Detroit food experiences that offer more than a great meal

By on Thu, Jul 25, 2024 at 3:38 pm

Detroit’s dining scene is full of unique spots that go beyond just serving food. Many local eateries blend delicious cuisine with unique atmospheres, fire entertainment, games to play or watch, and other one-of-a-kind experiences.

For when you want a memorable outing with a little more than just good food, we compiled a list of some of the best experiences in the Detroit-area where great dining meets extra fun.

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Shelby 607 Shelby St., Detroit; shelbydetroit.com Inside of an old bank vault in downtown Detroit, this spot evokes the charm of the Prohibition era. The gem of the city offers many inventive cocktails and gourmet shareplates that are perfect for a high-level night out.
The Shelby / Instagram

Shelby

607 Shelby St., Detroit; shelbydetroit.com

Inside of an old bank vault in downtown Detroit, this spot evokes the charm of the Prohibition era. The gem of the city offers many inventive cocktails and gourmet shareplates that are perfect for a high-level night out.

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Aretha’s Jazz Cafe 350 Madison St., Detroit; 313-887-8501; jazzcafedetroit.com Paying tribute to the Queen of Soul, this iconic venue features performances by talented musicians and poets alongside classic American food.
Facebook, The Satin Doll Revue

Aretha’s Jazz Cafe

350 Madison St., Detroit; 313-887-8501; jazzcafedetroit.com

Paying tribute to the Queen of Soul, this iconic venue features performances by talented musicians and poets alongside classic American food.

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Gilly’s Clubhouse 1550 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-651-7050; gillysdetroit.com Just opening earlier this year on Detroit Tigers Opening Day, Gilly’s is a spot mainly for the sports fans. The venue has tons of TVs, many drink options, and delicious American cuisine – perfect for social gatherings on game days.
Courtesy photo

Gilly’s Clubhouse

1550 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-651-7050; gillysdetroit.com

Just opening earlier this year on Detroit Tigers Opening Day, Gilly’s is a spot mainly for the sports fans. The venue has tons of TVs, many drink options, and delicious American cuisine – perfect for social gatherings on game days.

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The HUB Stadium 44325 W. 12 Mile Rd.; Novi; 248-946-8888; novi.thehubstadium.com This entertainment complex features six ice curling lanes, ax-throwing, eight football bowling lanes, six private event rooms, and four full bars with draft beer, craft cocktails, New American cuisine, and an upstairs lounge with a massive outdoor balcony. Whether you’re looking to celebrate with friends or hold a corporate meeting, there’s plenty to do at the HUB Stadium.
Courtesy photo

The HUB Stadium

44325 W. 12 Mile Rd.; Novi; 248-946-8888; novi.thehubstadium.com

This entertainment complex features six ice curling lanes, ax-throwing, eight football bowling lanes, six private event rooms, and four full bars with draft beer, craft cocktails, New American cuisine, and an upstairs lounge with a massive outdoor balcony. Whether you’re looking to celebrate with friends or hold a corporate meeting, there’s plenty to do at the HUB Stadium.

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PUMA 4725 16th St., Detroit; 313-819-6804; pumadetroit.com This Argentine street food restaurant is a more casual sister brand to Chef Javier Bardauil’s upscale Barda restaurant. By night, PUMA transforms into COUGAR, a full-service cocktail bar featuring live DJ sessions. For the younger late night crowd in Detroit’s Core City neighborhood, this is the new spot.
Nate Sturley/Courtesy photo

PUMA

4725 16th St., Detroit; 313-819-6804; pumadetroit.com

This Argentine street food restaurant is a more casual sister brand to Chef Javier Bardauil’s upscale Barda restaurant. By night, PUMA transforms into COUGAR, a full-service cocktail bar featuring live DJ sessions. For the younger late night crowd in Detroit’s Core City neighborhood, this is the new spot.

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Blue LLama Jazz Club 314 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-372-3200; bluellamaclub.com This jazz club in downtown Ann Arbor pairs the love of music with mouth-watering Afro-Caribbean food, cocktails, and wine. With tables in front of the stage, Blue LLama Jazz Club offers a unique opportunity to dine on quality food while listening to top-notch jazz musicians.
Lee DeVito

Blue LLama Jazz Club

314 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-372-3200; bluellamaclub.com

This jazz club in downtown Ann Arbor pairs the love of music with mouth-watering Afro-Caribbean food, cocktails, and wine. With tables in front of the stage, Blue LLama Jazz Club offers a unique opportunity to dine on quality food while listening to top-notch jazz musicians.

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DraftKings Sports & Social 2850 Coolidge Hwy., Troy; sportsandsocial.com/troy This 10,000-square-foot metro Detroit spot is an ultimate sports fan experience with tons of TVs, local beverages, delicious American food, game-day specials, and some classic arcade games. Tables can be reserved in advance.
DraftKings Sports & Social Troy, Facebook

DraftKings Sports & Social

2850 Coolidge Hwy., Troy; sportsandsocial.com/troy

This 10,000-square-foot metro Detroit spot is an ultimate sports fan experience with tons of TVs, local beverages, delicious American food, game-day specials, and some classic arcade games. Tables can be reserved in advance.

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168 Crab & Karaoke 32415 John R. Rd., Madison Heights; 248-616-0168; 168crab.com Tucked inside a strip mall, this bar is loads of fun. With Cajun seafood, karaoke, and a full bar, what else do you need for a fun night out? If you’re shy and don’t want everyone to hear you belt out a tune, this spot offers private karaoke rooms with a complete song list.
168 Crab Karaoke, Facebook

168 Crab & Karaoke

32415 John R. Rd., Madison Heights; 248-616-0168; 168crab.com

Tucked inside a strip mall, this bar is loads of fun. With Cajun seafood, karaoke, and a full bar, what else do you need for a fun night out? If you’re shy and don’t want everyone to hear you belt out a tune, this spot offers private karaoke rooms with a complete song list.

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Apotheculture Club apothecultureclub.com This is not a regularly-opened restaurant, but this weed-infused dining experience is Detroit-based and like nothing you’ve ever heard of. The club hosts events occasionally in Detroit and other cities, serving fine dining cuisine infused with cannabis at a secret location, before taking guests to the opera or a classical music show. If you get the chance, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss.
Virginia Harold/ Courtesy photo

Apotheculture Club

apothecultureclub.com

This is not a regularly-opened restaurant, but this weed-infused dining experience is Detroit-based and like nothing you’ve ever heard of. The club hosts events occasionally in Detroit and other cities, serving fine dining cuisine infused with cannabis at a secret location, before taking guests to the opera or a classical music show. If you get the chance, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss.

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Dining in the Dark dininginthedarkexperience.com/detroit Also not your traditional eatery, Dining in the Dark offers a sensory-deprived experience where meals are enjoyed in complete darkness, enhancing taste and smell. Guests can choose from a three-course meal that is vegan, seafood, or meat-focused. Dishes are crafted to complement this unique dining concept, creating a memorable outing like no other.
Great Lakes Culinary Center

Dining in the Dark

dininginthedarkexperience.com/detroit

Also not your traditional eatery, Dining in the Dark offers a sensory-deprived experience where meals are enjoyed in complete darkness, enhancing taste and smell. Guests can choose from a three-course meal that is vegan, seafood, or meat-focused. Dishes are crafted to complement this unique dining concept, creating a memorable outing like no other.

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