clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
Basil Babe’s Spicy Pork Dumplings in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Basil Babe’s Spicy Pork Dumplings
John Reyes

13 New Restaurants and Bars to Check Out in Ann Arbor

From Thai food to burgers to Nashville hot chicken, here are some of Ann Arbor’s latest new restaurants

View as Map
Basil Babe’s Spicy Pork Dumplings
| John Reyes

The Ann Arbor restaurant scene is still as vibrant as ever, so why not try someplace new?

It’s been a busy year as several new spots have opened all over the area. In Ann Arbor, Bahn Mi Street Food and Fat Daddy’s are serving their terrific sandwiches and diners have two new halal-friendly outlets to enjoy — Taystee’s Burgers and El Limon Taqueria. While in Ypsilanti Basil Babe’s restaurant joins coffee shop/art gallery The Deep End.

With summer just around the corner and many more opportunities to get out there and explore, here are 13 of the Ann Arbor area’s newest, most exciting restaurants to check out now.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Taystee's Burgers

Copy Link

Burger fans from all over have flocked to Taystee’s, the halal-friendly burger spot situated in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights gas stations. Ann Arborites can now enjoy one of their specialty burgers, including the award-winning Ali’s Notch-Yo Burger — a stack of patties, beef bacon, jalapeños, grilled onions, three cheeses, and Doritos.

Steps away from downtown and the Big House stands 1923, a food truck fashioned from a converted double decker bus straight from London.  Don’t expect English pub food as 1923 serves up a variety of tacos with flavors from around the globe like Caribbean jerk chicken, falafel, and Korean kalbi.

Evergreen Downtown

Copy Link

Evergreen has had a devoted following at their north side location for 30 years and recently opened a new spot downtown. The Sichuan-style dry pots are served in a generously-sized wok and are a must-have for fans of spicy stir fries.

Spicy Dry Pot with Chicken
John Reyes

Bao Space

Copy Link

Bao Space serves up traditional Chinese soups, dumplings, and dim sum in its cozy downtown location. The hand-made baos buns are the main attraction with eight different fillings from which to choose, including their black sesame buns, which are an intriguing mix of sweet and savory. Order ahead of time to avoid the lines.

Bitty & Beau's Coffee

Copy Link

Ann Arbor prides itself on its acceptance and inclusion of people from all walks of life, which makes it a perfect spot for Bitty and Beau’s. Like all of their other national locations, this Main Street coffee shop gives job opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

John Reyes

Union Rec

Copy Link

The folks behind Vinsetta in Berkley and Detroit’s Eminem-inspired Mom’s Spaghetti have opened Union Rec, the restaurant group’s first location in the Ann Arbor area. The former lumber mill has been transformed to a large space that includes a restaurant, coffee shop, and lounge. The menu features a mix of bar food and Mexican favorites that are as eclectic as the décor.

North Star Lounge

Copy Link

Ann Arbor’s newest live music venue is a cozy spot to catch an array musicians — from jazz to bluegrass and everything in between — and is as unique as the town itself. While there, check out North Star’s all-vegan food menu featuring snacks like calzones and barbecue sliders.

John Reyes

Fat Daddy's HOT Chicken & Waffles

Copy Link

The popular Detroit-area chicken and waffle joint has opened its second location in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor. Fat Daddy’s specializes in Nashville hot chicken, available in five spice levels with different sandwich toppings such as coleslaw, mac and cheese, or sweet ranch served on a brioche bun. For an extra decadent treat, try the Suga Momma, which replaces the bun with two glazed donuts.

Venue by 4M

Copy Link

This ambitious concept features co-working and event spaces as well as an airy dining room and bar. Chef Thad Gilles, formerly of recently shuttered fine dining restaurant Logan, designed four different food menus from which to choose — French brasserie, pasta, pizza, and tacos.

The Porchetta Roast at Venue
John Reyes

Banh Mi Street Food

Copy Link

Bahn Mi Street Food’s menu features several delicious salads and rice bowls, but the main stars are their namesake sandwiches. Bahn mi sandwiches hail from Vietnam and contain a protein, pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, cilantro, and jalapeño peppers on an airy baguette. The version here does not disappoint with a choice of six different proteins and fresh, in-house baked bread.

John Reyes

El Limōn

Copy Link

The flavors of Mexico and the Mediterranean meet at this north side taqueria. Diners can enjoy tacos or burritos along with a fattoush salad, all of which are halal-friendly. For a true fusion experience, try the falafel burrito with jalapeño-infused tahini.

Basil Babe

Copy Link

Basil Babe gained a loyal following as a pop-up and has successfully transitioned to a physical location in Ypsilanti, next to the Eastern Michigan University campus. The menu features Thai favorites like stir fries, noodles, curries and the menu changes weekly. The papaya salad and dumplings are mainstays and can’t be missed.

John Reyes

The Deep End Cafe & Gallery

Copy Link

Head over to downtown Ypsilanti for Deep End Café, a place that’s equal parts coffee shop and gallery space featuring works from local artists, poets, and writers. In addition to art, the spot features food and drink options courtesy of Detroit-based The Squeeze Station, which is committed to bringing healthy food options to underserved communities.

Taystee's Burgers

Burger fans from all over have flocked to Taystee’s, the halal-friendly burger spot situated in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights gas stations. Ann Arborites can now enjoy one of their specialty burgers, including the award-winning Ali’s Notch-Yo Burger — a stack of patties, beef bacon, jalapeños, grilled onions, three cheeses, and Doritos.

1923

Steps away from downtown and the Big House stands 1923, a food truck fashioned from a converted double decker bus straight from London.  Don’t expect English pub food as 1923 serves up a variety of tacos with flavors from around the globe like Caribbean jerk chicken, falafel, and Korean kalbi.

Evergreen Downtown

Evergreen has had a devoted following at their north side location for 30 years and recently opened a new spot downtown. The Sichuan-style dry pots are served in a generously-sized wok and are a must-have for fans of spicy stir fries.

Spicy Dry Pot with Chicken
John Reyes

Bao Space

Bao Space serves up traditional Chinese soups, dumplings, and dim sum in its cozy downtown location. The hand-made baos buns are the main attraction with eight different fillings from which to choose, including their black sesame buns, which are an intriguing mix of sweet and savory. Order ahead of time to avoid the lines.

Bitty & Beau's Coffee

Ann Arbor prides itself on its acceptance and inclusion of people from all walks of life, which makes it a perfect spot for Bitty and Beau’s. Like all of their other national locations, this Main Street coffee shop gives job opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

John Reyes

Union Rec

The folks behind Vinsetta in Berkley and Detroit’s Eminem-inspired Mom’s Spaghetti have opened Union Rec, the restaurant group’s first location in the Ann Arbor area. The former lumber mill has been transformed to a large space that includes a restaurant, coffee shop, and lounge. The menu features a mix of bar food and Mexican favorites that are as eclectic as the décor.

North Star Lounge

Ann Arbor’s newest live music venue is a cozy spot to catch an array musicians — from jazz to bluegrass and everything in between — and is as unique as the town itself. While there, check out North Star’s all-vegan food menu featuring snacks like calzones and barbecue sliders.

John Reyes

Fat Daddy's HOT Chicken & Waffles

The popular Detroit-area chicken and waffle joint has opened its second location in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor. Fat Daddy’s specializes in Nashville hot chicken, available in five spice levels with different sandwich toppings such as coleslaw, mac and cheese, or sweet ranch served on a brioche bun. For an extra decadent treat, try the Suga Momma, which replaces the bun with two glazed donuts.

Venue by 4M

This ambitious concept features co-working and event spaces as well as an airy dining room and bar. Chef Thad Gilles, formerly of recently shuttered fine dining restaurant Logan, designed four different food menus from which to choose — French brasserie, pasta, pizza, and tacos.

The Porchetta Roast at Venue
John Reyes

Banh Mi Street Food

Bahn Mi Street Food’s menu features several delicious salads and rice bowls, but the main stars are their namesake sandwiches. Bahn mi sandwiches hail from Vietnam and contain a protein, pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, cilantro, and jalapeño peppers on an airy baguette. The version here does not disappoint with a choice of six different proteins and fresh, in-house baked bread.

John Reyes

El Limōn

The flavors of Mexico and the Mediterranean meet at this north side taqueria. Diners can enjoy tacos or burritos along with a fattoush salad, all of which are halal-friendly. For a true fusion experience, try the falafel burrito with jalapeño-infused tahini.

Basil Babe

Basil Babe gained a loyal following as a pop-up and has successfully transitioned to a physical location in Ypsilanti, next to the Eastern Michigan University campus. The menu features Thai favorites like stir fries, noodles, curries and the menu changes weekly. The papaya salad and dumplings are mainstays and can’t be missed.

John Reyes

The Deep End Cafe & Gallery

Head over to downtown Ypsilanti for Deep End Café, a place that’s equal parts coffee shop and gallery space featuring works from local artists, poets, and writers. In addition to art, the spot features food and drink options courtesy of Detroit-based The Squeeze Station, which is committed to bringing healthy food options to underserved communities.

Related Maps