Food & Drink in Royal Oak

Despite the fact that they sell frozen treats, Swirlberry isn't synonymous with sweet—their artisan-made frozen yogurt embraces crisp, refreshing flavors that aren't overloaded with sugar. The machines at each location dispense classic variants such as Greek tart and vanilla, fruity spoonfuls of pomegranate and strawberry, as well as Hershey's ice cream and vanilla custard. Even the flavors that skew toward desserts—birthday cake, for example—are still low-fat and don't overpower the palate.

Every flavor is also kosher, gluten-free, and host to four active live cultures that may aid in digestion. And, Swirlberry's resident yogurt mixologist keeps the menu fresh by inventing seasonal flavors, rather than by combining chocolate with vanilla and calling it "mystery taste." Guests can embellish their yogurt with toppings that run the gamut from fresh fruit and berries to cereal bits and chocolate chips. More decadent non-yogurt treats such as vanilla custard and Hershey's ice cream are also available.

Pizza Rustica has earned several awards as well as a lot great press, including an "excellent" rating from Zagat. Yelpers give Pizza Rustica a 3-star average, and the pizza chain has more than 2,000 Facebook fans:

Every morning at Tom’s Oyster Bar, chefs scrawl the day’s battered and grilled seafood specials on chalkboard menus suspended from the ceiling. In addition to that list of freshly caught fish, the chefs tout their commitment to fresh seafood by stocking their raw bar with oysters that are shucked to order and then gently scolded for hording pearls.

In the wood-accented dining room, companions can sip from dozens of draft and bottled brews and bask in the glow of flat-screen TVs, or retreat to the outdoor patio and take in views of downtown Royal Oak.

Originally opened as the Top Hat Drive-In in 1953, Sonic has grown into a burger-franchise mecca that today operates out of 3,500 locations across the country, making it the nation’s largest chain of drive-in restaurants. Sonic specializes in made-to-order American classics—including burgers, hot dogs, milk shakes, and marshmallow Ford Thunderbolts—which customers order and receive without ever having to leave their cars. Unique menu items include toaster sandwiches stacked on thick slices of texas toast, as well as the brand’s signature tots and fresh limeades.

Sonic’s numerous awards include a 2011 Zagat survey ranking it among the top five fast-food restaurants in three categories: Best Value Menu, Best Milk Shake, and Best Drive-Thru. The benevolent eatery has also donated more than $2 million to public schools throughout the country through their program Limeades for Learning, which helps to fund educational projects and retirement plans for classroom guinea pigs.

At Tokyo Sushi & Grill, chefs spin out plates of authentic Asian eats alongside a sumptuous spread of quality sushi. Fish fans can fill their tuna tanks with mouthwatering morsels of white tuna ($2.25), yellowtail ($2.25), belly tuna ($4.25), or spicy tuna ($6.50), or mix and match any number of specialty sushi items to create a custom conglomeration of fresh fish, sticky rice, and chopped veggies. Complementing the sushi-heavy repertoire, Tokyo Sushi & Grill draws from the deep wells of Japanese and Thai culinary traditions. The shrimp tempura finds deep-fried succulent jumbo shrimp sharing prime plate real estate with battered vegetables and a tangy dipping sauce ($7.95 for lunch; $9.95 for dinner), and the crazy noodles entree earns its name by throwing together egg noodles, onions, carrots, pea pods, and bean sprouts in a mad mash-up, paired with your choice of protein and 17 copies of The Catcher in the Rye ($7.95–$10.95).

Versed in the culinary traditions of the Mediterranean and Middle East, the chefs at La Feast Restaurant use 100% Halal ingredients to prepare a menu of aromatic dishes, including extensive vegetarian options. Pairs initiate the evening with an appetizer such as hummus, served with a heap of fresh vegetables specifically so that diners can synchronize dipping motions. Come the main course, tandems take their pick of entrees such as a medley of sautéed beef, lamb, chicken, and mushrooms, or sliced swordfish dusted in choice of classic or zesty house spice blends. Those opting for lunch fare can bite into or disassemble with a screwdriver a falafel sandwich enveloping fritters of chickpeas and fava beans, then wash down their cuisine with raw juice blends made from freshly squeezed carrots, oranges, beets, radishes, and apples. Complementing the dishes’ aromas and flavors, La Feast’s décor evokes the Mediterranean and Middle East with archways, hanging tapestries, and ornate tile work adorning the floors and walls.