Detroit may be known as the Motor City, but in recent years it has shifted gears and become a vibrant culinary destination. Fuelled by a mix of historic institutions, inventive chefs, and a powerful comeback spirit, the city’s food scene tells the story of its resilience, diversity, and creativity.
Whether you’re in town for a weekend or a longtime local rediscovering your city, here’s your ultimate foodie guide to Detroit’s must-try eats and standout restaurants.
Start with the classics: Detroit-style pizza
No visit to Detroit is complete without a square slice of its signature pizza. Baked in blue steel pans and topped with caramelized cheese edges and a thick, fluffy crust, Detroit-style pizza is an icon.
- Buddy’s Pizza is the birthplace of it all. Since 1946, they’ve been serving the original version – layered with pepperoni under the cheese and sauce ladled on top.
- Cloverleaf in Eastpointe offers a nostalgic take, courtesy of the family who helped create Buddy’s.
- Looking for a modern twist? Michigan & Trumbull in Corktown crafts inventive pies with locally sourced ingredients.
Embrace the city’s international flavours
Detroit is a proud immigrant city, and its food reflects this melting pot of cultures. Multicultural venues you should aim to check out include:
- Al-Ameer in Dearborn, just outside Detroit, is a James Beard award-winning spot for Lebanese cuisine. Don’t miss the shawarma, house-baked bread, and creamy hummus.
- Polish Village Café in Hamtramck is a cozy basement restaurant famous for pierogi, stuffed cabbage, and kielbasa.
- Flowers of Vietnam, once a weekend pop-up in a former Coney Island, now serves sophisticated Vietnamese-American fare in Mexicantown. The caramel chicken wings are legendary.
Go beyond the bun: Detroit Coney dogs
A local obsession, the Coney dog is a beef hot dog topped with chili, mustard, and onions. There are two famous rivals downtown:
- Lafayette Coney Island – old-school and no-frills.
- American Coney Island – flashier, with loyal fans.
Pick a side – or check out both in one visit and decide for yourself!
Experience Detroit’s soul and comfort food
Detroit’s culinary roots run deep in African American tradition, and several spots continue to honour that legacy.
- Chef Greg’s Soul-N-The Wall is home to the Boogaloo Wonderland: a sandwich made of ground beef, caramelized onions, and cheese on a hoagie roll, smothered in tangy sauce.
- Dime Store, located downtown, is a brunch favourite blending comfort classics with inventive touches – think duck bop hash and truffle fries.
New Wave dining: the chefs redefining Detroit cuisine
The city’s food renaissance is powered by creative chefs using Detroit as their canvas. Notable examples include:
- Marrow in West Village, which merges a whole-animal butcher shop with a hyper-seasonal restaurant, serving dishes that are both refined and sustainable.
- Selden Standard has become a poster child of Detroit’s culinary revival, offering small plates driven by wood-fired techniques and Michigan produce.
- Takoi, once a food truck called Katoi, serves bold, Southeast Asian-inspired dishes in a neon-lit, post-industrial space.
Bakeries and treats
Cap off your culinary tour with something sweet.
- Sister Pie in the West Village is a Detroit institution. Try the salted maple pie or the seasonal hand pies, always made with love and local flair.
- Warda Pâtisserie, led by James Beard Award-winning chef Warda Bouguettaya, offers French-Maghreb-inspired pastries with flavours like rosewater, pistachio, and orange blossom.
Markets, pop-ups, and hidden gems
Don’t skip Eastern Market, one of the largest year-round public markets in the U.S., where you can sample local produce, craft foods, and artisan goods.
Detroit’s underground food scene is just as exciting, with rotating pop-ups, speakeasy-style restaurants, and community kitchens fostering fresh talent. Follow local food accounts and keep an eye out for new openings – Detroit’s food story is still being written.
As you can tell, Detroit’s restaurant scene is as rich and layered as the city itself. From hole-in-the-wall diners and heritage-rich kitchens to boundary-pushing fine dining, this is a city where every meal tells a story. For food lovers, Detroit isn’t just a stop among many on a US road trip – it’s a destination in itself.
