BREAKFAST & LUNCH
 
Russell Street Deli (Eastern Market)
This Eastern Market deli serves breakfast and lunch Mondays through Saturdays, and is known to have a line out the door on weekends. It's no wonder why: all items are made from scratch in-house (and anything that isn’t made here comes from local producers, from Avalon Breads to the famous Sy Ginsberg corned beef) and sourced from local growers like Grown in Detroit and Eastern Market itself. Their corned beef sandwiches are legendary, and they also have a large selection of vegetarian and vegan soups and sandwiches.
 
Brooklyn Street Local (Corktown)
Being right across the river from Canada, it seems only natural that Detroit would get some culinary influence from across the border. As it so happens, poutine – the Quebecois dish made of fries, gravy and cheese curds – is fast gaining popularity throughout America. At Brooklyn Street Local, owned by a couple from Toronto, poutine is a house specialty made with hand-cut fries, beef or mushroom gravy, and organic cheese curds. Order it the traditional way, the "BSL" way (with bacon), the breakfast way (with fried egg), or the vegetarian way (with mushroom gravy). Everything else on the menu is made in-house, including their quiche of the day, baked goods and veggie burgers. They are also passionate about being part of a sustainable food culture; a list their various local partners (from compostable paper products to composters) is available on their website.
 
CK Mediterranean Grille (downtown)
Downtown workers have access to fast, healthy Mediterranean food thanks to CK Mediterranean Grille, located on Monroe on the ground floor of the Compuware parking garage. This fast-casual concept serves traditional Lebanese cuisine like hummus, falafel, chicken shawarma, and tabbouli in a clean, casual environment ideal for workers on the go. They also offer catering for office meetings and special events.
 
Le Petit Zinc (Corktown)
Detroit was once known as the Paris of the Midwest, and at Le Petit Zinc it feels like that just might still be true. Le Petit Zinc is a tiny, colorful bistro serving coffee, croissants, crepes, quiche, rattatouile, string bean salads, ham and brie sandwiches on baguette bread, and other simple French country foods. Charming and utterly unique, Le Petit Zinc is its own little urban oasis in Corktown.
 
Olga's Kitchen (downtown)
Located right on Woodward, Olga's Kitchen offers fast, casual lunches for downtown workers. With a massive selection of salads, small plates, sandwiches (including the signature Olga sandwich on pita bread), Olga's has the added advantage of having a nice selection of craft beer – for those days when you really just need a beer with lunch.
 
Hudson Café (downtown)
Three words: red velvet pancakes. That's all you need to know. The Hudson Café, located on the ground level of the Lofts at Merchants Row on Woodward, serves a decadent breakfast and lunch with items like those aforementioned pancakes, a wide selection of omelets and benedicts, and hearty sandwiches. They also have a walk-up counter at the front where you can grab a coffee and a red velvet cupcake to go.
 

CASUAL DINING AND CHEAP EATS
 
Supino Pizzeria (Eastern Market)
Supino Pizzeria in Eastern Market is one of Detroit's most famous eateries (it was even featured on the Food Network), serving an eclectic variety of hand-tossed quasi-Neapolitan-style pizzas with toppings that include locally-made sausage from Porktown Sausage and smoked turkey from City Wings (they've also been known to make a Detroit coney dog pizza on special in the past). Call ahead for pick-up to avoid the wait, and take heart: Supino is currently undergoing an expansion into the space next door, which will increase their seating space and allow for them to have a bar.
 
Polish Village Café (Hamtramck)
Hamtramck is now a multi-cultural melting pot, but it wasn't always so: once upon a time the area was known for its high percentage of Polish immigrants, earning it the nickname "Poletown." Remnants of the ethnic heritage are still evident throughout Hamtramck, with dozens of Polish markets and restaurants specializing in Polish sausage and pierogi. Polish Village Café has been in Hamtramck for over 80 years, serving traditional Polish food from crowd-pleasers like potato and cheese pierogi to more ethnic items like duck blood soup. You can also enjoy their selection of Polish beers and vodkas.
 
Pegasus Taverna (Greektown)
A Greektown tradition for more than 25 years, Pegasus offers the traditional vibrant Greek experience – from the Greek waiters in crisp white shirts shouting "OPA!" as they light sizzling platters of saganaki on fire to the convivial, home-style family ambiance and lively Greek music. As one of the last remaining Greek restaurants from the Greektown of the past, Pegasus has become an iconic Detroit dining institution.
 
Taqueria Mi Pueblo (Southwest Detroit)
There is no shortage of fantastic taquerias and Mexican (and Cuban, and Salvadoran) restaurants in Southwest Detroit, where the prominent Latin population has ensured a certain level of ethnic authenticity in the local taquerias and taco trucks. From full-service restaurants to stripped-down walk-up counters and tamale huts, Southwest Detroit has it all. Taqueria Mi Pueblo is a sit-down restaurant and bar with a full selection of authentic Mexican items, including traditional soft corn tortilla tacos filled with your choice of meat, which includes beef head, beef tongue, al pastor, lengua, pork rinds, carnitas, chicharrones, and so much more.
 
Mudgie's Deli (Corktown)
Mudgie's Deli has been a Corktown favorite for several years now, serving massive sandwiches of house-roasted Sy Ginsberg corned beef and Michigan-raised grass-fed beef. The sandwich selection is enormous and will take some serious dedication to work through, though you'll probably give it a good effort. Mudgie's also serves a selection of Michigan beers, wines and meads. Be sure to check out their weekday happy hour menu and Sunday brunch.
 
Bucharest Grill (downtown)
Located inside the Park Bar behind the Fox Theatre, Bucharest Grill serves hearty homemade Romanian and American food (including gourmet hot dogs and fantastic seasoned curly fries), but are probably best known for their extra-garlicky chicken shawarma, easily one of the most popular and approaching-legendary sandwiches in Detroit. Open from lunch, dinner, and late night, Bucharest also delivers. They are also opening a second location in Corktown in the coming months. 
 
City Wings (New Center)
Detroiters can have some pretty strong opinions on who has the best wings in Detroit, but among die-hard wing fanatics City Wings in New Center is tops. With 17 unique flavors of house-made seasoning and sauces, City Wings is located in an immaculately clean, sleek space with an open kitchen where you can watch your wings being made to order. Big, juicy wings fried up perfectly crispy and tossed in your choice of sauces, City Wings offers something from all tastes – while some like it hot, others will prefer milder flavors like parmesan & garlic and lemon pepper. With their use of high-quality ingredients, this is one fast food joint you can feel good about eating at.
 
St. Cece's Pub (Corktown)
Located in what was formerly a traditional Irish pub and maintaining many of those same features from the previous concept (elaborate woodwork, stained glass, stone walls, a real wood-burning fireplace), St. Cece's is a friendly neighborhood bar that also serves exceptional gasropub food and Michigan craft beers. They also have a late-night, lunch, and Sunday brunch menu.
 
Traffic Jam and Snug (Midtown)
So local it comes from the same address—literally. Traffic Jam and Snug is Detroit's only all-in-one brewery, bakery, creamery, and made-from-scratch restaurant. They also have their own rooftop organic garden and greenhouse. Established as Traffic Jam in 1965, this Midtown staple has seen the city evolve over the decades and has remained a significant presence during all those years. As the only artisanal cheesemaker in the city of Detroit, Traffic Jam is also producing some terrific cheeses (try the Camembert or the Bleu Asiago). And no matter what brings you in – even just a quick lunch or a couple of beers – always save room for dessert (especially the Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Fancy Dress).
 
Buddy's Pizzeria (Eastside)
Buddy's is the birthplace of Detroit-style deep dish pizza, which is in fact its own unique style that is in fact unique to Detroit (though its notoriety is starting to grow outside of Michigan). Created by Italian immigrants in 1946, Buddy's square deep dish pizza is wholly Detroit, and Detroiters are so spoiled by it that we just have to laugh when other cities try to tout their own lesser versions of deep dish pie. (Don't be mad, Chicago.) There are several Buddy's locations throughout metro Detroit, but the original location at 7 Mile and Conant is still operating, and they've even got a bocce ball court (the only one in the city).
 
Royal Kabob (Hamtramck)
What do you want – Pakistani food? Punjabi food? Yemeni food? Armenian food? Bosnian food? Slovak food? Hamtramck (affectionately referred to by locals as "Hamladesh") has all of it and then some. Royal Kabob is one of many Mediterranean restaurants in Hamtramck. This Lebanese restaurant has all the favorites: hummus, fattoush, puffy bread, garlic spread, shawarma, falafel, tabbouli, kibbee, kabobs and more, all in large portions with low prices.
 
Lafayette Coney Island and American Coney Island (downtown)
Detroit's most famous food war has been raging for decades, but the reality isn't nearly as interesting as the rumors. The two restaurants were opened independently by two Greek immigrant brothers (American came first) and use different chili and different hot dogs. Everyone has their preference, and will usually defend it vehemently, but the fact remains that these two humble hot dog joints are two of the most famous restaurants in Detroit.
 

UPSCALE DINING
 
Fountain Bistro (downtown)
Whether you come in for lunch, dinner, or drinks, you just can't beat the view at Fountain Bistro. Located in Campus Martius Park next to the fountain, Fountain Bistro has stunning views year-round – of the ice rink and Christmas tree in the winter and the dancing fountain and outdoor festivities in the summer. Their patio might just offer the best seats in the city in the summer.
 
Roast (downtown)
Roast, a concept from Iron Chef Michael Symon, is located inside the Westin Book Cadillac hotel and is widely regarded as the top fine dining restaurant in the city. The restaurant excels on all counts – from service and ambiance to the food and drinks. Roast was the first local restaurant to treat craft beer with the same respect for pairings and flavor profiles as wine (and still has one of the best beer menus in the city), and they were ahead of the curve with their exceptional and ambitious craft cocktail program. This is a meat-centric place but they do have options for vegetarians; fair warning though, the dining room does have a roast beast prominently displayed on a spit for all to see. Pro tip: their weekday happy hour is the best in town.
 
London Chop House (downtown)
The most storied and iconic dining institution of old Detroit, the London Chop House was once one of the top restaurants in the world, a place where celebrities, high-ranking politicians and sports players came just to be seen. It closed in the '90s but reopened late 2012, fully restored to its former grandeur. The menu pays homage to the original incarnation; this is not the kind of place you come to penny pinch, but the experience is well worth it.
 
La Dolce Vita (Highland Park)
La Dolce Vita defines "hidden gem" and "urban oasis." Located on an aesthetically unremarkable stretch of Woodward in Highland Park, as soon as you step foot inside La Dolce Vita's patio-grotto you are transported to … well, to somewhere that certainly isn’t this corner of Detroit. The menu is pretty traditional Italian, but the best time to come here is for a boozy summer brunch on the patio with bottomless mimosas and stuffed French toast. 


Check out these resources for more dining inspiration:

Detroit Experience Factory
Hour Detroit Restaurant Guide 
Visit Detroit Dining Guide