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A few chairs sit on a rooftop patio with a tall skyscraper in the near background
The expansive view from the rooftop Monarch Club restaurant and bar in downtown Detroit.
GB in Detroit

14 Detroit Restaurants and Bars With Amazing Views

Enjoy a meal or drink with a side of scenery

by Serena Maria Daniels and Eater Staff Updated
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The expansive view from the rooftop Monarch Club restaurant and bar in downtown Detroit.
| GB in Detroit
by Serena Maria Daniels and Eater Staff Updated

With plenty of tall buildings and ample property along the river, it’s not hard to find a great view in Detroit. But what about the restaurants? The number of truly towering Motor City establishments has dwindled restaurants in recent years with the closures of Coach Insignia and Top of the Pontch. But there are still plenty of lovely vantage points from which to enjoy a meal or a drink in metro Detroit. Find here a collection of spots that offer stunning scenery for a variety of occasions and budgets including splashy casino restaurants, art-filled alley bars, waterfront boater retreats, and more.

Did we overlook your favorite restaurant view? Drop a note in the comments or at the tipline. Note: Locations are listed geographically.

Next Read: 8 Superior Rooftop Patios in Metro Detroit

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Pinky's Rooftop

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At Pinky’s Rooftop, the walls are pink, the marble bar is pink, even the fire pit coals are pink. Overlooking downtown Royal Oak’s Main Street, the lush rooftop garden is surrounded with palm trees. The menu was revamped in spring 2021 and includes boozy Pinky’s Ice Pops popsicles, Nashville chicken sliders, and short rib wonton tacos.

Alley Entrance, 100 S Main St Rear, Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248) 268-2885
(248) 268-2885

Mike's on the Water

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With its nautical aesthetic and ample space in the marina for docking boats, Mike’s on the Water in St. Clair Shores is popular with locals spending a day out on the water. Sip chilled cocktails in plastic cups on the restaurant’s lively waterfront patio while filling up on lobster rolls.

24600 Jefferson Ave, St Clair Shores, MI 48080
(586) 872-2630
(586) 872-2630
Tanya T./Yelp

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Coriander Kitchen and Farm

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Arrive via bike, kayak, or car and score scenic seating at picnic tables under the covered canal-side patio. The menu changes regularly, but expect to find ingredients sourced from the restaurant’s nearby urban farm, as well as Great Lakes fish dip, sriracha duck wings, a tempeh reuben, and cocktails, beers, and wine.

14601 Riverside Blvd, Detroit, MI 48215
(313) 822-4434
(313) 822-4434

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Sindbad’s Restaurant

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This dockside restaurant has been serving seafood to Detroit’s boating crowd for nearly 70 years. Boaters can anchor in Sindbad’s marina and head up to the dining room for sprawling waterfront views and a feast of rock lobster tails and fried shrimp.

100 St Clair St, Detroit, MI 48214
(313) 822-8000
(313) 822-8000
The red exterior and sign at Sindbad’s overlooking the marina. Facebook/Joe Kennedy

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The Rattlesnake Club

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The Rattlesnake Club is a Detroit institution both in terms of food and its close proximity to the Detroit river and views of downtown. In warm weather, customers can sip classic cocktails on the restaurant’s terrace while looking out on the waterfront. Standout menu items include the ruby and yellow beet pyramid and the braised Colorado lamb shank.

300 River Place Dr, Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 567-4400
(313) 567-4400
The Rattlesnake Club/Facebook

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Atwater Brewery & Tap House

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Atwater Brewery has a rooftop biergarten, with seating for 65, that affords views of the Detroit River and the historic Rivertown district. The bar is perched above the company’s brewhouse (accessed via an outdoor stairway) and has a rotating menu of taps, with a menu centered on the lighter summer beers like the signature Dirty Blonde Ale and Whango Mango Wheat.

237 Jos Campau, Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 877-9205
(313) 877-9205

Collect Beer Bar

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Cøllect has a laid-back rooftop patio above the restaurant Bunny Bunny on Gratiot. The deck is filled with picnic tables, making it a nice, casual spot to watch the sunset while sipping one of the beer bar’s nine rotating drafts or enjoying a glass of wine.

1454 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48207

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Highlands

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Nestled on the 71st floor of the Renaissance Center, the Highlands features a luxe steakhouse menu with plenty of wine and unparalleled views of downtown and the Detroit River. The menu features wagyu beef tartare with smoked egg yolk and marrow toast, 28-ounce dry-aged wagyu ribeye, and an extensive collection red wines.

400 Renaissance Center floor 71, Detroit, MI 48243
(313) 877-9090
(313) 877-9090

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Joe Muer Seafood

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Situated inside the Renaissance Center, this upscale seafood restaurant boasts one of the best riverfront views in the city. Alongside giant shrimp cocktail and Maine lobster, Joe Muer features a raw bar and sushi. Pick a seat next to the windows or on the patio and split a seafood plateau while scoping out the waterfront.

400 Renaissance Ctr, Detroit, MI 48243
(313) 567-6837
(313) 567-6837
Joe Muer Seafood/Facebook

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Parc

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Parc is literally in the middle of all the action in downtown’s always active Campus Martius Park. Retractable windows provide a front row seat to the Woodward Fountain in the summertime and the tree lighting ceremony in the winter.

800 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 922-7272
(313) 922-7272
Michelle and Chris Gerard

Also featured in:

The Monarch Club

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One of the highest rooftop patios in the city, The Monarch Club is perched atop the Metropolitan Building. It’s a chill and elegant place to sip classic cocktails and enjoy small plates while taking in sweeping views of downtown Detroit from three terraces. Make a reservation for seating with a fire pit.

33 John R St Penthouse, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 306-2380
(313) 306-2380

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Wright & Company

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Tucked two stories up in a historic building, Wright & Co. offers excellent views of Detroit’s main thoroughfare Woodward Avenue. Snack on shared plates like dirty rice arancini and burrata toast while quaffing cocktails from the restaurant’s well-appointed bar.

1500 Woodward Ave floor 2, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 962-7711
(313) 962-7711
Michelle and Chris Gerard

Also featured in:

Lumen Detroit

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With 360-degree rooftop views of downtown Detroit and Beacon Park, Lumen’s 45 rooftop seats are prime spots for kicking back with a Belgian beer. Take a peek over the park or the neighboring Grand Army of the Republic castle while sipping Delirium Tremens over a bowl of pei mussels or new American bites. Lumen also offers seating in its bright indoor dining room, and outdoor seating on street level.

1903 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 626-5005
(313) 626-5005

Also featured in:

The Waterfront Wyandotte

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This dockside restaurant offers standard American fare ranging from crab cakes to veggie pizza, but what customers really go for are the views of the Detroit River. Grab a seat next to the window or enjoy the breeze from the patio overlooking the water.

507 Biddle Ave, Wyandotte, MI 48192
(734) 286-9046
(734) 286-9046
The Waterfront Wyandotte [Official]

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Pinky's Rooftop

Alley Entrance, 100 S Main St Rear, Royal Oak, MI 48067

At Pinky’s Rooftop, the walls are pink, the marble bar is pink, even the fire pit coals are pink. Overlooking downtown Royal Oak’s Main Street, the lush rooftop garden is surrounded with palm trees. The menu was revamped in spring 2021 and includes boozy Pinky’s Ice Pops popsicles, Nashville chicken sliders, and short rib wonton tacos.

Alley Entrance, 100 S Main St Rear, Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248) 268-2885
(248) 268-2885

Mike's on the Water

24600 Jefferson Ave, St Clair Shores, MI 48080

With its nautical aesthetic and ample space in the marina for docking boats, Mike’s on the Water in St. Clair Shores is popular with locals spending a day out on the water. Sip chilled cocktails in plastic cups on the restaurant’s lively waterfront patio while filling up on lobster rolls.

24600 Jefferson Ave, St Clair Shores, MI 48080
(586) 872-2630
(586) 872-2630
Tanya T./Yelp

Coriander Kitchen and Farm

14601 Riverside Blvd, Detroit, MI 48215

Arrive via bike, kayak, or car and score scenic seating at picnic tables under the covered canal-side patio. The menu changes regularly, but expect to find ingredients sourced from the restaurant’s nearby urban farm, as well as Great Lakes fish dip, sriracha duck wings, a tempeh reuben, and cocktails, beers, and wine.

14601 Riverside Blvd, Detroit, MI 48215
(313) 822-4434
(313) 822-4434

Sindbad’s Restaurant

100 St Clair St, Detroit, MI 48214

This dockside restaurant has been serving seafood to Detroit’s boating crowd for nearly 70 years. Boaters can anchor in Sindbad’s marina and head up to the dining room for sprawling waterfront views and a feast of rock lobster tails and fried shrimp.

100 St Clair St, Detroit, MI 48214
(313) 822-8000
(313) 822-8000
The red exterior and sign at Sindbad’s overlooking the marina. Facebook/Joe Kennedy

The Rattlesnake Club

300 River Place Dr, Detroit, MI 48207

The Rattlesnake Club is a Detroit institution both in terms of food and its close proximity to the Detroit river and views of downtown. In warm weather, customers can sip classic cocktails on the restaurant’s terrace while looking out on the waterfront. Standout menu items include the ruby and yellow beet pyramid and the braised Colorado lamb shank.

300 River Place Dr, Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 567-4400
(313) 567-4400
The Rattlesnake Club/Facebook

Atwater Brewery & Tap House

237 Jos Campau, Detroit, MI 48207

Atwater Brewery has a rooftop biergarten, with seating for 65, that affords views of the Detroit River and the historic Rivertown district. The bar is perched above the company’s brewhouse (accessed via an outdoor stairway) and has a rotating menu of taps, with a menu centered on the lighter summer beers like the signature Dirty Blonde Ale and Whango Mango Wheat.

237 Jos Campau, Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 877-9205
(313) 877-9205

Collect Beer Bar

1454 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48207

Cøllect has a laid-back rooftop patio above the restaurant Bunny Bunny on Gratiot. The deck is filled with picnic tables, making it a nice, casual spot to watch the sunset while sipping one of the beer bar’s nine rotating drafts or enjoying a glass of wine.

1454 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48207

Highlands

400 Renaissance Center floor 71, Detroit, MI 48243

Nestled on the 71st floor of the Renaissance Center, the Highlands features a luxe steakhouse menu with plenty of wine and unparalleled views of downtown and the Detroit River. The menu features wagyu beef tartare with smoked egg yolk and marrow toast, 28-ounce dry-aged wagyu ribeye, and an extensive collection red wines.

400 Renaissance Center floor 71, Detroit, MI 48243
(313) 877-9090
(313) 877-9090

Joe Muer Seafood

400 Renaissance Ctr, Detroit, MI 48243

Situated inside the Renaissance Center, this upscale seafood restaurant boasts one of the best riverfront views in the city. Alongside giant shrimp cocktail and Maine lobster, Joe Muer features a raw bar and sushi. Pick a seat next to the windows or on the patio and split a seafood plateau while scoping out the waterfront.

400 Renaissance Ctr, Detroit, MI 48243
(313) 567-6837
(313) 567-6837
Joe Muer Seafood/Facebook

Parc

800 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

Parc is literally in the middle of all the action in downtown’s always active Campus Martius Park. Retractable windows provide a front row seat to the Woodward Fountain in the summertime and the tree lighting ceremony in the winter.

800 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 922-7272
(313) 922-7272
Michelle and Chris Gerard

The Monarch Club

33 John R St Penthouse, Detroit, MI 48226

One of the highest rooftop patios in the city, The Monarch Club is perched atop the Metropolitan Building. It’s a chill and elegant place to sip classic cocktails and enjoy small plates while taking in sweeping views of downtown Detroit from three terraces. Make a reservation for seating with a fire pit.

33 John R St Penthouse, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 306-2380
(313) 306-2380

Wright & Company

1500 Woodward Ave floor 2, Detroit, MI 48226

Tucked two stories up in a historic building, Wright & Co. offers excellent views of Detroit’s main thoroughfare Woodward Avenue. Snack on shared plates like dirty rice arancini and burrata toast while quaffing cocktails from the restaurant’s well-appointed bar.

1500 Woodward Ave floor 2, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 962-7711
(313) 962-7711
Michelle and Chris Gerard

Lumen Detroit

1903 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

With 360-degree rooftop views of downtown Detroit and Beacon Park, Lumen’s 45 rooftop seats are prime spots for kicking back with a Belgian beer. Take a peek over the park or the neighboring Grand Army of the Republic castle while sipping Delirium Tremens over a bowl of pei mussels or new American bites. Lumen also offers seating in its bright indoor dining room, and outdoor seating on street level.

1903 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 626-5005
(313) 626-5005

The Waterfront Wyandotte

507 Biddle Ave, Wyandotte, MI 48192

This dockside restaurant offers standard American fare ranging from crab cakes to veggie pizza, but what customers really go for are the views of the Detroit River. Grab a seat next to the window or enjoy the breeze from the patio overlooking the water.

507 Biddle Ave, Wyandotte, MI 48192
(734) 286-9046
(734) 286-9046
The Waterfront Wyandotte [Official]

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