9 Unique Restaurants for Eating Out in Detroit
Visiting Metro Detroit to invest in real estate usually means long days driving around neighborhoods, viewing property after property, and meeting with potential/current team members.
You’re obviously not going to cook, so you eat out by default. After a long day, you deserve more than a fast-food meal. So, we’ve put together a list of great and unique restaurants to reward yourself with a great meal and experience another side of Metro Detroit!
The Motor City has given birth to more than just the auto manufacturing industry—it has also produced some of the best foods our country has to offer. Given its diversity across the different neighborhoods, the City of Detroit is chock-full of exciting places to taste Michigan’s most delicious and unique foods.
The challenge, facing any traveler, is finding the hidden gems where locals dine. Well, we’re sharing and listing them down below for your convenience.
Keep this list of Detroit restaurants in your back pocket any time you want to indulge in good food. Whether you’re looking for a new cuisine to try, just go out on the town, or looking for eye-catching recommendations to include in the listing details of your vacation rentals—these restaurants are sure to inspire you.
9 Unique Restaurants in the City of Detroit
Scattered across its diverse neighborhoods, these are the best places to eat in the City of Detroit. We’ve also included some of their most popular menu items, so you can choose from the best new restaurants according to your taste buds and cravings.
Disclaimer: The following list is arranged according to Yelp reviews, from the highest to the lowest.
1. Ima to Indulge in Izakaya-Influenced Masterpieces
This fine-dining restaurant is part of Chef Mike Ransom’s Eater award-winning, izakaya-influenced restaurants all over Metro Detroit. Here at Ima, you can get your hands on a karaage fried chicken or tofu sandwich over a basket of potato chips and enjoy earthy udon noodle broths on the side.
Now, the menu does change based on its location. So you’ll find items in Corktown or Madison Heights that you may not see at its Midtown or Wayne State locations. Nevertheless, this new Japanese restaurant serves its famous udon, pho, rice meals, sandwiches, and all kinds of drinks to satisfy your cravings.
Yelp Review: 4.5 out of 508 reviews
Address: 2015 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
Phone: (313) 502-5959
Website: https://imanoodles.com/
2. Detroit 75 Kitchen for Grubby Food Truck Lovers
Don’t be fooled by the truck. Detroit 75 serves a world-class eating experience. Order its Detroit-style cheesesteak called “3rd Street Philly” with a side of cilantro fries, and you’ll get a flavor experience like no other.
Detroit 75 is the epitome of comfort food. With 6 glorious sandwiches, 2 shawarmas, and 6 unique sides to pair them with, this casual American restaurant truck has won more than a couple of awards. In fact, it’s considered one of the best food trucks in the country. If you’re ready to get messy, Detroit 75 is your best choice.
Yelp Review: 4.5 out of 209 reviews
Address: 4800 W Fort St, Detroit, MI 48209
Phone: (313) 843-3215
Website: https://detroit75kitchen.com/
3. Duly’s Place for a Detroit Classic, Mouthwatering Coney Dog
In the mood for a greasy, scrumptious coney dog? Anyone visiting the City of Detroit has to try the famous chili dog with mustard and onions, and there’s no better place to do so than in Duly’s Place.
Duly’s Place serves breakfast and chili dogs of all kinds around the clock—and it’s been making its mark for decades. It’s one of the go-to spots for coney island classics and has still kept prices low since its establishment. When you walk in, you’ll be greeted by staff and feel like you’re part of the family. Fun fact Duly’s Place only accepts cash to this day!
In the words of its founder, Duly Seit, “We’ve been here for 100 years—plan to be here for another 100 years!”
Yelp Review: 4.5 out of 148 reviews
Address: 5458 Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48209
Phone: (313) 554-3076
Website: https://www.facebook.com/DulysConeyIsland
4. Mudgie’s Deli & Wine Shop for Deli-scious Artisan Delights
Are you in the mood for a fresher, lighter option? Mudgie’s Deli & Wine Shop might just be the thing. This whole in the wall is the perfect deli to grab a quick bite.
Nested in the Corktown neighborhood, this American restaurant serves alcoholic drinks and homey comfort foods like no other. You’ll find sandwiches like the Beefy Bleu (hoagie stuffed with smoked beef brisket), the Stinson (burger with smoked ham, bacon, and caramelized onions), and the Leggo (sandwich that elevates the classic ham and cheese combination). And don’t forget their daily made-from-scratch soups, like their cozy Flatlander Chili.
Plus, if you don’t want to step out of your home, you can order from Mudgie’s on Doordash.
Yelp Review: 4.5 out of 909 reviews
Address: 1413 Brooklyn St, Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 961-2000
Website: http://www.mudgiesdeli.com/wp/
5. Mink Detroit for the Freshest and Purest of Oysters
Not much of a burgers and sandwiches fan? Not to worry, Mink Detroit serves you a wide variety of fresh seafood. And if you’re constantly looking for new things to try, good news for you! Their tasting menu changes twice a month—mainly due to seasonality and availability of its ethical sourcing style.
To quote from its website, “Seafood will have a prominent place on the menu. Mink highlights the hyper seasonality of Detroit’s urban agriculture system. Like our sister restaurant and sole meat purveyor marrow would say, #allappetiteswelcome.”
Don’t be fooled, however, as Mink is more than a seafood restaurant. Instead, it’s a drinking and dining destination for all. They’ve become an intimate community gathering place that just so happens to have the best and freshest oysters in town.
Yelp Review: 4.5 out of 30 reviews
Address: 1701 Trumbull, Detroit, MI 48216
Phone: (313) 379-6465
Website: https://www.minkdetroit.com/
6. Next in our Unique Restaurants List is TAKOI, to Satisfy Your Thai Cravings
Spicy som tum Thai, oyster mushroom sour curry, hand-crafted cocktails, and a glorious Thai fried chicken sandwich— you can enjoy all of these at TAKOI. The Thai-inspired restaurant earned a James Beard “Best New Restaurant of 2017” nomination.
What started as a food truck and occasional pop-up, went on to become a full-blown, proper restaurant. While it’s only been around for a couple of years, it’s already garnered significant attention thanks to its unique menu and eating experience.
Yelp Review: 4.5 out of 583 reviews
Address: 2520 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
Phone: (313) 855-2864
Website: https://takoidetroit.com/
7. El Asador Steakhouse for Spicy Steak Lovers on Springwells Street
Ready to grab a knife and slice into some Mexican dishes? Then head over to El Asador Steakhouse, where the food is as impressive as the “Deity of Southwest Detroit” mural painted on the restaurant wall.
Here, you can indulge in poblano green pepper steaks and a plate of shrimp diabla tacos. The restaurant takes pride in the freshness of its ingredients, so you can be sure each entree is made from scratch. In fact, El Asador Steakhouse doesn’t even have a freezer!
Yelp Review: 4 out of 348 reviews
Address: 1312 Springwells St, Detroit, MI 48209
Phone: (313) 297-2360
Website: https://www.elasadordetroit.com/
8. Polonia Polish Restaurant for Traditional Kitchen Flavors
In the mood for Polish foods served in an old-world ambiance? Then Polonia Polish Restaurant is the place for you. The restaurant used to be named Workman’s Cooperative, but has since changed to Polonia Polish Restaurant, upholding its spirit of low prices, down-to-earth service, and Polish culture.
Polonia Polish Restaurant started as a place to offer Polish food to immigrants so they feel at home in a new country. The restaurant still serves those classic dishes today, equally exciting for Polish and non-Polish customers alike. On any given night, you’ll see many pierogi and kielbasa fans, all enjoying the great food at low price points (under $10!).
Try out its homemade stuffed cabbage, kielbasa with sauerkraut, pierogies, and czarnina duck soup to immerse yourself in the Polish vibe of Hamtramck. It’s an experience unlike any other!
Yelp Review: 4 out of 239 reviews
Address: 2934 Yemans Street Hamtramck, MI 48212
Phone: (313) 873-8432
Website: https://polonia-restaurant.net/
9. Detroit Shipping Company to Taste the World in a Container
The Detroit Shipping Company is a food hall and beer garden inside a shipping container in the Cass Corridor Neighborhood. Despite the challenges it faced when the idea was conceived in 2015, the ragtag crew of different local food vendors persisted to bring their dream into a reality. Now, it has established itself as a hub for international cuisines.
Here, you’ll find delicious Thai food from Bangkok 96, Nepalese dumplings from Momo cha, Jerk Chicken from Coop, mouthwatering burgers from Motor Burger, street-style dishes from Halal Street, comforting drinks from Coffee & Creamery, and more. Given it’s diverse palette and international flair, it’s the perfect place to drop by if you’re not sure what you’re craving for—but you just want something good to eat!
Yelp Review: 4 out of 309 reviews
Address: 474 Peterboro St, Detroit, MI 48201
Phone: n/a
Website: https://www.detroitshippingcompany.com/
10. Greektown for a Vibrant Entertainment District
We couldn’t resist adding one more unique Detroit dining experience—Greektown! Now, this isn’t a restaurant, per se. But it’s more of the entire Greektown area that’s filled with amazing restaurants to try.
Located just northeast of the downtown area, Greektown is a historic commercial and entertainment district in the City of Detroit, MI. Despite its name, the restaurant scene in Greektown is a melting pot of different ethnic and regional cuisines. You can find the following restaurants and cuisines in the area:
- Authentic Greek Cuisine: Pegasus Taverna serves top-notch Greek dishes including flaming saganaki, fiery loukaniko, lamb chops, and Greek specialties like pastitsio, spanakotiropita, and moussaka. The lemon herb sauce in their grape leaves is hot, light, and bursting with flavor.
- Italian-Inspired Cuisine: Get Detroit-style pizzas with a touch of Greece in Niki’s Pizza, where you can indulge in steak wraps, pizzas with Greek salads, Opa Saganaki (brandy-flamed cheese with Greek bread), and Octopus (tender, fresh octopus in vinegar and oregano).
- Middle Eastern Cuisine: Mr. Kabob Xpress is known for its chicken shawarma, hummus, falafel, tabbouli, and fattouch. Trust us, you will be impressed! The staff here are friendly, the food comes in large servings, and the service is fast.
Yelp Review: Not applicable, but here’s the Yelp list of restaurants in Greektown
Address: Greektown, Detroit is located northeast of downtown, along Monroe Avenue and between Brush and St. Antoine streets
Get to Know Detroit with your Tastebuds
Some say money makes the world go round. But if you ask us, it’s food that makes our world go round.
Whether you’re a traveler looking to have a taste of the City of Detroit, a local wanting to experience their new home city, or a landlord looking to let your guests know about the best local eats while they stay in your Airbnb—we hope this list of 9 unique restaurants in Detroit has made it easy for you to identify the district restaurants where foodies will mostly likely flock to.
After all, food is essential—and something we literally cannot live without.
Any other hotspot restaurants we’ve missed? Comment below to help others out!