The restaurant scene in the Detroit area is hotter than hot, and all the options might make you dizzy. To help you decide where to dine, we’ve put together a list of the hottest spots right at this moment. These are eateries that have opened recently, moved locations, changed their menus, etc. Bon appétit!

Leila 1249 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-816-8100; leiladetroit.com With 4,500-square-feet, Leila has the space to serve family-style Lebanese dishes. Classic fare includes dry-rubbed pork, grilled meat dishes called mashawi, and a selection of seafood. Photo via Leila / Facebook
Smith & Co. 644 Selden St., Detroit; 313-974-7100; smithandcodetroit.com A New American restaurant and beer hall, Smith & Co. features dishes like chorizo empanadas, corned beef sandwiches, and seared trout. In addition, the restaurant serves a variety of craft beers and cocktails. Photo via Smith & Co. / Facebook
Besa 600 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-315-3000; besadetroit.com In October 2019, Besa brought in a new chef, Nick Geftos, and recreated their menu. Photo via BESA Detroit / Facebook
Frita Batidos Detroit 66 W. Columbia St., Detroit; 313-725-4100; fritabatidos.com Ann Arbor’s Cuban/Miami inspired restaurant opened another location in downtown Detroit in October 2019. Photo via Frita Batidos / Facebook
Michigan & Trumbull 1441 W. Elizabeth St., Detroit; michiganandtrumbull.pizza Opened by Detroit-area natives Kristen Calverley and Nate Peck, the restaurant features Detroit-style pizza and more. Photo via Michigan & Trumbull / Facebook
Bangkok 96 2450 S. Telegraph Rd., Dearborn; 313-730-816; 474 Peterboro, Detroit bangkok96.com This Dearborn gem now serves new corned beef egg roll. Photo by Jay Jurma
Hazel, Ravines & Downtown 34977 Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-671-1714; hrd.kitchen Taken over by a seafood and wine menu for limited time, this restaurant has been rebranded as “Hazel’s Crab Trap” until Feb 16. Photo from Hazel, Ravines & Downtown / Facebook
Ima 2015 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-502-5959; imanoodles.com When you’re in the mood for food that’s comforting any time of year, Ima should definitely be at the top of your list. In Corktown, Ima’s spicy chicken sandwich has been the center of conversation. Ima’s tiny dining room and heated patio with communal seating means you might be elbow-to-elbow with other Detroit foodies, but honestly, that’s OK with us. Photo by Tom Perkins
Buddy’s 1565 Broadway St., Detroit; 313-334-5276; buddyspizza.com Despite the fact that the chain started in the Motor City in 1946 and is widely credited as the originator of Detroit-style pizza, this is the company’s first downtown location and only its second in Detroit. The restaurant opened in the former Angelina Italian Bistro. In addition to sit-down tables, the new space caters to the downtown lunchtime crowd with a to-go counter that sells pizza by the slice, as well as a new menu of sandwiches, salads, and pastas. Photo via Franco PR
Pietrzyk Pierogi 1429 Gratiot Ave. Suite 109, Detroit; 313-614-9393; pietrzykpierogi.com Known for its thriving Polish community, Detroit is a destination for authentic Polish street food and pierogi. This former pop-up is now a favorite at Eastern Market where it produces delicious, traditional Polish food. Photo via Pietrzyk Pierogi / Facebook
Pink FlaminGo To-Go 17740 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-826-1454; guerrillafooddetroit.com Based on the food truck of the same name, this eatery features to-go items and a commissary kitchen. With soups, salads, and an ever-changing selection of items, Pink FlaminGo is ideal for a quick bite. Photo via Google Maps
Karl’s 1509 Broadway St., Detroit; 313-855-2757; karlsdetroit.com While Detroit has no shortage of diners, Karl’s stands out. Located in the beautifully decorated Siren Hotel, Karl’s is run by Chef Kate, the mastermind behind Corktown’s nationally recognized Lady of the House restaurant. Photo via Karl’s / Facebook
Savant 51 W. Forest Ave., Detroit; 313-285-9294; savantmidtown.com Savant features French-influenced cuisine and drinks such as gruyere-infused cocktails, oysters, croissants with butter and gravy, vegan fruit carpaccio, and caviar “bumps.” The eclectic menu is definitely worth checking out. Photo via Savant Midtown / Facebook
Mink Detroit 1701 Trumbull Ave., Detroit; 313-379-6465; minkdetroit.com Featuring an extravagant oyster selection, lobster rolls, and vegetarian braised burdock rolls, Mink has made a splash in the Detroit food scene since its recent opening. Photo via Mink Detroit / Facebook
Balkan House 1314 W Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-268-4920 The Hamtramck favorite has opened up another location in Ferndale. Make sure to stop in and try everyone’s favorite döner kebab. Photo via Balkan House Ferndale / Facebook
El Harissa Market Cafe 1516 N Maple Rd., Ann Arbor; 734-585-0686; elharissa.com The only Tunisian restaurant in Michigan is in our very own Ann Arbor. Photo via El Harissa Market Cafe / Facebook
Ivy Kitchen + Cocktails 9215 E Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-332-0607 New to Detroit’s east side, this fusion restaurant gets its name from the ivy that was growing up the side of the building that remained vacant for almost 30 years before new owner, Nya Marshall, purchased and renovated it. Photo via Ivy Kitchen + Cocktails / Facebook
Republic Tavern 1942 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-446-8360 republictaverndetroit.com This February marks Republic Tavern’s fifth year in Detroit! Be sure to stop by and wish them a happy anniversary and while you’re there, why not grab a drink? Photo via Republic / Facebook
Al-Ameer 12710 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn; 313-582-8185; alameerrestaurant.com In an area well known for its Mediterranean cuisine, Al-Ameer stands out from the crowd. Family-owned and operated, Al-Ameer serves delicious, authentic dishes including hummus plates, chicken shawarma, and moujadara, a lentil and rice dish made with caramelized onions. Al-Ameer was recently featured Food Network’s list of “Best Sandwiches in America” for its falafel pita. Photo via Google Maps

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