Cafe Habana 419 S. Main St.; 248-544-6255; cafehabanas.com; $$: Excellent, reasonably priced Cuban cuisine in a fun, funky-chic setting, along with Latin music and a full bar. Grilled meats dominate platos principales, enhanced by fresh and spicy marinades and sauces.

Cafe Muse 418 S. Washington Ave.; 248-544-4749; cafemuseroyaloak.com; $$: You won't find "omelets" on the menu, as the kitchen has chosen to serve scrambled eggs instead, and ingredients can include truffle oil, Boursin cheese and shredded basil.

Chicken Shack 1320 E. 11 Mile Rd.; 248-541-5100; chickenshack.com; $: Since starting in Royal Oak in 1956, Chicken Shack has been selling "broasted" chicken, pressure cooking birds in their own juices. It's been wildly successful, with 18 locations listed at its website.

Comet Burger 207 S. Main St.; 248-414-4567; $: Quirky decor includes pink vinyl, stainless steel chairs, Formica tabletops and album covers on the walls. The sliders and malts are worth the trip.

D'Amato's 222 S. Sherman Dr.; 248-584-7400; damatos.com; $$: Neighborhood Italian joint has eclectic and "from scratch" fare. Plenty of beef, chicken and seafood entrées, and 30 glasses and 60 bottles of wine to wash them down. Connected to the Goodnight Gracie martini bar.

Delmar Family Restaurant 1207 E. 11 Mile Rd.; 248-543-2773; $: Most of the omelets are less than $6, and they're all classics.

Falaffel King 32748 Woodward Ave.; 248-554-9881; falaffelking.com; $: Inexpensive Middle Eastern standards served in a plain, tiny storefront that can accommodate 10 diners at the narrow counters along the walls and windows.

Green Lantern Lounge 4326 Rochester Rd.; 248-298-3005; greenlanternlounge.com; $: The price structure here and throughout the menu is quite reasonable, and, best of all, they use the pepperoni that curl up into little "grease cups."

Inn Season Café 500 E. Fourth St.; 248-547-7916; theinnseasoncafe.com; $$: Fine, organic ingredients have always been this vegetarian restaurant's hallmark, but the health food nature of the cooking has been eclipsed; now you are eating vegetarian haute cuisine.

Katana Nu-Asian Steakhouse 111 S. Main St.; 248-591-9900; $$$: Katana offers the fine art of teppanyaki, or grilling. Expect to pay extra for this dinner-and-a-show, or take the booths and tables for those who prefer the bistro and sushi menu.

Leo's Coney Island 110 S. Main St.; 248-336-8093; leosconeyisland.com; $: Chances are that if you're walking out of a bar in metro Detroit, there's a Leo's location within striking distance. They're all classics.

Lily's Seafood 410 S. Washington Ave.; 248-591-5459; lilysseafood.com; $$: Stunning interior, friendly service and a kitchen that believes homemade is best, down to the house-made root beer, cream soda and four varieties of house-made beer.

Lockhart's BBQ 202 E. Third St.; 248-584-2227; lockhartsbbq.com; $$: In Lockhart's stainless-steel open kitchen, they turn out reasonably priced, hefty portions, with appetizers averaging around $8, sandwiches with one side around $9 and barbecue plates with two sides around $13.

Moti Mahal 411 S. Washington Ave.; 248-298-3198; motimahalroyaloak.com; $$: Plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes, most "mild"or "very mild" kormas. Entrées tend to the rich side (lots of ghee?), adding warmth to sag muttar paneer — peas and spinach with firm cubes of Indian farmer cheese, quite buttery tasting. Affordable buffets; call for details.

Memphis Smoke 100 S. Main St.; 248-543-4300; $$: Memphis Smoke offers more than juicy ribs and pulled pork po' boys — it also plays a gracious host to many of the area's best blues acts.

Mezza Mediterranean Grille 212 Fifth Ave.; 248-414-7000; mezzagrille.com $$; Mezza has all the usual classics at bargain prices, and with larger than usual servings.

Motimahal 411 S. Washington Ave.; 248-298-3198; $$: Indian curries get a variety of treatments: biryani, korma, balti, rogan and tandoori, to name a few. Lunch buffet for $7.95 seven days a week.

Monterrey Cantina 312 S. Main St.; 248-545-1940; $$: Young, friendly staff, big portions, colorful setting, serving burritos, quesadillas, tacos and enchiladas and some fun drinks, such as the "Iguana" margarita.

Mt. Chalet 32955 Woodward Ave.; 248-549-2929; $$: It's both a full-service restaurant with pretensions of culinary respectability and a boisterous watering hole with sports featured round-the-clock on multiple screens.

Noodles & Company 470 S. Main St.; 248-548-7700; $: Noodles & Company's fast food is made with fresh vegetables and organic tofu. The menu is internationally inspired, and includes specialties from China, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Russia and, of course, Italy.

Oak City Grille 212 W. Sixth St.; 248-556-0947; oakcitygrille.com $$$: Menu spills over with filet mignon, peppercorn sirloin and pecan-encrusted trout at reasonable prices. Live music most nights.

Pasquale's 31555 Woodward Ave.; 248-549-4002; pasqualesrestaurant.com; $$: Try "Brown's special," and it's loaded with cheese, pepperoni, bacon, ham, onions, green peppers, green and black olives, and mushrooms, $12.40 for a small, $15.90 for a medium and $20.20 for a large.

Pizzallica 121 E. 13 Mile Rd.; 248-733-1111; pizzallica.com; $$: Self-described as making "platinum-selling pizza," as well as subs and salads, the Pizzallica folks offer take-out and delivery until 3 a.m. most nights, midnight on Sundays.

Pizza Paesano 415 S. Washington Ave.; 248-547-2751; $: Open late for Royal Oak hanger-outers, Pizza Paesano serves more than pies, including marvelous gyros, calzones, a spinach pie and a spicy meat pie.

Pronto! Royal Oak 608 S. Washington Ave.; 248-544-7900; $: If you want to avoid the pricey, overcrowded Main Street restaurants, go to Pronto. Brightly colored walls, a lively feel, a creative and fun sandwich menu and sidewalk seating in the summertime.

Red Coat Tavern 31542 Woodward Ave.; 248-549-0300; $$: Red Coat offers its famous hearty half-pound hamburger with sides like chicken tenders and onion rings, alongside its signature salad featuring Port-poached pear and a Stilton-hazelnut terrine. The Red Coat has been around for over 40 years and it's the place where the upscale chefs of Royal Oak go after work to get a burger.

Ronin 326 W. Fourth St.; 248-546-0888; roninsushi.com; $$$: In a stylish setting, bandana-clad sushi chefs vigorously chop and slice at the sushi bar turning out first-rate sushi and sashimi, but entrées include fish, fowl and beef. Six beers on tap, including Kirin Ichiban, and a well-stocked sake bar.

Sangria 401 S. Lafayette Ave.; 248-543-1964; sangriaroyaloak.com; $$: The featured dishes, tapas and paella, require a leisurely schedule. With a pitcher of sangria and a good friend, you have the ingredients for an enjoyable evening.

Tokyo Sushi & Grill 315 S. Center St.; 248-284-0165; $$: Offers more than 100 items just in the "rolls" category. For those who fear the raw, there are plenty of tempura items in the rolls, or the whole roll can be deep-fried. Hot appetizers are also done well.

Town Tavern 116 W. Fourth St.; 248-544-7300; towntavernroyaloak.com; $$: Elegant (mohair booths and bentwood chairs) 21st century bistro. Grazers can easily make a hearty meal of the "bar-plate" appetizers. Bustling, noisy, with a train passing through the heart of downtown Royal Oak a block away now and then.

Tong Thai'd 32166 Woodward Ave.; 248-549-4112; $: Even if you dislike the alliteration in the name, you've got to love the food. Tong Thai'd serves authentic, fine Thai cuisine: spring rolls so good, they often sell out after lunch, Thai-flavored beef jerky with sticky rice and a variety of fried rice, noodles and curry dishes. Unreasonably low prices but narrow dinning area. Closed Sundays.

Vinotecca 417 S. Main St.; 248-544-6256; vinotecca.com; $$: Patrons can learn from knowledgeable waiters, and they can relax as much as their party's designated-driver policy will allow. Eclectic wine list is well-balanced among vineyards around the globe. The restaurant opens at 4 p.m. every day.

Vinsetta Grill 28028 Woodward Ave.; 248-543-2626; vinsettagrill.com; $$: Build your own burger of beef, turkey or veggie with a dazzling array of choices. The perfect accompaniment would be the grill's signature French fried sweet potatoes, cooked without trans fats.

What Crêpe? 317 S. Washington Ave.; 248-629-9391; whatcrepe.com; $: Another crêpe spot? We can dig it. The little French food pocket is a hit because it's all fresh, it cooks in a flash, and it doesn't break the bank. And What Crêpe? has 50 to choose from.

Zumba Mexican Grille 121 N. Main St.; 248-542-1400; zumbagrille.com; $: Modeled after taco stands popular in the Southwest. The entrées are familiar: burritos, tacos, quesadillas and tacons. But you get your choices of meats and toppings as it's built, then eat in or take out.

See any inaccuracies? Let us know! Send an e-mail to mjackman@metrotimes.com.

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