Hot new restaurants to check out in the Detroit area

By Lee DeVito and Layla McMurtrie on Fri, May 12, 2023 at 12:31 pm

Metro Detroit’s dining scene was blessed with tons of new spots in 2023, plus a number of new restaurants and cafes set to open in the new year. There’s a lot to chew on — here are some to know about.

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@chazzanocoffee, Instagram

Chazzano Coffee Roasters
2725 Twelve Mile Rd., Berkley; 248-691-4256; chazzano-coffee-roasters.square.site

After closing its Ferndale spot after 13 years in business, Chazzano Coffee Roasters opened a new location in January in Berkley. Its menu features beans from more than 35 different coffee varieties from around the world, which customers can sample at “coffee cupping parties.”

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@iwantcrave, Instagram

Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ
5800 Sheldon Rd., Canton; 734-359-5102; iwantcrave.com

This national chain opened its Canton location in February. Its menu includes hot dogs, barbecue, and beers, and the Canton spot has activities like cornhole, ax-throwing, and board games.

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Hannah Ervin, Detroit Stock City

Alba Coffee
2124 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-462-4794

In the former home of Astro Coffee, this new Corktown cafe brings together Mexican and Italian influences.

Read more here.

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Mad Nice
4120 2nd Ave., Detroit; 313-558-8000; madnicedetroit.com

This new upscale Italian-fusion spot opened in March in Midtown, operated by Heirloom Hospitality Group (Townhouse, Prime + Proper, Cash Only Supper Club). With a kitchen led by chef Myles McVay of Ferndale’s former Otus Supply, menu highlights include pizzas, pasta, a daily oyster selection, and dishes like whole branzino.

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Chicken Guy!
30130 Plymouth Rd., Livonia; 734-245-670; chickenguy.com

TV’s “Mayor of Flavortown” Guy Fieiri is expected to open his Chicken Guy! Fried chicken chain in Lovinia in April, the first of a total of 20 planned restaurants in the Detroit area in the coming years. The menu includes chicken sandwiches, tenders, and salads, as well as 22 signature dipping sauces.

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Randiah Camille Green

The Red Hook Midtown
3965 Woodward Ave., Detroit; theredhookcoffee.com

After coffee chain Great Lakes Coffee Co.’s Midtown location closed following a labor dispute, another local chain moved in its spot in March.

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Avalon Canfield
441 W. Canfield St., Detroit; avalonbreads.net

After 25 years in business, Avalon International Breads closed its flagship Midtown bakery on Willis Street and opened a new location in March around the corner inside the Jolly Pumpkin. The new space has Avalon favorites like sea salt chocolate cookies and breakfast sandwiches, but now with much more space.

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@districtseventy8, Instagram

District Seventy8
78 W. Adams Ave., Detroit; 313-462-4361; district78detroit.com

In the place of downtown Detroit’s former downtown Rusted Crow is District Seventy8, a bar and restaurant that shares ownership with the Starter’s Bar and Grill chain. The new spot has a lounge vibe with colorful lighting and a DJ and a menu with items like lamb chops, Chilean sea bass, and chicken wings.

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HopCat Royal Oak
430 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-744-2544; hopcat.com

After closing its Royal Oak location back in 2020 due to a landlord dispute, this homegrown beer bar chain reopened in the city in March just a few blocks away. The new 11,300-square-foot restaurant serves some 60 local beers on tap and a menu that includes items like burgers, tacos, and Cosmik Fries.

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City of Detroit, Flickr Creative Commons

Good Cakes and Bakes
22 W. Columbia St., Detroit; 313-468-9915; goodcakesandbakes.com

In September, this LGBTQ+-owned bakery celebrated 10 years open at its location on Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion. A few months earlier in July, the local business opened its second location downtown.

Read more here.

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Brentwood Grille
43150 Grand River Ave., Novi; 248-374-0688; brentwoodgrille.com

Another business of 25 years also saw a recent shakeup in March. The longstanding upscale restaurant Steve & Rocky’s became Brentwood Grille after the former owners decided to sell their business and step down from day-to-day operations. The eponymous Steve Allen stayed on board as executive chef, and the new owners plan to keep some favorites while introducing new menu items later this spring.

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Ford’s Garage
44175 W. 12 Mile Rd., Novi; 248-274-3673; fordsgarageusa.com

This national chain, which has the blessing of the automaker, opened its second Michigan location inside Novi’s Fountain Walk in March. Like its other locations, the new restaurant features comfort food favorites like burgers and mac and cheese, as well as vintage decor including a Model A car suspended over the bar.

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The Black Salt
2764 Florian St., Hamtramck; theblacksaltbar.com

This witchcraft-themed bar opened in March in the former Mephisto’s with a menu that includes “spell” cocktails that use seasonal ingredients and include an optional ritual that owners say can bring love, protection, or prosperity.

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Robert Stempkowski

Rusted Crow on the Lake
569 Main St., Belleville; 313-318-1067; rustedcrowspirits.com

While Rusted Crow closed its downtown Detroit restaurant and bar in 2022, it has a new lakeside location in Belleville expected to open in March. The new location has whimsical design including a bar made out of water skis (with an old ship’s toilet where guests can “flush” down their tips for the bartenders) and menu items like Portofino-style mussels and a Santa Fe-inspired burger. Read more here.

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Facebook, Flyleaf

Flyleaf
92 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-771-5544; flyleafgp.com

This fancy independent bookstore, bar, and cafe opened recently in Grosse Pointe Farms.

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Lee DeVito

Eastern Palace Club
21509 John R Rd., Hazel Park; 248-850-8165; epchp.com

In January, Hazel Park’s former members-only social club was reborn as a beach-themed bar complete with tiki cocktails, thatch-roofed booths, and arcade-style games. For food, guests can order from Smoked Lotus BBQ, which shares space in the building.

Read more here.

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Lee DeVito

James Oliver Coffee
500 Griswold St., Detroit; 313-209-4497; jamesolivercoffee.com

The Detroit-based coffee chain, which has a flagship shop in Corktown, opened a new outpost inside the Guardian Building in February. Its menu includes coffee, bagels, sandwiches, and pastries.

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Bakehouse46
301 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; bakehouse46.com

The menu includes a mix of Cupcake Station’s desserts and Blake’s apple cider and doughnuts. You’ll also find items like coffee, bagels, sandwiches, and caramel apples. Read more here.

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Kelly’s Bar
2403 Holbrook Ave., Hamtramck; 734-309-7011

This Hamtramck haunt reopened under new ownership in February, who has brought the 100-plus-year-old bar up to code and made other cosmetic renovations.

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