Detroit Restaurant Recommendations

(in no particular order)

Selden Standard

In Midtown.

Classic Detroit establishment for over 15 years. It’s doubtful you’ll ever have a bad meal here – I certainly have not. Menu is seasonal and changes frequently. The veggie carpaccio is typically always on the menu – I recommend ordering. Great place to share several dishes. Friendly staff and environment, cozy verdant patio. Probably my unsurpassed favorite downtown and the one I most frequently recommend.

Shewolf Pastificio

In Midtown.

Another top favorite of mine. Melt-in-your-mouth homemade pasta dishes (bonus points If you get seated next to the glass-walled pasta room). This will be the best pasta you find in the region. They have traditional Roman staples as well as filled pasta that changes regularly. I’ve never had a bad meal here. Killer carpaccio. Awesome Italian-only wine selection. Beautiful new patio area. Staff treats you like family.

Chartreuse

In the Museum District.

One of the first restaurants to come online during the new renaissance of Detroit about 20 years ago, Chartreuse continues to churn out fine meals. They specialize in New American cuisine which changes very frequently. This is a great option after a trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts, which lies across the street. Some people are put off by the bright chartreuse color walls, but they’ve never bothered me. There is an incredible selection of chartreuses available for digestifs. The chef is a great guy.

Ladder 4 Wine Bar

In Southwest.

Still rather new. The chef is the talk of the town right now and whips up inventive dishes that might sound odd on the menu but have faith the dishes will be awesome. I haven’t had a bad meal here. The menus tend to be on the shorter side and change weekly if not daily. The wine list is unique and changes with the food menu – wines from areas all over, many newly hip wines like orange/skin contact/pet nat (which aren’t typically my go to, but they have plenty of traditional choices too). Great wine shop inside here too. Very cool space in an old firehouse and they have a beautiful second floor balcony that makes you feel like you’re in a tree house. No cocktails or beer here – only wine.

Grey Ghost

In Midtown.

Tried and true staple of downtown foodies for years. More of a younger vibe with a sort of darker/clubby feel. Dynamite smash burger. Menu changes regularly, typically high-end twists of American classics. Try the lobster fries. Great drink menu.

Barda

In Core City.

Argentinian (Francis Mallmann inspired) cuisine cooked over open flame. Beautiful restaurant that is also kind of trendy/clubby. Incredible meat selection and beautiful appetizers. I really loved the meals I’ve had here, but, to me, the prices reflect the restaurant’s trendy nature.

Le Supreme

Downtown.

I love this newer place inside the newly renovated Book Tower (which has a great lobby bar too). Traditional French brasserie cuisine. Awesome tartare, awesome pate, awesome escargots. The pastry and bread selection are wonderful and all made in house. They have a killer brunch menu as well. Beautifully appointed restaurant and it’s worth going up to Kamper’s Rooftop for a drink before/after – great views there.

Bash Izakaya

In Woodbridge (my neighborhood!).

Great sushi, apps and noodle dishes, love the tuna tartare. Part of the restaurant is the shoes-off, sit-in-a-raised-floor kind of situation which I do not care for, but plenty of traditional seating too.

Coriander Kitchen

In Jefferson Chalmers (border of Detroit/GP).

Newer and extremely popular. Large space right on the canals which border GP and Detroit. Beautiful patio. All the food is either grown by the owners on a nearby farm or sourced locally. Great spicy marg.

Marrow

In West Village.

Been around for maybe 5 years. This place has a full butcher service available as well as a small market open during the day (the market has great premade sandwiches that change daily). The 10 or so bar seats are also available for a small lunch menu that rocks. It’s known as the premier chop house in town and while the meats are perfectly prepared, they also have several outstanding fish and vegetarian options. If your party is 6 or more people, they ask you to choose the tasting menu option for all guests, but you will absolutely not be disappointed or leave hungry.

Tamaleria Nuevo Leon

In Southwest.

Been around since the 1950s. They only serve tamales, but they are legendary. You have to buy by the half dozen, cash only, drive up only.

Al-Ameer

In Dearborn.

Hands down the best Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food you’ll have in the area. Get a lot of dishes and share.

Mudgie’s

In Corktown.

Greg Mudge was a local legend who passed away about a year ago. His family has kept up his standards and the wide array of sandwiches offered (I think there are something like 50 sandwiches on the menu, the Barrett is my favorite). Easy to get to from the Ren Cen for lunch. Can’t go wrong here. They also have a great wine shop – lot of smaller brands. They also do a lobster roll week every year which is not to be missed!

Batch Brewing

In Corktown.

Just down the street from Mudgie’s. Large, covered all-season patio with picnic tables in addition to the interior brewery. Great place to bring a large group for well-made brewery apps. They also host the occasional pop-up restaurant. Good place to watch the Lions.

Alpino

In Corktown.

New Swiss-Alpine restaurant. Beautiful, calm interior. Awesome food you probably haven’t seen on menus before. They also do a great fondue spread with incredible cheese. They have plenty of sound-deadening material on the ceiling so it’s also a great place to take parents.

Shangri-La

In Midtown.

Absolute legend of a place – it’s been around forever. Most authentic Chinese food you’ll find in Detroit. The Peking duck will blow you away, it’s very traditional and crispy. The dumplings will also knock your socks off.

Nemo’s

In Corktown.

Best burger in town. Great old timey sports bar.

Baobab Fare

In New Center.

Still quite new, but it’s received rave reviews. Only been here twice but loved both times. They serve East African cuisine that is heavy on seafood, plantains, spices and rice. They allow you to bring in your own wine, which is a plus.

Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine

Downtown.

They’ve been around for 20+ years. Incredible traditional Cuban dishes best shared with a group. Such a fun, tasty place. They also teach salsa dancing and have demos on certain nights.

Supergeil

In Corktown.

Mediterranean/Turkish cuisine. The menu is unique and fresh – stuff you’ve never seen before and might scratch your head over but won’t be disappointed. The doner sandwiches are pretty large but very good. Great place for a large group. Tasty cocktails, many of which are on draft (quick service!). The patio is expansive and shows a good view of Corktown.

Ima Izakaya

In Corktown.

Ima Noodles

In Midtown.

Sister restaurants that have been around for years. Classic casual staple for Asian cuisine. They also own Super Crisp, next door to the noodle shop in Midtown that has great burgers (some with an Asian flare) and kuraage chicken sandos.

Vertical

Downtown.

Among the few places where I’ve never had a bad dish. Mostly French inspired dishes with American twists. Owned by a well-known wine distributing family so the extensive wine list will blow you away. It’s a cozy atmosphere with a pretty patio. Make sure to order the grape-brie balls for an app.

The Whitney

In Midtown.

Kind of tired. Kind of old school. But it’s an institution and it’s in a beautiful old mansion built in the Lumber Baron days of Detroit. The food is still solid. Ghost Bar on the top level is a fun pre/post dinner drink if you’re anywhere in the area. They also do a High Tea service on weekends which I’m told is lovely.

Noble Fish

In Clawson.

Anyone who has been here will agree that it’s the best sushi in Michigan. They only have about three or four bar seats in the back of a dusty old Japanese grocery store, and it is very much worth the trip even if you have to stand around to eat your nigiri. They also make traditional sushi platters for parties. Very fun place to check out.

Ronin Sushi

In Royal Oak.

Very trendy. You’ll see lots of “hip” Royal Oak/Birmingham people and probably a few local sports stars here too. It has a clubby atmosphere with a large drink lounge for happy hour next to the dining area. They have a cool upstairs lounge for large parties. Great drinks and great food, but ever so slightly snobby. Make sure to order the “tuna crack” (seared white tuna nigiri). Also, the Kakucumber roll and Cha Cha roll are great house rolls.

Takoi

In Corktown.

Awesome place if you love spicy Thai food. Also sort of clubby atmosphere, loud, but very fun. I have the best time when I go in a group so we can share dishes. Get the “Promises in a Vortex” drink.

For drinks:

Time Will Tell *****

Kamper’s Rooftop ****

Monarch Club ***

Buhl Bar ****

The Skip **

Apparatus Room ***

Ash Bar ***

SPKRBOX ***

Gilly’s (sports bar) **

Two James ***

The Royce (mostly wine) *****

Nancy Whiskey (old time divey speakeasy) ****

shelby ****

Bad Luck Bar (quasi-secret speakeasy, very pricey) ***

Café D’Mongo’s Speakeasy *****

Sugar House ***

Willis Show Bar ***

Bronx Bar ***

Castalia Sfumato (fun concept) ***

Registry