Macomb County is known for many things — the home of Reagan Democrats, Kid Rock, and Warren Mayor Jim “he said what?” Fouts — though its dining scene isn’t necessarily one of them. That doesn’t have to be so. Don’t sleep on these spots in the 586, perhaps metro Detroit’s most unfairly maligned suburban county.

Three Blind Mice 101 N. Main St., Mount Clemens; 586-961-6371; threeblindmiceirishpub.com Originally established in 1900 as the Green Tree, what is now Three Blind Mice came under new ownership in 2020. It has dozens of beers available as well as traditional Irish fare, plus live music including open-mic nights. Credit: Facebook, Three Blind Mice Irish Pub
Isla Metro Detroit 2496 Metro Pkwy., Sterling Heights; 586-883-7526; isladetroit.com First launched as a vendor inside Detroit’s ill-fated Fort Street Galley food hall, Isla opened a brick-and-mortar in a Macomb County strip mall in 2021. Chefs JP Garcia and Jacqueline Joy Diño serve up inventive takes on Filipino classics. Credit: Facebook, ISLA Metro Detroit
Kuhnhenn Brewing Co. 36000 Groesbeck Hwy., Clinton Twp.; 586-231-0249 | 5919 Chicago Rd., Warren; 586-983-8362 | kbrewery.com With the long list of craft beers, this brewery also offers a plethora of entrees and appetizers to enjoy alongside a signature drink. Credit: Facebook, Kuhnhenn Brewing Co.
Gumbo’s 53 N. Walnut St., Mount Clemens; 586-307-3100; gumbosmtclemens.com This family-owned spot opened in 2011. Its New Orleans-style fare earned it the award for Best Cajun in Macomb County in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll. Credit: Facebook, Gumbo’s
K-Blocks Fire Pit BBQ 66880 Van Dyke Ave., Washington; 586-281-6798; kblocksbbq.com Known for its Texas-inspired “low and slow” approach to barbecue, this family-owned restaurant won Best Barbecue in Macomb County in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll. Credit: Facebook, K-Block’s Fire Pit BBQ
Trizest 33170 Dequindre Rd., Sterling Heights; 586-268-1450; trizest.com Opened in 2010, Trizest has garnered legions of followers thanks to its authentic take on Sichuan cuisine. It won the award for Best Chinese in Macomb County in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll. Credit: Tom Perkins
Ale & Eddie’s TapHouse 15015 E. Thirteen Mile Rd., Warren; 586-541-8396; aleneddies.com Formerly known as the JP Shakers Bar, this spot was purchased by The Johnny Blacks Public House group, which gave it a total remodel. The menu includes Detroit-style pizza, “city sliders,” beers and craft cocktails, and cast iron cookies, plus there are plenty of TVs on hand tuned into the latest game. See why it already won the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit award for Best Bar in Macomb County. Credit: Facebook, Ale & Eddies Taphouse
Hodell’s Cake Shop 31387 Harper Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-294-1100; hodellscakeshop.com Founded in 1959 by Dennis Hodell, this bakery remains family-owned. It specializes in decorated cakes, iced in its signature buttercream icing, but you can also pick up pastries, breads, and cookies. It won Best Bakery in Macomb County in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll. Credit: Facebook, Hodell’s Cake Shop
Filipinas Oriental Food 3866 E. Thirteen Mile Rd., Warren; 586-558-8550; facebook.com/filipinasOriental Open until just 3 p.m. everyday, this grocery store doubles as a carry-out restaurant and is one of the few places in Michigan offering Filipino cuisine. Credit: Facebook, Filipinas Oriental Foods
Gina’s Cafe 35600 Harper Ave., Clinton Twp.; 586-790-2911; ginascafe35600.blogspot.com The winner of Best Barbecue in Macomb County in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll, Gina’s is known for its pan-cooked omelets, sandwiches, salads, and more. Credit: Facebook, Gina’s Cafe
Ciccarelli’s Sports Club And Eatery 46793 Hayes Rd., Shelby Twp.; 586-247-2223; ciccarellis-22-sportsbar.com Launched by former Detroit Red Wings player Dino Ciccarelli in 2011, this local chain claims to be “Michigan’s largest HD sports theater” thanks to its large theater-style projection screens. It won Best Bar Food in Macomb County in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll. Credit: Facebook, Ciccarelli’s Premier Sports Club & Eatery
Andiamo Celebrity Showroom 7096 14 Mile Rd., Warren; 586-268-3200; andiamoshowroom.com This local Italian chain opened its first location in 1989 in Warren. The Andiamo Celebrity Showroom boasts live entertainment, including big-name acts like the Guess Who and drag queen-hosted brunches. It won the award for Best Italian Restaurant in Macomb County in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll. Credit: Facebook, Andiamo Celebrity Showroom
Kimchi Box 13937 Lakeside Cir., Suite 113, Sterling Heights; 586-991-6907; kimchiboxusa.com As far as fusion food goes, it doesn’t get much better than Korean-Mexican. This Michigan fast-casual chain excels at stuffing Korean barbeque into tortillas. Credit: Tom Perkins
Cloverleaf Multiple locations | cloverleaf-pizza.com In 1946, Cloverleaf founder Gus Guerra was the one to create Detroit-style deep dish pizza with Buddy’s and quickly took the delicacy to Cloverleaf’s sit-down restaurant, where the same recipe has been served ever since. Now, the staple is available for pick-up and delivery at many Macomb County locations, the newest recently opening in Grosse Pointe. Credit: Facebook, Cloverleaf Bar & Restaurant
New York Deli Restaurant 40700 Garfield Rd., Clinton Twp.; 586-263-5600 | 25008 Little Mack Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-779-5665 | originalnewyorkdeli.com These two sister restaurants earned the award for Best Deli in Macomb County in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll thanks to authentic, Big Apple-style deli fare like corned beef sandwiches. Credit: originalnewyorkdeli.com
Just Love Coffee Cafe 49453 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Twp.; 586-580-3904; justlovecoffeecafe.com Founded in 2009, this spot won the award for the Best Coffeehouse (non-chain) in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll. Credit: Facebook, Just Love Coffee Cafe (Shelby Township)
Luciano’s 39091 Garfield Rd., Clinton Twp.; 586-263-6540; lucianositaliancuisine.com This long-standing restaurant first opened in 1987 on Van Dyke Road in Shelby Township, originally as a breakfast joint, moving to its current location two years later. Founder Luciano Gianino, an immigrant from Sicily and a U.S. Navy veteran, died on March 14, 2023 at age 76. Credit: Facebook, Lucianos Italian Restaurant
Theo’s Family Restaurant 11747 E. Thirteen Mile Rd., Warren; 586-939-6580; theoswarren.com This diner serves up Italian and Greek favorites. It earned kudos for being Macomb County’s Best Diner in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll. Credit: Instagram, @djmorganjr2020
Ishtar Restaurant 3625 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights; 586-698-2585; facebook.com/Ishtar.restaurant While most of metro Detroit’s Middle Eastern fare is Lebanese-inspired, Ishtar draws from the flavors of Iraq, one of the few restaurants in the region to do so. It’s known for its generous portions and live music. Credit: Tom Perkins
Mike’s on the Water 24600 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-872-2630; mikesonthewater.com This waterfront bar boasts beautiful views of Lake St. Clair. It takes its nautical theme to the next level — see the “wall of beards.” Credit: Facebook, Mike's on the Water
Estia Greek Street Food 5753 Twelve Mile Rd., Warren; 586-248-4999; goestia.com This local Greek-inspired fast-food chain launched in Troy in 2016, adding a Warren location soon after in 2018. It earned praise for the Best Gyro in Macomb County in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll. Credit: Courtesy photo
Art & Jake’s Sports Bar and Grill 44899 Mound Rd., Sterling Heights; 586-739-7000 | 14741 23 Mile Rd., Shelby Twp.; 586-532-9600 | 65859 Van Dyke Ave., Washington Twp.; 586-752-7500 | artjakes.com Founded in 2002 in Shelby Township, Art & Jake’s has developed into a local chain, with locations mostly in Macomb County. (It also has locations in Oakland County and one out-of-state venture in metropolitan Atlanta.) Credit: Facebook, Art & Jake’s Sports Bar Sterling Heights
Hook 24214 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-445-8080; hookscs.com Officially opened in May 2023, Hook is yet another new Jefferson Avenue on-the-water steak and seafood joint. Boaters can dock, enjoy a meal, and some nights, hear live or DJed music from the disco stage. Credit: Instagram, @hookscs
Feast 30400 23 Mile Rd., Chesterfield; 586-213-1678; feastmichigan.com This New American spot prides itself on being chef-driven and serving meals with the most in-season ingredients. Credit: Instagram, @feastmichigan
Watermark Bar And Grill 24420 Jefferson Ave., St Clair Shores; 586-777-3677; watermarkbarandgrille.com This bar and grill features Lake St. Clair waterfront dining year-round, with outdoor “igloos” available to reserve during winter months. Along with Michigan made craft beer, Watermark’s menu includes signature dishes such as chicken à la greek and lobster mac and cheese. Credit: Facebook, Watermark Bar And Grill
Green Lantern 15505 15 Mile Rd., Clinton Twp.; 586-859-0500; greenlanternpizza.com For lovers of the kind of pepperoni that is curled-up with crispy edges, Green Lantern has got it. While the spot is famous for its round and Detroit-style pizzas, the menu offers a variety of subs, salads, wings, and more. Credit: Instagram, @greenlanternpizza
Mr. Paul’s Chophouse 29850 Groesbeck Hwy., Roseville; 586-777-7770; mrpaulschophouse.com Thinking that a steak and seafood house would be perfect in Michigan’s automotive industrial area, brothers Paul and Peter Gogo founded this chophouse in 1968. Now, their family continues the legacy. Credit: Facebook, Mr. Paul’s Chophouse Roseville
Detroit Grille House 55161 Shelby Rd., Shelby Twp.; 248-453-5376 With emphasis on gourmet pub food, Detroit Grille House won the award for Best Happy Hour for Drinks in Macomb County in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll. Credit: Facebook, Detroit Grille House
Black Rock Bar & Grill 12515 Hall Rd., Utica; 586-488-1747; blackrockrestaurants.com This restaurant is known for allowing customers to cook their own steak on a steaming hot black rock. Even though you do the work yourself and pay a higher price, the concept is fun on occasion. Plus, cooked-for-you food options are also available. Credit: Facebook, Black Rock Bar & Grill – Utica
Bangkok Station 37702 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights; 586-883-9443; bangkokstationmi.com Serving up Thai cuisine, Bangkok Station offers completely halal, authentic food, and a variety of boba tea options. Credit: Facebook,
Mavrix Restaurant & Bar 50308 Schoenherr Rd., Shelby Twp.; 586-532-0148; eatatmavrix.com For sports fans that are sick of Buffalo Wild Wings, Mavrix has 30 large screen TVs for game days and what their website says are “the best boneless wings on the planet.” Credit: Facebook, Mavrix
Da Francesco’s 49521 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Twp.; 586-731-7544; dafrancescos.com For over 30 years, Da’s has provided an Italian family atmosphere to the county. The spot was named Best Italian restaurant in 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll. Credit: Facebook, Da Francesco’s
Regale Craft Food and Drink 48810 Hayes Rd., Macomb; 586-991-7943; regalecraftfood.com This restaurant strives to bring Detroit’s culture of food to Macomb with affordable but tasteful cuisine and portions made to share. Credit: Facebook,
Khom Fai 48856 Romeo Plank Rd., Macomb; 586-247-7773; khomfai.com Opening in 2010, Khom Fai was started by brothers who wanted to carry on the tradition of their father’s Thai recipes. In 2020, the award-winning scratch kitchen expanded to their current 3000-square-foot flagship location. Credit: Facebook,
La Saj Lebanese Bistro 13776 Southcove Dr., Sterling Heights; 586-566-6600; lasaj.com This Middle-Eastern restaurant uses a unique style of cooking with “The Saj,” a metal dome heated at 500 degrees that allows for intense flavor. The traditional tool is the signature of all of La Saj’s dishes. Credit: Instagram, @bella_vita_images
Terry’s Terrace 36470 Jefferson Ave., Harrison Twp.; 586-463-2671; terrystime.com This local seafood spot was the winner of Best Oysters and Best Fish & Chips in Metro Times 2019 Best of Detroit reader’s poll. Credit: Facebook, Terry’s Terrace
Mike’s on the Water in St. Clair Shores is one of Macomb County’s restaurants. Credit: Facebook, Mike's on the Water

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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.

Layla McMurtrie is the digital editor of Detroit Metro Times. She's passionate about art, music, food, and Detroit's culture and community. Her work has been featured in the Detroit Free Press, Between...