Eater Award-winning chef Genevieve Vang’s flagship restaurant Bangkok 96 has been stunning diners with refreshing takes on Thai cuisine since 1996. The menu here runs the gamut from palate-cleansing fresh spring rolls to chicken larb salad to Thai fried rice.

In business since 1941, this classic dive bar has endured while staying true to its roots. The famous ground round is served on a bun with or without cheese, pickles and onions — and that’s pretty much it. No heirloom tomatoes, no housemade bacon, no organic fried eggs — just a burger on a square of parchment paper. Make sure to take cash. Miller’s goes by the honor system: Customers pay at the bar and tell the staff what they had. 

This spot is part of a growing number of franchise locations for House of Chimney Cakes, founded in Anaheim, Calif. by Hungary native Szandra Szabó and Omar Lara. Here, they take Hungary’s official dessert, the chimney cake (kürtöskalács) — made with freshly baked dough that turns out crunchy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside — and fill each with soft serve ice cream. Its Anaheim (Disney-inspired) roots show because guests can also select fruity vegan Dole Whip (available in pineapple or strawberry) as a filling. Specialties also include The Mouse, made with vanilla bean soft serve, an Oreo chimney cake, sprinkles, Oreo ears, and chocolate buttons; or shakes, like the Ubecorn featuring an ube shake base, Fruity Pebbles, whip cream, chocolate sauce, and a mini chimney cake.

This French patisserie from the team behind Brome Modern Eatery and Detroit’s Cannelle is a dream for both pastry lovers and folks looking for a modern brunch experience in Dearborn. The space is as elegant as the buttery croissants, rich eclairs, colorful macarons, freshly baked breads, and many other delicacies as it is for its robust breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus that include sandwiches, salads, a variety of fancy toasts, daily specials, pastas, grab and go eating options, and a full coffee bar featuring locally roasted brews. Check out the Dearborn location or the newer Ann Arbor spot at 110 E. Washington St.

A restaurant with the very intriguing name Ex-Wife’s Famous Chicken, debuted in Dearborn in May. The menu is remarkably true to its theme with Side Chicks (sides) and Child Support (kid’s menu) to accompany the fried chicken sandwiches and chicken tender meals. The restaurant seems to have big plans for expansion, with eight additional locations listed as “coming soon” on its website. For now, folk can dine-in or place an order online for takeout or delivery.

The Yemeni coffee scene continues to grow little by little in metro Detroit with Haraz Coffee House with locations in Dearborn and at 32766 Ryan Road in Warren. Named after the ancient villages of the Haraz Mountains in Yemen’s lower west coast region (considered by many as the birthplace of coffee), the menu consists of espresso drinks, Turkish tea, smoothies, saffron cakes, sabayah (thinly layered bread drizzled with honey), and other sweet treats.

This beloved neighborhood market has been in business for five decades, specializing in imported Italian products such as olive oils, wine, fresh sausage made on site, and, of course, pasta. But what really packs in the fans are the Italian subs. Pro tip: Ask for extra sauce. 

Michigan Avenue’s M Cantina specializes in Nuevo Latino cuisine, including halal tacos and tortas as well as refreshing, booze-free cocktails from chef and mixologist mastermind Junior Merino (aka The Liquid Chef). Due to staffing shortages, reservations are required.

This Lebanese mainstay features a ski chalet-inspired diner interior and a clever drive-thru window for takeout orders. Regulars love it for the complimentary lentil soup, juicy rotisserie chickens, and plentiful combination plates piled high with everything from falafel to fried kibbeh to grape leaves. Drive-thru and curbside pickup available.

This coffee bar is a popular Dearborn destination, specializing in high-end coffee from Yemen, which it serves brewed and in latte form. Customers can also snack on Yemeni pastries including honeycomb bread and layered honey cake called sabaya.

Just like the name says, this is the place to get Iraqi-style kabobs that are juicy and flavorful and served with grilled tomatoes, pickles, and samoon bread. Try them with a drizzle of tangy amba sauce.

For a different spin on the classic shawarma sandwich, Golden Chicken offers its version on French bread as well as markook bread to soak up all that garlic sauce and chicken goodness. Aside from the shawarma, the rotisserie chicken is another must. It’s mostly a carryout establishment, but there are a few tables for those who can’t wait to get home before digging in.

Al Chabab serves Syrian food paired with friendly, attentive service. Those who seek out spicy flavors will find a lot to like here, such as the hummus halabi that has a little kick from Aleppo chilies and the spicy kibbeh. The kabobs are standouts, especially the cherry. Can’t decide what to get? The mixed grill has a little bit of everything, or ask the owners who are always ready and willing to make suggestions. 

With its indoor palm trees, local institution Shatila Bakery feels like an oasis of crave-inducing sweet treats. The cases teeming with tempting pastries make choosing dessert a challenge, but some must-haves include the baklava made with layers of phyllo dough stuffed with nuts such as pistachios, walnuts, cashews, or almonds. The pistachio ice cream is also outstanding.

This new spot in Dearborn serves up Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine, but with a seafood twist. Many of the classic offerings one would find in a traditional Middle Eastern restaurant are available here, including skewers, hummus, grilled kibbie, and kofta sandwiches, with one key distinction: except for beef, lamb, chicken, or other typical proteins, at Aliz, it’s all prepared with a variety of marinated or spicy fish or shrimp. The menu is rounded out with entrees like roasted red snapper, grilled salmon with herbs, as well as casseroles and shrimp biryani.

Al Tayeb, which means “the delicious” in Arabic, serves the type of tasty traditional breakfast you’d find in Beirut. The restaurant, which got its start as a sub shop in Garden City in 2017, has since expanded. Half of the items on the menu contain chickpeas; the menu includes Lebanese classics like fool, falafel, hummus, and even beef tongue delicacies.