Other unique and offbeat experiences in Detroit - why we ❤️ this city
We — Captain Blair and First Mate Allie— wear many hats. We’ve had the pleasure of hosting Airbnb suites for a few years now (the Phunky Pheasant, in North Corktown, adjoining downtown Detroit), and our guests often ask for our recommendations for dining, entertainment, and offbeat cultural destinations locally. We’ve had much fun helping folks navigate the best of the great city of Detroit that we love so much. (They’ve been very kind to us in turn — we’re Superhosts, and all of our suites are Guest Preferred — top 15% worldwide). Our guests have loved our our recommendations, and we hope you’ll find them useful, too.
This week, let’s focus on everyone’s favorite subject: restaurants!
First, our top three Phunky favorites — they all tend toward the smaller, a little off-the-beaten-path vibe, and maybe that’s why we love them so much. At these places, you’re likely to meet the owner or chef. If you’re looking for a weekend dinner, it’s best to reserve, as most book up early on weekends.
Freya. Chef’s board six-course meal only, with vegan, pescatarian and omnivore options. The service is almost awkwardly good, and the food is amazing and unpredictable. Our favorite last trip was the quail breast with plum risotto. You pay when you reserve, $95/person, drinks as you go.
About three blocks from your suite, Takoi is Thai fusion that is on point. Fun dishes like charred long beans, Korean barbeque short ribs, and pastrami noodles (go figure — Asian pastrami is a thing in Detroit). Mains run around $20. If you go, try the Promises in Vortex cocktail - somehow, we can never leave sober….
A little off the beaten path, but uniquely Detroit is Flowers of Vietnam. A former Greek coney doubling as Vietnamese fusion with a Middle Eastern chef in Mexicantown with a Detroit flavored staff. This mutt of a restaurant pulls off amazingly good food. The caramel chicken wings are an incredible must-try. If you get the Com Tam for 2, you’ll get a great sampling of their best. Mains cost around $20.
Are you vegetarian or vegan? All three of the above have some excellent options, but we’ll suggest an additional few with respectable choices just for you.
If you are pescatarian, Mink is a warm, intimate seafood chef’s board five-course delight, only a mile from the Phunky Pheasant. Fun, creative seafood focused plates. Reservations are a must, $75/person, drinks as you go.
Another great place within a few blocks — Grandma Bob’s does some of our favorite Detroit-style pizza, much of it available vegan. The vegan Big Mac pizza is as good as it gets. Their pickle bar pizza is also on point (if it’s not on the menu, just ask your server).
The Kitchen by Que, in New Center, is a stylish, intimate vegan spot with a fresh take on bistro classics, plus smoothies and coffee drinks. Mains $15.
Want to try something uniquely Detroit, and budget friendly, while you’re in town? We got you.
Try the coney challenge. Two Detroit coney icons, American and Lafayette, sit side-by-side in the heart of downtown. Originally owned by feuding brothers, these two spots famously serve uniquely Detroit coneys, a chili dog doused in chili sauce, mustard and onion. Try one of each, and pick your fave, but beware… Detroiters have strong emotions around their choices and may throw down on the topic.
Detroit has one of the biggest Lebanese populations outside Lebanon, focused in Dearborn, seven miles or so from downtown Detroit. Al Tayeb is a Lebanese breakfast diner open until 2 p.m. or so. The food is really outstanding, and you’ll probably sample dishes you’ve never tried before, many under $10 (note: closed during Ramadan). Try Al Ameer for lunch or dinner; Al Ameer is nationally recognized for its excellence, and the Al Ameer combo or family tray are amazing meals. And while you’re in the neighborhood, you probably won’t have room, but stop at Shatila Bakery afterwards anyway for a jaw-dropping sugar rush.
Of course, we have to mention pizza, especially Detroit-style. So, odd fact — Detroit is one of the pizza capitals of the world. Some years, we have even more pizza parlors per capita than New York City or New Jersey. If you love pizza (who doesn’t, right?), you could spend an afternoon, or spread it out over a few days, and experience Detroit’s impressive variety. Our favorites, per style:
Italian: Supinos, which may also be the best of any style, serves a perfect pie. New York: Mootz, true charred thin crust goodness, and the garlic knots are on point. Detroit, old school: Buddy’s, arguably the original Detroit style pizza. Fantastic pies; BLT isn’t on the menu, but ask for it. Detroit, new wave: Michigan & Trumbull, daring new adventures in Detroit-style; they’ve added a great new spin to a classic. Try the McLovin, and the veggie apps are all crisp & fresh. Late Night Greasy: When nothing but a late-night greasy slice will do, Sgt. Pepperoni’s is where we head. Open til midnight/2 a.m. California/Other: For unique and offbeat pizza, check out Pie Sci, just off Wayne State University’s campus. Chicago: Recently, Detroit-style pizzas have become a national hot button, and have eclipsed the Windy City, but if Chicago-style is what you crave, Chicago’s Pizza, is in Mexicantown by Clark Park.
BTW, if you’re a fan, Sweetwater Tavern has the best damn wings in town, hands down. And the ribs are moist & tender.
Hope you found some inspiration for food dreams on this post! Detroit is, in our minds, a food-lover’s paradise for all.
