Fun fact: The Motor City is also a HUGE foodie destination.
Since moving back to metro Detroit, I’ve re-discovered my inner foodie, and I can’t get enough of all the amazing restaurants that are popping up around the city. The only problem is that there are so many to try, seemingly a new one every week, and it almost feels overwhelming at times! To help me narrow down the best of the best, I asked my friend Kielee, who is a metro-Detroit native and local blogger who’s always highlighting new and exciting places to try. She helped to put together a list of her recommendations for the top 10 best restaurants in Detroit, for all of us to add to our list!
The below list is Kielee’s top recos, in no particular order. She and I met up at San Morello to take all the photos in this post, and I can personally attest that this restaurant is definitely one to try. We got the Beet Carpaccio, Burrata Di Bufala, and Black Shells Pasta; all pictured in this post, and all absolutely incredible!
I’m so excited that Kielee put together this list because many of these I hadn’t heard of before and I can’t wait to try! Be sure to scroll down for a few of my personal recos, too. 🙂
Take it away, Kielee!
Kielee’s List of The 10 Best Restaurants In Detroit Right Now
Hey guys, Kielee here! It was hard choosing only 10 restaurants! While creating this list, so many restaurants came to mind. There are many more that are not mentioned but this list would become very lengthy. Detroit has relied heavily on the food industry during its time of “rebirth” and it seems like everyone wants to come to the table with their ideas for a successful restaurant; and I’M HERE FOR THAT! Here are my top recos right now, in no particular order. Enjoy!
Republic Tavern
Cuisine Type: American. Each season Republic Tavern switches up their menu items. Every meal and cocktail is a treat of flavors.
Wright & Company
Cuisine Type: Gastropub. Shareable plates that are rich and savory; you can’t go wrong with Wright & Company food or crafted cocktails. The restaurant environment has a “moody” vibe with big chandeliers, giant pulley fans, and a centerpiece painting of a ship out at sea.
Selden Standard
Cuisine Type: American small plates. Selden Standard has a focus on seasonally-available and locally-sourced ingredients. They’ve won “Restaurant of the Year” among other awards – love their open seating and rustic vibe!
Prime + Proper
Cuisine Type: Steak House. Fine foods aged and cooked perfectly. Prime & Proper has whimsical, bright interior with large open windows and plush furniture.
Ottava Via
Cuisine Type: Italian. Delicious selection of pizza, pastas, and more! Ottava Via has a charming, antique vibe with a relaxing patio, outdoor fireplace, and two inviting bocce ball courts.
San Morello
Cuisine type: Italian. Another great selection of pizza, pastas, and wines. The environment replicates old Italy with a modern spin, and it’s connected to the famous Shinola Hotel. All the photos in this post were taken at San Morello!
Takoi
Cuisine Type: Southeast Asian. Spicy Asian food and tasty cocktails. The atmosphere has a cyberpunk feel to it, with a bar that greets you and a dining room in the back.
Maru Sushi & Grill
Cuisine type: Sushi. High quality, fresh sushi with modern interior décor. Maru Sushi has wood ceiling slats that swoop over the bar and kitchen, while metal screens break up the dining room.
Lady of the House
Cuisine type: American-Irish influenced. Building off of its rich architectural history. Lady of the House has rich and savory shareable plates leave your mouth watering any time of the day.
The Peterboro
Cuisine type: Chinese. Delicious Chinese cuisine with an American twist. The interior and patio have similar vibes with industrial architecture and Chinese décor.
A Few More Detroit Restaurant Recos by Emily
Em back again! YUM, right?! The only restaurants I’ve tried from Kielee’s list are Ottava Via and San Morello, which I LOVED, so I can’t wait to try all these other ones. If you are looking to make that list of places to try extra long, here are a few more I’ve tried and recommend: The Apparatus Room (Connected to the Detroit Foundation Hotel – everything’s delicious!) + The Whitney (For a fancy night out) + Savannah Blue (Soul food at its best!)
Be sure to follow along with Kielee on Instagram if you want to keep up with more great recos!
Any other great Detroit restaurants that are “musts” to try? Leave them in the comments below!
PS – When Life Hands You A Flower Field + A Photo Diary Of A Week On Lake Michigan
6 comments
Supinos pizzeria in eastern market is my absolute go-to! My friend and I are such regulars that they know our order – it’s THAT good!
OH MY GOSH how did I forget to add Supino’s to my list?! We go there all the time when we go to the Eastern Market! Great note – love their pizza! 🙂
Em you NEEED to run to Magnet in Detroit ASAP! It is from the same owners as Takoi, its all wood fired vegetables, flat breads, meats and dips! Check out their menu! So so yummy you would love it!
Ooh I haven’t heard of this but definitely adding this to my list! Thank you so much for the suggestion!
You picked some good ones!
I also love El Asador for authentic mexican food, and Mudgies for the best sammies (especially the lobster rolls 😋).
YUM to both of those!