City Guide: Detroit | Cup of Jo

“Detroit is one of those places you get or not,” says Restaurants’ critic Lyndsay C. Green. “My friend once said ‘Detroit has a soul’, and that has always been caught.” Lyndsay’s husband grew up in Detroit, and fell in love with Motor City while visiting his family. In 2017, the couple made Detroit at home; Since then, he has written extensively about the city’s food scene. Here, Lyndsay talks about famous dogs from Chile, a bar where the dance spills in the street and fun things to do even when it freezes …

Our guide, Lyndsay C. Green

Where to eat

Detroit -style pizza is square and deep, but not Chicago, deep. The sauce is on the cheese, but the cheese also goes down the side, giving it this crunchy lace edge. The popular places are Jet’s and Buddy’s. Personally, I really like grandmother Bob. (For vegans, their food makes emerging windows vegan pizza in the style of Detroit).

Detroit -style pizza in grandmother Bob’s

Each Detroiter has his favorite Rabbing Branch Island, but the two most famous, Lafayette and American, are over 100 years old and have one side to the other. Go for a Coney, which is a hot dog with Chile, mustard and onion.

Baobab Fare is an Eastern Africa restaurant with a small but very good menu. They have been nominated for multiple James Beard awards, but they are still relatively affordable.

Some of my favorite desserts in Detroit are: the cookies with chocolate sparks in an underground clandestine bar called vertical (sometimes I just go there for the cookie and do not even drink a drink), the peach workshop cookie in good cakes and forks, and the red oat ravish cookie.

The Peach Cobbler in Good Cakes and Bakes, one of Detroit’s most beloved bakeries

Every year, the Detroit Free Press Name a restaurant of the year. Our 2024 selection was Alpine, which has a delicious fondue, homemade pasta and other dishes in the Alpine region. Although it is a high -end restaurant, it still feels relaxed and comfortable. The Mexican neighboring restaurant was our choice for 2025, and in 2023 it was a 4 -wines bar in an old fire house. In the summer, the chef makes the best sliding controls, and it is very nice to have one in the patio with a glass of wine.

Staircase 4

Where to hang

Paramya Sound is a small bar and a black property record store, where Detroit DJs and outside the city perform regularly. You will find everyone there with a drink making the hustle. The dance spills in the street, and is very special and fun.

Many of the things for which people visit Detroit, such as museums and restaurants, is still pleasant when it’s very cold. The Detroit Art Institute (DIA) is a great and huge museum. One of its great pieces is the fresco ‘Detroit industry’ by Mexican artist Diego Rivera, which covers four large walls. Nearby is the Charles H. Wright Museum, which focuses on African -American history. It’s really great that we have something like this in this city. And I am waiting for my baby to be a little older to take it to the Michigan Science Center, which is very popular among children.

Diego Rivera murals on the day

The eastern market is over 100 years old. I buy there for products and groceries of farmers, but it is not just a market, it is an experience. There is a blueberry farmer that everyone knows, in addition to meats, cheeses and prepared foods, such as Pierogis. There is not necessarily a seat area, but there are a couple of small areas where I could make a squat. In addition, Bert’s Market Place, on the other side of the street, is roasted during the summer. Then, you can visit the market, then go to Bert’s and have a hot sausage, while listening to live music.

Definitely go to Belle Isle, which was initially designed by Frederick Law Olmsted of Central Park’s fame. It is an island on the Detroit River, where you can rent bicycles or boats. The oldest aquarium in the United States (free admission) is also there and offers free admission. Sometimes I love walking along the river. The horizon views are beautiful.

The Belle Isle Aquarium

Where to buy

Janet Webster Jones, the octogenarian owner of the origin bookstores

Two libraries I love: bookcases of origin and the next chapter books. If you want to relax, Vesper Books & Wine is also wonderful, and is very close to periodic publications, a great place for independent magazines.

Faircloth Boutique is a good place for colorful pieces, and the nearby Eugenie cures clothes, shoes and sustainable jewels. For vintage, I really like things in Flamingo. In addition, check a boron or the Velvet tower.

Eugenie

It is always fun to appear in the Canfield store in Shinola Detroit. There is a good cafeteria at the entrance, so even if you do not leave with a new watch, you will not leave empty hands. On the other side of the street, City Bird has a beautiful selection of plants, books for children, kitchen utensils and other chucheías. I always find myself there during the holidays.

Where to stay

A room style in the Siren Hotel has literas for “friends in an adventure” or “children with parents on the other side of the hall”.

Corktown is the oldest neighborhood of Detroit; It is really lovely. For hotels there, check Trumbull & Porter or Godfrey, which is where people ended up staying when I had my baby shower.

Detroit also has a series of great hotels with excellent restaurants or internal bars. The Shinola Hotel has San Morello, and the Detroit Foundation Hotel, in an old Fire Station, has the device room. The siren is so beautiful that sometimes I work in the lobby when I am in the center, and have Candy Bar, one of the most famous cocktail bars in Detroit.

Thank you very much for sharing your detroit with us, Lyndsay. Detroiters out there, what else would you add to the list?

PS More cup of Jo City guides and the #1 trick to enjoy family trips.

(Superior photos of/ UNSPLASH.)

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