11 Places for Brunch in Detroit

Story by Michelle Fusco

If brunch in Detroit were a multiple choice quiz, there’d be no wrong answers. The restaurant scene in The D is a brunch-lover’s dream.

So choose “all of the above,” wear your stretchy pants and savor your favorite meal of the week at the best brunch in Detroit!

Strictly Brunch in Detroit

In an unofficial poll of family and friends, Hudson Café was the most mentioned brunch destination. It’s easy to understand why. This place was built for brunch, offering decadent dishes like red velvet pancakes, s’mores French toast, sweet or savory crepes, catfish & waffles, and five kinds of eggs Benedict. Locations of sister restaurant The Jagged Fork can be found in Grosse Pointe Farms and Rochester Hills.

At Dime Store, brunch is what they do, self-proclaimed as “an American brunch bar specializing in breakfast, lunch and booze.” Caramel apple bacon French toast? I’m there! Plus, they validate parking at the Financial District Garage.

Corktown Brunch Spots

Bobcat Bonnie’s is the kind of place where you sneak peeks at the food on other people’s tables on your way to your own table to help you decide what to order. Alas, everything looks delicious on the weekend brunch menu, including the build-your-own Bloody Mary and mimosa bar. Try the wild mushroom hash with added eggs over easy.

Fuel up on weekend brunch at Brooklyn Street Local with an omelet, quiche, breakfast hash, banana walnut pancakes, scones, poutine or — if need be — The Hangover Special. The menu features local, seasonal, organic ingredients, many sourced from urban farms in Detroit.

Lady of the House is a culinary event. The menu is fresh and creative, with brunch dishes like steak tartare and eggs, bruleed grapefruit with yogurt and fermented honey, or cinnamon roll with foie gras frosting. Nominated for Best New Restaurant in the Country by the James Beard Foundation, along with other national accolades.

Distinctly Detroit Brunches

Parc offers a palate pleasing brunch menu with a view of Campus Martius Park, at the center of downtown. Why settle for one dish when you can order the Grand Assortment, a selection of breakfast favorites, small bites, pastries, salads, meats and cheeses, seafoods, pasta and more…now we’re talkin’!

Breakfast specialties (blueberry sourdough pancakes!) are joined by sandwiches and salads at the “chic yet approachable” Apparatus Room at the Foundation Hotel, converted from Detroit’s former fire department headquarters (built in 1929). Save room to share a rhubarb tart with vanilla custard for dessert.

The restaurant Grey Ghost is named after the folk legend of a rum running pirate on the Detroit River during the prohibition era. So it’s fitting that there’s a balanced focus between brunch main course offerings and brunch-inspired craft cocktails. Pork schnitzel sandwich, anyone? Yum.

At the stylish Townhouse, try the Power Bowl—the new breakfast of champions — with scrambled egg, red quinoa, brown rice, wild rice, chickpeas, basil spinach pistou, roasted seasonal vegetables, arugula and hot sauce — wowsa! There’s also a Birmingham location.

Brunch with a Little Extra

At swanky Cliff Bell's, brunch is served with a side of live jazz. Not a bad way to start your day.

The three course Mansion Brunch is a most memorable meal at The Whitney — Detroit’s iconic landmark and former home to a lumber baron.

Bottom line: There are 52 weekends in a year. Carve out some time to discover why brunch is a verb in Detroit.

We have more brunch and breakfast in Detroit on our restaurants guide.

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