Woodbridge Pub
5169 Trumbull Ave.; 313-833-2701; woodbridgepub.com
With mouth-watering menu selections such as spinach and artichoke dip, feta philo with honey, and Michigan cherry salad, Woodbridge Pub is a great spot to grab a beer and a filling, hearty meal. Plus, most dishes are crafted with ingredients sourced from urban farmers and vendors located within five miles of the pub.Photo via Woodbridge Pub Detroit / Facebook
Vivio’s Food and Spirits
2460 Market St.; 313-393-1711; viviosdetroit.com
Vivio’s is known for their famous bloody mary mix, but their food menu is just as impressive. Since 1967, Vivio’s has been delighting customers with well-executed dishes including classic burgers, mussels, salads, and appetizers. The crab cake po boy, porchetta, and baked spinach dip are all worth a try.
Photo via Vivio’s Food & Spirits / Facebook
Standby
225 Gratiot Ave.; 313-241-5719; standbydetroit.com
The creatively-named drinks at Standby are just one reason to visit this hidden gem. The cocktail lab is outfitted with a centrifuge, liquid nitrogen, and culinary tools to create drinks such as 10 Points for Gryffindor and Proceed to the Route. Standby also offers inventive snacks and plates including prawns and polenta, coconut purple yam ice cream, and mezcal smoked carrots.
Photo via Google Maps
Second Best
42 Watson St.; 313-315-3077; secondbestdetroit.com
Conveniently located off Woodward Ave., Second Best offers thoughtfully-crafted bar food alongside beer, wine, and cocktails. The soft pretzel sticks with honey mustard, blistered shishito peppers, and steak fries are great companions to one of the many local beers and classic cocktails available at Second Best.Photo via Second Best Detroit / Facebook
Queens Bar
35 E. Grand River Ave.; 313-285-8019; queensbardetroit.com
Queens Bar upgrades traditional bar food with creative twists on classic dishes. The deep-fried mozzarella sticks are served with house-made dill ranch, and the fried bologna sandwich is made with caramelized onions and American cheese. Alongside a feature cocktail like the Monica Blaire (Courvoisier, fresh lemon, berry elixir, and Sprite), these sandwiches and snacks provide the right amount of crunch and saltiness.Photo via Queens Bar Detroit / Facebook
Nemo’s
1384 Michigan Ave.; 313-965-3180
After over fifty years of brews and burgers, Nemo’s is a Detroit classic. The chili, club sandwiches, and burgers are all house-made with fresh ingredients, and the wings and fries are cooked to perfection. Just one block away from the old Tiger Stadium, Nemo’s offers shuttle service to all Red Wings and Tigers home games.
Photo via Nemo’s / Facebook
Northern Lights Lounge
600 W. Baltimore St.; 313-873-1739; northernlightslounge.com
Northern Lights Lounge’s extensive food menu is an ideal sidekick to their beers, wines, and cocktails. The chicken strips, semi-sweet chocolate pie, and asiago chicken sandwich are just a few standouts on the menu of classic bar snacks and diner food.Photo via Google Maps
Miller’s Bar
23700 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-565-2577
For burgers in metro Detroit, Miller’s might take the cake. Dearborn residents got lucky with this one, and any outsiders need to visit it to taste what some say is the best burger in the area.
Jacoby’s Bar
624 Brush St.; 313-962-7067; jacobysbar.com
For over 100 years, Jacoby’s Bar has been serving up German treats such as spaetzle, wiener schnitzel, and rindfleisch rouladen. They also have traditional bar food including burgers, sandwiches, appetizers, and salads. Their beer menu includes imported brews from Germany, Belgium, Canada, Scotland and England.Photo via Jacoby’s German Biergarten / Facebook
Honest John’s
488 Selden St.; 313-832-5646; honestjohnsdetroit.com
In addition to a comprehensive menu of wines, cocktails, and beers, Honest John’s also offers mouthwatering breakfast, lunch, and late-night food options. The Fruity Pebble French toast, spinach artichoke melt, and homemade chili are just a few standouts. For a midnight snack, the chili cheese fries and butterfinger pancakes are great options.Photo via Honest John’s Detroit / Facebook
Lager House
1254 Michigan Ave.; 313-961-4668; lagerhouse.com
Though PJ’s is known for their beer menu, the food options are just as diverse and satisfying, incorporating classic American cuisine with Southern and Vietnamese dishes. The deep fried pickles, onion rings, vegan po-boy, and exhaustive brunch menu are worth a trip for the food alone.Photo via GoogleMaps
Ladder 4 Wine Bar
3396 Vinewood St., Detroit; 313-638-1601; ladder4winebar.com
This spot won Best New Restaurant in Detroit in the Metro Times 2022 Best of Detroit reader’s poll. Since opening, Ladder 4 Wine Bar has seamlessly executed the intermingling between great food and great wine.
