Royal Oak and Ferndale sit 20 minutes north of Detroit. Woodward Avenue runs the food strip; Voyager, Mabel Gray and Cafe Muse anchor the modern suburban food scene.
Tip: Most rooms book in advance for weekend evenings; Sunday brunch is the social meal.
Birmingham sits 30 minutes north of Detroit on Woodward Avenue. Cannelle Patisserie's chef Matt Knio runs the area's serious viennoiserie. Italian, sushi and steakhouses fill the village.
Tip: Cannelle opens at 06:30; kouign-amann sells out by 11:00.
Plymouth and Northville sit 35 minutes northwest of Detroit. Walkable downtowns run sit-down kitchens; Kalota Culinary teaches Italian cooking in the PARC Building.
Tip: Cooking class evenings book for groups; the Northville Farmers Market runs Thursday in season.
Ann Arbor sits 45 minutes west of Detroit. Zingerman's Deli on Detroit Street has anchored Michigan's food scene since 1982; the Roadhouse and Bakehouse round the circuit.
Tip: Saturday morning lines at the Deli start by 09:00; the Roadhouse books for dinner.
Windsor sits 15 minutes south across the river from Detroit. Erie Street's Italian district runs cannoli and pasta; Caesars Windsor casino, Canadian peameal bacon.
Tip: Bring a passport. Erie Street Little Italy runs west of Howard Avenue; bakeries open early.
Frankenmuth sits 90 minutes north of Detroit. The Michigan Bavarian-themed town runs fried chicken halls Zehnder's and Bavarian Inn since 1928 and 1888 respectively.
Tip: Family-style chicken dinners are the canonical order; both halls run hours through 20:00.