15 Best Restaurants in Ann Arbor MI You Must Try

Looking for restaurants in Ann Arbor Michigan to try? If so, then here is a list of the best restaurants in Ann Arbor you must try.

Ann Arbor is one of the top places to visit in Michigan that offers a lot of activities and attractions for visitors to explore. From quirky museums to famous colleges, there are many amazing places to visit in Ann Arbor.

Since this city in the Midwest is home to the prestigious University of Michigan, it is home to a diverse population. This is one of the reasons why you will find a wide variety of restaurant options available here.

So, if you are looking for the best places to eat in Ann Arbor, then check out this article. Here is a list of the 15 best restaurants in Ann Arbor that you simply must try!

15 Best Restaurants in Ann Arbor MI You Must Try

Knight’s Steakhouse

If you are looking for a family-friendly, casual dining experience, then Knight’s Steakhouse is the best restaurant in Ann Arbor to check out.

Owned by the Knight family, it was introduced in 1984 and has been one of the best places to enjoy delicious dishes in town. The wide array of dishes served here is quite affordable and the menu includes several vegetarian and diverse options apart from steaks.

From burgers to salads, you can get it all here. However, if you do plan a visit here, then don’t forget to try their Chimichurri Hangar Steak. For vegetarians, French soup with Caesar salad is a good choice.

This is one of the top restaurants in Ann Arbor for enjoying steak.

Spencer

One of the top places to eat in Ann Arbor, Spencer is a wine bar with a gourmet menu in the downtown area. Since this restaurant is located close to the University of Michigan, it is the perfect hangout spot for college students and their friends.

For enjoying an Ann Arbor dinner or lunch, this is undoubtedly a great place. But it is more famous for its wine selection and the in-house jams, crackers, and spice mixes.

The main highlight of Spencer is that it features a changing menu as it uses the seasonal vegetables from local farms to prepare the food. Here, you can enjoy a five- or six-course meal where the lunch menu tends to be more vegetarian-friendly while the dinner is meat-friendly.

This is one of the best restaurants in Ann Arbor and their pork schnitzel is a must-try!

HopCat

When you are visiting Ann Arbor, one of the best things to do here is enjoy the local brew along with delicious fares. And what better Ann Arbor restaurant and bar to try than HopCat!

This pub in the city features a casual setting and is a great place to hang out with your friends or family members.

They have a long beer list for you to choose from and a menu comprising several brunch items and pub fares.

Their grilled cheese, Vladimir Poutine, and Cowboy double burger are simply delicious. So, don’t forget to try it when visiting HopCat, one of the top restaurants in Ann Arbor.

Aventura

Aventura is one of the top places to eat in Ann Arbor and is a favorite of all the locals in this city.

This is a Spanish-center restaurant that features a tapas menu with flavorful dishes and accompaniments along with Spanish bread. It gives off a rustic ambiance in a stylish yet contemporary setting.

It is one of the top Ann Arbor restaurants to try Spanish food in the city. A few must-try dishes here are bacon-wrapped dates and coles des Bruselas for vegetarians.

Aventura is definitely one of the best restaurants in Ann Arbor for having tapas, paellas, and delicious cocktails.

Zingerman’s Roadhouse

Looking for a good Ann Arbor dinner place? Then, check out Zingerman’s Roadhouse. This is the best restaurant in Ann Arbor that serves comfort food along with southern-style BBQ, steak, and a meat plate menu.

That’s not all, they also have numerous variations of macaroni and cheese combinations available in their menu. Depending on your mood, you can dine in the large outdoor patio area or the indoor dining room.

Make sure you try their buttermilk biscuits with blackberry patch, pimento cheese, and bacon macaroni, or applewood smoked bacon with pimento cheese.

Whether you are looking to enjoy an outdoor picnic with your friends, a dinner party with family, or a to-go coffee for a road trip, Zingerman’s Roadhouse is one of the best restaurants in Ann Arbor.

Black Pearl Is One Of The Best Restaurants in Ann Arbor Michigan

Located in downtown Ann Arbor, Black Pearl is one of the best Ann Arbor restaurants that you simply cannot skip.

This restaurant in Ann Arbor comes with an outdoor seating arrangement, making it great for casual meet-ups and romantic dates in the city.

It offers a cool and comfortable dining experience with a great selection of seafood fares, cocktails, and music.

From tacos to pasta, you will get all kinds of amazing dishes here. However, if you love seafood, then you cannot go wrong with swordfish, fish tacos, and tuna tartare here.

Black Pearl is one of the top restaurants in Ann Arbor to try seafood.

The Earle Restaurant

The Earle Restaurant is one of the favorite Ann Arbor restaurants for trying French and Italian food in Ann Arbor.

This classy wine and dine bar features live jazz music nights throughout the week.

On the weekend, their house band, Jazz Trip, entertains guests. During the week live piano and jazz guitar performers entrance the audience.

One of the highlights about dining here is their extensive wine list. They have won the Wine Spectator awards for several years due to it.

But let’s not forget the delicious food offered here. You must try their crab cake sliders, risotto croquettes, and Earle sliders.

Honestly, it is one of the classiest restaurants in Ann Arbor, perfect for planning a romantic evening or getaway with your partner.

Seva Ann Arbor

Seva Ann Arbor is a popular vegetarian-vegan Ann Arbor restaurant. This is a bright, cool, and casual restaurant where you can find all your favorite dishes’ veggie equivalent.

Here, you can get everything from pesto pizza to pad thai. The best part about this restaurant is that they also serve family home meals that you can take away to eat later.

Also, they have a special kids’ menu with both vegan and vegetarian options.

For people with a gluten allergy, there is a gluten-free menu available here too.

Apart from food, this place also has an extensive list of wines but you should try one of their trademark smoothies. In food, don’t miss out on the yam fries and the General Tso’s cauliflower here.

Overall, this is one of the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Ann Arbor.

The Lunch Room – Bakery & Cafe

For dessert lovers, one of the best Ann Arbor restaurants to try is The Lunch Room Bakery & Cafe. Well, that’s not all.

This vegan restaurant also serves a variety of plant-based dishes including burritos, tacos, breakfast sandwiches, bagels, and more.

Moreover, the restaurant has a calm and trendy decor with lots of big windows and natural light coming in.

So, whether you are visiting this restaurant with a date, friends, or family, it will be perfect for you.

Out of all the vegan delicacies found here, the Reuben, veggie bibimbap, and monster cookies are a must-try here.

You also have the option of ordering gluten-free dishes here, thanks to their diverse menu.

For vegans, this is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Ann Arbor.

The Last Word

The Last Word is a popular cocktail bar that might not be as famous for its Ann Arbor food as it is well-known for its classic cocktails.

However, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a delicious menu for you to try. This cocktail bar and restaurant feature an eclectic menu that includes dishes from around the world.

Apart from cocktails and food, this restaurant also serves a variety of whiskeys, local craft beers, and wines.

It has a speakeasy vibe with a dimly-lit atmosphere, making it great for dates and friend meet-ups. When you visit this restaurant, do try the lamb sliders and poutine fries, they are simply mouth-watering.

Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger Is The Best Restaurant In Ann Arbor For Burgers

The Last Word is the oldest hamburger stand in Ann Arbor and was established in 1953.

This restaurant in Ann Arbor still features the made-to-order counter service from its inception and offers a warm and homely ambiance to the visitors.

Chat with the cooks who prepare your delicious order of grilled burgers with fries and onion rings.

Since they prepare thin burger patties, make sure you order a double patty or a triple patty burger.

From your choice of the bun to desired toppings and cheese, you can customize the burgers however you like.

So, if you are craving old-time grilled burgers or sandwiches with onion rings, then Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger is a perfect choice.

Detroit Street Filling Station

Are you vegan? If yes, then you should check out Detroit Street Filling Station near Ann Arbor Farmers Market.

This vegan cafe and bakery is the perfect place to enjoy Ann Arbor food in the patio seating area here.

At this lunch restaurant, you can get all kinds of vegan American dishes such as sandwiches, salads, wraps, snacks, and so on.

For burgers and sandwiches, this restaurant uses meat and dairy substitutes like tofu, cashew cheese, tempeh, etc.

Do not forget to try the delicious raspberry basic grilled cheese, the perfect combination of sweet and savory.

Basically, Detroit Street Filling Station is one of the best lunch restaurants in Ann Arbor for vegans.

Mani Osteria & Bar

Located in front of Liberty Square, Mani Osteria & Bar is the best Ann Arbor restaurant for Italian in the city.

This family-owned restaurant is a few blocks from the University of Michigan and has been a favorite since its opening in 2011.

With its quirky decor and warm ambiance, this restaurant is a great place to eat for family, couples, and friends.

You can enjoy their dining experience indoors or on the shady patio. Order from their extensive list of wines and cocktails to accompany the delicious woodfire pizza, homemade pasta, and more.

A few dishes that are must-try here are rosemary focaccia, Tartufo pizza, caramelized brussels sprouts, and more. This is one of the top restaurants in Ann Arbor that you cannot miss.

Tomukun Noodle Bar Is One Of the Coolest Asian Restaurants In Ann Arbor

With a wide selection of Asian food in Ann Arbor, Tomukun Noodle Bar is a favorite of both college students and locals in the city.

From ramen to pork buns, to pho, you can get all kinds of amazing Asian dishes here. Although this noodle bar began as a restaurant serving East Asian food, they now have a Korean barbeque section with tabletop grills.

It is one of the coolest places to eat in Ann Arbor MI and to visit with your friends and family. With its rich wooden interiors, this place has a classy, upscale vibe, making it perfect for dinner parties and casual hangouts.

If you do end up at this Ann Arbor restaurant, then do try their Pho, Chicken Ramen, or Korean BBQ.

Frita Batidos Is A Great Cuban Restaurant In Ann Arbor MI

Craving some Cuban food in Ann Arbor? Try Frita Batidos!

Owned by chef Eve Aronoff, Frita Batidos specializes in Cuban street food which is a novelty in this Michigan city. This is a casual, Cuban restaurant that features a formulaic menu, allowing you to make your own Cuban frita or burger.

Choose a Batidos or a topical milkshake and you are all set.

Apart from the classic combo of burgers and milkshakes, this restaurant also offers you delicious Cuban side dishes.

This can be avocado, plantains with black beans, Creme Fraiche, and so on. Do try the chorizo frita with chile mayo and tropical slaw. It is too delicious to be true.

If you have always wanted to try Cuban street food, then Frita Batidos is one of the best restaurants in Ann Arbor for it.