Dining guide

Restaurants we recommend (in no particular order, other than grouped by cuisine):

Asian

Mon Jin Lau: 1515 East Maple Road, Troy; 248-689-2332
Wild Mango Restaurant & Bar: worth the drive to Cleveland, Ohio

Chinese

Hong Hua: 27925 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills; 248-489-2280

Thai

Thai Garden: 721 East Nine Mile, Ferndale; 248-542-6860 (have not been since they remodeled)
Lue Thai: 22215 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-558-9359
Bangkok 96: 2450 S. Telegraph, Dearborn; 313-730-8161

Contemporary/American

220: 220 Merrill Street, Birmingham; 248-645-2150
Traffic Jam and Snug: 511 West Canfield, Detroit; 313-831-9470
Zingerman’s Roadhouse: 2501 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-663-3663 (best service in town. Upscale with great sweet potato fries and root beer floats)
Pronto: 608 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak; 248-544-7900
Vinsetta Garage: 27799 Woodward, Berkley; 248-548-7711
Green Dot Stables: 2200 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; 313-962-5588
Republica: 1999 Coolidge, Berkley; 248-268-3175
Townhouse: 180 Pierce, Birmingham; 248-792-5241 -or- 500 Woodward, Detroit; 313-723-1000
Avalon Cafe & Bakery: 1049 Woodward, Detroit; 313-285-8006
Firebird Tavern: 419 Monroe, Detroit; 313-782-4189 or 4845 Rochester Rd, Troy
Beau’s Grillery: 4108 W. Maple, Bloomfield Township; 248-626-2630
Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails: 15 E. Kirby St., Detroit; 313-818-3915

Burgers

The Lodge: 2812 Orchard Lake Road, Keego Harbor; 248-683-5458
Basement Burger Bar: 33316 Grand River, Farmington; 248-957-8179
Luxe Bar & Grill: 525 N. Old Woodward, Birmingham; 248-792-6051

Greek

Uptown Parthenon: 4301 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield; 248-538-6000
Pegasus Taverna: 558 Monroe, Detroit; 313-964-6800
Athens Souvlaki: 645 Griswold, Detroit; 313-265-3178

Indian

Rangoli: 3055 East Walton Boulevard, Auburn Hills; 248-377-3800
Ashoka: 3642 Rochester Road, Troy; 248-689-7070

International

The Fiddler: 6676 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield; 248-851-8782
Christine’s Cuisine: 729 East Nine Mile Road, Ferndale; 248-584-3354

Italian

Andiamo Italia Bloomfield: 6675 Telegraph, Bloomfield Hills; 248-865-9300
Lelli’s Inn of Auburn Hills: 885 North Opdyke, Auburn Hills; 248-373-4440
Picano’s: 3775 Rochester Road, Troy; 248-689-8050
Crispelli’s Bakery & Pizzeria: 28939 Woodward, Berkley; 248-591-3300 -or- 6690 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield; 248-254-4760
Market North End: 474 North Old Woodward, Birmingham; 248-712-4953
La Lanterna: 1224 Griswold, Detroit; 313-962-8821

Pizza

Buddy’s (known for Detroit-style square pizza): 31646 Northwestern Hwy, Farmington Hills; 248-855-4600; plus other locations
Pizza Papalis (Chicago stuffed pizza): 23703 Greenfield, Southfield; 248-552-7272; plus other locations including 4036 Telegraph
Hungry Howie’s (flavored crust chain): numerous locations (carry-out/delivery)
Loui’s Pizza: 23141 Dequindre Road, Hazel Park; 248-547-1711 (sit-down)
Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina: 29110 Franklin, Southfield; 248-750-2442 (thin crust)

Japanese

Noble Fish: 45 E. 14 Mile Road, Clawson; 248-585-2314 (sushi and soup only)
Makimoto: 2741 University Drive, Auburn Hills; 248-475-0880

Korean

Daebak KBBQ: 27566 Northwestern Highway, Southfield; 248-996-8932
Kimchi Box: 2713 University, Auburn Hills; 248-706-6387; plus other locations including Novi and Troy

Mediterranean

Mediterrano: 2900 South State, Ann Arbor; 734-332-9700
Cafe Zola: 112 W. Washington, Ann Arbor; 734-769-2020
M&M Cafe: 13714 Michigan Ave, Dearborn; 313-581-5775 (have not been yet to Now Cafe with new owner)

Middle Eastern

La Pita: 22681 Newman, Dearborn; 313-563-7482 (sit-down)
Mr. Kabob: 12 Mile and Coolidge, Berkley; 248-545-8000 (carry-out)
Mr. Kabob Xpress: 24532 W. 12 Mile, Southfield; 248-351-1111
M&M Food Corner: 1 Woodward Ave., Detroit (carry-out)
Falafel King: 32748 Woodward, Royal Oak; 248-554-9881 (carry-out)
Cedarland: 13007 West Warren, Dearborn; 313-582-4849 (sit-down and drive-thru)
Bucharest Grill: 2684 E. Jefferson, Detroit; 313-965-3111 (among other locations including 30955 Woodward Ave, Royal Oak – same phone number)
Babylon TakeOut: 6609 Orchard Lake, West Bloomfield; 248-851-4343 (carry-out inside market)
Kabob Royale: 27912 John R Rd, Madison Heights; 248-548-1111
The Pita Post: food truck – location varies

Polish

Polish Village Cafe: 2990 Yemans, Hamtramck; 313-874-5726

Seafood

Kruse and Muer on Main: 327 North Main Street, Rochester; 248-652-9400
Lily’s Seafood: 410 South Washington, Royal Oak; 248-591-5459
Mitchell’s Fish Market: 17600 Haggerty Road, Livonia; 734-464-FOOD; also Rochester Hills

Irish

Duggan’s Irish Pub: 31501 Woodward Avenue, Royal Oak; 248-549-3659 (more pub than Irish)
Dick o’ Dow’s: 160 West Maple Road, Birmingham; 248-642-1135

Ethiopian

Blue Nile: 545 West Nine Mile, Ferndale; 248-547-6699

Mexican

Imperial: 22828 Woodward, Ferndale; 248-850-8060
Los Dos Amigos: 7115 Parkwood, Detroit [seasonal taco truck open F-Su]
Taco Tienda: 31642 John R, Madison Heights; 248-589-1607
Taqueria Lupitas: 3443 Bagley, Detroit; 313-843-1105
Armando’s: 4242 Vernor, Detroit; 313-554-0666
Jose’s Tacos: 218 E. Grand River, Detroit; 313-965-9992

Soul Food

Cornbread Restaurant: 29852 Northwestern Highway, Southfield; 248-208-1680

BBQ

Slows Bar B Q: 2138 Michigan Avenue, Detroit; 313-962-9828 (recommended despite their overuse of paprika)
Heroes BBQ and Brew: 998 W. Huron, Waterford; 248-683-9900

Fondue

The Melting Pot: 888 West Big Beaver Road, Troy; 248-362-2221

Salad

7 Greens Detroit Salad Co.: 1222 Library Street, Detroit; 313-964-9005
Greens & Grains Salad Co.: Inside Somerset Collection; 248-792-7711

Breakfast

Recipes: 2919 Crooks Road, Troy; 248-614-5390
Toast, A Breakfast & Lunch Joint: 23144 Woodward, Ferndale; 248-398-0444
Toast Birmingham: 203 Pierce Street, Birmingham; 248-25-TOAST (also serves dinner)
Early Bird Cafe: 3415 Orchard Lake Rd, Keego Harbor; 248-682-3918
Dime Store: 719 Griswold, Detroit; 313-962-9106
Family Table Cafe: 3343 Auburn Road, Auburn Hills; 248-293-3351
Commonwealth: 300 Hamilton Row, Birmingham; 248-792-9766
Morning Star Cafe: 711 Washington, Grand Haven; 616-844-1131

Steak House

No. VI Prime: 27000 Sheraton Drive, Novi; 248-305-5210 (now located in the Crowne Plaza – have not been since they reopened under slightly new name)
Capital Grille: 2800 West Big Beaver, Troy; 248-649-5300 (located in the Somerset Collection)
Rochester Chop House: 306 Main, Rochester; 248-651-2266

Deli

Zingerman’s Delicatessen: 422 Detroit Street, Ann Arbor; 734-663-3354
Val’s Delicatessen: 4301 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield; 248-973-8037
Stage Deli: 6873 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield; 248-855-6622
Louie’s Ham & Corned Beef Restaurant: 3570 Riopelle (at Mack), Detroit; 313-831-1800
Mudgie’s: 1300 Porter Street (in Corktown), Detroit; 313-961-2000
Alcamo’s Market: 4423 Schaefer, Dearborn; 313-584-3010
Hygrade Deli: 3640 Michigan, Detroit; 313-894-6620 (have not been since changed to new owner)
Nathan’s Deli: 581 E. Jefferson, Detroit; 313-962-3354

Wild Game

Moose Preserve Bar & Grill: 43034 Woodward, Bloomfield Hills; 248-85-TROUT
Deadwood Bar & Grill: 18730 Northville Road, Northville; 248-34-RIFLE

Barlor (ice cream+bar)

Browndog: 120 East Main Street, Northville; Farmington Hills location closed

Pasties

Peppy’s Pizza, Subs and Bakery: 5965 Livernois, Troy; 248-828-8485

Brewing Company

Royal Oak Brewery: 215 East Fourth Street, Royal Oak; 248-544-1141
Rochester Mills Beer Co: 400 Water Street, Rochester; 248-650-5080

Windsor (Little Italy)

Nico: 501 Erie Street, East Windsor, Ontario; 519-255-7548 (have not been to new location yet)
Cook’s Shop Restaurant: 683 Ouellette Avenue, Windsor, Ontario; 519-254-3377

updated December 2023