Prime + Proper in Capitol Park on Griswold Street is a modern Detroit steakhouse from Jeremy Sasson's Heirloom Hospitality since November 2017. Tableside Caesar and a tableside butcher cart.
Must order: Dry-aged ribeye, hash browns and tableside Caesar in a 1912 building.
Tip: Reservations through OpenTable. Cocktail bar takes walk-ins; private dining for groups.
Address: 1145 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226
San Morello inside the Shinola Hotel on Woodward serves Southern Italian wood-fired cooking in Detroit. Andrew Carmellini's NoHo Hospitality kitchen since 2018.
Order: Margherita pizza from the wood oven, cacio e pepe and a glass of nebbiolo.
Tip: Brunch on weekends 10:00 to 14:00. The bar counter takes walk-ins on weeknights.
The Apparatus Room inside the Detroit Foundation Hotel on Larned Street serves New American cooking in a converted 1929 firehouse. Beard-nominated wine program.
Order: Wood-roasted half chicken with seasonal vegetables and a glass of Michigan Riesling.
Tip: Breakfast from 07:00 daily. Dinner reservations recommended; the bar is open later.
Wright & Company on the second floor of the Wright-Kay Building on Woodward serves James Beard-nominated composed small plates and natural wines in Detroit since 2014.
Order: Three to four shared plates with the burrata, lamb meatballs and an off-list cocktail.
Tip: Reservations strongly recommended for weekend evenings; the bar takes walk-ins from 17:00.
Selden Standard on 2nd Avenue in Detroit's Cass Corridor serves wood-fired seasonal New American cooking. Detroit Free Press Restaurant of the Year 2015.
Order: Wood-fired vegetable plate and the hand-cut pasta of the week.
Tip: Bar seats hold for walk-ins from 17:00. Reservations on OpenTable.
Takoi on Michigan Avenue in Corktown serves modern Thai cooking in a neon-lit room since March 2016. Chef-owner Brad Greenhill runs the Beard-nominated kitchen.
Order: Crispy rice salad, whole-fried fish and the cocktail menu.
Tip: Dinner only, Tuesday through Saturday from 16:00. Reservations open three weeks out.
Joe Muer Seafood inside the Renaissance Center on the Detroit River serves classic Detroit seafood since the 2011 GM Tower revival. Original Joe Muer's dates to 1929.
Order: Pan-fried Michigan whitefish, lobster bisque and a sunset window seat.
Tip: Floor-to-ceiling river view best at golden hour. Reservations on OpenTable.
