Where to find authentic African and Caribbean food in the Detroit area

In recent years, the amount of African and Caribbean eateries in the Detroit area has continued to increase, with spots such as…

By Layla McMurtrie

Kola Restaurant & Ultra Lounge
32523 Northwestern Hwy., Farmington Hills; 248-932- 5652; kolalounge.com
This spot mixes a modern, hip-hop lounge with a sit-down West African restaurant. Owner Ime Ekpenyong serves up dishes from nations like Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal. Roughly a third of Kola is dedicated to a dance floor and DJ booth, and depending on the night that you're there, you may examine the yam-heavy menu while listening to reggae, soul, or Caribbean music.
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The best food in metro Detroit according to Chef Hamissi Mamba of Baobab Fare

To continue highlighting the best of Detroit’s cuisine after last month’s list from Chef James Rigato, we thought Chef Hamissi Mamba would…

By Layla McMurtrie

Hamissi Mamba (right) talking to Chef Masai May (left), a former cook at Baobab Fare who is now chef de cuisine of Hamilton’s in Corktown.
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The best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in the Detroit area

All foodies know that the most unassuming, no-frills spots often have the best dishes. In Detroit, there are plenty of restaurants where…

By Layla McMurtrie

Chef Greg’s Soul-N-The-Wall
10009 Curtis St., Detroit; 313-861-0331; facebook.com/chef-gregs-soul-n-the-wall
Chef Greg’s is known for its signature sandwich, the Boogaloo — a Detroit-style sloppy joe first created in the ’60s. The sandwich was brought back in 2007 at the current tiny brick storefront.
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Where to celebrate Detroit Tigers Opening Day

For many Detroiters, the Tigers’ Opening Day is an annual holiday, marking the start of the baseball season and the beginning of…

By Layla McMurtrie

Grand Circus Park
101-157 Witherell St., Detroit; downtowndetroit.org
From 9 a.m.-5 p.m., this free Opening Day Tailgate Party presented by the Downtown Detroit Partnership will feature food trucks, music, giveaways, and the game playing live.
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Detroit restaurants that are actually open on Monday

Navigating dining options in Detroit on Mondays can be tough. The first day of the work week is hard enough, so having…

By Layla McMurtrie

Grey Ghost
47 Watson Street; greyghostdetroit.com
Open Monday through Thursday from 4 to 11 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 4 p.m. to midnight.
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Photos from United We Brunch 2024

On Saturday, Metro Times held our annual brunch-tasting event United We Brunch at The Norwood, a new venue in Detroit’s New Center…

By Lee DeVito

Photos from United We Brunch 2024
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The best food in metro Detroit according to Chef James Rigato

We wanted to highlight the best of Detroit’s cuisine and thought Chef James Rigato would be a great person to advise on…

By Layla McMurtrie

Chef James Rigato.
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A sneak peek of what’s coming to the 2024 United We Brunch

United We Brunch is Metro Times’ celebration of the best in Detroit brunching! We’re bringing together a select group of the city’s…

By Metro Times editorial staff

A scene from a previous United We Brunch event.
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Detroit’s women-owned restaurants everyone should have tried by now

Detroit boasts a great culinary scene and an equally remarkable community of women. When these two elements mix, it results in some…

By Layla McMurtrie

The Kitchen by Cooking with Que
6529 Woodward Ave. (Suite A), Detroit; instagram.com/thekitchenbycwq
Even before opening this vegan-centric restaurant in 2015, Quiana “Que” Broden’s goal has always been to bring healthy food to the hood…and she did that. The New Center space serves as a culinary classroom of sorts where vegans and meat lovers can hone their culinary skills; a place for businesses and individuals to rent a shared commercial kitchen; and a place where visitors can rent private dining space. In August, Que announced that she plans to soon open a second location on Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion.
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Our favorite metro Detroit coffee shops

For many of us, caffeine is a daily essential, but sometimes broadening your coffee or tea horizons can be hard. Plus, in…

By Layla McMurtrie

Trinosophes is one of our favorite local coffee spots.
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The most romantic restaurants in metro Detroit

Sure, romantic restaurants can be pricey, but you deserve to treat yourself and your partner sometimes, especially for Valentine’s Day. If you’re…

By Layla McMurtrie

Symposia
1000 Brush St., Detroit; 313-962-9366; symposiadetroit.com
With a beautiful atmosphere and high-end menu options, this Greektown spot is perfect for a fancy date.
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Photos of Jollibee’s first Michigan location in Sterling Heights

With Jollibee opening its first location in Michigan this weekend, Jan. 12-14, the Philippines-based fast-food chain expects high traffic, long lines, and…

By Layla McMurtrie

Photos of Jollibee’s first Michigan location in Sterling Heights
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New Detroit-area restaurants to look forward to in 2024

In 2023, metro Detroit gained a bunch of new eateries, bars, and cafes — and we have plenty more to look forward…

By Layla McMurtrie, Lee DeVito

Little Liberia

6513 Woodward Ave., Detroit; instagram.com/little_liberia

The news that the Room Project, a co-working space for women and nonbinary people, was closing was painful news for many in the community. Looking on the bright side, however, this African-fusion pop-up plans to open a permanent location in its former space, with a grand opening expected to come in mid to late 2024.

Read more here.
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The best things we ate in metro Detroit in 2023

We're looking back at the best things we ate while reviewing restaurants and eateries in metro Detroit this year.

By Jane Slaughter, Tom Perkins

Pasta at Tiliani
1002 S. Military St., Dearborn; 313-444-8889; tiliani.com
It’s all made in-house, either on the extruder machine, soothing to operate, or folded by hand for the pocket pastas. Chef Hisham Diab makes mafaldine, a wide noodle with wavy edges, dark with squid ink, and stuffs it with shrimp and clams. He fills agnolotti with two sweet fall squashes, and he tops sage-infused tagliatelle Bolognese with comforting blobs of snowy, buttery stracciatella. (Read our full review.)—Jane Slaughter
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20 metro Detroit bars where you probably won’t run into anyone from high school

With the holidays approaching, you may need a spot to bring your out-of-town relatives for a drink. Or, you may be the…

By Layla McMurtrie

Northern Lights Lounge

660 W. Baltimore St., Detroit; 313-873-1739; northernlightslounge.com

This bar offers live music some nights and great happy hour specials. Plus, the nice outdoor patio provides a way to escape, just in case you do see anyone familiar.
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Photos from Metro Times Whiskey in the Winter 2023

Metro Times’s annual Whiskey in the Winter returned for its fourth year at the Detroit Shipping Company on Friday, Nov. 17 from…

By Dontae Rockymore

Photos from Metro Times Whiskey in the Winter 2023
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Some surprisingly good Detroit-area eats can be found in gas stations

Gas stations were gas stations when I was a kid. You drove in over a rubber hose that rang a service bell.…

By Robert Stempkowski

Gas stations have really stepped up their food options, like Taystee’s Burgers.
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The 25 best Indian restaurants in metro Detroit

Here at Metro Times, our team is full of foodies, and metro Detroit doesn’t fall short when it comes to diverse cuisine.…

By Layla McMurtrie


Phulkari 
27707 Dequindre Rd., Madison Heights; 248-541-3562; phulkarikitchen.com
Formerly known as Indo Pak Restaurant, this spot recently changed its name and renovated its interior. The family-owned eatery has been at the same location for over 28 years, serving up their personal cooking style.
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Metro Detroit’s best bars, clubs, and drinks of 2023, according to our readers

The results are in for this year’s Best of Detroit reader’s poll. According to you, these are the best bars, clubs, and…

By Layla McMurtrie

Best New Bar (Detroit): The Upright
2921 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-270-9600; oakandreel.com
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Metro Detroit’s best restaurants and food of 2023, according to our readers

The results are in for this year’s Best of Detroit reader’s poll. According to you, these are the best spots for food…

By Metro Times readers

Best New Restaurant (Oakland): Coeur
330 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-466-3010; coeurferndale.com
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The best cheap breakfast options in Detroit

Breakfast is supposed to be the most important meal of the day, and sometimes cooking for yourself in the morning can be…

By Layla McMurtrie

The Clique
11326 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit; 313-259-0922; thecliquediner.com
From unique breakfast options to the diner classics, this small restaurant has got something for everyone. The cheapest morning option is an egg sandwich for just $4.
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15 hole-in-the-wall Detroit-area burger joints you need to visit

Some of the best culinary magic happens in the most unassuming places, and these hole-in-the-wall burger spots are the hidden gems of…

By Layla McMurtrie

Taystee’s
10419 Ford Rd., Dearborn; 313-724-6535;  taysteesburger.com/locations/dearborn
While Taystee’s has a handful of metro Detroit locations now, it all started at an unassuming Dearborn gas station in 2014. The wider public is starting to learn that gas stations often have great food, and Taystee’s innovative burger creations helped prove that.
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Where to find the best Latin food in metro Detroit during Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, marks a celebration in honor of the anniversaries of independence for…

By Layla McMurtrie

Taqueria Lupitas
 3443 Bagley St., Detroit; 313-843-1105; taquerialupitas.com
 This Mexicantown staple claims to be “the house of the original Mexican taco,” serving up casual and authentic Mexican cuisine at great prices in a homey atmosphere.
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15 Ann Arbor food spots to satisfy every craving

While the streets of Ann Arbor are filled with plenty of places to eat and drink, the best food spots can only…

By Layla McMurtrie

Detroit Street Filling Station
300 Detroit St.; 734-224-8262;  thelunchrooma2.com/detroit-street-filling-station-1 
For the vegans and vegetarians specifically, this spot is for you. The restaurant provides nice outdoor patio seating and an array of plant-based appetizers and meals.
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Our favorite Dearborn Coffee shops and cafes

Dearborn is one of our favorite places in metro Detroit. It has one of the largest Arab American communities in the U.S.…

By Randiah Camille Green

Black Box Coffee and Art
1034 Monroe St., Dearborn; blackboxdearborn.com
This is a stand-up coffee shop and art gallery serving cappuccino, affogato, lavender lattes, and fresh pastries. They also have a walk-up window if you’re in a hurry or want to take your drink with you on a downtown stroll. The shop hosts events like plant swaps, open mic nights, and small business pop-ups, too.
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15 Washtenaw County dive bars to hit up this college season

University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Concordia University, and Washtenaw Community College are all located less than 10 miles from each other,…

By Layla McMurtrie

8 Ball Saloon
208 S. First St., Ann Arbor; 734-996-8555; blindpigmusic.com/8-ball
Take a trip behind Ann Arbor music venue the Blind Pig and walk down the stairs to its basement, 8 Ball Saloon. This dive bar does have a pool table and was named Best Dive Bar in Washtenaw County in Metro Times 2021 Best of Detroit readers poll.
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20 Ypsilanti eateries all food lovers should try

Ypsilanti is basically Ann Arbor’s way cooler neighbor — and is lowkey a hidden gem for foodies. The town is full of…

By Layla McMurtrie

Basil Babe
701 W. Cross St.; 734-487-4000;  basil-babe.com 
Having opened its doors in January, this spot sees a mother-daughter duo serve up authentic Thai cuisine with a modern twist. The eatery began as a dumpling pop-up in 2020. With a menu that changes every week full of dumplings, curries, noodles, and rice dishes, there’s no getting bored of this spot.
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15 metro Detroit restaurant hidden gems and old favorites

These are some of the Detroit area’s best dining destinations, according to our readers and writers.

By Metro Times editorial staff

One of Cutter’s “Famous” burgers.
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These Detroit-area food trucks trade in international flavors

There are more than 75 food trucks and counting that travel the Detroit area throughout the year, and many of the best…

By Layla McMurtrie

The Pita Post
thepitapost.com
This truck is normally in Ferndale at Detroit Fleat, but can also be booked for private events. The eatery offers breakfast and dinner options, mainly including an array of pita sandwiches with a gourmet flair.
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These Detroit-area eateries have closed in 2023

Low sales, retirement, lingering effects of COVID-19, and scandal are reasons these local restaurants’ stories have ended. Others are a mystery. Losing…

By Layla McMurtrie

Norma G's
14628 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit

Sadly, this eastside Caribbean spot announced in September that it was closing after five years, wiht no reason given for the closure. The restaurant's chef Lester Gouvia says he isn't done cooking though, and to stay up to date on events and pop-ups on Norma G's Facebook page. Whether you liked the Trini tacos, jerk chicken, or another dish, there may be hope for you to still get the food you loved again.
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30+ Macomb County bars and restaurants to check out

Macomb County is known for many things — the home of Reagan Democrats, Kid Rock, and Warren Mayor Jim “he said what?”…

By Lee DeVito, Layla McMurtrie

Mike’s on the Water in St. Clair Shores is one of Macomb County’s restaurants.
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Everyone we saw at the first Sandbar Summerfest

Sandbar Summerfest brought the beach to Detroit — and it was lit. With local vendors, musicians and family fun activities, the two-day…

By Dontae Rockymore

Everyone we saw at the first Sandbar Summerfest
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