Must-Try Metro Detroit Restaurants to Know in 2026

Amelia Street Pizza Co. is set to bring its renowned thin-crust sourdough pizzas to Hazel Park in late spring 2026.

 

Chef Matt Arb, celebrated for his weekend pop-ups at Detroit's Dragonfly, has secured a permanent location at 951 E. 9 Mile Road.

 

With backing from James Rigato of Mabel Gray, the restaurant's buildout involves the same team behind Mabel Gray, including partner Ed Mamou and architectural designer Jeremiah Armstrong.

 

Balam Café, a Mexican wine bar and coffee shop, is slated to open in Ferndale during winter 2026.

 

Owned by siblings Sandra Haro and José Granados of Mezcal, Balam will offer wines from Latin American countries, Mexican coffee, fresh juices, and pastries.

 

The café, located at 207 E. Nine Mile Road, will also feature a hidden speakeasy.

 

The Balkan House, known for igniting Metro Detroit's döner kebab craze, plans to open a new location in Midtown Detroit by summer 2026.

 

Situated inside the Five and Dime building at 3700 Third Ave., this expansion is part of a $2 million redevelopment by Detroit Rising, the developers behind Detroit Shipping Co.

 

Bev’s Bagels is expanding to Ann Arbor with a new location at 115 E. Liberty St., expected to open in summer 2026.

 

Known for its organic sourdough bagels and unique schmears, the new spot will be nearly double the size of the original Detroit location and will likely feature an expanded menu with pastries and more.

 

The Beverly, offering New American comfort food and premium cocktails, is targeting a mid-January 2026 opening in downtown Berkley.

 

Owned by award-winning mixologist Travis Fourmont and chef Norman Valenti, the menu will feature steaks, cured meats, seafood, and classic cocktails made with premium ingredients.

 

Located at 3180 Coolidge Highway, The Beverly aims to provide a sophisticated dining experience.

 

Calamansi, a Filipino-inspired cocktail bar and kitchen, is set to open in Southwest Detroit in early 2026.

 

Named after the Philippine lime, the establishment is the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Tyler Olivier and Marcee Sobredilla.

 

Located at 4458 Vernor W, Calamansi will offer contemporary Filipino-inspired cocktails and dishes, featuring indoor bar seating and an outdoor patio.

 

Clover & Creek, a new bar and restaurant, is coming to downtown Lake Orion in early 2026.

 

Owned by Keith Wadle, known for concepts like Too Ra Loo and The Hemmingway Room, Clover & Creek will feature burgers, chicken tenders, salads, wood-fired pizza, and a selection of 30 beers on tap.

 

Located at 197 S Broadway St, the venue aims to blend industrial Americana with modern comfort.

 

Coco’s Chop House, a high-end steakhouse, is slated to open in Rochester Hills in spring 2026.

 

Local chef and restaurateur Dean Cicala, along with partners John DeAngelis and Iris Male, plan to bring a menu featuring in-house dry-aged steaks, seafood, house-made pastas, and over 700 wines.

 

Located at 6810 N. Rochester Road, Coco’s aims to be Michigan’s first fully waste-free kitchen.

 

Joe Louis Southern Kitchen plans to open its third location in downtown Detroit by April 3, 2026.

 

Known for Southern-style breakfasts like bananas foster French toast and shrimp and grits, the new location at 6549 Woodward Ave. will continue to honor the boxing legend's legacy.

 

JD’s Stage Bistro, actor Jeff Daniels’s debut restaurant, is set to open in Chelsea in spring 2026.

 

Combining a music venue with a bistro, the establishment will feature contemporary fare crafted by chef Nate Wegryn, a wood-fired pizza oven, cocktail bar, and spaces for private events.

 

Located at 117-1/2 S. Main St., JD’s aims to attract both local and national acts.

 

Little Liberia, Michigan’s first Liberian brick-and-mortar restaurant, is expected to open in Detroit’s East English Village in 2026.

 

Chef-owner Ameneh Marhaba has been sharing construction updates for the space at 16530 E. Warren Ave., which will offer an Afro Fusion menu drawing inspiration from African, Caribbean, and Southern traditions.

 

Lola’s Taco Bar, offering tacos, margaritas, and rotisserie, is set to open in Grosse Pointe Woods on January 12, 2026.

 

Led by chef Brandon Zarb and Michelin-starred restaurateur Branden McRill, the menu will include al pastor tacos, pork belly, build-your-own bowls and burritos, and family-style rotisserie chicken meals.

 

Located at 20195 Mack Ave., Lola’s aims to provide a unique taco bar experience.

 

Medusa Cucina Siciliana, a Sicily-inspired bar and restaurant, is slated to open in Midtown Detroit in mid-January 2026.

 

From chef Anthony Lombardo, the menu will focus on Sicilian and Mediterranean cuisine, including pasta and seafood.

 

Located at 644 Selden Street, Medusa aims to bring a taste of Sicily to Detroit.

 

The Pavilion Street Market, Ferndale’s first food hall, is set to open in early 2026.

 

Located at 22965 Woodward Ave., the market will feature a 40-person pop-up event space with a bustling street market vibe.

 

Vendors will include businesses from Hell’s Kitchen alumni Josie Clemens and Jared Bobkin, as well as Papelon Market Café.

 

Sunda New Asian, serving modern Southeast Asian cuisine, plans to open its first Michigan location in downtown Detroit in early 2026.

 

Founded by Billy Dec, Sunda will offer sushi, dim sum, noodles, and more at 33 W. Columbia St., near Little Caesars Arena.

 

Tigris, offering live music and Middle Eastern-influenced drinks and snacks, is slated to open in Southwest Detroit in February or March 2026.

 

From the owners of Green Dot Stables, Tigris will feature regularly scheduled DJs, Middle Eastern-inspired cocktails, and small bites.

 

Located at 2545 Bagley, the venue aims to blend music and cuisine in a unique setting.

 

Waka, focusing on East African street food, plans to open in Detroit’s Eastern Market in early 2026.

 

From the owners of Baobab Fare, Waka will offer authentic Burundian street food, including chapati, brochettes, and skewered kebabs cooked over coals.

 

Located at 2465 Russell Street, Waka aims to bring a taste of East Africa to Detroit.