Discover the unique food, drink, architecture, things-to-do; the city attitude. Best Downtown Detroit Restaurants, Cocktail Bars, Wine Bars, Coffee Shops, Craft Beer, Bars/Dive Bars. Top Things-To-Do in Downtown Detroit.
(If you like Starbucks, this site is not for you.)
An Essential Downtown Detroit Guide from Downtown Residents
Best Coffee Shops/Cafes Downtown Detroit - Detroit has a "cottage industry" of great coffee. Recommended Detroit coffee shops are not national chains with bland, commercialized offerings.
In Detroit, you typically will find a barista and beans roasted locally. And.... often you will find wonderful pastries and baked goods. The recommended Detroit coffee shops/cafes offer smaller, more personal spaces that display a lot of the city's character.
There are several very distinctive, very good Breakfast and Lunch Restaurants Downtown Detroit. Some are "Foodie" venues - taking breakfast and lunch to a higher level. Some are just classics - good food, good value, great space; nothing wrong with a wonderful greasy spoon. Non-corporate, non-"touristy". The venues typically offer smaller, more personal spaces.
Best Dinner Restaurants Downtown Detroit - Detroit has many excellent restaurants. Our recommendations are very much "Foodie" venues - they reflect culinary innovation, menu diversity, wonderful paired beverages, and great service. Non-corporate; each restaurant is singularly unique. The downtown Detroit dinner restaurants are creative and typically located in refurbished older Detroit buildings that display the character and essence of the city.
Best Wine Bars Downtown Detroit - The Detroit area and Downtown Detroit have an exceptional wine culture. You can find thoughtfully selected expensive fine wines at most restaurants. But there is a strong focus on wonderful "value" wines - great taste at a reasonable price - from the best small-batch producers from all major wine regions. Listed are the Best Wine Bars Downtown Detroit - places to relax and enjoy a leisurely bottle or two.
Best Cocktail Bars Downtown Detroit - The art of the cocktail, craft cocktails made exceptionally well. Cocktail City? Detroit has a serious commitment to fine craft cocktails. There are many excellent dedicated cocktail bars and cocktail offerings in restaurants. You will find mixologists. Detroit has a long history of Prohibition-era rum-running and speakeasies; many Detroit cocktail bars take great advantage of this history.
Best Bars/Dive Bars Downtown Detroit - Every town has bars/dive bars; Detroit has some great ones. No craft cocktails to be found; but usually a good gin and tonic. The "Shot-and-a-beer" places. Usually sporting events available on the TVs. The recommended Downtown Detroit Bars are just wonderful old bars with lots of Detroit history and feel; full of character. And, a focus on really good "bar food".
Best Craft Beer Downtown Detroit
Best Craft Beer Downtown Detroit - Detroit has some really great craft beer venues, part of the state's leadership in craft beer brewing. These recommended spots serve great beer, good food and are comfortable, fun places to enjoy a brew or two.
USA Today, 2022: "Planning your next craft beer city tour? Detroit is home to a truly impressive brewery scene."
Top Things-To-Do Downtown Detroit - Detroit has many remarkable and wonderful things to do and sights to see. Many of the venues are unique and not seen anywhere else; or they are fun and interesting enough that a visit is well worthwhile.
Detroit is known to many outsiders for its industrial ruins - decaying buildings, warehouses, and factories. But the City is in the midst of a strong renaissance. The contradiction of "ruins" and "renaissance" adds a unique and special character to Detroit. Over the last few years many excellent chefs, restaurateurs, baristas, mixologists have moved to Detroit, making the food/drink scene fun and exciting.
