The Eater 38 is the ultimate guide to restaurants that define a city’s dining scene. Eater’s editors, who are continually eating out and are dialed in with restaurant industry insiders, compile this list quarterly to update it with the essential restaurants you need to know about in this moment. As always, we ensure the list includes a diverse range of cuisines, prices, and neighborhoods in Detroit.
The 38 Best Restaurants in Detroit
The essential restaurants that define Detroit, according to Eater editors.
Serena Maria Daniels is a former editor for Eater, Midwest region, responsible for coverage in Chicago, Detroit, and the Twin Cities. She’s a longtime Detroiter, by way of the West Coast and has been a journalist since 2006.
In this latest refresh, we’ve revamped our write-ups to include even more relevant info for diners, including a rough range of pricing for each destination — ranging from $ for quick, inexpensive meals with dishes largely under $10 to $$$$ for places where entrees exceed $30.
New to the map in this April update: guisado-centric Casa Amado Taqueria in Berkley and line-worthy pastries from Forest Bakery in Oak Park.
To be considered for the Eater 38, restaurants must be open for at least six months. For the most exciting new restaurants in town, check out the heatmap.
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.
The 38 Best Restaurants in Detroit
The essential restaurants that define Detroit, according to Eater editors.
Serena Maria Daniels is a former editor for Eater, Midwest region, responsible for coverage in Chicago, Detroit, and the Twin Cities. She’s a longtime Detroiter, by way of the West Coast and has been a journalist since 2006.
The Eater 38 is the ultimate guide to restaurants that define a city’s dining scene. Eater’s editors, who are continually eating out and are dialed in with restaurant industry insiders, compile this list quarterly to update it with the essential restaurants you need to know about in this moment. As always, we ensure the list includes a diverse range of cuisines, prices, and neighborhoods in Detroit.
In this latest refresh, we’ve revamped our write-ups to include even more relevant info for diners, including a rough range of pricing for each destination — ranging from $ for quick, inexpensive meals with dishes largely under $10 to $$$$ for places where entrees exceed $30.
New to the map in this April update: guisado-centric Casa Amado Taqueria in Berkley and line-worthy pastries from Forest Bakery in Oak Park.
To be considered for the Eater 38, restaurants must be open for at least six months. For the most exciting new restaurants in town, check out the heatmap.
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.
Sweet Potato Sensations
Open for: Lunch, dinner
Price range: $$
Sweet potato ice cream, chicken and sweet potato waffles, sweet potato cookies and cornbread — Sweet Potato Sensations does it all, working hard to preserve the legacy of George Washington Carver, an agricultural scientist, professor, and environmentalist who learned more than 100 uses for the sweet potato and other plants native to the South. The locals’ move at the Old Redford neighborhood bakery is to try the pie first for its creamy texture, warming spices, and buttery crust. Etta Mae’s salmon croquettes (best served on a flaky butter croissant), the Jive Turkey Sandwich (prized for its hickory smoked pile of meat), and the black-eyed pea and collard green soup are worthy contenders, too. Place an order at the counter, where you’ll find a display case filled with the spot’s creations. Have a seat in the small, casual dining room lined with art, or grab and go to impress everyone at your next dinner party.
Must-try item: The sweet potato cookies are what inspired owners Jeffery and Cassandra Thomas to open their shop in 1993. Grab a single big cookie for $3 or $3.99 for a quarter-pound bag, and $13 for a pound of small cookies.
Sweet Potato Sensations
Casa Amado Taqueria
Open for: Lunch and dinner
Price range: $$
Residents of Berkley can rejoice because they’ve got access to award-winning tacos and other Mexican specialties in an unexpected space. Chef Amado Lopez was named a semifinalist in the Emerging Chef category for the 2023 James Beard Awards for his work during the pandemic to transform the community’s Atomic Dawg hot dog restaurant from a fledgling diner to a pop-up operation and eventually a full-time taqueria. The specialty here is braised meats, such as the pork braised in red chiles, as well as vegetarian and vegan options, like the mushroom taco or vegan beans and rice. Guests still thinking about those Atomic Dogs can reminisce while enjoying Amado’s Sonoran hot dogs topped with bacon, green chiles, and garnishes of pickled onion, jalapeño, and roasted chile sauce. Online ordering is available.
Best for: Tacos featuring a range of regional influences in a family-friendly atmosphere.
Casa Amado Taqueria
Dearborn Meat Market
Open for: Daytime
Price range: $$
Considered one the region’s most beloved butcher shops, Dearborn Meat Market offers visitors a chance to purchase freshly made skewered halal meats for cooking at home or for enjoying on-site, where they’re roasted over a charcoal grill. Stop by the casual dining room and order heaping trays of kabobs, kafta, chicken tawook, and other meaty entrees, along with sides of hummus, baba ghannouj, and pita bread. The space is owned by fifth-generation Lebanese butcher Sam Saad, who emigrated to the United States nearly half a century ago. While Dearborn’s dining scene continues to evolve with an increasing number of establishments that challenge the notion of what halal food can be, Dearborn Meat Market remains a beloved mainstay for its precision focus on producing quality cuts of meat in a welcoming space.
Know before you go: If you want to take the cookout home, this casual market and eatery features a walk-up butcher’s counter where customers can pick items like kofta, chicken tawook, New York strips, and ribeyes.
Dearborn Meat Market
Hamido
Open for: Lunch and dinner
Price range: $$
Hamido, a bustling Lebanese diner in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights, is great for Lebanese breakfast staples or entrees like a crisp, refreshing fattoush salad; falafel rich in pungent garlic flavor; shawarma; kibbeh; and sub sandwiches made in a long, crusty hoagie. Dine in or place an order for a meal platter to go and bask in abundant leftovers. The casual counter service is great for to-go orders (call ahead to save time) and for picking up bags of the spot’s freshly made pita bread. Or, grab a bottled beverage from the refrigerated display case and find a cozy booth and mostly family-friendly vibes. For faster service, be sure to call in your order ahead of time.
Best for: An affordable, casual, and classic Dearborn option for takeout.
Forest Bakery
Open for: Breakfast
Price range: $
This charming, jewel box-sized bakery offers a phenomenal rotating seasonal menu of sweet and savory pastries, plus a growing selection of prepared meals. Choose from a variety of croissants like pistachio, almond, and chocolate. Other standouts include a goat cheese scone-wich with seasonal greens and a croissant loaf grilled cheese filled with sharp cheddar and mozzarella. Be on the lookout for hot food entrees like goł?
bki stuffed with beef, pork, and rice drenched in tomato sauce or seasonal soups. There’s also a niche pantry section featuring Guernsey dairy products, olive oil, and cookbooks from Vesper Books & Wine.
Best for: Buttery croissants and seasonal danishes on an early Saturday morning.
Forest Bakery
Sozai Restaurant
Open for: Dinner
Price range: $$$$
One of Detroit’s most critically lauded sushi restaurants in recent years, Sozai is known both for its commitment to sustainable sourcing practices and for its omakase meals. Make a reservation and order omakase from the sushi bar and select one of five curated, multi-course meals, including the kappo, a four-hour journey through traditional cuisine prepared in James Beard Award-winning chef Hajime Sato’s creative vision. Reservations for this experience must be made at least weeks in advance and must be approved by the chef. Other options include nigiri and sashimi samplers and a la carte pieces, as well as a variety of small plates like a poke of the day and a bento box, which includes a selection of items from both the sushi menu and the kitchen. Be sure to pair sushi and tasting menu courses with Sozai’s vast selection of sakes. While you’re enjoying your meal, take time to appreciate smaller touches throughout this cozy space, like the sushi bar made from reclaimed wood and the ceramic utensils, sake cups, and other dishes made by Sato himself. Reservations are required. Sato is a 2024 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Great Lakes.
Best for: Sozai provides one of the most elaborate tasting menu options in metro Detroit and thus makes for an engaging date night experience.
Sozai
Noori Pocha/Chicken - Clawson
Open for: Lunch, daytime, dinner, and evening
Price range: $$
Noori Pocha and neighboring Noori Chicken in downtown Clawson have become a destination for their take on Korean fried chicken and boisterous atmosphere. While Noori Chicken is part of a chain with locations in Michigan and elsewhere, Noori Pocha, a Korean-style gastropub, features a distinct menu. It’s co-owned by family members Nali and Yeol “Andy” Kwon. Diners can expect a colorful dining room and an interior covered in posters, colorful soju signage, and graffiti scribbled by fans in black marker. Each serving includes eight, 16, or 24 generously sized wings, flats, and drumettes and is twice-fried, offering a shattering crunch to each bite. These breaded wings are available bone-in or boneless and can be prepared plain or with a variety of sauces. Diners can also select from a variety of Korean, Japanese, and American beers, along with soju and traditional Korean wines. Online ordering is available.
Best for: All that savor and spice calls for a side of Noori Pocha’s cheese pull-worthy corn cheese for the table.
Noori Pocha/Chicken - Clawson
Noble Fish
Open for: Morning, lunch, and dinner
Price range: $$
Whenever the subject of sushi in metro Detroit comes up, the discussion almost always turns to Noble Fish, beloved for consistently providing Detroiters with oversized sushi rolls and nigiri for more than 40 years. The establishment started as a small market in 1984 and later added a kitchen in 1991, and. eventually — under the direction of manager Takayuki “Guchi-san” Sakaguchi — a sushi bar was added where diners could marvel at the chefs’ expertise and dexterity in assembling nigiri and supple cuts of sashimi. The restaurant continues to expand its offerings, including adding more space to the dining area where visitors can stretch their legs for a bit in a casual atmosphere that’s a step above the grocery store vibes from before. Coming sometime in 2025, Noble Fish and neighboring White Wolf Japanese Patisserie are planning to expand their footprint by taking over an empty space sandwiched between them to build a 12,000-square-foot Asian food hall and grocery store called Noble Village. On the grocery side, customers can find a variety of traditional Japanese snacks, like Kasugai Japan Fruity Jelly Gummy Candy, Pocky Sticks, and rice cakes, are also on hand, as well as bottled teas, sake, and other Japanese beverages. Prices are reasonable; diners can go for an assortment of nigiri or splurge on a large specialty roll like the Michigan, made with tuna, cucumber, avocado, and spicy mayo. Online ordering is available.
Best for: This is a convenient option for grabbing a platter of sushi rolls for group gatherings while also being able to pick up traditional Japanese groceries.
Brenna Houck
Good Cakes and Bakes
Open for: Breakfast, lunch
Price range: $
This welcoming, pretty-in-pink bakery and cafe on Livernois is an oasis for delectable cakes, like its strawberry crunch cake made with three thick layers of spongy strawberry and vanilla cake, moist banana pudding cupcakes, colorful cereal and milk bars, as well as a select number of savory dishes like breakfast sandwiches. The shop is also available for nationwide delivery via Goldbelly, and, in 2023, launched a second location in the so-called District Detroit entertainment zone surrounding the stadiums downtown for all those office workers who might need a sweet pick-me-up during the work week. Online ordering is available.
Vibe Check: The downtown location, at 22 W. Columbia, is low-key a legit casual breakfast option for downtown officer workers, where diners can grab a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit sandwich that is best paired with one of the shop’s gooey, fluffy cinnamon rolls.
LeoSage Images/Good Cakes and Bakes
La Palapa del Parian
Open for: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Price range: $$
Southwest Detroit is arguably the taco truck capital of the city, and one family headed by Nancy Diaz-Lopez and her husband Ramon Luis “Wicho” Diaz have been at the vanguard of that trajectory for close to two decades. Their fleat of mobile food trucks are set up throughout the neighborhood — with offerings ranging from mariscos, citrusy ceviche served on top of crispy tostadas, and chilled oysters from El Imperio, at 7812-7816 Vernor Highway to Mexican-style burgers, tacos al pastor, quesadillas, and other classics available at its other trucks. For more of a sit-down dining experience, the duo opened a flagship physical location, the Eater Award-winning La Palapa del Parian, featuring much of the duo’s taqueria offerings, along with traditional specialties like pork short ribs in salsa verde and freshly made carnitas. A spacious bar designed to replicate a rustic cantina in the highlands of Jalisco features a variety of margaritas, palomas, Mexican beers, and nonalcoholic aguas frescas and bottled soda pops.
Vibe check: Come for weekend brunch, order a bowl of pozole or menudo or a towering shrimp cocktail and a bucket of cervezas for the table while taking in live performances featuring regional Mexican music.
Rosa Maria Zamarrón
Mabel Gray
Open for: Dinner
Price range: $$$
Chef James Rigato of Top Chef fame helms this Hazel Park restaurant, which quickly gained traction after its 2015 opening for its handwritten, frequently changing menu. (Seasonal menu changes are standard, but it often changes from day to day, too). Rigato takes his cooking seriously, but the space itself never feels pretentious — expect mismatched vintage plates and seating inside a compact dining area with muted mood lighting. One visit might feature griddled king trumpet mushrooms, while a return trip could include Colorado lamb ribs made with garlic and fish sauce caramel, sake pickles, sesame, and iceberg lettuce. Reservations are recommended, though a lone diner can occasionally score a seat at the bar if they call ahead and inquire about last-minute cancellations.
If you drive: Free parking options are available, including on a lot directly to the side and rear of the restaurant. Street parkers should be aware that the eatery abuts a residential neighborhood. There’s also an additional lot across the street.
Duly’s Place
Open for: Early morning breakfast and lunch
Price range: $
For a taste of Detroit’s famous coney dog — a hot dog slathered with deeply spiced chili, yellow mustard, and diced raw onions on a steamed bun — there’s no better spot to indulge than Duly’s Place. With more than a century under its belt, having opened its doors in 1921, the diner is still a go-to spot for coney island classics served with consistency and in an essential greasy-spoon environment where regulars — made up of construction workers, club kids, tourists, and locals in need of a filling, affordable breakfast — can be seen sitting at the lunch counter at any given time. Come for dogs with a satisfying snap or bacon, eggs, and pancakes. Duly’s takes cash only, so hit up an ATM on the way.
Know before you go: Longtime fans who might not have been recently, take note that the diner is not currently open 24 hours a day as it had long been. Instead, the hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends.
The Congregation
Open for: Breakfast, lunch, and evenings
Price range: $
The Congregation lives up to its name as one of the best destinations for Detroiters to gather with friends or colleagues, no matter the occasion. The beautifully restored church features a spacious outdoor deck and yard seating, which on Thursday evenings during warmer months becomes the spot to be seen (and to dance). People coming to dine can expect a food menu that ranges from breakfast bagels, pastries from local bakeries, and salads to flatbreads, soups, and shareable dips, along with a variety of coffee beverages and seasonal specials, as well as wine, boozy coffee drinks, mocktails, hard ciders, and beer. Leaning into its role as a third place, the Congregation also hosts food trucks, a farmers market, support groups, yoga classes, and other community-oriented events.
Vibe check: When the warmer months arrive, the lawn here becomes home to House Night, where the space is transformed into a makeshift dance floor and gathering space featuring DJs and a rotation of food vendors.
Tara Turkington/The Congregation
Ladder 4 Wine Bar
Open for: Evenings, dinner
Price range: $$$
The 2022 Eater Award-winning Ladder 4 operates as a wine bar and a retail wine shop — with more than 200 varieties for sale. But what makes this spot one of the most exciting destinations in town are the culinary creations of chef John Yelinek, who had previously gained a following through his Park Ranger pop-up. Expect a rotation of compelling dishes like scallop crudo, country ham vinaigrette made with locally grown melon, or chicken neck sausage (with the head — beak and all — still attached). The spot also hosts live music events and tastings, which it hosts on its three spacious patios or in its backyard. If Yelinek’s burnt basque cheesecake is available, order it — it’s one of the most show-stopping plates on offer. And for an added indulgence, top it with caviar. Reserve a table in the dining room on Resy, or if you’re planning a private party, book the Champagne Room, which served as the former fire station’s original dining room. An outdoor patio in the backyard is great for breezy summer nights, while a second-floor banquette offers a picturesque view from above. During summers, Ladder 4 has become known for hosting fun daytime activities, including its popular Burger Days.
Know before you go: Walk-ins are welcome at the bar on a first-come, first-serve basis, so if you didn’t score a reservation in the dining room in advance, find a seat at the bar. In addition to offering a more casual menu of fun bites, visitors can also order from the full dinner menu.
Puma Detroit
Open for: Dinner
Price range: $$$
Detroit’s legendary late-night crowd is at the front of mind at this vibey Eater Award-winning bar and restaurant. Featuring a moody, black aesthetic, equally dramatic lighting, a DJ booth, and an outdoor fire pit for the summer months, the space is meant for winding gatherings with friends over culturally relevant bites and cocktails. The kitchen is helmed by chef and owner Javier Bardauil of Argentina, who also owns the swanky Barda across the street, and offers a love letter to the cuisines of Latin America. Find sandwiches here like the Uruguayan chivito topped with a fried egg and choripán or a traditional Argentinian pork sausage garnished with fragrant chimichurri — both served on crusty, rustic baguettes. The restaurant also offers a ceviche bar featuring aguachile and a vegan option, Ecuadorian empanadas made with plantains and filled with cheese, and a crispy, sharable breaded beef Milanesa cutlet. The cocktail program emphasizes the use of Latin American spirits such as pisco or Paraguay’s official drink, yerba mate.
Vibe Check: For industrial club feels and a continuous mix of house, Latin, and techno.
Rosa Maria Zamarrón
Tamaleria Nuevo Leon
Open for: Mornings, daytime
Price range: $
Carryout-only fave Tamaleria Nuevo Leon has been satisfying Detroiters’ Christmastime tamale needs since the 1950s. The lineup of tamales sticks with classic fillings like pork and chicken alongside rotating specials like cheese-jalapeño. The tamales tend to be on the thin side, a good thing for folks looking for just the right balance of fillings and masa. The masa itself has a comforting corn flavor that’s not too starchy. Tamaleria Nuevo Leon is also known for its fast, friendly service, where you can call to order and have your to-go bag waiting in just minutes or order from a window outside — a relatively new pandemic-era addition.
Know before you go: Don’t forget to bring cash.
Alba
Open for: Breakfast, lunch, early evenings on weekends
Price range: $
Situated in the space where the shuttered flagship Astro location once stood, Alba has gone on to gain its own traction as an Eater Award-winning cafe, offering visitors a subtle, IYKYK Mexican vibe with bilingual subheadings on the menus and beverages and bites featuring a blend of tradition and innovation. Highlights include a refreshing rhubarb-infused iced espresso espritzer; cafe de olla, prepared with drip coffee or as a latte and flavored with piloncillo, canela, and spice; and a cinnamon-punctuated Mexican hot chocolate. To eat, a breakfast sandwich featuring a silky souffle egg on a brioche bun with cheddar, chile de árbol aioli, and chives, as well as a curated selection of creative baked goods like mole-infused conchas prepared by local home bakers. Coffee is sourced from Anthology Coffee in Eastern Market and Grand Coffee Roasters, based in San Francisco.
Vibe check: Alba has joined a growing number of cafes that are keeping their doors open later in the evening, out of recognition to folks who may not drink alcohol but still desire a fun, safe place to gather in the evenings. As such, Alba is open from 8 p.m. to midnight on Thursday and Friday, with coffee, tea, and other nonalcoholic beverages, along with live performances by local artists.
Rosa Maria Zamarrón
Ima Izakaya
Open for: Lunch and dinner
Price range: $$
Chef Mike Ransom’s Eater Award-winning restaurants in Corktown, Midtown, and Madison Heights are known for their udon noodles swimming in rich, earthy broths and karaage fried chicken or tofu sandwiches — all set in a casual, bright space with available indoor and outdoor seating. Ransom brings his vision full circle with Ima Izakaya in the former Gold Cash Gold restaurant just west of the original Corktown spot on Michigan Avenue. Expect a robust cocktail menu, meaty skewers from the robata grill, like the soy-glazed tsukune chicken meatballs, raw fish dishes like the velvety hamachi tuna crudo and ahi tuna tartare, panko-fried chicken katsu, and many other favorites.
Vibe Check: As far as happy hour goes in Detroit, the one at Ima Izakaya is a sleeper hit. Between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays, visitors are given a reliably strong offering of snacks like dry-aged ribeye skewers or karaage chicken bites, carafes of house sake, draft beer, wine by the glass, and a few cocktails — all for $5.
Fatima Syed
Baobab Fare
Open for: Lunch and dinner
Price range: $$
Baobab Fare is owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Nadia Nijimbere and Hamissi Mamba, who fled Burundi for the United States in 2014. The restaurant serves dishes like mbuzi (slow-roasted goat shank paired with corn salad, plantains, yellow beans, and rice), juicy pan-fried chicken in a tangy mustard-onion sauce, and Ji, the restaurant’s signature bottled passion fruit juice. Baobab Fare has expanded its reach to include a food truck, Waka, and a line of packaged food items available for retail at several local grocers and cafes under the brand Soko. Its owners have ambitions to launch a line of dishes that can be served in public schools. Online ordering is available.
Must try: For a unique offering, stop by on Tuesdays when Baobab Fare offers ugali — a traditional East African dish comprised of a dense corn flour ball, served with savory okra stew, and can be ordered with chicken or fish.
Search for reservations
Street Beet
Open for: Dinner and brunch
Price range: $$
The Eater Award-winning Street Beet taps into that nostalgia associated with pulling up to a drive-thru window, but it leaves behind the baggage of animal products. During weekday nights, Street Beet is open to bar-goers with meat-free snacks like truffle parm fries, crispy Chicky sandwiches made of fried tofu, and an impressive vegan take on a coney dog. The weekend brunch menu includes fluffy breakfast biscuits filled with a peppery sausage alternative patty and gooey vegan American cheese, Crunchywraps filled with walnut chorizo, dairy-free nacho cheese, and cashew sour cream. Later this year, Street Beet plans to relocate to a permanent location of its own in Corktown. Online ordering is available.
Best for: Vibey, vegan brunches with live DJ sets.
Rosa Maria Zamarrón
Vecino
Price range: $$$$
Sporting Detroit’s first heirloom nixtamal program in a restaurant setting, the Eater Award-winning Vecino aims to showcase a fuller expression of Mexican cuisine beyond street food with a focus on painstaking technique and creativity. A team of chefs currently helm the kitchen: Edgar Torres as executive chef, and co-sous chefs, Maria Rivera Negron and Rosa Montalvo, who previously worked as chef de cuisine at Puma. The crew works over an open hearth, harnessing the open flame for its menu. Expect crisp tostadas topped with buttery tuna accented with chipotle aioli and tempered with avocado; a masa section featuring quesadillas made with blue and white corn and filled with Oaxacan quesillo, epazote, and maitake mushrooms. Entrees del fuego include a whole fish in salsa roja and salsa verde. The bar boasts an impressive agave spirit and Mexican wine selection. The salsas, particularly the salsa macha, are worth ordering. Be on the lookout for specials, including a Wagyu steak set that provides the ideal showcase for the flour and corn tortillas. Reservations are available on Resy.
Must-try dish: The tlyudas here, with a crispy housemade blue corn tostada, topped with savory layers of sirloin, chorizo, beans, fresh greens, and quesillo, offer Detroiters a taste of Oaxaca.
Rosa Maria Zamarrón
Freya & Dragonfly
Open for: Dinner
Price range: $$$$
This restaurant-and-bar duo offers dinner and drinks in one building. Diners can experience a multi-course menu that may last several hours and highlights the bounty of each season, starting at $95 for a five-course option and $155 for the nine-course chef’s tasting route that features dishes that the kitchen is most excited about. The menu rotates with the seasons, and recent items have included Island Creek oysters accompanied with compressed melon, Michigan baby carrots charred with toasted pistachio, Michigan sweet corn agnolotti, and chocolate almond custard. The space feels very relaxed, with a minimal and elegant dining area that features exposed brick and a host stand made of reclaimed wood. An open kitchen allows diners to witness the kitchen team at work. One unexpected element: Diners can select songs to play while they eat, thanks to the restaurant’s robust collection of vinyls. Next door, the Dragonfly bar boasts a low-ABV menu along with a lineup of signature cocktails that changes regularly, as well as creative bar bites like duck tenders. The spot frequently opens up its space for up-and-coming chefs like the women of Fried Chicken & Caviar, who’ve hosted the Communion Sunday brunch pop-up experience featuring a curated drink menu, special food items, and an eclectic playlist.
Vibe check: If you’re curious about Freya’s offerings but aren’t ready to commit to a full tasting menu experience, opt for the a la carte menu, a recent addition, available Tuesdays through Thursdays. A somewhat rare offering for an elegant night out on a weekday in the city.
Search for reservations
Oak & Reel
Open for: Dinner
Price range: $$$
Coastal Italian seafood dishes star on the menu at Oak and Reel. Michigan native chef Jared Gadbaw developed his knowledge of Italian seafood while working at a two-Michelin-starred New York restaurant before returning to the Great Lakes region to establish his own restaurant in Milwaukee Junction. Diners can order Oak and Reel’s raw oysters and other menu staples that have included roasted swordfish; snail-shaped lumache pasta with squid ink, shrimp, crab, and herbs; or salt-baked branzino with salsa verde and seasonal garnishes — all set in a chic, minimalist interior that features exposed ceilings, soft lighting, and a ground-level view of the Boulevard. In addition, the Upright, a cozy bar and lounge, is situated beneath the restaurant. Visitors at the bar can enjoy cocktails and small plates like bolognese arancini, and cacio e pepe pasta fritti — crispy pasta bites with parmesan and pepper.
The move: Beyond offering exquisite options for coastal Italian, Oak & Reel regularly hosts events featuring visiting chefs, wine tastings, and more. Take a look at the restaurant’s OpenTable page for inspiration.
Oak and Reel/Karmen Wettlin
Shangri-La
Open for: Lunch and dinner
Price range: $$
This Cantonese restaurant in the Cass Corridor is a popular destination for all-day dim sum, with dishes that include steamed pork buns, rice rolls, savory pancakes with garlic and chives, as well as a variety of curries, noodle dishes like Singapore rice vermicelli, and hot and sour soup. Though the space can get crowded, its unpretentious setting — with two- and four-seat tables, along with limited bar seating — makes for a familiar place to dine in (and good people-watching on any day of the week), although takeout is popular, too.
Must try: Shangri-La is a rare Detroit option for roasted duck, which can be ordered whole for $48 or half for $28; the two-course Beijing duck entree is $58 for whole or $32 for half. Or, opt for the roasted duck noodle soup for $15.
Shangri-La
Alpino
Open for: Dinner and weekend brunch
Price range: $$$
In a time when new restaurants are embracing the maximalist “more is more” ethos, Alpino takes a more subtle approach. Appointed in neutral and soft lighting, this Corktown Eater Award-winning restaurant offers diners a balance of modern and familiar. Menu highlights include an herbaceous güurkensalat accented with edible marigold petals and dill, a generously sized wienerschnitzel made with breaded Strauss veal and a creamy morel rahmsauce, and pastas like a ragu tagliatelle with Piedmontese beef. Sunday brunches finish with fondue service, and, thanks to the inventive work of bar manager Andre Sykes, cocktails draw inspiration from the geography and flavor of the Alps. Such is the case with La Vie en Rose, which combines pink Norden Aquavit, mulberry-infused dry vermouth, and orange bitters. Owner David Richter has a background in wine himself, so take a moment to pore over the wine list. Reservations are recommended, and for an even more elaborate experience, a tasting menu is also available.
Vibe check: Folks looking for a vibey weeknight spot should head down to Alpino’s cellar on Tuesdays where they can take in live musical performances for a $10 cover.
Fatima Syed
Selden Standard
Open for: Dinner
Price range: $$$
This dinner-only restaurant — focused primarily on using seasonal, locally grown ingredients for its inventive small plates and mains — takes diners into a beautifully restored interior with reclaimed wood, subway tile walls, and a minimalist aesthetic. Think seared halloumi with rhubarb, za’atar, and turnip; grilled octopus with heirloom beans, jalapeño, and lemon; and buttermilk panna cotta made with strawberry granita, cherries, and graham cracker crumbs, just to name a few past dishes that have left an impression. The drinks are equally intentional, with ample use of seasonal fruit, local herbs or shrubs, and house-made syrups. Reservations are available.
Know before you go: Looking for an elegant dining option at home? Selden Standard offers carryout.
Mudgie’s Deli and Bar
Open for: Breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner
Price range: $$
With its friendly staff, lunch, beer, and wine offerings, Mudgie’s Deli continues to serve as a community gathering place for Corktown. Dig into excellent sandwiches like the Mayor — featuring salami, turkey, cheddar, banana peppers, romaine lettuce, and chipotle mayo on rye bread. The indoor dining space gives off old-school deli vibes with lived-in hardwood floors and casual seating, while the bar and outdoor patio areas are charming additions to the neighborhood. Placing an order to go? Online ordering is available and don’t forget to pick up a bottle of wine from the bottle shop.
Must try: Be sure to order the Brooklyn — one of the deli’s OG offerings. It’s served warm and features house-smoked beef brisket, applewood-smoked bacon, beer pub cheese, and caramelized maple onions on a brioche roll.
Warda Pâtisserie
Open for: Morning and daytime
Price range: $$
Eater Award-winning bakery Warda Patisserie serves some of Detroit’s best desserts from its understated cafe on West Alexandrine. Owner Warda Bouguettaya — who won the 2022 James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef — specializes in stunning tarts, pastries, and bread influenced by her world travels. Look out for options like pear and almond frangipane tarts, quiche, and cream-filled maritozzi. Diners can hang awhile in the bistro-style seating area with a latte or take their pastries to go. Online ordering is available.
Must try: Yes, absolutely indulge in Warda’s sweet treats, but don’t sleep on the shop’s savory options, which include a flaky torta made with puff pastry and filled with roasted local oyster mushrooms.
Bar Pigalle
Open for: Dinner and Sunday brunch
Price range: $$$
Bar Pigalle takes a cue from Detroit’s reputation as the Paris of the Midwest with this dramatically renovated space set on the ground level of the historic Carlton Lofts in Brush Park. Behind the restaurant are hospitality veterans Joseph Allerton and Travis Fourmont (of the shuttered Michael Symon’s Roast), along with chef Norm Valenti. The Eater Award-winning spot is named after the Parisian neighborhood Quartier Pigalle — home of the Moulin Rouge. Expect a variety of hot or cold small plates like heirloom carrots, red snapper crudo, and an American wagyu steak and frites, along with an impressive drink menu featuring a wide variety of beers, wines, and refreshing takes on classic drinks like a Parisian Painkiller made with Pierre Ferrand 1840, Vadouvan syrup, coconut, and sour orange.
Vibe check: Bar Pigalle offers an elegant, low-key option for Sunday brunch, featuring a decadent Croque Madam made with sourdough and city ham with a sunnyside egg.
Search for reservations
Bureau Detroit
Leña
Open for: Dinner
Price range: $$$
Spanish for firewood, Leña draws inspiration from two renowned culinary regions in Spain, using open-flame cooking with a hearth fueled by Michigan-sourced oak, cherry, and applewood. Helming the kitchen are executive chef Mike Conrad, sous chef Marcello Molteni, and celebrated pastry chef Lena Sareini. The rotating menu of pintxos, tapa-sized entradas, and generous entrees are perfect for sharing amongst a group and rotate frequently. Regionally-inspired items can range from bite-sized portions of bacalao croquetas and empanadillas stuffed with Moorish-spiced roasted lamb to principales like an exquisite grilled sea bream with a hazelnut romesco and a dry-aged bife a la brasa. Order wine by the bottle or selection from the cocktail menu, which includes a selection of Spanish-style gin tonics. Reservations are available on Resy.
Vibe check: Take in a Spanish-style happy hour right in Brush Park from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Monday. Expect half-off wine, sherry, beer, and cider by the glass, along with snacks like marinated olives, grilled romanesko, and croquetas de bacalao.
Rosa Maria Zamarrón
The Hudson Cafe
Open for: Brunch and lunch
Price range: $$
This quintessential all-day brunch spot has been a downtown stalwart for more than a decade. The restaurant, named after the city’s famous former department store called Hudson’s, has a reputation for its mountain of savory and sweet breakfast dishes, so much so that lines can usually be seen overflowing onto Woodward on any given weekend. The red velvet pancakes with a generous cream cheese drizzle and the voodoo eggs Benedict with corn cakes, Spanish chorizo, cheddar cheese, and ranchero sauce are legendary. Fresh-squeezed juice, teas, coffee, and espresso drinks are available, as are brunch-worthy cocktails like the Pancake Breakfast Shot made with TAP Canadian maple whisky, maple-infused simple syrup, orange juice, and a slice of bacon. Online ordering is available.
Know before you go: As an alternative to searching for parking downtown, Hudson Cafe now has locations in Troy and Northville.
Search for reservations
Paradise Street Eats - Food Truck
Open for: Lunch, daytime, dinner, and evenings
Price range: $$
The franchise Paradise Biryani Pointe has become an examination of the ways that halal cuisine can span cultures with dishes like za’atar naan, Indian falafel, and paneer tikka kabobs. In 2023, owner Ali Wazne — who is Lebanese American — partnered with Srinath “Ziggy” Kalmadi, who is Indian, to launch Paradise Street Eats, a food truck situated in Greektown. Select from a variety of street snacks, including butter chicken chaat, lamb keema samosas, and a variety of savory dosa rolls. Be sure to wash down your mobile meal with a refreshing mango lassi and keep it moving. Online ordering is available.
Best for: The taco menu here is a standout and is served with a choice of crispy or tandoori butter chicken, butter paneer, and other proteins and folded into two pieces of chapati — which makes an excellent alternative to a tortilla.
Fatima Syed
Louisiana Creole Gumbo
Open for: Lunch and dinner
Price range: $$
Spiced gumbo loaded with seafood is the main event at this decades-old carryout restaurant and micro-chain that originated near Eastern Market. At this Detroit institution, the gumbo is packed with shrimp, sausage, cut okra, and a proprietary blend of seasonings and shares space on the menu with other Bayou favorites like red beans and rice, jambalaya, and shrimp po’boys made with a crackly baguette. The original Eastern Market area spot shuttered in late 2023 as ownership made way for a new spruced-up and larger location too not far away, at 2830 Gratiot Avenue. Online ordering is available.
Best for: Quick service and hearty portions, particularly comforting during a chilly day in Detroit.
Louisiana Creole Gumbo
Marrow
Open for: Lunch and dinner
Price range: $$$
Named one of Eater’s best new restaurants in 2019, Marrow has been a crucial source for everything from local meats and cheeses to flour and beer and wine. The West Village butcher shop and restaurant features a five-course tasting menu to give diners a little taste of everything, as well as a la carte options like roasted bone marrow, local maitake, crayfish dumplings, ricotta gnocchi, or the baklava doughnut, which resembles a beignet with its airy, crispy layers of honey and candied nuts. The kitchen is helmed by chef Sarah Welch, who, on top of running a restaurant, has been a contestant on two seasons of Top Chef. For a more elaborate affair, be sure to look into Marrow’s five-course chef’s tasting dinner for $90. Marrow is also expanding its footprint, with plans to open an ambitious space in Eastern Market and, in late 2024 the crew launched a casual outpost in Birmingham. Reservations are available on Resy.
Vibe check: In 2024, Marrow added a lunch menu, available 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, making it one of a small number of fine dining establishments in the city to offer daytime service.
Sister Pie
Open for: Mornings and daytime
Price range: $
Sister Pie is a nationally renowned Detroit bakery with a fresh rotation of pie flavors rolling out monthly. Expect the unexpected in seasonal pie flavors, ranging from Michigan strawberry, rhubarb, and lavender; toasted marshmallow butterscotch or the crowd favorite, salted maple. The shop, helmed by Eater Young Gun Lisa Ludwinski (2015), emphasizes the needs of its employees and surrounding neighbors by hiring from within the community and regularly checking in with customers to find out what they wanted to see stocked in the bakery. Take a seat in the eclectic dining area featuring cute vintage dishes and seasonal floral touches throughout the space, courtesy of Coriander Kitchen and Farm. When planning for the holidays, be sure to pay close attention to Sister Pie’s pre-ordering process so as not to miss out on the most popular pies in the city.
Vibe check: Be your own pastry chef at home by learning some of the tricks of the trade by attending one of Sister Pie’s classes. Learn how to make all-butter pie dough, savory hand pies, and more.
Bill Addison/Eater
Tacos Hernandez
Open for: Varies
Price range: $
Eater Award-winning taqueria Diana Gomez made 2023 the year of norteño Mexican in Detroit with the El Paso-style brisket she sells out of her Tacos Hernandez food truck. The brilliantly painted truck regularly rotates its location so Detroiters can enjoy Gomez’s brisket, house-made flour tortillas — northern Mexican-style — and vegan-friendly options across the city. Among its regular stops are the East Warren Farmers Market and the Schvitz. Be sure to follow the truck’s social media to find out where Tacos Hernandez will pop up next.
Know before you go: In addition to its regional offerings of tacos, head over to Craig’s Coffee where you’ll find Tacos Hernandez’s scrumptious breakfast burritos filled with brisket or white oyster mushrooms, potatoes, eggs, and green chiles — all stuffed into housemade flour tortillas.
Fatima Syed
Coriander Kitchen and Farm
Open for: Lunch and dinner
Price range: $$
If you can’t go to Venice or Amsterdam, canal-side dining in Jefferson Chalmers might be the next best thing. This casual spot offers a garden-like setting with views of the water — some folks even kayak to the restaurant. The space is romantic without being pretentious; the oft-changing menu features local produce. Expect casual, satisfying dishes, like the spot’s popular smoked fish dip with a blend of whitefish and trout, a 6-ounce burger made with Michigan ground beef dry-aged by the folks at Marrow in the West Village neighborhood, and seasonal salads made with locally grown greens. The canal-side destination also features extended daytime hours during the week, a grab-and-go retail section, space for private events, and community-focused programming, including live music nights. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended.
Know before you go: As of Sunday, April 6, Sunday brunch has ended to make way for the upcoming summer menu, but don’t fret. Brunch will resume during the winter months.
GB in Detroit
