Satisfy Your Late-night Cravings at These 24-Hour Restaurants

What’s your go-to spot for a midnight snack?
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Stock photograph from iStock

When the midnight munchies hit, you don’t want to be left to your own devices. Sorting through leftover boxes or heating up a frozen pizza may suffice, but there are much better options. Here, we share seven 24-hour restaurants in metro Detroit to add to your late-night itinerary.

Carter’s Hamburgers

This hidden gem is located at the corner of Southfield Road and W. Out Drive, and boasts a menu of classic diner food, including can’t-miss slider burgers, old-fashioned milkshakes and malts, chili fries, onion rings and much more. Cozy on up to the bar to order any time, day or night, but be aware, this spot only accepts cash. Carter’s Hamburgers, 22990 Outer Drive, Dearborn; 313-277-9033; cartershamburgers.com

 Telway

Aside from the addition of a shake machine in the last decade, Telway has more or less stayed the same since the tiny diner opened over 60 years ago — and that’s a good thing. Walking into Telway feels like you’ve gone through a time machine. Where else are you going to find a cup of joe for 45 cents (regulars say it’s the best coffee in Michigan), or a burger for $2? Some might believe it’s time for an update, but the restaurant’s consistency might be the secret ingredient to its success, as the opening of a third location is in the works. Telway, 6830 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-843-2146, and 2700 John R Road, Madison Heights; 248-545-7962;  facebook.com/telwayhamburgers.

 O.W.L

Voted best 24-Hour Restaurant by Hour Detroit readers in 2019, O.W.L is satisfying Mexican-American fare cravings day and night with quick service and large portions at a fair price. With a Chorizo Sausage & Cheese egg sandwich on a sesame cemita roll, Double Layer Nachos with sausage chili, poblano cheese sauce, and pico, Torta Ahogada featuring roasted meat on a sourdough baguette, Chili Chilaquiles, and even a Grilled Cinnamon Roll, this tiny restaurant off Woodward goes above and beyond your typical diner joint menu. They do close for half an hour at 3:45 a.m. daily, but other than that, they’re open around the clock — except on Sunday when they close at 10:45 p.m. O.W.L, 27302 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; 248-808-6244; owlwoodward.com.

Zack’s of Plymouth

Looking for a new breakfast, lunch, or dinner spot? Try Zack’s of Plymouth. Opened all day, everyday, Zack’s offers an extensive menu of breakfast items from simple toast and jelly to waffles, omelets, and pancakes. Plus, cold and hot sandwiches, burgers, and full dinners such as chicken parmesan, slow-roasted beef, gyros, chicken kabobs, and more. Order inside for a sit-down meal or online to-go. Zack’s of Plymouth, 9468 Main St., Plymouth; 734-459-2066; zacksofplymouth.com

Fleetwood Diner

If there was such thing as a “dive diner,” Fleetwood Diner would fit the bill. Quick, cheap, and greasy, Fleetwood Diner continuously hits the spot for Ann Arbor and Lansing residents, visitors, and college students alike. Fleetwood offers both Greek and American options, and the restaurant is best known for the Hippie Hash, a mixture of hash browns topped with grilled tomato, green pepper, onion, mushroom, broccoli, and feta cheese. The neon lights and classic diner look make it hard to miss, and a much-needed haven for the late-night crowd. Fleetwood Diner, 300 S. Ashley St., Ann Arbor; 734-995-5502, and 2211 Cedar St., Lansing; 517-267-7606; thefleetwooddiner.com.

Gratiot Grill

This spot is open all day with the exception of a 20-minute window from 11:40 p.m. to midnight each day. They serve coney dogs, chili fries, burgers, and more of your Coney Island favorites alongside a breakfast menu that includes omelets, French toast, hash browns, and breakfast sandwiches. Gratiot Grill, 3121 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 313-921-9670. 

Leo’s Coney Island

Select locations of Leo’s Coney Island — including the local chain’s restaurants in Dearborn, Plymouth, Rochester Hills, and Royal Oak — are open for 24 hours a few days of the week. Just like any Coney Island, Leo’s offers up a solid variety of options, including Coney Dogs, Greek specialties like Gyros and Spinach Pie, fried food such as Onion Rings and Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, breakfast specialties like French Toast and a Vegetarian Omelet, and milkshakes and Rice Pudding. Prepare for a rush at Leo’s — and premium people watching — when the bar crowd hits up the restaurant’s downtown-area locations after a night out. Visit leosconeyisland.com for locations.

This post has been updated for 2023.