Detroit
Owner Lisa Ludwinski (a 2019 James Beard Award finalist) and her army of female bakers create amazing treats at this corner storefront. The milk chocolate…
Must-see restaurants in Michigan
Gold Coast
While it could coast on its looks – the shabby-chic farmhouse decor is cute as a button – the deli ups the ante with seriously top-notch food. The Cubano…
Detroit
Step inside this light-wood cafe staffed by hippies and fork into splendid soul food dishes that just happen to be vegan. The soul platter, with black…
Michigan
Burgers, green curry, and barbecue pork and polenta feature on the menu, where everything is made with sustainably farmed ingredients. Beer plays a role…
Gold Coast
This family-owned business in a former railway terminal has been serving up wood-fired pizzas, fresh green salads and craft beer since 2012. Check out the…
Michigan
Order at the spice jar–lined counter, and then grab one of the close-set tables to await your beet burger with tofu bacon, Korean sweet-potato noodle stir…
Michigan
The shop that launched the area's foodie frenzy, Zingerman's piles local, organic and specialty ingredients onto towering sandwiches in a sprawling…
Michigan
Chowhounds hobnob at this stylish food hall, perusing top picks such as Slows Bar BQ, Fish Lads (stellar fish and chips), Love’s Ice Cream and Madcap…
Leland, Northport & Suttons Bay
You can’t go wrong at Fischer’s, a vintage supper club tucked in the woods. Loosen the belt for broasted chicken (it combines broiling and roasting),…
Detroit
This homey diner, located in the imposing GAR building, takes its name from the government department that was once housed here. There are no wrong…
Michigan
Eating at this pint-sized cafe is like eating in your friend’s cozy kitchen, with whitewashed walls, books stacked on the sunny windowsill and fresh…
Detroit
It may seem like just another trendy spot with mod-industrial decor and a seasonal menu, but Chartreuse does it all really well. Dishes like the twice…
Gold Coast
Set at the water’s edge, the Southerner feels like you’re eating inside a friend’s sunny cottage. James Beard Award nominee Matthew Millar cooks crispy…
Gold Coast
The food is ridiculously good at Amie’s wee 10-table cafe, but you’ll probably have to wait 45 minutes or so to sink your teeth into the salmon tartines,…
Detroit
Authentic NY bagels and housemade cream cheeses take center stage at this bright, plant-filled space in Corktown. Try the Le Rouge, with bacon, egg, goat…
Detroit
Farm-to-table Selden Standard is the kind of place that cares enough to churn its own butter and hand-make its own pasta. The menu changes, but you'll see…
Detroit
Take a seat in a chunky wood swivel chair in this cozy, diner-esque eatery and chow down on a duck Reuben and truffle mayo–dipped fries, alongside a cold…
Michigan
Festive San Chez sprawls over two floors. Colorful, Picasso-esque paintings hang on exposed brick walls, while mosaic-encrusted columns line the middle of…
Michigan
On Michigan State University’s campus, the Dairy Store is where agriculture students show off their ice cream–making skills. They’re doing an A-plus job,…
Michigan
‘Meat and whiskey’ is the tagline at this handsome, dark-wood gastropub, where bacon-wrapped meatloaf, roasted pork belly and smoky beef stroganoff emerge…
Crane's Pie Pantry, Restaurant & Winery
Gold Coast
Buy a bulging slice of fruit pie, or pick apples and peaches in the surrounding orchards. Crane's also makes hard ciders and wines (the sauvignon blanc…
Michigan
Sovengard’s ‘New Nordic’ cuisine is all about local, seasonal dishes with a base in Scandinavian cooking. Smoked trout, gravy-sloshed Swedish meatballs…
Michigan
The Grove is Grand Rapids’ go-to restaurant for high-end, farm-to-table fare. The menu is ever changing based on what's available seasonally from local…
Michigan
The Cheetah is a modern diner, where twinkly lights dangle over bustling, close-set tables. The hipster comfort food ranges from seven-cheese, bread crumb…
Gold Coast
This brightly painted little spot is good for a quick, healthy bite. The tacos, tamales and burritos are made without lard or shortening, and with…
Detroit
Ima’s sophisticated dishes belie its fast-casual, pay at the counter ambience. Yaki udon noodles smothered in sesame-butter sauce and forest udon with…
Michigan
This mod-industrial cafe is perfect for a healthy breakfast or lunch. The chefs are hard-core believers in organic, locally sourced ingredients. The menu…
Gold Coast
Fill up on fresh fruit pies made from regional bounty at this locally owned cafe. Our favorite? The ABC Crumb, made from a mix of Michigan blueberries,…
Gold Coast
Chandler’s delivers sophisticated meat and fish dishes to white-clothed tables, but in a casual, knotty-pine-paneled room. The menu changes based on what…
Upper Peninsula
A small community of bearded, black-robed monks from Holy Transfiguration Skete, a Byzantine Catholic monastery, sell their wares on the grounds. Jam is…
Michigan
Sheeba provides a terrific immersion into Yemeni cuisine. Try the seltah (root vegetables with whipped fenugreek) or fahsah (shredded lamb and potatoes),…
Michigan
This modern, clean-lined cafe focuses on healthy dishes for breakfast and lunch using ingredients that are organic and antibiotic free. The honey oat…
Karl's Cuisine, Winery & Brewery
Upper Peninsula
The menu at convivial Karl's spans pasties (beef or chicken plus veggies baked in a crust), Lake Superior whitefish, burgers, sandwiches, stromboli and…
Michigan
Part of the Zingerman's empire, this big, clamorous restaurant focuses on traditional American dishes like buttermilk-battered fried chicken, pit-smoked…
Leland, Northport & Suttons Bay
Martha cooks in a cozy red clapboard house. She serves breakfast until afternoon, which means you can sleep late and still fork into her blueberry…
Gold Coast
Luisa’s charms with its folksy wood tables and farm art on the walls. The little room is always abuzz as whopping plates of pancakes, scrambled eggs and…
Michigan
Step inside to a world of buoys, lures and nautical items that hang from the ceiling in this makeshift sea shanty, and await your basket of Great Lakes…
Gold Coast
Enter the low A-frame building, grab a seat at a scuffed wood table and order one of the local beers on tap while waiting for your excellent, doughy-crust…
Kingston Kitchen at the Village Inn
Michigan
The Village Inn was an island staple known for its planked whitefish. Now Chef Shawn from Jamaica has taken over, and while you still can get the…
Gold Coast
From smoked trout to cod tacos to good old fish and chips, high-quality seafood in a vast array of preparations is the signature at this gourmet grocer…
