13 Best Restaurants in Detroit, Michigan

In suburban Southfield, this upscale eatery pays homage to its southern roots with vintage Life magazine posters of famous African-Americans and mounds of solidly prepared soul food.

Chuck Muer's stylish fish emporium is a play on words, referring to both the menu and the automobile executives who frequent it. In addition to the plentiful fresh fish, you'll find excellent pastas, lamb, and steaks, all served in a clubby atmosphere decorated with—what else—big fish. Try the signature Charley's Chowder and the soft, steaming rolls. French doors lead to a brick patio with open-air dining.

This Euro-style eatery is all that's left of a once sizable Belgian community on Detroit's east side. Belgian beers, mussels (a specialty), fish-and-chips, and other Belgian delights attract a loyal crowd. Feather bowling is available (somewhat like a Bocce-horseshoes hybrid).

A see-and-be-seen favorite of Michigan politicos and local CEOs, this dim, clubby restaurant with mahogany booths and tables is in the upscale Somerset North shopping mecca. It's known for dry-aged steak, on display in a glass-front locker. Steaks may be king here, but the crab and lobster cakes and calamari are prepared with equal skill. You'll drool over the strawberries with vanilla ice cream drizzled with port and Grand Marnier. There's also a cigar-friendly lounge.

A venerable Detroit institution, this spot recalls a time when elegant restaurants had boardroom decor, lots of oil paintings, and wood. The menu is of similar vintage: steaks, chops, Dover sole, and the club's famous baby back ribs.

This authentic New Orleans–style restaurant in the heart of Greektown is loud, brash, funky, and fun. The spicy creole fare on the seasonal menu includes gator, gumbo, crawfish, and gulf oysters on the half shell. The whiskey ribs are tops year-round. If you're staying in the suburbs, check out the branches in St. Clair Shores and Southfield.

Detroit's contribution to gastronomy is the Coney dog: a hot dog topped with cheese, onions, and chili, all in a bun. Every day, suburbanites and visiting celebrities in stretch limos share counter space with workers getting off the night shift at this area institution, which serves all day.

This longtime favorite with its high, peaked ceilings, palms, and a soothing color scheme is the dressiest Asian restaurant in the metro Detroit area. The menu includes staples such as moo shu pork, General Tso's chicken, and a variety of sushi. Other choices include the inventive Singapore noodles—chicken, shrimp, chiles, and curry on angel-hair pasta—or seared sea scallops with corn-chili sauce.

Specialties such as pastitsio (Greek-style lasagna) and avgolemono (chicken-lemon soup) are prepared in a huge open kitchen at this Greek tavern. You'll also find American classics like Caesar salad and sandwiches.

This is a relaxed yet elegant place, with white linen and votive candles on the tables and quaint old scenes of the motherland on the walls. Here you can enjoy delicious homemade ravioli, lasagna, and several veal dishes.

As the name suggests, Tom's is an area favorite with an extensive oyster selection. But don't miss the spicy crawfish bisque and the many fresh fish dishes. The walls are done in dark paneling covered by lots of old New Yorker covers. There's open-air dining on a flower-filled patio.

The menu changes often, but you can count on wheatberry and other interesting breads, inventive salads, and daily specials like spinach lasagna and Caesar salad. Dessert is key: try the Five Chocolate Cake, a white-chocolate cheesecake topped with three chocolate layers, wrapped in chocolate fondant.

Once the mansion of lumber baron David Whitney, this posh restaurant turns out creative American dishes, snappy pastas, and very fresh seafood. Brunch is served on Sunday, and lunch is available Tuesday through Friday.