Essential Royal Oak restaurants you should have tried by now

By Metro Times Staff on Sat, May 11, 2019 at 6:55 pm

Royal Oak has transformed before our eyes in recent years, and if you blink too long you could miss something. Whether you're looking for burgers, ramen, crepes, or some choice sushi, this list rounds up some favorite establishments around town, as well as a quite a few impressive newbies on the scene.

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Little Tree
107 S. Main St., Royal Oak; (248) 586-0994; Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m., and Sunday 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
it’s all about food, and Little Tree really has it all in this category, as it offers a triple menu of Japanese, Thai, and Philippine cuisine, and a sushi bar. It boasts an extensive wine list and a selection of Japanese beer and sake as well. Co-owner Shep Spencer coined the term "Nu-Asian cuisine" to describe the restaurant’s offerings. Each cuisine has a four-course selection including appetizers, salads, soups, and entrees. The sushi bar, under the direction of chef Edwin Bautista, has a separate menu. There is also a variety of Japanese noodle dishes that are both economical as well as delicious.
Photo via Little Tree / Facebook

Lockhart's BBQ
202 E. Third St., Royal Oak; (248) 584-4227; Sundays 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Mondays 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays 11:30 a.m.-12 a.m.
Brisket is done Texas style, which really is the only way to barbecue that cut. This establishment, which seemed instantly beloved and was one step ahead of the area barbecue craze, is named for the nation's barbecue capital, after all. Last year, Lockhart pitmaster Steve "Bubba" Coddington was awarded BBQ person of the year, an international award that is a real thing among BBQ people, so you know this is the real deal.
Photo via Lockhart’s BBQ / Facebook

Ale Mary's
316 S. Main St., Royal Oak; (248) 268-1939; Open Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-2 a.m.
General manager Justin Pries says that the establishment, which first opened as a craft beer bar (and now includes a restaurant serving vegan dishes) is now serving drinks with CBD in them. A short list of available CBD-infused libations includes Aunt Bea's CBD Southern Tea, a Raspberry Citrus Hemporita, and the Mellow Melon. And yes, there is alcohol in the drinks, which were developed by house beverage manager Pam Stigall.
Photo via Ale Mary’s / Facebook

Comet Burger
315 South Main St., Royal Oak; (248) 545-7100; Open daily 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Comet Burger's concept of the '50s is pink vinyl and stainless steel chairs, Formica table-tops decorated with little boomerangs (you'll recognize them when you see them), album covers on the walls, lots of TVs, and, of course, sliders and malts. Try the single and double sliders with grilled onions for improved flavor or the monster burger if you're really hungry.
Photo via GoogleMaps

Siam Spicy Thai & Oriental
29838 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; (248) 545-4305; Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4 :30 p.m.-9 p.m., Saturday 4:30 p.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 4:30 p.m.-10 p.m.
A small sit-down place on Woodward, Siam Spicy offers an array of traditional Thai dishes. Start with a spring roll or the popular crab rangoon as an appetizer. If in the mood for something warm, the Tom Yum is a hot and sour soup with mushrooms, lemon grass, green onions, and herbs. There are upwards of 30 entrees, with some popular options being the Pad Pak and the Curry Peanut. The Pad Thai and Drunken Noodle are two of the most popular noodle dishes, and the fried rice dishes (specifically the Kow Pad) are also worth adding to a meal.
Photo via Siam Spicy Thai & Oriental / Facebook

Bar Louie
510 S. Main St., Royal Oak; (248) 951-2195; Open daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Bar Louie offers an array of classic bar food like burgers, flatbreads, salads, and desserts, and its bar menu is known for its blood Mary — The Ultimate Bloody Louie — as well as the Louie’s Cosmo.
Photo via Bar Louie / Facebook

Royal Oak Brewery
215 E. Fourth St., Royal Oak; (248) 544-1141; Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. - 1 a.m., and Sunday 11:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.
The comfortable atmosphere and hometown feel make it a destination for locals and visitors alike. The brewery serves six to seven fresh beers on tap daily. The menu features a broad selection of eclectic American cuisine, all prepared with the freshest ingredients. From delectable appetizers, fresh salads, pizzas, and pastas to delicious entrees and unique sandwiches, the menu has something for everyone — and a kids menu is available. Specialties include Brewmaster’s Shepherd’s Pie, Muenster Chicken, and Louisiana Jambalaya. The Bier Garden Patio features dining for up to 60 people and is tucked away from the noise of the bustling downtown.
Photo via Royal Oak Brewery / Facebook

Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina
711 South Main St., Royal Oak; (248) 544-2442; Monday-Thursday 3 p.m.-10 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Michigan’s first biga fermented pizza, Bigalora ferments its pizzas for 72 hours before cooking them for 90 seconds in a 900-degree oven. The restaurant has everything to be expected of an Italian place: pizza (red and white), meatballs, pasta, chicken parmesan, salad, and minestrone soup. Additionally, Bigalora has some unusual plates for its Italian roots, like a crispy Brussels sprouts appetizer, wood roasted salmon, and Tuscan steak frites. There are also vegetarian and gluten-free option for many items, including all of the pizzas and pastas. Bigalora prides itself on using no commercial yeast or added sugar, under the philosophy that the company feeds its dinees “like family.”
Photo via Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina / Facebook

Diamonds Steak and Seafood
100 S. Main St. 1st Fl., Royal Oak; (248) 291-5201; Sunday-Thursday 5 p.m.-10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 5 p.m.-11 p.m.
Diamonds is a recent welcome addition to the Royal Oak food scene. The restaurant serves salads, steaks, burgers, a variety of seafood, and a buffet brunch on weekends. If you’re in the mood for delicious apps like shrimp ceviche and calamari, sides like creamed corn and loaded mashed potatoes, or entrees like filet skewers and coconut shrimp, then this is a worthy place to stop.
Photo via Diamonds Steak and Seafood / Facebook

Kouzina
121 N. Main St., Royal Oak; (248) 629-6500; Open daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
KouZina owner Bobby Laskaris and his father, chef Panagiotis Laskaris, are taking some of the best-loved Greek dishes and offering them in big portions with small prices. Panagiotis was a chef in the late '60s and '70s in what Bobby calls "the golden age of Greektown.” Panagiotis makes almost everything in-house, from Greek yogurt, pita chips, soups, and hand-cut skin-on fries to the pork and chicken roasting on the vertical spits. The third spit cooks "the original," a mix of beef and lamb that's put together from KouZina's recipe by an outfit in Chicago.
Photo via Kouzina / Facebook