Local
Alpino
Named Eater’s Best New Restaurant of 2023, Alpino’s menu draws inspiration from the Alpine regions of Austria and the surrounding French, German, Italian, and Swiss cultures. The Corktown hot spot, formerly home to Lady of the House and St. CeCe’s, offers a cozy, cabin-inspired setting with a stone fireplace at its center. Chef Colin Campbell and his team make all the bread, pasta, and sausage in-house, and the wine selection offers a vast list that highlights the region’s growers. The patio becomes a hot commodity in the summer, and the Cellar Root Music series brings live performances to the downstairs cellar every Tuesday. Reservations are recommended.
Courtney Burk
Folk Detroit
This award-winning all-day cafe and bottle shop is quite versatile. Enjoy a brunch with waffle breakfast sandwiches; pick up a quick turmeric chai latte on the way to work; or select a bottle of biodiverse wine, along with a curated selection of gourmet groceries items — a bulk of which is sourced locally, by BIPOC makers, or are considered sustainably sourced — to host a fancy dinner party at home. They also host community events at the Neighbor x Folk collaboration at the Michigan Central Station. A handful of reservations are available and the cafe also offers takeout.
Mink Detroit
For an intimate yet casual setting for a romantic round of drinks and oysters, Mink hits the spot. Sit at the bar and marvel at the crew as they get to shucking, plating, and interacting with guests. Guests can opt to order a la carte from the spot’s selection of fresh oysters from across the country or an array of tinned seafood snacks. Or, go all out and make reservations to try a five-course tasting menu (available with optional beverage pairing), which switches out every month. Previous tasting menu offerings have included as a lobster olive loaf, scallop ambrosia salad, and a swordfish casserole.
The Godfrey Detroit, Curio Collection by Hilton
This hotel features numerous options to wine and dine. Up top is the I|O Rooftop Lounge, which features retractable walls and glass ceilings, providing a unique view of the Detroit skyline. On the ground level, Hamilton’s — operated by Chickpea Hospitality (which brought us Phoenicia in Birmingham and Leila downtown) — offers all-day service and a new American menu that subtly leans toward the group’s Mediterranean influence. Enjoy a Denver steak, the popular halibut and chips set on a bed of pea mash, or roasted carrots in zhug, pistachio dukkah, and fresh herbs. Drinks include cocktails, mocktails, and a variety of wines. Make a reservation on Tock.
Hamilton’s
Nemo’s Bar
Talk with any longtime sports fan in the city and chances are they’ll have a heyday story from Nemo’s during the Roar of ’84. Losing Tiger Stadium just up the road didn’t slow Nemo’s down. This Corktown bar has weathered the decades since its 1964 opening thanks to its famous griddle-made burgers and its dedicated customers, whether longtime regulars or new transplants to Corktown. It’s still a great jumping-off point for Tigers’ home games as it offers a shuttle to the downtown stadium.
Ottava Via
This Corktown spot offers a modern spin on Italian favorites. From charcuterie to cocktails to a hearty dinner feast complemented by a glass of wine, Ottava Via hits many notes. There are traditional pastas and pizzas, as well as a selection of plates of pan-seared branzino with salsa verde. It’s particularly popular during patio season, thanks to an outdoor fireplace and bocce ball lanes. Call to make reservations.
Batch Brewing Company
This Corktown brewery and biergarten is a true neighborhood staple, offering a rotating selection of a dozen draft beers, along with hard cider from its sister brand Nascent Cider, plus wine, cocktails, and nonalcoholic options — including a housemade prebiotic soda. Instead of a traditional mug club, the brewery offers yearly memberships to its United Federation of Eaters and Drinkers. On the food side, Melway Burgers pops up on Mondays and Tuesdays, serving grass-fed smash burgers, while the rest of the week features a menu by Brendon Edwards that includes hand-twisted pretzels, smoked chicken wings, and a variety of other dishes cooked low and slow. Batch’s food truck, Yellow Dog BBQ, also makes special appearances on select days, offering smoked sandwiches on homemade bread. Online ordering and delivery are available.
Courtney Burk
UFO Bar
Local favorite indie music bar UFO Factory sold to Spot Lite owner Roula David in 2024, but the music and event programming — and the vibes — remain. Along with a new name, UFO BAR, the space now has a freshened-up menu, thanks to chef Jessica Kindle’s Gladys Nite, which she also operates as a food truck outside of Spot Lite. Visitors can expect Kindle’s take on UFO’s Atomic Dogs, offerings that came during the previous ownership’s tenure, including weenies topped with elotes or kimchi, or loaded with vegan queso and mushroom bacon — all of which comes with the option of halal beef hot dog or vegan Field Roast brand sausage. Customers can spill out onto the rooftop lounge area when weather permits. Gladys Nite accepts takeout and delivery orders.
Gladys Nite
Nancy Whiskey Pub
Nancy’s has been holding down an otherwise quiet corner of Corktown since 1902, thanks in large part to its Irish hospitality and a selection of Irish whiskies. Even a devastating 2007 fire couldn’t stop the good times. Don’t miss the back patio on summer nights.
The Pink Flamingo
The Pink Flamingo To-Go may be open year-round in Palmer Park, but the beloved Corktown food truck is a seasonal operation founded by Meiko Krishok, where she serves restorative meals out of an Airstream trailer in a garden setting at 2746 Vermont Street in North Corktown. Be sure to check out its social media for updates on seasonal hours; the 2025 summer pop-up officially kicks off on Thursday, June 5. A forthcoming outpost is in the works on Chene Street.
The Pink Flamingo
Antojitos Southwest
This weekends-only food truck launched as an informal food business during the earlier days of the pandemic — tapping into a very on-trend phenomenon taking place on social media at the time: quesabirria. This thrifty operation is cash-only (though it takes app payments, too). The primary focus is on the fiery, red stewed meat, customers can find quesabirria fresh off the griddle, cups of birria ramen, asada fries, and a selection of glass bottled Jarritos. Oh, and the beef is all halal.
MotorCity Wine
Conversation or dancing could be on the menu depending on when you stop by Motor City Wine. Share a bottle of Detroit Love with your love, sit back, and listen to the night’s live band. If it’s warm out, Motor City Wine has one of the best patios in the city. You and your date can share a charcuterie board or snack on bites from the guest chef or grab bites from Tacos el Rodeos food truck, which is parked in the lot throughout the week. More than 15 years into its Detroit tenure, it’s still one of the best bars in town.
Gaelic League Irish American Club
For 100 years now, the Gaelic League Irish American Club has brought together Detroit’s Irish American community for beers, whiskey, and events celebrating shared cultural heritage — all set in a dimly lit space accented with a dark wooden bar and decor that has remained largely the same for so long that it’s almost in fashion again. According to its state liquor license, the club is a members-only organization with two available club levels: the Irish-American Club and the Gaelic League. However, it’s easy to get a membership. Just pay the annual $25 fee, get your card, and order a pint of Guinness.
Ima Izakaya
Mike Ransom, founder of the Eater Award-winning Ima, is now flexing his background in fine dining at Ima Izakaya down the road from his original location. Guests can expect many of the growing chain’s casual favorites, such as its popular udon, pho, rice bowls, shrimp dumplings, and chicken karaage. In addition, Ransom adds a touch of creativity with new arrivals like hamachi crudo made with yellowtail, yuzu-lemon confit, jalapeño, micro cilantro, and black sea salt; robata grilled skewers; and a more robust bar menu. The $5 happy hour takes place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Online ordering is also available, and reservations are booked on Tock.
Courtney Burk
L J’s Lounge
While upscale cocktail bars and restaurants abound on Michigan Avenue, this Corktown hangout keeps the visitors to the neighborhood supplied with affordable drinks. Wood paneling and a red awning give way to even more ’70s paneling in the interior with a mirrored back bar. The drink selection here is relatively simple with shots (including Jello shots) and domestic beers — the perfect recipe for a boilermaker and a good time.
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Alba
Situated in the space where the shuttered flagship Astro location once stood, visitors will find a familiar aesthetic as the previous tenant, as well as those Corktown feels. The brief menu currently features espresso drinks like a traditional cafe de olla or a Bitter Orange Esspritzer made with Topo Chico, espresso, and blood orange juice; pour overs; tea; and a variety of pastries. Coffee is sourced from Anthology Coffee in Eastern Market and Grand Coffee Roasters, based in San Francisco. Pro tip: For those still lamenting the loss of Astro’s fluffy breakfast sandwich, Eater Award-winning Alba makes one that’s pretty darn close to the original.
Courtney Burk
The Sugar House
The Sugar House was the cocktail bar that launched an empire of bars for the Detroit Optimist Society. After more than 10 years, this spot has set the bar for meticulously crafted drinks, and its rigorous training program ensures that a vast library of historical cocktails is available at any given time. Reservations are available on Tock or head to LJ’s while you wait for your name to surface on the waitlist.
GB in Detroit
Slows Bar BQ
Slows is popular with old-school Detroiters and newcomers alike. Customer favorites at this Corktown-based chain include the smoked chicken Yardbird sandwich or baby back ribs. The restaurant also sells sauces for cooking at home. Patio seating is available right on the corner of Michigan and 14th, and from the right angle, you can see Michigan Central Station looming over Roosevelt Park. Carryout orders can be placed online.
Slows Bar BQ
Mercury Burger & Bar
Choose from 14 different burgers at this Corktown staple at the confluence of Michigan and 14th Street across from Roosevelt Park. Many items on the menu pay homage to the city, including the Southwest, which features a chorizo slider, candied jalapeño relish, pepper jack cheese, and avocado. Pair it with a boozy Hummer milkshake or poutine tater tots slathered in dark gravy. In the summer, the patio is a lovely secluded spot to sip a beer.
Two James Spirits
The tasting room at Two James in Corktown has a soft industrial feel with its round concrete bar in the center, where a quirky, friendly bartender can help you navigate the menu. Drinks here change with the seasons and complement the flavor profiles of the distillery’s many spirits. Bottles and cocktails to-go are available for sale. Tours are also available by booking ahead. Looking for a bite before drinks? Two James owner David Landrum also launched Supergeil, just across the street, which specializes in Berlin-style döner kebabs and tinned seafood.
Takoi
Takoi’s trendy space, sometimes referred to as the Mothership, features a menu influenced by Northern Thai cuisine, with much of it being sourced from the restaurant’s own HiO Farm, located a mile north in Core City. It’s a vegan-friendly place that serves incredibly flavorful, family-style cuisine and thoughtfully crafted cocktails. With moody lighting, spaceship vibes in the interior, and an enclosed outdoor patio area, Takoi transports guests to another galaxy. Reservations are encouraged, and online ordering is available for carryout.
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