The Best Detroit Food To Try in 2024
Diving into Detroit food is like embarking on a dining excursion through the global spirit of American cuisine. With the essential flavors from so many cultures so richly represented throughout the city, defining Detroit food turns out to be an adventure as challenging as it is enticing. Such a diverse regional menu means that no matter what Detroit food you latch onto as your favorite, it's bound to be among your most memorable dining moments.
Which selections from the world of Detroit food make the best beginnings for your culinary exploration? We've put together our top 25 favorite Detroit foods to give you a running start at tasting what the city has to offer. You'll find definitive domestic flavor, intriguing international favorites and a few creations unique to the imaginative proprietors of Detroit food. If Motor City is your buffet, then this is where the line starts!
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The 25 Best Foods in Detroit, MI
1. Fish and Chips at Scotty Simpson’s
It may not be the British version, but fish and chips at Scotty Simpson's provide tourists and locals with exemplary Detroit food. This legendary locale has been satisfying customers since 1950, with no signs of stopping anytime soon.
The Vibe
The throwback energy here is celebrated by both staff and patrons.
Why It's Good
Freshly flown-in cod from Halifax, Nova Scotia transforms into flaky, battered fish filet, while hand-cut Idaho potatoes become chips to finish the dish with style.
Scotty Simpson’s | 22200 Fenkell Ave., Detroit, MI 48223 | $$
2. Sweet Potato Pie at Sweet Potato Sensations
You may think of sweet potato pie as a strictly Southern delight, but at Sweet Potato Sensations, this specialty Detroit food becomes infused with the spirit of the American South. This dedicated bakery creates cakes, cookies, pies and even cheesecakes out of the tastiest tuber ever grown.
The Vibe
Creamy yellow walls and vibrant art give this space a soothing energy.
Why It's Good
You'll have your pick of the bakery with variations like sweet potato coconut and sweet potato pecan, but it's the original sweet potato pie that's sure to win your heart.
Sweet Potato Sensations | 17337 Lahser Road, Detroit, MI 48219 | $$
3. Baklava at Shatila Bakery
Go Greek at Shatila Bakery with an authentic take on baklava that gives Detroit food a stroke of Mediterranean sweetness. Order tins or trays in a variety of flavors, including walnut, pistachio and almond, and delight friends and family with an artful arrangement of this delicate pastry.
The Vibe
A lush oasis of incredible treats filled with charming Middle Eastern touches.
Why It's Good
A basic baklava line-up comes in exquisite forms like nests and roses, though a mini-cut square tray will provide you with baklava fingers that are two-bite perfection.
Shatila Bakery | Multiple Locations | $$
4. Shawarma at Hamido Restaurant
Global goodness finds its way onto the Detroit food scene in a thousand dishes, not least the hearty shawarma served up at Hamido Restaurant. A deep menu may make it difficult to choose; if you can't decide, try shawarma as part of a Hamido's Special Plate, a sumptuous sampler that will fill you and a friend to the gills.
The Vibe
Clean, simple and airy; perfect for dashing in with friends for a weeknight dinner.
Why It's Good
If you opt for straight-up shawarma, you can choose between chicken and meat, with your choice of hummus, baba ghanoush, rice or fries on the side. There are no wrong choices here!
Hamido Restaurant | Multiple Locations | $
5. Stuffed Lamb at Al-Ameer Restaurant
You can't go wrong sampling the best Detroit food if you're dining on stuffed lamb made by Al-Ameer Restaurant. With a 100% Halal policy and catering and banquets available, you can supply your special events with a robust array of Middle Eastern specialties.
The Vibe
Cheery surroundings and fabulous food make this a great addition to your list of dining-centered date ideas in Detroit.
Why It's Good
Enjoy slices of roasted stuffed lamb served on a bed of hearty brown rice. Don't forget the pitas and hummus to round out your meal.
Al-Ameer Restaurant | Multiple Locations | $$
6. Cuban Sliders at Green Dot Stables
The classic Cubano sandwich gets the Detroit food treatment in the form of Cuban sliders, courtesy of Green Dot Stables. Fans of equestrian chic will love the horse-themed aesthetic while enjoying some of the finest Detroit cuisine in the city.
The Vibe
Stable-themed décor adds wit and whimsy to this tavern.
Why It's Good
With pit ham and pork loin sharing the bun with provolone, pickles and a swipe of yellow mustard, all the best bits of a classic Cubano sandwich become bite-sized dinner roll masterpieces.
Green Dot Stables | 2200 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit MI 48216 | $
7. Pizza Ravioli at Grey Ghost
If pizza rolls made from scratch sound like your kind of dish, then pizza ravioli at Grey Ghost is the Detroit food for you. The restaurant is named for a mysterious figure who ran rum during Prohibition, but there's no mystery about the savory legacy this Detroit food dealer upholds.
The Vibe
Luxe tone-on-tone styling makes this space feel wonderfully exclusive.
Why It's Good
Don't expect pepperoni in these posh ravioli. The filling is a blend of rabbit sausage and bell peppers with zesty pesto on board to make your dining prospects even brighter.
Grey Ghost | Multiple Locations | $$$
8. Grilled Michigan Pork at Selden Standard
Enjoy grilled Michigan pork at Selden Standard for a version of Detroit food that speaks for the entire state. Local farms lend their ingredients to small, sharable plates that give the Great Lake State a considerable culinary win.
The Vibe
Well-lit and energetic, this happy spot is a warm locale to discover how great Detroit food really is.
Why It's Good
Your grilled Michigan pork platter adheres to market price and comes from a partner farm from the region. Enjoy it with cucumber topped with a refreshing coriander vinaigrette and a side of seasonal fruit.
Selden Standard | 3921 Second Ave., Detroit, MI 48201 | $$
9. Chocolate-Cherry Bread Pudding at Lumen
Elegant desserts like chocolate-cherry bread pudding at Lumen are the kind of Detroit cuisine gourmets crave. The upscale modern American dishes that precede dessert are a worthy lead-in to a decadent treat that's sure to put your sweet tooth in seventh heaven.
The Vibe
Stylish and cozy, with heated glass chalets for outdoor dining all year round.
Why It's Good
Picture a classic bread pudding base studded with dried cherries and bittersweet chocolate, then doused in smoky-sweet whiskey caramel sauce. Detroit food sure can lay it on thick!
Lumen | 1903 Grand River, Detroit, MI 48226 | $$
10. Ham Sandwich at Mike's Famous Ham Place
Slide into Mike's Famous Ham Place for a ham sandwich and behold the high standards the Motor City holds itself to when serving premium Detroit food. What more can be said about a diner that incorporates ham in some form into every dish on the menu?
The Vibe
Classic white-tiled walls and blue countertops sing with nostalgia.
Why It's Good
A ham sandwich here is a no-nonsense event: rustic slabs of roasted pork between two halves of your favorite bun served with a scattering of pickle chips on the side.
Mike's Famous Ham Place | 3700 Michigan Ave., Detroit, MI 48216 | $$
11. Chili Dogs at American Coney Island
Wondering how American Coney Island fits into the Detroit food landscape? By offering incredible chili dogs that bring NYC fare further inland, of course! A part of the Detroit food scene since 1917, this regional landmark is the point at which the East Coast meets the Midwest.
The Vibe
Checkered floors with red and gold walls cast carnival-style illusions.
Why It's Good
An American Coney Island chili dog is one of the best combinations Detroit food has to offer — a frankfurter topped with beef chili and dressed out in cheddar and onions.
American Coney Island | 114 W. Lafayette, Detroit, MI 48226 | $
12. Square Pizza at Buddy's
If you get around to trying Detroit-style squared-off pizza at Buddy's, you'll be sampling quintessential Detroit food that gives a beloved staple an angular twist. Grab a corner slice before your foodie companions can to make sure you get the best bits of the pie on your plate.
The Vibe
This primo pizzeria feels like a homey neighborhood hangout.
Why It's Good
Square pizza at Buddy's is available in all your favorite combinations — everything from Sicilian deep-dish to pineapple-topped Hawaiian. Talk about a world map in food form!
Buddy's | 17125 Conant St., Detroit, MI 48212 | $$
13. Salted Maple Pie at Sister Pie
The flavor of fall is served all year round at Sister Pie, thanks to the restaurant's salted maple pie. It's a Detroit food that makes other dessert vendors sit up and take notice, with breakfast and lunch available in addition to the eatery's line-up of wildly delicious pastries.
The Vibe
An adorably quirky wonderland of baked beauty.
Why It's Good
Anyone who knows the pleasure of salted caramel will understand how maple sweet and savory blend in a salted maple pie. The filling is rich and dense, with a flaky pastry that recalls the best Southern desserts.
Sister Pie | 8066 Kercheval, Detroit, MI 48214 | $$
14. Gyros at Pegasus Taverna
A trip to Pegasus Taverna is like a voyage to the Greek islands, one of the more magical experiences you can have while savoring true Detroit food. This family-owned pub is the place to go for laid-back dining with a hearty dash of Mediterranean soul.
The Vibe
A gated arch entrance and glowing neon sign provide mythical enchantment.
Why It's Good
Whether you stick with the traditional lamb-filled gyro, opt for a marinated chicken version or give the grilled chicken a spin, you'll have your hands full with a pocket-style sandwich filled with meat, veggies and tzatziki.
Pegasus Taverna | Multiple Locations | $$
15. Paczkis at New Palace Bakery
Paczkis, the popular Polish doughnuts that make national headlines during Lent, are available year-round at New Palace Bakery. You don't have to be devout to enjoy this representative Detroit food; you just have to be a fan of classic jelly doughnuts done with style.
The Vibe
A sweet old-style bakery with plenty of windows to check out the delicious creations.
Why It's Good
Indulgence rules your paczki dreams here. Order a dozen to try peanut butter and jelly, triple chocolate and the cleverly named Orange Creamski, all jelly-style donuts that'll put a little extra bounce in your spring!
New Palace Bakery | 9833 Joseph Campau St., Hamtramck, MI 48212 | $
16. Bumpy Cake at East Detroit Bakery & Deli
Bumpy Cake may be the Detroit food with the most fun name, but at East Detroit Bakery & Deli, the chefs take their responsibilities very seriously. Old-fashioned deli selections and grab-and-go bakery creations make it easy to pair your bumpy cake with a satisfying pre-dessert meal.
The Vibe
The vintage deli counter and bakery case design make it feel like a small-town favorite.
Why It's Good
Bumpy cake is just a cake topped with fudge frosting laid over buttercream speed bumps, but isn't that enough to make this Detroit food a winner?
East Detroit Bakery & Deli | 17530 E. 9 Mile Road, Eastpointe, MI 48021 | $$
17. Barbecue Pork Sandwich at Slow's Bar-B-Q
Get your hands around an overloaded barbecue pork sandwich at Slow's Bar-B-Q and prepare to feast on Detroit food like no other sauce pit can provide. This two-location chain lets diners enjoy slow-cooked barbecued pork, chicken and beef in a variety of well-known dishes, as well as some unique offerings.
The Vibe
Red brick and exposed beams conjure real vibes of the American South.
Why It's Good
A mound of mouthwatering pork captured between halves of a brioche roll with coleslaw and pickles sliding out the sides is the kind of Detroit food diners can't say no to.
Slow's Bar-B-Q | 2138 Michigan Ave., Detroit, MI 48216 | $$
18. Botanas at Los Galanes
Think of botanas at Los Galanes as nachos deluxe — a sublimely shareable dish that requires Detroit food fans to bring friends along to enjoy the fun. After all, if you can't dig into Detroit food with your besties, are you even living your best life? As Los Galanes would say, "The more, the merrier!"
The Vibe
Brick walls and frond-adorned posts transform the interior into a tropical hideaway.
Why It's Good
Prepare your appetite for tortilla chips topped with beans and chorizo, peppers, tomatoes, onions and avocado — like a deconstructed guac-salsa combination — and Muenster cheese instead of cheddar.
Los Galanes | 3362 Bagley St., Detroit, MI 48216 | $$
19. Superman Ice Cream at Ray's Ice Cream
Superman ice cream is an iconic Detroit food, a tri-colored red-yellow-and-blue spumoni that recreates the palette of America's most powerful superhero. At Ray's Ice Cream, you can spoon up a few scoops of this vibrant confection and feel the power of a Motown original in a cone or cup.
The Vibe
Your childhood ice cream parlor brought to life in Detroit!
Why It's Good
A scoop of this twisted deliciousness is a visual treat as well as a sweet reminder that there's a little superhero in all of us.
Ray's Ice Cream | 4233 Coolidge Highway, Royal Oak, MI 48073 | $$
20. Dinty Moore Sandwich at Hygrade Deli
Plate up a Dinty Moore sandwich at Hygrade Deli and learn what the rest of the city already knows about authentic Detroit food. It's a combination so special that it gets a name usually devoted to canned beef stew, though this invention is anything but grocery-store-level fare.
The Vibe
Retro barstools at the lunch counter will make you think you've stepped into a 1950s malt shop.
Why It's Good
Your Dinty Moore sandwich adds tomatoes, lettuce leaves and a squeeze of Thousand Island dressing to rolls of hot corned beef, all served on wheat toast. Whew!
Hygrade Deli | 3640 Michigan Ave., Detroit, MI 48216 | $
21. Boston Cooler at Mercury Burger & Bar
Switch gears from fork-and-knife fare to a classic Detroit food you can eat with a straw or spoon in the form of a Boston Cooler. Mercury Burger & Bar will mix Vernor's ginger ale with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream for a fabulous float that's famous in the area.
The Vibe
Eclectic fast-casual accents will make you feel right at home.
Why It's Good
Treat yourself to a Boston Cooler, a cool mix of Vernor's ginger ale with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream that becomes a fabulous and Detroit-famous float.
Mercury Burger & Bar | 2163 Michigan Ave., Detroit, MI 48216 | $
22. Marble Rye at Crispelli's Bakery
Locals who turn you onto rye bread at Crispelli's Bakery have the inside track on how Detroit food should be. Whether you use it for your favorite sandwiches or enjoy it with a schmear of Dijon mustard, it's the Detroit food your gourmet sensibilities deserve.
The Vibe
This adorable bakery turns a cluster of rolling pins into a one-of-a-kind chandelier art piece.
Why It's Good
A loaf of marbled rye from Crispelli's is an essential blend of earthy caraway and complex pumpernickel that's bound to recreate your finest food memories.
Crispelli's Bakery | 931 N. Main St., Royal Oak, MI 48067 | $
23. Irish Egg Rolls at McShane's Irish Pub
Travel backward and forward in time simultaneously with Irish egg rolls at McShane's Irish Pub. You'll have a modern reinvention of a timeless Asian classic served in a rousing tavern atmosphere for a cross-cultural dining moment only Detroit food can provide.
The Vibe
The rousing spirit of a real Irish pub is alive and well in the Detroit food community.
Why It's Good
A plate of Irish egg rolls features tender corned beef sharing wonton wrappers with potatoes, cabbage and Swiss cheese, with a stone ground mustard sauce for dipping.
McShane's Irish Pub | 1460 Michigan Ave., Detroit, MI 48216 | $$
24. Burgers at Telway
There's no dining in an American culinary landscape like the Detroit food scene without burgers on the menu. At Telway, you can experience some of the city's juiciest options, creations that capture the bun-burger-topping formula with some imaginative quirks to tease your tastebuds in all the right ways.
The Vibe
Don't let the look of this simple walk-up counter fool you; it serves some of the best Detroit food around.
Why It's Good
Grab a bag of burgers with or without cheese and you're in for one heck of a Detroit food moment. You belong to the city now!
Telway | 6820 Michigan Ave., Detroit, MI 48210 | $
25. Ribs at Redsmoke Barbeque
At Redsmoke Barbeque, the ribs are a Detroit food metaphor for how astounding life can be when you have everything in balance. With hickory and applewood lending flavor, it's an opportunity no proper foodie should pass up!
The Vibe
This bar-and-grill is awash in fun barbecue, including the metal red pigs flying above the staircase.
Why It's Good
Ribs at Redsmoke are a cause for celebration, whether you opt for the full- or half-rack of either Carolina back ribs or St. Louis spare ribs.
Redsmoke Barbeque | 573 Monroe St., Detroit, MI 48226 | $$
Get a Taste of Iconic Detroit Food
When you've worked your way through the city, head to the kitchen for cooking classes in Detroit and learn how to whip up your own Michigan-minded dishes at home. Every expert-led session reveals the secrets behind tastes and textures that make the city and the world that surrounds it magical. No matter what your appetite calls for, there's a course that's calling your name.
Join 200,000+ Culinary Enthusiasts
Few cities can bring the world to the table as deliciously as Motown. More than just providing phenomenal local fare, Detroit food is uniquely representative of the international table, a feast that reflects the melting pot culture of the U.S. When you embark on your journey through the city, you'll encounter as much excitement and appreciation for the people behind the dishes as you will for the Detroit food itself.
For even more ways to explore Detroit and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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