Food
African food
Winner: Baobab Fare
Detroit; baobabfare.com
Finalists: Blue Nile, Fork In Nigeria, Maty’s African Cuisine, Yum Village
All night eatery
Winner: O.W.L.
Royal Oak; owlwoodward.com
Finalists: Detroit One Coney Island, Fleetwood Diner, Nicky D’s, Telway, Zack’s of Plymouth
Appetizers
Winner: Leila
Detroit; leiladetroit.com
Finalists: Aurora Italiana, Bell Bistro, Le Suprême, Union Woodshop
Bagel Shop
Winner: New York Bagel
Multiple locations; newyorkbagel-detroit.com
Finalists: Bev’s Bagels, Brooklyn Bagel, Eastside Bagel, Jersey Bagel
Bakery (bread)
Winner: Zingerman’s Bakehouse
Ann Arbor; zingermansbakehouse.com
Finalists: Crispelli’s, Dakota, Give Thanks, Secret Bakery, Vince & Joe’s Gourmet Market
Bakery (desserts)
Winner: Astoria
Detroit, Royal Oak; astoriapastryshop.com
Finalists: Allergy Free Bakery, For the Love of Sugar, Good Cakes and Bakes,
MK Cannelle, The Home Bakery, Vince & Joe’s Gourmet Market, Warda Pâtisserie
Bar Food
Winner: Griffin Claw Brewing Company
Birmingham, Rochester Hills; griffinclawbrewingcompany.com
Finalists: Luxe Bar and Grill, Oak Parker, Sakazuki, Second Best
Barbecue restaurant
Winner: Slows Bar BQ
Ann Arbor, Berkley, Detroit; slowsbarbq.com
Finalists: Arkins Sweet BBQ Pit, Bad Brad’s, Union Woodshop, Woodpile BBQ Shack
Burgers (classic)
Winner: Redcoat Tavern
Royal Oak, West Bloomfield; redcoat-tavern.com
Finalists: Bunkhouse Burgers, Hunter House Hamburgers, Miller’s Bar, Shamrock Pub
Burgers (specialty)
Winner: Vinsetta Garage
Berkley; vinsettagarage.com
Finalists: Frita Batidos, Grey Ghost, High Pointe Burger Jointe, Little Ghost, Olin
Café
Winner: Commonwealth Cafe
Birmingham; gocommonwealth.com
Finalists: Bar Rotunda, Café Origins, Little Yard, Livonia Italian Bakery & Cafe, Mother Handsome
Cheap Eats
Winner: Green Dot Stables
Detroit; greendotstables.com
Finalists: Hunter House Hamburgers, Leo’s Coney Island, Neehee’s, O.W.L.
Chinese restaurant
Winner: Mon Jin Lau
Troy; monjinlau.com
Finalists: China Cafe, LC’s Asian Kitchen, Midtown Shangri-La, Young’s
Coffee shop
Winner: Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters
Multiple locations; docr.coffee
Finalists: Detroit Brew-ti-ful Coffee House, Ground Control Coffee Roasters, Haraz Coffee, Honcho, Kekoa Brew Co.
Coney Island
Winner: Leo’s Coney Island
Multiple locations; leosconeyisland.com
Finalists: American Coney Island, Greek Islands, Lafayette Coney Island, Lipuma’s Coney Island, National Coney Island
Cookies
Winner: Detroit Cookie Company
Ferndale, St. Clair Shores; detroitcookieco.com
Finalists: Chocolate Chipped, For the Love of Sugar, Good Cookies, Men Bake Cookies
Dessert
Winner: Le Suprême
Detroit; lesupremedetroit.com
Finalists: Andiamo, Café Cortina, Rudy’s Prime Steakhouse, The Dixboro Project
Diner
Winner: Dime Store
Detroit, Rochester Hills; eatdimestore.com
Finalists: Norm’s Diner, O.W.L., Side Street Diner, The Fly Trap, Whistle Stop Diner
Donuts
Winner: Yates Cider Mill
Rochester Hills; yatescidermill.com
Finalists: Apple Fritter Donut Shop, Daily Dozen, Donut Cutter, Dutch Girl Donuts, Knapp’s Donut Shop, The Looney Baker
Farm-to-table restaurant
Winner: Mabel Gray
Hazel Park; mabelgraykitchen.com
Finalists: Coriander Kitchen and Farm, Selden Standard, Sylvan Table, The Dixboro Project
Fast-casual restaurant
Winner: Mootz Pizzeria + Bar
Detroit; mootzpizzeria.com
Finalists: Anita’s Kitchen, Breadless, Los Gatos Tacos, Neehee’s
Food truck
Winner: Detroit 75 Kitchen
Detroit, Madison Heights; detroit75kitchen.com
Finalists: Papelon Arepa Bar, Shenandoah Country Club Food Truck, Taco Cartel, The Pita Post
French fries
Winner: HopCat
Multiple locations; hopcat.com
Finalists: Ferndale Project, Le Suprême, Stumblebum Beer Co., Vinsetta Garage
Gluten-free menu
Winner: Anita’s Kitchen
Detroit, Ferndale; anitaskitchen.com
Finalists: Allergy Free Bakery, Breadless, Brown Iron Brewhouse, Clarkston Union, High Pointe Burger Jointe
Greek restaurant
Winner: Pegasus Taverna
Detroit, St. Clair Shores; pegasustavernas.com
Finalists: Athens Souvlaki, Golden Fleece, Kouzina, Uptown Parthenon, Zorba the Greek Taverna
Ice cream shop
Winner: Ray’s Ice Cream
Royal Oak; raysicecream.com
Finalists: Bombshell Treat Bar, Clark’s, Guernsey Farms Dairy, MJ’s North End Ice Cream Parlor
Indian restaurant
Winner: Pink Garlic
Allen Park, Oak Park, Shelby Township; pink-garlic-indian-cuisine.square.site
Finalists: Basil Indian Bistro, Midnight Temple, Neehee’s, Noorjahan Indian Cuisine, Star of India
Italian restaurant, Detroit
Winner: SheWolf Pastificio & Bar
Detroit; shewolfdetroit.com
Finalists: Adelina, Andiamo Detroit Riverfront, Giovanni’s Ristorante, Ottava Via, San Morello
Italian restaurant, Macomb County
Winner: Da Francesco’s Ristorante & Bar
Shelby Township; dafrancescos.com
Finalists: Andiamo Pasta & Chops, Buon Appetito, Luciano’s Italian Restaurant, Mangiabevi Urban Italian
Italian restaurant, Oakland County
Winner: Pop’s for Italian
Ferndale; popsforitalian.com
Finalists: Andiamo Bloomfield Township, Aurora Italiana, Bella Piatti, Café Cortina
Italian restaurant, Wayne County (excluding Detroit)
Winner: Antonio’s Cucina Italiana/Roman Village
Dearborn, Dearborn Heights; antoniosrestaurants.com
Finalists: Cantoro Trattoria, Da Edoardo, Salute Taverna
Italian restaurant, Washtenaw County
Winner: Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina
Ann Arbor; bigalora.com
Finalists: Cafe Zola, Mani Osteria & Bar, Paesano Restaurant & Wine Bar, Palio, The Earle
Italian restaurant, Livingston County
Winner: Ciao Amici’s
Brighton; ciaoamicisbrighton.com
Finalists: Arta’s, Cello, Coratti’s, Tomato Brothers
Japanese restaurant
Winner: Noble Fish
Clawson; noblefish.com
Finalists: Adachi, Hiroki-San, Ima, Detroit, Sharaku
Kid-friendly restaurant
Winner: Mootz Pizzeria + Bar
Detroit; mootzpizzeria.com
Finalists: Ferndale Project, High Pointe Burger Jointe, Lincoln Yard, The Country Inn
Latino restaurant (other than Mexican)
Winner: Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine
Detroit; vicentesdetroit.com
Finalists: Culantro, El Guanaco, Frita Batidos, Papelon Arepa Bar
Mediterranean restaurant
Winner: La Marsa
Multiple locations; lamarsacuisine.com
Finalists: Anita’s Kitchen, La Saj, Leila, Phoenicia
Mexican restaurant
Winner: Mexican Village
Detroit, Shelby Township; mexicanvillagefood.com
Finalists: El Barzon, Los Gatos Tacos, Sagebrush Cantina, Sierra Station, Vecino
Middle Eastern restaurant
Winner: Anita’s Kitchen
Detroit, Ferndale; anitaskitchen.com
Finalists: Al Ameer, La Saj, Leila, Phoenicia
New restaurant, Detroit
Winner: Marrow Eastern Market
Detroit; marrowinthemarket.com
Finalists: Bev’s Bagels, Dirty Shake, Enomah, Fred’s, Full Measure Brewing Company, Roar Brewing Co., Street Beet, Tacos Wuey, The Rectory
New restaurant, Oakland County
Winner: Little Ghost
Ferndale; eatlittleghost.com
Finalists: Aurora on the Lake, Bar Gabi, Big Rock Italian Chophouse, Nata Detroit Kitchen & Cocktails, Red & The Wolf, Terra Kitchen & Cocktails, The Franklin Oyster Bar & Eatery
New restaurant, Macomb County
Winner: Ford’s Garage Utica
Utica; fordsgarageusa.com
Finalists: Maple Spot Brunch, Masala Grill, Primo Cantina, Valentino’s Diner
New restaurant, Wayne County (excluding Detroit)
Winner: High Pointe Burger Jointe
Grosse Pointe; highpointeburgerjointe.com
Finalists: Ariana Afghan Restaurant, Birdie’s Restaurant, Blue Kuna Smokehouse, Clara’s Table, Dolce V Italiana
New restaurant, Washtenaw County
Winner: Echelon Kitchen & Bar
Ann Arbor; echelonkitchenandbar.com
Finalists: Campo Pizza, Drop Top Pizza, Eat Thai, La Serre, Little Kim Ann Arbor
New restaurant, Livingston County
Winner: The Ivy Table
Brighton; theivytable.org
Finalists: Aladdin’s Shawarma, Bliss and Fish, Yume Sushi
Outdoor dining
Winner: Coriander Kitchen and Farm
Detroit; corianderkitchenandfarm.com
Finalists: Aurora on the Lake, Café Cortina, Lincoln Yard, The Franklin Oyster Bar & Eatery
Oysters
Winner: Mabel Gray
Hazel Park; mabelgraykitchen.com
Finalists: Hazel’s, Mink, The Franklin Oyster Bar & Eatery, Voyager
Pet-friendly restaurant
Winner: Como’s
Ferndale; comosrestaurant.com
Finalists: Coffee & Bark Berkley, Ferndale Project, Maverick’s, Mootz Pizzeria & Bar, Northville Sports Den
Pho
Winner: Ima
Detroit, Madison Heights; imanoodles.com
Finalists: Got Pho, Pho Lucky, Que Huong Restaurant, What The Pho
Pie
Winner: Achatz/Pie Collective
Multiple locations; achatzpies.com
Finalists: Grand Traverse Pie Company, Nino Salvaggio, Sister Pie, Zingerman’s Bakehouse
Pierogi
Winner: Polish Village Café
Hamtramck; polishvillage.cafe
Finalists: Dobre Pierogi, Marcus Grill, Pietrzyk Pierogi, Srodek’s
Pizza (Detroit-style)
Winner: Buddy’s Pizza
Multiple locations; buddyspizza.com
Finalists: Cloverleaf, Como’s, Green Lantern, Loui’s Pizza, Michigan & Trumbull
Pizza (round)
Winner: Green Lantern
Multiple locations; greenlanternpizza.com
Finalists: Alibi, Fredi The PizzaMan, Mootz Pizzeria + Bar, Pie Sci, Supino, Tomatoes Apizza
Polish restaurant
Winner: Polish Village Café
Hamtramck; polishvillage.cafe
Finalists: Polonia, Rose’s, Sabina’s, Three Brothers
Ramen
Winner: Ima
Detroit, Madison Heights; imanoodles.com
Finalists: Edo Ramen, Johnny Noodle King, Sakazuki, Shiromaru, Shun Ramen & Sushi
Restaurant (Detroit)
Winner: Selden Standard
Detroit; seldenstandard.com
Finalists: Adelina, Alpino, Chartreuse, Freya, Ladder 4, Le Suprême, Leila, Leña, Oak & Reel, SheWolf Pastificio & Bar, Vecino
Restaurant (Livingston County)
Winner: Ciao Amici
Brighton; ciaoamicisbrighton.com
Finalists: Bourbons, Brighton Bar & Grill, Single Barrel Social, Stillwater Grill,
Tomato Brothers
Restaurant (Macomb County)
Winner: Mr. Paul’s Chophouse
Roseville; mrpaulschophouse.com
Finalists: Andiamo Pasta & Chops, Bar Verona, Da Francesco’s Ristorante & Bar, Primo Cantina, Regale Craft Food and Drink
Restaurant (Oakland County)
Winner: Mabel Gray
Hazel Park; mabelgraykitchen.com
Finalists: Café Cortina, Casa Pernoi, Phoenicia, Rudy’s Prime Steakhouse, Sylvan Table, The Franklin Oyster Bar & Eatery
Restaurant (Washtenaw County)
Winner: The Dixboro Project
Ann Arbor; thedixboroproject.com
Finalists: Bellflower, Echelon Kitchen & Bar, Sava’s, Spencer, Union Rec
Restaurant (Wayne County)
Winner: Table 5
Northville; table5.net
Finalists: FIVE Steakhouse, M Cantina, Neehee’s, The Ledger
Restaurant for breakfast
Winner: Toast
Ferndale, Birmingham; eatattoast.com
Finalists: Anna’s House, Biscuits & Gravy, Dime Store, FIVE Steakhouse, The Fly Trap, The Hudson Café, Whistle Stop Diner
Restaurant for brunch
Winner: The Hudson Cafe
Detroit, Northville, Troy; hudson-cafe.com
Finalists: Brunch Bar, Clarkston Union, Dime Store, Le Suprême, Rochester Brunch House
Restaurant to take a client
Winner: Joe Muer Seafood
Bloomfield Hills, Detroit; joemuer.com
Finalists: Besa, Le Suprême, Prime & Proper, San Morello, Terra Kitchen & Cocktails
Restaurant with a view
Winner: Andiamo Detroit Riverfront
Detroit; andiamoitalia.com
Finalists: Aurora on the Lake, Hamilton’s Restaurant, Highlands, Joe Muer Seafood, Kamper’s Rooftop Lounge
Romantic dining
Winner: The Whitney
Detroit; thewhitney.com
Finalists: Adelina, Aventura, Café Cortina, Experience Zuzu, Highlands, Le Suprême, The Wine Grotto
Sandwich shop
Winner: Zingerman’s Delicatessen
Ann Arbor; zingermansdeli.com
Finalists: Ernie’s Market, La Pecora Nera, Mudgie’s, Oak House, Rocco’s Italian Deli, Tall Trees Cafe, Ventimiglia Italian Foods
Seafood restaurant
Winner: Joe Muer Seafood
Bloomfield Hills, Detroit; joemuer.com
Finalists: Detroit Fish House, Hazel’s, Mink, Oak & Reel, Streetside Seafood, The Franklin Oyster Bar & Eatery, Voyager
Shawarma
Winner: Bucharest Grill
Multiple locations; bucharestgrill.com
Finalists: Amo Sami, Anita’s Kitchen, Mr. Kabob, My Big Fat Shawarma
Soul food restaurant
Winner: Cornbread Restaurant and Bar
Southfield; cornbreadsoulfood.com
Finalists: Fixins Soul Kitchen, Motor City Soul Food, SavannahBlue
Special-occasion restaurant
Winner: Mabel Gray
Hazel Park; mabelgraykitchen.com
Finalists: Experience Zuzu, Highlands, Hiroki-San, Parc, Sexy Steak
Steakhouse
Winner: The Clawson Steakhouse
Clawson; clawsonsteakhouse.com
Finalists: London Chop House, Prime & Proper, Rudy’s Prime Steakhouse, Sexy Steak
Sushi
Winner: Noble Fish
Clawson; noblefish.com
Finalists: Adachi, Hiroki-San, Ronin, Sushi Zen
Sustainable restaurant
Winner: Mabel Gray
Detroit; mabelgraykitchen.com
Finalists: Baobab Fare, Coriander Kitchen and Farm, Echelon Kitchen & Bar, Oak & Reel, Sylvan Table, Takoi, The Dixboro Project
Tacos
Winner: Imperial
Ferndale; imperialferndale.com
Finalists: Casa Amado, El Charro, Honcho, Los Gatos Tacos, Tacos Wuey
Thai restaurant
Winner: Sy Thai
Multiple locations; gosythai.com
Finalists: Coastal Thai, Khom Fai, Takoi, Thai Ocha, Thai Street Kitchen
Vegan/vegetarian restaurant
Winner: Street Beet
Detroit; streetbeet.online
Finalists: 313 Cinnamon Rolls, Neehee’s, Radical Plants, Spacecat V-stro
Wings
Winner: Detroit Wing Company
Multiple locations; detroitwingco.com
Finalists: Noori Pocha, Sakazuki, Sweetwater Tavern, Union Woodshop, Wing Snob
Drinks
Bar/lounge to take a client
Winner: Kamper’s Rooftop Lounge
Detroit; kampersrooftop.com
Finalists: Adelina, Aladdin Sane, Birmingham Pub, Evening Bar, Experience Zuzu, NOMI
Bar/lounge to take a date
Winner: Candy Bar
Detroit; ash.world/dining/candy-bar
Finalists: Aladdin Sane, Evening Bar, IO Godfrey Rooftop Lounge, The Wine Grotto, Vino & Vibes Wine Bar
Beer selection (bar)
Winner: HopCat
Multiple locations; hopcat.com
Finalists: Brown Iron Brewhouse, Collect Beer Bar, Griffin Claw Brewing Company, The Brakeman, Union Rec
Brewery/bar
Winner: Eastern Market Brewing Company
Detroit; easternmarket.beer
Finalists: Batch Brewing Company, Florian East, Griffin Claw Brewing Company, HOMES Brewery,Roar Brewing Co., Stumblebum Beer Co., Urbanrest Brewing Company
Cidery
Winner: Blake’s
Armada; blakefarms.com/blakes-tasting-room
Finalists: B. Nektar, Copper Hop Brewing Company, Griffin Claw Brewing Company
Craft cocktails
Winner: Sugar House
Detroit; sugarhousedetroit.com
Finalists: Aladdin Sane, Dragonfly, Standby, The Oakland, Weiss Distilling Co., Wright & Company
Distillery
Winner: Valentine Distilling Co.
Ferndale; valentinedistilling.com
Finalists: Detroit City Distillery, Motor City Gas, Tashmoo Distilling Company, Two James, Weiss Distilling Co.
Dive bar
Winner: The Old Miami
Detroit; instagram.com/theoldmiamidetroit
Finalists: Gusoline Alley, Jumbo’s Bar, Last Chance Saloon, Painted Lady, Temple Bar, Ye Olde Saloon
Happy hour
Winner: Ima
Detroit, Madison Heights; imanoodles.com
Finalists: Aventura, Bell Bistro, Eastern Palace Club, Leña, Sakazuki, Voyager
LGBTQ bar
Winner: SOHO
Ferndale; ferndalesoho.com
Finalists: Adam’s Apple, Como’s, Pronto, Vino & Vibes Wine Bar
Michigan beer
Winner: Bell’s Brewery
Kalamazoo; bellsbeer.com
Finalists: Eastern Market Brewing Company, Founders Brewing Company, Griffin Claw Brewing Company, HOMES Brewery
Michigan winery
Winner: Chateau Chantal
Traverse City; chateauchantal.com
Finalists: Bel Lago, Black Star Farms, Boathouse Vineyards, Mawby, Rove Estate, Sage Creek Winery & Distillery, Verterra Winery, Vinomondo Winery, Youngblood Vineyard
Mocktails
Winner: Candy Bar
Detroit; ash.world/dining/candy-bar
Finalists: Bell Bistro, Dragonfly, Eastern Palace Club, Syndicate, Tocororo, Vino & Vibes Wine Bar
Neighborhood bar
Winner: Cadieux Café
Detroit; cadieuxcafe.com
Finalists: Ferndale Project, Kiesling, Mt. Chalet, Oak Parker, The Corner Bar, Two Birds, Ye Olde Tap Room
Place to drink outdoors
Winner: Father Forgive Me
Detroit; fatherforgiveme.com
Finalists: Ferndale Project, Kamper’s Rooftop Lounge, La Casa Cigar Lounge, Lincoln Yard, Motor City Wine
Sports bar
Winner: Art and Jake’s
Multiple locations; artjakes.com
Finalists: Gilly’s Clubhouse, J’s Penalty Box, Northville Sports Den, The HUB Stadium
Wine bar
Winner: Motor City Wine
Detroit; motorcitywine.com
Finalists: Bar Chenin, Ladder 4, Stadt Garten, The Wine Grotto, Vesper Books and Wine, Vino & Vibes Wine Bar, Youngblood Vineyard
Best of Detroit 2026
Arts & Entertainment | Community & Sports | Services & Retail | Health & Beauty
This story originally appeared in the June 2026 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
