Already world famous for its rich automotive heritage, Detroit, Michigan, is fast becoming a hotspot for all-American dining, too. From tucking into a plate of sticky barbecued ribs in a downtown joint to feasting on a plate of classic macaroni cheese in a disused roadside garage, there are so many dining options in this city that we have updated our list of Michigan’s 10 best cultural restaurants.
A terrific brunch stop as well as a fancy dinner hang-out, Café Muse may well have started small but its eclectic menu quickly won over Detroit, forcing the owners to move to a bigger venue. Still hugely popular, the tables are close-set but thanks to the high-vaulted ceilings the restaurant still seems incredibly spacious. Menu options include everything from the wild and wonderful such as scrambled lobster to more ordinary options like grilled cheese on sourdough. Perfect for culture seekers, the cafe also displays works by the staff’s favourite local artists.
The menu at Green Dot Stables may be simple but it is certainly tasty. Choose a selection of sliders from an extensive list including the quinoa burger, catfish, fried chicken and mystery meat paired with a choice of regular, truffle and herb, venison chilli, le poutine or Cajun fries. For a slightly healthier addition, order a salad on the side or a soup instead of the fries and stop by of an evening to take advantage of the reasonably priced drink menu. Bottles of beer start at just $2, while wines and cocktails start from $3 per glass.
Much more than just another brunch spot, French chef Tom Teknos and his partner Stavros Adamopoulos have given a special twist to the lazy breakfast at the Hudson Café. Open daily from 8am, guests can choose to stop by the bar to pick up a speciality coffee and a freshly baked pastry on their way to work, or relax in front of the fireplace with friends or a good book for a drawn-out brunch. All the usual brunch-time fare is available on the menu from pancakes and French toast to omelettes and granola with fruit and yoghurt. There’s also a pretty good sandwich and salad menu for those stopping by during their lunch break.
A timeless Italian treasure in the heart of Detroit, Mario’s has been gracing the nation with authentic dishes cooked tableside since 1948. Today, diners can enjoy the rustic wood-panelled setting whilst tucking into simple yet extremely tasty dishes including spaghetti tetrazzini, gnocchi Piemontese, beef Siciliana and veal Tosca. Situated within walking distance of the theatre district, Mario’s makes for an ideal pre-theatre dinner venue; for anyone itching to give their own performance, the restaurant also hosts ballroom dancing classes at weekends.
With a menu created by celebrity Chef Michael Symon, diners at Roast can be sure that the dishes on offer are only of the highest quality. Impressive in sheer size as well as taste, this 200-seat restaurant is made up of the main dining room, semi-private dining area and bar. Michael Symon’s Roast has won numerous prestigious culinary awards, as well as being named the restaurant with one of the best beer menus in the country. For a real treat, stop by for an indulgent and delicious meal dreamed up by this unstoppable Sicilian-Greek chef: start with the crispy lamb sweetbreads, half a dozen oysters, or beef tartare, and follow with either the pork shank confit, Bavette sirloin or lamb sausage.
One for meat and beer lovers, Slows Bar BQ may have a beer menu longer than the food one, but each dish is reason alone to stop by this Detroit eatery. The menu boasts an array of dishes including chilli cheese fries and enchiladas, but it’s undoubtedly the barbecued meats that keep the crowds coming back for more. Diners can pick whether they want a slab of meat, a rack of ribs or a hearty helping of barbecued goodness in a sandwich, pick a sauce and two sides to go with it and rest assured that whatever they chose, they made the right choice. Choose to sit in the patio area to pass a pleasant evening with friends as you work through the lengthy beer menu consisting of 57 beers on tap: nine growlers, 26 bottles and 11 cans to wash down all that meat.
Situated within the historic Crowne Plaza Pontchartrain Hotel in downtown Detroit, The Jefferson House oozes elegance and charm thanks to its sophisticated menu and fancy setting. An extensive selection of wines, port, champagne, Michigan craft beers and cocktails are readily available, leaving no excuse not to partake in both pre- and post-dinner drinks when at the Jefferson. Dishes vary between lunch and dinner sittings but for those dining during the evening, choose between the fig bruschetta, charcuterie board or crab Japanese pancake for starter and follow with the seared sea scallops, 12oz rib eye or smoked lobster mac and cheese for entrée.
Priding itself on using only locally sourced ingredients bought fresh from the Eastern Market, The Majestic Café affords diners the opportunity to eat sustainably in the heart of Downtown Detroit. Perfectly located for a quick meal before or after a trip to the Midtown’s Majestic Theatre Complex, menu options include all-American favourites such as eggs Benedict, spinach lobster and pancake soufflé. For entertainment while you eat, stop by on a Wednesday and take part in the trivia evening, or every second Tuesday of the month to listen to local tales of the famous Motor City’s past.
Nestled within the walls of Detroit’s most iconic mansion from the 19th century, The Whitney serves contemporary cuisine in a charming old-world setting. The theme of the menu is ‘elegant American’ and beef, veal, lamb, fish and seafood all feature heavily in the dishes available. Wine aficionados can enjoy an array of delights from the restaurant’s award-winning wine cellar, and anyone with an interest in the spiritual world should call ahead to find out when the next supernatural evening, panorama dinner or séance will take place in the third-floor Ghost Bar.
Playing homage to the city’s rich automotive industry, the Vinsetta Garage dishes up all the classic American staples in what appears to be a real working roadside garage. Of course, it’s not: there are no services and oil changes going on here, just juicy burgers and crispy French fries cooking. The mechanical setting, however, is thoroughly appreciated by diners eager to revel in a bit of heritage whilst tucking into their supper. Pick up a pin-up Vinsetta Garage calendar as a souvenir, adorned with photos of classy ladies posing in a range of vehicles, all fighting for the title of Miss Autorama.
