There is always something to do in downtown Detroit no matter what time of the year, no matter what season there is a touristy spirit of joy and plenty of things to see and accomplish while there. While we go over a number of those things will throw in some food options that always make a day out on the town even better.
Restaurants Downtown
If you’re strolling along with the kiddos there’s plenty of things to do and see like the Henry Ford Museum with plenty of workshops and activities that allow kids to merge history learning in art.
For some adult fun, there’s plenty of bars and entertainment for a romantic night out or just a simple dinner. There are plenty of restaurants downtown. If you want to be a little extra fancy and go all the way out there is the Apparatus Room.
Midtown Restaurants in Detroit
Midtown Detroit is one of the hottest destinations within the Detroit area. It is known for its classic restaurants that serve traditional Italian cuisine. If you prefer a more café-like spot where there are plenty of cafes and bakeries. There are multiple locations besides the one in Midtown.
After you fill your belly why not check out the Detroit Symphony orchestra? I mean after you eat all you wanna do is sit and rest, Right? This venue has been in operation since the 1880s.
Greektown Restaurants
The Greektown area is buzzing in the sizzling area of Detroit. Head down Monroe Street and witness the ethnic domination of Greek restaurants and businesses. It’s a wonderful area to get an overall idea of what the Greek vibe is all about and what this ethnic community adds to the overall greatness of Detroit.
As you marvel at its coolness you might want to take advantage of some of their food offerings. Like DELMAR Detroit, a great American cuisine restaurant.
Other Greektown restaurants serve up seafood, upscale pizza, and Mexican food. Steak seems to be rather popular in that region as they have a few steak houses available.
Metro Detroit Restaurants
Even with all the craziness that is going on in the world, down in the hustling bustling part of metro Detroit businesses and restaurants are still opening up. So, if you happen to do much of your tourism on the eastside of Detroit. it’ll be encouraging and fun to see the different types of restaurants available.
Jamaican food is a fun option as it is not a typical cuisine available in a lot of big cities. There are even some options that have vegetarian-ready foods. Italian beef sandwiches are also in the mix, right next to some of the most gourmet type burgers you’ve probably ever tasted.
You will find quite a lot of restaurants that have this fusion flair to them. So, you will never be bored with food options.
Restaurants Near Fox Theater
The Fox Theater is an attraction to definitely go to while in Detroit. Once upon a time, it was a historic movie house and in more recent years has been transformed into a performing arts venue. It is located right smack in the downtown Detroit area. If you are in the mood for ballet performances, live music acts and Broadway shows Fox Theater is the place to be.
Once the hunger pains kick in there’s always room for steak, fine wine, and delicious appetizers which can be found amply. For fancy fare, you can grab something like braised oxtail that comes with cheesy cheddar risotto. As always you can find some traditional American restaurants not too far away. One great restaurant, The Rusted Crow, is not to be missed.
Restaurants Near Airport
It’s never a fun deal to have to fly hungry. All you can think about is food on your flight, and you end up spending 20 bucks for the snacks that they have to offer. Just for your FYI here are the types of food that you can get before you board your flight.
Check out Cat Cora's Taproom for an authentic experience. There’s Mediterranean food, specialty hot dogs, wine, and cheese. For something quick, there’s fast food options. Also, there is fine Chinese food, and quite a bit more! There are tons of restaurants to choose from right around the airport.
Restaurants Near Detroit Opera House
The Detroit Opera House is in between Fox town and downtown Detroit. Restaurants near the Detroit opera house offer some fine dining to complement your time well spent at the Opera House.
You will find small plate options that are more appetizer-oriented. There’s Cuban cuisine with salsa dancing. Havana region cuisine is a type of Cuban fare. For something easy of course, there are choice pizzerias nearby.
Mexican Restaurants in Detroit
Mexican food differs in taste and style from area to area. In northern Mexico, you will discover beef and meat things in abundance. In actuality, the southeastern portion of the nation is celebrated for its fiery vegetable and chicken entrees. Mexican restaurants like Los Galanes and Xochimilco abound in just about every part of Detroit. It’s just a matter of what type of regional food you want to try.
Italian Restaurants
Next time you are in the mind-set for Italian food, have a go at something somewhat unique in relation to your typical spaghetti and meatballs, possibly a saffron fish stew. Whatever you decide there are great choices around the Opera House area.
Vegan restaurants for Plant-based Cuisine
Vegans you are bound to work up an appetite venturing through all the unique areas of Detroit. You might be concerned about being able to find vegan restaurants that not just give you the basics but give ethnic options.
The good news is that Detroit is filled with all types of vegan restaurants. There’s even a vegan soul food restaurant. Other types are more salad oriented; others have Asian cuisine flair and some even serve Pizza there is. There are a well-rounded amount of vegan options you will not be disappointed.
Seafood Restaurants
The love of seafood can drive anyone to hunt down seafood anywhere they travel. Maybe because seafood carries so much of what is good for us. Anyway, aside from the health it just tastes good! There are wonderful seafood restaurants from casual to upscale. A new trend appears to be seafood bars.
Vegetarian Restaurants
Once upon a time, it used to be quite a distressing affair for most vegetarians to go to restaurants and find something that will not violate their dietary requirements.
Now we live in a time where it’s so much easier to find eateries that offer vegetarian food. There are a plethora of vegetarian restaurants that cater to all of those needs.
Traditional Soul Food Restaurants
Sometimes you just need a hug. At times that can be found in comfort food. Soul food restaurants might be a that big hug, of good old fashioned home cooking that you need to soothe your soul. There are definitely options available across various parts of Detroit.
Local Chinese Restaurants
Chinese restaurants are all over the place in pretty much every large city in the United States. Detroit is definitely included in that and there is no lack of options. You just have to decide what kind of Chinese food you want.
There are plenty of to-go options.
There are casual sit-down options. Then there are somewhere you might feel compelled to dress up a little bit. Then sprinkled throughout the mix there could be some Chinese restaurants that specialize in regional cooking like Hunan Chinese food or Shanghai Chinese food.
Fine Dining Indian Restaurants
Indian restaurants are fairly popular in Detroit as well. One thing to think about is if you have children double-check to make sure that there are kid-friendly options on the menu. Maybe some kids have well-developed taste buds because
They have had the opportunity to try many types of ethnic foods. However, if that’s not the case it may not be quite enjoyable for children as far as the taste.
French Restaurants: Desserts and Light Soups
French foods are a delight to the taste buds. French restaurants are a delight to the soul. French restaurants have a way of presenting a whimsical feel that comes right from the heart of France. You can do breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
There are all sorts of French bakeries to choose from. French restaurants also make an impressive romantic restaurant option.
Greek Restaurants
There’s something hearty, but yet refreshing about Greek food. From the way the meat is prepared to the way that various vegetables and sauces are combined with fresh pita bread, a fulfilling meal is created.
Greek restaurants aren’t hard to find in Detroit. It’s just a matter of deciding if you want something casual, to go, or a sit-down dressier option.
Thai Restaurants: Hurry to Curry
If you’ve been dreaming of Thai curry and delicious chunks of meat with steamy white rice, that’s not a hard dream to make come true in Detroit.
There are plenty of Thai restaurants to choose from and those typically are family-friendly like Go Sy Thai. With the flavors and spices being a bit more tolerable for the taste buds of children, it could also be a good option for kids too because everything is not entrenched in a curry or spice.
Barbecue Restaurants: Classic Smoked and Sauced
Meat, barbecue sauce, and all the barbecue-style side orders are quite tantalizing when you can smell it from a distance. Whether you crave brisket or a rack of ribs with some homestyle side orders and you can definitely get your hands on some of that. You can have great success by venturing to the down area to find barbecue restaurants.
Japanese Restaurants
Who doesn't adore an incredible Japanese dinner? A run of the mill and essential Japanese supper will accompany some dishes like meat and fish, vegetables, pickles, a bowl of soup, and rice. For breakfast as basic as a bowl of miso soup, barbecued fish, or white rice.
Japanese restaurants are plentiful in Detroit. If you are wanting a sit-down semi-formal option your best bet might be to go to the downtown area for the widest range of options.
German Restaurants: Delicious Food Awaits
German cuisine! German restaurants aren’t typically abounding in a lot of cities, but some can definitely be found here. Just be ready for the weightiness of it! German food is solid with lots of meat, sausages, potatoes, creams, and bread. It is not for those who are strictly watching their diet!
Steak Restaurants with All Kinds of Meat Cuts
Here in America, we cannot live without our steaks! Steak houses or general American restaurants serve steaks. From hole-in-the-wall places, to sit down spots where they serve filet mignon, people want the gamut of steak options. Here in Detroit, your options are plenty.
Sushi Restaurants for Detroit Residents
Sushi: People tend to love it or hate it. Yet there are so many people who have never tried it! Sushi can be a perfect option for those who prefer a lighter lunch or dinner. There is quite a lot of variety to choose from making it an extra fun experience! In Detroit, sushi restaurants can be found just about anywhere.
New Restaurants
Detroit is one of those areas that is forever evolving. A new restaurant here in a new restaurant there, it is highly likely that you could ever get bored and try to find a new place to eat. Downtown tends to always be evolving, that is an easy area to discover something new!
Michelin Star Restaurants: Only the Finest Cooks
Michelin is a brand in a company that our culture has trusted for many decades now. However, a lot of us don’t know that it has branched out into the curation of top restaurants in all the major cities in the U.S.! Brilliant idea! Use this tool to find highly rated options.
Nice Restaurants
Nice restaurants are displayed everywhere! Of course, "nice" means different things to different people, so basically, you get to choose what you’re nice is! You will tend to find “nice” restaurant options near performing arts centers and concert halls.
Romantic Restaurants: Experience Cuisine with Your Favorite Person
Romance could be in the air tonight if you choose the right restaurant! Thankfully, there’s a good amount of romantic restaurants that would suit your needs. Even better when they are located by other attractions that you could stroll through after dinner.
If you are looking for an upscale-ish area to have a romantic night out and be more likely to find a romantic restaurant near historic venues and concert halls.
Just a side note, just because of the Covid regulations there might be some options that have changed. While in the planning mode, you might want to create two lists. One that has your top picks and the other can be your plan B.
Another idea is to seek out a travel agent in the area to help give you an idea of what is going on in the restaurant industry there.
It could be that you might have to get creative and do a romantic "shut-in". If you are in a nice hotel, the setting is already set for you. All you need to do is find out which place will deliver a fancy meal. Or, if the menu and price are right, room service can also be a great option!
Kid-Friendly Restaurants
Detroit is a very kid-friendly zone in general. However, there are quite a number of kid-friendly restaurants and different pockets of Detroit. You just have to plan your activities accordingly to make it convenient to have access to those Friendly restaurants.
One suggestion would be to strategically plan your activities near kid-friendly museums. Then have your meals in one of their kid-friendly restaurants nearby.
Rooftop Restaurants: Fresh Air and Eating
What a bummer to go to a city like Detroit and not experience one of their rooftop restaurants. It's a beautiful way to take in the city from an aerial perspective! Lumen Detroit on Grand is a great option.
Outdoor Restaurants
If the weather is suitable outdoor restaurants could be a charming option. There’s nothing like being at a pleasant restaurant and being outside to take and the enchanting or interesting scenery around you.
Since we are struggling with Covid, it might be best to make a priority list full of outdoor options. Of course, some places do allow indoor seating, but to a certain capacity. So, if you find yourself being one who can't be seated indoors, because of limitations have a plan B. Outdoor restaurants are found all over the downtown area.
Cool and Fun Restaurants
You can check out all the fun and neat attractions within Detroit and keep the party going by entertaining cool and fun restaurants!
When cool and fun or combined with food it’s definitely an experience to remember. Fun and cool restaurants can normally be found in downtown areas, or where there are attractions for children. The MGM Grand can be a fun option!
What are the must-try restaurants in Detroit?
Norma G’s: All of Norma G's healthy menu options are full of flavor. You can find menu options like curried goat and oxtail tacos. As a side note, they also have plenty of vegan options available along with their full-service bar.
Sister Pie: Every month there is a fresh rollout of a different kind of homemade pie. Some popular options are salted maple pie, savory hand pies, and buckwheat chocolate chip cookies. If you are expecting a certain type of pie, you may want to check in advance to see when they will have it available.
Cutters Bar and Grill: They serve amazingly rich burgers that way between 3 to 32 ounces. They use freshly ground-up saad beef, With a delicious mix of seasonings. You can order with steak fries, a beer, or a cocktail.
Savanna Blue: Savanna Blue is for the fancy in you! With a dressier atmosphere, you can enjoy delicious foods like red crab cakes, or fried snapper, jambalaya, and much more.
Selden Standard: This features a new American menu with a flurry of tantalizing options like lamb sausage, rustic grilled bread, seasonal vegetables, blueberry cobbler ice cream, turmeric cake, and more! If you haven’t gotten on the new trend of new American food this is a great place to start.
Pie Sci Pizza: If you were looking for a family-friendly pizzeria with a clean-cut minimalist feel, then this is a wonderful option. There are a variety of pizza pie options with very funny and punny names attached to them. There are some additional add-ons like white cheddar cheese, bacon, ground beef, and sliced pickles that can be added to any given choice of pizza. Another great feature of this restaurant is that they also have plenty of vegan options.
How many restaurants are in Detroit?
There are around 320 restaurants in Detroit.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the fair is to experience in Detroit? Well, that’s a good sign, a place worth visiting gives you many choices. As you plan out your next trip to Detroit feel free to use this guide to help you map out what your adventures will entail.