Detroit’s food scene has exploded in recent years, transforming the Motor City into a true culinary destination. From historic establishments to trendy newcomers, the city offers something for every palate and budget.
I asked one of Detroit’s most respected chefs to share their favorite spots where locals actually eat.
1. Selden Standard
Wood-fired magic happens at this Midtown gem. The seasonal small plates showcase Michigan’s best ingredients with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern touches.
Locals fight for seats at the chef’s counter. The roasted carrots with harissa will change how you think about vegetables forever.
2. Grey Ghost Detroit
Meat lovers rejoice! This Brush Park hotspot delivers next-level steak and charcuterie. Named after a Prohibition-era rum runner, the restaurant honors Detroit’s spirited past.
Their fried bologna is legendary. Don’t miss the craft cocktails that complement the bold flavors perfectly.
3. Marrow
Half butcher shop, half restaurant, all amazing. This West Village spot takes farm-to-table seriously with locally sourced meats and produce.
The menu changes daily based on what’s fresh. Their bone marrow with sourdough toast points creates instant food memories that’ll haunt you in the best way.
4. Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails
Plants hang from every corner in this vibrant Midtown restaurant. The green theme extends to the menu with vegetable-forward dishes that shine.
The twice-cooked egg is their signature. Even hardcore carnivores leave impressed by how vegetables take center stage without feeling like health food.
5. Takoi
Neon lights and bold Thai flavors make this Corktown spot unmissable. The former gas station now pumps out Southeast Asian dishes with Michigan twists.
Spice levels don’t hold back here. The khao soi noodles deliver the perfect balance of heat, creaminess, and crunch that keeps regulars coming back weekly.
6. SheWolf Pastificio & Bar
Fresh pasta made daily using heritage grains milled in-house. This Midtown Italian spot elevates simple dishes through obsessive attention to ingredients.
Watch pasta being made through the glass-enclosed mill room. The cacio e pepe might look simple but delivers complex flavors that transport you straight to Rome.
7. Ima
Japanese comfort food with a Michigan twist. This casual noodle bar started in Corktown and expanded due to rabid fan demand.
The forest udon with porcini broth warms souls on cold Detroit days. Their spicy tuna rice bowl with perfectly crispy rice edges creates texture heaven in every bite.
8. Lady of the House
Female-owned and fiercely independent, this Corktown restaurant showcases Irish heritage through a Detroit lens. The potato donuts alone justify a visit.
Chef Kate Williams transforms humble ingredients into showstoppers. Her waste-reduction philosophy means every part of plants and animals finds delicious purpose on your plate.
9. Apparatus Room
Housed in Detroit’s old fire department headquarters, this downtown restaurant balances history and modernity perfectly. The soaring ceilings create drama while the food remains approachable.
Michigan walleye gets star treatment here. The bar program ranks among the city’s best for both classics and innovative creations.
10. Flowers Of Vietnam
Chef George Azar returned home to Southwest Detroit after cooking at world-famous restaurants. His Vietnamese spot inside a former Coney Island diner blends cultures beautifully.
The caramel chicken wings deliver sticky, fish-sauce funk that’s addictive. Weekend-only service created initial buzz, but now you can get your fix throughout the week.
11. Savannah Blue
Upscale soul food in downtown Detroit creates magic in this second-floor hideaway. The intimate space feels like a supper club where everyone’s welcome.
Shrimp and grits reach new heights here. The short rib mac and cheese should be illegal it’s so good – rich, gooey, and crowned with fall-apart beef.
12. San Morello
Inside the Shinola Hotel, this coastal Italian restaurant brings Mediterranean sunshine to Detroit. The wood-fired oven turns out perfect pizzas with blistered crusts.
Handmade pasta gets dressed with seasonal Michigan produce. The bright, airy space works equally well for power lunches or romantic dinners with its perfect lighting.
13. Besa
Modern American cuisine with global influences shines in this downtown stunner. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame city views that complement the artful plating.
The seafood towers impress even jaded diners. Their wine program deserves special mention with rare bottles and interesting pairings suggested by knowledgeable staff.
14. Saffron De Twah
Detroit’s only Moroccan restaurant brings North African flavors to the east side. This tiny spot with big flavors operates from a former burger shack.
The lamb tagine falls off the bone. Harissa adds complex heat to everything it touches, while the mint tea service provides the perfect sweet finish.
15. Leila
Lebanese family recipes shine in this Capitol Park gem. The high-ceilinged space feels both elegant and welcoming, just like the cuisine.
Hummus is impossibly smooth. The lamb chops with zaatar and the freshly made pita bread have created a devoted following among Detroit’s most serious food lovers.
16. Antietam’s
Hidden in Eastern Market, Antietam serves up French-inspired cuisine in a stunning 1930s art deco space. It feels like stepping into a time machine.
The vintage bar with its original fixtures creates the perfect backdrop for their locally-sourced menu. Chef Brion Wong changes offerings seasonally.
17. Beans & Cornbread
Soul food gets the royal treatment at this Southfield staple just outside Detroit city limits. For over two decades, Beans & Cornbread has been serving up plates that would make your grandmother proud.
Think crispy fried chicken, smoky collard greens, and cornbread so moist it barely needs butter.
18. Norma G’s
“You’ve never had Caribbean food like this!” exclaims Chef Lester Gouvia. The bright yellow building houses explosions of flavor that have earned cult status among Detroit foodies.
The curry goat sliders merge Caribbean spice profiles with Detroit’s sandwich culture in a mind-blowing combination. Vegetarians rejoice over the plantain-based dishes.
19. Johnny Noodle King
Beneath the Ambassador Bridge, this unassuming ramen shop has revolutionized Detroit’s noodle game. Johnny Noodle King takes traditional Japanese techniques and boldly infuses them with Detroit’s multicultural influences.
The Southwest Detroit ramen features corn, chorizo, and jalapeños in a rich broth that somehow works perfectly.