DETROIT – Here’s something locals know which first-time visitors may not: Detroit is one of the top foodie cities in the entire country.
A lot of people will be in town over the next couple of weeks to attend the Detroit Auto Show (Jan. 17 – 25). Here are some of the must-visit restaurants to try while they’re in town.
Located at 6500 Woodward Ave., locals know how delicious the Afro-Caribbean cuisine is at this spot.
Some of the go-to dishes include the smoky jerk chicken with caramelized sweet and spicy plantains, the curry vegetable chicken stew, and the jerk oxtails.
Similar alternative: Baobab Fare at 6568 Woodward Ave. for East-African inspired recipes and drinks.
Located at 2601 W. Fort St., the ramen bowls at this place always deliver with numerous broth choices like Soy based or traditional pork, red coconut curry, coconut chicken, Korean Chili and green chili.
Ramen & Asian restaurant alternatives: IMA Noodles at 4870 Cass.; Takoi at 2520 Michigan Ave.
Located at 3921 2nd Ave., this place was recently named one of the top restaurants in the country by USA Today.
Selden Standard was also named an Outstanding Restaurant semi-finalist in both 2024 and 2025 by the James Beard Foundation.
Located within the former Detroit firehouse headquarters at the Detroit Foundation Hotel at 250 W. Larned St., you’ll come here both for the building’s history and the farm-fresh food.
Located at 47 Watson St., this place serves everything from burgers and filet mignon to mussels, shrimp and oysters. It’s often ranked as one of the top restaurants in the city.
Located at 1435 Randolph St., this newer southern cooking restaurant is owned by former NBA all-star, Kevin Johnson.
The menu serves fried chicken, shrimp & grits, oxtail, gumbo, chicken and waffles and more, with all the fixins’, of course. And don’t leave without trying the Kool-Aid.
Southern cooking alternatives: Detroit Soul at 14300 E Jefferson Ave., The Eagle Detroit at 3461 Woodward Ave., Joe Louis Southern Kitchen at 6549 Woodward Ave.
Located inside the Chrysler House at 719 Griswold St., this place is one of the top spots in the city for breakfast and brunch. Dime store is open daily from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Breakfast alternatives: The Hudson Cafe at 1241 Woodward, Honest John’s at 488 Selden St., Kuzzo’s Chicken & Waffles at 19345 Livernois.
Located in Detroit’s historic Greektown neighborhood at 558 Monroe St., if you’re looking for authentic Greek cuisine, look no further than Pegasus.
Other Greektown restaurants to try include: Golden Fleece, Fishbones, MATI, Spitiko Greek Taverna, Astoria Pastry Shop
Located in Detroit’s Mexicantown neighborhood at 3923 Vernor Hwy., this place is known for its authentic Mexican dishes.
Other Mexicantown restaurants include: Mexicantown Restaurant, Tamaleria Nuevo Leon
Located at 4421 Woodward Ave. in what is one of Michigan’s most historic mansions, this place is open for dinner seven nights a week. It also has afternoon tea on Fridays and Saturdays and serves brunch on Sundays.
More Detroit restaurants, and this is just scratching the surface:
