13 Best Birthday Restaurants in Detroit in 2024
Are you celebrating your or someone else's big day and want to visit one of the best birthday restaurants Detroit has to offer? You’ve come to the right place, as we’ve compiled an exciting list of birthday ideas Detroit residents and visitors have come to love.
From romantic birthday date nights to large party dinners, or even celebrating with a delightful morning meal, this list has various options for even the most discerning tastes. Journey through this culinary catalog and choose which birthday restaurants in Detroit will be best for your special occasion.
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The 13 Best Places for a Birthday Dinner in Detroit
1. The Apparatus Room
If you’re in the mood for a chic and stylish birthday dinner that Detroit residents can’t stop raving about, you must check out The Apparatus Room. A highlight of the historic Detroit Foundation Hotel, hotel guests and other visitors can indulge in Chef Rece Hogerheide’s greatest creations.
The Vibe
Tastefully modern, making it an exquisite yet unpretentious option for birthdays as well as anybody in need of date ideas in Detroit. Valet parking and artful lighting will make you feel regal, while the cozy couches and friendly waiters will make you feel at home.
What to Order
What makes this one of the best birthday restaurants in Detroit is undoubtedly the extensive and creative cocktail list. As far as food goes, order the chef’s choice for the entire table to round off the experience as one of the best birthday ideas in Detroit.
The Apparatus Room | 250 W. Larned St., Detroit, MI 48226 | $$$
2. Sexy Steak
As you might imagine, Sexy Steak is one of the best birthday restaurants Detroit steak aficionados visit often to indulge in a tasty sirloin or a juicy filet mignon. You can also find a wide selection of wine, making it a lovely place to celebrate the day.
The Vibe
It’s not every day you walk into a restaurant with a doorman and a dress code. This elegant yet welcoming space offers an intimate environment, making it one of the best birthday restaurants in Detroit for small groups.
What to Order
Steak isn’t the only thing on the menu! If you want to experience a range of Detroit food on your birthday, go family-style and order wagyu meatballs, lobster scampi and Detroit “Sexy Zip” sauce. Just make sure to leave room for the famous fried Oreos.
Sexy Steak | 250 W. Larned St., Detroit, MI 48226 | $$$
3. El Barzón
If you can’t choose between Italian and Mexican, it’s your lucky day because you don’t have to at EL Barzón. This well-rounded eatery is the ideal birthday restaurant for Detroit private parties as it offers bang-for-your-buck family-style packages.
The Vibe
A casual choice for birthday goers who care more about getting delicious, well-portioned meals than about dressing in heels. The outside is unassuming, but the inside is warm and welcoming.
What to Order
Going with one of the family-style packages is one of the best birthday ideas in Detroit. Family Style 4, for example, comes with garlic shrimp, sautéed halibut and sweet marsala wine chicken.
El Barzón | 3710 Junction Ave., Detroit, MI 48210 | $$
4. Dime Store
Known for offering some of the best scratch-made breakfast items in the city, Dime Store is a true winner for starting your birthday morning off right. It’s one of the best birthday restaurants in Detroit for foodies due to the unique chef’s specials you won’t find anywhere else.
The Vibe
Perfect for casual, fun-loving eaters who want to get together in a vibrant, busy environment. It’s a bit on the loud side, so if you’re looking to “cheers” a few times during the meal, this is your spot.
What to Order
Remember how we mentioned the unique chef’s specials? Check out the mushroom goat cheese omelette loaded with fried onions, or go with the festive Double Rainbow waffle with Fruity Pebbles if you really want to treat yourself.
Dime Store | 719 Griswold St., Ste. 180, Detroit, MI 48226 | $$
5. The Hudson Café
If you're an early riser, you'll love the idea of a trip to The Hudson Café for your special day. This modern brunch spot offers unbeatable breakfasts in Detroit that you and your friends and family will love.
The Vibe
Crisp, clean and unpretentious is the vibe you’ll pick up at this classic birthday restaurant in Detroit.
What to Order
Don’t hesitate to order all the favorites such as huevos rancheros, corned beef hash, chicken and waffles, and salmon croquettes.
The Hudson Café | 1241 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226 | $$
6. The Whitney
If an iconic 1894 mansion sounds like an appealing place to celebrate your big day, make a reservation at The Whitney. This is the go-to birthday restaurant in Detroit for the history buffs out there.
The Vibe
This exquisitely elegant mansion is often booked for weddings, so the atmosphere is undoubtedly classy and stylish.
What to Order
You can reserve an afternoon tea at the mansion — one of the experiences that make this spot an all-time favorite birthday restaurant in Detroit.
The Whitney | 4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48201 | $$$$
7. Parc
Located in Campus Martius Park, Parc is another elevated birthday restaurant Detroit foodies rave about. It serves premier, innovative dishes for brunch, lunch and dinner.
The Vibe
Excellent food and exceptional service at this birthday restaurant in Detroit are two of many lovely experiences you'll add to your birthday memory bank.
What to Order
The menu is truly delightful, meaning no choice will be a poor one. Start with one of the tasty appetizers, like the Parc truffle fries and follow that up with a tasty burger.
Parc | 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226 | $$$$
8. Lafayette Coney Island
Its exponential growth in popularity is a testament to the fact that Lafayette Coney Island is one of the best birthday restaurants in Detroit. Whether for a casual birthday hangout or a post-drinks indulgence, you'll leave feeling celebrated.
The Vibe
This birthday restaurant in Detroit is super casual, making it an ideal birthday spot for someone who doesn’t want to dress up. Enjoy the day with close friends while eating wildly delicious hot dogs.
What to Order
The menu at this birthday restaurant in Detroit is pretty straightforward, and you’d be remiss not to order the 2-on-1 hot dog meal featuring two chili dogs on one plate.
Lafayette Coney Island | 118 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226 | $
9. Dirty Dog Jazz Café
If you’re looking to get out of the city for your birthday, one of the best birthday restaurants around Detroit is Dirty Dog Jazz Café.
The Vibe
Take in the sounds of smooth jazz in an intimate birthday restaurant in Detroit — especially fitting as a date idea for a loving couple.
What to Order
Ordering the tasty, succulent scallops is a go-to move here. If you’re not into seafood, try this birthday restaurant in Detroit's chicken power bowl.
Dirty Dog Jazz Café | 97 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236 | $$
10. Vertical Detroit
If you’re not in the mood for a heavy meal and would prefer sampling a series of small plate dishes, Vertical Detroit is the birthday restaurant in Detroit for you.
The Vibe
Located in The Ashley Hotel, this brick-walled, chandelier-adorned restaurant and cocktail bar is elegant, making it perfect for gathering a small group of close friends.
What to Order
When it comes to the small plates, favorites at this birthday restaurant in Detroit include mussels, roasted salmon and the charcuterie and cheese board.
Vertical Detroit | 1538 Centre St., Detroit, MI 48226 | $$$
11. Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails
Another well-reviewed spot from the list of hotel-based birthday restaurants Detroit offers is located in The Park Shelton. Incredible food and a celebratory atmosphere make Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails a customer favorite.
The Vibe
An atmosphere that’s suitable for celebrating anything and everything — birthdays, anniversaries, promotions, you name it. With fresh, seasonal ingredients and intentionally aesthetic presentation, you can’t go wrong.
What to Order
If you’re going for breakfast, get the twice-cooked egg with Werp farms greens. If you’re having dinner, don’t overlook the lamb meatballs or lamb chop meal, and be sure to order an artisan cocktail to go with it.
Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails | 15 E. Kirby St., Ste. D, Detroit, MI 48202 | $$$
12. Texas de Brazil
An upscale chain known all around the city and beyond, Texas de Brazil is one of the best birthday restaurants that Detroit and many other cities have to offer.
The Vibe
The atmosphere here is quite sophisticated, allowing you to celebrate occasions in style while also filling up on countless meats, cheeses and veggies.
What to Order
Lamb chops are a go-to order, but make sure to come hungry, as there is a lot to explore at this popular birthday restaurant in Detroit.
Texas de Brazil | 1000 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226 | $$$
13. Mad Nice
If you’re looking to travel to Italy without spending on a flight, Mad Nice is one of the best birthday restaurants in Detroit to do so. You'll instantly feel like you’ve been transported to Rome.
The Vibe
The price range is on the higher side, but that doesn’t mean it’s pretentious or stiff. The atmosphere is as cozy as you’d expect at a restaurant built by those with Italian roots, offering a family-friendly environment with comfy green booths.
What to Order
We highly recommend going for dinner and getting the beef tartare to start. Follow that up with the egg yolk ravioli as a prime and a secondi of whole branzino and a pizza to share.
Mad Nice | 4120 2nd Ave., Detroit, MI 48201 | $$$$
Other Foodie Experiences in Detroit
Going out for dinner is always a treat, especially at these delightful birthday restaurants in Detroit. However, there are several private chefs in Detroit who offer a unique way to enjoy that special meal without lifting a finger, all from the comfort of your own home or a location of your choosing.
Alternatively, you could check out the many cooking classes in Detroit, which provide a more engaging way to create your own birthday feast while picking up some new kitchen skills from renowned chefs along the way.
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If you were struggling for birthday inspiration in Detroit, then we hope this guide helped. Now that you're equipped with the knowledge of where to celebrate, your next challenge will be choosing just one birthday restaurant in Detroit from this dazzling list.
For even more ways to explore Detroit and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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