Photos from United We Brunch 2025

On Saturday, Metro Times held United We Brunch at the Norwood Theatre. The tasting event featured bites from Cornbread Restaurant and Bar,…

By Metro Times editorial staff

Image: Photos from United We Brunch 2025
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Metro Detroit celebrates Fat Tuesday 2025 [PHOTOS]

From lines that wrap around the block at New Palace Bakery in Hamtramck to paczki coneys at American Coney Island, metro Detroit…

By Joe Maroon

Image: Metro Detroit celebrates Fat Tuesday 2025 [PHOTOS]
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New Detroit-area restaurants for 2025

While the restaurant industry has been facing especially difficult headwinds lately, that hasn’t stopped a number of exciting new establishments from opening…

By Lee DeVito

Dime Store Rochester Hills 6920 N. Rochester Rd., Rochester Hills; eatdimestore.com This Detroit brunch favorite celebrated a decade operating out of downtown’s Chrysler House Building with exciting news — an expansion to the ’burbs. Attached to a Papa Joe’s Gourmet Market, the new location is more than double the size of the original Detroit spot, allowing for an expanded menu including pancakes and former limited-time specials like the General Tso’s Benny. The extra space also means it can accommodate reservations for parties of up to 12, private events, and catering orders.
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Ranking the best Detroit-style pizzas

Thick, crispy, cheesy, and unmistakably Detroit. The city’s signature square pizza is a true local classic that has earned its place alongside…

By Steve Neavling

Loui’s Pizza in Hazel Park is one of the best purveyors of Detroit-style pizza.
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The most romantic restaurants in metro Detroit

Sure, romantic restaurants can be pricey, but you deserve to treat yourself and your partner sometimes, especially for Valentine’s Day. If you’re…

By Layla McMurtrie

Highlands 400 Renaissance Center, Floor 71, Detroit; 313-877-9090; highlandsdetroit.com For an amazing view of Detroit, Canada, and the river, this is the place to be. Located on the 71st floor of the Renaissance Center, the sights are breathtaking — but you better not be afraid of heights.
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Forest Bakery is making good mornings in Oak Park

I asked the owners of Forest Bakery how many layers were in their croissants. I hadn’t researched beforehand so was dumbfounded when…

By Jane Slaughter

Forest Bakery bakers Jo Burke, Humna Tak, and Kyle Suczynski are morning people.
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The best things we ate in metro Detroit in 2024

As always, downtown Detroit continued its ascent with the addition of some awesome new eateries that are helping turn our city into…

By Jane Slaughter, Tom Perkins

Stuffed shawarma pizza slice at Tania’s Pizza and Kal’s Lunch Bowl Tania’s Pizza in a Royal Oak party store has quietly assembled one of metro Detroit’s top pizzas, becoming something of an institution for its incredible stuffed pies. Meanwhile, Mr. Kebab, a carryout restaurant in a Berkley Mobil gas station, grew in recent decades to become a nationally lauded shawarma spot, which largely owed to the work of its chef, Kal Al-Amara. He now runs the awesome Kal’s Lunch Bowl in Royal Oak. Folks, the universe has smiled upon us: The two restaurants at the top of Detroit’s shawarma and pizza games have teamed up, creating a dish that deserves to be in the region’s best slice conversation — the stuffed shawarma pizza. Kal’s makes the chicken or beef shawarma, and Tania’s stuffs it between its garlic-butter crusts with a combo garlic-red sauce and pickles in the chicken pie, or, in the beef version, garlic-red sauce, onion, tomatoes, and beets. The Tania’s-Kal’s stuffed shawarma pizza ascends to the same high echelon of Detroit slices as all the kings — the Salami Kilpatrick from Pie-Sci, anything from Loui’s, the eponymous pizza from Supino, and the dill pickle soup pizza from HenriettaHaus. That’s high praise. —Tom Perkins
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New book digs into the Michigan roots of long-standing food and beverage brands

Ready-to-eat cereal, commercial baby food, and frozen garlic bread all share a surprising connection: their rise to success can be traced back…

By Layla McMurtrie

Author Gail Offen (right) conducting early research for the book while visiting Kellogg’s Headquarters in Battle Creek (circa 1967).
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24 holiday pop-up bars in Metro Detroit with immaculate vibes

Bars and breweries across metro Detroit are breaking out the tinsel and holly for some festive fun. Plus, some seasonal bars are…

By Sydney Catinna

Detroit City Distillery 2462 Riopelle St., Detroit; detroitcitydistillery.com DCD’s Eastern Market tasting room is decked out in festive lights, what it’s calling a “Winter Whiskey Wonderland.” It has also released a new holiday menu with 15 new craft cocktails and is also hosting pop-ups from local chefs.
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Scenes from Whiskey in the Winter 2024 at the Detroit Shipping Company

On Friday, Metro Times’s annual Whiskey in the Winter returned to the Detroit Shipping Company. The tasting event featured plenty of whiskey…

By Dontae Rockymore, Shawn Wolfson

Image: Scenes from Whiskey in the Winter 2024 at the Detroit Shipping Company
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Metro Detroit’s best bars and clubs of 2024, according to our readers

The results are in for this year’s Best of Detroit reader’s poll, and according to you, these are the best bars and…

By Layla McMurtrie

Best Happy Hour for Drinks (Oakland): McVee’s Pub & Grub 1129 E. Long Lake Rd., Troy | mcveespubandgrub.com
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The best drinks in metro Detroit, according to you

These winners from the 2024 Best of Detroit readers’ poll showcase the top drinks that metro Detroit and Michigan have to offer.…

By Layla McMurtrie

Blake’s Hard Cider is a favorite local treat.
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Metro Detroit’s best restaurants and food of 2024, according to our readers

The results are in for this year’s Best of Detroit reader’s poll! According to you, these are the best spots for food…

By Layla McMurtrie

Detroit’s Sexy Steak was named Best New Restaurant (Wayne) in our 2024 Best of Detroit poll.
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These Detroit-area eateries have closed in 2024

Watching a beloved local restaurant close its doors is always heartbreaking, whether it’s been a neighborhood staple for decades or just a…

By Layla McMurtrie

Noah's Deli 14500 Michigan Ave., Dearborn This beloved Dearborn deli, known for its soups and sandwiches, permanently closed in early September. The business took to Facebook to share that a new owner bought the space, and will turn it into something of his own.
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Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken opens first metro Detroit restaurant in Livonia

NBA star Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken is continuing its expansion into Michigan. The fried chicken chain is opening a new location in…

By Layla McMurtrie

Image: Shaquille O'Neal's Big Chicken opens first metro Detroit restaurant in Livonia
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Detroit Fall Beer Festival returns for 15th year

Michigan’s largest all-local beer tasting festival is back. The Michigan Brewers Guild’s Detroit Fall Beer Festival is returning to Eastern Market for…

By Layla McMurtrie

The Detroit Fall Beer Festival is happening on Saturday, Oct. 19.
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25+ must-try Latin American restaurants in metro Detroit for Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15 to October 15, honors the anniversaries of independence for several Latin American countries, including Costa…

By Layla McMurtrie

MAIZ Mexican Cantina 36 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti; 734-340-6010; maizmexican.com MAIZ may not be the most authentic restaurant on this list, but it provides a spacious sit-down restaurant for family dinners, featuring a diverse menu of street tacos and margaritas.
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New metro Detroit restaurants that have opened so far in 2024

The dining scene in metro Detroit is off to an impressive start to 2024, with many great new eateries that have opened…

By Layla McMurtrie

Black Ginger 456 Charlotte St., Detroit The city's newest Korean-fusion restaurant opened in Corktown in May
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Halloween pop-up bars in metro Detroit you don’t want to miss this fall

As fall creeps in, metro Detroit brings a variety of spooky Halloween-themed pop-up bars to visit. If you enjoy dark and eerie…

By Layla McMurtrie

Black Lagoon Oct. 1-Nov. 5; The Skip, 1234 Library St., Detroit; blacklagoonpopup.com Acclaimed Halloween pop-up Black Lagoon is making its Detroit debut this year. Created by industry veterans Erin Hayes and Kelsey Ramage, Black Lagoon offers a gothic-inspired bar setting with a macabre mix of goth and metal influences. With its expansion into 35 cities across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, this year’s Detroit location will feature a carefully curated cocktail menu. Drinks made with sponsor brands like Lot 40 Rye, Fords Gin, Mezcal Union, and Mr. Black Cold Brew Liqueur will be paired with dark decor.
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These Detroit-area bars and breweries serve up fall-flavored drinks

As the weather cools down for fall, metro Detroit’s drinking scene heats up with seasonal flavors, tastefully changing with the leaves. Whether…

By Layla McMurtrie

Griffin Claw Brewing Co. 575 S. Eton St., Birmingham; 248-712-4050; griffinclawbrewingcompany.com Screamin’ Pumpkin: This beer is like a pumpkin pie in a can, brewed with nutmeg, allspice, clove, cinnamon, and fresh ginger.
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Where to find Michigan's best doughnuts, cider, and corn mazes this fall

Just because the leaves are turning doesn’t mean the outdoor fun stops in Michigan. While summers at the lake are a tradition,…

By Metro Times editorial staff

Blake's Orchard & Cider Mill 17985 Armada Center Rd., Armada; 586-784-5343; blakefarms.com With haunted hayrides, a three-story haunted barn, zombie paintball, pumpkins, and apples, Blake's is a veritable autumn wonderland.
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Where to find the best hot dogs in metro Detroit

Sometimes, everyone could eat a tasty hot dog. They’re simple, delicious, and can be topped in numerous ways. There’s Chicago-style, New York-style,…

By Metro Times editorial staff

Hell Yeah Dog 1234 Liberty St., Detroit; hellyeahdog.com While closed for the winter, this hot dog stand is a saving grace after a long night downtown. Located in the Belt, Hell Yeah Dog will easily fulfill your drunk post-bar cravings. The all beef Dearborn dogs served on Crispelli’s buns come in tons of unique flavors. Notably, there’s a shawarma dog topped with garlic sauce, pickled turnips, cucumbers, and red onion. The Hell Yeah dog comes with grilled pineapple, teriyaki, curried carrot mayo, and jalapeño scallion. When the warm weather comes back around, this spot is a must-try.
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Detroit’s Nuevo Seoul serves up Mexican-Korean fusion

The name is clever and the idea is intriguing — Korean meets Mexican — but Nuevo Seoul lacks where it’s most important:…

By Jane Slaughter

At Nuevo Seoul, the menu pairs Mexican dishes with Korean meats.
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The best lounges, speakeasies, and hidden bars in metro Detroit and where to find them

Think you’re the hippest barfly in Detroit? How many of these hidden, low-key, blink-and-you-miss-them, and underground bars have you visited?

By Metro Times editorial staff

Evening Bar 1400 Woodward Ave, Detroit; eveningbar.com This speakeasy-style bar is accessible through a hidden entrance in Parker Alley behind the Shinola Hotel. The relaxed, subdued atmosphere is complemented by a delicious drink menu that recalls the classic elegance of the Roaring Twenties. Photo via @rod.arroyo / Instagram
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The best and worst Detroit-area Kroger stores, ranked

People liked the Meijer rankings we did a couple of months ago, so we decided to do the same for local Kroger…

By Layla McMurtrie

Kroger was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1883.
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Hamtramck’s new taproom Florian East champions inclusivity and multiculturalism

With large windows facing the street that display the name “Florian East” in six languages, this new taproom in Hamtramck is welcoming…

By Layla McMurtrie

Florian East is set to host a grand opening during the Hamtramck Labor Day Festival.
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Best of Detroit: Top pizza winners of the last five years

Metro Times’s Best of Detroit readers’ poll is a longstanding tradition, and it’s that exciting time of year again when metro Detroiters…

By Layla McMurtrie

2019: Best Pizza (Oakland) Bigalora 3050 Washtenaw Ave., Ste. 112, Ann Arbor; 711 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 777 W. Ann Arbor Trl., Plymouth; bigalora.com
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Japanese-inspired cocktail bar opens in Detroit’s Book Tower

The Aladdin Sane, a new cocktail bar in Detroit’s recently renovated Book Tower, offers an interesting blend of inspirations — Japan and…

By Layla McMurtrie

The Aladdin Sane mirrors traditional Japanese cocktail bars in Tokyo, featuring bars and tables of the same height.
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20 Detroit-area dessert shops to keep you cool

Something about the summer brings out a craving for sweetness. When it’s hot AF outside like it has been in metro Detroit…

By Layla McMurtrie

Doug's Delight in Hazel Park.
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Halloween pop-up bar Black Lagoon is coming to Detroit this fall

It’s already August, which means Halloween is basically (sort of) around the corner. With the holiday season comes unique pop-up bars to…

By Layla McMurtrie

Black Lagoon will be at The Skip from October 1 through November 5.
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Detroit food experiences that offer more than a great meal

Detroit’s dining scene is full of unique spots that go beyond just serving food. Many local eateries blend delicious cuisine with unique…

By Layla McMurtrie

Cliff Bell’s 2030 Park Ave., Detroit; 313-961-2543; cliffbells.com This renowned jazz club and restaurant offers upscale American dishes and great drinks within an Art Deco ambiance, complemented by nightly live jazz performances. Originally opening in 1935 following the prohibition era, the spot is also steeped in history.
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$8 burgers we can’t wait to try during Detroit Burger Week

What’s more essential to summer than a delicious burger? Detroit Burger Week, running from July 22-28, offers the perfect opportunity to indulge…

By Layla McMurtrie

Image: $8 burgers we can’t wait to try during Detroit Burger Week
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