BEST BREAKFAST & LUNCH RESTAURANTS DOWNTOWN DETROIT
Residents recommend the Best Breakfast/Lunch Restaurants in Downtown Detroit that define the spirit of the city.
(If you like Starbucks, this site is not for you.)
There are very distinctive, very good Downtown Detroit breakfast and lunch restaurants. Some are "Foodie" venues - taking breakfast and lunch to a higher level. Some are just classics - good food, good value, great space; nothing wrong with a wonderful greasy spoon.
Our favorite Breakfast/Lunch Restaurants Downtown Detroit!
Local Pâtisserie focused on bringing to Detroit and Southeast Michigan a selection of sophisticated, hand-crafted pastries made locally, inspired by the seasons and influenced by the owners' travels and previous life experiences in North Africa, France and Asia. Dedicated to offering seasonal pastries and savory tarts using only all-natural ingredients and seeking local products whenever possible. Also offering excellent coffee. Outdoor patio.
2022 Food & Wine - One of the 10 Best New Chefs in America
2022 James Beard Award - Outstanding Pastry Chef
Midtown Neighborhood
“Babo” (slang for “dad” in Albanian) is a gourmet, all-day breakfast/lunch/brunch diner in Midtown Detroit. The restaurant features a menu comprised of creative, artisanal takes on comfort food classics. They pride themselves on carrying products of the highest quality and social responsibility from local, small batch producers. This breakfast/lunch restaurant serves guests with unmatched hospitality. Creative breakfast/lunch drinks and cocktails, including multiple flavors of champagne "mimosas"; really good food and service. Smaller, homey venue.
Midtown Neighborhood
Le Petit Dejeuner is a family-style breakfast/brunch restaurant. The menu consists of French-inspired breakfast plates and other fare that's a step up from a grease-bomb breakfast. The other fare consists of traditional African-american Detroit dishes such as shrimp and grits, waffles and chicken, carrot cake pancakes... Everything made from scratch based on family recipes - everything tastes "home-made". Service can be somewhat slow, but the food is really good.
Rivertown Neighborhood
Sister Pie is a bright corner bakery in Detroit’s West Village on the east side of town specializing in fresh, tasty, imaginative baked goods. They serve pies, cookies, muffins, hand pies for breakfast and lunch. The menu at Sister Pie is non-traditional in flavor combinations, rustic in execution, and constantly changing based on local Michigan produce. Pie dough is made by-hand daily. Has garnered national attention.
2020 James Beard Awards - Finalist Outstanding Baker
West Village Neighborhood
A Detroit gathering space - breakfast, lunch, brunch, espresso, wine, and specialty provisions. Breakfast and lunch restaurant and wine store. An "artisanal" café that specializes in seasonal, made-from-scratch comfort foods and healthful beverages that are inspired by the seasons. Folk utilizes many time-honored ingredients from around the world to create global yet familiar dishes. The open kitchen and small number of tables in a renovated old building create a comfortable space. Seasonal patio.
2024 James Beard Semi-finalist Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
Corktown Neighborhood
One of the best delis - any city, anywhere. Serving only the highest-quality, scratch-made, locally sourced food; fine wines, craft cocktails; local spirits; and craft beer. Outstanding sandwiches. Fresh and interesting ingredients. Lunch, happy hour, dinner and weekend brunch. Venue just has a great vibe and a lot of character, located in an older house in a historic Detroit neighborhood. Seasonal patio. Outstanding wine bar/store.
Thrillist - Top 33 Sandwich Shops in the U.S. 2019
Hour Detroit - Best Sandwich 2019
Corktown Neighborhood
This cozy Detroit establishment highlights their passion for market-fresh ingredients, honest cooking, and an enjoyable atmosphere. The breakfast/lunch menu features a selection of dishes, all made in-house. With some of the most delicious combinations of ingredients, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Loved by locals and traveling foodies alike. Good old greasy spoon with great food.
Eastern Market
Coriander Kitchen & Farm is the only restaurant in Detroit that is the farm AND the table. They pride themselves on creating delicious, approachable meals using their own farm-grown seasonal produce and herbs. The focus is on casual, thoughtful local food. Located in the former Fisherman’s Marina in Jefferson Chalmers, seating is inside or at seasonal canal-side patio (with reserved seating around the fire pits). Located on a Detroit River canal, boaters are welcome. Open also for dinner.
Jefferson-Chalmers Neighborhood
The perfect "chummy" gathering place for breakfast or lunch, and a great choice for a quick and healthy takeout lunch. Small, cozy venue owned by a husband and wife from Toronto. A commitment to local sourcing and sustainability. The menu features locally sourced meats, cheeses and produce, plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, lighter fare and comfort food. Known for authentic poutine with squeaky cheese curds. As close to home-cooking as a restaurant gets. Nice patio weather-permitting.
Corktown
The Clique, on East Jefferson a mile from the Renaissance Center, is a restaurant a city can be proud of. It gives Detroit a working man’s standard of what a great breakfast place should look like. With fair prices, a nice view when sitting in the atrium and delicious food, The Clique diner is one of Detroit’s best-known breakfast meeting spots, attracting a variety of patrons for years, including some of Detroit’s most prominent movers and shakers. Opened in 1968, the restaurant has lunch-counter seating, plus booths in a greenhouse-style section that was added in front.
Downtown Detroit
A Downtown Detroit breakfast/lunch restaurant icon. Enjoy casual dining and a lively atmosphere. Choose from a variety of creative pancakes, crepes, omelets, benedicts, waffles, and more. Named for the former historic Detroit department store, this downtown breakfast hotspot has a reputation for its mountain of luxuriant savory and sweet breakfast meals. The mission is simple: to celebrate the diverse, hustling, resilient city of Detroit and its people by consistently providing amazing food and a stellar experience.
Downtown Detroit
A French bakery dedicated to creating the finest French baked goods and pastries using quality ingredients, rigorous techniques, and exacting standards. The results are artisanal masterpieces that are certain to delight all the senses. Whether sweet or savory croissants, macarons, fruit tarts or a specialty pastry, the options at Cannelle feature flavors and textures for all palates! Breads, sandwiches, and good coffee. Comfortable outdoor patio.
Downtown Detroit
