New Metro Detroit Restaurants, Bars and Cafés
Big Rock Italian Chophouse in Birmingham
After a two-year, $13 million-plus renovation, Big Rock Italian Chophouse — one of Hour Detroit’s most anticipated openings of 2025 — had its first official day of service on July 15 in Birmingham’s historic Grand Trunk Western Railroad Birmingham Depot. At over 11,000 square feet, the newly unveiled space seats a whopping 360 between its main dining area, two private spaces, seasonal patios, and — lest we forget — The Rock Cigar Club: the new stylish lounge for stogie and bourbon buffs.
Since the location’s previous restaurant, Big Rock Chophouse, closed in 2021, the main dining area has undergone major changes including new chandeliers, wood accents, leaded glass windows, and a relocated bar with extra seating. Menu highlights include martinis, steaks, and pasta entrées like pennette alla vodka and lasagna Bolognese rotolo. The restaurant is owned and operated by Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, the team behind Troy’s Ocean Prime Steakhouse and the Rusty Bucket Restaurant & Tavern restaurants. 245 S Eton St, Birmingham; Open Monday through Thursday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays until 11 p.m., and Sundays until 9 p.m.
Warda Pâtisserie in Detroit’s Little Village
Warda Pâtisserie, Detroit’s James Beard award-winning café and pastry shop, is celebrating the grand opening of its second location on Friday, July 18. Located on the art-filled grounds of Little Village in Detroit’s east side, the new location’s neighbors include Father Forgive Me, a cocktail bar; The Shepherd, a free-to-visit art gallery; and a Tony Hawk-designed skate park. Warda Pâtisserie is not moving — its original Midtown location on Alexandrine will continue to operate. 1286 McClellan, Detroit; Open Wednesday through Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Roar Brewing Company in Midtown Detroit
After a soft opening this past March, Roar Brewing Co. — Detroit’s first Black-owned brewery — officially opened last weekend in Midtown. House-brewed offerings include the Honey Oat Stout, as well as the Roar Pilsner, Roar Wheat Beer, and Roar Saison. The concept comes from local businessman Evan Fay, who also owns Café Noir and Chloë Monroe Galleries. 666 Selden St. Suite B, Detroit; open Monday to Thursday 4 p.m. to 12 a.m., Fridays and Saturdays 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., and Sundays 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
A.M. Buzz in Downtown Detroit
This new coffee shop and café opened in the lobby of the Cambria Hotel on July 7. A.M. Buzz features a sit-down café with self-serve kiosks, as well as a walk-up window. Menu selections include espresso drinks, $5 breakfast sandwiches, pastries, floats, and grab-and-go lunch options like sandwiches, salads, and bagel schmears. The building was once home to Detroit’s WWJ AM Radio studios, and the new concept comes from partners Christopher Kouza and Joseph Caradonna, who also own the hotel, its restaurants Cibo Detroit and Cielo Rooftop, as well as Bar Verona in Washington. 600 W Lafayette Road, Detroit; open daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Coming to the Table
The Ice Cream Detroit in Midtown Detroit
Detroit’s Midtown/Cass Corridor area has seen a bit of an ice cream drought since Treat Dreams closed (there’s Cold Truth, a vegan ice cream spot on Cass, but that’s about it as far as ice cream shops in the neighborhood). Enter The Ice Cream Detroit, which specializes in alcohol-infused (0.5% ABV) ice creams, dairy-free ice creams, and sorbets (with nonalcoholic options also available), and is planning a soft opening on July 20 (National Ice Cream Day), with a grand opening later this summer. The opening menu includes Midtown Love — a peach basil ice cream infused with honey brandy, and a Sorbet Spritz with Faygo Red Pop. The shop will be located at 3762 2nd Ave.
CAVA in Canton
A fast casual Mediterranean chain is opening its first Michigan location in Canton on Sunday, July 20. CAVA specializes in customizable bowls and pitas, and the menu also includes pita chips (like its limited-time Hot Harissa chips), dips (like hummus, Crazy Feta, and roasted eggplant), juice blends, and more. It will be located at 43450 Ford Road, and daily operating hours will be 10:45 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Also anticipated to open soon:
- Street Beet, the first permanent location for a long-running vegan pop-up is opening soon in the former Bobcat Bonnie’s space in Corktown Detroit.
- Little Ghost, a fast casual concept serving burgers and sandwiches from the hospitality group behind Detroit’s Grey Ghost, Second Best, and Basan, is coming soon to Ferndale.
- Little Kim, a casual vegetarian and vegan eatery from Ji Hye Kim, chef-owner of Miss Kim, is coming to Ann Arbor’s Kerrytown Market on July 31.
Local Happenings
San Morello Earned a Wine Spectator Restaurant Award
San Morello, the Italian eatery in the Shinola Hotel’s ground floor, has earned an award from national publication Wine Spectator in its annual Restaurant Awards issue, published this July. The honor — Best of Award of Excellence — is reserved for restaurants with wine lists that “display excellent breadth across multiple winegrowing regions and/or significant vertical depth of top producers, along with superior presentation,” according to the publication. San Morello’s wine program is headed by beverage director and master sommelier Josh Nadel, in collaboration with chef-owner Andrew Carmellini, as well as executive chef and managing partner Cory Barberio.
Griffin Claw is Launching a Beer Garden at the Detroit Zoo
If you’re the type of person who enjoys sipping local brews at your local zoo, this is your summer. Griffin Claw Gather Beer Garden — an outdoor dining and drinking area at the Detroit Zoo in collaboration with Griffin Claw Brewing Company — is opening on Wednesday, July 23. That evening, it’s hosting a celebration with complimentary beer samples and snacks from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., before the evening’s Wild Summer Nights series concert. The beer garden serves three Griffin Claw beers — Mr. Bluesky, Clementine Crush, and its Detroit Zoo exclusive Piping Plover Lager. Find it across from the African Train Station and next to Graze Grill.
Anita’s Kitchen Has Closed its Lake Orion Location
The long-operating Lebanese eatery with a flagship location in Ferndale announced on its social media pages that it was closing its Lake Orion location. The Ferndale location, as well as its others in downtown Detroit and DTW’s North Terminal, will continue to operate as usual. Joe Wegrzyn, who owns the company with his wife Jennifer Farah Wegrzyn (daughter of Anita) told Oakland County Times the reasoning for the closure was that the couple was approached by another business entity with plans to open a new concept that “the community is going to love.” The Lake Orion location initially opened in December 2019.
Upcoming Food and Beverage Events
Dinner with Cookbook Author Peter Som
- When: Tuesday, July 22 at 6 p.m.
- Where: Miss Kim, Ann Arbor
- Cost: $90 per person, tickets on Resy
Enjoy a three-course, family-style menu prepared by fashion designer and author Peter Som, inspired by recipes in his recent cookbook Family Style. Guests will receive a signed copy of the cookbook, which includes over 100 recipes drawing inspiration from his Chinese American heritage; memories from his childhood in the Bay Area; his Grandma’s Cantonese dishes; and his mother’s reverence for French cuisine.
Tiki Party: Presented by Two James Distillery & The Detroit Foundation Hotel
- When: Tuesday, July 24, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Where: The Apparatus Room, Detroit (inside The Borgman Room)
- Cost: $40 per person (plus tax and gratuity), tickets on OpenTable
Throw on a Hawaiian shirt and head over to the Detroit Foundation Hotel’s Borgman Room, which will be hosting a Tiki Party. Guests can enjoy three tiki-inspired cocktails made with Two James spirits, snacks from Chef Rece Hogerheide, and a set from DJ Silky Grooves, with the option to purchase records and more from Silky Grooves Vintage & Vinyl and an on-site vintage store.
This is What Liberia Tastes Like
- When: Saturday, July 26, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Where: Brewery Faisan, Detroit
- Cost: Free, reserve on Eventbrite
Little Liberia, another restaurant set to open this year on Detroit’s east side, is hosting a pop-up showcasing a sneak peek of what will be on the menu. The curated meal will include selections like spicy skewers, golden plantains, Monrovia wings, goat shank, and jollof rice — paired with beers from Brewery Faisan. When it opens, Little Liberia will be Detroit’s first ever Liberian restaurant.
Too Good to Waste
- When: Tuesday, July 29, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Where: Vesper Wine and Books, Detroit
- Cost: $75 per person (plus fees), tickets on Eventbrite
Make Food Not Waste — a nonprofit that provides free meals to people in need using food that would otherwise go to landfills — is hosting its annual benefit dinner at Vesper Wine and Books. This year, the benefit dinner will include a five-course “strolling” tasting menu prepared by the nonprofit’s chefs (featuring ingredients that would have otherwise been thrown out). An optional specialty drink menu, provided by Vesper’s beverage team, can be added on at additional cost.
The Art & Culture of Eating: A Conversation with Bon Appétit’s Jamila Robinson
- When: Tuesday, Aug. 5, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Where: Detroit Film Theatre
- Cost: Free; online registration is required
The Detroit Institute of Arts is hosting a conversation with Jamila Robinson, editor-in-chief of Bon Appétit and Epicurious, and native Detroiter. Along with Rochelle Riley, the City of Detroit’s Director of Arts and Culture, Robinson will discuss “cultural influences that inspire her, the dual role food plays as sustenance and entertainment, and explore the creative overlap between food, art and community,” followed by an audience Q&A.
Aishling Moore at Bev’s Bagels
- When: Tuesday, Aug. 5, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Where: Core City Park, Detroit (outside Bev’s Bagels)
- Cost: $75 per person (plus fees), tickets on Eventbrite
Aishling Moore, a chef from Ireland who has earned numerous accolades — including Michelin’s Bib Gourmand — is preparing a six-course meal with Bev’s Bagels chef Max Sussman and his culinary team. The menu will feature Great Lakes seafood, and selections (subject to change) are said to include Cured and pastrami-spiced fish with Goldie Reuben dressing and West Cork wasabi; as well as grilled perch with salad, spuds, and garlic scapes.
The Hungry Black Man Detroit Food & Music Festival
- When: Aug. 8 and Aug. 9, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Where: 24 Avalon Street Highland Park
- Cost: Free (Costs apply to food and drink from vendors), RSVP on Eventbrite
The Hungry Black Man, the media company run by traveling food writer Starex Smith dedicated to showcasing Black-owned eateries, is hosting its third annual Detroit Food & Music Festival. The event will feature numerous vendors including local chefs, bakers, restaurants, and food trucks, plus live music and entertainment. Read Smith’s 2017 essay for Hour Detroit here.
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