Essential Royal Oak restaurants you should have tried by now

Boukie's Grill
105 S. Main St., Royal Oak; (248) 584-2222; Monday-Thursday 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
The small neighborhood eatery offers a warm, casual, and fun atmosphere. The café and lounge serves cuisine from several countries within the Mediterranean region, and it focuses on Greek and Middle Eastern food. It’s also a favorite of vegetarian clientele, and the kitchen cooks with zero trans fat oils, non-msg spices, natural preservatives, and Certified Angus Beef.
Photo via Boukie's Grill / Facebook

Ye Olde Saloon
1023 South Main St., Royal Oak; (248) 542-5900; Sunday-Tuesday 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m., Sunday noon- 2 a.m.
Ye Olde Saloon is literally ye olde. Having been around for over 40 years, the pub has become ingrained in the Royal Oak community. In addition to a long beer list, Ye Olde Saloon has a multitude of burger options — including creating your own if none suit you — as well as sandwiches and a handful of deep-fried options. The beef is from Eastern Market and many items are made in-house, making it both a bar with a positive atmosphere and a good place to eat, a combination that is becoming increasingly hard to find.
Photo by Tom Perkins

The Morrie
511 South Main St., Royal Oak; (248) 216-1112; Monday-Wednesday 4 p.m.-10 p.m., Thursday 4 p.m.-11 p.m., Friday 4 p.m.-2 a.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 a.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
The late Morrie Fenkell was known for his zest-for-life, larger-than-life spirit and the same indomitable optimism which went on to define his generation. According to owners, the Morrie — named in Fenkell’s honor — is built upon those same qualities. The roadhouse-style restaurant is often buzzing with its large bar and live music. The Kung Pao Cauliflower appetizer, Asian Ramen salad, Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich, the Morrie namesake burger, the Roadhouse Ribs, and the pork and beans side are among many popular dinner dishes. The lunch (read: brunch) menu and drinks list are also worth exploring as well. Leave extra time to check out the record wall, take photos, and dance with whoever came with. There is no way not to have a good time at the Morrie, just as the man himself would have wanted it.
Photo via The Morrie / Facebook

Pronto!
608 South Washington Ave., Royal Oak; (248) 544-7900; Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 a.m. and 4 :30 p.m.-9 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m.-2 a.m.
Pronto! is a color restaurant and video bar with a small outdoor seating area to boot. An eclectic menu to say the least, Pronto!’s “startups” range from edamame to wings to peanut butter and jelly bites. House specialties include chicken tenders, chicken pot pie, pork meatloaf, and pork pot roast, though the expansive menu also includes pastas, Mexican, sandwiches (with a noteworthy vegetarian selection), burgers, and salads. The charm of the restaurant’s interior paired with the lengthy menu make it a go-to stop when spending a day out and about.
Photo via Pronto! / Facebook

OWL
27302 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; (248) 808-6244; Monday 8 a.m.-midnight, Tuesday-Saturday 24 hours, Sunday midnight-11 p.m.
OWL falls barely short of being open all the time, though it is perfect for late-night food runs and satisfying cravings. The small-but-mighty menu features many breakfast dishes (and many offshoots for an egg sandwich) as well as an assortment of burgers, sandwiches, and a few other hand-held items. With counter service and seating, this diner works for either a quick in-and-out trip (the order online option is useful for last-minute decisions) or a sit-down meal.
Photo via Tom Perkins

Olga’s
30332 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; (248) 549-0100; Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Olga’s is a national chain with a location in Royal Oak. Though the chain has had its share of struggles in the past, its gyros and snackers are still going strong. Olga’s is known for snackers, a bread-like appetizer traditionally served with swiss almond cheese. Try one of 15 versions of the namesake item (and even more with the kids’ options), which is similar to a gyro, and make sure to request extra Olga sauce to go with it. Like Panera Bread’s Pick Two, Olga’s has a Perfect Pair option to opt instead for a half-size classic Olga and two sides. The Olga salad and fries are also popular menu items. After, try an Orange Cream Cooler, Cinnamon Sugar Snackers, or their Birmingham’s Best Brownie for dessert.
Photo via Olga’s / Facebook

Johnny’s Royal Oak
215 S. Main St., Royal Oak; (248) 808-6244; Thursday-Saturday 6 p.m.-1 a.m., Sunday 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
Travel back to the Prohibition with Johnny’s, a speakeasy-inspired restaurant on South Main. The restaurant’s ambiance matches its theme, being located in a basement. When making a reservation online, the diner is texted a secret number. Though called “provisions,” the dishes do not harken back to a time of insecurity. Rather, the dishes are high-end, with salmon, beef ragu, lobster mac and cheese, and filet mignon, to name a few. While it is set in the 1920s, the menu is not stuck in that period, also having vegan meatballs and a kitchen sink salad among its options.
Courtesy of Johnny’s Royal Oak

Café Muse
418 South Washington Ave., Royal Oak; (248) 544-4749; Sunday-Tuesday 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Wednesday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5 p.m.-8 p.m., Friday-Saturday 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Café Muse is the lifelong dream of chef Greg Reyner, who opened the cafe with his partner in 2006. Two years later, Reyner’s grilled cheese sandwich was named “one of the best sandwiches in America” by Esquire, which prompted an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. With the tagline “Food for Inspiration,” local art lines the walls. Along with the grilled cheese, the pan-seared ribeye and vegan vegetable pot pie are also worth trying. With a separate breakfast and lunch menu, as well as a notable spirits list and weekly specials menu, there is always something new to try.
Photo via Cafe Muse / Facebook

Buddy’s Pizza
32218 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; (248) 549-8000; Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday noon-10 p.m.
This is a carryout location of the iconic pizza chain Buddy’s. The chain began on the corner of Six Mile and Conant in the 1930s, and has since expanded to over 10 more locations in the 90 years since. Buddy’s is known mainly for its square pizza, though it has a sizable menu spanning the many facets of Italian fare. The chain is consistently dubbed a top pizza joint both in local and national rankings. Do not skip sides — the antipasto and Greek salads are favorites at Buddy’s, as are the breadsticks and dipping sauces. When in search of pizza in Royal Oak, there is nothing more classic than Detroit’s very own Buddy’s Pizza.
Photo via Buddy’s Pizza / Facebook