Essential Royal Oak restaurants you should have tried by now

Lockhart's BBQ
202 E. Third St., Royal Oak; (248) 584-4227; Sundays 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Mondays 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays 11:30 a.m.-12 a.m.
Brisket is done Texas style, which really is the only way to barbecue that cut. This establishment, which seemed instantly beloved and was one step ahead of the area barbecue craze, is named for the nation's barbecue capital, after all. Last year, Lockhart pitmaster Steve "Bubba" Coddington was awarded BBQ person of the year, an international award that is a real thing among BBQ people, so you know this is the real deal.
Photo via Lockhart’s BBQ / Facebook

Ale Mary's
316 S. Main St., Royal Oak; (248) 268-1939; Open Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-2 a.m.
General manager Justin Pries says that the establishment, which first opened as a craft beer bar (and now includes a restaurant serving vegan dishes) is now serving drinks with CBD in them. A short list of available CBD-infused libations includes Aunt Bea's CBD Southern Tea, a Raspberry Citrus Hemporita, and the Mellow Melon. And yes, there is alcohol in the drinks, which were developed by house beverage manager Pam Stigall.
Photo via Ale Mary’s / Facebook

Bar Louie
510 S. Main St., Royal Oak; (248) 951-2195; Open daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Bar Louie offers an array of classic bar food like burgers, flatbreads, salads, and desserts, and its bar menu is known for its blood Mary — The Ultimate Bloody Louie — as well as the Louie’s Cosmo.
Photo via Bar Louie / Facebook

Royal Oak Brewery
215 E. Fourth St., Royal Oak; (248) 544-1141; Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. - 1 a.m., and Sunday 11:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.
The comfortable atmosphere and hometown feel make it a destination for locals and visitors alike. The brewery serves six to seven fresh beers on tap daily. The menu features a broad selection of eclectic American cuisine, all prepared with the freshest ingredients. From delectable appetizers, fresh salads, pizzas, and pastas to delicious entrees and unique sandwiches, the menu has something for everyone — and a kids menu is available. Specialties include Brewmaster’s Shepherd’s Pie, Muenster Chicken, and Louisiana Jambalaya. The Bier Garden Patio features dining for up to 60 people and is tucked away from the noise of the bustling downtown.
Photo via Royal Oak Brewery / Facebook

Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina
711 South Main St., Royal Oak; (248) 544-2442; Monday-Thursday 3 p.m.-10 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Michigan’s first biga fermented pizza, Bigalora ferments its pizzas for 72 hours before cooking them for 90 seconds in a 900-degree oven. The restaurant has everything to be expected of an Italian place: pizza (red and white), meatballs, pasta, chicken parmesan, salad, and minestrone soup. Additionally, Bigalora has some unusual plates for its Italian roots, like a crispy Brussels sprouts appetizer, wood roasted salmon, and Tuscan steak frites. There are also vegetarian and gluten-free option for many items, including all of the pizzas and pastas. Bigalora prides itself on using no commercial yeast or added sugar, under the philosophy that the company feeds its dinees “like family.”
Photo via Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina / Facebook

Kouzina
121 N. Main St., Royal Oak; (248) 629-6500; Open daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
KouZina owner Bobby Laskaris and his father, chef Panagiotis Laskaris, are taking some of the best-loved Greek dishes and offering them in big portions with small prices. Panagiotis was a chef in the late '60s and '70s in what Bobby calls "the golden age of Greektown.” Panagiotis makes almost everything in-house, from Greek yogurt, pita chips, soups, and hand-cut skin-on fries to the pork and chicken roasting on the vertical spits. The third spit cooks "the original," a mix of beef and lamb that's put together from KouZina's recipe by an outfit in Chicago.
Photo via Kouzina / Facebook

Redcoat Tavern
31542 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; (248) 549-0300; Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m., Sunday noon-9 p.m.
Redcoat Tavern has become a Royal Oak staple since its inception in 1972. The tavern serves American and British dishes in a pub-style restaurant. Try the original Redcoat burger (with over 30 options for modification), which comes topped with the restaurant’s secret sauce. Also consider their Brasserie Burger, which was named metro Detroit’s No. 1 gourmet burger by the Free Press. Or, opt for a historical sandwich, such as the Mount Vernon or the Cornwallis. For entrees, there is a traditional English prime rib dinner, an Amish chicken pot pie, or an English-style fish and chips, among others. Do not skip the homemade desserts, especially not the ice cream burger or bread pudding.
Photo via GoogleMaps

Little Brothers Burgers
201 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak; (248) 414-4541; Monday–Wednesday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Thursday–Saturday 11 a.m.–3 a.m., and Sunday 12 p.m.–9 p.m.
The burger joint offers sliders, sandwiches, and, yes, juicy burgers that are all made to order. The restaurant’s decor is reminiscent of classic diners of the past, and there is stool seating inside as well as a patio seating outside.
Photo via Little Brothers Burgers / Facebook

Le Crepe
317 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak; (248) 629-9391; Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
This casual, gourmet, euro-inspired restaurant provides made-to-order and made-from-scratch items. Le Crêpe’s lunch, dinner, dessert, and weekend breakfast brunch menus offer unique fare featuring sweet, savory, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan crêpes. There’s also a great selection of teas and coffee blends to pair with your meal.
Photo via Le Crepe / Facebook

Oak City Grille
212 W. Sixth St., Royal Oak; (248) 556-0947; Mondays and Tuesdays 4 p.m.-12 a.m., Wednesdays 4 p.m.-1 a.m., Thursday-Saturday 4 p.m.-2 a.m., and Sunday 12 p.m.-12 a.m.
The menu spills over with filet mignon, peppercorn sirloin, blue filet, and pecan-encrusted trout. With a full kitchen ably presided over by Chris Lambert, formerly of Big Buck Brewery, and his two capacious rooms patrolled by Sean Gagnier, formerly of Bacco and Forté, owner Mike Sophiea’s new enterprise fills several gaps on the Royal Oak entertainment-dining scene by providing live music Tuesday through Saturday and traditional American cuisine at decent prices.
Photo via Oak City Grille / Facebook

Ronin
326 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak; (248) 546-0888; Sunday-Thursday 5 p.m.-11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 p.m.-12 a.m.
In a stylish setting, bandana-clad sushi chefs vigorously chop and slice at the sushi bar turning out first-rate sushi and sashimi. But for the sushi-shy, there's also an interesting limited array of other Japanese standards. Ronin offers only five entrées, but with noodles, fish, fowl, and beef, most gastronomic bases are covered. Not surprisingly, the bar is well stocked with sake, along with intelligently selected wines.
Photo via Ronin / Facebook

D'Amato's
222 S. Sherman Dr., Royal Oak; (248) 584-7400; Tuesday-Thursday 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Friday 5 p.m.-2 a.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 a.m., and Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
D’Amato’s offers a neighborhood Italian joint with eclectic and "from scratch" fare. There are many beef, chicken, and seafood entrées, and 30 glasses and 60 bottles of wine to wash them down with. What's more, there's often live music (call for schedule) and legendary Royal Oak martini bar Goodnight Gracie is connected to the restaurant.
Photo via D'Amato's / Facebook

Hippies Pizza
121 W. 13 Mile Rd., Royal Oak; (248) 733-1111; Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-2 a.m., Friday 11 a.m.-3 a.m., Saturday 1 p.m.-3 a.m., and Sunday 1 p.m.-2 a.m.
Hippie's made its name on creative toppings like hemp seed and corn, and it didn't forget about vegans. Pizzas can be ordered with Daiya cheese and vegan sausage and pepperoni. As a bonus, there's also a vegan dessert menu with choices like Vegan Bam Bam Bread.
Photo via Hippies Pizza / Facebook

Kyoto
1824 W. 14 Mile Rd., Royal Oak; (248) 288-6666; Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m.-11 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m.-10 p.m.
Few outposts of Japanese fare are as versatile as Royal Oak's Kyoto. Kyoto's sushi can be traditional or over-the-top (note their Sushi Roll Ridiculousness Tournament, for instance). The performing chefs at Kyoto's hibachi tables will send shrimp flying through the air and landing in your pocket. But there are also more standard dishes, such as yakisoba, bento boxes, chicken teriyaki, and pretty much almost anything you think is oishi.
Photo via GoogleMaps

Cacao Tree Cafe
204 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak; (248) 336-9043; Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
The Cacao Tree menu offers much more than superfoods; vegan, mostly raw and mostly organic, the place is a veritable haven for those with allergies or intolerances — either physical or philosophical — as well as those just seeking a good-tasting meal. Head chef Zach Lang says many customers work in the neighborhood and just want to get one healthy meal a day. All foods except some soups, potatoes, and grains are raw or heated to less than 108 degrees, the number above which raw-foodists believe that food becomes literally dead, its enzymes destroyed.
Photo via Cacao Tree Cafe / Facebook

Ahan Thai
200 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak; (248) 545-5030; Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
When you have a hankering for Thai food, Ahan Thai is the place. It’s a popular dine-in and takeout option among the locals, and its menu offers modern takes on Thai classics. With a plethora of vegetarian options, Ahan has something for everyone.
Photo via Ahan Thai / Facebook

Tom's Oyster Bar
318 S. Main St., Royal Oak; (248) 541-1186; Monday-Wednesday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Thursday 11 a.m.-12 a.m., Friday 11 a.m.-1 a.m., Saturday 12 p.m.-1 a.m., and Sunday 12 p.m.-11 a.m.
With its tin ceiling, dark paneling, and blue-and-white checkered tablecloths, the restaurant creates the feel of an authentic New England chowder house. The large, U-shaped bar is accented with brass railings and is surrounded by tables; there’s plenty of room for socializing with friends and colleagues. The well-stocked bar offers an extensive wine list and a fine assortment of microbrews. Check the blackboard for a list of the daily specials; they include six ever-changing varieties of raw oysters. The oyster bar also serves several other hot and cold appetizers, from Maryland crab cakes to smoked whitefish to Tom’s famous clam chowder. The main menu features a large selection of entrees with an emphasis on seafood — up to 20 fresh items daily. Try satisfying and warm soups including Tom's clam chowder, seafood chowder, crawfish bisque, or "seafood chilli.”
Photo via Tom's Oyster Bar / Facebook