After trekking across more than 700,000 square feet of exhibits at Huntington Palace, hungry Detroit Auto Show visitors will have plenty of options for dining.
There are casual places for a burger and a beer, pizza and salad spots, and, of course, beloved Detroit-style coney island hot dog places. If you want to go upscale, there are high-end seafood restaurants and steakhouses, too.
The areas around Campus Martius Park, Huntington Place, up and down Woodward Avenue, and the blocks in between feature a host of stellar eateries.
There are places, such as high-end Ostrea Seafood from the owners of the swanky London Chop House, and newcomer nightclub Ora Detroit, plus old favorites — from Buddy’s Pizzeria to Detroit’s classic rivals, American Coney Island and Lafayette Coney Island. National, fast-casual chains are also popping up in the downtown area. A highly anticipated Chick-fil-A is opening downtown on Thursday, Jan. 15
Here’s a sampling of restaurants nearby or within walking distance from Huntington Place:
Cadillac Square area
Central Kitchen + Bar: This spot serving American fare is just steps from Campus Martius in the heart of downtown. There are lunch and dinner menus of shareables, soup and salad, sandwiches and burgers. Brunch is offered Saturdays and Sundays. 660 Woodward Ave.
Chick-fil-A: The chain known for its chicken sandwiches, waffle fries and special sauce newest Michigan location opens Thursday, Jan. 15, in downtown Detroit. Doors open at 8 a.m. at 660 Woodward Ave., steps from Campus Martius.
Grand Trunk Pub: This classic and longtime Woodward Avenue pub near Campus Martius, at 612 Woodward Ave., has a menu of classic bar food plus salads, sandwiches, burgers, fish and chips and more. There’s also an extensive selection of beers on tap. For info: grandtrunkpub.com
Nearby: Chipotle Mexican Grill, Shake Shack, Roasting Plant Coffee, Woodward Coney, Cava.
Campus Martius Park area
Adelina: On Woodward Avenue, offering Italian-Mediterranean fusion from two area veteran chefs. Adelina opened in March 2024 at 1040 Woodward Ave. Its menu includes starters, salads, pasta and entrees. For info: adelinadetroit.com
Gilly’s Clubhouse: Gilly’s is in memory of Nick Gilbert, who died in 2023 and is the son of Rocket Mortgage founder Dan Gilbert. This multi-level sports bar at 1550 Woodward Ave., boasts “health-forward” dishes plus gameday bar foods, including its signature Bang Bang broccoli and fried chicken muffulettas, according to its website. For info: gillysdetroit.com
Mootz: Mootz serves New York-style pizza with a crisp crust along with a selection of starters, salads, beer, wine and a full cocktail menu. Next door is Mootz’s Side Hustle Lounge at 1230 Library St. For info: mootzpizzeria.com
Parc: This contemporary lunch and dinner menu features Detroit and Midwest flavors with French and Mediterranean styles. It’s in the heart of Campus Martius at 800 Woodward Ave. and open for lunch and dinner, offering starters, salads, soups, and wood-fired grilled entrees. There’s also happy hour and brunch on Saturday and Sunday. For info: parcdetroit.com
Presley’s Kitchen + Bar: This spot on the ground floor of the historic David Whitney Building, at the corner of Park and Woodward at 1 Park Ave. Suite 101. It offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Its menu includes salads, soups, salads, entrees and craft cocktails. There’s also a happy hour menu and a kids’ menu. For info: presleyskitchen.com
Sweetgreen: National fast-casual eatery Sweetgreen’s highly anticipated downtown Detroit location opened in December at 1020 Woodward Ave. Sweetgreen’s menu is known for its plant-forward options and fresh selections bowl foods and salads with or without a variety of proteins and sides. For info: sweetgreen.com
Sugar Factory American Brasserie: Across from Campus Martius at 45 Monre St., this sweets-themed spot has over-the-top burgers, shakes, and fishbowl-size drinks garnished with sugary, gummy candy. For Info: www.sugarfactory.com
Nearby: The Dime Store, American Coney Island, Hudson Cafe, Lafayette Coney Island, Texas de Brazil.
Capitol Park area
Book Tower: 1265 Washington Blvd. A host of restaurants at this historic, recently renovated building include French-inspired Le Suprême, Japanese-inspired dining at Hiroki San, and pub fare at Sakazuki, plus the Aladdin Sane, Bar Rotunda,and Kamper’s Rooftop Lounge.
Downtown Louie’s Lounge: This spot offers American fare, craft cocktails, and local beers. It’s open for dinner with a menu of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, main dishes, plus a variety of burgers at 30 Clifford.
Haus of Brunch: This all-day brunch spot opened last summer in the Westin Book Cadillac on Washington Boulevard. The menu boasts Mediterranean meets soul food and is all halal. There are sweet and savory breakfast and brunch selections, including its overnight French Toast and shrimp and grits. Its address is 204 Michigan Ave. For info: thehausofbrunch.com
La Lanterna: Offering Italian cuisine featuring Neapolitan-style brick oven pizzas, antipasti, soups, salad, sandwiches and pasta at 1224 Griswold St. There’s a full bar that includes wines from Italy. For info: lalanternadetroit.com
Sullivan’s Steakhouse: On the ground floor of the Westin Book Cadillac at 1128 Washington Boulevard, its main menu is, of course, its signature hand-cut steaks. There’s also a selection of seafood and chicken, soups, salads and side dishes. For info: www.sullivanssteakhouse.com/detroit/
Nearby: Eatori, Prime + Proper, Leila.
Greektown area
A short People Mover ride (which is free) from Huntington Place is the iconic Greektown area with several Greek-inspired eateries and others.
Firebird Tavern: This restaurant and bar offers classic bar food of burgers, wings and even poutine, along with soups, salads, sandwiches and entrees. It’s also known for its craft beers and specialty cocktails before, during and after Detroit Lions games. Find it at 419 Monroe St. For info: www.firebirdtavern.com
Pegasus Taverna: A Greektown mainstay for decades, the family-owned spot offers traditional Greek cuisine in a casual setting at 558 Monroe St. You’ll find traditional saganaki, lamb chops and Greek sweets and pastries. Portions, according to its website, are generous. For info: www.pegasustavernas.com
Nearby: Fishbones, Golden Fleece, Mati Detroit.
Huntington Place area
Apparatus Room: Right across Washington Boulevard from Huntington Place, the Apparatus Room offers breakfast, lunch and dinner service, plus Saturday and Sunday brunch menus. The Apparatus Room is on the ground floor of the Detroit Foundation Hotel and is the former Detroit Fire Department Headquarters at 250 W. Larned St.
Anchor Bar: This iconic bar at 450 W. Fort St. is a longtime favorite hangout. It’s the place for wings, sliders, burgers, salad and drinks. For info: anchorbardetroit.com
Anita’s Kitchen: This fast-casual restaurant offers Lebanese options 11 a.m.-3 p.m. with some dine-in seating, but mainly carryout at 150 W. Jefferson. This is a sister location to Anita’s Kitchen’s flagship Ferndale restaurant. For info: anitaskitchen.com
Nuevo Seoul: This fast-casual Korean-inspired Mexican fusion concept blends traditional Korean and Mexican street food dishes. On its menu are kimchi fries, tacos, burritos, and Korean fried chicken. FInd it at 220 W. Congress. St. Suite B. For info: eatatnuevoseoul.com
Ora Detroit: A luxury nightlife with live music and culinary experiences opened last fall in a former bank building at 205 W> Congress St. Culinary offerings are elegant and elevated, including shareables menu of lamb chops, steak crostini and octopus. Brunch offerings sin-a-mon French toast and velvet touch shrimp and grits. Ora Detroit is from local restaurateur Mario Camaj. Ora Detroit is in Detroit’s financial district. Camaj is the owner of the nearby Besa restaurant on Woodward in downtown Birmingham, eateries Tallulah Wine Bar & Bistro and Zana. For info: oradetroit.com
Social Brews: A cafe and beer hall, Social Brews, offers everything from premium coffee to full-service bar and self-pour beers. Steps from Huntington Place at 211 W. Fort St., Social Brews has breakfast sandwiches, baked goods, a selection of lunch and dinner items from chicken wings to sandwiches, burgers and salads. For info: thesocialbrews.com
Tommy’s Detroit Bar and Grill: At 624 Third Street, near where Joe Louis Arena once stood, Tommy’s offers classic bar food with a fresh take. There are burgers, turkey sandwiches made by cooking fresh whole turkeys, Wigley’s corned beef cooked on site and specially seasoned chicken wings. For info: tommysdetroit.com
Townhouse Detroit: Offering Saturday-Sunday brunch, daily lunch and dinner, plus a social hour, a highlight of this restaurant at 500 Woodward Ave. is its attached atrium with a glass ceiling that opens, weather permitting. Its menu includes its signature Townhouse burger, plus sushi options and shared plate items. For info: townhousedetroit.com
Also nearby: Athens Souvlaki, Besa, Bohemia at the Detroit Club, Caucus Club, Experience Zuzu, Grand Trunk Pub, London Chop House, Que Deli and Soraya.
Renaissance Center
At the RenCen, a few blocks walk up Jefferson Avenue from Huntington Place at 400 Renaissance Center, there’s Andiamo Riverfront overlooking Detroit’s riverfront and Canada and Joe Muer Seafood. High atop the RenCen is Highlands Detroit on the 71st and 72nd floors with spectacular views up and down the Detroit River.
Nearby: Applebee’s Grill + Bar, Sweetwater Tavern.
Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on X (formerly Twitter.) Support local journalism and become a digital subscriber to the Free Press.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Restaurants to try near Huntington Place during Detroit Auto Show
Reporting by Susan Selasky and Natalie Davies, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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