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May Heatmap: Where to Eat Right Now

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Flowers are blooming, so it's time for a brand new Eater Detroit Heatmap. Restaurants are celebrating with openings, renovations, and new interest as people emerge from hibernation and ask "what's for dinner?". Unlike that more stable of standbys, the Eater 38, the Heatmap aims to be more current as it catches wind of the newest, most popular places to eat and drink each month. The May map is once again heavy on the classic places this month, as new stories and renewed interest have made them buzzy.

The May map features among others, the highly underrated Jefferson House, the newly renovated Urban Soul, the new iteration of Southern Fires, and Rock City Eatery, who is bringing brunch to Hamtramck in a big way.

Had a less-than happy experience at one of these places? Been somewhere else that feels worthy of high praise and popular approval? Drop us a note on our tipline or leave your thoughts below.


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The Bird & The Bread

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This new Birmingham restaurant just opened, but the comforting European-influenced food and carefully curated children's menu are already drawing local attention. [Photo]

Forest Grill

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With a new focus on dinner, Forest Grill is also secretly hosting lunches, with diners happily making reservations (4 tables a day) and putting themselves completely in chef Nick Janutol's capable hands. [Photo]

Rock City Eatery

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Chef/Owner Nikita Santches is starting to shake things up in Hamtramck once again, this time by adding Sunday brunch, starting on May 11th, from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. each week. [Photo]

The Painted Lady

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A dive bar and definitely not a restaurant, bartender Timmy has still become infamous for his street-style tacos, served only on Wednesdays until they run out. [Photo]

The Zenith

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After a successful opening, The Zenith is bringing new life and some energy back into the Fisher Building with their fusion cuisine and bright art-filled interior. [Photo]

Urban Soul

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While Southern Fires, the beloved soul food restaurant, appears to be closed for good, the family has opened a new spot with the same adored food, and they're ready for business in Lafayette Park. [Photo]

The Jefferson House

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With a spot on Eater's most underrated list, and a similar mention in Hour Detroit, chef Justin Vaiciunas's cuisine is starting to get some of the press diners insist he very much deserves. [Photo]

Pupusería y Restaurante Salvadoreño

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With a recent Molly Abraham review in print, it seems that Salvadorian cuisine, and this very much loved restaurant in particular, are getting a chance to shine even more. [Photo]

El Asador Mexican Steakhouse

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The Eater Detroit inbox has been blowing up with readers asking about this spot, which is a new take on the usual Mexicantown classics, adding inventive yet traditional cuisine that everyone is talking about. [Photo]

The Bird & The Bread

This new Birmingham restaurant just opened, but the comforting European-influenced food and carefully curated children's menu are already drawing local attention. [Photo]

Forest Grill

With a new focus on dinner, Forest Grill is also secretly hosting lunches, with diners happily making reservations (4 tables a day) and putting themselves completely in chef Nick Janutol's capable hands. [Photo]

Rock City Eatery

Chef/Owner Nikita Santches is starting to shake things up in Hamtramck once again, this time by adding Sunday brunch, starting on May 11th, from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. each week. [Photo]

The Painted Lady

A dive bar and definitely not a restaurant, bartender Timmy has still become infamous for his street-style tacos, served only on Wednesdays until they run out. [Photo]

The Zenith

After a successful opening, The Zenith is bringing new life and some energy back into the Fisher Building with their fusion cuisine and bright art-filled interior. [Photo]

Urban Soul

While Southern Fires, the beloved soul food restaurant, appears to be closed for good, the family has opened a new spot with the same adored food, and they're ready for business in Lafayette Park. [Photo]

The Jefferson House

With a spot on Eater's most underrated list, and a similar mention in Hour Detroit, chef Justin Vaiciunas's cuisine is starting to get some of the press diners insist he very much deserves. [Photo]

Pupusería y Restaurante Salvadoreño

With a recent Molly Abraham review in print, it seems that Salvadorian cuisine, and this very much loved restaurant in particular, are getting a chance to shine even more. [Photo]

El Asador Mexican Steakhouse

The Eater Detroit inbox has been blowing up with readers asking about this spot, which is a new take on the usual Mexicantown classics, adding inventive yet traditional cuisine that everyone is talking about. [Photo]

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