Weekday Downtown Restaurant Guide

Parc

With the perfect spot in the center of Downtown Detroit and in Campus Martius Park, Parc is a great dining experience for a weekday meal either lunch or dinner.

The restaurant blends French and Mediterranean styles for its food, with a variety of soups, salads, starters and entrees, to go with a list of cocktails.

At night for dinner, you can get different steaks, lamb or pasta, and you can’t go wrong with anything you order.

Parc is close to everything and has a large enough menu to please everyone in your party.

Wright and Co.

On the second floor of the beautiful building completed in 1891, Wright & Co. features a James Beard-nominated Chief and Partner Marc Djozlija.

The stunning space with a beautiful chandelier in the corner is open for dinner and is close to everything.

Their menu features mostly small plates, so make sure you try as much as you can, and their menu can change based on the season.

You have to try the Potato Pavé and the grass-fed ricotta, and you can’t go wrong with the half-chicken or the pork belly.

Wright and Co, Emily Berger

Experience Zuzu

In their own words, "Zuzu was born for professionals of all types to mix business with pleasure in a luxurious setting." This downtown restaurant is the perfect spot for a lunchtime getaway or to treat your favorite coworker or client.

Zuzu offers lunch al fresco on the Zuzu Terrace. From no-brainer dishes like the build-your-own City Lunch Bento Box; an assortment of light bites like the Seared Ahi Tuna, Seabass Rangoon, and Shitake Salad; or a variety of classic and specialty sushi rolls, the Zuzu Terrace is the premiere place to lunch in style this summer.

Grand Trunk Pub

Right along Woodward Avenue, Grand Trunk Pub is the former ticket office for the Grand Trunk Railway, and the building has been open since the late 1800s.

Their menu features a variety of food and drinks, and you’ll only find Michigan beer on draft as they serve up local drinks to everyone.

The Grand Trunk Pub Reuben features corned beef from nearby Eastern Market and kraut made with a West Michigan beer.

The Chicken & Waffles are a hit with beer-battered chicken strips, or try the fried pickle chips which are also beer battered.

Checker Bar

Near Campus Martius is one of the closest things you’ll find to a dive bar in Detroit – Checker Bar. The feel inside transports you into what looks like it could be a diner, but the menu is off the charts with great food.

They have a variety of sandwiches, appetizers and pizza. The Napalm Breath is named because of the garlic aioli drizzle that goes on it.

Their burgers are among the best in Detroit, and the breakfast burger comes with a fried egg on top. Unless you want fries, each is also served with a bag of Detroit’s own Better Made Potato Chips.

Dime Store

Dime Store is one of the best spots in Detroit for a weekday brunch and lunch. They serve all day brunch inside the Chrysler House building, with scratch-made breakfast, beer, wine and cocktails.

The chef’s specials change, but anything with the house-made sausage is delicious, whether it’s a hash, an omelette or a side.

If you’d rather have lunch, give the chicken caprese sandwich a try, and make sure you get a side of the bacon, parm & truffle fries. You won’t be able to stop grabbing them.

Buddy’s Pizza

Buddy’s Pizza is the original Detroit-style pizza, and it’s located right by Comerica Park and Ford Field near Grand Circus Park.

Inside, the restaurant is decked out with Detroit themes, and you can’t go wrong with whatever pizza you order.

If you’re looking for Detroit-style pizza during the week, then you have to get Buddy’s.

Buddy's, Sarah Bence

Central Kitchen & Bar

Also located near Campus Martius Park and some of the other restaurants, Central Kitchen & Bar has menus that feature dinner, brunch and cocktails. The restaurant has been open since 2015 and tried to have a menu that is “approachable.”

Try out the fig flatbread as one of the starters, and try the Detroit Burger for a meal with wild mushrooms, zip sauce, gruyere cheese and more.

Other meals include roasted chicken, a power salad, Scottish salmon and more.

For brunch, they have a steak and egg hash, brioche French toast or chocolate cherry crepes.

San Morello

San Morello is a great spot to grab a nice dinner on a weekday. It’s located along Woodward Ave. in the bottom of the Shinola Hotel, and it has breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Their pizza is a must-try from their wood-fired oven, and the pasta flavors and stles rotate depending on what the restaurant has.

To start, make sure to try the famous sheep’s milk ricotta which comes with bread, hot honey and garlic, and finish the night or afternoon off with a delicious pistachio cake.

@sanmorellodetroit

Flood’s Bar & Grille

If you’re looking for some good soul food and great vibes in Downtown Detroit, look at Flood’s Bar & Grille, located in Greektown.

They’ve been serving good food since the 80s, and they also have a DJ playing music every night.

For an appetizer or an entrée, give the catfish tenders a try, because you’ll really love them. You can also get fried turkey chops, a surf & turf, lamb and more.

Mootz

If you’re looking for some New York pizza in Downtown Detroit, head over to Mootz Pizzeria and Bar.

You can sit down or order takeout or slices from the side door if you just make a quick stop for a slice.

You have to try the garlic knots, which are covered in butter, minced garlic and pecorino parmesan cheese.

The Uptown & The Bronx pizza comes with mootzarella, pecorino, parmesan, pepperoni and NYC pizza sauce, and they have a variety of other delicious pies to try.

@entropyatrophy

Pao Detroit

Pae Detroit is an Asian-fusion restaurant near Grand Circus Park and is located in the former Michigan Oriental Theatre.

Their menu is great for a weekday meal, with casual items or luxury lobster items.

Grab some edamame to start – either sea salt & lime or spicy – and get it with some truffle fries.

You can try the charred octopus or a 48-hour marinated lamb lollipop. If you’re looking to go high, Pao does offer a 24-ounce wagyu tomahawk steak.

@paodetroit

Savannah Blue

Savannah Blue is serving up “southern flavor, Detroit style,” at their location in Detroit’s Times Square. The spot has a great happy hour if you get out of work early, and their dinner menu is great for a weekday meal.

You can try the lumpy crab cake or the warm crab dip to start, or the catfish fritters.

Some of their entrees include braised oxtail, a roasted lamb rack, catfish plate, and more.

Finish it off with a chocolate chip skillet cookie or golden raisin bread putting.

Avalon International Breads

You can get a great weekday breakfast or lunch in the city at Avalon International Café and Bakery on Woodward. They’re open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day serving breakfast sandwiches, lunch sandwiches, soups and delicious sweets.

The avocado toast comes with tahini, cucumber, chili flakes and more, while they also have a breakfast pizza.

The grown-up grilled cheese comes with havati and goat cheeses to go with tomato and some greens on the side.

Avalon International Breads, @detroitdining

American & Lafayette Coney Islands

Detroit is known for its coneys, just like it’s known for cars, music and much more. The two main spots right downtown are American Coney Island and Lafayette Coney Island, located right next to each other in the building on the split of Lafayette and Michigan Aves.

Walk into either and you’ll get a great dog with chili, mustard and onions, and the ambiance on the inside of both restaurants is something you’ve likely never seen before.

Lafayette Coney Island, @thedetroitdiet

Andiamo Detroit Riverfront

You’ll have a great meal along the Detroit Riverfront at Andiamo, which will give you great views for your weekday dinner.

Their pasta is handmade every morning in-house, and you can add soup or a salad with it.

For your entrees, you can grab the Andiamo house chicken dish, or a filet.