Have you ever been asked, “What food is Detroit known for?” You might have answered with a whole slew of different recommendations. After all, if there’s one thing every Detroiter can agree on, it’s that our food options are second to none. No matter what sort of cuisine you prefer, you’re sure to find something delicious and inventive to appreciate here in the Motor City. Of course, some Detroit food items are more classically Detroit than others — and we’re here to talk about ten of the most iconic foods from our beloved town. Read on for a crash course in Detroit food.
- Coney dogs
Steven Depolo/Flickr You can’t call yourself a true Detroiter if you don’t love a good coney dog. There’s just something incredibly satisfying about sinking your teeth into a perfectly prepared dog with all the fixings. Just don’t cover it in ketchup, as this is an unforgivable faux pas! Whether it’s accompanied by fries or enjoyed solo, a coney is tough to beat.
- Better Made Potato Chips
Facebook/Better Made Snack Foods Move over, Lays: Better Made Potato Chips (not to mention the company’s other fantastic snack foods) are the best around and they’re produced right here in the Motor City. Every Detroiter knows that there’s just something special about biting into these salty treats, which provide fantastic flavor and the ideal crunch. Now our mouths are watering!
- Detroit-style pizza
Flickr/Temporary Spastic Square pizza just tastes better, and that’s a fact! No, we have nothing against Chicago-style deep dish or New York thin crust, but Detroit’s square pizza is an absolute must-try. We just can’t get enough of those perfectly browned corner pieces, which have their roots at Buddy’s Pizza in Detroit.
- The Yardbird from Slows
Facebook/Slows Bar BQ Everything on the menu at Slows Bar-BQ is delicious, but the Yardbird is a true Detroit icon. If you’ve never had the chance to enjoy one of these unforgettable sandwiches - which come complete with pulled chicken, delicious bacon, cheddar cheese, and more - you haven’t truly lived. We could eat the Yardbird a few times a week and never grow tired of it.
- Scotty Simpson’s Fish & Chips
TripAdvisor/Dawnie764 No one does fish and chips quite like Scotty Simpson’s. This no-frills eatery in the Motor city serves up some of the tastiest seafood around, and we Detroiters are always game for a hearty order of fries and breaded fish. Grab some tartar sauce and dig in. You’ll be glad you did.
- Gyros from Greektown
TripAdvisor/TJDIV With our city’s large Greek population, it’s no surprise that Greek food is one of our specialties. When hunger strikes, nothing hits the spot like a delicious gyro, and you’ll get bonus points from restaurant owners and the waitstaff if you can pronounce its name properly. No matter which toppings you prefer to load your gyro with, you’ll be satisfied when you bite in.
- Sliders from Green Dot Stables
TripAdvisor/Sarah R. It’s pretty much impossible not to love a slider. After all, these tiny burgers come in all sorts of unique styles at Green Dot Stables. You might even be tempted to try one of each! If you want to combine two of Detroit’s most iconic dishes, sink your teeth into a coney dog slider. Yes, you read that correctly.
- Paczki
Flickr/Eugenia Vlasova Paczki Day rolls around only once a year, but our love for these mouthwatering Polish pastries stick with us in every season. There’s nothing more classically Detroit than venturing to Hamtramck to wait in line for a dozen of these jelly-filled treats, which ooze sweetness and flavor. If only every day were Paczki Day!
- Vernors floats
Bill Walsh/Flickr Sure, there’s plenty to be said for a classic root beer float, but lifelong Detroiters know that Vernors combined with vanilla ice cream makes a perfect chilly drink. After all, we swear by Vernors as a heal-all elixir, so why wouldn’t we combine it with another beloved sweet treat to make the perfect dessert?
- Anything from Mexicantown
Liza Lagman Sperl/Flickr And we truly do mean anything. The abundance of authentic Mexican restaurants in Detroit makes it nearly impossible to narrow down our list of iconic items to just one, so why not order a little bit of everything? From tacos to chimichangas to churros, you’ll find something in this lively neighborhood to satisfy your taste buds. Just don’t forget your appetite.
Now that you’re up to speed on some of the most famous and worthwhile eats in the Motor City, we’d love to hear from you: did we leave any other iconic Detroit dishes off our list? Are any of our inclusions totally in line with your preferences? We always love learning what our readers think, so share your thoughts with us by leaving a Facebook comment or recommend another great Detroit dish by completing our official nomination form.
Steven Depolo/Flickr
You can’t call yourself a true Detroiter if you don’t love a good coney dog. There’s just something incredibly satisfying about sinking your teeth into a perfectly prepared dog with all the fixings. Just don’t cover it in ketchup, as this is an unforgivable faux pas! Whether it’s accompanied by fries or enjoyed solo, a coney is tough to beat.
Facebook/Better Made Snack Foods
Move over, Lays: Better Made Potato Chips (not to mention the company’s other fantastic snack foods) are the best around and they’re produced right here in the Motor City. Every Detroiter knows that there’s just something special about biting into these salty treats, which provide fantastic flavor and the ideal crunch. Now our mouths are watering!
Flickr/Temporary Spastic
Square pizza just tastes better, and that’s a fact! No, we have nothing against Chicago-style deep dish or New York thin crust, but Detroit’s square pizza is an absolute must-try. We just can’t get enough of those perfectly browned corner pieces, which have their roots at Buddy’s Pizza in Detroit.
Facebook/Slows Bar BQ
Everything on the menu at Slows Bar-BQ is delicious, but the Yardbird is a true Detroit icon. If you’ve never had the chance to enjoy one of these unforgettable sandwiches - which come complete with pulled chicken, delicious bacon, cheddar cheese, and more - you haven’t truly lived. We could eat the Yardbird a few times a week and never grow tired of it.
TripAdvisor/Dawnie764
No one does fish and chips quite like Scotty Simpson’s. This no-frills eatery in the Motor city serves up some of the tastiest seafood around, and we Detroiters are always game for a hearty order of fries and breaded fish. Grab some tartar sauce and dig in. You’ll be glad you did.
TripAdvisor/TJDIV
With our city’s large Greek population, it’s no surprise that Greek food is one of our specialties. When hunger strikes, nothing hits the spot like a delicious gyro, and you’ll get bonus points from restaurant owners and the waitstaff if you can pronounce its name properly. No matter which toppings you prefer to load your gyro with, you’ll be satisfied when you bite in.
TripAdvisor/Sarah R.
It’s pretty much impossible not to love a slider. After all, these tiny burgers come in all sorts of unique styles at Green Dot Stables. You might even be tempted to try one of each! If you want to combine two of Detroit’s most iconic dishes, sink your teeth into a coney dog slider. Yes, you read that correctly.
Flickr/Eugenia Vlasova
Paczki Day rolls around only once a year, but our love for these mouthwatering Polish pastries stick with us in every season. There’s nothing more classically Detroit than venturing to Hamtramck to wait in line for a dozen of these jelly-filled treats, which ooze sweetness and flavor. If only every day were Paczki Day!
Bill Walsh/Flickr
Sure, there’s plenty to be said for a classic root beer float, but lifelong Detroiters know that Vernors combined with vanilla ice cream makes a perfect chilly drink. After all, we swear by Vernors as a heal-all elixir, so why wouldn’t we combine it with another beloved sweet treat to make the perfect dessert?
Liza Lagman Sperl/Flickr
And we truly do mean anything. The abundance of authentic Mexican restaurants in Detroit makes it nearly impossible to narrow down our list of iconic items to just one, so why not order a little bit of everything? From tacos to chimichangas to churros, you’ll find something in this lively neighborhood to satisfy your taste buds. Just don’t forget your appetite.
Want more great foodie inspiration? Read all about the best restaurant street in Detroit.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Food In Detroit September 21, 2022 Sophie Boudreau What are some of the most famous restaurants in Detroit? There’s something special about digging into a long-standing or highly-respected restaurant in Detroit. Thankfully, for those of us who consider ourselves foodies, the Motor City is loaded with great places to dine including some of the most famous restaurants in Metro Detroit, which totally live up to the hype. From Italian fare to Coney Island options, there’s something on this list for every sort of diner. Are there any historic restaurants in Detroit? History buffs and foodies alike will appreciate our piece about the most historic restaurants in Detroit, which features a handful of timeless institutions for great food in the city. Cliff Bell’s, The Whitney, Jacoby’s … we could go on and on. One thing is for sure, though: these history-rich restaurants belong on your local bucket list. Does Detroit have any quirky places to eat? If you prefer to experience an eclectic atmosphere while you dine, look no further than the Motor City. There are all sorts of unique restaurants in Detroit, many of which feature unusual menus and fun decor. Whether you’re hunting for a totally inventive pizza or seeking a moody vibe that will sweep you away to another time, there’s plenty to be unearthed on the Detroit food scene.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Food In Detroit
September 21, 2022
Sophie Boudreau
What are some of the most famous restaurants in Detroit? There’s something special about digging into a long-standing or highly-respected restaurant in Detroit. Thankfully, for those of us who consider ourselves foodies, the Motor City is loaded with great places to dine including some of the most famous restaurants in Metro Detroit, which totally live up to the hype. From Italian fare to Coney Island options, there’s something on this list for every sort of diner. Are there any historic restaurants in Detroit? History buffs and foodies alike will appreciate our piece about the most historic restaurants in Detroit, which features a handful of timeless institutions for great food in the city. Cliff Bell’s, The Whitney, Jacoby’s … we could go on and on. One thing is for sure, though: these history-rich restaurants belong on your local bucket list. Does Detroit have any quirky places to eat? If you prefer to experience an eclectic atmosphere while you dine, look no further than the Motor City. There are all sorts of unique restaurants in Detroit, many of which feature unusual menus and fun decor. Whether you’re hunting for a totally inventive pizza or seeking a moody vibe that will sweep you away to another time, there’s plenty to be unearthed on the Detroit food scene.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There’s something special about digging into a long-standing or highly-respected restaurant in Detroit. Thankfully, for those of us who consider ourselves foodies, the Motor City is loaded with great places to dine including some of the most famous restaurants in Metro Detroit, which totally live up to the hype. From Italian fare to Coney Island options, there’s something on this list for every sort of diner.
Are there any historic restaurants in Detroit?
History buffs and foodies alike will appreciate our piece about the most historic restaurants in Detroit, which features a handful of timeless institutions for great food in the city. Cliff Bell’s, The Whitney, Jacoby’s … we could go on and on. One thing is for sure, though: these history-rich restaurants belong on your local bucket list.
Does Detroit have any quirky places to eat?
If you prefer to experience an eclectic atmosphere while you dine, look no further than the Motor City. There are all sorts of unique restaurants in Detroit, many of which feature unusual menus and fun decor. Whether you’re hunting for a totally inventive pizza or seeking a moody vibe that will sweep you away to another time, there’s plenty to be unearthed on the Detroit food scene.
