The essential Detroit restaurants every tourist should visit when in town

By on Fri, Mar 10, 2023 at 4:26 pm

Detroit has a culture all its own and when it comes to its dining scene, there are a few places that really help shape Detroit’s culture.

Detroiters know that the city may be most known for coney dogs and Better Made chips, but when it comes to food, the place we call home has so much more to offer.

Here are a few restaurants and bars that you can take visiting guests to give them an authentic taste and experience of Detroit.

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Bob’s Pizza Palace 20510 W. Seven Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-538-2742 Bob’s Pizza Palace is one of those “if you know, you know” type of places. A pizza staple on Detroit’s Westside, Bob’s makes everything fresh daily.
Bob's Pizza Palace/Facebook

Bob’s Pizza Palace

20510 W. Seven Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-538-2742

Bob’s Pizza Palace is one of those “if you know, you know” type of places. A pizza staple on Detroit’s Westside, Bob’s makes everything fresh daily.
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Hygrade Deli 3640 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-894-6620; hygradedeli.com Since 1955, Hygrade Deli has been delighting tastebuds with its famous corned beef sandwiches, which you can get for under $10.
Courtesy photo

Hygrade Deli

3640 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-894-6620; hygradedeli.com

Since 1955, Hygrade Deli has been delighting tastebuds with its famous corned beef sandwiches, which you can get for under $10.
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Golden Fleece Restaurant 525 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-962-7093; goldenfleecedetroit.com For more than 50 years, the Golden Fleece has been a Greek food staple in Greektown. Owned by the Dionysopoulos family, Golden Fleece serves lamb chops rubbed down with Greek spices.
Golden Fleece/Facebook

Golden Fleece Restaurant

525 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-962-7093; goldenfleecedetroit.com

For more than 50 years, the Golden Fleece has been a Greek food staple in Greektown. Owned by the Dionysopoulos family, Golden Fleece serves lamb chops rubbed down with Greek spices.

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Nemo’s 1384 Michigan Ave., Detroit, 313- 965-3180 It doesn't matter who's playing, Nemo's is the ultimate Detroit game day hotspot. The sports bar and grill has everything you need, including non-stop sports, the best brews, and burgers.
Google Maps

Nemo’s

1384 Michigan Ave., Detroit, 313- 965-3180

It doesn't matter who's playing, Nemo's is the ultimate Detroit game day hotspot. The sports bar and grill has everything you need, including non-stop sports, the best brews, and burgers.
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Slow’s Bar BQ 2138 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-9828; slowsbarbq.com Located in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood, Slow’s is a barbecue restaurant that many Detroiters swear by. If you’re not in the mood for pulled pork or beef brisket, no problem, you should try their pulled chicken sandwich, The Yardbird.
Slows Bar BQ/Facebook

Slow’s Bar BQ

2138 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-962-9828; slowsbarbq.com

Located in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood, Slow’s is a barbecue restaurant that many Detroiters swear by. If you’re not in the mood for pulled pork or beef brisket, no problem, you should try their pulled chicken sandwich, The Yardbird.
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Sgt. Pepperoni’s 4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-7272; majesticdetroit.com" Sgt. Pepperoni’s not only has some of Detroit’s best pizza, it’s located inside The Majestic/Garden Bowl. You can go check out a show or bowl a few games all while enjoying a delicious slice.
Google Maps

Sgt. Pepperoni’s

4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-7272; majesticdetroit.com"

Sgt. Pepperoni’s not only has some of Detroit’s best pizza, it’s located inside The Majestic/Garden Bowl. You can go check out a show or bowl a few games all while enjoying a delicious slice.
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L. George’s Coney Island 13635 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit; 313-342-6516; lgeorges6mile.com Yes, there are multiple L. George’s locations throughout Detroit that serve amazing food, but it’s just something special about the location on W. McNichols. Just remember to pack your patience, because this coney island doesn’t have a slow time.
L. George's 6 Mile/Instagram

L. George’s Coney Island

13635 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit; 313-342-6516; lgeorges6mile.com

Yes, there are multiple L. George’s locations throughout Detroit that serve amazing food, but it’s just something special about the location on W. McNichols. Just remember to pack your patience, because this coney island doesn’t have a slow time.

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American Coney Island and Lafayette Coney Island 114 W. Lafayette, Detroit; 313-961-7758; americanconeyisland.com ; 118 W. Lafayette, Detroit; 313-964-8198 You can’t mention one without mentioning the other. While many Detroiters claim loyalty to their neighborhood coneys, it’s a right of passage to pledge an allegiance to one of the originators.
Google Maps

American Coney Island and Lafayette Coney Island

114 W. Lafayette, Detroit; 313-961-7758; americanconeyisland.com ; 118 W. Lafayette, Detroit; 313-964-8198

You can’t mention one without mentioning the other. While many Detroiters claim loyalty to their neighborhood coneys, it’s a right of passage to pledge an allegiance to one of the originators.
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Mudgie’s Deli 1413 Brooklyn St., Detroit; 313-961-2000; mudgiesdeli.com There’s not much to say about Mudgie’s that hasn’t already been said. If you want a great sandwich, you want Mudgie’s.
Google Maps

Mudgie’s Deli

1413 Brooklyn St., Detroit; 313-961-2000; mudgiesdeli.com

There’s not much to say about Mudgie’s that hasn’t already been said. If you want a great sandwich, you want Mudgie’s.
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Buddy’s Pizza 17125 Conant St., Detroit; 313-892-9001; buddyspizza.com Detroit-style pizza is like regular pizza, but… square. Let your mind ponder over that while enjoying one of Buddy’s signature slices.
Google Maps

Buddy’s Pizza

17125 Conant St., Detroit; 313-892-9001; buddyspizza.com

Detroit-style pizza is like regular pizza, but… square. Let your mind ponder over that while enjoying one of Buddy’s signature slices.
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Green Dot Stables 2200 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; 313-962-5588; greendotstables.com Photo via Google Maps
Google Maps

Green Dot Stables

2200 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; 313-962-5588; greendotstables.com

Photo via Google Maps
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Duly’s Place Coney Island 5458 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-554-3076; facebook.com/DulysConeyIsland Duly’s is one of Detroit’s favorite coney island’s. Located in Southwest Detroit, Duly’s embodies the definition of neighborhood coney. If you don’t believe us, the late food critic Anthony Bourdain made a stop here back in 2014 and loved it.
Google Maps

Duly’s Place Coney Island

5458 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-554-3076; facebook.com/DulysConeyIsland

Duly’s is one of Detroit’s favorite coney island’s. Located in Southwest Detroit, Duly’s embodies the definition of neighborhood coney. If you don’t believe us, the late food critic Anthony Bourdain made a stop here back in 2014 and loved it.
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Detroit Vegan Soul 19614 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-766-5728; detroitvegansoul.com Detroit Vegan Soul is the go-to restaurant for satisfying your vegan soul food cravings.
Google Maps

Detroit Vegan Soul

19614 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-766-5728; detroitvegansoul.com

Detroit Vegan Soul is the go-to restaurant for satisfying your vegan soul food cravings.
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Ivy Kitchen & Cocktails 9215 E. Jefferson, Detroit; 313-332-0607; ivykc.com" Cocktails is in the name and it certainly is a part of Ivy Kitchen’s game. Maybe try the Hennessy Jalapiña, a drink made with Hennessy, jalapeño, and pineapple juice, or if you’re not the drinking type, but want the experience, maybe try the Shirley Ginger.
Google Maps

Ivy Kitchen & Cocktails

9215 E. Jefferson, Detroit; 313-332-0607; ivykc.com"

Cocktails is in the name and it certainly is a part of Ivy Kitchen’s game. Maybe try the Hennessy Jalapiña, a drink made with Hennessy, jalapeño, and pineapple juice, or if you’re not the drinking type, but want the experience, maybe try the Shirley Ginger.
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Joe Louis Southern Kitchen 3100 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-788-8338; joelouissouthernkitchen.com" Joe Louis Southern Kitchen surely is a knockout when it comes to Southern breakfast staples.The restaurant features classics like, buttermilk biscuits, croquettes and rice, shrimp and grits, country fried steak, and much more.
Google Maps

Joe Louis Southern Kitchen

3100 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-788-8338; joelouissouthernkitchen.com"

Joe Louis Southern Kitchen surely is a knockout when it comes to Southern breakfast staples.The restaurant features classics like, buttermilk biscuits, croquettes and rice, shrimp and grits, country fried steak, and much more.
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Baobab Fare 6568 Woodward Ave., Suite 100, Detroit; 313-265-3093; baobabfare.com" Opened by immigrants, Baobab Fare brings East African fare, coffee, and fresh juices to Detroit’s New Center neighborhood. Their signature dish is Nyumbani, a slow-simmered beef dish served with fried plantains, peanut stewed spinach, and coconut rice.
Google Maps

Baobab Fare

6568 Woodward Ave., Suite 100, Detroit; 313-265-3093; baobabfare.com"

Opened by immigrants, Baobab Fare brings East African fare, coffee, and fresh juices to Detroit’s New Center neighborhood. Their signature dish is Nyumbani, a slow-simmered beef dish served with fried plantains, peanut stewed spinach, and coconut rice.
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Baker’s Keyboard Lounge 20510 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-345-6300 This jazz club needs to be on every Detroiter’s bucket list, simply because of all its history. Known as the world’s oldest jazz club, this place has seen performances by Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, and Nat “King” Cole. Stroll in one day to catch a cool jazzy performance, a quick drink, and an unforgettable meal.
Google Maps

Baker’s Keyboard Lounge

20510 Livernois Ave., Detroit; 313-345-6300

This jazz club needs to be on every Detroiter’s bucket list, simply because of all its history. Known as the world’s oldest jazz club, this place has seen performances by Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, and Nat “King” Cole. Stroll in one day to catch a cool jazzy performance, a quick drink, and an unforgettable meal.
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The Whitney 4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 313-832-5700; thewhitney.com" When you’re talking about fine dining in Detroit, it’s hard not to mention The Whitney. The mansion is not only a restaurant, but also holds The Ghostbar Gardens and The Katherine Mcgregor Dessert Parlor.
Google Maps

The Whitney

4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 313-832-5700; thewhitney.com"

When you’re talking about fine dining in Detroit, it’s hard not to mention The Whitney. The mansion is not only a restaurant, but also holds The Ghostbar Gardens and The Katherine Mcgregor Dessert Parlor.
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Polish Village Cafe 2990 Yemans St, Hamtramck; 313-874-5726 At Polish Village Cafe, you can expect to find delicious and homemade pierogies, kielbasa, golabki, and their ever famous dill pickle soup here.
Google Maps

Polish Village Cafe

2990 Yemans St, Hamtramck; 313-874-5726

At Polish Village Cafe, you can expect to find delicious and homemade pierogies, kielbasa, golabki, and their ever famous dill pickle soup here.
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Mexican Village 2600 Bagley Ave., Detroit; 313-237-0333 One of Detroit’s oldest Mexican restaurants, Mexican Village has been serving Mexican classics for over 50 years.
Google Maps

Mexican Village

2600 Bagley Ave., Detroit; 313-237-0333

One of Detroit’s oldest Mexican restaurants, Mexican Village has been serving Mexican classics for over 50 years.
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