Detroit is a city that knows how to impress, from its rich automotive legacy and vibrant art scene to its steadily rising culinary reputation. When it comes to dining and sipping in the Motor City, there are restaurants and bars located along the river and in the taller buildings in the city, offering truly unforgettable views. Whether it’s a sweeping panorama of the Detroit River, a rooftop glance at the city’s skyline and Windsor, or a cozy perch overlooking the bustling city streets or canal-side dining, these restaurants and bars deliver on atmosphere. If you’re looking to elevate your next night out, here are the top spots in Detroit where the view is just as satisfying as what’s on the plate or in the glass.
The Best Detroit Restaurants and Bars With Amazing Views
These spots serve up canalside scenery, skyline views, and riverfront patios — sometimes even with a docks for your boat
New to the Map: Since the last update, several notable venues have closed including Pinky’s in Royal Oak and Rattlesnake Club. Cøllect relocated and Pocket Change took its place. Parc and the Waterfront Wyandotte are also departing to make way for Zef’s Dockside, Downriver newcomer Latitudes, and Captain Jim’s Marina & Bar.
— Additional reporting by Serena Maria Daniels
The Best Detroit Restaurants and Bars With Amazing Views
These spots serve up canalside scenery, skyline views, and riverfront patios — sometimes even with a docks for your boat
Detroit is a city that knows how to impress, from its rich automotive legacy and vibrant art scene to its steadily rising culinary reputation. When it comes to dining and sipping in the Motor City, there are restaurants and bars located along the river and in the taller buildings in the city, offering truly unforgettable views. Whether it’s a sweeping panorama of the Detroit River, a rooftop glance at the city’s skyline and Windsor, or a cozy perch overlooking the bustling city streets or canal-side dining, these restaurants and bars deliver on atmosphere. If you’re looking to elevate your next night out, here are the top spots in Detroit where the view is just as satisfying as what’s on the plate or in the glass.
New to the Map: Since the last update, several notable venues have closed including Pinky’s in Royal Oak and Rattlesnake Club. Cøllect relocated and Pocket Change took its place. Parc and the Waterfront Wyandotte are also departing to make way for Zef’s Dockside, Downriver newcomer Latitudes, and Captain Jim’s Marina & Bar.
— Additional reporting by Serena Maria Daniels
Captain Jim’s Marina & Bar
This local watering hole is a transformed pole barn that is accessible via land or boat and is home to Downriver’s walleye tournament. The rolling garage doors open up to allow in a breeze from the river, and live music is frequently featured. Guests can enjoy a selection of domestic cold beers by the bucket and cocktails, along with a selection of hot dogs, smash burgers, and chicken strips. Call to place a carryout order.
Captain Jim’s Marina & Bar
Latitudes Restaurant
Docking is available on a first-come, first-served basis at this new Downriver addition, located in the former Portofino restaurant space. The new menu embraces seafood with dishes like bluefin tuna crudo, yellowtail Florida snapper, and a wine menu that leans heavily toward the California labels. The atrium has been converted to include rolling doors that open directly to the patio and allow an open-air dining experience. There’s also a large alfresco space with sundeck loungers for guests to enjoy the river view. Reservations are encouraged.
Latitudes Restaurant
Joe Muer Seafood
With sweeping views of the Detroit River and Windsor from the Renaissance Center, this is the spot for every occasion, especially with a weekday happy hour that runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the bar. The menu consists of, you guessed it, seafood — from colossal shrimp cocktail, to king crab legs and Maine lobster.
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Joe Muer Seafood
Highlands
Gaze at the Detroit and Windsor skyline from the 71st floor of the Ren Cen, which has 360 views of the city. Dishes such as 45-day dry-aged tomahawk of Linz Heritage Prime Angus beef, served with a gem lettuce salad, whipped potato puree, red wine-braised onions, and asparagus, make this steakhouse a celebratory spot for the big occasions. Belly up to the high bar for a cocktail or choose a glass from their extensive wine list. Reservations are
GB in Detroit
Lumen Detroit
With 360-degree rooftop views of downtown Detroit and Beacon Park, Lumen’s 45 rooftop seats are prime spots for kicking back with a Griffin Claw Mr. Blue Sky. Take a peek over the park or the neighboring Grand Army of the Republic castle while sipping Delerium Tremens paired with a seared filet of Great Lakes walleye.
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Wright & Company
Tucked two stories up in a historic building, Wright and Company offers excellent views of Detroit’s main thoroughfare, Woodward Avenue. Snack on shared plates of crispy chickpeas, pork belly sliders, and shaved cucumber Caesar. Be sure to also snag an order of the homemade potato chips topped with cheddar cheese sauce, bacon, tomato relish, and chives, and thank us later. Reservations are available.
The Monarch Club
One of the highest rooftop patios in the city, the Monarch Club is perched atop the Metropolitan Building. It’s a chill and elegant place to sip classic cocktails and enjoy small plates while taking in sweeping views of downtown Detroit from three terraces. Make a reservation for seating with a fire pit.
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Atwater Brewery & Tap House
Atwater Brewery has a rooftop beer garden, with seating for 65, that affords views of the Detroit River and the historic Rivertown Warehouse District. The bar is perched above the company’s brewhouse (accessed via an outdoor stairway) and has a rotating tap menu centered on the lighter lagers and ales, like Dirty Blonde Ale and Whango Mango Wheat. Online ordering for carryout is available.
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Atwater
Pocket Change
Follow the neon cocktail sign across from the Gratiot Central Meat Market, head up the stairs, and enjoy rooftop views that overlook Eastern Market. The cocktail bar resides in the space formerly occupied by Cøllect Beer Bar, which decamped to Detroit’s East Village area in 2024. The rooftop occasionally hosts local pop-ups for food and sounds by local DJs — keep an eye on Pocket Change’s social media for more details.
Mark Kurlyandchik/Booth One Creative
Sindbad’s Restaurant
This dockside restaurant has been serving seafood to Detroit’s boating crowd for the last 75 years. Boaters can anchor in Sindbad’s marina and head up to the dining room for sprawling waterfront views and a feast of rock lobster tails and fried shrimp. Seating is first-come, first-served, and takeout is available.
Joe Kennedy/Sindbad’s
Coriander Kitchen and Farm
The sunny, spacious canalside patio at Coriander Kitchen & Farm is a stellar spot to grab a bite and some drinks and enjoy the outdoors. Because of the restaurant’s close proximity to the Jefferson Chalmers waterways, diners can easily drive, bike, walk, or even paddle in. Enjoy a farm margarita and a Marrow burger, alongside the restaurant’s other farm-grown delicacies, on the spacious, canal-adjacent patio. Reservations are encouraged for the dining room and greenhouse patio, outdoor seating is walk-ins only.
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Zef’s Dockside Bar & Kitchen
This dockside bar and kitchen has a menu filled with classics like eggrolls, fried-chicken cutlet Caesar salad, burgers, and tacos, available in the main dining room. On the second level, the kitchen serves popcorn fries, shrimp and fries tossed in a garlic Parmesan and Cajun seasoning, lobster rolls, and flatbread pizzas complete with views of the Michigan shoreline.
Zef’s Dockside
Watermark Bar and Grille
Arrive by boat or car to Watermark, which is located in Safe Harbor Jefferson Beach Marina. The year-round waterfront destination serves American pub grub and surf-and-turf selections such as salmon bites, lettuce wraps, octopus, and chicken piccata meatballs. The outside deck includes a tiki bar and has seating for 125.
Watermark Bar & Grille
Mike's on the Water
With its nautical aesthetic and ample space in the marina for boat docking, Mike’s on the Water in St. Clair Shores is popular with locals spending a day out near the Michigan Harbor Marina. Sip chilled cocktails in plastic cups on the lively waterfront patio or on the rooftop while filling up on its acclaimed lobster rolls.
Mike’s on the Water
