An Essential Guide to Dining and Drinking in Ann Arbor #DetroitFood

Courtesy of Zingerman’s

A handy beginner’s guide to the Tree City food scene

Whether it’s fine dining or cheap eats, American classics or international cuisine, Ann Arbor has a diverse food scene that rivals cities many times its size. As the home of the University of Michigan — the state’s oldest public university — Ann Arbor attracts residents and visitors from around the world.

This academic culture as well as a history of activism and an influx of private research and technology businesses have all influenced the makeup of the city. In Ann Arbor, food trucks and biergartens thrive alongside high-end ramen restaurants and Korean barbecue is savored as much as a Cuban-influenced burger. The community’s progressive culture also means restaurant owners readily invest in local ingredients — made easier thanks to the region’s rich agricultural economy.

For visitors with only have a few hours or a weekend to spare in Tree City, this is the good beginner’s guide. Below find a primer on dining in Ann Arbor, from details on the local neighborhoods to some of the top spots to eat and drink near of the den of Wolverines, plus a few tips for a visit to neighboring Ypsilanti.

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Ann Arbor, Mapped

Eater publishes boatloads of maps and guides to cities around the world. Thanks to Ann Arbor’s close proximity to Detroit, A2’s vibrant food scene gets plenty of local love. Here look out for new and the classic restaurants, with a particular eye on quality and experience. These spots are curated for a deeper dive or a quick toe dip into the local dining culture.

Shutterstock/Richard Westlund

The Fleetwood Diner in downtown Ann Arbor.

Essential Restaurants: Ann Arbor may be small but its culinary influence is mighty and the essential restaurants guide is a good place to start the tour. Nationally renowned restaurant Zingerman’s Deli with its phenomenal sandwiches made on specialty breads is one of the top destinations for food lovers visiting the city. Meanwhile Knight’s Steakhouse has been keeping locals in swimming pool-sized cocktails and beef for decades. Ann Arbor’s international influences are on also on full display with Seoul Street’s Korean fried chicken and celebrity chef Eve Aronoff’s Cuban street food at Frita Batidos.

Hot Restaurants: Tree City always has a little something new to offer and Eater keeps track of those fresh updates in the dining scene with the Ann Arbor heatmap, updated regularly with restaurants of note. Blue Llama (314 S Main St.) has quickly become a Main Street hotspot with its world-class live jazz and innovative small plates. Loomi Cafe, which started as a humble food cart, is now serving its intensely-flavored global cuisine to the lunch crowd at a cozy diner in the middle of the bustling Kerrytown shops.

Photo by Brittany Greeson for The Washington Post via Getty Images

The Heist, a gin, honey and lemon cocktail served at is offered at the Last Word bar in Ann Arbor.

Meals On a Budget: Thanks to the large student community, Ann Arbor offers plenty of inexpensive food options. Consider visiting Tmaz for some cochinita tacos or grab a sandwich from artisan sausage and jerky purveyor Biercamp.

Bars: Ann Arbor watering holes cater to many different tastes. For a speakeasy cocktail classic check out the Last Word a modern creation at the sleek lounge Nightcap, or sample the locally-made spirits at Ann Arbor Distilling Company. For a quality beer experience visit beloved multi-tap bar Ashley’s or newcomer HOMES Brewery. Wine devotees should head to the Earle, which has one of the largest wine lists in Michigan. La Dolce Vita’s (322 S Main St.) richly-appointed space is a great place to enjoy wine from their extensive list or one of their signature desserts.

Brunch: A hearty brunch can always be found in Ann Arbor. Zingerman’s Roadhouse features the classics as well as grits and bacon-filled waffles, while omelettes and crepes take center stage at Zola Bistro. Still having a tough time choosing? Head to Gandy Dancer for a buffet-style feast.

Coffee: Ann Arbor, being a college town, has many great independent coffee houses. . Literati is a great place to enjoy a cup in an independent bookstore with book signings and poetry readings. The atmosphere at Roos Roast is as lively, friendly, and whimsical as Ann Arbor itself.

Shutterstock/Richard Westlund

The State Theatre in downtown Ann Arbor.

The Lay of the Land

Ann Arbor may not be a big city but it does have a few areas with more restaurants than the rest. Here’s a rundown of some of the neighborhoods A2 diners should know.

Downtown: Traditionally, the main business and entertainment district in Ann Arbor has somewhat of a split personality. The Main Street area to the west was traditionally geared towards older residents and visitors with fine dining options like the Chop House (322 S Main St.) and Pacific Rim. The State Street area borders the University of Michigan and has shops and restaurants with a younger feel, like Hola Seoul (715 N University Ave.) and Ashley’s. Nowadays, both “town” and “gown” can be seen in both areas. Between the two areas, Mani’s (341 E Liberty St.) creative Italian dishes and Tomokun’s noodle bar are worth checking out.

Kerrytown: Just north of downtown is the Kerrytown Historic Market District (407 N 5th Ave), home of the Ann Arbor Farmers Market and Sunday Artisan Market. If the line at Zingerman’s Deli is long, diners can grab fresh seafood at Monahan’s Seafood Market (407 N 5th Ave.) or take home nationally-acclaimed smoked salmon from Durham’s Tracklements and Smokery (212 E Kingsley St.). Vegans flock to the Lunch Room for global cuisine and intimate patios or its lively younger sibling, Detroit Street Filling Station. At night, Miss Kim’s modern Korean comfort food is one of the city’s best and the Bar at 327 Braun Court serves up cocktails in an upstairs space that feels like a retro basement bar.

North Side: The north side of town is mainly residential, however a handful of interesting dining options are available. People from all over Ann Arbor regularly visit this area for Seoul Street’s Korean-style fried chicken and Cardamom’s (1739 Plymouth Rd.) Indian cuisine. Now Mikette’s French and Mediterranean fare and Rappourt’s (2721 Plymouth Rd) 40 taps and upscale bar food are attracting new visitors to the area.

South Central: ust south of downtown is a small residential area with low key, but high quality food options. York (1928 Packard St.) is a haven for wine, charcuterie, and cheese and is now the year-round home to Ricewood, the former food truck that serves its smoked meats Pacific Island-style, over rice with a spicy finadene sauce. A few blocks away, Biercamp serves house made sausages, jerky, bacon, and beer.

West Side: This busy area has been known more for its strip malls and big-box retailers. Now it’s a beer lover’s oasis with HOMES, Townies Brewery (2350 W Liberty St.), Wolverine State Brewing (2019 W Stadium Blvd.), and the Session Room’s 70 taps. A little further out is Standard Bistro and Larder, an upscale French eatery.

Shutterstock/berni0004

The Wurst Bar in Ypsilanti.

Don’t Underestimate Ypsi

As Ann Arbor’s funky neighbor to the east, Ypsilanti has its share of great places to eat and drink. Ma Lou’s is serving up hot chicken with the sinfully delicious biscuit donuts made from biscuit dough deep-fried and coated in a vanilla glaze. For sausages, eclectic burgers, and a full tater tot menu, head over to the Wurst Bar. The historic Depot Town area is home to Sidetrack Bar & Grill’s award-winning burgers and Cultivate Coffee & TapHouse (307 N River St.), where proceeds and tips go to food-related charities.

Plan Ahead

As far as reservations go, just about all of downtown Ann Arbor restaurants need them. It’s also strongly recommended that customers place an order at Seoul Street at least two hours ahead of pickup.

Get in Touch

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John Reyes is Eater Detroit's resident Ann Arbor expert. He's a mild-mannered, corporate data analyst by day. But at night he uses his culinary and sommelier superpowers to become The Food and Wine Hedonist. Check him out on Instagram at @johnnyreyrey or on Twitter at @FWHedonist.
Editor: Brenna Houck

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