19 Detroit restaurants to hit up when someone else is paying

London Chop House
155 W. Congress St.; 313-962-0277
Reopened in 2012, the London Chop House pays tribute to a celebrated era of high class in Detroit. The restaurant prides itself for serving aged steaks to Detroit’s “elite.” With a cigar lounge and fresh seafood to boot, the London Chop House is must for every fine dining aficionado.
Photo via Instagram, user LondonChopHouse

Marais
17051 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe; 313-343-8800
This market and restaurant serves up contemporary French cuisine. If you prefer to eat out early in the day, stop in for delicious fresh-baked pastries, espresso, coffee, and cappuccino. If you’d rather come in later for an elegant dinner, there’s steak tartare, quail and mushroom risotto, cedar roasted Scottish salmon, and more to choose from.
Photo courtesy of Marais

Cafe Cortina
30715 W. 10 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-474-3033
Cafe Cortina combines fine dining with countryside vineyard vibes to provide an all around Italian experience. Leading the kitchen staff is Chef Ernesto, a student of the Culinary Institute of America who began cooking at age 13. Delish.com recently named Cafe Cortina as the Most Romantic Restaurant in Michigan.
Photo via Instagram, CafeCortina

Caucus Club
Penobscot Building, 150 W. Congress St.; 313-965-4970
Another historic dining destination, the Caucus Club was opened in 1952 as the sister restaurant to the world-famous London Chop House. Now renovated and restored, the Caucus Club reopened in 2017 to bring this classic spot back to the Motor City. The dinner menu leans heavily on steaks and chops, featuring lamb, pork, and veal chops and a massive 32-ounce Tomahawk Ribeye Chop for $114.
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Prime + Proper
1145 Griswold St.; 313-636-3100
Prime + Proper is a swanky steakhouse with an adjoining bar. The steakhouse uses 100 percent USDA prime beef and lamb, and jidori chicken, and an on-site dry aging facility. In addition to allowing customers to pick their cut while dining in the restaurant, they can also opt to have meats wrapped up at the butcher counter to cook at home.
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Iridescence
2901 Grand River Ave.; 313-237-6732
Located inside of Motor City Casino and Hotel, Iridescence offers modern American Cuisine with beautiful views from high above the Detroit skyline. This is the only AAA 4 Diamond Award-winning restaurant in Detroit with a menu featuring roasted rack of Michigan lamb, lobster claw with saffron cavatelli, elk shank potage, and neman ranch prime ribeye.
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Joe Muer Seafood
400 Renaissance Center #1404; 313-567-6837
Joe Muer offers a plethora of fresh seafood dishes, including sushi and a raw bar. Their famous Joe Muer roll comes jam packed with salmon, campyo, crab, shrimp, avocado, cucumber, tuna, and spicy mayo. For those who don’t like their food in maki form, there’s the Dover Sole a la Meuniere and other fancy entrees to choose from.
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La Bistecca Italian Grille
39405 Plymouth Rd., Plymouth; 734-254-0400
This Plymouth spot is known for their great service, U.S.D.A. certified Piedmontese Beef, and an extensive wine selection. Not sure of which bottle to order with your meal? Check La Bistecca’s blog before you come in for a quick explanation of what you should know about Italian wines and which part of the country they come from.
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The Whitney
4421 Woodward Ave.; 313-832-5700
Opened in 1894, The Whitney has been a staple of Detroit fine dining in the Motor City even before the assembly lines started rolling. This establishment is more than just a restaurant — its a historical estate and former home to Michigan lumber baron David Whitney Jr. Guests can spend hours enjoying the Whitney’s four main sections — restaurant, The Katherine McGregor Dessert Parlor, Ghostbar, and Gardens. The menu include fancy favorites like beef Wellington, lobster tail, Muscovy duck breast, and Tomahawk pork chops with a pistachio honey cider glaze — yum.
Photo via Facebook, user The Whitney Restaurant

Mario’s
4222 Second Ave.; 313-832-1616
From the filet mignon bourguignonne to a New York strip steak, there’s no shortage of choices when it comes to cuts of meat at this old school Italian restaurant. The establishment also caters to fancy goers with a shuttle service to local theaters.
Photo via Facebook, user DetroitMarios

Parc
800 Woodward Ave.; 313-922-7272
Located in the middle of Campus Martius Park, Parc offers customers a prime view of the famous fountain with a 270-degree view of the city. Their three menus — brunch, lunch, and dinner — cover all bases from their tuna tartare to a salmon belly rillette.
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Prism
555 E. Lafayette Ave.; 313-223-2999
Located inside of Greektown Casino-Hotel, Prism has been voted Best Steak House and Best Happy Hour by Hour magazine. Specializing in steak, seafood, and pasta, their eccentric menu features tempura lobster lettuce wraps, king crab legs, dry-aged Kansas city steak, broiled halibut, and much more. Enjoy views of historic Greektown as you wine and dine.
Photo via Instagram, user greektowncasino

The Earle
121 W. Washington, Ann Arbor; 734-994-0211
This gem of Ann Arbor’s downtown serves French and Italian country cuisine. Escargot, French onion soup, sauteed duck breast, sea scallops, and a handful of rustic pasta options lead the dinner menu. The dining room features live jazz five days a week so come ready for dinner and a show.
Photo courtesy of The Earle

Rattlesnake Club
300 River Place Drive; 313-567-4400
If you’re looking for a classy dinner and a gorgeous view, the Rattlesnake Club has you covered. Located alongside the Detroit River, guests can enjoy lunch, happy hour, and dinner all while taking in the international skyline. The Garden Terrace is open in winter months, allowing guests to enjoy a cool riverfront breeze while dining on locally sourced and seasonally-inspired dishes.
Photo via Instagram, user Rattlesnake_Det

Roast
1128 Washington Blvd.; 313-961-2500
Owned by celebrity chef Michael Symon, Roast is all about prestige and class. Prices range from $140 for a dry aged porterhouse steak for two to $5 for a side of whipped potatoes. Be sure to leave some room for their lemon bombshell, a lemon, mascarpone, and vanilla thyme ice cream for dessert.
Photo via RoastDetroit.com

Savannah’s
2156 W. Jefferson, Trenton; 734-692-5888
Savannah’s is known for their homey decor and a wide range of food to choose from including pasta dishes, seafood, and choice cut steak. The downriver restaurant also offers a robust alcohol selection with wine, beer, and liquor.
Photo via Savannah’s

The Waterfront Wyandotte
507 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-286-9046
Another riverfront restaurant, The Waterfront Wyandotte is located on the Detroit River and offers 20 docks for patrons who wish to come by boat. When the weather is warm, guests can dine on a deck that overlooks the water. Seafood options highlight the Waterfront’s menu, including European lake perch, Atlantic salmon, Pacific Mahi-Mahi, and black tiger shrimp, prepared six different ways based on your preference.
Photo via Facebook, user TheWaterfrontWyandotte

Wright & Co.
1500 Woodward Ave., Floor Two; 313-962-7711
Craft cocktails and shared plates are the name of the game at this downtown Detroit restaurant. The kitchen staff creates seasonal menus made up of shared plates, so plan on a Lady and the Tramp dining moment if your sweetheart's the one footing the bill. Drinks with names like “Downtown Nino Brown,” “The Devil’s Only Friend,” and “The Misunderstood Genius” are featured on Wright & Co.’s cocktail menu, so be sure to hold your pinky up as you sip.
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Andiamo Detroit Riverfront
400 Renaissance Center A-03; 313-567-6700
Located right on the Detroit Riverfront, Andiamo offers authentic Italian food with a side of class. From chicken marsala to pan-roasted salmon, the restaurant caters to all sorts of cravings. And, with a little squinting, you can see Canada from your seat.
Photo courtesy of Andiamo Detroit Riverfront