Neon Sign

Restaurant neon sign by call me hangry 🇫🇷 – Unsplash

The Best 5 -Star Restaurants in Detroit


 

Food is termed as the universal denominator that brings together people of all gender, races, ages, and lifestyles. It is in this regard, that whenever you want to hang out with friends, catch up with colleagues outside work, meet up with a stranger or try a different cuisine, restaurants are always top of mind. The best thing about restaurants is the convenience they offer in times of timing. This means you could pick wherever you want to visit for either breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Famous Detroit foods are legendary in and out of the city.  Detroit’s iconic food is a mixture of different backgrounds which come from the Greek, Polish or Italian diaspora, Lebanon, Mexico, Chinese-Americans, the American South, Vietnam, Iraq, and waves of more recent refugee populations. Read more facts about Detroit.

Detroit’s food history adjusts with the times, so you can count on something new to try even if you’re familiar with these restaurants. Each restaurant has its own special spin on American classic foods. 

Let’s delve into the best 5-star restaurants in Detroit.

1. Flowers of Vietnam

Flowers of Vietnam is a Vietnamese restaurant in Mexicantown and one of the city’s most exciting places to eat. It started as a pop-up, but after a year of borrowing the space, they redesigned it to give it a more modern feel, while keeping the kitschy neon signage and lunch counter from the original. 

The menu at Flowers of Vietnam changes regularly, but typically includes things like caramel chicken wings, lobster vermicelli, and a whole-fried fish, along with interesting cocktails and coffee egg creams. 

Practical Information
Address: 4440 Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48209, United States
Call: +1 313-554-2085
Open: THUR – SAT  5 PM – 11 PM  SUNDAY – 5 PM – 9PM MON-WED – CLOSED
Reservations: EXPLORETOCK.COM

2. Takoi 

Gourmet meal and white wine

Gourmet meal and white wine by Jay Wennington – Unsplash

Takoi formerly Katoi, began as a food truck in 2014, evolved into an Ann Arbor pop-up, and landed as a proper restaurant in march of 2016. The restaurant has been open for 11 months, having a slew of fun, and garnering a handful of awards including a James Beard Best New Restaurant of 2017 nomination.

Once you walk inside, you’re greeted with neon green, pink, and blue lights that give it a grand feel.  The menu includes a lot of shareable Thai dishes, like crispy spare ribs and khao soi, and not-Thai dishes, like smoked duck ramen.  It’s a great starting point for a night out with a group of friends.

In case you need some dessert, here is an article on where to find the best vegan ice cream in Detroit

Practical Information
Address: 2520 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216, United States
Call: +1 313-855-2864
Open: TUE – SAT  4 PM – 10 PM  SUN-MON – CLOSED
Reservations: EXPLORETOCK.COM

3. Grey Ghost

Grey Ghost Detroit was born of dedicated craftsmen, committed to the art of butchery, refinement of crafting cocktails, and unparalleled hospitality. The name is a nod to the alias of the most notorious rum-running pirate on the Detroit River during the Prohibition era. 

Grey Ghost is very serious about two things: meat and cocktails. The dinner menu here is broken down into cured, raw, salads and seafood, and meat, which includes larger dishes, like duck breast with foie gras. It is recommended to try the cocktails on tap, but they also have a long list of other drinks too. It’s also a good spot to grab brunch.

Practical Information
Address:  47 Watson St, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
Call: +1 313-262-6534
Open: SUN – THUR  4 PM – 11 PM  FRI- SAT – 4PM – 12 AM
Reservations: RESY.COM

4. Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails

People in a restaurant

People in a restaurant by Simon Karemann – Unsplash

 Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktail’s philosophy is they feel good about supporting local farmers who work hard and are good at what they do. Their talented chefs strive to showcase these quality ingredients by letting them speak for themselves and highlighting the craftsmanship that went into cultivating them. They decorated their dining space to resemble a place that felt like someone’s home, a home where we’d feel comfortable and happy to relax.

Their menu changes daily based on the seasonality and availability of the freshest local ingredients and inspiration. The seasonal menu always includes a few kinds of pasta and shareable entrees, along with some vegetarian small plates. There’s also a cocktail bar in the front where you can just order snacks and drinks

Practical Information
Address:  15 E Kirby St D, Detroit, MI 48202, United States
Call: +1 313-818-3915
Open: TUE – SAT 5 PM – 9:30 PM  SUN- 5PM – 9 PM  MON – CLOSED
Reservations: EXPLORETOCK.COM

5. Maru Sushi & Grill

Maru Sushi & Grill has endeavored to make their restaurants far from the norm with their greatest priorities being fresh fish and produce and traditionally-made sushi rice. According to their website, there’s lots of love put into everything they do.  

Maru is the best place to visit if you’re looking for somewhere that feels a little upscale, but you could still wear something casual. This downtown spot is known for its wide variety of specialty rolls. They equally have things like hibachi platters and udon, too. If you need a snack post-bar hopping, Maru also serves select small plates and rolls until midnight on the weekends.

After a meal at Maru, you could explore these must-visit juice and smoothie spots in the Detroit that are nutritious and delectably tasty.

Practical Information
Address:  160 W Fort St, Detroit, MI 48226, United States
Call: +1 313-315-3100
Open: MON-WED 4 PM – 10 PM  THUR- FRI 11:30 AM – 11 PM  SUN – CLOSED
Reservations: marusushi.com, resy.com

6. Selden Standard

A group enjoying food by Alex Haney

A group enjoying food by Alex Haney – Unsplash

Selden Standard offers a combination of New American food, good cocktails, and exposed wood and is basically the modern-day neighborhood restaurant. Their flavors are born in local farms, captured at the peak of the season, prepared in a wood-fired oven, and served small plates-style in perfectly shareable portions. 

Complementing the menu is a bar and they take every bit as seriously as their kitchen wines are thoughtfully chosen from small producers, local and global brews that work well with their food, and craft cocktails to suit the seasons. Their concept and dining room are rustic and casual. 

Practical Information
Address: 3921 2nd Ave, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
Call: +1 313-438-5055
Open: WED-SUN 5 PM – 10 PM   MON – TUE – CLOSED
Reservations: RESY.COM

7. La Dolce Vita

La Dolce Vita is termed as the city’s hidden jewel. The restaurant is committed to serving innovative Italian cuisine. Established in 1995, La Dolce Vita has been awarded The Best Patio in Detroit by local magazines. La Dolce Vita offers an eclectic menu of regional Italian cuisine with continental influences. They use as many locally sourced products as possible to support their broad traditionally-based Italian menu. 

Besides all of the red sauce classics, La Dolce Vita is known for traditional dishes you won’t find anywhere else in Detroit, like pollo saltimbocca, and an extensive Italian wine list.

Practical Information
Address: 17546 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48203, United States
Call: +1 313-865-0331
Open TUE – SAT 4 PM – 10 PM   SUN – 12- 8:30PM MON – CLOSED
Reservations:  OPENTABLE.COM

8. Slows Bars BQ

Restaurant interiors

Restaurant interiors by Jason Leung – Unsplash

Slows Bars BQ opened in 2005 with a meticulously designed interior paired with a gourmet spin on barbecue cooked fresh every day, a love of craft beer, and a dedication to the community. Over the next few years, Slows became a destination restaurant, featured on cable TV shows and numerous national and local publications.

They serve all of the barbecue hits, plus a few local items like The Lafayette which is a pulled pork sandwich with mustard BBQ sauce, onion, and cheddar. With many restaurants mushrooming, this still remains a destination spot.

Practical Information
Address: 2138 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216, United States
Call: +1 313-962-9828
Open: SUN – THUR 11 AM – 9 PM   FRI – SAT 11 AM – 10PM 
Reservations: SLOWSBARBQ.COM

9. Supino Pizzeria

Supino Pizzeria is a family-owned pizzeria that sources most of its ingredients from local producers. When dining here make sure to try any of the red or white pies. It is also recommended to try the Margherita and San Gennaro, with onions, roasted red peppers, sausage, and mozzarella. 

In case you’re with friends and everyone needs a snack, the whole pies are huge and can quickly replace the meal you were thinking about when you first walked in.

Practical Information
Address: 2457 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207, United States
Call: +1 313-567-7879
Open: WED-SUN 10 AM – 9 PM   MON – TUE CLOSED
Reservations: TOASTTAB.COM

10. Ima 

Ima is a casual Japanese noodle shop in Corktown that’s perfect for a quick lunch or weeknight dinner. 

They serve traditional bowls of udon, and rice dishes topped with everything from barbecued eel to curry, along with dumplings and jicama shell tacos. When you visit ima, it is recommended you try the forest udon and especially opt for a sake tasting.

Practical Information
Address: 4870 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
Call: +1 313-883-9788
Open: MON – THUR 11 AM – 10 PM  FRI – SAT 11AM -11PM SUN – 12 – 10PM
Reservations:PLACES.SINGLEPLATFORM.COM

After a nice dinner meal with a group of friends, if you’re up for more merry-making into the night, be sure to check out these best hip-hop nightclubs in Detroit