Metro Detroit has seen some highly anticipated restaurant openings in recent weeks. Among them are a Burundian street food concept which was first announced over two years ago, and a Grosse Pointe eatery embracing Italian American comfort. Here are five fall restaurant openings to check out this season, plus more local dining news and events.
Waka by Baobab Fare at Detroit’s Eastern Market
The long-anticipated East African street food eatery from the owners of Baobab Fare opened in Eastern Market on Sept. 26. The menu includes a mouthwatering selection of chapati wraps, brochettes, and sambusa (similar to Indian samosa). Waka is a quick-service eatery, and is the brick-and-mortar version of owners Mamba Hamissi and Nadia Nijimbere’s food truck. The two are also planning to open a second Baobab Fare location in Detroit’s East English Village, which recently broke ground. 2465 Russell Street, Detroit; baobabfare.com/waka
Angelo’s Fine Italian in Grosse Pointe
The Italian American eatery officially opened its doors on Oct. 29. It is a collaboration between Oak & Reel chef-owner Jared Gadbaw and Cory Barberio, who most recently was the longstanding chef at San Morello in the Shinola Hotel. The menu at Angelo’s Fine Italian is characterized by red sauce dishes with house-made pastas, plus seafood and other fare. 16844 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe; angelosfineitalian.com
Bev’s Bagels in Birmingham
Another fresh face in Birmingham, Bev’s Bagels debuted its second location on Oct. 28 in the former Marrow on the Go space. Helmed by James Beard-recognized chef Max Sussman, Bev’s is known for its sourdough bagels and unique schmear/sandwich combinations. Its first location opened last year in Detroit’s Core City neighborhood, and it plans to open another in Ann Arbor early next year. 283 Hamilton Row, Birmingham; bevsbagels.com
Spiedo in Midtown Detroit
Brad Greenhill, chef-owner of James Beard-honored Corktown eatery Takoi, opened his second Detroit restaurant on Oct. 23. Spiedo Detroit’s Mediterranean-inspired menu consists of charcoal grilled skewers, large shared plates, locally grown vegetables, an extensive wine list, and more. Located in the former Jolly Pumpkin space in Midtown, this is the second Spiedo location — Greenhill and team opened the first in Ann Arbor in 2023. 441 W Canfield St., Detroit; spiedoa2.com
View this post on Instagram
Old World Pizzeria in Birmingham
A New York-style pizza spot found a second home in Birmingham earlier this month. Two childhood friends — internationally recognized tattooer Chad Koeplinger and chef/founder Eric Shevchenko — co-own Old World Pizzeria, whose first location opened in Saginaw in 2023. Its pizzas include cheese, pepperoni, and pesto, plus a weekly feature offered by the slice or as a 20-inch pie. Desserts include Basque cheesecake and brown butter chocolate chip cookies. 600 N. Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham; eatowp.com
Coming to the Table: Restaurants Opening Soon
Stoli’s in West Bloomfield
A new restaurant from the hospitality group behind Sexy Steak and Aurora Italiana plans to debut this fall in West Bloomfield. The menu at Stoli’s will lean heavily into what it describes as “elevated comfort cuisine,” such as the Stoli Double Smash Cheeseburger, a creamy carbonara, and a mortadella sandwich finished with mornay sauce. The restaurant is named after Stolion “Stoli” Liti managing partner and director of operations for Prime Concepts Detroit. The restaurant will seat 80 — complete with a dedicated lounge area, bar, pool tables and dart boards — plus an additional 50-seat seasonal patio. Though an exact opening date has not yet been announced, visitors to the Stoli’s website can currently sign up to attend its soft opening. 6203 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield; eatatstolis.com
Host Detroit in Detroit’s Milwaukee Junction
Owner Michael Ivkov announced that Host — the Macomb County foodie destination with locations in Utica and Romeo — has announced it will expand to Detroit early next year. Host Detroit will be its largest restaurant to date, in a 4,000-square foot space inside the Chroma Building, which neighbors Freya, Kiesling, and Oak and Reel. Similarly to Host Utica, it will run on a chef residency model. At the Detroit location, a rotating chef or restaurant group will handle the dinner program, while an in-house chef will handle the brunch menu, which will evolve seasonally. The restaurant is anticipated to open in winter 2027. 2937 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit; host-detroit.com
Little Ghost in Grosse Pointe Woods
Four Man Ladder Hospitality plans to open a new destination for burger fans in early 2027. Little Ghost is a fast-casual eatery inspired by the popular burger at Detroit’s Grey Ghost. Grosse Pointe Woods will be home to its second location; the first opened in Ferndale in August 2025. In addition to burgers, guests can expect chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, donuts, and a new menu addition: milkshakes. 20567 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods; eatlittleghost.com
Grandma Bob’s in Detroit’s West Village
The popular Detroit-style pizzeria Grandma Bob’s plans to open a second location in the space that formerly housed the original Marrow. The expansion follows the success of its original Corktown site, which opened in 2019. Grandma Bob’s has not yet announced an opening date for this new location. 8044 Kercheval Ave, Detroit; grandmabobs.com
Hanging Up the Apron
Sign of the Beefcarver in Royal Oak
After 70 years, Sign of the Beefcarver had its last service on Oct. 25. In a statement, the owners noted excessive operating costs — including the price of beef — and financial troubles spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic as reasons for closing. Following the announcement, crowds lined up along Woodward to visit the family-owned restaurant one last time. In a statement shared to Facebook, the owners wrote, “We truly hope you have enjoyed many memories and joyful meals with family and friends. We have sincerely enjoyed serving you!”
Sweet Treats
‘Laporta Sunday’ Sundae Debuts at Ford Field
Starting Oct. 25, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta and his wife, pastry chef Callahan “Callie” LaPorta, have lent their name to a sundae available at Ford Field. 10% of proceeds benefit charity Happy Paws Haven. The new sundae features a chocolate chip cookie from Sylvan Lake’s Cardoon and ice cream from Berkley’s Bombshell Treat Bar. The sundae can be purchased during Lions games at Bombshell’s pop-up in Sections 123-124. And starting in November, it will be available at Bombshell’s brick and mortar at 2688 Coolidge Hwy, Berkley.
Food and Drink Events
Detroit Restaurant Week Nov. 2-8
- When: Nov. 2-8
- Where: 24 different participating restaurants in metro Detroit
- Cost: $36+, check in with the Detroit Restaurant Week app
Hour Media has introduced Detroit Restaurant Week, in which participating restaurants feature limited prix fixe menus at $36, $56 and $76 price points. $1 from each meal benefits local nonprofits. Plus, participants can enter to win a $500 gift card prize pack by checking in at 4 or more restaurants on the Restaurant Week App. More details — including how to win an additional $500 gift card prize — at restaurantweekdetroit.com.
Ann Delisi’s Essential Cooking at Marrow in the Market
- When: Nov. 9
- Where: 2442 Riopelle Street, Detroit
- Cost: $268.61 per person, tickets available on Eventbrite
Join Ann Delisi, host of WDET’s Essential Music, for a five-course meal and wine pairing at Marrow in the Market, plus a complementary “welcome cocktail” with Tito’s Vodka.
Basan x Grey Ghost
- When: Nov. 14
- Where: 2703 Park Ave., Detroit
- Cost: $95 per person plus tax, tickets available on Resy
To honor Basan’s fourth birthday, Executive Chef Connor Maxwell-McCabe is collaborating with Grey Ghost’s Executive Chef Anthony Patton on a four-course prix fixe family-style dinner. Each course comes with two dishes, each representing the respective restaurants. Cocktail specials will be available for additional purchase.
Voyager’s 9th Annual Bad & Beaujolais
- When: Nov. 20, 21, 22
- Where: Voyager, Ferndale
- Cost: Varies (a la carte menu and wines available for purchase). Reservations available on Resy.
Beaujolais Nouveau Day is an annual celebration in France’s Burgundy region. It welcomes the first wine of the season just weeks after the grapes have been harvested. For the eighth year in a row, Voyager is dedicating three nights to honor this celebration, featuring exclusive wines and a menu of French provincial seafood delicacies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
