The cultural and college spine north of downtown. Selden Standard, Avalon Cafe and Bakery, Wayne State, the DIA. Cass Avenue and Woodward run the main editorial line.
Selden Standard on 2nd Avenue has anchored Cass Corridor seasonal cooking in Detroit since November 2014. Detroit Free Press Restaurant of the Year 2015 and USA Today nod 2024.
Signature: Wood-fired vegetables, Hand-cut pasta
Order: Wood-fired vegetable plate and whichever fresh pasta the kitchen is running that week.
Tip: Book two weeks out for weekend evenings. Bar seats hold space for walk-ins at 17:00.
Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails in the Park Shelton next to the DIA serves farm-to-table small plates in Detroit's Midtown. Open since 2015.
Signature: Seasonal vegetable plate, Duck confit
Order: Seasonal vegetable composition and the cocktail list, which leans bitter and herbal.
Tip: Two private dining rooms; lunch Fridays only. Walk-ins for the bar.
Selden Standard on 2nd Avenue in Cass Corridor pours by the glass at the bar next to the wood oven in Detroit. The natural-wine list is the editorial draw alongside food.
Signature pour: Glass of the night, often a Michigan pinot blanc
Wine focus: European and Michigan natural wines
Food: Wood-fired vegetables and small plates
Tip: Bar seats hold for walk-ins from 17:00. The wine team writes the list weekly.
Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails on East Kirby in Midtown pours biodynamic and natural wines next to its chef-driven small plates in Detroit since 2015. Walk-ins for the bar.
Signature pour: Bartender's choice tasting flight
Wine focus: Biodynamic and natural wines
Food: Farm-to-table small plates
Tip: Bar runs through to close; the cocktail program leans herbal and bitter alongside.
Detroit Shipping Company on Peterboro Street is a six-vendor food hall built out of shipping containers in Detroit. Open since 2018; Bangkok 96 and Brujo Tacos anchor the cluster.
Tip: Outdoor patio fills in summer; the central bar pours through all six vendor counters.
TV Lounge on Grand River Avenue is Detroit's longest-running electronic music club. Multi-room with an outdoor patio and two stages; the city's house and techno address.
Tip: Outdoor patio runs all summer; the back room runs techno from the Detroit underground.
The Marble Bar on Holden Street in Detroit is an industrial venue featuring indoor and outdoor spaces for EDM DJs and dancing, plus a full bar. Sound system tuned for techno.
Tip: Outdoor patio is the summer move; ticketed shows headline most weekends.
Magic Stick in the Majestic Theatre Center on Woodward is one of Detroit's essential small rooms for live music. 200 seated, 700 standing, ten billiard tables and a jukebox.
Tip: Above the Garden Bowl, in the same building as the Majestic. Indie and hip-hop bookings.
The Old Miami on Cass Avenue is Detroit's canonical dive bar since 1980. Vietnam veteran-run, punk shows, stand-up comedy and open-mic nights; the CBGB of the Midwest.
Tip: Beer is cheap; the back garden is a hidden party space in summer. Pool table inside.