Detroit’s eastern riverfront and its surrounding neighborhoods are a wonderful area beloved by locals. Savvy tourists who want to venture beyond downtown will find something to love here, whether that’s Detroit’s most charming streets, quirky boutiques, historic homes, riverfront views, walking paths, homey cafés, hip wine bars and breweries, and so much more.
There’s no official name for this area, but rather it’s a collection of distinct neighborhoods each with their own character and quirks. This guide will take you through Rivertown, West Village (which is ironically east of downtown!), East Village, Indian Village, the Marina District, Jefferson Corridor, and all the pockets in between.
For both visitors and locals alike, this area is ideal for a weekend day exploring Detroit’s more offbeat side (like the brand new Little Village), while still experiencing some of the city’s most classic experiences (think: Pewabic Pottery and the Riverwalk).
Here are the best spots to pin on your map along Detroit’s east riverfront and its surrounding neighborhoods.
CAFÉS
To start any day off right, grab a coffee (or better yet, an iced latte with lavender syrup) at The Red Hook, which has locations in both Rivertown and West Village.
Sister Pie is another great choice, located on Kercheval in West Village on a lovely few blocks of quaint businesses. Pop by for hand pies, cookies, and pastries to accompany your coffee, and maybe even buy their best-selling cookbook while you’re there.
CRED Café, opened in Rivertown by two former NBA player brothers, straddles the line between café and bar. By day, stop by for coffee and pastries. At night, enjoy its secret speakeasy with a Detroit-themed cocktail menu (just whisper the password first, and you’ll be let in the well disguised bookshelf-door).
RESTAURANTS
Some of Detroit’s best restaurants – both award-winning ones and century-old neighborhood faves – are hiding out in this area. They are well worth venturing beyond downtown to dine at.
For a hearty breakfast, brunch, or lunch, stop by Norm’s Diner, a new diner in West Village. Although it’s new, it has the feeling of being a neighborhood staple for decades. Think of it as ever-so-slightly elevated comfort food with unpretentious vibes (but vibes nonetheless!).
For lunch and dinner, there are plenty of choices in the West Village blocks surrounding Sister Pie on Kercheval. For something a bit more upscale (and four-time James Beard Award nominated) dine at Marrow, a whole-animal butcher shop and bistro.
Nearby, there’s La Fonda Street, which serves up Latin American cuisine in a colorful and laidback environment. It’s understated, the staff is incredibly kind, and the food is phenomenal. Get the juicy birria tacos and maduros (fried sweet plantains), and thank us later.
For riverside dining, you have a few options. Sinbad’s is located in the marina, and is a long-time favorite for seafood and convenient for large groups. For something more lowkey, Smokey G’s Smokehouse serves up delicious barbecue food at Robert C. Valade Park along the Detroit riverwalk.
Want more choices? There are plenty in Rivertown. Try Pizzapapalis for Detroit-style or Chicago deep dish pizzas, Breadless for a 100% gluten free menu of no-bread sandwiches, or Andrews on the Corner for hockey history and the best perch sandwich in the city.
SHOPS
If you love quirky boutiques and you’re in the mood to shop for eclectic items then Detroit’s east riverside area will certainly satisfy those urges.
In West Village there’s a delightful collection of shops on Agnes and Van Dyke streets, near Red Hook Coffee and Norm’s Diner. Pop into eugenie for women’s fashion picks from top sustainable designers, Fauna Floral for unique gifts and houseplants, Van Dyke Books for a cozy collection of second-hand books, and Metropolitan Variety Store for a bodega filled with hard-to-find liquors, natural wines, and non-alcoholic drinks.
Not far away on Kercheval, go to Faircloth Boutique if you love one-of-a-kind, bold, and brightly colored clothes.
Over on East Jefferson Ave, don’t forget to pay a visit to Pewabic Pottery. This historic ceramic studio has been producing pottery in Detroit since 1903. You may recognize their signature iridescent-glazed tiles from many of Detroit’s most famous buildings. Take your time exploring the studio’s gift shop and museum for a classic Detroit experience.
THIRD PLACES
Fun activities and inviting third spaces are where this area of Detroit shines. What exactly is a third space? It’s somewhere in your community, beyond home or work, where you can connect with others or just be yourself.
The Shepherd, in Little Village, is a great example of that. This art gallery was recently named to TIME Magazine’s list of 100 world’s greatest places in 2025. And this isn’t just any old art gallery. It’s a 110-year old Romanesque church, transformed into a (free to enter!) art gallery, Black art library, sculpture garden, and skate park. There are big plans for the Shepherd’s wider campus, including a soon-to-open pastry shop, restaurant, cocktail bar, and 13-acre riverfront revitalization project, so stay tuned.
Of course, the treasured Riverwalk is another draw to Detroit’s east riverside. Starting at Gabriel Richard Park in the east (where you can easily park a car), you can walk or bike all the way through to downtown Detroit enjoying views of the Detroit river, Belle Isle, and Canada.
Along the way, you’ll pass through more Detroit parks perfect for picnic or relaxation, like Mt. Elliot Park, Robert C. Valade Park, and William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor. You could also veer off from the Riverwalk and take the Dequindre Cut, a two-mile greenway, to Eastern Market.
The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre is another gem in this area of Detroit, and a must-know for music fans. The waterfront entertainment venue fits 6,000 people and has hosted favorites like Kendrick Lamar, Ne-Yo, 50 Cent, Stevie Wonder, and more.
For families, be sure to plan a visit to the Outdoor Adventure Center, near William G. Milliken State Park. Dedicated to sharing Michigan’s great outdoors with the city, this center is filled with fun interactive activities and simulations.
Other active pursuits include playing or viewing indoor soccer game at the Detroit City Fieldhouse, or renting a pontoon (or even cycle boat!) down at the marina near Sinbad’s.
For dog owners (or those who just love furry friends) Barkside Detroit on Kercheval is a modern twist on your classic dog park. This “dog bar” has a menu of tasty wine, beer, and mocktails and is open until 9pm. However, Barkside actually qualifies it as a third space, thanks to the many friendly dogs, abundance of outdoor space, and community feel.
Finally, for those who don’t want to go anywhere in particular but would rather drive around, West Village, Indian Village, and the riverside are wonderful areas to cruise and view historic homes.
NIGHTLIFE
Looking for a night out in Detroit? You have a range of options in this area, depending on what you’re looking for.For drinks and dancing, consider Society Detroit in Rivertown. Another nightclub option is Big Pink by Mt. Elliot Park, where you can enjoy a 360 degree DJ stage and arcade games.
More into having a chill evening with a beer in hand? Atwater Brewery is one of Detroit’s best breweries, located in Rivertown and featuring a rooftop biergarten, taproom, and brewing warehouse, with a menu full of German-inspired pub fare (our advice: try a beer flight and giant hot pretzel).
Looking For The Hot Spots?
Sample East Riverside Day Trip Itinerary
Whether you’re visiting Detroit or live here, there’s plenty to keep you entertained in the Rivertown area and beyond. In fact, there’s way too much to tackle in one day. Selecting some favorites, here’s one way to spend a day in Detroit’s east riverside neighborhoods.
9am – Enjoy a leisurely comfort food breakfast at Norm’s Diner.
10am – Grab a coffee at The Red Hook next door, then spend some time wandering into nearby shops like eugenie, Fauna Floral, and Van Dyke Books. On a warm, sunny day this is also a great time to explore the charming streets of West Village.
11am – Drive over to the Shepherd and view the art gallery.
12pm – Drive to Pewabic Pottery, and maybe pick up a souvenir.
1pm – Head to lunch on Kercheval Avenue. Choose from tacos at La Fonda Street, or top-notch charcuterie or paninis at Marrow. If you have time afterward, stop by Barkside to say hello to the pups and sip on your beverage of choice.
3pm – Drive to Gabriel Richard Park and park your car at the lot on the northeast end. Be sure to pack some good shoes, because now it’s time to stroll the riverwalk all the way to William G. Milliken Park. Take a pause at Robert C. Valade Park and grab a refreshing drink from Smokey G.’s Smokehouse.
5pm – Take an uber back to your parked car, and then head to dinner and drinks at Atwater Brewery in Rivertown before heading home.
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