By Layla McMurtrie on Tue, Sep 24, 2024 at 2:54 pm
5060 Jackson Rd., Ann Arbor; 734-882-2882; basecampa2.com
This new restaurant is bringing the flavors of the Himalayas to Ann Arbor. Led by a seven-time Everest summiter and experienced chef, Base Camp shares the culinary traditions of Nepal, India, Tibet, and Bhutan. Menu items include momos, curries, biryani, mango lassi, and more.
456 Charlotte St., Detroit
The city's newest Korean-fusion restaurant opened in Corktown in May
4100 Third Ave., Detroit; 313-500-1615; vecinodetroit.com
This Latin-inspired restaurant with an “agave-forward” bar was intended to open in Midtown in November 2023, but just finally opened in April 2024. Its simple menu merges modern Mexican cuisine with a curated selection of tequilas and mezcals.
Read more here.
1435 Randolph St., Detroit; fixinssoulkitchen.com
Former NBA All-Star Kevin Johnson's soul food spot is finally in the D, and is Fixins’ largest location yet, with seating for 325 people. According to a press release, “The Fixins menu is inspired by Kevin’s search for the best soul food restaurants in cities that he used to play basketball in and by his grandmother’s family recipes.”
220 W. Congress St., Detroit; 313-502-5171; eatatnuevoseoul.com
This Korean-inspired fast-casual Mexican street food restaurant opened in downtown Detroit in late April. Brothers Chris and Peter Han, founders of Hanah Steakhouse in Detroit and Osaka Steakhouse in Clawson, are at the helm of the new concept. Its menu merges components of Mexican and Korean flavors to familiar dishes such as bulgogi beef tacos, birria ramen, and kimchi fries. Along with nonalcoholic drinks, Mexican-inspired spiked slushies and signature Agua Fresca cocktails are also available.
Read more here.
150 W. Jefferson Ave., Detroit
This spot is bringing a taste of the South to Detroit.The New Orleans-inspired breakfast and brunch restaurant named after the popular Southern term of endearment just opened its doors in the heart of downtown, offering comfort food, craft cocktails, and espresso drinks.
1040 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-246-8811; adelinadetroit.com
At the heart of downtown Detroit, Adelina fuses Italian and Mediterranean cuisine for unique and innovative flavors. The concept, which opened in March, is a collaboration with renowned celebrity chef Fabio Viviani.
33380 Wick Rd., Romulus
The first ever Michigan Sheetz location opened in August. The Romulus store will include the chain’s 24-7 food and coffee options, as well as indoor and outdoor dining seating and grocery items. The company also touts one of the largest electric vehicle charging networks in the U.S. More Michigan locations are coming soon.
4626 Third St., Detroit; instagram.com/thirdstreetdetroit
After this longstanding Cass Corridor bar closed last summer, fans were sad. Luckily, it just reopened under new ownership. The humble Third Street Bar is now owned by the Detroit Optimist Society, a hospitality group better known for its high-end cocktail bars like Sugar House, Wright & Co., and Bad Luck Bar. But co-owner Dave Kwiatkowski is keeping Third Street Bar the same, with its low-frills shot-and-a-beer kind of vibe that has long been popular with Wayne State University students.
Read more here.
4725 16th St., Detroit; instagram.com/puma_detroit
New Argentine restaurant PUMA opened during Movement Music Festival with parties all weekend. PUMA 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.
Read more here.
25005 Dequindre Rd., Madison Heights; sarokis.com
This chain, established in 2012 by brothers Curtis and Todd Saroki, just expanded to metro Detroit in late June. The spot has grown a cult following for its fried chicken and New York-style pizzas, and now we get to see what the hype is all about.
Read more here.
104 N. Adams Rd., Rochester Hills; thejacksonrestaurant.com
Thes new restaurant inspired by the work of abstract expressionist painter Jackson Pollock opened in Rochester Hills in June. The spot's decor is heavily influenced by Pollock’s groundbreaking work “Number One," with dishes representing "edible masterpieces."
Read more here.
814 W. Seven Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-893-5657
This small Iraqi restaurant abruptly closed around three years ago, but was fortunately reopened by a new owner just a couple of months ago. The spot's menu includes a range of kabobs, lamb shank, shawarma, chicken cream chop, and several sandwiches. There are also salads and a menu of Iraqi breakfast staples.
Read more here.
1456 Woodward, Detroit; easypeasydetroit.com
Opening in late June, Easy Peasy is a neighborhood bar open daily, offering classic cocktails, beer, and wine. It is run by the team behind Collect Beer Bar, Two Birds, and the Huddle Soft Serve ice cream windows. Easy Peasy collaborates with Detroit chefs to offer lunch, dinner, and late-night options, including sushi. During dinner and Saturday brunch, No Sauce BBQ, a Black-owned collective, serves a bar menu featuring burgers, BBQ tacos, and various snacks and sides.
1456 Woodward, Detroit; easypeasydetroit.com
Located below new bar Easy Peasy, Lowkey is an underground cocktail lounge featuring a rotation of some of Detroit’s best bartenders. In a nod to the storied history of the space (formerly Whisky Disco and Oslo Nightclub), Lowkey also hosts the occasional DJs night featuring some of Detroit’s most established DJs, as well as new and upcoming talent.
18625 Ecorse Rd., Allen Park; 947-948-5680; pink-garlic-indian-cuisine.square.site
Oak Park favorite Pink Garlic opened a second location in Allen Park in March, offering both dine-in and carryout. Like the original spot, the new Pink Garlic’s menu features an extensive lineup of Indian and Indo-Chinese staples like chicken biryani, orange chicken, momos, and tandoori chicken.
Read more here.
9405 John R. St., Detroit; instagram.com/cafenoir.det
This French-inspired coffee shop recently opened in the space formerly home to Black Coffee, which opened in late 2022. A year before that, the coffee shop was named Kenilworth Cafe. Now, new life has been breathed into the community spot once again. While Café Noir is a play on the name Black Coffee, the space has been heavily reimagined and updated, with a French-inspired menu and ambiance, rather than the Afro-centric vibe that Black Coffee took on. The spot serves up a variety of coffee drinks alongside pastries and sandwiches, aiming to “provide a welcoming space for people to connect, socialize, and build community.” While there’s a lot that is new, the space’s unique and fun outdoor co-working circles, as well as free community WiFi access, are still present.
Read more here.
1550 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-651-7050; gillysdetroit.com
This downtown Detroit sports bar dedicated to Dan Gilbert’s late son opened in early April. Gilly’s boasts 10,000 square feet with a 120-square foot television, Detroit sports memorabilia, and American fare. The menu includes things like grass-fed beef smash burgers, chicken wings, homemade mac and cheese, and turkey meatballs along with healthier options like grain bowls and salads. A variety of draft beers and specialty cocktails are also offered, as well as classic coffee and fresh-pressed juice.
Read more here.
2159 E. Lincoln St., Birmingham; 248-653-5353; eatlincolnyard.com
These sister eateries are two new restaurants in one — one dine-in space and one to-go spot — located in a repurposed school bus garage in Birmingham’s Rail District. The concept is led by local restaurant group Union Joints.
Read more here.
1942 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-403-1000; sexysteakdetroit.com
Detroit’s castle-esque Grand Army of the Republic building became home to this new restaurant, featuring a menu focused on steaks and seafood. The new spot is led by Prime 29 Concepts, which also operates Aurora Italiana and Prime 29 Steakhouse in West Bloomfield.
Read more here.
2688 Coolidge Hwy., Berkley; 248-845-2125; bombshelltreatbar.com
Berkley’s Bombshell Treat Bar opened on April 19, specializing in over-the-top desserts. The spot serves up ice cream, dipped bars, floats, hot pretzels, grab-n-go “packed pints,” ice cream cakes, salt and pepper caramel corn, novelty candy, and other sweet treats.
Read more here.