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Home of Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan, is not only a historically important city but also boasts a stellar dining scene. From award-winning Thai and Middle Eastern fare to Detroit-style square pizzas and fresh seafood, our list will guide you towards the best restaurants Dearborn has to offer.

The Eagle Tavern

The Eagle Tavern

For a hearty traditional American meal in historical surroundings, diners should head to the Eagle Tavern: a stagecoach stop originally constructed in the neighboring village of Clinton as a rest stop for weary travelers. Guests have the unique opportunity to dine in 19th century surroundings while being tended to by costumed servers in historical garb. Dishes include smoked whitefish pie, roast pork chop with walnut ketchup, as well as the quintessentially-19th century dessert apple-pan dowdy. A historically-inspired drinks list even features malt beverages and hot toddies.

Giulio & Sons

Restaurant, Italian, American, Contemporary

Located within Dearborn’s Adoba Hotel, Giulio & Sons boasts warmly-colored, hand-painted murals, babbling fountains and a Northern Italian menu. Tempting entrees include dittalini pasta and lobster pie or goat’s cheese lasagna. Guests are advised to save space for a sweet treat from the dessert buffet, which regularly features classics such as cannoli and bread pudding.

Joe’s Top Dog

Bar, Diner, Restaurant, Beer, American

Joe’s Top Dog is a popular, lively Coney Island-style restaurant and bar in downtown Dearborn offering guests tasty American diner fare, beers and warm, friendly service. Go for breakfast and kick start your day with a hearty omelette, pancakes or Texas French toast. Alternatively try the delicious Jim Padilla Coney special – a hot dog topped with ground beef, chili, mustard and mayo – and the Mayor Guido burger, a quarter pounder topped with chili, cheese, and salad.

Crave

Bar, Restaurant, Sushi

Centered on the adventurous fusion of Asian and Mediterranean flavors, a stylish and contemporary space and international drinks list, Crave has been recognized with various accolades – including Best Restaurant in Dearborn. Its chic space, complete with a custom-made chandelier, mosaic-tiled bar and charming Asian garden make it the perfect locale in which to sample dishes such as wild-caught crispy salmon with braised bok choy, green asparagus risotto with orange-sage vinaigrette – alongside wine, sake and martinis.

TRIA

Brasserie, Cocktail Bar, Restaurant, American

Al Ameer
© Edsel Little/Flickr
TRIA – an award-winning American brasserie based in the luxurious Henry Hotel in Dearborn – boasts an inventive and seasonal menu showcasing the best in locally and sustainably produced ingredients. There’s also a concise but impressive wine list and range of signature craft cocktails. Guests can opt for a number of small or shared plates – dill and parsley walleye sausage with beer mustard and a board of artisanal Michigan cheese among them – or entrées such as halal chicken tagine and spiced apple-crusted whitefish.

Al Ameer

Dearborn is home to a historic and sizable Middle-Eastern population, and Al Ameer has been a fixture of Dearborn’s dining scene since 1989. With a menu full of dishes crafted from local, farm-fresh produce, guests wanting to explore the cuisines of the Middle East and the Mediterranean will be spoiled for choice with options such as chicken shawarma, stuffed and roasted lamb, and baba ghanoush.

Big Fish

Restaurant, Seafood, American

A restaurant from legendary restaurateur Chuck Muer, Big Fish serves fresh, innovative seafood dishes in a lively atmosphere. The restaurant boasts a comfortable lounge and charming patio that hosts concerts in the summer. Choose from entrées that include wood oven-roasted salmon with a tarragon-mustard glaze, roasted vegetables and redskin potatoes; snow crab legs with Portuguese rice; or seared diver scallops with Roman gnocchi, asparagus, wild mushrooms and vermouth cream.

Bangkok96

Restaurant, Thai, Asian, Vegetarian

Buddys Pizza
© stu_spivack/Flickr
For a taste of the Thai capital right in the heart of Dearborn, look no further than Bangkok96 – a popular Thai restaurant opened in 1996 by Laos-native Genevieve Vang and her husband Guy. Guests are well-advised to start with a bowl of Bangkok96’s popular tom yum soup, a favorite made with a light vegetable broth with mushroom, lime juice, lemongrass and a hint of chili paste. Next, enjoy a delicious entrée such as the Thai jungle BBQ fish: a grilled catfish fillet served with the restaurant’s signature fried rice.

Buddy’s Pizza

Bistro, Pizzeria, Restaurant, Italian, Vegetarian

Buddys Pizza
Courtesy of Bistro 222
Buddy’s Pizza is a go-to for classic Detroit-style square pizzas and has grown from its humble beginnings as a neighborhood tavern to a group of nine restaurants across Detroit. While Buddy’s recipes have more-or-less stayed the same since first opening, many gluten-free and multi-grain crust pizzas have been added to the menu, alongside a number sandwiches, pastas and burgers. Pizza fans can still find classics such as margherita, meat deluxe and Hawaiian.

Bistro 222

Bistro, Restaurant, Italian

Bistro 222 is an upscale restaurant serving exquisite European-style dishes and recently celebrated its fifth year. The restaurant features simple yet sophisticated fare, crafted from fresh, seasonal produce and served in its intimate bistro-style space, delighting palates with dishes such as grilled salmon with Swiss chard, barley, rutabaga, mushroom and butternut squash, or the pork tenderloin with Brussels sprouts, parsnip, beets, apple and red-wine sauce.

About the author

Helen Armitage lives near Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England where she recently graduated with a Masters in Magazine Journalism. She enjoys writing about culture, pop culture, feminism and film and her favourite destinations are New York City and Dublin. She is about to embark on a three-month placement in Seville, Spain and in the future would love to visit Reykjavik, Vancouver and New York (again).

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