September 03, 2020

20 of metro Detroit's most anticipated restaurants in 2020

By Metro Times Staff

We can almost taste them now. Of course, we're referring to the more than a dozen restaurants plotted to open in Detroit either this year or next. Some of these projects have been in the works for years (because, as we know, perfection takes time), while some have had to put progress on pause in wake of a pandemic. For others, it’s full steam ahead. From Cajun to high-end Italian, Polish baked goods, and East African fare, Detroit is about to get punched in the face with new flavors.

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20 of metro Detroit's most anticipated restaurants in 2020
Baobab Fare 6568 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-266-5199; baobabfare.com It’s been a long time coming for casual East African concept and 2017 Hatch Detroit winners Baobab Fare. Owned by Burundi refugees Mamba Hamissi and Nadia Nijimnber, Baobab Fare pivoted to offering whole bean coffee while they complete the build out of their 65-seat restaurant, juice bar, and market hybrid offering vegetarian-friendly and Halal breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes. Photo via Baobab Fare/Facebook

Baobab Fare


6568 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-266-5199; baobabfare.com

It’s been a long time coming for casual East African concept and 2017 Hatch Detroit winners Baobab Fare. Owned by Burundi refugees Mamba Hamissi and Nadia Nijimnber, Baobab Fare pivoted to offering whole bean coffee while they complete the build out of their 65-seat restaurant, juice bar, and market hybrid offering vegetarian-friendly and Halal breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes.

Photo via Baobab Fare/Facebook
Sauce 4120 Second Ave., Detroit; saucedetroit.com This Heirloom Hospitality (Townhouse, Prime + Proper) pizza spot was supposed to open in the spring, but was put on hold during the coronavirus pandemic. Sauce will open in the former Will Leather Goods along Cass Corridor with former Otus Supply chef Myles McVay at the helm. Featuring Neapolitan pizzas and other dishes inspired by Italy and Southern California, Sauce will also include a coffee bar that will serve lattes and gelato. It’s expected to seat 300 people, including patio seating. Photo by Steve Neavling

Sauce


4120 Second Ave., Detroit; saucedetroit.com

This Heirloom Hospitality (Townhouse, Prime + Proper) pizza spot was supposed to open in the spring, but was put on hold during the coronavirus pandemic. Sauce will open in the former Will Leather Goods along Cass Corridor with former Otus Supply chef Myles McVay at the helm. Featuring Neapolitan pizzas and other dishes inspired by Italy and Southern California, Sauce will also include a coffee bar that will serve lattes and gelato. It’s expected to seat 300 people, including patio seating.

Photo by Steve Neavling
Olin 25 E. Grand River Ave. Detroit; olindetroit.com An American restaurant with Mediterranean and Spanish influences will open in the former PuppetART space near Parker’s Alley downtown. Helmed by resaurateur Holly McLain, Olin Kitchen + Bar will feature a 13-seat bar, 20-person lounge area, and a 100-seat dining room, including a chef’s table. Olin will start with dinner, offering items like artichoke bravas, steak frites, and grilled octopus with romesco sauce. McClain will also open a walk-up window out of the space offering soft pretzels, artisanal dips, and to-go cocktails. Photo via Olin Detroit /Facebook

Olin


25 E. Grand River Ave. Detroit; olindetroit.com

An American restaurant with Mediterranean and Spanish influences will open in the former PuppetART space near Parker’s Alley downtown. Helmed by resaurateur Holly McLain, Olin Kitchen + Bar will feature a 13-seat bar, 20-person lounge area, and a 100-seat dining room, including a chef’s table. Olin will start with dinner, offering items like artichoke bravas, steak frites, and grilled octopus with romesco sauce. McClain will also open a walk-up window out of the space offering soft pretzels, artisanal dips, and to-go cocktails.

Photo via Olin Detroit /Facebook
Freya and Dragonfly 2929 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit The owners of Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails are plotting a dual fine dining restaurant and cocktail concept in the Milwaukee Junction neighborhood. Freya will serve as the restaurant component, with a 40-50 seat dining room, whereas Dragonfly will focus on cocktail and wine programs. Photo via GoogleMaps

Freya and Dragonfly


2929 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit

The owners of Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails are plotting a dual fine dining restaurant and cocktail concept in the Milwaukee Junction neighborhood. Freya will serve as the restaurant component, with a 40-50 seat dining room, whereas Dragonfly will focus on cocktail and wine programs.

Photo via GoogleMaps
Coriander Kitchen & Farm 14601 Riverside Blvd., Detroit; 313-473-9132; corianderkitchenandfarm.com Chef Alison Heeres and farmer Gwen Meyer of Coriander Kitchen & Farm have been itching to open their waterfront farm-to-table restaurant since securing the previously vacant marina in the Jefferson-Chalmers area. As they dealt with construction delays and rising water levels, the pair launched a food truck onsite and offered a limited run of patio service, both of which have ceased so that they can focus energy on completing the construction for an October opening. Photo via Coriander Detroit/Facebook

Coriander Kitchen & Farm


14601 Riverside Blvd., Detroit; 313-473-9132; corianderkitchenandfarm.com

Chef Alison Heeres and farmer Gwen Meyer of Coriander Kitchen & Farm have been itching to open their waterfront farm-to-table restaurant since securing the previously vacant marina in the Jefferson-Chalmers area. As they dealt with construction delays and rising water levels, the pair launched a food truck onsite and offered a limited run of patio service, both of which have ceased so that they can focus energy on completing the construction for an October opening.

Photo via Coriander Detroit/Facebook
Oak & Reel 2921 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-270-9600; oakandreel.com Also in the Milwaukee Junction area comes Italian seafood spot Oak & Reel. Offering handmade pasta and a wood-fired oven, chef Jared Gadbaw’s Oak & Reel was nearing completion in February but only recently began staffing up for a potential fall opening. Photo via GoogleMaps

Oak & Reel


2921 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-270-9600; oakandreel.com

Also in the Milwaukee Junction area comes Italian seafood spot Oak & Reel. Offering handmade pasta and a wood-fired oven, chef Jared Gadbaw’s Oak & Reel was nearing completion in February but only recently began staffing up for a potential fall opening.

Photo via GoogleMaps
Slyde 7960 Kercheval Ave., Detroit; slydedetroit.com Four years and several setbacks later, gourmet sliders will soon be coming to Detroit's West Village. Slyde, which bills itself as "an approachable neighborhood bar and restaurant serving sliders and shareables,” has found a home base in a historic bank building, a space that once housed Detroit Body Garage and The Good Rug. In recent months, Slyde has hosted takeout-only walk-up orders for select pop-up events. The rotating pop-up menu offered a variety of sliders and shareables, like mac and cheese and waffle fries. Photo via Slyde the Restaurant/Facebook

Slyde


7960 Kercheval Ave., Detroit; slydedetroit.com

Four years and several setbacks later, gourmet sliders will soon be coming to Detroit's West Village. Slyde, which bills itself as "an approachable neighborhood bar and restaurant serving sliders and shareables,” has found a home base in a historic bank building, a space that once housed Detroit Body Garage and The Good Rug. In recent months, Slyde has hosted takeout-only walk-up orders for select pop-up events. The rotating pop-up menu offered a variety of sliders and shareables, like mac and cheese and waffle fries.

Photo via Slyde the Restaurant/Facebook
Detroit Axe and the Corner 1375 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 248-291-5650; detroitaxe.com In 2019, Ferndale board game and axe-throwing bar Detroit Axe announced that it would be opening two new locations this year — one in Corktown and one in Clinton Township. However, the 7,000-sq. ft. space at 1375 Michigan Ave. is still listed as being a coming attraction on the Detroit Axe website. The new location won't have a built-in restaurant like it has with the Corner in Ferndale, but there will be a food truck on the premises at all times. It'll also offer a full bar, 16 throwing lanes, hundreds of board games, Skee Ball, pinball, bumper pool, and more. Photo via GoogleMaps

Detroit Axe and the Corner


1375 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 248-291-5650; detroitaxe.com

In 2019, Ferndale board game and axe-throwing bar Detroit Axe announced that it would be opening two new locations this year — one in Corktown and one in Clinton Township. However, the 7,000-sq. ft. space at 1375 Michigan Ave. is still listed as being a coming attraction on the Detroit Axe website. The new location won't have a built-in restaurant like it has with the Corner in Ferndale, but there will be a food truck on the premises at all times. It'll also offer a full bar, 16 throwing lanes, hundreds of board games, Skee Ball, pinball, bumper pool, and more.

Photo via GoogleMaps
Coffee Down Under 607 Shelby St., Detroit In February, it was announced that a new Australian-style coffee bar was headed to Detroit's Financial District in a 400-sq. ft. space under Brome Modern Eatery. The coffee bar will feature espresso roasts from Proud Mary Cafe, a Melbourne-based establishment. It will also serve Australian refreshments, including the long black — it’s stronger than an Americano and is created by pouring a double-shot of espresso or ristretto over hot water. As they prepare to open, Coffee Down Under has been doing pop-up collaborations with Huddle Soft Serve as well as offering bags of their whole bean coffee online. Photo via GoogleMaps

Coffee Down Under


607 Shelby St., Detroit

In February, it was announced that a new Australian-style coffee bar was headed to Detroit's Financial District in a 400-sq. ft. space under Brome Modern Eatery. The coffee bar will feature espresso roasts from Proud Mary Cafe, a Melbourne-based establishment. It will also serve Australian refreshments, including the long black — it’s stronger than an Americano and is created by pouring a double-shot of espresso or ristretto over hot water. As they prepare to open, Coffee Down Under has been doing pop-up collaborations with Huddle Soft Serve as well as offering bags of their whole bean coffee online.

Photo via GoogleMaps

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