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The 38 Essential Detroit Restaurants, April 2014

by Victoria Trudeau Apr 8, 2014, 9:00am EDT

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by Victoria Trudeau Apr 8, 2014, 9:00am EDT

1 comment / new

Spring has arrived at long last, which means it's time for a new edition of the Detroit Eater 38 . This regular feature seeks to list the city's key dining establishments (with a few representatives from the suburbs), on both the high and low end of the scale and with a special emphasis on the defining meals that make the city and region move.

This is our answer to that age-old question, "Can you recommend a restaurant..." These are not the best restaurants in the city, or the most buzzy (check the monthly Heat Map for that). These are the restaurants that represent a taste of the city. These are the places that make Detroit, (and Metro Detroit) in no particular order, other than somewhat geographic.

This time around we said "goodbye" for now to 3rd Street Bar/Dangerously Delicous Pies, Local Kitchen & Bar, and Taqueria Mi Pueblo. Nemo's Bar & Grill, Motor City Soul Food, and Cass Cafe were welcomed to the family, and will hopefully hang around for awhile.

The list is updated every quarter, with any restaurant left out or just starting up getting a fair shake in the interim. Did we leave out your classic Detroit eatery? Tell us about it and maybe we'll join you there soon.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

The Lark

It's a local classic, with old-fashioned decor and service, but it's widely regarded as the once-in-a-lifetime place to go for that very special occasion. As for what to order, is anything other than the famous rack of lamb really even an option? [Photo]

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6430 Farmington Rd, West Bloomfield, MI 48322

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Noble Fish

It's small, but the excellent sushi, which many argue is the best in all of Metro Detroit, keeps guests coming back year after year. This isn't the cheapest sushi, but it's fresh, expertly prepared, and according to sushi lovers well worth the price. [Photo]

45 E 14 Mile Rd, Clawson, MI 48017

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Torino

Torino, the coffeeshop turned fashionable food icon, continues to pull in good word-of-mouth and eager potential diners. A four-star Detroit News review and a constantly changing tasting menu makes executive chef Garrett Lipar's Ferndale restaurant one the most consistently creative places to eat in the city, period. [Photo]

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201 E 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220

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Baker's Keyboard Lounge

It claims to be "the world's oldest jazz bar" and whether or not that's true doesn't really matter. Baker's is a Detroit icon, with an incredible history and soul food menu to match. The fried chicken is everyone's favorite, so don't miss it, and of course the entertainment is legendary. [Photo]

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20510 Livernois Avenue, Detroit, MI 48221

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Motor City Soul Food

It's cafeteria style, the line is always huge, and they usually run out of something, but for good reason. Diners swear by the smothered pork chops, fried chicken, mac & cheese, and the peach cobbler for dessert. It's pure Detroit, and worth the tricky parking situation and the wait. [Photo]

12700 W 7 Mile Rd, Detroit, MI 48235

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La Dolce Vita

This Palmer Park hideaway does a mean brunch, but they're proudest of their classic Italian lunch and dinner menu. The shrimp are huge, the service is great, and many diners claim that the Caesar salad, made table-side, is the best they've ever had. [Photo]

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17546 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48203

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Buddy's Pizza

Buddy's Pizza is still where right you left it on Conant Street. This Motor City institution still serves its iconic square pizza, but their recent adventures in thin crust territory warrant a second look. [Photo]

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17125 Conant Street, Hamtramck, MI 48212

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Polish Village Cafe

Hamtramck still has its Polish gems, and Polish Village Cafe is certainly the crown jewel. The little basement restaurant serves a mean pierogi, and some lesser-known classics like dill pickle soup are also sure to please the more adventurous. It's not fancy, but it's an icon in its own way, and it has been around forever. [Photo]

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2990 Yemans Street, Hamtramck, MI 48212

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Cadieux Cafe

Though Detroit may have been founded by the French, this other Francophile institution has become a city landmark in its own right. With love from Anthony Bourdain from back in his Travel Channel days and a beer menu that's hard to beat, Cadieux Cafe proves that it really is beautiful to be Belgian. Photo

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4300 Cadieux Road, Detroit, MI 48224

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Cuisine

Set in an historic house, chef Paul Grosz's restaurant serves "impeccable" food in a fine dining atmosphere. A favorite of the theater crowd, it's pricey, but worth it for a special occasion. [Photo]

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670 Lothrop Rd, Detroit, MI 48202

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Bert's Marketplace

Among the Eastern Market restaurants is Bert's Marketplace, where the smell of the outdoor barbeques and smokers on a Saturday morning tempts passers by and the live blues promises not just a meal, but an experience. Whether it's during the day or late at night, it's always the same; no gimmicks, just the real deal. Photo

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Russell Street, Detroit, MI 48207

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Cass Cafe

It's a restaurant, a bar, and an art gallery in one, and people love it. Students and out of town visitors alike adore the changing decor and consistently great food, particularly the grilled cheese and lentil burgers. [Photo]

4620 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

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Motor City Brewing Works Inc

One of many downtown beer stations getting attention the national craft brew scene, Motor City Brewing also attracted the eye of the Detroit News' Molly Abraham, who praised the creative pizza and chili options in June. [Photo]

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470 West Canfield Street, Detroit, MI 48201

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Roma Cafe

Another legend, Roma Cafe is the city's oldest Italian restaurant, and its Italian-American food is only part of the reason to go. The rest is the history, and the old school ambiance. Love or hate the food, it's definitely an integral part of the city's fabric.Photo

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3401 Riopelle Street, Detroit, MI 48207

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Louisiana Creole Gumbo

It's right in the name, Gumbo is the dish here, served with lots of shrimp, sausage, vegetables and the like. Looking for something sweet? It's all about the peach cobbler. [Photo]

2051 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48207

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Russell Street Deli

Sure, there's plenty of delicious food to be had in nearby Eastern Market. But odds are no matter what kind of food you buy, you won't be able to make sandwiches like Russell Street Deli sandwiches. Even Garrison Keillor is a fan. Why aren't you? [Photo]

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2465 Russell Street, Detroit, MI 48207

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Supino Pizzeria

It's totally acceptable to get overly excited about this Eastern Market pizzeria, especially because the crowd-pleaser is about to expand. Though there's no firm date as to when the taste gets bigger, the new space promises more seats and even more of the Supino that Detroiters love. [Photo]

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2457 Russell St, Detroit, MI 48207

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The Rattlesnake Club

Celebrating 25 years on the Detroit River, the Rattlesnake Club aims for a local and seasonable touch on its menus. Ringing in the summer with its so-called "power lunch," the Riverfront restaurant needs no gimmicks to win our hearts. [Photo]

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300 River Place Dr, Detroit, MI 48207

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Pegasus Tavernas

The place where dreams of flaming Saganaki come roaring to life, Pegasus Tavernas has been a Greektown staple for almost 25 years. For hearty Hellenic food outside of a Coney Island, Pegasus is your best bet in metro Detroit. [Photo]

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558 Monroe St, Detroit, MI 48226

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Cliff Bell's

Home to some of the finest jazz and impromptu storytelling in the city, Cliff Bell's also features a serious meal menu. Mac & cheese and any of an assortment of meaty appetizers are a must to start or end an evening out. [Photo]

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2030 Park Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

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Fountain Bistro

With one of the city's most beautiful views, this romantic spot serves great food with a view of Campus Martius. It's on the pricy end, but it's a choice location for an upscale night out on the town, especially for two. Photo

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800 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226

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Roast

Chef Michael Symon keeps winning prizes and making friends with his Westin Book Cadillac restaurant, and it isn't hard to see why. With some of the best happy hour specials in town, plus a meaty main menu that would make any carnivore drool, this is anything but your average hotel dining room. [Photo]

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1128 Washington Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48226

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Lafayette Coney Island

There are two possible locations of the world's first coney dog. Rather than pass our judgement on that controversial debate, we will just say that we really like Lafayette's spinach pie. Their chili is also a marvel. [Photo

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118 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226

American Coney Island

It's the other half of Detroit's infamous coney challenge, and for that reason American deserves a spot on the list. Serving up their own version of the Detroit coney dog, this diner has its own loyal following of die hard fans, and it is definitely 100% Detroit. Photo

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114 West Lafayette Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48226

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Sweetwater Tavern

This place is no frills, but it has a reputation for solid food and beer in the bottle. Why do diners really love it though? Four words: Best Wings In Detroit. Photo

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400 East Congress Street, Detroit, MI 48226

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Joe Muer Seafood

The fish on the menu might not come from the adjacent Detroit River, but that doesn't mean they don't have an eye for the fresh fare. The Hour Detroit Best Restaurant of 2012 still stands on its own in 2013. [Photo]

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400 Renaissance Ctr, Detroit, MI 48243

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London Chop House

It's a classic with a storied history that has once again opened its doors. They once hosted all the elite in Detroit, and while this chop house is technically new (reopening in 2012) it's the same location, and many of the same traditions (like a rain check drink, purchased beforehand and paid for by a token). [Photo]

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155 W Congress St, Detroit, MI 48226

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Mudgie's Deli

Mudgie's serves sandwiches. But that's not all. The deli also serves up some hearty and award-winning neighborhood goodness in the middle of Corktown. The kind of a place that people tell you to visit, and that later remind you again, in case you forgot. [Photo]

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1300 Porter Street, Detroit, MI 48226

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St. CeCe's Pub

The kitchen at St. CeCe's gets a new chef every Tuesday. The gastropub hopes to give local chefs a chance to try out a full menu on a full night's crowd. But their normal menu gives back enough, with walnut squash cakes and noodle bowls galore. [Photo]

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1426 Bagley St, Detroit, MI 48216

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Nemo's Bar

They're home to Babe Ruth's Birthday Party, a St. Patrick's Day celebration like no other, opening day festivities, and many other beloved Detroit events. As for the food, they do one thing, a cheeseburger, and they do it absolutely right. [Photo]

1384 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

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Slows Bar-B-Q

Okay, we get it — Slow's is written about a lot. But the food and atmosphere in the modern Corktown barbecue icon combine to make one distinctly Detroit meal. Good food, good people and a great city: Slow's has it all, and then some. [Photo]

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2138 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216

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Green Dot Stables

A wide array of sliders and fries make a stop in Green Dot a joyful one. As a bartender recently explained, "There's no Happy Hour, because as you can see, everything is so cheap." Indeed. [Photo]

2200 West Lafayette Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48216

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Hygrade Deli

With a long history and a loyal following, Hygrade already has all the reputation they need. It won't surprise Hygrade fans that celebrity chef Chuck Hughes said their Reuben was the best thing he ate during his week in the city, but why stop there? Everything else gets rave reviews too. [Photo]

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3640 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, MI 48216

El Barzon Restaurante

How many Mexican Italian restaurants are there? Probably not that many, and maybe for good reason, but El Barzon is different, with top-notch Mexican food and incredible homemade pasta in the same meal, this restaurant creates a memorable experience that you can't find anywhere else. [Photo]

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3710 Junction Street, Detroit, MI 48210

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Taqueria El Rey

It's a tiny little restaurant on Vernor, but it's much beloved and yet still underrated according to Eater readers. The chicken is what sets it apart from all the other local taquerias, and what amazing chicken it is. [Photo]

4730 W Vernor Hwy, Detroit, MI 48209

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Duly's Place

Move over Lafayette and American, Duly's has the best coney's hands down. That's what the 24hour joints fans say anyways, and with Anothony Bourdain among them, maybe they have a point. [Photo]

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5458 West Vernor Highway, Detroit, MI 48209

New Yasmeen Bakery

Don't let the name bakery fool you, New Yasmeen is much more than that. For Middle Eastern staples like Kibbeh and spinach or meat pies, and of course the desserts and baked goods are in a class of their own. [Photo]

13900 West Warren Avenue, Dearborn, MI 48126

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Giovanni's Ristorante

Amazing Italian food and a star studded history (think Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett), and decades of consistently great everything has earned Giovanni's quite a reputation. [Photo]

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330 Oakwood Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48217

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The Lark

6430 Farmington Rd, West Bloomfield, MI 48322

It's a local classic, with old-fashioned decor and service, but it's widely regarded as the once-in-a-lifetime place to go for that very special occasion. As for what to order, is anything other than the famous rack of lamb really even an option? [Photo]

Open in Google Maps

6430 Farmington Rd, West Bloomfield, MI 48322

Visit Website

Noble Fish

45 E 14 Mile Rd, Clawson, MI 48017

It's small, but the excellent sushi, which many argue is the best in all of Metro Detroit, keeps guests coming back year after year. This isn't the cheapest sushi, but it's fresh, expertly prepared, and according to sushi lovers well worth the price. [Photo]

45 E 14 Mile Rd, Clawson, MI 48017

Visit Website

Torino

201 E 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220

Torino, the coffeeshop turned fashionable food icon, continues to pull in good word-of-mouth and eager potential diners. A four-star Detroit News review and a constantly changing tasting menu makes executive chef Garrett Lipar's Ferndale restaurant one the most consistently creative places to eat in the city, period. [Photo]

Open in Google Maps

201 E 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220

Visit Website

Baker's Keyboard Lounge

20510 Livernois Avenue, Detroit, MI 48221

It claims to be "the world's oldest jazz bar" and whether or not that's true doesn't really matter. Baker's is a Detroit icon, with an incredible history and soul food menu to match. The fried chicken is everyone's favorite, so don't miss it, and of course the entertainment is legendary. [Photo]

Open in Google Maps

20510 Livernois Avenue, Detroit, MI 48221

Visit Website