As the weather starts to turn and the days get colder and darker, what better way to keep your spirit bright and warm, than sinking your teeth into a rich bite of your not-so-guilty pleasure? Metro Detroit being an ethnically diverse region, we have countless styles and cuisines that can be enjoyed. This is your guide to find the best places in and around Detroit to indulge in your favorite comfort meals, and even add some new meals to your list.
Soul Food
When talking about food for the spirit, you know Soul Food is in the conversation. Originating from the deep southern United States, influenced by African cultures and indigenous tribes, Soul Food is a uniquely American cuisine created by Black people. Detroit, being one of the blackest cities in the U.S., has plenty of Soul Food joints for you to indulge in.
Fixins Soul Kitchen, with locations in Los Angeles, Sacramento and Tulsa, exhibits Black Excellence for their clientele through their authentic take on Soul Food. Their Chicken and Waffles is a notable dish on their menu, along with the Collard Greens, which they make with Turkey neck.
Savannah Blue is a chic stop for modern Soul Food and drinks. Dedicated to the high end experience, Savannah Blue is a pricier Soul Food option, starting at about $30 per person. Dishes like their Mac & Cheese or their Maple Glazed Yams, along with the warm elegant environment make the higher price point worth it for many visitors.
If you’re looking for some Soul Food carryout to chow down on in the comfort of your own home or hotel room, and at a lighter price point, Southern Smokehouse has got you covered. They’ve got chicken (fried or baked), beef short ribs and beef brisket, turkey chops and turkey wings, various fish options as well as all of the typical Soul Food side dishes.
South Asian Cuisine
With the Desi population in Michigan on the incline, there are new spots popping up all over that serve authentic South Asian Cuisine. Here are a few I recommend checking out.
When an Indian Mother’s family recipes meet trendy Detroit nightlife, you get Midnight Temple. Located in Eastern Market, Midnight Temple’s menu features your favorite Indian dishes like Biryani, Tikka Masala, Pani Puri and more, as well as a variety of delicious drinks to quench your thirst and soothe your tongue from any spice added to your meal.
Noor Jahan is an Indian restaurant that incorporates western influence into their food. All of their dishes are gluten and MSG free, and they have dairy free and nut free options. If you’re having a hard time choosing from their menu, they offer free samples to help you decide. Once you
place your order, you’ll be able to watch the chef make your fresh Naan right in front of your eyes. How’s that for a dining experience?
Modhuban is a restaurant that serves Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani food, giving you the chance to experience a broad range of South Asian flavors. They even serve a selection of Indo Chinese cuisine, hinting at some East Asian palettes and textures. They especially take pride in
their sweets like Rasgulla, Malai Chom Chom, Balu Shahi and more. If South Asian cuisine isn’t your go-to comfort food, but you’re looking to step outside of your comfort zone, Modhuban is the spot for you.
East Asian Cuisine
The east asian population in the Metro-Detroit area is extremely diverse. My guess is, none of us are strangers to Chinese take out along with a good movie on Friday night. But Detroiters know there’s more to the East Asian food scene than take-away sweet and sour chicken. Here are a few restaurants where you can get a good bowl of noodles or that big plate of rice you’ve been craving.
With locations in Corktown, Midtown and Madison Heights, Ima is a local favorite for enjoying a fusion of modern Asian cuisine. They focus on Japanese cuisine, but also serve Pho from Vietnamese cuisine, and Kimchi from Korean cuisine. I personally love their beef pho with Edamame as the appetizer.
There are lots of Vietnamese spots in the Metro Detroit area where you can get a good bowl of Pho. Pho Lucky is one of the more recognizable names in the city when it comes to Vietnamese food, and they have several locations in the South East Michigan area, including Midtown. Pho
Lucky is a family owned restaurant and they are dedicated to serving the Asian community and feeding the Detroit people and their visitors authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
Also located in Midtown, our University District, Go Sy Thai is the perfect spot to get a quick plate of Thai food. Comfortable enough to sit inside and get some work done, but quick enough to order carryout and keep your day moving, Go Sy Thai is a popular spot for college students to
enjoy some Kow Pad or Basil Fried Rice.
A little off the beaten path, Daebak Korean BBQ is located in Southfield off of Northwestern Highway. If you’ve never had the pleasure of enjoying Korean Barbeque, Daebak is perfect for your first time. They source their meats locally and all of their marinades, sauces and meat are made and cut in-house. You’ll place your order and the servers will bring your meats to your table to be cooked at your table. You can cook it yourself, or have a server help you; either way you’re sure to not only enjoy your meal, but your overall experience.
Middle Eastern Mediterranean
The Detroit metropolitan area is home to the largest Arab community in the country. When on the prowl for a good Shawarma or Kabob, there’s no better city to find yourself in. The following spots are great for enjoying middle eastern and mediterranean cuisine.
Yemen Cafe in Hamtramck is one of my favorite spots for a meal after a long day of work or a long night of partying. Open from 8am until 1am, Yemen Cafe serves authentic Yemeni foodmade with fresh ingredients. My go-to order is the Lamb Fahsah with Honey Butter Yemen Bread; a bite of the rich, savory lamb wrapped in a piece of the smooth, sweet bread is to die for.
Also in Hamtramck, with another location where Davison St and McNichols Rd meet, Boostan is a restaurant dedicated to serving the people of Hamtramck and Detroit healthy Middle Eastern and American food, and contributing to healthier eating habits in the community. With the current state of our national food supply, restaurants that are intentional about the health of their customers are extremely valuable.
One of the best Shawarmas I’ve ever had was from Zaytoona Mediterranean Grill in Dearborn. I was hungry in Dearborn, and a simple “food near me” google search led me to Zaytoona. I’ve since been back to try their Lamb Kofta Plate, which was just as good as the Shawarma I had previously enjoyed, so I had to throw them on the list.
Italian Cuisine
We Americans have adopted Italian cuisine as our own, innovating on dishes like spaghetti and pizza in our respective kitchens. I can’t speak for all Detroiters, but me and my homegirls love us some pasta; and when we’re craving a serious, no-nonsense pasta, we plan a date at one of the many Cucinas Italianas around the city. These are just a couple of options for you to choose from.
Located on Griswold St Downtown Detroit, La Laterna serves housemade pastas and neapolitan style pizzas that feed locals and impress foodies visiting from elsewhere. Even their Antipasti menu is impressive, featuring their housemade meatballs, rosemary fries and limoncello wings.
A local favorite, Mootz Pizzeria sits Downtown Detroit on Library St, serving fresh pasta and pizza. Mootz is one of my favorite pre-game spots to fill my stomach before a concert or event in the city. Their Cajun Salmon Alfredo is mindblowing and their Garlic Knots are life changing.
Less than 25 minutes from Downtown (with no traffic), Rose’s is a must try! A family restaurant, Rose’s has been serving their neighborhood since the 90’s. Their Italian bread is made fresh in house each day and each pasta dish is made to order. On the weekends they serve their Clam Chowder, and as someone who isn’t a big Clam Chowder fan, I have to say theirs is impeccable and worth the trip outside the city.
Mexican Food
Is it Tuesday? Are you looking for a Taco? Look no further than Southwest Detroit to satisfy your cravings. Nicknamed “Mexican Town”, Southwest Detroit has a prominent Mexican population, and consequently a variety of authentic Mexican restaurants that feed Detroiters and visitors alike.When I’m craving Mexican food, the first place I think of is Los Galanes. What started in the 60s as a small taquería in the heart of Southwest Detroit, is now a full service restaurant with an expansive menu and great hospitality. Customers rave over their various dishes; I especially love their Chicken Wet Burrito and their Steak Quesadillas.
The Lopez Family, hailing from Guadalajara, Mexico, founded Taquería Lupita’s in 1995 to share traditional recipes from the Jalisco region. As time went on, they added more items to their menus, including Enchiladas, Caldos and their famous Street Style Tacos.
Located on the corner of Bagley St and 23rd, Taquería El Rey is a hip and happening Taquería. Not only do they serve Tacos and other Mexican dishes, they host various events that feature local artists and creatives, giving them platforms to express themselves. Fall of 2025 will feature NONstop Thursdaze every Thursday, where you can enjoy your Tacos with a side of local Hip Hop to enhance the taste.
African & Caribbean Cuisine
Soul food is nice, but when it’s time to dig even deeper into your roots, authentic african and caribbean cuisine are there to usher you through a spiritual eating experience. From greens to sweet potatoes, African and Caribbean cuisine uses many of the same ingredients that are used in Soul Food, but with distinct flavoring and preparation styles. Here are a few popular restaurants in the Detroit area that are frequented by locals.
Founded by Burundian refugees, Baobab Fare serves the people of Detroit and their visitors, providing food from East African Cuisine. Praised for their rich flavors and large portions, Baobab Fare is dedicated to giving back to the people of Detroit, who they feel have welcomed them with open arms. If you’re making a stop in Detroit, visiting restaurants like Baobab Fare can give you a peek into Detroit’s diversity and how our culture is shaped by people from many different backgrounds.
Down the street from Baobab Fare sits Yum Village, a restaurant that serves a mix of West African and Caribbean cuisine. From Plantains and Jerk Chicken to Fufu and Egusi Stew, Yum Village lives up to their name. They have a variety of beverages to choose from as well, my favorite being their House Made Fresh Juice. Yum Village occasionally hosts social events, doing their part to bring the community together to connect over good food.
Blue Nile is, in my well seasoned opinion, one of the finest dining experiences one can have in the Metro Detroit area. With a location in Ferndale, Blue Nile is an Ethiopian Restaurant known for their comfortable yet elegant ambience. Their space is furnished with various warm woods, the walls and ceilings adorned with eccentric fabrics and paintings. Before your food is brought to you, you’ll be presented with warm, moist towelettes to clean your hands with. Your feast comes to you spread out on a tray lined with Ethiopian Injera Bread for you and your party to share in a family style dinner that will surely go down in the books as a core memory.
Café & Bakery
Every special meal deserves to be punctuated with a yummy dessert. Every sweet tooth needs a go-to sweet shop. There are plenty of places in the city to grab a sweet treat; here are my favorites and I know they’re local favorites as well.
Two doors down from La Lanterna, Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters is a cafe, bakery and event venue. Originally holding the purpose of connecting people through live music and sweets, Dessert Oasis is now a spot frequented by locals and visitors for everything from catching up on class work to catching up with friends. I love sipping their Chai Latte with oat milk, sitting at the street-facing window, and enjoying the city view.
Back in Southwest Detroit we have Mexican Town Bakery. They have a mix of different cakes, including their Tres Leches and Chocolate Tres Leches cakes. They also prepare party trays with things like Eclairs, Fruit Tarts and more. Great for catering to groups of people, Mexican Town Bakery has some of the best homemade sweets in the city.
On Erskine St between John R and Woodward, For The Love Of Sugar is enabling the sweet tooth's of Detroit with their delicious sugar filled menu. They’ve got cakes, cookies, brownies, and the list goes on. When I’ve got a hankering for something sweet, I make my way in and order their Cinnamon Roll, warmed with butter, and a Chai Latte on the side. Their cosigning of
sugar habits doesn’t stop at their menu; they offer baking classes that teach you to recreate your guilty pleasures in your own home. For The Love Of Sugar, you’ve got to give them a taste!
Whatever you’re craving, there’s somewhere in Detroit that can satisfy you. Name a flavor, cuisine or vibe, we’ve got it here. Next time you’re planning a solo lunch date, or a dinner reunion with loved ones, consider one of these spots and check out more food blogs on the Visit Detroit website.
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