Best 12 Best Restaurants in Detroit
Detroit’s dining scene, which is renowned for its Midwestern hospitality, extends a warm welcome to those who want to sample innovative cuisine prepared by chefs who have won awards. While skillful preparations elevate simple ingredients, the city’s varied immigrant influences add spice to basic American dishes.
From James Beard honorees to cozy neighborhood joints dishing Motown hospitality, these 12 restaurants offer the best that Detroit has to offer.
SheWolf
Name and Location: SheWolf is located at 438 Selden St, Detroit, MI 48201 in Midtown.
History and Significance: Opened in 2019 led by a James Beard-nominated husband and wife team, SheWolf pays homage to regional Italian cuisine in a relaxed but upscale setting.
What to Expect: Handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza take center stage, complemented by craft cocktails. The dining room pairs industrial chic decor with an open kitchen. Outdoor patio available.
Visitor Information: Takes reservations via Tock for dinner and weekend brunch. Hours vary but typically open Wednesday–Monday. Closed Tuesday.
upscale pasta store In a sleek, contemporary environment, SheWolf in Midtown serves delicate, house-extruded noodles topped with regional Italian ragus and sauces. Next to bucatini with short rib ragu topped with ricotta and salsa verde, squid ink sacchetti pasta stuffed with lobster shines. For a sweet treat, share a slice of Nutella bombolini doughnuts or olive oil cake. James Beard-nominated chef Anthony Lombardo’s temple to handcrafted pasta excellence also serves a delicious Negroni Sbagliato cocktail.
Karl’s
Name and Location: Karl’s is found at 1505 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226 in the historic Shed 5 building.
History and Significance: Opened 2021 from a husband-wife team, Karl’s pays tribute to the wife’s grandfather through elevated diner fare in a retro-chic atmosphere showcasing Detroit talent.
What to Expect: Mid-century modern style pairs with comfort food classics like burgers, patty melts, salads and milkshakes delivered with whimsical presentations plus monthly pop-up meals.
Visitor Information: Walk-ins welcome but reservations advised via Resy, especially for pop-ups. Open Wednesday–Monday 8 AM–3 PM, with dinner pop-ups announced monthly.
Founded in 1937, Karl’s modest red-awninged façade in the Soho district conceals exquisitely done modern interpretations of German and European classics. Chef Kate Williams skillfully presents dishes like rainbow fish with beluga lentils, rabbit roulade wrapped in savoy cabbage, and pickled herring with smoky potatoes. Don’t miss their slow-roasted beef Wellington, schnitzel Holstein with fried egg, or currywurst, which elevates Old-World ingredients. Meals are pleasantly concluded with handmade Black Forest pastries.
Chartreuse
Name and Location: Chartreuse is found at 15 E Kirby St, Detroit, MI 48202 in Midtown.
History and Significance: Opened in 2012, Chartreuse’s dedicated farm-to-table ethos combines with its setting in a former speakeasy to offer one of Detroit’s most unique fine dining experiences.
What to Expect: Nightly-changing tasting menus let Michigan’s seasons and top regional ingredients shine through dishes like venison tartare, beet salads, and Grass Roots Farm duck.
Visitor Information: Reservations required, booked via Resy. Serving daily 5-10 PM except Sunday and Monday. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
With a tasting menu format full of surprises, chef Doug Hewitt delivers haute farm-to-table cuisine to the table at the vibrant Chartreuse in Midtown. Dishes such as foie gras terrine with tart cherry mostarda, smoked scallops over a savory custard, venison seasoned with cocoa and juniper, or candied bacon sweetbreads differ in terms of texture and flavor intensity. Seasonal cocktails include their maple toddy in the fall, which is flavored with brown butter bourbon.
COOP Caribbean Fusion
Name and Location: Coop Caribbean Fusion is located at 524 S Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067.
History and Significance: Opened in 2018 by a husband and wife team, Coop offers a vibrant taste of the Caribbean through scratch-made dishes and market-fresh ingredients. Its success has fueled growth across Michigan.
What to Expect: Colorful, laid-back digs pair cuisine blending Afro-Caribbean flavors into tacos, bowls loaded with jerk chicken or oxtail, mofongo platters, tropical drinks and more.
Visitor Information: Walk-ins welcome but reservations advised for peak times via Coop’s site. Hours: Monday–Wednesday 11 AM–9 PM, Thursday–Saturday 11 AM–10 PM, Sunday 11 AM–8 PM.
Visit downtown Detroit’s COOP Caribbean Fusion for a taste of the tropics. Jerk chicken wings, escovitch salmon, curry goat roti rolls, oxtail stew over rice and peas, guava barbecue ribs, and other West Indian mainstays bursting with flavor, seasoning, and soul are all served in their vivid blue decor. In addition, COOP serves rum-spiked beverages and American classics like burgers with a tropical flair. The Jamaican experience is enhanced by dancing to dancehall and soca music.
Selden Standard
Name and Location: Selden Standard is located at 3921 2nd Ave, Detroit, MI 48201 in Midtown.
History and Significance: Opened in 2014 in a former garage, Selden Standard serves seasonal New American cuisine tapping into Detroit’s diversity. Its dedication to hospitality has won widespread acclaim.
What to Expect: The lively but casual atmosphere pairs with dishes like charcuterie boards, rotisserie chicken, and creative vegetables for dinner, plus weekend brunch. The bar offers craft cocktails.
Visitor Information: Selden Standard takes dinner reservations via OpenTable. Hours are Wednesday–Saturday 5–10 PM and Sunday 10 AM–2 PM. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Andy Hollyday, the chef at Downtown’s small New American cafe Selden Standard, receives national praise. Continually evolving seasonal meals, such as dry aged duck breast with farro verde, sweet potatoes, and mulled wine gastrique, are expertly prepared using market items and explode with flavor. Along with one of Detroit’s greatest whiskey programs, which is housed in a stylish converted garage, their veggie-focused offerings are also impressive. Small plates that are reasonably priced encourage trying a variety of options.
Supino Pizzeria
Name and Location: Supino Pizzeria is found at 2457 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207 in Eastern Market.
History and Significance: Open since 2010, Supino serves acclaimed thin-crust pizza with creative toppings in a renovated factory storefront. Its funky style epitomizes Detroit’s culinary scene.
What to Expect: The laid-back pizzeria offers pies like the Padrino with salami and chili oil along with antipasti, beer, and wine. Expect a wait at peak times. Carryout is popular.
Visitor Information: Hours run Tuesday–Thursday 11 AM–10 PM, Friday–Saturday 11 AM–11 PM. Closed Sunday and Monday. Walk-ins welcome but reservations possible via Ivy for parties.
Supino Pizzeria, a quaint corner store in Detroit’s trendy Eastern Market neighborhood, serves some of the greatest thin-crust pizza in the city. Owner Dave Mancini grew up in New York and honed his pie-making abilities. He makes delicious pizzas these days with inventive toppings like the Gilda, which has fresh mozzarella, roasted garlic, and Italian bacon. After exploring Eastern Market, their delectable salads, sandwiches, and homemade wines also struck the spot. This local folklore is sure to draw crowds.
Grey Ghost Detroit
Name and Location: Grey Ghost Detroit located at 47 E. Watson St, Detroit, MI 48201 in Brush Park.
History and Significance: Opened 2017 in a 1927 building once home to legends like Joe Louis, Grey Ghost Detroit made an immediate splash for creative takes on steakhouse classics.
What to Expect: The swanky setting pairs with menu stars like chicken-fried ribs, tableside Caesar salad, patty melts and cuts of A5 wagyu beef. Extensive spirits and wine available.
Visitor Information: Reservations strongly recommended via Tock. Hours are Thursday 5–10 PM, Friday–Saturday 5–11 PM. Closed Sunday–Wednesday.
With their inventive approach on excellent meat and seafood preparations paired with vegetable-focused sides, Grey Ghost Detroit Downtown dazzles guests. Chef John Vermiglio’s sophisticated steakhouse idea and expert cooking go well with the slick, contemporary setting. Seasonal ingredients determine the menu, but recent highlights include pork belly with Brussels sprout kimchi fried rice, golden beet tarte tatin, and dry aged striploin with maitake mushrooms. Make reservations far in advance.
Buddy’s Pizza
Name and Location: Buddy’s Pizza has several Detroit locations, including at 17125 Conant St, Detroit, MI 48212.
History and Significance: Opened in 1946, Buddy’s is credited as the first Detroit-style square pizza destination. Its crispy-edged, cheese-laden pies give “a slice of Detroit history.”
What to Expect: Guests enjoy original Detroit-style pizzas baked in blue steel pans plus pastas, salads, and award-winning housemade wines. Screens show sports.
Visitor Information: Hours vary by site but most are open daily for lunch and dinner. Expect waits at peak times. Reservations accepted for parties of 6 or more.
The enduringly popular Detroit-style pizza, a rectangular deep-dish pie with crispy bottom and edges and toppings that line the whole rim, originated at Buddy’s Pizza during Prohibition and is named after Detroit. The classic version, baked in blue steel pans with caramelized cheese dripping over homemade tomato sauce and toppings, is served at their flagship restaurant downtown today. Meals are completed with baked rigatoni Bolognese, garlic bread, antipasto salad, and spinach pies.
Ima
Name and Location: IMA is located at 2015 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216 in Corktown.
History and Significance: Opened 2016, IMA brings a taste of Asia to Detroit via noodles, dumplings, and small plates perfect for sharing. Its hip interior matches the fusion cuisine.
What to Expect: Creative cocktails and a vibrant ambiance pair with menu stars like lobster jiaozi dumplings, ramen noodles, crispy Thai Brussels sprouts and more. Vegetarian friendly.
Visitor Information: Dinner reservations recommended through Resy. Hours are Monday–Saturday 5–10 PM and Sunday 5–9 PM, with weekend brunch. Closed Tuesday.
At Corktown’s stylish Ima restaurant, chef Mike Ransom combines Chinese, Japanese, and Korean flavors to create dishes like hot ramen with pork belly, potstickers, and Korean fried chicken with spicy sauce, giving patrons a taste of Detroit’s Asian culinary scene. The fun continues with their drunken brunch drinks, such as the Hangover Helper, which is made with bourbon and sesame. If couples want to have an artistic date night, MOCAD across the street has cutting-edge art on display.
Ottava Via
Name and Location: Ottava Via is located at 1400 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216 in Corktown.
History and Significance: Opened in 2016 by two Detroit natives, Ottava Via brings modern Italian cuisine like housemade pastas and Neapolitan pizzas to a chic downtown setting.
What to Expect: An open kitchen pairs seasonal, locally-sourced Italian fare with an Italian and Michigan-focused drink menu. Expect pastas, pizzas, salads and small plates perfect for sharing.
Visitor Information: Takes dinner reservations via Resy. Hours are Tuesday–Thursday 5–10 PM, Friday–Saturday 5–11 PM, Sunday 5–9 PM. Closed Mondays.
With its oregano-crusted focaccia, squash flower pizza, homemade pastas, and other rustic country specialties crafted from family traditions that span eight generations, Ottava Via in Corktown takes guests to Italy. Ottava Via is one of Detroit’s most quaint Italian restaurants, with its exposed-brick atmosphere lined with romantic string lights and expertly prepared delicacies like golden tortelloni loaded with veal mortadella in broth, bucatini all’amatriciana with guanciale, and crispy eggplant parmigiana.
Takoi
Name and Location: Takoi is located at 2520 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216 in Corktown.
History and Significance: Opened 2021, Takoi comes from the team behind popular Detroit restaurants Ima and Marrow. It brings a contemporary twist to Thai street food in a vibrant setting.
What to Expect: Colorful, graffiti-style decor sets the stage for cuisine blending Thai recipes with seasonal Michigan produce. Signatures include curry noodle bowls, larb salads, tropical cocktails.
Visitor Information: Reservations recommended via Resy. Hours are Tuesday–Saturday 5–10 PM. Closed Sunday and Monday. Weekend brunch may be added.
Detroit customers are enchanted by the inventive Southeast Asian street food at Takoi, a trendy downtown eatery with vibrant murals. With Thai-inspired blended curries, coconut milk-soaked khao soi noodles, witty bahn mi sandwiches, pineapple-glazed wings with yuzu ranch, incredibly tender wagyu pot roast massaman curry, ceviches, and elaborate tiki drinks, Chef Brad Greenhill’s cuisine entices palates. Two sizable communal tables promote camaraderie appropriate to Takoi’s joyous atmosphere.
Marrow
Name and Location: Marrow is located at 20488 Livernois Ave, Detroit, MI 48221 in West Village.
History and Significance: Opened in 2018 by the owners of Detroit favorites Ima and Takoi, Marrow blends flavors of Asian cuisine into bone marrow and steakhouse offerings. Its success scored a 2022 James Beard Award.
What to Expect: Unique combos include bone marrow bao buns, “Kalbi Tacos,” and seasonal plates blending Korean and Japanese tradition with modern techniques. Embrace adventure.
Visitor Information: Reservations strongly recommended via Resy. Hours are variable, usually Wednesday–Monday from 5–10 PM. Tuesday hours and weekend brunch sometimes offered.
In a light-filled, modern setting, Marrow in West Village specializes in seasonal meat and seafood cooked over a wood-fired hearth. Chef Sarah Welch creates dishes that highlight farm ingredients, such as lobes of sea scallops on top of coconut curry barley, whole roasted chicken served family style with zeroa sauce, al pastor seasoned pig belly, and dry aged ribeye with charred scallion purée. Their impeccable grilling skill is demonstrated by their mouthwatering entire grilled fish and steaks such bone-in ribeyes garnished with salsa verde and zucchini.
Detroit’s culinary reputation is stronger than ever because to the success of James Beard-recognized chefs, fiercely competitive newcomers, and established institutions. Motor City restaurants exhibit Midwestern charm through excellent cooking, friendly service, and enticing patrons with inventive meals, ranging from modern American cuisine that highlights local produce to fresh takes on international flavors. Neighborhoods in Detroit have been revitalized by food, and chefs have fueled economic growth by welcoming tourists into their diverse communities and feeding locals, creating lasting bonds over shared meals.