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The Hottest Restaurants in Detroit Right Now, December 2014

Here's what's hot this month in dining.

by Brenna Houck
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by Brenna Houck

Welcome to the December Eater Detroit Heatmap, which invites diners to experience something new across the city's 143 square miles. Unlike the stalwart collection captured by the Eater 38, the Heatmap aims to pinpoint the most popular places to eat and drink each month.

This month's map captures restaurants and food trucks in the core neighborhoods—Cass Corridor, Greektown, Corktown, Eastern Market, and Woodbridge—as well as some mainstays and outliers like Beau's in Bloomfield Township and vegetarian eatery, Om Café.

Did we miss your favorite new restaurant? Been somewhere else that feels worthy of high praise and popular approval? Drop us a note on our tip line or leave your thoughts below.

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Katoi Food Truck (Two James Distillery)

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With a new brick-and-mortar restaurant on the way and a Chefs Table event on December 13, the Thai flavors of Katoi food truck are having a moment this December. Warm up with a bowl of smoked duck ramen before heading to the Two James tasting room.
2445 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
313-600-9567
313-600-9567

Gold Cash Gold

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After nearly two years of anticipation chef Josh Stockton will debut Gold Cash Gold in Corktown this month. Pork is likely to feature prominently on the menu, as Stockton is known for his whole hog butchery. Chicago transplant, Natalie Zarzour, heads the restaurant’s bread program with five breads made fresh daily, according to the Free Press.
Detroit, MI

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Beau's

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This Bloomfield eatery is polarizing for some locals who grew up with Beau Jack’s, a township mainstay for almost 40 years; but the new restaurant has it’s own merits. While, the menu appears familiar at first glance (See Michigan’s favorite cheesy potatoes), a closer perusal reveals some surprising dishes like quinoa fried rice. Try the house ground turkey burger or the grilled oysters served on a bed of coarse salt.
Bloomfield, MI
248-626-2630
248-626-2630

Om Cafe

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Detroiters are often characterized as embracing relatively meat-and-potatoes diet, but for something a little greener, consider visiting Om Café. A landmark in Ferndale for nearly 30 years, this dining spot recently went completely vegetarian by removing fish from the menu.
23136 Woodward Ave, Ferndale, MI 48220
(248) 548-1941
(248) 548-1941

Antietam

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A triumphant debut and a quick end. That was the story of Antietam since staff walked out en masse last July. However, this Art Deco gem near Eastern Market has risen again with a new team and a French-inspired menu. The drinks are superb, the décor is beautiful, and the ox tail appetizer is a must try.
1428 Gratiot, Detroit MI, Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 782-4378
(313) 782-4378

Campau Tower

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Nikita Sanches’ Hamtramck diner Campau Tower replaced a 24-hour favorite of the same name, but Metro Times reviewer Aaron Eagan says the new version may lay claim to “the best coney chili you’ll find in Detroit.” See for yourself.
10337 Joseph Campau St, Hamtramck, MI 48211
313-265-3694
313-265-3694

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Firebird Tavern

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Firebird Tavern introduced several new lunch menu items this month, which makes it a great option for those working downtown. The restaurant is also joining the army of McClary Bros. Drinking Vinegars devotees by adding shrub and soda options to the beverage menu. There’s even boozy peppermint milkshakes and hot buttered rum for some extra holiday cheer.
419 Monroe Street, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 782-4189
(313) 782-4189

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Pie Sci

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Pizza gets a little edgier when it comes to Pie-Sci. This faithful Sunday pop-up in the Woodbridge Pub features fresh pies in two sizes with clever names. The flavors rotate frequently based on the season or whatever creators Jeremy Damaske and AJ Manoulian can get ahold of. Have special dietary needs? Offerings include vegan options.
5169 Trumbull St, Detroit, MI 48208

Selden Standard

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Selden Standard opened last month to a welcoming fervor of diners. The Detroit Free Press's Sylvia Rector raves about chef Andy Hollyday's "bright, exciting flavors and rustic, seasonal menu" that embraces vegetables rather than shying away from them.
3921 Second Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201

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Katoi Food Truck (Two James Distillery)

2445 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
With a new brick-and-mortar restaurant on the way and a Chefs Table event on December 13, the Thai flavors of Katoi food truck are having a moment this December. Warm up with a bowl of smoked duck ramen before heading to the Two James tasting room.
2445 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
313-600-9567
313-600-9567

Gold Cash Gold

Detroit, MI
After nearly two years of anticipation chef Josh Stockton will debut Gold Cash Gold in Corktown this month. Pork is likely to feature prominently on the menu, as Stockton is known for his whole hog butchery. Chicago transplant, Natalie Zarzour, heads the restaurant’s bread program with five breads made fresh daily, according to the Free Press.
Detroit, MI

Beau's

Bloomfield, MI
This Bloomfield eatery is polarizing for some locals who grew up with Beau Jack’s, a township mainstay for almost 40 years; but the new restaurant has it’s own merits. While, the menu appears familiar at first glance (See Michigan’s favorite cheesy potatoes), a closer perusal reveals some surprising dishes like quinoa fried rice. Try the house ground turkey burger or the grilled oysters served on a bed of coarse salt.
Bloomfield, MI
248-626-2630
248-626-2630

Om Cafe

23136 Woodward Ave, Ferndale, MI 48220
Detroiters are often characterized as embracing relatively meat-and-potatoes diet, but for something a little greener, consider visiting Om Café. A landmark in Ferndale for nearly 30 years, this dining spot recently went completely vegetarian by removing fish from the menu.
23136 Woodward Ave, Ferndale, MI 48220
(248) 548-1941
(248) 548-1941

Antietam

1428 Gratiot, Detroit MI, Detroit, MI 48207
A triumphant debut and a quick end. That was the story of Antietam since staff walked out en masse last July. However, this Art Deco gem near Eastern Market has risen again with a new team and a French-inspired menu. The drinks are superb, the décor is beautiful, and the ox tail appetizer is a must try.
1428 Gratiot, Detroit MI, Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 782-4378
(313) 782-4378

Campau Tower

10337 Joseph Campau St, Hamtramck, MI 48211
Nikita Sanches’ Hamtramck diner Campau Tower replaced a 24-hour favorite of the same name, but Metro Times reviewer Aaron Eagan says the new version may lay claim to “the best coney chili you’ll find in Detroit.” See for yourself.
10337 Joseph Campau St, Hamtramck, MI 48211
313-265-3694
313-265-3694

Firebird Tavern

419 Monroe Street, Detroit, MI 48226
Firebird Tavern introduced several new lunch menu items this month, which makes it a great option for those working downtown. The restaurant is also joining the army of McClary Bros. Drinking Vinegars devotees by adding shrub and soda options to the beverage menu. There’s even boozy peppermint milkshakes and hot buttered rum for some extra holiday cheer.
419 Monroe Street, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 782-4189
(313) 782-4189

Pie Sci

5169 Trumbull St, Detroit, MI 48208
Pizza gets a little edgier when it comes to Pie-Sci. This faithful Sunday pop-up in the Woodbridge Pub features fresh pies in two sizes with clever names. The flavors rotate frequently based on the season or whatever creators Jeremy Damaske and AJ Manoulian can get ahold of. Have special dietary needs? Offerings include vegan options.
5169 Trumbull St, Detroit, MI 48208

Selden Standard

3921 Second Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201
Selden Standard opened last month to a welcoming fervor of diners. The Detroit Free Press's Sylvia Rector raves about chef Andy Hollyday's "bright, exciting flavors and rustic, seasonal menu" that embraces vegetables rather than shying away from them.
3921 Second Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201

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