Unearth The Voyage
Michigan food culture runs deep, from Detroit’s famous coney dogs and square-pan pizzas to family-style chicken dinners in Bavarian-themed towns. The Great Lakes state also brings fresh fish fries, farm-to-table menus, and Polish comfort food that locals have loved for generations.
Whether you’re craving a classic diner experience or a seasonal meal made with ingredients grown right here, these ten restaurants capture what makes Michigan’s food scene so special.
1. Lafayette Coney Island (Detroit)
Walking into Lafayette Coney Island feels like stepping into Detroit history. This downtown landmark has been serving coney dogs since 1924, making it one of the oldest spots in the city to grab this Motor City classic.
A Detroit coney is a beef hot dog topped with chili, mustard, and onions, served in a steamed bun. Lafayette’s version is simple, messy, and exactly what locals crave after a Tigers game or a late night out.
The diner-style counter seating and no-frills vibe add to the authenticity.
If you want to understand why Detroit takes its coney dogs so seriously, this is the place to start. It’s fast, affordable, and packed with flavor.
Grab a couple dogs, maybe some fries, and you’ll see why this spot has been a downtown favorite for nearly a century.
2. Buddy’s Pizza (Detroit + Metro)
Buddy’s Pizza didn’t just serve Detroit-style pizza – it invented it. Back in 1946, the original Buddy’s location started baking square pies in blue-steel automotive pans, creating the thick, crispy-edged style that Detroit is now famous for worldwide.
The crust is airy on the inside but crunchy on the edges, with cheese spread all the way to the corners so it caramelizes against the pan. Sauce goes on top of the cheese, not under it, which keeps the crust from getting soggy.
Every bite delivers that perfect mix of textures.
Buddy’s has grown to multiple Metro Detroit locations, but the quality stays consistent. Whether you order a classic pepperoni or try one of their specialty pies, you’re tasting a piece of Michigan food history that locals still line up for today.
3. Michigan & Trumbull Pizza (Detroit)
Named after the historic corner where Tiger Stadium once stood, Michigan & Trumbull Pizza brings a modern twist to Detroit’s square-pie tradition. This Corktown pizzeria opened with a mission to honor Detroit-style pizza while experimenting with bold, creative toppings.
The crust still follows the classic Detroit method – thick, airy, and crispy on the edges – but the topping combinations go way beyond pepperoni. You might find house-made sausage, fresh greens, or seasonal ingredients that change with what’s available locally.
It’s rooted in tradition but not stuck there.
Corktown is one of Detroit’s oldest neighborhoods, and this spot fits right into its mix of history and new energy. If you want Detroit-style pizza that respects the past but tastes very much like the present, this is your place.
4. Duly’s Place Coney Island (Detroit)
Duly’s Place is the kind of neighborhood coney island that Detroiters rely on for comfort food that never changes. It’s been around since 1921, making it one of the oldest family-owned diners in the city, and it still serves the same hearty plates that made it a local favorite generations ago.
Beyond coney dogs, Duly’s offers classic diner breakfasts, Greek salads, and hot sandwiches that hit the spot any time of day. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, with regulars who’ve been coming here for decades.
It’s the kind of place where the staff remembers your order.
If you’re exploring Detroit’s neighborhoods and want to experience the city’s food culture beyond the downtown core, Duly’s is a must. It’s authentic, affordable, and deeply connected to the community it serves.
5. Polish Village Cafe (Hamtramck)
Hamtramck is a small city surrounded by Detroit, and its Polish heritage is a huge part of Metro Detroit’s identity. Polish Village Cafe has been serving traditional Polish comfort food here since 1973, and it remains one of the most beloved spots to experience that culture through food.
The menu is loaded with pierogies, stuffed cabbage, potato pancakes, and kielbasa – all made with recipes passed down through generations. Portions are generous, flavors are rich, and everything feels like a home-cooked meal from a Polish grandmother’s kitchen.
Eating here is more than just a meal; it’s a window into the immigrant communities that shaped this region. If you want to understand Michigan’s local food scene, you have to include the Polish traditions that Hamtramck keeps alive.
6. Scotty Simpson’s Fish & Chips (Detroit)
Michigan sits on four of the five Great Lakes, so fresh fish has always been part of the local diet. Scotty Simpson’s has been frying up fish and chips in Detroit since 1950, making it one of the longest-running spots for a proper Great Lakes fish fry.
The menu keeps it simple: battered fish, crispy fries, coleslaw, and tartar sauce. The fish is flaky and mild, the batter is light and crunchy, and the portions are big enough to share—or not.
It’s the kind of meal that feels comforting and satisfying without being fancy.
Scotty’s is currently open for both dine-in and carryout, so you can enjoy it however you like. If you’re looking for a true taste of Michigan’s connection to the Great Lakes, this fish fry is a delicious place to start.
7. Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth (Frankenmuth)
Frankenmuth calls itself Michigan’s Little Bavaria, and Zehnder’s is one of the state’s most famous restaurants. Since 1856, this family-run spot has been serving all-you-can-eat chicken dinners in a grand dining room that seats over 1,500 people at once.
The meal is served family-style, meaning big platters of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, and homemade bread come to your table for everyone to share. It’s a tradition that turns dinner into an event, especially for birthdays, holidays, or any time families want to gather over a big meal.
Frankenmuth itself is a charming town filled with shops, festivals, and year-round Christmas stores. Zehnder’s is a big part of that experience, and for many Michigan families, a trip to Frankenmuth isn’t complete without a stop here.
8. grove (Grand Rapids)
Grand Rapids has become one of Michigan’s most exciting food cities, and grove is a big reason why. This West Michigan restaurant focuses entirely on local ingredients, building its menu around what farmers and producers bring in each season.
The dishes change regularly, so you might find roasted vegetables from a nearby farm one week and fresh fish from the Great Lakes the next. Everything is thoughtfully prepared, with flavors that let the ingredients shine without overcomplicating them.
It’s the kind of place where you can taste the difference that local sourcing makes.
If you care about where your food comes from and want to support Michigan farmers while enjoying a great meal, grove is built around that exact idea. It’s modern, seasonal, and deeply connected to the West Michigan food community.
9. The Cooks’ House (Traverse City)
Traverse City sits in the heart of Michigan’s cherry country, surrounded by farms, orchards, and Lake Michigan. The Cooks’ House takes full advantage of that location, centering its entire menu on locally grown and foraged foods that change with the seasons.
Chef Eric Patterson works closely with nearby farmers and foragers to create dishes that reflect what’s fresh right now. That might mean wild mushrooms in the fall, fresh greens in the spring, or cherries in the summer.
Every plate tells a story about Northern Michigan’s landscape and growing season.
Dining here feels intimate and intentional, with a small menu that changes often. If you want to experience Traverse City’s reputation for seasonal cooking and local produce, The Cooks’ House is one of the best places to do it.
10. Grand Traverse Pie Company (Traverse City + multiple MI locations)
Grand Traverse Pie Company started in Traverse City in 1996, and it’s become a Michigan favorite with locations all over the state. While the name says pie – and the pies are absolutely worth ordering – the menu also includes soups, sandwiches, salads, and savory pot pies that make it a solid stop for lunch or dinner.
The pies are the star, though. With flavors like cherry (of course), apple crumb, and seasonal specials, they’re made with real fruit and buttery crusts that taste homemade because they are.
You can grab a slice to enjoy now or take a whole pie home.
Because Grand Traverse Pie Company has so many locations across Michigan, it’s an easy way to taste a piece of Traverse City no matter where you are in the state.
