30+ Macomb County bars and restaurants to check out

By Lee DeVito and Layla McMurtrie on Fri, Jul 7, 2023 at 7:47 am

Facebook, Mike's on the Water

Mike’s on the Water in St. Clair Shores is one of Macomb County’s restaurants.

Macomb County is known for many things — the home of Reagan Democrats, Kid Rock, and Warren Mayor Jim “he said what?” Fouts — though its dining scene isn’t necessarily one of them. That doesn’t have to be so. Don’t sleep on these spots in the 586, perhaps metro Detroit’s most unfairly maligned suburban county.

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Facebook, Three Blind Mice Irish Pub

Three Blind Mice

101 N. Main St., Mount Clemens; 586-961-6371; threeblindmiceirishpub.com

Originally established in 1900 as the Green Tree, what is now Three Blind Mice came under new ownership in 2020. It has dozens of beers available as well as traditional Irish fare, plus live music including open-mic nights.

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Facebook, ISLA Metro Detroit

Isla Metro Detroit

2496 Metro Pkwy., Sterling Heights; 586-883-7526; isladetroit.com

First launched as a vendor inside Detroit’s ill-fated Fort Street Galley food hall, Isla opened a brick-and-mortar in a Macomb County strip mall in 2021. Chefs JP Garcia and Jacqueline Joy Diño serve up inventive takes on Filipino classics.

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Facebook, Kuhnhenn Brewing Co.

Kuhnhenn Brewing Co.

36000 Groesbeck Hwy., Clinton Twp.; 586-231-0249 | 5919 Chicago Rd., Warren; 586-983-8362 | kbrewery.com

With the long list of craft beers, this brewery also offers a plethora of entrees and appetizers to enjoy alongside a signature drink.

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Facebook, Gumbo’s

Gumbo’s

53 N. Walnut St., Mount Clemens; 586-307-3100; gumbosmtclemens.com

This family-owned spot opened in 2011. Its New Orleans-style fare earned it the award for Best Cajun in Macomb County in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll.

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Facebook, K-Block’s Fire Pit BBQ

K-Blocks Fire Pit BBQ

66880 Van Dyke Ave., Washington; 586-281-6798; kblocksbbq.com

Known for its Texas-inspired “low and slow” approach to barbecue, this family-owned restaurant won Best Barbecue in Macomb County in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll.

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Tom Perkins

Trizest

33170 Dequindre Rd., Sterling Heights; 586-268-1450; trizest.com

Opened in 2010, Trizest has garnered legions of followers thanks to its authentic take on Sichuan cuisine. It won the award for Best Chinese in Macomb County in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll.

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Facebook, Ale & Eddies Taphouse

Ale & Eddie’s TapHouse

15015 E. Thirteen Mile Rd., Warren; 586-541-8396; aleneddies.com

Formerly known as the JP Shakers Bar, this spot was purchased by The Johnny Blacks Public House group, which gave it a total remodel. The menu includes Detroit-style pizza, “city sliders,” beers and craft cocktails, and cast iron cookies, plus there are plenty of TVs on hand tuned into the latest game. See why it already won the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit award for Best Bar in Macomb County.

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Facebook, Hodell’s Cake Shop

Hodell’s Cake Shop

31387 Harper Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-294-1100; hodellscakeshop.com

Founded in 1959 by Dennis Hodell, this bakery remains family-owned. It specializes in decorated cakes, iced in its signature buttercream icing, but you can also pick up pastries, breads, and cookies. It won Best Bakery in Macomb County in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll.

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Facebook, Filipinas Oriental Foods

Filipinas Oriental Food

3866 E. Thirteen Mile Rd., Warren; 586-558-8550; facebook.com/filipinasOriental

Open until just 3 p.m. everyday, this grocery store doubles as a carry-out restaurant and is one of the few places in Michigan offering Filipino cuisine.

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Facebook, Gina’s Cafe

Gina’s Cafe

35600 Harper Ave., Clinton Twp.; 586-790-2911; ginascafe35600.blogspot.com

The winner of Best Barbecue in Macomb County in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll, Gina’s is known for its pan-cooked omelets, sandwiches, salads, and more.

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Facebook, Ciccarelli’s Premier Sports Club & Eatery

Ciccarelli’s Sports Club And Eatery

46793 Hayes Rd., Shelby Twp.; 586-247-2223; ciccarellis-22-sportsbar.com

Launched by former Detroit Red Wings player Dino Ciccarelli in 2011, this local chain claims to be “Michigan’s largest HD sports theater” thanks to its large theater-style projection screens. It won Best Bar Food in Macomb County in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll.

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Facebook, Andiamo Celebrity Showroom

Andiamo Celebrity Showroom

7096 14 Mile Rd., Warren; 586-268-3200; andiamoshowroom.com

This local Italian chain opened its first location in 1989 in Warren. The Andiamo Celebrity Showroom boasts live entertainment, including big-name acts like the Guess Who and drag queen-hosted brunches. It won the award for Best Italian Restaurant in Macomb County in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll.

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Tom Perkins

Kimchi Box

13937 Lakeside Cir., Suite 113, Sterling Heights; 586-991-6907; kimchiboxusa.com

As far as fusion food goes, it doesn’t get much better than Korean-Mexican. This Michigan fast-casual chain excels at stuffing Korean barbeque into tortillas.

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Facebook, Cloverleaf Bar & Restaurant

Cloverleaf

Multiple locations | cloverleaf-pizza.com

In 1946, Cloverleaf founder Gus Guerra was the one to create Detroit-style deep dish pizza with Buddy’s and quickly took the delicacy to Cloverleaf’s sit-down restaurant, where the same recipe has been served ever since. Now, the staple is available for pick-up and delivery at many Macomb County locations, the newest recently opening in Grosse Pointe.

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originalnewyorkdeli.com

New York Deli Restaurant

40700 Garfield Rd., Clinton Twp.; 586-263-5600 | 25008 Little Mack Ave., St. Clair Shores; 586-779-5665 | originalnewyorkdeli.com

These two sister restaurants earned the award for Best Deli in Macomb County in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll thanks to authentic, Big Apple-style deli fare like corned beef sandwiches.

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Facebook, Just Love Coffee Cafe (Shelby Township)

Just Love Coffee Cafe

49453 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Twp.; 586-580-3904; justlovecoffeecafe.com

Founded in 2009, this spot won the award for the Best Coffeehouse (non-chain) in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll.

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Facebook, Lucianos Italian Restaurant

Luciano’s

39091 Garfield Rd., Clinton Twp.; 586-263-6540; lucianositaliancuisine.com

This long-standing restaurant first opened in 1987 on Van Dyke Road in Shelby Township, originally as a breakfast joint, moving to its current location two years later. Founder Luciano Gianino, an immigrant from Sicily and a U.S. Navy veteran, died on March 14, 2023 at age 76.

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Instagram, @djmorganjr2020

Theo’s Family Restaurant

11747 E. Thirteen Mile Rd., Warren; 586-939-6580; theoswarren.com

This diner serves up Italian and Greek favorites. It earned kudos for being Macomb County’s Best Diner in the 2022 Metro Times Best of Detroit reader’s poll.

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Tom Perkins

Ishtar Restaurant

3625 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights; 586-698-2585; facebook.com/Ishtar.restaurant

While most of metro Detroit’s Middle Eastern fare is Lebanese-inspired, Ishtar draws from the flavors of Iraq, one of the few restaurants in the region to do so. It’s known for its generous portions and live music.

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