Guidebook for Detroit
Essentials
The first Whole Foods in Detroit!!! Only 3 blocks north!!! Very successful!!! No more food desert!!!
159 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
115 Mack AveThe first Whole Foods in Detroit!!! Only 3 blocks north!!! Very successful!!! No more food desert!!!
Incomparable! Open Saturdays primarily, but there is a Sunday market also.
294 locals recommend
Eastern Market
Incomparable! Open Saturdays primarily, but there is a Sunday market also.
Arts & Culture
Comerica Park
2100 Woodward AveUm, I think some historic major league baseball team plays here!
Ford Field
2000 Brush StDetroit Lions, plus other events...
This is the Max Fisher Music Theater and Orchestra Hall. I recently went to an event at Max Fisher and was blown away. Just a great venue and a quality performance. Only 5 blocks from the condo.
10 locals recommend
Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center
3711 Woodward AveThis is the Max Fisher Music Theater and Orchestra Hall. I recently went to an event at Max Fisher and was blown away. Just a great venue and a quality performance. Only 5 blocks from the condo.
Detroit Opera House
1526 Broadway StCome on, it's opera!
If people ask me what one place I recommend in Detroit, the likes of which can't be seen anywhere else, this is it!!!!! I love this place (but some absolutely hate it)!!! Go in the daytime of course!
107 locals recommend
The Heidelberg Project
3600 Heidelberg StIf people ask me what one place I recommend in Detroit, the likes of which can't be seen anywhere else, this is it!!!!! I love this place (but some absolutely hate it)!!! Go in the daytime of course!
This isn't the Heidelberg Project itself, but it's in the same block as the condo, you can see it from the back backroom window--it's the shoe house!!!! Tyree Guyton, artist...
107 locals recommend
The Heidelberg Project
3600 Heidelberg StThis isn't the Heidelberg Project itself, but it's in the same block as the condo, you can see it from the back backroom window--it's the shoe house!!!! Tyree Guyton, artist...
They dodged the bullet of having to sell off their great collection in the city's bankruptcy!!! If you've never heard of Diego Rivera you must go!!!
532 locals recommend
Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 Woodward AveThey dodged the bullet of having to sell off their great collection in the city's bankruptcy!!! If you've never heard of Diego Rivera you must go!!!
I recommend it for the incredible decor and architecture! As for the experience of seeing a performance here, I'm not a huge fan--just make sure you like whom you're going to see and it'll be fine.
75 locals recommend
Fox Theatre
2211 Woodward AveI recommend it for the incredible decor and architecture! As for the experience of seeing a performance here, I'm not a huge fan--just make sure you like whom you're going to see and it'll be fine.
Food Scene
I love this place--not only a great coffee place but a great bar (great beer and cocktails) and great food! But a coffee shop vibe overall. Hard to explain--just be sure to go!
70 locals recommend
The Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company
3965 Woodward AveI love this place--not only a great coffee place but a great bar (great beer and cocktails) and great food! But a coffee shop vibe overall. Hard to explain--just be sure to go!
Great Slows barbecue that you don't have to wait a long time for...like you might have to at Slows restaurant in Corktown.
18 locals recommend
Slows To Go
4107 Cass AveGreat Slows barbecue that you don't have to wait a long time for...like you might have to at Slows restaurant in Corktown.
A little farther away, but a great local restaurant, not to be missed....
45 locals recommend
Craft Work
8047 Agnes StA little farther away, but a great local restaurant, not to be missed....
Great beer, fantastic pizza, another happening midtown place
54 locals recommend
Motor City Brewing Works
470 W Canfield StGreat beer, fantastic pizza, another happening midtown place
Very nice new upscale Italian restaurant, but not too upscale--it's Detroit! Tends to be noisy in the main room, so check out the back rooms.
30 locals recommend
Ottava Via
1400 Michigan AveVery nice new upscale Italian restaurant, but not too upscale--it's Detroit! Tends to be noisy in the main room, so check out the back rooms.
Detroit Institute of Bagels
1236 Michigan AveReally great bagels, excellent coffee!
The classic slider restaurant --everything is 3 or 4 dollars! Must be experienced! A Detroit icon.
87 locals recommend
Green Dot Stables
2200 W Lafayette BlvdThe classic slider restaurant --everything is 3 or 4 dollars! Must be experienced! A Detroit icon.
Mercury Burger Bar
2163 Michigan AveThe best burgers, in my opinion!
Bert's Marketplace
2727 Russell StFunky barbecue place with great music on Saturday nights!
La Feria
4130 Cass AveGood tapas, happening place
New place, really good breakfast and lunch, open till 3 p.m. Funky chic. No alcohol. Not the fastest service and a little far away, but I like it. Remember: no tipping!!!!!
61 locals recommend
Rose's Fine Food
10551 E Jefferson AveNew place, really good breakfast and lunch, open till 3 p.m. Funky chic. No alcohol. Not the fastest service and a little far away, but I like it. Remember: no tipping!!!!!
A little farther away, but worth the trip for their highly rated pizza!
53 locals recommend
Buddy's Pizza
17125 Conant StA little farther away, but worth the trip for their highly rated pizza!
This is a good new restaurant! Food here is very good and not particularly expensive. Good service. I recommend it! (Maybe have a cocktail or beer at Great Lakes Coffee first, or after!)
10 locals recommend
The Block
3919 Woodward AveThis is a good new restaurant! Food here is very good and not particularly expensive. Good service. I recommend it! (Maybe have a cocktail or beer at Great Lakes Coffee first, or after!)
A great place to grab a coffee and bagel before getting on the People Mover across the street (across John R that is).
6 locals recommend
1515 Broadway
1515 Broadway StA great place to grab a coffee and bagel before getting on the People Mover across the street (across John R that is).
Well I don't really recommend it, but the location is convenient for breakfast if you're downtown. OK food, OK service, but you know it's not so great when they don't even offer real maple syrup!
37 locals recommend
The Hudson Cafe
1241 Woodward AveWell I don't really recommend it, but the location is convenient for breakfast if you're downtown. OK food, OK service, but you know it's not so great when they don't even offer real maple syrup!
Another coney dog place, very near the condo! Food is OK, nothing to write home about, but it's open 24 hours!
6 locals recommend
Detroit One Coney Island Restaurant
3433 Woodward AveAnother coney dog place, very near the condo! Food is OK, nothing to write home about, but it's open 24 hours!
This is kind of a famous late night place, open till 4 a.m. I believe.
40 locals recommend
Lafayette Coney Island
118 W Lafayette BlvdThis is kind of a famous late night place, open till 4 a.m. I believe.
I love this place! Great cocktails and really great pie. Funky (in a good way) atmosphere. Don't expect it to be "fancy", but expect great food and drinks!
18 locals recommend
Rock City Eatery
4216 Woodward AveI love this place! Great cocktails and really great pie. Funky (in a good way) atmosphere. Don't expect it to be "fancy", but expect great food and drinks!
A pretty great new restaurant 8 blocks from the condo. Very trendy--great cocktails, innovative food. I recommend it! Go early to avoid a wait, no reservations. Enter on John R. Can be noisy.
Wright-Kay Building
1500 Woodward AvenueA pretty great new restaurant 8 blocks from the condo. Very trendy--great cocktails, innovative food. I recommend it! Go early to avoid a wait, no reservations. Enter on John R. Can be noisy.
Good drinks, good food, friendly place. Great trivia on Wednesday nights--arrive early (7-7:30) to get a good table. Warning: this trivia ain't easy! (If possible bring a popular music aficionado.)
41 locals recommend
Woodbridge Pub
5169 TrumbullGood drinks, good food, friendly place. Great trivia on Wednesday nights--arrive early (7-7:30) to get a good table. Warning: this trivia ain't easy! (If possible bring a popular music aficionado.)
Extremely popular barbecue place, great food. However often there's a wait, and it may be noisy. The faster option is Slows To Go in the Midtown area.
113 locals recommend
Slows Bar BQ
2138 Michigan AveExtremely popular barbecue place, great food. However often there's a wait, and it may be noisy. The faster option is Slows To Go in the Midtown area.
Great small upscale coffee shop/cafe, different roasts, pour over method, great pastries, highly recommended!
70 locals recommend
Astro Coffee
2124 Michigan AvenueGreat small upscale coffee shop/cafe, different roasts, pour over method, great pastries, highly recommended!
I've only been here once. Interesting but I don't really recommend it, especially if you're not on an expense account. However it's in the Book Cadillac (Westin) hotel which is pretty historic.
22 locals recommend
Roast
1128 Washington BlvdI've only been here once. Interesting but I don't really recommend it, especially if you're not on an expense account. However it's in the Book Cadillac (Westin) hotel which is pretty historic.
Wow it's great! Great cocktails, great upscale food! Not too noisy when I was there. Sit at the Chef's Counter for a great view of the action! New, reservations available in December.
3921 2nd Ave
3921 2nd AvenueWow it's great! Great cocktails, great upscale food! Not too noisy when I was there. Sit at the Chef's Counter for a great view of the action! New, reservations available in December.
OMG it's great great great: Totally unique fantastic cocktails, most using house made ingredients. Great innovative and delicious food, fantastic decor, friendly people! You MUST go! (Bring money)
1428 Gratiot Ave
1428 Gratiot AvenueOMG it's great great great: Totally unique fantastic cocktails, most using house made ingredients. Great innovative and delicious food, fantastic decor, friendly people! You MUST go! (Bring money)
A colorful pawnshop becomes an upscale restaurant! A lot of thought and work has gone into this food--it's truly unique and a great experience! Great cocktails too! Definitely go!!!!
2100 Michigan Ave
2100 Michigan AvenueA colorful pawnshop becomes an upscale restaurant! A lot of thought and work has gone into this food--it's truly unique and a great experience! Great cocktails too! Definitely go!!!!
Sandwich & Charcuterie Shop in Corktown! It's great, trust me! No alcohol, but have some of their great food, and then you can go across the street to Sugar House or west to Two James...
Rubbed
2015 Michigan AveSandwich & Charcuterie Shop in Corktown! It's great, trust me! No alcohol, but have some of their great food, and then you can go across the street to Sugar House or west to Two James...
This is a nicely renovated and decorated place. It's very comfortable. Kind of an upscale sports bar vibe. The food and cocktails are good but not inspired or inspiring.
8 locals recommend
Downtown Louie's Lounge
30 Clifford StThis is a nicely renovated and decorated place. It's very comfortable. Kind of an upscale sports bar vibe. The food and cocktails are good but not inspired or inspiring.
A pretty great place. A little out of the way. Try the bacon fried rice and the tableside torched mackerel. Not expensive.
48 locals recommend
Johnny Noodle King
2601 W Fort StA pretty great place. A little out of the way. Try the bacon fried rice and the tableside torched mackerel. Not expensive.
It's a great brunch place in a central downtown location!!! Decor is attractive, Dime Building is attractive. Expect a wait on weekends. Recommended.
41 locals recommend
Dime Store
719 Griswold StIt's a great brunch place in a central downtown location!!! Decor is attractive, Dime Building is attractive. Expect a wait on weekends. Recommended.
If the wait's too long at Selden Standard, try this place just half a block away!! It's a friendly, funky diner and bar with good food. Good for breakfast also. Try the Cajun Gumbo!!
44 locals recommend
Honest John's
488 Selden StIf the wait's too long at Selden Standard, try this place just half a block away!! It's a friendly, funky diner and bar with good food. Good for breakfast also. Try the Cajun Gumbo!!
This is an excellent go-to restaurant on the main floor of the Park Shelton. On the order of Selden Standard but probably easier to get a table. Try the Improved Gimlet, made with yellow chartreuse!
Chartreuse
3965 Woodward AveThis is an excellent go-to restaurant on the main floor of the Park Shelton. On the order of Selden Standard but probably easier to get a table. Try the Improved Gimlet, made with yellow chartreuse!
Oh wow you gotta go here for breakfast or lunch!!! Small, unpretentious, arguably the best breakfast in Detroit! Nice decor, historic building! Reasonable prices! Downtown location!
28 locals recommend
Parks & Rec Diner
1942 W Grand River AveOh wow you gotta go here for breakfast or lunch!!! Small, unpretentious, arguably the best breakfast in Detroit! Nice decor, historic building! Reasonable prices! Downtown location!
This is a great funky seafood place in the Mexican Town area. Fish tacos are great, however avoid the cocktails--that's not their specialty.
6 locals recommend
Huron Room
2547 Bagley StThis is a great funky seafood place in the Mexican Town area. Fish tacos are great, however avoid the cocktails--that's not their specialty.
This is a pretty good Vietnamese restaurant which has the advantage of being about a block from the condo!!
11 locals recommend
Pho Lucky Detroit - Midtown
3111 Woodward AvenueThis is a pretty good Vietnamese restaurant which has the advantage of being about a block from the condo!!
Shopping
A really cool place, even if you don't buy a $2000 retro bicycle or a watch made in Detroit watch...
80 locals recommend
Shinola Detroit Store
441 W Canfield StA really cool place, even if you don't buy a $2000 retro bicycle or a watch made in Detroit watch...
828 Fisher Fwy
828 Fisher FreewayA great antiques store. Check hours, they're often not open.
This is a pretty crazy old bookstore. You're sure to find some surprising stuff.
26 locals recommend
John K. King Books
901 W Lafayette BlvdThis is a pretty crazy old bookstore. You're sure to find some surprising stuff.
This is great store near the Eastern Market. In the back there are independent stalls. Try the Wild Detroit Honey!
7 locals recommend
The Detroit Mercantile Co.
3434 Russell StThis is great store near the Eastern Market. In the back there are independent stalls. Try the Wild Detroit Honey!
Drinks & Nightlife
Great gin, great cocktails, great atmosphere...and now food in the evening from a food truck, I believe. Buy a bottle of gin--it's great and the bottle is great! This is a distillery!
63 locals recommend
Two James Spirits
2445 Michigan AveGreat gin, great cocktails, great atmosphere...and now food in the evening from a food truck, I believe. Buy a bottle of gin--it's great and the bottle is great! This is a distillery!
100 standard cocktails, plus others! This is primarily a cocktail place, plus some great snacks. I definitely recommend it.
71 locals recommend
The Sugar House
2130 Michigan Ave100 standard cocktails, plus others! This is primarily a cocktail place, plus some great snacks. I definitely recommend it.
Northern Lights Lounge
660 W Baltimore StA good music venue!
Cliff Bell's
2030 Park AveAnother good music venue, walking distance
Open Friday and Saturday nights, this is a crazy happening local scene, nothing is like it. Music also, up close and personal.
40 locals recommend
Cafe d'Mongo's Speakeasy
1439 Griswold StOpen Friday and Saturday nights, this is a crazy happening local scene, nothing is like it. Music also, up close and personal.
I like this place--the second distillery operating in Detroit (after Two James). I like their cocktails and their smoked fish. Funky cool location in Eastern Market area.
2462 Riopelle St
2462 Riopelle StreetI like this place--the second distillery operating in Detroit (after Two James). I like their cocktails and their smoked fish. Funky cool location in Eastern Market area.
Funky, happening (often), dancing, maybe karaoke, hipsters, gays, straights, friendly--those words come to mind. And 3 blocks from the condo. Atwater IPA on tap, recently.
20 locals recommend
Temple Bar
2906 Cass AveFunky, happening (often), dancing, maybe karaoke, hipsters, gays, straights, friendly--those words come to mind. And 3 blocks from the condo. Atwater IPA on tap, recently.
St Cece's Pub
1426 Bagley StA nice cozy pub in Corktown. Sit by the fireplace in winter.
HopCat opened at 11 on 12/13/14. It's a beer emporium with entertainment. I haven't been here yet but the HopCat in Ann Arbor has great beers and a staff that's knowledgeable about them.
4265 Woodward Ave
HopCat opened at 11 on 12/13/14. It's a beer emporium with entertainment. I haven't been here yet but the HopCat in Ann Arbor has great beers and a staff that's knowledgeable about them.
I definitely recommend this bar. They are simply a serious downtown cocktail bar with excellent and innovative drinks. No frills, no food (I don't think).
10 locals recommend
The Keep
140 Cadillac SquareI definitely recommend this bar. They are simply a serious downtown cocktail bar with excellent and innovative drinks. No frills, no food (I don't think).
Go to this bar!!! (They serve some food too.) They are very serious about cocktails and do a great job. Also, it's at the end of Belt Alley, which is a must see for its murals!!! (Also, you couldn't ask for more diversity than you'll see here!)
59 locals recommend
Standby
225 Gratiot AveGo to this bar!!! (They serve some food too.) They are very serious about cocktails and do a great job. Also, it's at the end of Belt Alley, which is a must see for its murals!!! (Also, you couldn't ask for more diversity than you'll see here!)
Sightseeing
This is a great trail which you can take up from the other more obvious "trail" along the Detroit River waterfront. Should be bike rentals near at the riverfront...
42 locals recommend
Dequindre Cut Greenway
Dequindre Cut GreenwayThis is a great trail which you can take up from the other more obvious "trail" along the Detroit River waterfront. Should be bike rentals near at the riverfront...
The People Mover is great!! Who knew? It's a train on an elevated track which just loops around downtown. Broadway stop is an 11 minute walk. 75 cents, comes every 5 minutes. Waterfront views!
25 locals recommend
Detroit People Mover
The People Mover is great!! Who knew? It's a train on an elevated track which just loops around downtown. Broadway stop is an 11 minute walk. 75 cents, comes every 5 minutes. Waterfront views!
This is probably Detroit's most famous ruin!!! (And we have plenty!) The great thing is that it's right near all of Corktown's great bars and restaurants (and Two James distillery).
42 locals recommend
Michigan Central Train Depot
2001 15th StThis is probably Detroit's most famous ruin!!! (And we have plenty!) The great thing is that it's right near all of Corktown's great bars and restaurants (and Two James distillery).
This site has historic significance for a lot of people. About all that remains is the front fence on Michigan Avenue. Close to all the great Corktown places.
212 locals recommend
Comerica Park
2100 Woodward AveThis site has historic significance for a lot of people. About all that remains is the front fence on Michigan Avenue. Close to all the great Corktown places.
A pretty nice riverwalk, much improved. Take a bicycle if possible.
142 locals recommend
Detroit River Walk
Detroit RiverWalkA pretty nice riverwalk, much improved. Take a bicycle if possible.
The interior of this building is pretty amazing--check it out!
67 locals recommend
The Guardian Building
500 Griswold StThe interior of this building is pretty amazing--check it out!
Everything Else
The one block alley has great murals!!! Also it's right next to the Z Lot which has more great murals!! Also at the end of it is Standby, a great bar!! It's a reasonable walk from the condo.
27 locals recommend
The Belt
The BeltThe one block alley has great murals!!! Also it's right next to the Z Lot which has more great murals!! Also at the end of it is Standby, a great bar!! It's a reasonable walk from the condo.