Looking for the best restaurants in Detroit, Michigan? You’re in for a treat!
Detroit is known for its iconic square pizza, but there’s so much more to the city’s food scene than that.
From creative American restaurants and authentic international cuisine to cozy brunch spots and unique dining experiences, Detroit has plenty of delicious places to discover.
Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner, looking for somewhere casual to grab a bite, or want to try something completely different, you’ll find some fantastic options here.
Here are 15 of the best restaurants in Detroit that you won’t want to miss!
In Michigan for a while here are some fun things to do while you are there. If you’re exploring more of the state, take a look at our Michigan road trips for some fantastic places to visit along the way.
15 Best Restaurants in Detroit, Michigan You Must Try
| Restaurant | Article Section Title |
|---|---|
| Grey Ghost Detroit | Sample Expertly Crafted Dishes at Grey Ghost Detroit |
| Baobab Fare | Experience East African Cuisine at Baobab Fare |
| Selden Standard | Selden Standard Is One of the Best Restaurants in Detroit |
| Oak & Reel | Indulge in Italian Cuisine at Oak & Reel |
| Leila | Enjoy Delicious Lebanese Cuisine at Leila |
| Street Beet | Sample the 100% Vegan Menu at Street Beet |
| Michigan & Trumbull | Try Detroit-Style Pizza at Michigan & Trumbull |
| Basan | Try Creative Asian-Inspired Dishes at Basan |
| The Whitney | Have a Romantic Dinner for Two at The Whitney |
| Dime Store | Dime Store Is the Best Brunch Restaurant in Detroit Michigan |
| Marrow in the Market | Enjoy Farm-to-Table Dining at Marrow in the Market |
| Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine | Experience a Taste of Havana at Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine |
| Takoi | Discover Bold Thai Flavours at Takoi |
| El Asador Steakhouse | Enjoy Delicious Mexican Cuisine at El Asador Steakhouse |
| Pie-Sci Pizza | Pie-Sci Pizza Is Known for Its Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free Pizza Selection |
15 Best Restaurants In Detroit MI You Must Try
Sample Expertley Crafted Dishes At Grey Ghost Detroit
Grey Ghost Detroit is a restaurant near the historic neighborhoods of Brush Park and Midtown.
Its fun name is a nod to the infamous rum runner during the prohibition era known as Grey Ghost, who was never actually caught or identified.
The team of chefs at Grey Ghost Detroit is experts in their craft.
From butchery, craft cocktails, and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s no surprise Grey Ghost is becoming one of the best Detroit restaurants.
It is one of the most popular places to eat in Detroit, so while reservations aren’t required, they are highly suggested.
On their menu, you’ll find delicious items like Sea Scallops, Scallion Pancakes, Dry Aged New York Strip, and Carrot Tartare.
They have everything from steaks to vegetarian dishes on their wide-ranging menu.
Pair your meal with one of their expertly crafted cocktails and enjoy one of the best restaurants in Detroit.
Experience East African Cuisine At Baobab Fare
If you’re looking for something a little different, Baobab Fare is one of the best restaurants in Detroit to try.
Located on Woodward Avenue, this welcoming restaurant celebrates the food and culture of Burundi, a country in East Africa.
Founded by Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere, who came to Detroit as refugees, Baobab Fare is about more than just delicious food. It’s also a celebration of community, culture, and hospitality.
Their menu features traditional East African dishes, including Nyumbani, a slow-simmered beef dish served with plantains, spinach, and rice.
You can also try Kuku, chicken cooked in a tangy mustard-onion sauce, or delicious Sambusas.
With its wonderful food and inspiring story, it’s easy to see why Baobab Fare has become one of Detroit’s most celebrated restaurants.
Selden Standard Is One Of The Best Restaurants In Detroit
Selden Standard takes pride in its rustic and casual atmosphere.
It is incredibly welcoming and encourages visitors to keep coming back.
But it isn’t just this welcoming atmosphere that has diners calling this one of the best Detroit restaurants. The seasonal menu, featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients, is another reason visitors keep coming back.
Many of the menu items are cooked using their wood-fired oven, which gives their foods an added unique flavor.
Because the menu is seasonal, it does change. But you can expect to see dishes like Roasted Cauliflower, Grilled Swordfish, Potato Gnocchi, or Pan Roasted Chicken.
But you can expect to see items like Roasted Beet Salad, Grilled Swordfish, Lamb Ragu, or Crispy Pork Belly.
With their expertly curated seasonal menu and welcoming atmosphere, it’s easy to see why Selden Standard is one of the best restaurants in Detroit Michigan.
Indulge In Italian Cuisine At Oak & Reel
Oak & Reel classifies itself as a ‘contemporary Italian restaurant with a primary focus on seafood’.
The chefs at Oak & Reel specialize in taking classic Italian recipes and making them feel authentically ‘Detroit’.
So you’ll see an influence of local flavors paired with the sort of recipes you’d expect to see at an Italian restaurant.
To add to that authentic Italian flavor, menu items at Oak & Reel are made using a wood-burning hearth.
This is a traditional way of cooking in Italy.
To enjoy this popular Detroit restaurant reservations are highly suggested, but not required.
Oak & Reel’s menu includes items like Seafood Ravioli, Prawns, Bucatini, and a selection of Raw Fish and Oysters.
End your meal with one of their amazing desserts like their Gelato or Bombolini.
Enjoy Delicious Lebanese Cuisine At Leila
Leila is a modern Lebanese restaurant in the heart of downtown Detroit’s Capitol Park.
Inspired by the food and hospitality of Beirut, Leila offers a wonderful selection of traditional Middle Eastern dishes with a modern twist.
The restaurant has a beautiful dining room with high ceilings and large windows overlooking Capitol Park.
On the menu, you’ll find delicious dishes like Hummus, Baba Ghanouj, Falafel, Shish Tawook, and Grilled Lamb Chops.
They also offer a wide selection of mezze, which are smaller dishes designed for sharing.
If you have room for dessert, try their Baklava or Lebanese Sundae.
With its welcoming atmosphere and delicious menu, Leila is a fantastic choice for dinner in Detroit.
Sample The 100% Vegan Menu At Street Beet
Street Beet is a proudly 100% vegan restaurant in Detroit’s Corktown neighbourhood.
Originally a popular pop-up, Street Beet now has its own permanent restaurant on Michigan Avenue.
You can enjoy their creative plant-based comfort food for dinner Wednesday through Sunday, or stop by for weekend brunch.
You can stay in the bar and enjoy your meal, but they also offer take-out since they are a pop-up.
Their signature menu items are the Litty Fries, the Sesame Sando, and McChicky.
But they also offer a Supreme Crunchywrap, Cheezy Potato Thriller, the Corny Island Pita, and Fake Chicken Nuggets.
Despite being a pop-up, their unique all-vegan menu has quickly made Street Beet one of the best places to eat in Detroit.
It’s full of classic sandwiches and quick bites that aren’t offered at many other vegan restaurants in the city.
Try Detroit-Style Pizza At Michigan & Trumbull
Michigan & Trumbull’s first restaurant location was actually in Pittsburgh, PA.
The pair of chefs opened the restaurant when they got tired of looking for deep-dish pizza that reminded them of home.
It was a hit, and in 2020 they moved back home to Detroit, opening a restaurant in Corktown. In 2023, they moved to their current location on Holden Street, where they continue serving their popular Detroit-style pizzas.
At Michigan & Trumbull you can find authentic Detroit deep-dish square pizza. Yes, that’s right, the pizza is square.
Popular pizzas on their menu include the Packard Pepperoni, BYO Vegan, McLovin, and Long Drive Home.
All the pizza recipes have fun names to match their unique ingredient pairings.
It’s no wonder this fun pizza restaurant has quickly become one of the best restaurants in downtown Detroit.
Try Creative Asian-Inspired Dishes At Basan
If you’re looking for a unique dining experience in Detroit, Basan is definitely worth a visit.
Located inside the historic Eddystone building, just steps away from Little Caesars Arena, Basan is known for its creative Asian-inspired cuisine.
Much of the menu is centred around a traditional Japanese robata grill, which gives the dishes a wonderful smoky flavour.
You can enjoy everything from Pork Belly Buns and Crispy Tofu to Beef Ribeye Skewers and Wagyu Skirt Steak.
Their menu also includes inventive dishes like Wonton Tacos, Rice Gnocchi, and Yakisoba.
Pair your meal with one of their creative cocktails for a fun evening out.
Whether you’re heading to a concert or simply exploring Detroit’s restaurant scene, Basan is a great place to enjoy something different.
Have A Romantic Dinner For Two At The Whitney
One of the best restaurants in Detroit Michigan for a romantic experience is The Whitney.
The Whitney is a restaurant in the historic Whitney Mansion, which was built in the late 1800s by a lumber baron in Detroit.
The architecture, decor, and quiet gardens of the romanesque style mansion are the perfect setting for a special dinner.
The Whitney strongly encourages reservations as they are one of the most popular Detroit restaurants for dinner.
They also offer a Mansion Tea service Thursday through Saturday, with advance reservations required.
On their dinner menu, you’ll find elevated New American cuisine.
Their menu is also unique in that every dinner is a full four-course meal where you’ll have a small selection of options to choose from for each course.
You’ll get an appetizer tray that has seasonal items, a choice of salad or soup, your choice of the main entree, and then you’ll finish the meal with your choice of dessert.
So you’ll be able to enjoy items like Beef Wellington, which is their signature entree, Vegan Autumn Risotto, and Faroe Island Salmon.
If you’ve never experienced a four-course dinner, then you have got to visit The Whitney.
It’s a really fun experience that makes The Whitney one of the best places to eat in Detroit MI. Consider adding this foodie experience to your Michigan road trip itinerary.
Dime Store Is The Best Brunch Restaurant In Detroit Michigan
Dime Store is a favorite brunch spot in the Detroit foodie scene.
The downtown Detroit restaurant is frequently named one of the best in the area for brunch.
What makes Dime Store so special is that they serve brunch, breakfast, and lunch daily, from 8 am to 3 pm.
So whenever you’re craving brunch, you can stop at this awesome restaurant in Detroit.
Their wonderful menu includes Eggs Benedict, or Bennys, done several different ways, Omelettes, French Toast, and other iconic brunch items.
If you’re more in the mood for lunch, don’t worry, Dime Store has you covered.
You can indulge in their Fried Chicken and Biscuit Sandwich, Spicy Korean Fries, or even a Grilled Salmon Salad.
Dime Store also offers a selection of coffee, tea, juice, and of course alcohol to go with your brunch, breakfast, or lunch.
Enjoy Farm-To-Table Dining At Marrow In The Market
Marrow in the Market is one of Detroit’s exciting restaurants for anyone who loves expertly prepared food.
Located in the historic Eastern Market neighbourhood, this unique restaurant combines a butcher shop with a modern brasserie.
The restaurant focuses on locally sourced meats, seasonal ingredients, and dishes inspired by the produce of Michigan.
On the menu, you’ll find delicious options such as Roasted Bone Marrow, Pork Schnitzel, Dry-Aged Steak, and Roasted Chicken.
They also offer lighter dishes, creative sides, and a selection of desserts.
The restaurant is housed in a historic brick building dating back to 1909, which adds to its character.
With its combination of delicious food and a unique setting, Marrow in the Market is a fantastic place for a memorable meal in Detroit.
Experience A Taste Of Havana At Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine
Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine is a restaurant in the heart of Detroit that offers a wide selection of authentic Cuban dishes.
The restaurant has been open since 2005 and ever since its opening has been a staple on the list of the best restaurants in Detroit.
You’ll get to enjoy authentic Cuban recipes that have been passed down through generations of the Vazquez family.
They are typically open for lunch and dinner daily and they even host salsa dancing nights.
Their menu includes dishes like Pollo a La Diabla, Arroz Con Pollo, Chilindron De Cordero, and Trucha Al Modo Mio.
There is a selection of vegetarian, chicken, beef, and seafood dishes.
So there is something for every palate on their menu.
If you want to try authentic Cuban cuisine, you can’t go wrong visiting this delicious Detroit MI restaurant.
Discover Bold Thai Flavours At Takoi
Takoi is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for delicious Thai-inspired cuisine in Detroit.
Located in Corktown, this creative restaurant combines traditional Thai flavours with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Many of those ingredients come from HiO Farm, which the restaurant operates just a short distance away.
The menu changes regularly to reflect the seasons, so there’s always something new and exciting to try.
You can expect bold flavours, fragrant spices, and creative dishes inspired by regional Thai cooking.
The restaurant also encourages diners to share dishes and enjoy a relaxed, informal dining experience.
If you love trying new flavours, Takoi is definitely one of the Detroit restaurants you’ll want to add to your list.
Enjoy Delicious Mexican Cuisine At El Asador Steakhouse
If you’re looking for delicious Mexican cuisine in Detroit, El Asador Steakhouse is a fantastic place to try.
Located in Southwest Detroit, this popular restaurant combines traditional Mexican flavours with expertly prepared steaks and seafood dishes.
Chef Luis Garza takes inspiration from his mother’s cooking, creating dishes made from scratch using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
On their menu, you’ll find delicious options like Enchiladas Verdes, Chile Rellenos, Mole de Gallina, and sizzling Fajitas.
If you’re a steak lover, you can enjoy a Ribeye Steak with Poblano Pepper Sauce or a Filet Mignon with Three Chile Butter Sauce.
They also offer a wonderful selection of tacos, seafood dishes, and vegetarian options.
With its combination of authentic Mexican flavours and creative cooking, El Asador Steakhouse is one of the best restaurants in Detroit for a memorable meal.
Pie-Sci Pizza Is Known For Their Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy Free, and Gluten Free Pizza Selection
Pizza should be for everyone, no matter if you have dietary restrictions or are vegan or vegetarian.
Pie-Sci Pizza makes sure that their creative pizzas can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone.
They have an extensive menu of unique pizza recipes that include vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free menu items.
If you don’t have any dietary restrictions, they also have menu items that use fresh local meats and are not dairy-free or gluten-free.
Their menu is also seasonal, so it doesn’t stay the same and there is always something new to try.
Each pizza is given a fun name that often relates to the toppings you can find on the pizza.
They also let you create your own recipe using all of their available toppings.
Even though their menu changes seasonally, you’ll still find classic favourites alongside creative combinations and plenty of options to build your own pizza.
Pie-Sci Pizza is a fun pizza restaurant in downtown Detroit MI that makes sure to cater to every dietary need!
Detroit is one of the most vibrant Midwestern towns and has a thriving culinary scene.
The city is full of amazing restaurants, from vegan eateries and fun pizza shops to international cuisine and elevated American fare.
After a day spent seeing some of the best things to do in Detroit, make sure you enjoy a meal at one of these wonderful Detroit restaurants!
You won’t regret it!
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