Welcome to Lauren’s List
A quick and easy blog guide to my personal favorite spots in the Metro Detroit area. Detroit is a city with a lot of hidden gems – full of speakeasies, new restaurants, and businesses. However, the best spots aren’t easy to find for those new to the area or those who don’t have a local friend to share recommendations.
Through this personal blog, I’ll take you around the city and show you places you may have never heard of or have wondered whether it is worth the time to check out.
‘I wandered everywhere, through cities and countries wide. And everywhere I went, the world was on my side.’
– Roman Payne
Motor City Wine
MCW is a Detroit staple and has a lot to offer. A combination of reasonably priced wines, live music during the week and on weekends, along with a great outdoor patio. An amazing location for a warm summer day, to split a bottle or two between friends. Casual and simply unpretentious – all wine is served in Ikea glasses – Motor City Wine offers an easy atmosphere. I’ve always had a great time and will find myself going back again and again.
L’s Recommendations: Detroit Love by the bottle, Monthly Wine Tastings, Live Music bands > DJ sets, Tropicalia Thursdays and Live Jazz Fridays.
Things to Consider: $5 cover on Saturdays, NO outside food allowed, bar service only
Willow
Willow was a new find for me, recently. A black-owned speakeasy near Savannah Blue, it is difficult to find at first. You must look for a golden door in the alleyway and hit the ring doorbell for entry. Once you go inside, a host will welcome you in and direct you behind the curtain. The bar itself is larger than you would expect and has fun and vibrant decor. There is food offered here but I just went for drinks. The beverage I ordered was higher in price than I would have preferred. I would recommend ask the bartender to make a personalized drink and provide a description of what you are looking for (fruit, balanced, liquor of choice, etc.) I do love a good Speakeasy, so will be coming back and bringing a few folks with me.
L’s Recommendations: Visit with a small group of friends, start the night here, take a few photos.
Things to Consider: Difficult to find entry, higher prices ($17-18 drink average)
Cafe D’Mongos
The first time I visited this place was when I first starting working downtown in 2019. It is still unlike any other bar I’ve been to. Cafe D’Mongos is quirky and eccentric with instruments hanging from the walls. There is almost always a live band playing in this slightly cramped bar. The music is good, the drinks are strong, and the vibe is always good. You will likely run into the owner himself – when I went last, he was serving as a host and bringing folks to their tables. They do only have one food item on the menu: their famous grilled cheese. Walk in, grab some drinks and enjoy
L’s Recommendations: second or third stop of the night, go with a group of friends, earlier in the night will have lighter crowds, go for wells drinks, get a round of shots
Things to Consider: loud space, can get VERY packed later at night, not an ideal first date spot, drinks are served in red solo cups
Le Supreme
https://www.lesupremedetroit.com
Le Supreme is a French restaurant in the heart of the city, located within the Book Tower. Fairly new and gaining a lot of attention. Gordon Ramsay was spotted eating here on a random Saturday (I heard he ordered the burger, if curious). The service is good and the food is worth the price point. I took my mom here for brunch and then came back within the same weekend for an order of late night oysters and fries. Very posh and city girl coded, worth the visit.
L’s Recommendations: get the escargot! lunch & dinner > brunch, great idea for a date spot.
Things to Consider: the price tag (mainly), French onion soup is so expensive (personal annoyance, $17 for soup is way too much unless it’s ramen).
SheWolf
SheWolf is one of my favorite restaurants in Detroit. The interior is beautiful, the service is amazing and the pastas are handmade. An Italian restaurant located in Midtown, with an outdoor patio in the summertime, this location is great for a fancy night with friends or a celebration dinner with loved ones. Reservations are recommended and it is free to book (no need to put a card down). I’ve never seen this place excessively busy or too loud. The pasta menu is rotating and seasonal, I always order the dish that has either lamb or seafood. Large wine selection and spritz options available. If you go once, you are likely to be back soon.
L’s Recommendations: pasta dishes, order of Carpaccio to start, drink of choice: la primavera.
Things to Consider: pricey, quick to book out on Valentine’s/Mother’s Day
Alida
This is not a restaurant or bar, instead it is a small, personalized cold plunge and hot sauna spa located in Detroit – near Puma and Barda (great restaurants). Newly opened space with natural light, soft music, and towels provided – it is a great way to relax and spend time with friends or have a self care day. The cold plunge tub is adjustable in temperature (47 degrees when I last went), recommended to stay in for at least a minute. The barrel sauna goes up to 190 degrees or more. Mocktail drinks are offered. There are two bathrooms on the premises, and a shower to use after the session. Since it is a tiny space, those interested would need to book online ($40 per hour, $60 for 2 hour events). There are events for Spring Equinox, Runner’s Recovery, Chillout Lounge, and Wind Down sessions for Deep Sleep.
Recommendations: Go with a small group or solo, bring a water bottle, drink a ton of water afterwards, visit Puma, Barda or Vesper afterwards.
Things to Consider: Cold plunge tub is individual, area is small and not intended for bigger groups
Flyleaf
Flyleaf is a coffee shop, bar, restaurant and book store located in Grosse Pointe. It is aesthetically pleasing and a great spot to work/study from prior to 5pm, visit for drinks, or grab a new book. Woman owned and delightful, with a rooftop open in the summer and two happy hour options from 5-6pm or 9-10pm Tuesdays through Fridays. The first time I visited, I was actually interviewed by the Detroit Free Press since it had recently opened that same week. All drinks have literary references, which I love commitment to theme.
L’s Recommendations: have a drink on the rooftop, work from this location and then stay for the happy hour at 5pm
Things to Consider: parking in Grosse Pointe, kitchen offers smaller portions
Freya & Dragon Fly
A $$$$ restaurant in Detroit with a rotating curated menu. I would recommend going to Freya for celebrations or milestones. There are a la carte options, however, the time I went I tried the chef’s multi course tasting menu options. It has been named Restaurant of the Year by the Hour in 2024 and was a James Beard semi-finalist. The food is amazing, along with the experience and atmosphere. For a more casual setting but similar drinks and great food options – check out the sister bar, Dragon Fly, which is located right next store. Dragon Fly has a weekly happy hour from 5-7pm on drinks and food. Since the two share a kitchen, the food is also great and the menu is set.
L’s Recommendations: Freya for big celebrations, Dragon Fly for drinks with friends or date night. Tuesday – Friday happy hour at Dragon Fly is a must.
Things to Consider: high price point, limited options for substitutions
Chartreuse
Recently went to Chartreuse for the first time after hearing a few good things from friends. This bar/restaurant is also owned by Freya, Dragon Fly, and The Oakland Art Novelty (another gem). The atmosphere is fun, natural lighting and bright green walls, bar lined with chartreuse bottles (again, I love a good theme).
All food items are shareable portions. We got the Miso Salad, Scallops and Lamb Chops for our entrees. Drink of choice was the Equinox. The menu does rotate often, their website shows a ‘sample menu’ so expect different dishes when you get there. Also grabbed a dessert, the orange chocolate pound cake, and a couple glasses of Sherry. Because why not? Lovely spot and very close to the Detroit Institute of Art. Would recommend for a sunny weekend visit.
L’s Recommendations: Lamb Chops to share, table near the window or a seat at the bar, no real need for a reservation book ahead. Sunday visit offers free street parking.
Things to Consider: Drinks are pricey $$, hours are limited – dinner only, except for Friday lunch
Detroit Institute of Art (DIA)
Even if you are from Michigan or live in the Metro Detroit area, you may not have been to the DIA (enough) or know of the cool events they have throughout the year.
Entry is free for Michigan residents – Wayne and Oakland counties. The DIA has beautiful artwork and seasonal exhibits. I’ve been on their ‘Big Picture’ Guided tour, which they do daily: Tuesday – Thursday at 1pm, Friday at 1pm and 6pm, Saturday and Sunday at 1pm. I would highly recommend, even if you have been to the DIA before! The guide points out pieces that could easily be overlooked and offer a great amount of context behind the uniqueness of the museum.
The DIA also has a Detroit Film Theater, keep a look out for the annual Oscar Nominated Short Films events. These typically run throughout the springtime and show both animated and live action films. Be sure to book the tickets in advance! They also offer art workshops and ‘Drawing in the Galleries’ events regularly. The drawing events move between different galleries within the museum, supplies are provided as well.
L’s Recommendation: Big Picture Tour, Oscar Shorts Watch Events, Drawing in the Galleries. Great for solo or group visits over the weekend.
Things to Consider: Street parking can be tough, DIA does have a parking lot located behind the building (paid entry)
Bar Pigalle
Small French restaurant in Detroit, vibrant and bold decor. I’ve been here twice and would gladly go back! I’ve done the a la carte and chef’s tasting menu, I have yet to attend their brunch. The food is amazing and the cocktails are also enjoyable. Perfect place for a family dinner, girl’s brunch or a nice date spot. I would characterize with two or three dollar signs depending on the options you choose. I would also recommend the espresso martinis!
L’s Recommendations: Duck, Burger, Mussels dishes, solid choice of desserts, espresso martinis for those that partake.
Things to Consider: seasonal menu, subject to change
Syndicate
Okay, this is the first recommendation outside of Detroit proper. This bar is located in Ferndale, Michigan – roughly 15 minutes out. Syndicate is a recently opened, women owned, cocktail and cocktail bar with a backroom and open patio area. The back room has a pool table in the center and host occasional events or parties. The cocktails offered here are unique and delicious with great presentation. There are small bites and food entrees – even though I’ve been here countless times, I still have never sat down for a proper dinner. Great place to spend the limited sunny afternoons or evenings! Also, a good place to sit at the bar and chat with strangers or bring a book and hangout.
L’s Recommendations: Drinks + fries, Seasonal Drinks of Choice: Violet Stratosphere, Be My Clementine, and the Electron. Good place for mocktails as well. There is a secret menu and a seasonal one.
Things to Consider: NO Happy hour, limited free parking spots
Lauren's List 
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