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The Detroit People Mover

Where to Dine and Drink Near The Detroit People Mover

The top destinations by station

by Victoria Trudeau Apr 1, 2016, 4:11pm EDT

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The Detroit People Mover

| Stock Detroit/Michelle and Chris Gerard

by Victoria Trudeau Apr 1, 2016, 4:11pm EDT

The Detroit People Mover is Detroit's failed public transit system — our own elevated rail consisting of a small and not-so-useful loop through downtown. But it has its fans, more for its quirks than its usefulness, and it boasts great views, interesting public art, and a cheap ticket price.

The first version of this map was focused on the few decent places within a five minute walk from the various stops, but as the city has begun to redevelop downtown's culinary options have diversified and improved. For locals living and working downtown or visitors looking to explore the area, the people mover culinary map answers the question "What's good to eat around here?" Organized by station, these are some of the best culinary offerings in downtown, located just a short walk from each stop.

Note: some stops have been left off the list due to better options at a neighboring station. Did we leave off one of your favorites? Tell us and we'll consider adding it to a future version of the map.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Republic

A neighborhood favorite and 2015 Eater Detroit Restaurant of the Year winner, Republic's meaty menu fondly showcases locally sourced ingredients. For a taste of the restaurant's charcuterie chops try the Ploughman's Plate and pair it with a cocktail.

Stop: Times Square

1942 Grand River, Detroit, MI 48226

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Parks & Rec

Sister restaurant to Republic, this casual diner elevates breakfast and lunch without taking itself too seriously. The the sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich is an well-spiced alternative to fast food and the giant cinnamon rolls are a fan favorite.

Stop: Times Square

1942 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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Downtown Louie's Lounge

Downtown Louie's boasts a killer cocktail hour in a beautiful bar setting, and lots of approachable crowd pleasing dishes for a filling dinner.

Stop: Times Square

30 Clifford St, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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Cliff Bell's

A Detroit icon since the 1930s, this Park Avenue jazz club was resurrected in 2005. Cliff Bell's stylish throw-back interior, classic cocktails, and live music make it worth a visit. The food is good too, but be aware that there is often a cover, which changes depending on the night and the band.

Stop: Grand Circus

2030 Park Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

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Wright & Co.

Chef Marc Djozlija and bar owner Dave Kwiatkowski's collaboration has become a downtown destination. Stop in for small plates, great cocktails, and great ambience or call ahead on Sundays and reserve a spot for brunch.

Stop: Grand Circus

1500 Woodward Ave Fl 2, Detroit, MI 48226

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Detroit Seafood Market

A local favorite, Detroit Seafood Market serves classic surf and turf in a modern setting with brunch service on the weekends.

Stop: Broadway

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1435 Randolph St, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Punch Bowl Social

Serving up food and drinks alongside games like bowling, darts, shuffleboard, and classic arcade games, it's a great place to stay entertained for an entire evening.

Stop: Broadway

1331 Broadway, Detroit, MI 48226

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The Standby

Small, hip, and located in the city's artsiest alley, Standby's bar program is pushing Detroit's craft cocktail culture in a new direction while still keeping the menu intelligible for patrons. The booze is match with a strong upscale bar food menu.

Stop: Cadillac Center

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225 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Vicente's Cuban Cuisine

For something a little different, Cuban food, tropical drinks, and Salsa dancing are all right here.

Stop: Cadillac Center

1250 Library St, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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Santorini Estiatorio Detroit

This slightly more upscale restaurant adds a little something extra to the usual Greektown experience. Drop in for happy hour specials or feast on the regular menu of Hellenic classics like moussaka and lamb.

Stop: Greektown

501 Monroe St, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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The Golden Fleece

Get your gyro fix at this tiny, crowded, hole-in-the-wall. Golden Fleece serves what's arguably some of the best Greek food in the entire city.

Stop: Greektown

525 Monroe St, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Detroiter Bar/Malaka's

The Detroiter Bar is home to one of, if not the best, burgers in town.

Stop: Bricktown

649 Beaubien St, Detroit, MI 48226

Also featured in:

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Sweetwater Tavern

This beloved downtown bar's chicken wings are regarded as some of the best in the entire city by those in the know.

Stop: Millender Center

400 E Congress St, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Joe Muer Seafood

Hit this classic in the Ren Cen for a great seafood meal with stunning views of the River Walk. It can be very expensive, but the seafood tower is enough for two.

Stop: Renaissance Center

400 Renaissance Ctr, Detroit, MI 48243

Visit Website

Also featured in:

London Chop House

This historic restaurant, where the likes of Frank Sinatra used to eat, has been restored to its former glory, and for a swanky evening out it's just the place.

Stop: Financial District

Open in Google Maps

155 W Congress St, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Dime Store

A popular lunch and brunch spot, Dime Store serve an excellent all-day breakfast. Try the Korean fries with beef, kimchi, and sriracha or the duck bop hash.

Stop: Financial District

719 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Top of the Pontch

Boasting a high-rise view of the Detroit River and upscale food, this is a great spot for a special night out, or at least an incredible setting for a cocktail.

Stop: Cobo Center

2 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

American Coney Island

Lafayette and American have been dueling for Detroit Coney supremacy for decades. Try them both and pick a side.

Stop: Michigan Ave.

114 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Lafayette Coney Island

The no frills counterpart to American Coney Island's slightly more dressed-up decor, Lafayette is a greasy spoon worth visiting at least once.

Stop: Michigan Ave.

118 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Roast

Roast is the place to go for a high-end, meat-focused meal. Not into the price tag? The happy hour is very affordable — and more importantly — delicious. Make sure to order the burger. It's one of the best in town.

Stop: Michigan Ave.

1128 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226

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Also featured in:

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Republic

1942 Grand River, Detroit, MI 48226

A neighborhood favorite and 2015 Eater Detroit Restaurant of the Year winner, Republic's meaty menu fondly showcases locally sourced ingredients. For a taste of the restaurant's charcuterie chops try the Ploughman's Plate and pair it with a cocktail.

Stop: Times Square

1942 Grand River, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Parks & Rec

1942 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

Sister restaurant to Republic, this casual diner elevates breakfast and lunch without taking itself too seriously. The the sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich is an well-spiced alternative to fast food and the giant cinnamon rolls are a fan favorite.

Stop: Times Square

1942 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Downtown Louie's Lounge

30 Clifford St, Detroit, MI 48226

Downtown Louie's boasts a killer cocktail hour in a beautiful bar setting, and lots of approachable crowd pleasing dishes for a filling dinner.

Stop: Times Square

30 Clifford St, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Cliff Bell's

2030 Park Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

A Detroit icon since the 1930s, this Park Avenue jazz club was resurrected in 2005. Cliff Bell's stylish throw-back interior, classic cocktails, and live music make it worth a visit. The food is good too, but be aware that there is often a cover, which changes depending on the night and the band.

Stop: Grand Circus

2030 Park Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Wright & Co.

1500 Woodward Ave Fl 2, Detroit, MI 48226

Chef Marc Djozlija and bar owner Dave Kwiatkowski's collaboration has become a downtown destination. Stop in for small plates, great cocktails, and great ambience or call ahead on Sundays and reserve a spot for brunch.

Stop: Grand Circus

1500 Woodward Ave Fl 2, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Detroit Seafood Market

1435 Randolph St, Detroit, MI 48226

A local favorite, Detroit Seafood Market serves classic surf and turf in a modern setting with brunch service on the weekends.

Stop: Broadway

Open in Google Maps

1435 Randolph St, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Punch Bowl Social

1331 Broadway, Detroit, MI 48226

Serving up food and drinks alongside games like bowling, darts, shuffleboard, and classic arcade games, it's a great place to stay entertained for an entire evening.

Stop: Broadway

1331 Broadway, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

The Standby

225 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

Small, hip, and located in the city's artsiest alley, Standby's bar program is pushing Detroit's craft cocktail culture in a new direction while still keeping the menu intelligible for patrons. The booze is match with a strong upscale bar food menu.

Stop: Cadillac Center

Open in Google Maps

225 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Vicente's Cuban Cuisine

1250 Library St, Detroit, MI 48226

For something a little different, Cuban food, tropical drinks, and Salsa dancing are all right here.

Stop: Cadillac Center

1250 Library St, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Santorini Estiatorio Detroit

501 Monroe St, Detroit, MI 48226

This slightly more upscale restaurant adds a little something extra to the usual Greektown experience. Drop in for happy hour specials or feast on the regular menu of Hellenic classics like moussaka and lamb.

Stop: Greektown

501 Monroe St, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

The Golden Fleece

525 Monroe St, Detroit, MI 48226

Get your gyro fix at this tiny, crowded, hole-in-the-wall. Golden Fleece serves what's arguably some of the best Greek food in the entire city.

Stop: Greektown

525 Monroe St, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Detroiter Bar/Malaka's

649 Beaubien St, Detroit, MI 48226

The Detroiter Bar is home to one of, if not the best, burgers in town.

Stop: Bricktown

649 Beaubien St, Detroit, MI 48226

Sweetwater Tavern

400 E Congress St, Detroit, MI 48226

This beloved downtown bar's chicken wings are regarded as some of the best in the entire city by those in the know.

Stop: Millender Center

400 E Congress St, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Joe Muer Seafood

400 Renaissance Ctr, Detroit, MI 48243

Hit this classic in the Ren Cen for a great seafood meal with stunning views of the River Walk. It can be very expensive, but the seafood tower is enough for two.

Stop: Renaissance Center

400 Renaissance Ctr, Detroit, MI 48243

Visit Website

London Chop House

155 W Congress St, Detroit, MI 48226

This historic restaurant, where the likes of Frank Sinatra used to eat, has been restored to its former glory, and for a swanky evening out it's just the place.

Stop: Financial District

Open in Google Maps

155 W Congress St, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Related Maps

Dime Store

719 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226

A popular lunch and brunch spot, Dime Store serve an excellent all-day breakfast. Try the Korean fries with beef, kimchi, and sriracha or the duck bop hash.

Stop: Financial District

719 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Top of the Pontch

2 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226

Boasting a high-rise view of the Detroit River and upscale food, this is a great spot for a special night out, or at least an incredible setting for a cocktail.

Stop: Cobo Center

2 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

American Coney Island

114 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226

Lafayette and American have been dueling for Detroit Coney supremacy for decades. Try them both and pick a side.

Stop: Michigan Ave.

114 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website

Lafayette Coney Island

118 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226

The no frills counterpart to American Coney Island's slightly more dressed-up decor, Lafayette is a greasy spoon worth visiting at least once.

Stop: Michigan Ave.

118 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226

Visit Website