If metro Detroit had a brunch capital, it would be Ferndale.

While mimosa towers and carefully curated benedicts and pancakes are amazing at many of this suburb’s restaurants, Ferndale has a lot more to offer the dining scene.

Here’s a list of essential Ferndale restaurants.

Pop’s For Italian 280 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-268-4806;popsforitalian.com Pop’s For Italian is a great spot for wood-fired pizza and handmade pasta. Don’t underestimate their weekend brunch, though — any place with a mimosa tower is good in our book. Credit: Google Maps
Fly Trap 22950 Woodward Ave.; 248-399-5150; theflytrapferndale.com This long-standing brunch restaurant has been featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives and is a breakfast staple among locals. When its previous owners decided to quit last year after 20 years in business, Bobcat Bonnie’s Matt Buskard stepped in to take over the “finer diner,” vowing to change “NOTHING.” Credit: Google Maps
Bobcat Bonnie’s 240 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-677-0158; bobcatbonnies.com Bobcat Bonnie’s aims to be your “neighborhood spot,” and they do a good job supporting local causes and using local products as well. The chain owns seven locations across Michigan and Ohio. Credit: Google Maps
Toast 23144 Woodward Ave.; 248-398-0444 eatattoast.com A breakfast and lunch joint, Toast offers a variety of mimosas and bloody marys, gourmet omelets, and of course pancakes. Credit: Toast / Facebook
New York Bagel 23316 Woodward Ave.; 248-548-2580; newyorkbagel-detroit.com Whether you’re going for an everything bagel, their in-house cream cheese spread, or a good ol’ lox bagel, this perennial Metro Times “Best of Detroit” winner is a great fresh start to your morning. Credit: Facebook, New York Bagel
One-Eyed Betty’s 175 W. Troy St.; 248-808-6633; oneeyedbettys.com While the food is great, One-Eyed Betty’s cocktail menu is nothing to ignore. Credit: Google Maps
Como’s 22812 Woodward Ave.; 248-677-4439; comosrestaurant.com With Detroit-style pizza and over 20 beers on tap, Como’s is a great place for a casual lunch. The long-standing spot was renovated under recent years under chef Zack Sklar. Credit: Como's / Facebook
May’s Bangkok Express 254 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-545-3929; maysbangkok.weebly.com This family-owned Thai restaurant is small, but offers a few flavorful Thai dishes. Credit: Google Maps
J’s Penalty Box 22726 Woodward Ave.; 248-398-4070jspenaltyboxferndale.com This Ferndale sports bar offers drink specials for every Tigers Home Run and every Red Wings goal. Everyone’s a winner here. Credit: Google Maps
Detroit Fleat 1820 E. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-607-7611detroitfleat.com Detroit Fleat is a food truck park that rotates vendors year-round. Credit: Google Maps
Ferndale Project 567 Livernois Ave.; 313-513-2200; ferndaleproject.com The Ferndale Project is the sister brewpub of Eastern Market Brewing Co. The complex includes offerings from ASHE Coffee Supply and Dooped Donuts. Credit: Google Maps
Public House 241 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-733-4905; publichouseferndale.com Public House offers cocktails, mocktails, and everything in between. What’s particularly cool? Public House has a vegan brunch menu that is just as full and plentiful as its regular menu, so our meatless friends aren’t limited to pancakes. Credit: Public House / Facebook
Inyo 22871 Woodward Ave.; 248-543-9500; inyorestaurant.com Inyo is a Japanese fusion restaurant that specializes in sushi and traditional cuisine. Credit: Google Maps
Anita’s Kitchen 22651 Woodward Ave.; 248-548-0680; anitaskitchen.com This Lebanese restaurant serves dishes like shawarma, baked kibbeh, and stuffed grape leaves, and also offers craft cocktails. Credit: Google Maps
Mezcal 201 E. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-268-3915; mezcalferndale.com If you’re looking for the popular birria tacos, you can get them at Mezcal. The menu also boasts burritos, tostadas, tortas, and quesadillas. Credit: Mezcal / Facebook
Imperial 22828 Woodward Ave.; 248-850-8060; imperialferndale.com We expect Mexican restaurants to carry tacos, but what about hot dogs? Both are on the menu at Imperial. Credit: Google Maps
Culantro 22939 Woodward Ave.; 248-632-1055; culantroperu.com Culantro is a Peruvian eatery with dishes that challenge what you think you know about Latin American cuisine. Credit: Google Maps
Spacecat V-stro 255 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-268-3211; spacecatvstro.com Who says vegan and vegetarian food has to be boring? Spacecat V-stro dishes out vegan and vegetarian comfort food including classics like mac and cheese. Credit: Google Maps
Balkan House 314 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-268-4920; thebalkanhouse.com Balkan House offers a taste of Europe right in the heart of Ferndale, serving up popular doner kebabs. Credit: Google Maps
Red Hook 220 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-398-8018; theredhookcoffee.com This cozy coffeehouse has no shortage of brewed coffee, lattes, cold drinks, and more. Credit: Google Maps
The Corner 344 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-291-5470; thecornerferndale.com The Corner is a little different than your average bar and grill. Sure you can grab a burger, but you can also reserve a game table to play a classic board game, or even throw a few axes. Credit: Google Maps
Howe’s Bayou 22848 Woodward Ave.; 248-691-7145; howesbayouferndale.net A taste of New Orleans on Woodward Avenue, Howe’s Bayou offers everything from fried catfish to voodoo chicken and shrimp. Credit: Google Maps
Voyager 600 Vester St.; 248-658-4999voyagerferndale.com Voyager is a seafood restaurant that curates its food and cocktails by season. Credit: Voyager / Facebook
Christine’s Cuisine 729 E. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-584-3354; christinescuisineinc.com Though Christine’s Cuisine offers a variety of American and contemporary dishes, they also offer Eastern European specialties (like pierogi). Credit: Google Maps
TigerLily 231 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-733-4905; tigerlilyferndale.com TigerLily is an upscale sushi restaurant that also serves great cocktails and a variety of Japanese spirits. You can stop by for a cocktail in the attached Mai Tiki, a speakeasy-style bar built in a converted office. Credit: Google Maps
The Emory 22700 Woodward Ave.; 248-546-8202; theemoryferndale.com If you want a great burger or other good American comfort classics, The Emory is your place to go. They also have a great selection of cocktails. Credit: The Emory / Facebook
Valentine Distilling Co. 161 Vester Ave.; 248-629-9951; valentinedistilling.com This speakeasy-style tasting room spotlights the spirits that Valentine distills a mere five minutes away. Credit: Google Maps
Bangkok Cafe 323 W. Nine Mile Rd.; 248-548-5373 Bangkok Cafe is a great place to get introduced to traditional Thai dishes. Credit: Google Maps
Hilton Road Cafe 3150 Hilton Rd.; 248-548-0008 While this brunch spot sadly closed in 2023 after being open since 2008, we’re now hopeful for a return. In late 2023, Detroit chef Nikita Sanches posted a photo on social media showing a key and the Hilton Road Cafe with the caption, “We’re taking it back to where it all began. See you soon, Ferndale! Stay tuned for details.” We aren’t sure if the new business will be the same as the old one or something completely new, but with Sanches at the helm, we’re excited nonetheless. Credit: Google Maps

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