The best restaurants in Detroit are hidden gems among the Nation’s most loved eateries.
You probably already know that the Motor City is known best for the incredible impact its made on the automotive industry, however, did you know that the restaurant scene is more than alive and well in Detroit? That’s right, Motown has more types of restaurants than some towns even have individual restaurants, period. Fine dining, Mediterranean, steak, seafood, hot dogs and more, Detroit’s got it. The city even has its type of Pizza, started back in the mid-1940’s. Its square around the edges and something between a hand-tossed and deep dish pie. Here is our list of the 19 best restaurants in Detroit to hit up on your next trip to the City.
1. Selden Standard
Credit: Selden Standard
The Selden Standard is the first of the Motor City’s finest establishments to make our list of the best restaurants in Detroit. This classic cafe serves American cuisine with a menu that changes with the seasons. Selden Standard’s food comes from local farms and they always prepare it in an old-timey wood-fueled oven. Unlike many popular Detroit cafes, the Selden Standard is also a bar as well. The drink list consists of cocktails and brews from around the world including several from local microbreweries. Selden Standard was named 2016 restaurant of the year by Hour Detroit and again in 2015 by Detroit Free Press. The cafe has a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating via TripAdvisor traveler reviews.
2. Giovanni’s
Speaking of Italian joints, there are no better Italian restaurants in Detroit than Giovanni’s. At Giovanni’s, you will experience Italian cuisine like nowhere else in the Motor City. The restaurant is as well-known for its magically charming atmosphere as it for its prime cuts of meat, homemade pasta, and specialty wines. Other specialties of Giovanni’s include Chef Randy Truant as well as their “padrona” Frances Truant. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch, dinner, and late night meals. They also offer takeout, private dining, reservations, valet parking, and have a full bar. There are four main areas to dine in at Giovanni’s. The Godfather Room, for business meetings, the Wine Room, for a romantic setting, and the Speak Easy, for more of a party vibe. You can expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $75. Giovanni’s has a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating via TripAdvisor reviews.
3. Supino Pizzeria
Credit: Supina Pizzeria
If you are a fan of the awesomeness known as Pizza, you will not want to miss out on the Supino Pizzeria. This Italian pizzeria is one of the best restaurants in Detroit to pick up a hot pie, to say the very least. They even have their signature pizza, the Supino; it comes with roasted garlic, black olives, chili oil, ricotta, mozzarella. Supino’s is kid-friendly, open Tuesday through Saturday, and carry-out is available as well as dine-in seating. The joint is also vegetarian-friendly, so there are plenty of vegan options as well. You can expect to spend at least $10 to $15 on a pizza. The pizzeria has a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating based on TripAdvisor traveler reviews.
4. Mercury Burger Bar
If you’re anything like me, when it comes to food, there is little that you enjoy more than a well-made hamburger. That said, the Mercury Burger Bar is one of the first restaurants that burger lovers needs to hit in Detroit. A family-friendly American pub offering beers and burgers, with vegetarian-friendly menu options as well, the Mercury Burger Bar is great even for those who don’t eat burgers. The restaurant is open for lunch, dinner, brunch, and late night Sunday through Thursday. They have indoor and outdoor seating as well as takeout service, a full bar, and TVs. This burger joint has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from TripAdvisor reviews. It has also been praised in several publications including Real Detroit Weekly, Curbed Detroit, and Thrillist.
5. Dime Store
Credit: Dime Store
What food list is complete without a classic American diner? The Dime Store is just that and more. An American diner and bar with vegetarian menu options to boot. Whether you’re in the mood for a shot of liquor, a burger, a beer, or a chicken sandwich, the Dime Store has you covered. The diner offers lunch, brunch, and breakfast. It also has street parking, takeout, and accepts most major credit cards. Expect to pay somewhere between $5 and $15 for a full meal. The Dime Store has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on TripAdvisor traveler reviews.
6. The Peterboro
Love Chinese? The Peterboro is by far one of the best restaurants in Detroit when it comes to Asian cuisine. This casual restaurant sits in historic Detroit Chinatown. The Peterboro has a modern American Chinese menu serving main courses, side dishes, and desserts. Also, the restaurant also has a bar with house cocktails, fine wine, craft beer and more. Vegetarian-friendly and vegan gluten-free options are available at The Peterboro. The restaurant offers takeout as well as sit-in dining. Reservations for large groups are also available. The restaurant has a 4 out of 5 stars rating via TripAdvisor reviews.
7. Ottava Via
Credit: Ottava Via
As you can probably tell by now, most of the best restaurants in Detroit have vegetarian and vegan options. But what about full-out vegan eateries? The Motor City’s Ottava Via has done more to gain the reputation of the best vegan place in Detroit. This Italian restaurant serves pizza, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menu items seven days a week. They have indoor and outdoor seating as well as takeout; reservations are also available. There are few food spots in Detroit that have such a naturally romantic atmosphere. Ottava Via has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by TripAdvisor reviews.
8. London Chop House
If steak happens to be your thing, then you’re going to love the London Chop House. It is without a doubt one of the best restaurants in Detroit as far as steak is concerned. The famous steakhouse started back in the 1930s, founded by the Gruber brothers. The London Chop House has been one of the favorite restaurants in Detroit of social Elites such as celebrities and executive types. At the height of its popularity, during the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, the steakhouse received numerous awards. The steakhouse has an impressive wine selection as well as a menu with several delicious fine dining selections including beef, pork, and freshwater fish. There is a full bar, valet parking, and the option of private dining.
It is a lovely restaurant for special occasions and reservations are accepted. London Chop House of Detroit is open Monday through Saturday for lunch, dinner, and late night food. It is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars via TripAdvisor reviews.
9. Lafayette Coney Island
Credit: Lafayette Coney Island / Facebook
Anybody whose ate at the best restaurants in Detroit will tell you to grab a bite at the Lafayette Coney Island. Famous for their Coney Island hot dogs, this All-American grub spot is perfect for lunch or dinner with the kids. The menu consists of favorites such as hot dogs, burgers, gyros, fries, salads and more. Lafayette Coney Island is open all week long and offers both seating and carry-out. The restaurant has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from TripAdvisor reviews.
10. Pegasus
When it comes to Greek and Mediterranean cuisine in the Motor City, Pegasus is the number one name in the business, no questions asked. Family-owned and casual, the Pegasus offers all your favorite traditional Greek tastes. They even have sweets, pastries, and cheese that you can order to go. The place is known for having a charming and engaging staff as well as extremely generous portions. For a romantic evening or a family gathering, Pegasus is second to none. The restaurant is open seven days a week and also stays open late (until 3:00 am on weekdays and 4:00 am on the weekends), so its practically never too late to eat great! They offer seating, takeout, a full bar, private dining, and reservations as well. Pegasus has a 4 out of 5 stars rating based on TripAdvisor reviews.
11. Hudson Cafe
Credit: Hudson Cafe / Facebook
The Hudson Cafe sits in the dead center of Detroit’s downtown area. When it comes to breakfast, there is none that do it better in the Motor City. Coffee, brunch, lunch, breakfast foods and to-go meals are just a few of the options offered by the Hudson. The cafe has free WiFi, high chairs, and comfortable seating. They also have vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menu options. The restaurant is open seven days a week. One of the greatest things about the Hudson is that If the line is too long, you can always slide over to the Hudson Cafe Coffee bar for a cup of joe or a cocktail while waiting. Regardless of how you decide to eat it, breakfast and the Hudson Cafe is a must-do for any visitor to Detroit. The Hudson Cafe has a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating based on TripAdvisor reviews.
12. SLOWS Bar BQ
Open for lunch, dinner, and late night food runs, SLOWS Bar BQ is the only barbecue spot you need to know in Detroit. After opening back in 2005, the restaurant began gaining notoriety for its elite barbecue and good taste in craft beer as well as its dedication to the locals. Today, SLOWS is unquestionably one of the best restaurants in Detroit. It has even won numerous awards as well as appearing on TV an in local publications. With 36 draft taps and a diverse menu of Motor City-style barbecue, SLOWS is easily among the finest barbecue restaurants in Detroit.
You can expect to pay around $20 per person. SLOWS is open all week for lunch, dinner, and late night food. They have indoor and outdoor seating as well as a bar, WiFi, and takeout options. It is a great option for having a drink with friends or family. TripAdvisor travelers rate SLOWS 4.5 out of 5 stars.
13. Michael Symon’s Roast
Credit: Michael Symon's Roast / Facebook
Fine dining options in Motown are just as versatile as much larger cities such as Chicago and Los Angeles. From Italian and French food to Seafood and Middle Eastern cuisine, if you can crave it, you can find it in Detroit. Michael Symon’s Roast is among the very finest of the Motor City’s fine dining venues. The restaurant has the atmosphere of a steakhouse and has a contemporary American menu. They also have a bar which opens at 4:00 pm daily, and happy hour Monday through Friday from 4:30 to 6:30 (only at the bar).
You can expect to pay between $50 and $100 per person depending on your dining and wine selections. Reservations are available, as are private dining, valet and validated parking, as well as free WiFi. Michael Symon’s Roast is an excellent venue for business meetings, large get-togethers, and romantic occasions as well. It has a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating via TripAdvisor reviews.
14. Orchid Thai
As with any other major city, the food scene is not quite complete with a versatile selection of Asian restaurants. That includes Thai food, and in Detroit, Orchid Thai is the current reigning champion of that arena. With homemade recipes that date back for generations, few Thai restaurants in the entire country offer such an authentic similarity to what you would get in Bangkok. Open for lunch and dinner, with takeout available as well, the Orchid’s Thai menu consists of favorite Asian, Thai, vegetarian and vegan-friendly options. It is open Monday through Sunday for lunch, brunch, and dinner. The restaurant has a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating based on TripAdvisor reviews.
15. Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine
Credit: Vicente's Cuban Cuisine
Detroit is truly a city of culinary wonders, practically any ethnic cuisine you can think of is available somewhere through-out the Motor City. As far as Cuban food goes, there are a handful of restaurants serving up authentic dishes. Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine is one such eatery offering Cuban, Spanish, Latin, and Caribbean recipes passed down by the Vazquez family. The restaurant is open for lunch, dinner, and late night all week long. There is indoor and outdoor seating, TV, a full bar, and take out as well. For large groups with kids, as well as for those rare special occasions, Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine is the place to be. The restaurant has a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating via TripAdvisor reviews.
16. Le Petit Zinc
What city’s food-scene is well-balanced without at least one fine French restaurant? Thankfully, Motown has Le Petit Zinc. The restaurant is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and sits right in the middle of Detroit. Its name “Le Petit Zinc” is French for “local bar.” However, this spot is much more than a simple bar. It has gourmet French food, indoor and outdoor seating, and take out as well. As far as the actual food goes, the kitchen staff uses all organic and local ingredients whenever possible and take extreme pride in their food quality. They also have vegan-friendly menu options as well. Le Petit Zinc is rated 4 out of 5 stars from TripAdvisor reviews.
17. Bucharest Grill
Credit: Bucharest Grill / Facebook
In Detroit, you will be hard pressed to find better Mediterranean food than at Bucharest Grill. Bucharest Grill started up around a decade ago and has quickly gained a spot at the top of Detroit’s finest eateries. With everything from American classics to dishes from Romania and the Middle East on the menu, the kitchen puts there very own twist on every meal served. They also offer a few original recipes that you won’t find in any other kitchen in the world. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner every day of the week, they offer indoor seating, delivery, and carry out. It is safe to say that there isn’t another restaurant in Motown quite like it. It has a 4.5 out of 5 stars via TripAdvisor reviews.
18. Taqueria Mi Pueblo
Perhaps the finest of all Mexican restaurants in Detroit, Taqueria Mi Pueblo. Based on the traditional recipes of Jalisco, Mexico, the restaurant offers a diverse range of Mexican, Spanish, Latin, vegetarian, and gluten-free menu options. Hand selected chilies, pork, chicken, and grilled steak are just a few customer favorites. It is open for lunch, brunch, dinner, and late night food runs, all week long. Television, highchairs, WiFi, a full bar, indoor seating, and takeout are a few of the options offered by Taqueria Mi Pueblo. Expect to pay around $20 per person. The restaurant has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars rating via TripAdvisor reviews.
19. Joe Muer Seafood
Credit: Joe Muer Seafood
For fish-lovers, one of the best seafood restaurants in Detroit is Joe Muer Seafood, hands down. Initially began back in the late 1920s, this popular seafood restaurant draws its retro theme from the 1960s. There are few eateries in the Motor City serving up so many combinations of fresh fish and seafood specialties, for sure. However, if everyone in your party isn’t feeling the fish, that’s OK too. Joe Muer’s also offers American classic and vegan menu options as well. Open seven days a week for lunch, dinner, brunch, and late night urges. The restaurant is a great spot for family get-togethers, large groups, and special occasions. It offers indoor and outdoor seating, valet parking, a full bar, private dining, and more.
Reservations are also accepted. You can expect to pay between $30 and $50 per plate. The restaurant has a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating based on TripAdvisor reviews and has received awards from Hour Detroit, Metro Times, and many others.
The next time you’re passing through, treat yourself and pop on into one of the 19 best restaurants in Detroit!
Whether you prefer fine dining or grabbing a few bites to go, these restaurants are sure to please even the most hardcore food, critics. From French, Thai, and Mexican, to Cuban, Classic America, and Seafood, the best restaurants in Detroit do not disappoint!
Have you recently eaten at one of the best restaurants in Detroit on our list? Or perhaps you know about another of the best restaurants in Detroit worthy of sharing with our readers? Either way, feel free to leave us a comment in the section below!
Bon Appetit!
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