While the restaurant industry has been facing especially difficult headwinds lately, that hasn’t stopped a number of exciting new establishments from opening in the Detroit area. Here’s a sampling of some of the spots that have opened over the past year or so.

Adelina 1040 Woodward Ave., Detroit; adelinadetroit.com Opened in March by celebrity chef Fabio Viviani in collaboration with local chefs Gabriel Botezan and Marco Dalla Fontana (of the shuttered Bacco Ristorante in Southfield), this downtown restaurant draws inspiration from Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. It opened in the former Calexico space in One Campus Martius. Credit: Courtesy photo
Antica Nova 1695 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy; anticanova.com This Italian restaurant opened in late 2024 in the space behind the San Marino Club that was formerly home to Tre Monti. Its name means “new antique,” a nod to the way it blends traditional flavors with modern culinary techniques. The kitchen is led by Anthony Giannola, who learned to cook from his mother and grandfather. Credit: Courtesy photo
Aria Restaurant 33210 W. 14 Mile Rd., West Bloomfield Twp.; ariabloomfield.com This high-end restaurant opened its doors in late 2024, blending drawing inspiration from Italian, European, and Mediterranean cuisines. Credit: Facebook, Aria Restaurant
Aurora on the Lake 2323 Union Lake Rd., Commerce Twp.; auroraitaliana.com After more than 30 years of business, the lakeside fine-dining restaurant It’s A Matter of Taste closed in 2024. In early 2025 Aurora Italiana on the Lake opened in its space, following the upscale Italian restaurant’s original location in West Bloomfield in 2023. Both serve up high-end dishes inspired by Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Credit: Facebook, Aurora on the Lake
Avalon Cafe and Kitchen 224 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; avalonbakeryandcafe.com This beloved local bakery chain closed its East Liberty Street location in late 2024, reopening a smaller location next door to Pretzel Bell. Credit: Facebook, Avalon Cafe & Kitchen in Ann Arbor
Bell Bistro 185 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; bellbirmingham.com This modern American eatery opened in late 2024 in the space formerly occupied by Mad Hatter Bistro. Credit: Simba Photography, LLC
Blind Owl Royal Oak 511 S Main St., Royal Oak; blindowlrestaurant.com After nine years in business, The Morrie in Royal Oak closed in late 2024 and was replaced by Blind Owl. The fusion restaurant mixes Latin, Asian, Mediterranean, and American inspirations and follows a flagship location that opened in downtown New Baltimore in 2023. Credit: Facebook, Blind Owl Royal Oak
Clean Eats 819 W. 14 Mile Rd., Clawson; cleaneatsmi.com After opening its first location in West Bloomfield, this health-conscious, grab-and-go spot opened another in Clawson in early 2025. Its menu includes more than 35 ready-to-eat meals all under 450 calories. Credit: Facebook, Clean Eats & Clean Eats to go
Dime Store Rochester Hills 6920 N. Rochester Rd., Rochester Hills; eatdimestore.com This Detroit brunch favorite celebrated a decade operating out of downtown’s Chrysler House Building with exciting news — an expansion to the ’burbs. Attached to a Papa Joe’s Gourmet Market, the new location is more than double the size of the original Detroit spot, allowing for an expanded menu including pancakes and former limited-time specials like the General Tso’s Benny. The extra space also means it can accommodate reservations for parties of up to 12, private events, and catering orders. Credit: Courtesy photo
Dirty Shake 4642 Second Ave., Detroit While its team comes from upscale spots like Freya, Dragonfly, Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails, and The Oakland, this new joint aims for more of a neighborhood bar vibe. It plans to open in a long-abandoned building in March. Credit: Mark Kurlyandchik / Booth One Creative
Echelon Kitchen and Bar 200 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; echelonkitchenandbar.com Opened in early 2025, this spot offers a wood-fired, vegetable-forward, locally sourced menu. It also features a curated selection of Michigan-made craft beverages. Credit: Courtesy photo
Fixins Soul Kitchen 1435 Randolph St., Detroit; fixinssoulkitchen.com This soul food spot opened in late 2024, the latest in a national chain owned by former NBA All-Star and mayor of Sacramento Kevin Johnson. It serves up soul favorites like fried chicken, oxtails, fried green tomatoes, black-eyed peas, and even a deep-fried take on deviled eggs. Credit: Courtesy photo
Forest Bakery 8140 W. Nine Mile Rd., Oak Park This bakery was opened by three friends in 2024 and has already gained a cult following with its phenomenal pastries. It’s only open Thursdays through Saturday from 10 a.m. until it sells out, so be sure to get there early. Credit: Joe Maroon
Hala Beruit 3636 Caniff St., Hamtramck Opened in late 2024, this Lebanese restaurant is earning praise for its flavorful chicken and low prices. Credit: Instagram, @hala_beirut_restaurant
Hiroki-San 1265 Washington Blvd., Detroit; hirokisandetroit.com A sister restaurant to chef Hiroki Fujiyama’s Philly restaurant Hiroki, this spot opened in Detroit’s renovated Book Tower in early 2024. Its menu includes robatayaki yakitori dishes cooked on a charcoal grill and sushi using ingredients imported from Japan, as well as an extensive sake menu. Credit: Facebook, Hiroki San
House of Burek 48850 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Twp.; houseofburek.com This spot is home to all things burek, the savory pies and pastries from Balkan cuisine. It opened in late 2024. Credit: Instagram, @houseofburek
HTEA CAFE 2891 W. Maple Rd., Troy; hteacafe.com This cozy Asian tea cafe opened in late 2024, featuring an extensive tea menu, pizzas, and ornate desserts. Credit: Instagram, @hteacafe
JP Makes and Bakes 6529 Woodward Ave., Detroit; jpmakesandbakes.com Billed as Detroit’s only Filipino bakery, JP Makes and Bakes opened in late 2024 by Jonathon Peregrino, a first-generation Filipino American who cut his teeth in Detroit restaurants like Oak and Reel and Le Suprême. One menu highlight is the ube brownies, made from a purple yam. Credit: Instagram, @jpmakesandbakes
Lady of the House 4884 Grand River Ave., Detroit; ladyofthehousedetroit.com Chef Kate Williams earned acclaim with Lady of the House, which operated in Corktown from 2017 to 2021 when its building was sold. She reopened L.O.T.H. in the Core City area in late 2024. Its menu blends Irish, French, and Midwest influences with a focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Credit: Jacob Lewkow
Leña 2720 Brush St., Detroit; lenadetroit.com Opened in 2024 in Detroit’s Brush Park, the menu of this Spanish-inspired restaurant includes wood-fired main courses along with craft cocktails and wines. Credit: Courtesy photo
Lincoln and Little Yard 2159 E Lincoln St., Birmingham; eatlincolnyard.com A new concept by local restaurant group Union Joints, these sister restaurants (one dine-in, one to-go) opened a repurposed school bus garage in Birmingham’s Rail District. Its menu includes sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, and Union Joints’ famous Union Mac macaroni and cheese, among others. Credit: Instagram, @eatlincolnyard
Luna Bar & Bistro 2910 Van Alstyne St., Wyandotte; lunabarbistro.com Opened in the former Wine Dotte Bistro in late 2024, this spot serves up locally sourced meats. It even acquired the recipe for Wine Dotte Bistro’s beloved lamb chops. Credit: Facebook, Luna Bar Bistro
Middle Eats 27651 Southfield Rd., Lathrup Village; middleeats.com This local fast-casual chain includes locations in Detroit, Warren, Bloomfield Hills, and most recently Lathrup Village. The halal menu revolves around shawarma bowls which can be made to order, and it also serves items like Loaded Shawarma Fries topped with marinated grilled chicken, feta cheese, jalapeño, onions, tomatoes, and a spicy dillio sauce. Credit: Instagram, @middleeatsco
Norm’s Diner 8029 Agnes St., Detroit; normsdiner.com This old-school breakfast and lunch spot exudes retro charm. It opened in late 2024 in a former Yum Village location with a small menu that includes twists on diner classics, like a turkey club sandwich with “herby mayo” and homemade biscuits with chorizo gravy. Credit: Instagram, @normsdinerlovesyou
Ostrea Seafood 536 Shelby St., Detroit Launched by the folks between Detroit’s long-standing London Chop House and located just around the corner, this new luxury spot has a focus on seafood like oysters, lobster, and caviar. Credit: Facebook, Ostrea Detroit
Parlay 1260 Washington Blvd., Detroit; parlaydetroit.com This upscale sports bar features elevated American bar fare, craft cocktails, and a cigar lounge. It’s co-owned by former Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell and opened in November 2024, just in time for the big Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match. Credit: Bureau Detroit
Puma 4725 16th St., Detroit; pumadetroit.com Billed as a casual sister to chef Javier Bardauil’s nearby upscale Argentine-inspired restaurant Barda, Puma’s menu features flavors from different South American cultures as well as house-made cocktails. At night, you can catch music from artists performing in a 360-degree DJ booth. Credit: Instagram, @puma_detroit
Rudy’s Prime Steakhouse 9 S. Main St., Clarkston; rudysprimesteakhouse.com This contemporary steakhouse opened in downtown Clarkston’s historic Rudy’s Market building last fall. Its kitchen is led by Josh Stockton, formerly of Gold Cash Gold in Detroit, among others. Credit: Courtesy photo
Sugah Please 150 W. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; sugahplease.com After first opening in Novi’s Twelve Oaks Mall, this New Orleans-inspired breakfast and brunch restaurant closed its suburban location and relocated downtown, soft-launching in late 2024 and celebrating its proper grand opening in January. Its menu features brunch favorites, baked desserts, and cocktails. Credit: Instagram, @sugahplease
Tall Trees Cafe 817 Livernois, Ferndale; talltreesferndale.com After hosting a series of pop-ups serving up gourmet sandwiches, soups, and salads, this spot opened its small brick and mortar in late 2024. Credit: Instagram, @tall.trees.cafe
Terra Kitchen 260 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; dineterra.com Opened in December, this upscale spot serves up New American cuisine and craft cocktails. Its kitchen is led by executive chef Fernando Mercado, who relocated to Michigan from Tampa and says he draws inspiration from his mother. Credit: Instagram, @dineterra_
The Canteen at Midtown 720 Town Center Dr., Dearborn; canteenatmidtown.com Opened in late 2024, The Canteen bills itself as Dearborn’s first-of-its-kind halal food hall and food truck park. Its initial roster includes vendors like Amo Sami’s Shawarma, The Chicken Coupe Chicken + Waffles, Nami Sushi, and Qahwah House coffee, among others. Credit: Courtesy photo
The Döner Shawarma 27638 Ford Rd., Garden City After gaining fans as a popular Dearborn-based food truck, this purveyor of Berlin-style döner kebab sandwiches opened its first brick and mortar store in late 2024. Credit: Tom Perkins
The Gallery 26505 Ford Rd., Dearborn Heights; thegallerymi.com This spot opened in the former Lava Lounge in late 2024, the brainchild of Dearborn Heights City Council President Mo Baydoun and two business partners. Its menu features Sicily’s Pizzeria, Kai Sushi, coffee, and a hookah lounge. Credit: Instagram, @thegallery_dh
The Jackson Restaurant 184 N. Adams Rd., Rochester Hills; thejacksonrestaurant.com The theme of this high-end restaurant is inspired by the work of abstract expressionist painter Jackson Pollock (especially the painting “Number One”) and Pablo Picasso. Its seasonal menu includes quirky “cones,” or appetizers like crab dip or caviar served like ice cream cones. Credit: Facebook, The Jackson Restaurant
The Savoy 17131 E. Warren Ave., Detroit; savoydetroit.com This fine-dining spot serves up a menu focused on seafood. It also features live jazz music and even a top-hatted doorman, making for a fun date night experience. Credit: Courtesy photo
The Vinyl Society 1427 Randolph St., Detroit; thevinylsociety.com The latest endeavor from entrepreneur Dennis Archer Jr. is a posh club (the dress code calls for “stylish and sophisticated”) that pays homage to Detroit’s former Paradise Valley neighborhood with live music and DJs. Its menu includes cocktails with some bites like lamb chops and charcuterie. Credit: Courtesy photo
Turkish Village 21931 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; turkishvillagecuisine.com A venture by Detroit-area Yemeni businessmen who were inspired by their travels to Turkey, this restaurant has become popular among diners from Dearborn’s various other Middle Eastern ethnic groups. Credit: Joe Maroon
Vecino 4100 3rd Ave., Detroit; vecinodetroit.com Opened in April, this buzzy Midtown spot features modern Mexican cuisine along with curated tequilas and mezcals. It imports corn from Mexico for its tortillas, which vary in pleasing colors and textures. Credit: Steve Neavling
Vive Restaurant 33080 Northwestern Hwy., West Bloomfield Twp.; viverestaurantmi.com Opened in early 2025, this restaurant serves dishes like pasta, oysters, branzino, lamb chops, and steak frites. Its kitchen is helmed by Jared Bobkin, who competed on Hell’s Kitchen. Credit: Instagram, @viverestaurant_

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Leyland “Lee” DeVito is the editor in chief of Detroit Metro Times since 2016. His writing has also been published in CREEM, VICE, In These Times, and New City.