Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Detroit

Look for the giant horse on the roof and you'll know you've found Green Dot Stables. This horse-racing themed restaurant is a true delight to see with its brick walls and equestrian paraphernalia adorning the walls. Nowhere else will you find such an extensive selection of sliders of all kinds. Green Dot Stables also serves up six different types of fries and a good number of salads. The full bar offers any number of cheap and delicious cocktails and beers.

A Detroit tradition, Buddy's Pizzeria has grown from a little-known bar and pizza joint to an institution. There are now Buddy's outlets in multiple suburbs, but the authentic experience is at the original, crowded, multi-roomed eatery. Buddy's was the first spot in Detroit to offer square pizzas, in 1946. The pizza is thick and the filling comes with plenty of cheese and sauce, and it is repeatedly voted the best in Detroit in local surveys. Salads, pastas, burgers, sandwiches and home-made soups are also on the menu. There is always a bustling party atmosphere.

La Dole Vita is a little piece of Italy nestled in the heart of the scenic Palmer Park district. The restaurant's decor is reminiscent of an Italian trattoria, featuring chandeliers, flagstone walls and vintage accents. Patrons can even dine in the lovely patio area amidst floral gardens and live music. Rustic Italian cuisine is the highlight of the menu and brings together flavors from North and South in form of exquisite dishes. An excellent wine list and decadent desserts perfectly round off the dining experience. Reservations are recommended.

A Detroit favorite, Slows Bar BQ serves up delectable dishes like Carolina Pulled Pork and St. Louis Spareribs in an ambiance that is warm, cozy and inviting. With wood-paneled and furnished interiors and dull-lighting, this eatery is a great place for a meal with family or friends. The mouthwatering menu here also features the loaded sandwiches and delicious melt-in-your-mouth pork belly. To quench your thirst, choose from the wide craft beer selection available for your enjoyment.

There’s nothing quite like a night at Detroit’s own Cliff Bell’s: amazing cocktails, live jazz, and award-winning cuisine. The jazz and supper club is all vaulted ceilings, leather booths, and burnished Mahogany. It originally opened in the 1930s, and after it shut its doors in 1985, was reopened in 2005 after painstaking renovations. It’s once again part and parcel of Detroit’s remarkable Jazz scene, which predates and influenced the Motown explosion. Grab a Detroit Dirty Martini and settle down for a sultry evening of great music.

Head down the stairs and into this cozy and popular basement restaurant serving up traditional, hearty Polish cuisine. Old-world favorites like stuffed cabbage, pierogi, schnitzel and kielbasa round out the mouthwatering menu. The atmosphere is comfortable and family friendly and warm, making it perfect for cold Detroit days. Polish Village Cafe is on the small side so be prepared to stand in queue for a seat, but the wait is well worth it.