The Best Places to Eat in Detroit
A Culinary Tour with Cadillac
I’ve been to every country in the world and eaten at some of the best places, from roadside food stalls in Jamaica, a yurt in Mongolia, to the Michelin-star restaurants of Europe. My hometown, Detroit, is an underrated culinary destination in the United States with an almost unmatched international food scene.
This edition of The Journal is powered by Cadillac and is free to all subscribers! Join me as I explore Detroit in the 2024 all electric Cadillac LYRIQ! The epitome of sophistication with artfully integrated technology and stunning design. Short on time? Watch this Reel version of the Detroit Culinary Tour on Instagram!
The bold new Cadillac LYRIQ is luxurious, comfortable and it is guaranteed to stop people in the streets. Seriously! I got stopped so many times driving this car.
Having driven electric for almost three years and experienced several electric cars, I can confidently say that the LYRIQ stands out as one of the best. Its luxury features are impressive, particularly the thoughtful design that includes a dedicated space for your purse. The seamless integration of Google into the Cadillac interface enhances the driving experience significantly.
Speaking of Google, you can find all the restaurants featured in this newsletter and video, along with more of my Detroit recommendations, in this Google Maps list.
Most people don’t think about Detroit as a global city, but with an international border and being home to people from all over the world, its food options reflect the ethnic diversity. The food in this video is the *main character*, but take a moment to listen to the stories of the restaurant owners about immigration, cultural preservation, and entrepreneurship. These personal tales highlight the journeys behind the food, showcasing how it serves as a bridge between cultures and generations.
Baobab Fare is serving delicious East African food. I love coming here for lunch because the food is light and relatively healthy, but comforting at the same time. I love the dish called Samaki, a crisp flash-fried fish garnished with sautéed onions, served with corn salad, fried plantains, stewed yellow beans, and rice.
Takoi is a Thai restaurant and it’s probably my favorite restaurant in the city. They have staples on the menu like the half chicken and chicken curry, but I am a huge fan of the rotating items like the carrots they have now.
New Palace Bakery is a Polish bakery that’s been in Detroit since 1908. It is my top destination to get the sweet filled doughnuts called pączki. On this trip I also tried angel wings (chruściki) for the first time, a flaky pastry covered in powdered sugar and it was *chef’s kiss*!
La Palma is a Lebanese restaurant. Did you know that Detroit has the largest population of people from the Middle East in the United States? That means that there are a lot of Lebanese restaurants to choose from, but La Palma is my fave. I especially love their shish tawook lemon (marinated chicken shish kebab), and the fresh bread and garlic sauce always hit the spot!
HIROKI-SAN is Detroit’s newest Japanese restaurant, and a welcome addition! From the decor to the dishes, it feels like I am right back in Japan. The King Crab is a standout dish, but I also love the Negima (chicken thigh yakitori) and Shishito peppers, grilled over traditional charcoal.
Detroit One If you're in Detroit, you must stop by a Coney Island. For those unfamiliar, a Coney Island is a type of restaurant particularly popular in Detroit and Michigan. Open 24/7, it’s the perfect place for a late-night snack. My go-to order is the chili cheese fries with sliced cheese—it's the ultimate comfort snack!
Catch you in Detroit!
- Jessica
Say hi on Instagram or check out my book for more travel tips!