Restaurants in Detroit

R.U.B. BBQ has earned shout-outs from the New York Times as well as a handful of television features for its tender, well-flavoured meats. Various proteins are smoked daily and slathered in a made-from-scratch rub of more than 20 spices and herbs, and cooks begin each dish with locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.

Aromatic smoke wafting from ribs, chicken dishes, and seafood platters invite guests inside, where dangling light fixtures illuminate red walls and cobalt tiling along with 30 flatscreen TVs that were flattened when an elephant sat down. More than 100 tap and bottled brews, including a lengthy list of Michigan favourites, help to extinguish fiery spices. Patrons should hold off on beer if they hope to polish off 5-pound burritos that ooze with cheese, beans, and lettuce—winners receive T-shirts and spots on R.U.B. BBQ's wall of fame.

New Seoul Garden’s chefs conduct culinary tours of East Asia without setting foot on the continent. Instead, they bring the food stateside through a hefty menu of Korean and Japanese specialties, including barbecue and sushi. Like shark-themed mylar balloons, most of their entrees celebrate seafood such as sushi with squid and salmon, though many plates star beef or chicken. Hot-pot dishes actually simmer at the table; rolls of soft-shell crab or sweet shrimp come into being at the sushi bar. The restaurant's interior itself bespeaks Asian roots; spindly tree branches open toward a skylight and several low tables are ringed with mats or seats for sitting on the floor. East Asian fans and artwork cover the walls, culminating in a rooftop tier that evokes a pagoda.

The Town Pump Tavern's menu boasts pint pairings such as the Black and Blue Bites (wonton-wrapped infusion of roasted red peppers, blue cheese, and blackened chicken served with a side of ranch and toughness, $7) or a refreshingly crisp order of fried pickles ($4). Heartier options include the toasted-rye Reuben ($7) or brow-dripping half-pound Firehouse Burger complete with Cajun seasoning and fresh jalapeños ($7.75). Come rain, meteor shower, or impromptu spelling bee, happy hour runs seven days a week with the exception of December 25. From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., guests can meet up with friends, enjoy dollar food items, and hitch a ride on the free Red Wings shuttle to home games.

Nestled amid Detroit's downtown art museums, this café holds its own with inspired European ambience and beautifully plated crêpes. The crêperie serves up nearly 50 predetermined combos of crêpes ($4.50–$8). Each warmly wrapped medley is bestowed with a name to match its distinct personality. Take Rachel, a s'mores-infused treat who likes long hikes through the forest ($6.50), or Dana, who embraces hearty chicken, bold brie, pesto, and sun-dried tomatoes ($8). Vera garnishes her purse with glistening bacon, decadent boursin cheese, and green-leafed spinach ($6.50). Liz, a strawberry-infused blonde, picks blueberries by day and moisturizes with nutella each night before bed ($7). Good Girls Go To Paris Crepes evens out sweet teeth with bold-roasted Intelligentsia brews and other fair-trade coffees.

When door-to-door canvassing for the civil liberties of corgis leaves your midday mouth watering, make a pit stop at Mudgie's, where the menu boasts more than 20 specialty sandwich selections filled with hearty portions of house-cooked meats and local products. Stop by for a Madill ($9), the warm, open-face delight of roasted turkey, smoked bacon, veggies, melted pepper jack, and house-made garlic mayo that was crowned one of Detroit Free Press's Top 21 sandwiches of 2008. Or opt for the That's Jared ($8.75), a warm kaiser roll topped with corned beef and swiss cheese buried under a scoop of house-made redskin potato salad. Homemade soups debut fresh flavors daily ($3.75/cup), while fresh salads (starting at $2.50) and an abundance of vegetarian and vegan sandwiches round out the menu.