We Michiganders know one thing to be true: winter is inevitable. No longer how many unseasonably warm days November may hold, winter is on its way, which, during a global pandemic, will make quarantining all the more difficult. But fear not, brave people who wish to dine in public, as there are some creative solutions to socially distant dining in metro Detroit. While many restaurants will winterize existing patios and rooftops to better accommodate guests this winter, others are taking it a step further by offering private igloos, tents, and in some cases, yurts. (Just beware of a false sense of security.)

Buddy’s Pizza various locations; buddyspizza.com Let’s be real. We would absolutely endure insane weather conditions to eat just one slice of Buddy’s Detroit-style pizza because it is better than good. It’s iconic. Thankfully, though, we don’t have to because Buddy’s is offering heated outdoor dining — tents and shanties — at locations in Downtown Detroit, Dearborn, Lansing, Portage, Troy, and Woodhaven. Photo via Buddy’s Pizza/Facebook
Honest John’s 488 Selden St., Detroit; 313-832-5646; honestjohnsdetroit Men might lie (as suggested by this bar’s popular neon decor) but Honest John’s has got us covered with personal heated dining tents within one big heated tent. Where else would you want to chase your hangover with Butterfinger pancakes and hair of the dog? Photo via Honest John’s/Facebook
Black Pearl 302 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-222-0400; blackpearlannarbor.com This Ann Arbor eatery has nothing to do with Pirates of the Caribbean but it is a treasure in its own right with an eclectic menu with items like blackened swordfish, Cajun pasta, and beef tips. Instead of igloos, though, Black Pearl has constructed sturdy, heated, and aesthetically pleasing greenhouses for private dining experiences. Photo via Black Pearl Ann Arbor/Facebook
Champ’s Pub 140 E. Grand River, Brighton; 810-227-4443; champspub.com If you can deep fry it, you can eat it at Champ’s in Brighton, where bar fare reigns supreme and where you can drink pitchers of beer in a heated igloo like a real champ. Though they only have two available for reservations, there is no minimum spending requirement and guests can dine for an hour and 45 minutes with 4-6 guests. Photo via Champ’s Pub/Facebook
Mint 29 Dearborn 22000 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-438-0507; mint29.com Korean BBQ glazed salmon, anyone? This upscale fusion steakhouse and seafood spot in Dearborn is offering igloo dining, each with their own heater and a $150 minimum requirement. Photo via Mint 29/Facebook
Royal Oak Brewery 215 E. Fourth St., Royal Oak; 248-544-1141; royaloakbrewery.com A brew in an igloo? Don’t mind if we do! Royal Oak Brewery has a frosty, yet toasty, selection of igloos available for reservation and, when reserved on Wednesday, Thursday, or Sunday, there is no minimum. Photo via Royal Oak Brewery/Facebook
Watermark Bar and Grille 24420 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-777-3677; watermarkbarandgrille.com Eating char-grilled octopus in a clear plastic igloo might seem like something from a dream that a therapist would absolutely link to unresolved fear cephalopods, but at St. Clair Shores’ Watermark Bar and Grille, it’s a reality. Igloos, which can be reserved online for up to six guests, do not require a deposit, but they will have to put your card on file in case you fail to cancel your reso outside of the 48 hour cancellation period. Better call your therapist in advance, as they also have calamari. Photo via Watermark Bar and Grille/Facebook
Amici’s Kitchen and Living Room 3249 12 Mile Rd., Berkley; 248-544-4100; amiciskitchenandlivingroom.com You can take the tent out of the pizza, you know, those little plastic circle things, but at Amici’s Kitchen and Living Room in Berkley, the pizza doesn’t leave the tent. Though Amici’s cozy patio atmosphere may not seat a ton of people, which is, obviously, a good thing, they do have plenty of room far martinis (also a good thing.) Photo via Amici’s Kitchen and Living Room/Facebook
Tavern at Tina’s 50870 North Ave., Macomb; 586-949-2288; thetavernattinas.com We don’t know who Tina is but we want to eat at her Tavern or, at the very least, igloos at Tina’s Tavern. Offering elevated bar fare like fish and chips, pizza, and chicken strips, Tina’s has four spacious, carpeted, and climate controlled igloos available for reservation for parties of up to eight people. Each reservation has a three hour dining limit and a $300 minimum with a $25 gratuity and a $50 deposit on Friday and Saturday. However, on kids night, aka Monday, there are no minimum spend requirements and kids under 10 get a free ice cream sundae. Photo via Tavern at Tina’s/Facebook
Lake Inn Lapeer 3711 Hunt Rd., Lapeer; 810-667-09411; lakeinnlapeer.com It’s a little like eating a burger in front of a cow but at Lake Inn Lapeer, which has a seafood-focused menu, they’ve got igloos on the deck overlooking the lake, you know, home to pre-cooked sea creatures. All that is required to reserve a waterfront igloo is a willingness to spend $150 minimum on food and drinks Monday-Thursday or $200 minimum Friday through Sunday. Photo via Lake Inn Lapeer/Facebook
Motor City Brewing Works 470 W. Canfield St., Detroit; 313-832-2700; motorcitybeer.com It might be too cold to camp in a tent (unless, you know, you’re actually insane) but it’s never too cold to eat a jumbo hot pretzel or a pizza pie called “The Godfather 2“ with a pint of brew in a tent, which is what Motor City Brewing Works has erected to ensure safe and warm dining. Photo via Motor City Brewing Words/Facebook
Brown Iron Brewhouse 30955 Woodward Ave., Ste. 510, Royal Oak; 248-951-2659; 57695 Van Dyke Rd., Washington; 586-697-3300; browniron.com Give us honey Sriracha chicken wings or give us death. OK — we may have gone too far, but Brown Iron Brewhouse of Royal Oak and Washington Township have an eclectic comfort food-heavy menu and, now, they have igloos where we can eat said comfort food. Igloos are by reservation only with a $25 reservation fee and a $150 minimum. That’s a lot of honey Sriracha chicken wings. Photo via Brown Iron Brewhouse/Facebook
Berkley Common 3087 12 Mile Rd., Berkley; 248-677-0795; berkleycommon.com Dining igloos are becoming pretty common, specifically at Berkley Common where you can fill up on comfort food like buttermilk fried chicken, tofu chorizo stew, and pork shank. Igloos fit six guests and are available for timed reservations. Oh, there’s a $50-$200 deposit required and a 20% gratuity added to the bill or deposit, depending on which is higher. Photo via Berkley Common/Facebook
INDO Indonesian Restaurant 1535 Cass Lake Rd., Keego Harbor; 248-622-4408; indo.res The outdoor dining hustle is real at Keego Harbor’s Indonesian eatery INDO, where they creatively pivoted to the tent/igloo life by erecting a couple of private outdoor pods. But don’t go to INDO just for their modest pods. Go for the menu, which is made up of “delicate and fiery” traditional family recipes from Central Java. Photo via INDO Indonesian Restaurant/Facebook
Lockhart’s BBQ 202 E. Third St., Royal Oak; 248-584-4227; lockhartsbbq.com Nothing warms a cold heart quite like a rack of ribs and, well, a heated igloo, both of which Lockhart’s BBQ in Royal Oak has in spades. They’re offering their dining igloos for a non-refundable $10 booking fee and a $150 minimum Friday and Saturdays with no minimum spend on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Photo via Lockhart’s BBQ/Facebook
East Eats 1018 Navahoe St., Detroit; easteats.us It’s no secret that tiny things are just cuter than non-tiny things. Kittens? Cute. Hamsters eating tiny tacos? Very cute. A brand spanking new restaurant composed of tiny geodesic domes for intimate and COVID-friendly dining? The cutest! East Eats opened in Detroit’s Jefferson Chalmers area thanks to U-M research fellow Lloyd Talley and Howard University grad and co-founder of Detroit Black Restaurant Week, Kwaku Osei-Bonsu, along with chef Nygel Fyvie. Described as being “vegan forward,” East Eats offers tacos and bao, as well as soups and desserts. The space is made up of 10 domes that fit eight guests each, and each reservation allows stays of two hours. Though East Eats doesn’t offer alcohol, you’re welcome to bring your own for a corking fee and the staff will provide cups, mixers, and juices upon request. Photo via EastEats: A Tiny Dining Experience/Facebook
KouZina Greek Street Food 121 N. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-629-6500 | 332 Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-997-5155; gokouzina.com If you’ve ever dreamed of chowing down on a piping hot gyro covered in tzatziki while sitting outside in an illuminated igloo on Main Streets in Royal Oak or Ann Arbor, casual Greek street food spot KouZina has you covered — literally. Though they only have one igloo per location, it’s worth the wait. Photo courtesy of KouZina Greek Street Food
Casa Pernoi 310 E. Maple Rd., Birmingham; 248-940-0000; facebook.com/CasaPernoiBirmingham Earlier this year, Pernoi — the fine-dining restaurant launched by acclaimed chef Luciano DelSignore in 2019 — rebranded as the casual Italian spot, “Casa Pernoi.” It offers Italian favorites like Ricotta Ravioli, Charred Octopus, Baked Orata, and Veal Chop Parmigiano, all of which can be enjoyed in the great outdoors, covered by a tent and warmed by fireplaces, of course. Photo courtesy of Casa Pernoi
Detroit Fleat 1820 E. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-607-7611; detroitfleat.com Move your feet and get to Detroit Fleat because they’ve got igloos, baby. The casual Ferndale rotating food truck stop — meaning you can have local and mobile Mexican, Meditteranean, and/or Italian fare — has transformed its patio to accommodate igloo experiences for up to six guests per igloo. In order to snag one of these heated spots, though it’s recommended guests wear layers depending on just how cruel the weather is, and you have to make a reservation at which point you will have to put some cash toward holding your spot. Photo via Detroit Fleat/Facebook
Blake’s Tasting Room 17985 Armada Center Rd., Armada; 586-784-9463 | 5600 Van Dyke, Almont; blakeshardcider.com/tasting room Craft beer, apple cider, and something called a “donut flight”? Where do we sign up? Apparently, Blake’s Tasting Room is where we can live out our autumnal Michigan dreams, even if winter creeps up on us, because they’ve got igloos, folks. Each heated and holiday-decorated igloo seats up to 10 guests for two hours with a $50 deposit plus a minimum of $200 spent on food and drinks. This year, the igloos are also being offered at Blake’s Backyard in Almont. Photo courtesy of Blake’s Tasting Room
Bobcat Bonnie’s 1800 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-1383 | 118 Sycamore St., Wyandotte; 734-530-1806 | 240 E. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-677-0158 | 200 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti; 734-879-0663; 17330 Hall Rd., Ste. 195, Clinton Twp.; bobcatbonnies.com Local gastro pub chain Bobcat Bonnie’s is getting in on the outdoor dining fun with heated igloos at their Detroit, Clinton Township, and Wyandotte locations, and a covered and heated patio at their Ferndale spot, which includes an additional tent to keep people spread out, safe, and loaded up with drinks and tater tots. Photo via Bobcat Bonnie’s/Facebook
Clarkston Union 54 S. Main St., Village of Clarkston; 248-620-6200; clarkstonunion.com Once home to the best mac and cheese in the country (and, it may as well still be, because damn is it good), Clarkston Union and all of the Union Joint-owned spots have heated igloos for added comfort. A repurposed church in Clarkston, the Union is offering igloos for no additional charge, but they are asking guests to limit their time to an hour and a half. Each igloo is sprayed with disinfectant after each visit. Now back to the mac and cheese … Photo courtesy of Clarkston Union Credit: Courtesy of Union Joints
Deadwood Bar and Grill 18730 Northville Rd., Northville; 248-347-4353; deadwoodbarandgrill.com It’s igloo season at Deadwood Bar and Grill. Described as a rustic retreat offering mountain-inspired decor meets hearty, adventurous, cuisine, Deadwood Bar and Grill knows a thing or two about cozy. The restaurant, a log cabin, has created an igloo wonderland to help parties of up to 10 to social distance while eating homemade BBQ sandwiches, burgers, and more. Photo via Deadwood Bar and Grill/Facebook
Detroit Shipping Company 474 Peterboro St., Detroit; 313-462-4973; detroitshippingcompany.com If you’re like us and are an indecisive eater that cannot choose between tacos, fried chicken, or a Pad Thai sushi roll, there’s Detroit Shipping Company. Located in Midtown, Detroit Shipping Co. is a multi-tiered shipping container food hall and beer garden that is offering food and bar service in a giant heated tent, in addition to indoor dining. Photo courtesy of Detroit Shipping Company
Fenton Fire Hall 201 S. Leroy St., Fenton; 810-936-0442; fentonfirehall.com In keeping with Union Joints’ penchant for restoring historic buildings and converting them into comfort food havens, Fenton Fire Hall is all the cheesy, meaty goodness you’ve come to expect from the restaurant group — and they’re offering igloos for outdoor dining. Photo courtesy of Fenton Fire Hall
Flowers of Vietnam 4440 Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-554-2085; flowersofvietnam.com A former Coney Island diner in Southwest Detroit was flipped into a high-end Vietnamese street food eatery in 2016. Enter Flowers of Vietnam, a destination restaurant that has some of the most mind-blowing chicken wings on the planet (sorry, B-dubs). It also offers unique cocktails, inspired entrees, and steamed desserts and they’ve got a heated, soon-to-be covered patio. Photo courtesy of Flowers of Vietnam
Grey Ghost 47 Watson St., Detroit; 313-262-6534; greyghostdetroit.com Midtown has some prime people-watching and, to be honest, some killer food. In the case of Grey Ghost, the food is spooky good. Though their outdoor patio offering is modest in size, it is heated and will soon be covered as soon as the sunshine takes a months-long vacation. Photo courtesy of Grey Ghost
Honcho Latin Street Food and Coffee 3 E. Church St., Village of Clarkston; 248-707-3793; eathoncho.com Described as “Latin food that speaks in an Asian accent but lives on Main street,” Honcho in Clarkston offers everything from burritos stuffed with caramelized garam masala, capers, griddle-seared queso, and spiced pepitas to miso refried black beans and Korean pork tacos, all of which can be enjoyed in the restaurant’s outdoor mess tents. Photo courtesy of Honco Latin Street Food and Coffee
The White Horse Inn 1 E. High St, Metamora; 810-678-2276; thewhitehorseinn.com Giddy up, y’all, Metamora’s The White Horse Inn is worth the trip on account of its friggin’ igloo village. That’s right. The historic White Horse Inn, which was built in 1848 as a stagecoach stop and inn, is serving up outdoor dining realness this season. There are three to choose from, Boho Base Camp, Icelyn Aviary, or the Llama Lounge. All are heated, all can fit 10 guests, and all are available via advance reservations. These are not your run of the mill igloos, either. Each one is festooned in festive garlands, birdcages, and unique light fixtures, like the Llama Lounge, illuminated in blue light at night and features a handsome portrait of some llamas. Photo via White Horse Inn Metamora/Facebook
Ima 2015 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-502-5959; imanoodles.com All hail udon! All hail golden curry! All hail sake! Ima in Corktown has become a neighborhood favorite since opening in 2016 thanks to its refined menu of customizable and traditional Asian noodle and rice dishes, along with things like smoked salmon potato salad, Asian-inspired tacos, and, in select locations, one of the best damn spicy chicken sandwiches in town. They may not have igloos, but their patio will soon be prepped with a full coverage and full heat-age so you can enjoy some lobster udon because, yeah, they’ve got that, in the comfort of their socially-distanced outdoor tent. Photo courtesy of Ima
Lumen 1903 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-626-5005; lumendetroit.com Even a high-end downtown eatery like Lumen can’t resist the charm and thoughtful design of the igloo, winter dining’s newest best friend. Igloos must be reserved in advance and cost $30 per person as a deposit and a $300 food/drink minimum, which isn’t hard to do when you go ham on crab cakes, mussels, pork chops, Wagyu short ribs, and a $275 bottles of wine — we’re looking at you Crown Point 2016! Photo via Lumen Detroit/Facebook
Camp Ticonderoga 5725 Rochester Rd., Troy; 248-828-2825; campticonderoga.com Summer might be over but that doesn’t mean we can’t still go to camp — Camp Ticonderoga in Troy, that is. Camp Ti as it is lovingly called offers a rustic atmosphere and a menu filled with comfort food favorites, from Certified Black Angus steaks and homemade chocolate chip cookies. This year marks the return of two heated and reservable dining igloos available for parties of up to 10 people who are willing to ensure a $200 food and beverage minimum. Photo via Camp Ticonderoga/Facebook
Green Dot Stables 2200 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; 313-962-5588; greendotstables.com Slide into colder temps with sliders from Green Dot Stables, all of which can be enjoyed from their social distance-friendly and heated patio. Normally that space would have served as a bar and waiting area for guests, but since COVID-19, they’ve taken advantage of the extra space to serve the community the one thing they really want: mystery meat sliders! Oh, and venison chili cheese fries. Photo via Green Dot Stables/Facebook
Marrow 8044 Kercheval Ave., Detroit; 313-652-0200; marrowdetroit.com When a butcher shop meets a restaurant the results are, well, meaty. When it comes to two-time James Beard Award-nominated restaurant and whole animal butcher shop, Marrow, it’s all about community, and, obviously, local and sustainably sourced meat. And there’s good news for carnivores who want to eat outside because Marrow has a patio that is partially covered and heated so you can eat your meat without getting cold-blooded. Photo courtesy of Marrow
Moose Preserve 43034 N. Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills; 248-858-7688; moosepreserve.com Shit’s getting cozy, y’all. At least that’s the case at Bloomfield Hills’ comfort food lodge, Moose Preserve. Not only can you eat BBQ Buffalo meatballs, perch sliders, shepherd’s pie, and mac and cheese loaded with BBQ pulled pork and candied bacon, but you eat all of those delicious things while in a cozy fully-decorated igloo. This year, Moose Preserve is offering reservations for two igloos, the Husky Hideaway or the Northern Lights. Each igloo can fit a party of 8 and costs $25 per person or $150 (whichever is greater) as a food and beverage minimum. Blah, blah, blah, just let us get a pile of jerk chicken pasta. Photo via Moose Preserve/Facebook
The Morrie 511 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-216-1112 | 260 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-940-3260; themorrie.com The tents are up and they’re heated, at least this is the case at both locations for “creative, yet classic, American bar,” The Morrie. Located in Royal Oak and Birmingham, the Morrie has kept the party alive and is making it easier to enjoy with their heated tents where you can eat, drink, and watch live music. Photo via The Morrie /Facebook
Como’s 22812 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-677-4439; comosrestaurant.com Though Como’s in Ferndale is one of the area’s best places to hang in the warmer months on account of their insane outdoor patio, it’s going to be a go-to spot when things get chilly because, good news, their patio is winterized and ready to keep you warm with heated seating and hot pizza, baby. Photo via Como’s Ferndale/Facebook
Vinsetta Garage 27799 Woodward Ave., Berkley; 248-548-7711; vinsettagarage.com The only Union Joint-owned restaurant in metro Detroit, Vinsetta Garage is joining in the igloo game while offering its coveted selection of comfort food ranging from burgers, deep-fried cheese curds, and, yes, that mac and cheese. Photo courtesy of Vinsetta Garage
Pinky’s Rooftop 100 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-291-6506; pinkysroyaloak.com Pinky’s may sound like something you might search on WebMD, but for metro Detroiters, it means good food and a good view. Oh, did we mention the decor? Yeah. So, it looks like Instagram ads had sex with a Pinterest board and then baptized its spawn in rose gold. What we’re saying is, come for the food, stay for the Instagram opportunity, and then keep staying for the food, which you can eat on a heated rooftop patio. Photo by Catherine Sareini
Frame 23839 John R, Hazel Park; 313-962-5588; framehazelpark.com Strike a pose at Frame in Hazel Park, where private specially-themed dinners in yurts are a reality. The yurt dining series will run through the month with three themed events, Swiss Alpine, sustainable, and Romanian fare. The exclusive dinner events allow parties of six per yurt with a $330 minimum. Photo via Frame/Facebook
Prime 10 15600 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield; 248-327-7344; prime10detroit.com Prime 10 has installed ten heated greenhouses for patio seating. Delivery and curbside pickup is also available. Photo via Prime 10
Armando’s Mexican Restaurant 4242 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-554-0666; armandosmexicantown.com The first recipient of Southwest Detroit’s Luminarias promotion, which will bring 15 custom-built heated outdoor dining structures modeled after luminarias throughout Mexicantown, Armando’s will add this outdoor dining feature in addition to its heated patio. What better way to enjoy a whole mess of fajitas? Photo via Armando’s Mexican Restaurant/Facebook

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