New metro Detroit restaurants that have opened so far in 2024

Vecino

4100 Third Ave., Detroit; 313-500-1615; vecinodetroit.com

This Latin-inspired restaurant with an “agave-forward” bar was intended to open in Midtown in November 2023, but just finally opened in April 2024. Its simple menu merges modern Mexican cuisine with a curated selection of tequilas and mezcals.

Read more here.

Nuevo Seoul

220 W. Congress St., Detroit; 313-502-5171; eatatnuevoseoul.com

This Korean-inspired fast-casual Mexican street food restaurant opened in downtown Detroit in late April. Brothers Chris and Peter Han, founders of Hanah Steakhouse in Detroit and Osaka Steakhouse in Clawson, are at the helm of the new concept. Its menu merges components of Mexican and Korean flavors to familiar dishes such as bulgogi beef tacos, birria ramen, and kimchi fries. Along with nonalcoholic drinks, Mexican-inspired spiked slushies and signature Agua Fresca cocktails are also available.

Read more here.

Side Hustle Lounge

1230 Library St., Detroit; instagram.com/sidehustledetroit

In early 2024, Detroit’s Mootz Pizzeria + Bar announced a big expansion with the opening of its new cocktail lounge “Bar Mootz.” Ahead of the NFL Draft, the new space opened, now dubbede “Side Hustle Lounge.” The spot offers a menu of cocktails and small plates with Italian and Latin influences, curated by executive chef Angela Georges. Food items include flatbreads, sautéed shrimp, beef empanadas, and charcuterie boards.

Read more here.

Jollibee

44945 Woodridge Dr., Sterling Heights; 586-544-4090; jollibeefoods.com

People were super excited about this famous Philippines-based fast-food chain opening its first Michigan location. Founded in 1978, the chain is known for putting a Filipino twist on American dishes like fried chicken, burgers, spaghetti (topped with a sweet sauce, ham, and hot dog), and peach-mango hand pies. It was originally supposed to open in October 2023, but the opening date got pushed back to winter 2024.

Read more here.

Adelina

1040 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-246-8811; adelinadetroit.com

At the heart of downtown Detroit, Adelina fuses Italian and Mediterranean cuisine for unique and innovative flavors. The concept, which opened in March, is a collaboration with renowned celebrity chef Fabio Viviani.

Pink Garlic Indian Cuisine

18625 Ecorse Rd., Allen Park; 947-948-5680; pink-garlic-indian-cuisine.square.site

Oak Park favorite Pink Garlic opened a second location in Allen Park in March, offering both dine-in and carryout. Like the original spot, the new Pink Garlic’s menu features an extensive lineup of Indian and Indo-Chinese staples like chicken biryani, orange chicken, momos, and tandoori chicken.

Read more here.

Bombshell Treat Bar

2688 Coolidge Hwy., Berkley; 248-845-2125; bombshelltreatbar.com

Berkley’s Bombshell Treat Bar opened on April 19, specializing in over-the-top desserts. The spot serves up ice cream, dipped bars, floats, hot pretzels, grab-n-go “packed pints,” ice cream cakes, salt and pepper caramel corn, novelty candy, and other sweet treats.

Read more here.

Vertex Coffee Roasters

307 N. River St., Ypsilanti; vertex-coffee.com

Since the unexpected closure of Cultivate Coffee and Taphouse in February 2022, Ypsilanti residents were eagerly hoping for some sort of comeback for the beloved cafe. Finally, Ann Arbor’s Vertex Coffee Roasters opened a second location in the space in March. The cafe serves coffee and tea crafted with housemade syrups, as well as 12-ounce and 16-ounce bags of beans straight from the company’s roastery in Milan. Plus, Vertex prides itself on a commitment to sustainability, helping produce less waste by recycling, using all compostable materials, and more.

Read more here.

Turkish Village

21931 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-914-2107; turkishvillagecuisine.com

Turkish Village came about because some Detroit-area Yemeni businessmen were vacationing and liked what they found. They hired Turks for the kitchen crew, and the restaurant, which opened March 5, was jammed throughout Ramadan with iftar reservations. Outdoor seating is planned, and additional locations in Michigan.

Read more here.

Gilly’s Clubhouse

1550 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-651-7050; gillysdetroit.com

This downtown Detroit sports bar dedicated to Dan Gilbert’s late son opened in early April. Gilly’s boasts 10,000 square feet with a 120-square foot television, Detroit sports memorabilia, and American fare. The menu includes things like grass-fed beef smash burgers, chicken wings, homemade mac and cheese, and turkey meatballs along with healthier options like grain bowls and salads. A variety of draft beers and specialty cocktails are also offered, as well as classic coffee and fresh-pressed juice.

Read more here.

Lincoln Yard and little yard

2159 E. Lincoln St., Birmingham; 248-653-5353; eatlincolnyard.com

These sister eateries are two new restaurants in one — one dine-in space and one to-go spot — located in a repurposed school bus garage in Birmingham’s Rail District. The concept is led by local restaurant group Union Joints.

Read more here.

Sexy Steak

1942 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-403-1000; sexysteakdetroit.com

Detroit’s castle-esque Grand Army of the Republic building became home to this new restaurant, featuring a menu focused on steaks and seafood. The new spot is led by Prime 29 Concepts, which also operates Aurora Italiana and Prime 29 Steakhouse in West Bloomfield.

Read more here.

Kitab Cafe and Bookstore

411 W. Canfield St., Detroit; kitabcafe.com

Earlier this year, Hamtramck’s Kitab Cafe opened a second location in Detroit’s former Avalon Bakery space. Along with a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, all usual favorites are available, including La Colombe Coffee, Zingerman’s pastries, and made-to-order sandwiches.

Read more here.

Pie Sci Oak Park

8140 W. Nine Mile Rd., Detroit; piescipizza.com

In September 2023, Detroit pizza spot Pie Sci, known for its unconventional creations, announced it would be opening a new take-out location in Oak Park. While initially hoping to launch by the end of 2023, the new space ended up opening this February.

Read more here.

JJ’s Custard

Little Caesars Arena, Detroit; jjscustardco.com

Following a successful residency in 2023, this Dearborn-based specialty ice cream shop opened a long-term storefront in Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena. The shop is known for its menu featuring items such as The Sweet Bun, The Wowffle, and Injected Loaded Cones.

Read more here.

Big Chicken

Multiple locations; bigchicken.com

In August, Michigan-based restaurant operators H&D Group Investments signed a deal with Shaquille O’Neal’s fast-casual chicken chain to develop 20 locations across the state, with plans to open in Ann Arbor, Lansing, Flint, Saginaw, Mount Pleasant, and metro Detroit. The first location is planned for Clio, set to open in early 2024, with a second location announced to open in Highland in the spring.

Read more here.

Aussie Grill by Outback

39707 Ford Rd., Canton; 734-366-1420; aussiegrill.com

Outback Steakhouse’s fast-casual spinoff chain got its first Michigan location in January, and there’s a drive-thru to make your life easier. It’s the first Aussie Grill stand-alone restaurant outside of Florida, although the items are available through a “virtual kitchen” in a few other states.

Base Camp

5060 Jackson Rd., Ann Arbor; 734-882-2882; basecampa2.com

This new restaurant is bringing the flavors of the Himalayas to Ann Arbor. Led by a seven-time Everest summiter and experienced chef, Base Camp shares the culinary traditions of Nepal, India, Tibet, and Bhutan. Menu items include momos, curries, biryani, mango lassi, and more.

The Ledgerr

306 S. Main St., Plymouth; 734-984-0020; theledgerplymouth.com

Inside of a powerful-looking building, this new downtown Plymouth restaurant serves modern fare and craft cocktails with a focus on quality ingredients.