New Metro Detroit Restaurants, Bars, and Cafés
Ray’s in Downtown Detroit
A New York-originating bar — whose ownership includes actors Justin Theroux and Nicholas Braun — opened its fourth location in downtown Detroit on Sept. 1. Ray’s Detroit serves up classic drinks, beer, and bar fare like hot dogs, hamburgers, and a selection of sharable snacks. Several of its signature cocktails are playfully named after famous “Rays.” Three reference native Detroiters. The Ray Parker Jr. mixes strawberry, lemon, ginger, soda with the customer’s choice of liquor. Then there’s the Babyface Ray (tequila, espresso, agave), named for one of the city’s biggest rappers of the 2020s. And finally, the R-A-Y-S-P-E-C-T (silver tequila, pineapple, lime, agave, spicy bitters) pays tribute to the song most famously recorded by the Queen of Soul. The bar is a collaboration between New York-based companies Authentic Hospitality and NoHo Hospitality Group. NoHo, co-owned by Chef Andrew Carmellini, already has a lengthy portfolio in Detroit that includes San Morello, Evening Bar, The Brakeman, Penny Red’s, Gilly’s Clubhouse and Saksey’s. Ray’s is located in the former Mr. Dips space in Parker’s Alley. 19 E. Grand River Avenue, Detroit; raysbarnyc.com
Nuvrei Café & Bakery in Detroit’s Core City
Marius Pop, a pastry chef and baker with an impressive resume, has chosen Detroit as the second location for his 22-year-old Portland bakery. On Sept. 7, Nuvrei Café & Bakery began its first opening stage in Detroit’s Core City, inside the space previously occupied by Cafe Prince (which closed late last month). From 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, Nuvrei MC is serving a limited pastry menu that includes selections like Cardamom Knots, Vanilla Rum Canelé, Matcha Canelé, and Lemon Poppyseed Scones. There’s also coffee from Portland-based Roseline Coffee Roasters, matcha, and teas. In the next four months or so, Pop plans to expand the concept. In November, he plans to open the bakery section downstairs in the former Lady of the House space (which closed last year). It will feature croissants, cookies, artisan breads; plus Detroit-specific exclusive items like focaccia sandwiches and cream-filled brioche donuts (available on weekends only). Finally, in early 2027, Pop plans to introduce pizza service. 4884 W Grand River Ave Unit 1A, Detroit
Joe Louis’ Southern Kitchen in Downtown Detroit
Downtown Detroit is no stranger to places and things named after the legendary boxer Joe Louis (the monument, the greenway, and until 2020, an arena). A tasty addition to the list, Joe Louis’ Southern Kitchen opened its first downtown location on Aug. 27. The soul food spot is known for Southern-style breakfast and brunch dishes. Founded by Louis’s son, Joe Louis Barrow II and local restaurateur Johnny Cannon, the eatery has one location in the city’s New Center area and another in Southfield. 1528 Woodward Ave., Detroit; joelouissouthernkitchen.com
My Big Fat Shawarma in Beverly Hills
Earlier this month, Beverly Hills welcomed a new quick service shawarma restaurant. The newest of its four locations (the others being in Detroit, West Bloomfield, and Warren), My Big Fat Shawarma serves up customizable shawarma bowls, wraps, and sides. Known for its signature Fat Sauce, the brand has been making some waves on social media through its advertising partnership with NBA star/recently traded former Piston Isaiah Stewart. Guests at the Beverly Hills location’s grand opening on Sept. 12 were treated to several prizes, including — for a lucky few — a signed jersey, sneakers, and a basketball from Stewart. 31243 Southfield Rd., Beverly Hills; mybigfatshawarma.com
Coming to the Table
Cass Café
The longtime Cass Corridor institution is making a full-time comeback, with a grand opening ceremony slated for Nov. 6. Cass Café first opened in 1993 and, besides being a place to grab a bite, was a key resource for numerous Detroit artists, hosting galleries and events. A little while after closing in 2022, it was acquired by the Chalfonte Foundation, a local arts nonprofit which has been working to bring it back. 4620 Cass Ave, Detroit; @casscafedetroit on Instagram
Hygrade Deli
A famed Detroit institution that closed at the end of last year is making a comeback under new ownership. Hygrade Deli, a staple in the city since 1955, plans to reopen soon after being purchased by Kim Lambert, who also owns nearby Mike’s Ham Place with her husband, John. That’s according to an Aug. 31 Facebook post by former Hygrade owner Stuart Litt, who wrote of Lambert, “She is a dedicated, hard worker who has kept the Ham Place going strong and has every intention of bringing the deli back to the way it was when I owned it.” 3640 Michigan Ave, Detroit
Recent Food & Beverage Headlines
Detroit to Host 2027 Michelin Guide American Great Lakes Ceremony
On Sept. 9, Michelin announced that Detroit will be the host city for its first-ever Michelin Guide American Great Lakes Ceremony. The invite-only ceremony will take place inside Michigan Central on April 21. Detroit is one of seven cities that Michelin inspectors have been visiting to gather information for restaurant ratings; the other six are Cleveland, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and Pittsburgh. Read our full article on the news here.
Tacos Wuey and Rose’s were ranked among America’s best restaurants in 2026 by the New York Times
Two Detroit eateries — which also made Hour Detroit’s 2026 list of Best New Restaurants — received some much-deserved national recognition in the Grey Lady. Rose’s and Tacos Wuey were both included in its annual list ranking the staff’s 50 favorite restaurants in America for the year. New York Times food reporter Brett Anderson calls Tacos Wuey a “highly personal restaurant,” and notes the uniqueness of Chef Eddie Vargas’s housemade salsa machas and his use of birria in eggrolls, quesadillas, and ramen. Meanwhile, editor Sara Bonisteel praised Rose’s, writing about its burger, Polish nachos, and other staples like the pierogi; noting the atmosphere “feels a bit like having a meal in Grandma’s sunroom,” yet “fresh and modern.”
Vecino is planning a new location in Cleveland
Just two years after opening on Third Street in Midtown Detroit — and widespread critical acclaim — Vecino, is expanding with a second location in Cleveland, Cleveland Magazine reports. The Mexico City-inspired upscale eatery plans to open in the city’s Tremont neighborhood this November. For the time being, husband-and-wife owners Adriana Jimenez and Lukasz Wietrzynski will split their time between Detroit and Cleveland, Jimenez tells the magazine. Hour Detroit named Vecino one of metro Detroit’s Best New Restaurants in 2024. That same year, it was named one of America’s best new restaurants by Esquire and earned a spot on the New York Times’ list of the 41 best Mexican restaurants in the U.S.In our September issue, Hour Detroit food critic Serena Daniels reports on how Jiminez is part of a long lineage of Detroit restaurant owners who shaped the city’s Mexican food scene. Read it here.
Barstool’s Dave Portnoy returns to metro Detroit for his One Bite Pizza Reviews
Barstool Sports founder-owner and University of Michigan alumni Dave Portnoy returned to Southeast Michigan earlier this month to try some pies for his popular One Bite Pizza Reviews video series, which has over 1.5 million subscribers on YouTube. His visits included Livonia’s Primavera Pizza, which he rated 8.4 in a video uploaded to YouTube Sept. 15. “Fredi the PizzaMan, that’s like my gold standard, this is right up there with Fredi,” he said, referencing the Melvindale pizzeria that he gave an 8.7 rating in 2021, the highest he’s rated a Michigan pizza to date. In a video uploaded Sept. 11, Emo’s Brick Oven Pizza in Dearborn earned a 7.1. Other pizzas Portnoy tried while he was in town include that of Grosse Pointe’s Fresh Farms Market. It was a welcome payoff for the business, which had previously campaigned on social media 229 days for him to visit. Portnoy was also spotted at Hazel Park’s Amelia Street Pizza — one of Hour Detroit’s picks for Best New Casual Eateries 2026. At the time of publication, neither of the latter two reviews had been uploaded to the One Bite Pizza Reviews channel.
Better Made has a new president
Of all the job titles you’re able to claim when someone asks, “What do you do?” at a party, “president of Detroit’s oldest and most iconic chip maker” is a pretty cool one. Better Made Snack Foods Inc. recently announced it has hired Joseph F. Riley as its new president, effective Oct. 12. That day, Riley will take the reins from current president David Jones, who is retiring after an eight-year tenure. Last year, for the brand’s 95th birthday, Hour Detroit’s then-food critic Danny Palumbo rated five of Better Made’s chip flavors. Read the article here.
Upcoming Food and Drink Events
Expecto Bar Crawl
- When: Saturday, Sept. 19
- Where: Starts at J’s Penalty Box, 22726 Woodward Ave, Ferndale
- Cost: $33.85 per ticket, available on Eventbrite
Join your fellow witches and wizards on a Harry Potter-themed journey through downtown Ferndale with themed drinks, magical keepsakes, and plenty of photo opportunities. Each ticket unlocks a wizard wand, Marauder’s Map, Platform 9¾ ticket, wizard acceptance letter, lightning bolt tattoo, souvenir beer stein. It also unlocks themed drink specials at participating bars: J’s Penalty Box, Mai Tiki, The Oakland, and Sidecar Slider Bar.
Champagne Tours at The Whitney
- When: Every Saturday at 1 p.m. now through Dec. 3
- Where: The Whitney, 4421 Woodward Avenue, Detroit
- Cost: $19 per ticket, available on Tock
Sip champagne and enjoy a 1-hour guided tour from The Whitney’s in-house historians. Learn about architecture, the Whitney family tree, and more.
Portugal vs. California Wine Dinner
- When: Wednesday, Sept. 23
- Where: Rugby Grille Restaurant, 100 Townsend Street Birmingham
- Cost: $159 per ticket, available on Tock
Enjoy a five-course meal paired with wines from Portugal and California. Compare each region’s wines side-by-side and decide which is your favorite.
Mare e Monti Wine Dinner
- When: Thursday, Sept. 24
- Where: Adelina, 1040 Woodward Ave, Detroit
- Cost: $187.74 per ticket, available on Resy
This five-course dinner and wine paring at Adelina is inspired by the Italian culinary term “mare e monti,” meaning “sea and mountains.” It refers to bringing the flavors of sea and land together at once. The experience will include wines from regions of Italy including Lake Garda, Collio, Tuscany, and Valpolicella.
Detroit Uncorked
- When: Friday, Sept. 25
- Where: 6001 Cass Ave., Detroit
- Cost: $108.55 per ticket (early bird discount applied), available on Eventbrite.
The Detroit Wine Organization is hosting its 21st annual Detroit Uncorked. Featuring over 250 wines to try, plus food and a silent auction, proceeds from the event will support Covenant House Michigan, a homeless shelter in Detroit.
Grandma Dinner Series: Italian Sunday Supper
- When: Sunday, Sept. 27
- Where: Great Lakes Culinary Center, 24101 West Nine Mile Road, Southfield
- Cost: $60+ per ticket, available on Eventbrite
This event will feature family-style dinner with a real Italian grandma. She’ll prepare dishes passed down through generations and share the stories behind them. It’s the first dinner of a recurring series that Great Lakes Culinary Center plans to host.
Bourbon and Brews Fest
- When: Saturday, Oct. 10
- Where: Royal Oak Farmers Market, 24101 West Nine Mile Road, Southfield
- Cost: $$35.83 per ticket (early bird discount applied), on Eventbrite
Choose from over 150 bourbons, whiskies, spirits, and beers to sample at this annual Royal Oak festival for adults 21 and over. Visit a food truck (Twisted Street BBQ, Bro’s Burger Joint & Torta Express Taco Truck) and enjoy live entertainment from Cancel Monday (who are described as “Metro Detroit’s Favorite Cover Band.”)
Uncork for a Cure
- When: Friday, Oct. 16
- Where: M1 Concourse, 45399 Woodward Ave, Pontiac
- Cost: A limited number of individual tickets will be released closer to the event. For more information, visit dynamifoundation.org/uncork-for-a-cure
For the 11th year in a row, some of metro Detroit’s top culinary professionals are coming together to raise funds for Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) research, a form of breast cancer. Hosted by Plymouth nonprofit The Dynami Foundation, it will feature wines from award-winning Master Sommelier Madeline Triffon; plus food prepared by culinary talent from Medusa, SheWolf, Chartreuse, Takoi, Grey Ghost, Selden Standard, Mabel Gray, Oak & Reel, Miss Kim, Vecino, and others.
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