For some people lunch time is another cup of noodles, bologna sandwich, or whatever snacks they can find in their desk drawers.

Lunch doesn’t have to be boring and we don’t have to save our favorite restaurants for after 5 p.m.

We’ve gathered a list of some of the best places to grab lunch in downtown Detroit.

Yes, we extended the bounds of downtown restaurants to some nearby neighborhoods like Midtown and Corktown (sometimes it’s worth being a few minutes late back to your desk).

Basement Burger Bar 1326 Brush St., Detroit; 313-818-3708; basementburgerbar.com At Basement Burger Bar you can select one of their burger recipes or build your own. Not feeling a burger? You can build a salad, too. Credit: Google Maps
Shield’s Pizzeria 5057 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-262-6087; shieldspizza.com If you’re looking for a great pizza at a Detroit staple, Shield’s is the place to go. Credit: Google Maps
Redsmoke Barbeque 573 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-962-2100; redsmokebarbeque.com From dry rubbed meats to loaded brisket fries, Redsmoke Barbeque is sure to satisfy your smokehouse cravings. Credit: Google Maps
Urban Soul 1535 E. Lafayette, Detroit; 313-344-9070; urbansoulrestaurant.com If you’re craving a hearty soul food meal, Urban Soul is the place to go. Credit: Google Maps
Calexico 1040 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 313-262-6361; calexico.com If you don’t have time to run to Southwest Detroit for tacos, Calexico is a great option. They offer a variety of tacos, burritos, and quesadillas (including vegetarian options). Credit: Google Maps
Dime Store 719 Griswold St. #180, Detroit; 313-962-9106; eatdimestore.com Dime Store might be known as one of Detroit’s more popular brunch spots, but its lunch menu isn’t too shabby either. Credit: Google Maps
Pizza Cat Max 407 E. Fort St., Detroit; 313-800-5995; pizzacat.com If you’re looking for a basic pepperoni pizza, you’re not going to find it at Pizza Cat. This “weird” pizza place tops its pies with brisket, pickles, and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Credit: Randiah Camille Green
Grandma Bob’s 2135 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-315-3177; grandmabobs.com Grandma Bob’s has a wide variety of handmade pizzas, including the Pear and Fig, Big Mack, and Street Beet Dorito Crunch. Inside is also the Cold Truth, a vegan ice cream parlor. Credit: Google Maps
Baobab Fare 6568 Woodward Ave., Suite 100, Detroit; 313-265-3093; baobabfare.com Opened by immigrants, Baobab Fare brings East African fare, coffee, and fresh juices to Detroit’s New Center neighborhood. Their signature dish is Nyumbani, a slow-simmered beef dish served with fried plantains, peanut stewed spinach, and coconut rice. Credit: Google Maps
Mercury Burger Bar 2163 Michigan Ave, Detroit, 313-964-5000; mercuryburgerbar.com If you love burgers, Mercury Burger Bar is your place to go. Credit: Google Maps
Hygrade Deli 3640 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-894-6620; hygradedeli.com Since 1955, Hygrade Deli has been delighting tastebuds with its famous corned beef sandwiches, which you can get for under $10. Credit: Google Maps
Jacoby’s 624 Brush St., Detroit; 313-962-7067; jacobysbar.com Established in 1904, this German-style beer hall serves up dishes like schnitzel and potato pancakes, in addition to more standard bar fare. Credit: Google Maps
San Morello 1400 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-209-4700; sanmorello.com You can never go wrong with Italian and the pasta and wood-fired pizzas at San Morello are perfect for lunch. Credit: Google Maps
Bucharest Grill 436 W. Columbia St, Detroit; 313-965-3111;bucharestgrill.com One thing for sure and two things for certain, a shawarma from Bucharest Grill is never a miss for lunch. Credit: Google Maps
Golden Fleece 525 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-962-7093; goldenfleecedetroit.com Golden Fleece is a Greektown staple founded by two brothers in the 1970’s. The restaurant’s menu has a large variety of traditional Greek foods to choose from. Credit: Google Maps
Townhouse 500 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-723-1000;townhousedetroit.com If you’re wanting to make lunch a little extra special, Townhouse is a great option. Lunch options include crab salad, schnitzel, and a dry aged burger. Credit: Google Maps
Rocco’s Italian Deli 3627 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-315-3033; roccosdetroit.com If you need a quick sandwich or cold pasta option, Rocco’s is great. They have a small variety of sandwiches like their Chicken Parm, Serious Beef or the Rocco II. You can always grab a pint of pasta salad and a charcuterie for later. Credit: Google Maps
Parc 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-922-PARC;parcdetroit.com Located in Campus Martius, lunch at Parc offers good food, drinks, and a great view of the city. Credit: Google Maps
Sweetwater Tavern 400 E. Congress St., Detroit; 313-962-2210; sweetwatertavern.net Sweetwater marinates their wings for 24 hours, giving your munchies monster a full dose of flavor. Credit: Google Maps
The Apparatus Room 250 W. Larned St., Detroit; detroitfoundationhotel.com/apparatus-room Located inside of the Detroit Foundation Hotel, The Apparatus Room recently announced it would be serving lunch. Some items include BLT Deviled Eggs, Summer Squash & Saffron Risotto and Bumpy Cake. Credit: Google Maps
Breadless 2760 Larned St., Detroit; 313-488-4091; eatbreadless.com If you’re counting your carbs, this breadless sandwich shop is the perfect lunch option for you. Credit: Viola Klocko
Mudgie’s Deli 1413 Brooklyn St., Detroit; 313-961-2000; mudgiesdeli.com There’s not much to say about Mudgie’s that hasn’t already been said. If you want a great sandwich, you want Mudgie’s. Credit: Google Maps
The Block 3919 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-832-0892; theblockdet.com Lunch at The Block is always a great midday option. Choose from Buffalo Chicken flatbread, Salmon BLT, Block Mac, and more. Credit: Google Maps
The Kitchen by Cooking with Que 6529 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-462-4184; thekitchenbycwq.com If you’re looking for great vegan lunch options, you’ll enjoy checking out The Kitchen by Cooking with Que. The Kitchen makes plant-based eating exciting, and with rotating options, you’re bound to not try the same thing twice. Credit: Google Maps
Avalon Cafe and Bakery 1049 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313- 285-8006; avalonbreads.net Avalon Cafe offers soups, salads, sandwiches, and even pizza as lunchtime options. Credit: Google Maps

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