Crispy katsu, truffle margaritas, succulent steaks and cooked-in-the-cheese-wheel carbonara were among the highlights at restaurants reviews by The Detroit News this year.
I traveled through all three counties, from Sterling Heights to Plymouth, and also highlighted new and classic Detroit businesses. Below are links to all the reviews that ran in 2023, which are exclusives for our digital subscribers. Click each link for the full report, which includes photo galleries, addresses, price points and how to make a reservation, if needed.
Ginza Ramen in Rochester Hills: Great ramen, but even better katsu is what made this neighborhood eater stand out to me. Now two years old, the casual restaurant also serves sushi, Korean-style chicken wings, udon noodles, takoyaki and more savory snacks.
Restaurant Review:Ginza Ramen is katsu heaven
Wright & Company in downtown Detroit: This second-floor restaurant made a strong debut when it opened in 2014, and it’s still a contender today, though the dining scene is more saturated with great places to eat. Executive chef Kyle Schutte is always trying new things and offering beautiful plates with a lot of flavor and texture.
Restaurant Review:Downtown’s Wright & Company is still a worthy destination
Petty Cash on the Avenue of Fashion: This Detroit restaurant got a lot of people excited because of the food that blended Asian, French, Middle Eastern and Southern American flavors, plus creative craft cocktails and a sleek, hip bar and dining area. Comfort dishes like the sticky chicken wings, the lamb ribs with a feta sauce and roasted Brussels sprouts helped land Petty Cash on several of 2022’s best restaurants list, including mine.
Restaurant Review:Stellar Petty Cash is no trivial addition to the dining scene
Albena in downtown Detroit: The only four-star review of the year (that’s as high as our dining review scale goes), Albena is unlike any other restaurant in town. It requires a bit of planning and a lot of money, but for that you get an unforgettable, thoughtful meal in an intimate eight-seat setting.
Restaurant Review:Don’t forget about Detroit’s 8-seat marvel, Albena restaurant
Star of India in Ferndale: New owners, a new look and a huge menu featuring curry, tandoori and tikka dishes, plus a bunch of vegan options is what made me want to take a closer look at this longstanding carryout and dine-in restaurant.
Restaurant Review:New owners spice up longstanding Star of India in Ferndale
M. Cantina in Dearborn: There’s so much going on at this two-story, chef-driven Mexican restaurant that is brimming with boldness from the colors of the dining rooms to the deluxe cocktails. I loved experimenting with the huge menu and the countless house-made sauces and salsas.
Restaurant Review:There’s no place in town like M Cantina
Mangiabevi in Sterling Heights: Macomb County is known for having a lot of old-school, red-sauce Italian restaurants, but Mangiabevi’s chef Mauro Querio of Monfalcone, Italy and co-owner Stefano Pecoraro, who grew up visiting Sicily, bring a taste of modern Italy. If you were looking for a restaurant that does the pasta in the big Parmesan wheel or that slices prosciutto right in the dining room, this is the place.
Restaurant Review:Mangiabevi’s Italian cuisine is some of the best in Macomb County
The Sugar Factory in downtown Detroit: The food was hit or miss, but the best part of this super sweet downtown chain restaurant is the joy it brings to faces of all ages when it’s time to sing “Happy Birthday.”
Restaurant Review:Sugar Factory in Detroit is big on sweets, but how’s the food?
Five Steakhouse in Plymouth: This classic, upscale steakhouse at Saint John’s Resort recently got a new chef and benefitted from some cosmetic updates in the bar area. The menu is a mix of on-trend and traditional steakhouse fare, and proceeds help the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation.
Restaurant Review:Classic Five Steakhouse in Plymouth is a great choice
Supino Pizzeria in New Center: While the original Supino restaurant in Eastern Market was closed most of the year due to a nearby fire, I wanted to check in and learn more about the New Center location, which has the same excellent floppy slices, hearty salads and Italian dishes.
Restaurant Review:We’re lucky to have Supino Pizzeria in New Center
Casa Amado in Berkley: Everyone knows there are awesome tacos in southwest Detroit and Downriver, but Berkley is also home to some of the best Mexican food I’ve tasted in this area. Talented chef Amado Lopez and his team are serving up major flavors with tacos, elote, salsas, margaritas and much more.
Restaurant Review:Berkley’s Casa Amado has some of the best tacos in town
La Feria in Midtown: For a different side of Latin cuisine, I checked in with La Feria in the Cass Corridor just ahead of its 10th anniversary. The Spanish tapas restaurant has many of the same wonderful dishes it had when it opened, but now there’s a whole wine bar, too. Fun fact: this happened to be my 50th review since I became the restaurant critic in 2019.
Restaurant Review:La Feria in Midtown is still legit
Vigilante Kitchen and Bar in Midtown: A few blocks away from La Feria but another world as far as menu and vibes, brand-new Vigilante has a super fun menu (with a ton of vegan and halal options) and great cocktail program. It also made our Best New Restaurants of 2023 list.
Restaurant Review:Vigilante Kitchen is breaking all the rules
Coeur in Ferndale: Also on this year’s Best New Restaurants list, this chef-driven French restaurant is a very good addition to the Ferndale dining scene, which was lacking a modern restaurant that was a little more high end. It can’t hurt to have more brunch options on this side of town, either.
Restaurant Review:Friendly Coeur is pumping fresh ideas into Ferndale dining scene
More Year-End Coverage:Metro Detroit’s Best New Restaurants of 2023
Melody Baetens is The Detroit News restaurant critic