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December 17, 2021

The hottest new metro Detroit restaurants to open in 2021

By Metro Times Staff

Despite the pandemic, metro Detroit's dining scene is red hot. Between new restaurants, new locations of existing restaurants, new menus, new concepts, and reopening of familiar restaurants, there are a ton of options to try.

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Mister Dips 19 E. Grand River, Detroit; misterdips.com This new burger and ice cream joint is located in Parker's Alley, near the Shinola Hotel. Mister Dips already has a popular location in Brooklyn, New York, which chef and restaurateur Andrew Carmellini opened back in September 2016. Photo courtesy of Mister Dips

Mister Dips

19 E. Grand River, Detroit; misterdips.com

This new burger and ice cream joint is located in Parker's Alley, near the Shinola Hotel. Mister Dips already has a popular location in Brooklyn, New York, which chef and restaurateur Andrew Carmellini opened back in September 2016.

Photo courtesy of Mister Dips
Baobab Fare 6568 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-266-5199; baobabfare.com It’s been a long time coming for casual East African concept and 2017 Hatch Detroit winners Baobab Fare. Owned by refugees Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere, Baobab Fare offers a taste of Burundi here in Detroit. Photo courtesy of Baobab Fare

Baobab Fare

6568 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-266-5199; baobabfare.com

It’s been a long time coming for casual East African concept and 2017 Hatch Detroit winners Baobab Fare. Owned by refugees Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere, Baobab Fare offers a taste of Burundi here in Detroit.

Photo courtesy of Baobab Fare
Coriander Kitchen & Farm 14601 Riverside Blvd., Detroit; 313-822-4434; corianderkitchenandfarm.com What was once a vacant marina in the Jefferson-Chalmers area has turned into one of Detroit’s newest waterfront restaurants. Although construction delays and rising water levels threatened the restaurant’s completion, Chef Alison Heeres and farmer Gwen Meyer of Coriander Kitchen & Farm finally opened their waterfront farm-to-table restaurant earlier this year. Photo by Lizz Wilkinson

Coriander Kitchen & Farm

14601 Riverside Blvd., Detroit; 313-822-4434; corianderkitchenandfarm.com

What was once a vacant marina in the Jefferson-Chalmers area has turned into one of Detroit’s newest waterfront restaurants. Although construction delays and rising water levels threatened the restaurant’s completion, Chef Alison Heeres and farmer Gwen Meyer of Coriander Kitchen & Farm finally opened their waterfront farm-to-table restaurant earlier this year.

Photo by Lizz Wilkinson
Barda Detroit 4842 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 248-949-0008; bardadetroit.com Opening in the former Magnet space in Core City, Barda Detroit offers Argentinian fare. Barda Detroit offers a simple bar program (think wines from Argentina and Italian Fernet) and a range of vegetable, meat, and seafood dishes at a variety of price points to avoid feeling too “exclusive” for the neighboring area. Photo courtesy of Emma Sandler

Barda Detroit

4842 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 248-949-0008; bardadetroit.com

Opening in the former Magnet space in Core City, Barda Detroit offers Argentinian fare. Barda Detroit offers a simple bar program (think wines from Argentina and Italian Fernet) and a range of vegetable, meat, and seafood dishes at a variety of price points to avoid feeling too “exclusive” for the neighboring area.

Photo courtesy of Emma Sandler
Joe Louis Southern Kitchen 3100 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-788-8338; joelouissouthernkitchen.com Giving New Center the ol' one-two punch is an ode to the legendary boxer Joe Louis. The all-day brunch-forward project comes from Johnny Cannon (owner of Sweet Magnolia's, former owner of New Center Eatery) in cooperation with Joe Louis II. The restaurant features classic southern breakfast staples like, buttermilk biscuits, croquettes and rice, shrimp and grits, country fried steak, pancakes, and New Center Eatery's speciality, chicken and waffles. Photo courtesy of Joe Lois Southern Kitchen

Joe Louis Southern Kitchen

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

Giving New Center the ol' one-two punch is an ode to the legendary boxer Joe Louis. The all-day brunch-forward project comes from Johnny Cannon (owner of Sweet Magnolia's, former owner of New Center Eatery) in cooperation with Joe Louis II. The restaurant features classic southern breakfast staples like, buttermilk biscuits, croquettes and rice, shrimp and grits, country fried steak, pancakes, and New Center Eatery's speciality, chicken and waffles.

Photo courtesy of Joe Lois Southern Kitchen
Madam 298 S. Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-283-4200; daxtonhotel.com It was announced last October that the Daxton Hotel, a swanky new 151-room boutique hotel, would open in Birmingham with some high-end dining options. That includes Madam, described on its website as offering “vegetable-forward dishes and classic cocktails with a modern twist,” Madam also promises a “graceful” dining space. Photo courtesy of Joe Vaughn

Madam

298 S. Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-283-4200; daxtonhotel.com

It was announced last October that the Daxton Hotel, a swanky new 151-room boutique hotel, would open in Birmingham with some high-end dining options. That includes Madam, described on its website as offering “vegetable-forward dishes and classic cocktails with a modern twist,” Madam also promises a “graceful” dining space.

Photo courtesy of Joe Vaughn
Louisiana Creole Gumbo 29216 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills; detroitgumbo.com An Eastern Market institution for decades, Detroit's Louisiana Creole Gumbo restaurant opened its first non-Detroit location in Farmington Hills in the spring. Photo by Kelley O'Neill

Louisiana Creole Gumbo

29216 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills; detroitgumbo.com

An Eastern Market institution for decades, Detroit's Louisiana Creole Gumbo restaurant opened its first non-Detroit location in Farmington Hills in the spring.

Photo by Kelley O'Neill
Kura Sushi 736 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy; 947-218-0707; kurasushi.com Kura Sushi is a Japanese chain in the style of the country's popular "sushi trains," where plates of sushi are delivered to customers via conveyor belts. The company is also known for partnering with Japanese brands to offer prizes and small toys. Kura Sushi the only conveyor belt sushi restaurant in Michigan. (There used to be Sushi Nara in Ann Arbor, but that has since closed.) Photo courtesy of Kura Sushi

Kura Sushi

736 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy; 947-218-0707; kurasushi.com

Kura Sushi is a Japanese chain in the style of the country's popular "sushi trains," where plates of sushi are delivered to customers via conveyor belts. The company is also known for partnering with Japanese brands to offer prizes and small toys. Kura Sushi the only conveyor belt sushi restaurant in Michigan. (There used to be Sushi Nara in Ann Arbor, but that has since closed.)

Photo courtesy of Kura Sushi
Toney Island 13000 E. Warren Ave., Detroit; 313-469-7255; toney-island.business.site Detroit rapper Tone Tone opened this coney island-style restaurant earlier this year. Named after the rapper's 2007 hit, the $10 "Waddup Doe Burger" is a seasoned blend of beef or turkey and comes with lettuce, tomato, pickles, cheese, and “Toney Sauce,” which Tone says is so good “you don't even need ketchup and mustard.” Sandwiches start at around $6.99, with burgers and heartier entree options ranging from $10-$18.99. Sides and items like the Toney Dog start at $3.99 and Toney's Secret Seasoned wings start at $5.99 for a six-piece. As a nod to Wendy's "4 for $4" meal deal and as an affordable offering to Toney Island's neighborhood, there's a $4 deal that comes with two Whaddup Doe sliders, fries, and a pop. Photo courtesy of Toney Island/Facebook

Toney Island

13000 E. Warren Ave., Detroit; 313-469-7255; toney-island.business.site

Detroit rapper Tone Tone opened this coney island-style restaurant earlier this year. Named after the rapper's 2007 hit, the $10 "Waddup Doe Burger" is a seasoned blend of beef or turkey and comes with lettuce, tomato, pickles, cheese, and “Toney Sauce,” which Tone says is so good “you don't even need ketchup and mustard.” Sandwiches start at around $6.99, with burgers and heartier entree options ranging from $10-$18.99. Sides and items like the Toney Dog start at $3.99 and Toney's Secret Seasoned wings start at $5.99 for a six-piece. As a nod to Wendy's "4 for $4" meal deal and as an affordable offering to Toney Island's neighborhood, there's a $4 deal that comes with two Whaddup Doe sliders, fries, and a pop.

Photo courtesy of Toney Island/Facebook
Coffee Down Under 607 Shelby St., Detroit; 313-444-6626; coffeedownunder.com This Australian-style coffee bar opened in Detroit's Financial District in a 400 square-foot space under Brome Modern Eatery. The sustainable coffee bar features espresso roasts from Proud Mary Cafe, a Melbourne-based establishment. It also serves Australian refreshments, including the long black — it’s stronger than an Americano and is created by pouring a double-shot of espresso or ristretto over hot water. Photo courtesy of Coffee Down Under/Facebook

Coffee Down Under

607 Shelby St., Detroit; 313-444-6626; coffeedownunder.com

This Australian-style coffee bar opened in Detroit's Financial District in a 400 square-foot space under Brome Modern Eatery. The sustainable coffee bar features espresso roasts from Proud Mary Cafe, a Melbourne-based establishment. It also serves Australian refreshments, including the long black — it’s stronger than an Americano and is created by pouring a double-shot of espresso or ristretto over hot water.

Photo courtesy of Coffee Down Under/Facebook

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