The Best Restaurants In The East Side, Detroit

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Diner, Restaurant, American, $$
Selden Standard is one of the newest restaurants to be launched in East Side’s Midtown. Reconstructing an old dry cleaners spot, Selden Standard owners’ Andy Hollyday and Evan Hansen formulated the restaurant based on a vision for a neighborhood community sharing local food. From mentions in the Wall Street Journal to Hour Detroit, Selden Standard has welcomed rave reviews for their locally sourced and seasonally crafted menus. Serving small plates, Selden Standard is ideal for group dinners. Open for brunch, lunch and dinner; be sure to grab the haloumi and melon salad for an appetizer.

Cadieux Café, located in the far East Side of Detroit, is a former Prohibition-era speakeasy that dedicates its demeanor to all things Belgian. Serving Belgian cuisine and a variety of beers, the Cadieux Café is ideal for laid back occasions. Since all their food is all Belgian, Cadieux makes for an authentic and cultural experience at one of the oldest – and strictly Belgian – restaurants in Detroit. Cadieux Café also provides feather bowling, which makes this café a gem statewide and nationwide.

Rose’s Fine Food is a necessary and important breakfast and brunch spot. Offering the classic American options, like pancakes and two egg specials, Rose’s Fine Food works within their genre. However, they are creative with their recipes, especially with their house made pastries. With food sourced with customers in mind, Rose’s Fine Food is a community based and locally appreciated restaurant.

Bar, Restaurant, $
Slow’s was one of Corktown’s first big restaurants following Detroit’s necessary economic incline. Now Slow’s is a Detroit classic that serves barbecue that makes you forget you’re in the Midwest. The ribs are slow cooked in house and are served with a variety of homemade sauces that tailor to individual palettes. A large bar with accommodating seating, Slow’s Bar BQ is able to handle their turnover rate – the wait isn’t long.

Food Exchange is East Side’s well known spot for fast and deep fried food. Famous for their burgers, Food Exchange has found a way to make a burger completely distinct. The burgers are made with daily bought meat, which is partially why these burgers are a delicacy. Aside from the burgers, the sides vary from cheese fries to the Big Baby fries.

Green Dot Stables is a slider joint. Each slider is small and cheap, which allows for multiple tastings of their large selection of sliders. Green Dot’s sides – like the famous le poutine – compliment these smaller burgers, making it a hefty meal. All of their ingredients are locally sourced from Michigan farms, or they’re making and growing their own ingredients. Green Dot Stables is a new and modern restaurant that serves their take on American classics.

Craft Work is big on ambiance – red walls and dim lighting. It’s cozy and the food makes this place cozier. An elaborate menu focusing on New American cuisine, Craft Work has options ranging from fried chicken to pan-seared halibut. This is a trendier spot in the East Side, and the menu reflects this. Great service, comfortable ambiance, and an eclectic selection of food.

Cafe, Restaurant, Italian, $
Roma Café is the oldest Italian restaurant in Detroit. It is also arguably one of the best restaurants in Detroit. Roma Café has been making and serving Italian food since 1890. Nearly a century and a half of experience, this Italian joint is known for the traditional-style with fare and décor. Pastas, seafood, and meat entrees are available in a variety of forms – along with the wine list.