The Best Places to Find Unique Food Options in Detroit

Detroit is known by a lot of names like the Motor City but if you live here, you know that it’s also a great place for foodies. There are a lot of small restaurants and places to head out to for a meal or a snack. We always tell our friends to come to Detroit, because we will feed them. Chefs are flocking to the area a new restaurant opens every week.

While this list is far from complete, these are some of our favorite places to grab a bite and to check out if you’re in the area. Each and every one of these restaurants can prepare a mean gluten free meal or dish, and also cater to other allergies as well.

Punch Bowl Social

Part arcade, part bowling alley, bar and offering a full menu of handmade dishes, drinks and more. Punch Bowl Social is more a destination that includes dinner as well. With vegan and gluten free options you can easily find something you’ll crave for any time you’re in the area.

Head in with friends and get a punch bowl to share, book a karaoke room and get some a piece of the beautiful cakes they make by hand.

Hudson Cafe

Open only for breakfast and lunch the Hudson Cafe became a busy haunt right off of Woodward. You may need get there early in order to secure your plate of oversized pancaked. Owned by the same company that runs the Jagged Fork restaurants in the suburbs, Hudson Cafe offers a different menu and other unique dishes for people with major allergies.

Be sure to grab a Toffee Coffee if you love sweet lattes to get your day started.

Clique Restaurant

Clique Restaurant is one of the best kept secrets of locals and there’s a reason for it. It’s darn delicious and there are days that people happily wait in the rain in line just to get in the door. The restaurant itself is connected to an old Motel off of Jefferson and shares a parking lot, or offers road side spots. Inside, you will find two small rows of booths that are locked in place.

Offering traditional breakfast options and skillets, each dish is served with a plate of silver dollars. With high quality ingredients and low costs, you’ll quickly find yourself happy to wait in that line with other people to have breakfast there.

Royale with Cheese

Who would have thought that Detroit would have a Pulp Fiction themed restaurant? Named after the iconic line about the name of a Quarter Pounder in France – Royale with Cheese opened in Detroit a couple of years ago. Offering craft made burgers a selection of shakes (that are actually $5) and movie themed murals and artwork throughout the space.

Their version of the Royale with Cheese is not based on the Quarter Pounder that the restaurant was named after, instead it has Smoked Brisket, Southwest Corn Relish, Caramelized Onions, Avocado, Smoked Gouda Cheese Fondue, Creamy Cole Slaw, Royale Sauce.

Grab a burger, a shake or sandwich when you visit this fun Mid-Town Spot.

Sister Pie

Need a fresh brewed coffee or a pie for a special occasion? Head up to Indian Village and into Sister Pie. This award winning bakery not only offers you a fun place to sit and socialize, but also a chance to try their recipes at home with their cookbook. You’ll be shocked at the size of this small bakery and the big flavors that come out of it.

Sister Pie also offers a variety of vegan and gluten free options!

Garrido’s Bistro

Have a sweet tooth and like a bit of a show while you’re eating? Head up to Grosse Pointe and to Garrido’s Bistro. This small Latin American restaurant offers everything from small plates to arepas, extreme hot chocolates and of course a limited (unpublished) menu of freak shakes.

Get a towering shake or hot chocolate loaded with desserts and ice creams on top. Each of the oversized shakes are enough sweets for more than one person, so bring your friends and get ready to share one of the most unique desserts in the Metro-Detroit area.