8 Best Restaurants in Detroit, Michigan

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).

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.

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.

The seasonally changing menu here highlights fresh ingredients and features innovative tuna, salmon, and beef dishes, but the signature dish is rack of lamb. Top it all off with the homemade white chocolate ice cream with roasted macadamia nuts on purees of passion fruit and raspberry. The art-filled dining room is all marble and rosewood, with terrific views of the Detroit River and Windsor skyline.

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.

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.

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.