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17 of Our Favorite Brunch Spots in Detroit

Detroit is the largest city in Michigan and is one of the three largest cities in the Midwest, alongside Chicago and Minneapolis. 

delicious toast served with poached egg and avocado at a brunch spots in detroit

Detroit is home to America’s automobile industry since multiple major car manufacturers are headquartered there. Detroit is culturally diverse and is considered by many the birthplace of the Motown music style. Over the past decade, Detroit has undergone an intense revitalization, and neighborhoods like Downtown and Midtown are popular places for new businesses and young people to reside and work. The restaurant scene has expanded with a growing population, making there no shortage of places to find brunch in Detroit. If you are wondering where to get brunch in Detroit, here are the best brunch restaurants in the city. 


The Hudson Cafe

1241 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: 313-237-1000
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The Hudson Cafe has been serving brunch in the center of Downtown Detroit for a decade. The restaurant is named after the iconic Hudson’s department store, a historically notable attraction in the area. The menu is diverse and expansive, making The Hudson Cafe the perfect place to dine with your family and friends. Pancakes are the perfect brunch food, and at The Hudson Cafe, you can enjoy original, red velvet, Cinnabon, chunky monkey, or oreo pancakes! If you prefer a savory breakfast, look no further than the Benedicts Menu. You can choose from a list including the Voodoo Benedict, a house-made corn cake with chorizo, cheddar, two poached eggs, and ranchero sauce, or the Baja Benedict, an English muffin topped with guacamole, tomato, and two poached eggs. With omelets, sandwiches, and salads also available, everyone will discover their perfect bite. 


Selden Standard

3921 2nd Ave, Detroit, MI 48201,
Phone: 313-438-5055
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Selden Standard’s menu is cultivated by Chef Andy Hollyday, specializing in farm-to-table, seasonal items to create sharable bites of delicious food. The restaurant’s vibe is rustic and casual, and the owners invite guests to “come as you are” to enjoy a pleasurable dining experience. Selden Standard is near Wayne State’s campus and about two blocks from the Fisher Music Center.The food and drink menus are seasonal and are often revamped. The restaurant has several signature dishes, including the Jimmy Nardello peppers, Panzanella, and the beet elote. Also, try the strawberry shortcake with angel food cake, local berries, vanilla whipped cream, and lemon thyme. 


Dime Store

719 Griswold St #180, Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: 313-962-9106
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Located in Downtown Detroit, Dime Store is an all-day brunch establishment, utilizing high-quality ingredients to create unique brunch dishes. The restaurant’s vibe is both friendly and casual. In addition to fantastic brunch items, the bar is well stocked with local craft beer and creative brunch cocktails. Dime Store is open from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm every day, excluding Wednesday. A chef’s special, the bacon apple waffle, a bacon-filled malted Belgian waffle with housemade apple butter and whipped cream, is a go-to for first-time and repeat customers. Also, try the biscuits and gravy, the fried chicken and biscuit sandwich, or the cold-smoked salmon Benedict. Don’t skip out on the drinks here—try the peach mimosa or the cold brew Irish coffee! 

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Grey Ghost Detroit

47 Watson St, Detroit, MI 48201
Phone: 313-262-6534
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Grey Ghost Detroit is between the Brush Park and Midtown neighborhoods. With a focus on craft butchery and refined cocktails, the restaurant offers an eclectic menu. The restaurant is named after an infamous Prohibition-era rum-runner who traveled along the Detroit River selling bootlegged goods. For brunch, try the cinnamon roll with roasted pumpkin and vanilla glaze. Other menu items include Baklava Pancakes, Cornbread Waffle, and Philly Steak and Cheese Grits. Try the Carlyle with rum and cold brew coffee on the drink menu or the Kid Rose with sparkling rose. Grey Ghost Detroit is also open for dinner service. 


The Brooklyn Street Local

1266 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: 313-262-6547
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The Brooklyn Street Local is in the Corktown neighborhood, serving locally sourced ingredients. The owners moved to Detroit and purchased the restaurant in 2012 to serve high-quality food, reduce waste, and remain economically sustainable. It’s open every day until 3:00 pm. The banana waffle pancakes are a popular brunch option. Try the Breakwich that can be made with smoked ham or with grilled tempeh. My favorite bite was Jay’s Grilled Cheese with an apple compote. For vegans, try the carrot cupcake or the vegan poutine. For a brunch beverage, try the tequila sunrise or the maple old-fashioned brunch cocktail. 


The Whitney Detroit

4421 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Phone: 313-832-5700
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The Whitney Detroit is an upscale dining establishment and a famous landmark in Detroit. In addition to the restaurant, other spaces in The Whitney include The Ghostbar and Gardens. David Whitney Jr. originally commissioned the construction of the house from the fortune he made as a Barron in the lumber industry. The restaurant serves “tea” from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm on the weekends. The courses begin with a toast of champagne followed by scones, strawberries and cream tea sandwiches, and hot canapes. Both the cucumber and cream cheese and the smoked salmon on pumpernickel were excellent sandwiches. 


The Apparatus Room

250 W Larned St, Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: 313-800-5600
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The Apparatus Room is open for Sunday brunch from 10:30 am-2:30 pm, but the Apparatus Cafe serves to-go items and specialty coffees daily. Located downtown, the restaurant serves New American cuisine. The restaurant recommends that guests book reservations in advance. On the lighter side, try the Avocado Toast with bacon, grapefruit, and multigrain bread or the Apple and Pear Salad with greens, crumbled blue, and maple dijon. The DHF Breakfast sandwich with a fried egg, harissa ketchup, arugula, and bacon is absolutely delicious, as is the shrimp roll with lemon aioli.  


Bobcat Bonnie’s

1800 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
Phone: 313-962-1383
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Bobcat Bonnie’s owner, Matt Buskard, found the perfect place for his restaurant in Corktown—a 150-year-old building with deep-rooted neighborhood history. Matt’s partner suggested naming the restaurant Bobcat Bonnie’s after his grandmother, who drives a bobcat on her farm, and it stuck! The menu includes vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free items. The blueberry danish waffle and the smoked salmon toast are decadent and delicious brunch options. Don’t skip the biscuits and housemade sausage gravy! You can also build your own bloody mary with regular or spiced tomato juice and cheese and meat skewers. 

See also  28 Detroit Restaurants You Need to Try

Honest John’s

488 Selden St, Detroit, MI 48201
Phone: 313-832-5646
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Located between Corktown and Eastern Market, Honest John’s has an extensive brunch menu with something for every taste. The restaurant is open every day for breakfast and brunch. The menu is perfect for a casual date or dining with family with various savory and sweet options. Try the Chicken and Waffles or the Fruity Pebble French Toast. If you’d like an egg-based dish, go for the Oink Omelet with bacon, sausage, and ham. For a more lunch-ish brunch, try the patty melt or the Rueben made with homemade corned beef. Honest John’s offers a wide selection of beers, including local brews from Great Lakes Brewing Company. 


Rose’s Fine Food and Wine

10551 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48214
Phone: 313-822-2729
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Rose’s Fine Food and Wine is a triple threat; the restaurant sells baked goods, bottles of wine, and of course, has a delicious brunch menu. The aesthetic of the establishment is a vintage diner theme; it is located in the Marina District.  The Whitefish Melt Panini is delicious with Lake Superior whitefish, gruyere, and dill. The house-made raspberry rose pop tart is like an adventure back into your childhood, and the raspberry oat bar is gluten-free and vegan. Finish your order with a bottle of the Becker Family Pinot Blanc, which offers hints of lemon peel and citrus. 


Le Petit Déjeuner Restaurant

6470 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48207
Phone: 313-725-0257
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Tina Motley owns Le Petit Dejeuner; she opened the restaurant because she loves that the morning meal is a time for families to gather, sit, and welcome the day together. Black-owned and family-run, Le Petit Dejeuner offers family-style dining to its guests. The menu is known for its unique twists on traditional breakfast items. Le Petit Dejeuner offers a variety of crepes and French toasts, as well as buttermilk waffles and sweet potato pancakes. You can build your own omelet from a wide array of options, including green onions, green peppers, spinach, tomatoes, bacon, maple sausage, ham, cheddar cheese, feta, or mozzarella. On Friday, the daily special is the Cinnamon Apple Pecan French Toast, and it is heavenly! 


Clique

1326 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48207
Phone: 313-259-0922
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Clique Restaurant is located in Detroit’s Rivertown and is self-described as a “greasy spoon” diner. Serving up satisfying traditional breakfast dishes in a cozy space, Clique is a fun place to enjoy brunch. The restaurant opened in 1968 and has been a meeting spot staple for residents and guests of Detroit. The House Classics are served with toast or a pancake and include salmon patties with eggs and homestyle hash with eggs. Egg sandwiches, omelets, and scrambles are menu staples. If you are leaning more toward lunch, don’t worry, the menu offers an excellent mushroom swiss burger, various salads, and a breaded catfish entree. 


O.W.L.

27302 Woodward Ave #0927, Royal Oak, MI 48067
Phone: 248-808-6244
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O.W.L. is a Mexican-American restaurant that is open 24 hours and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night foods. The restaurant is located near the Detroit Zoo. O.W.L describes its aesthetic as industrial-chic but is an overall welcoming and comfortable establishment. Go for the Chicken Fried Chicken and Gravy with cilantro potatoes, poblano cheese sauce, sweet peas, and Texas toast if you are hungry. The habanero bacon and cheese egg sandwich is delicious, but add sopa de pollo to round out your meal. Guests also rave about the housemade chorizo sausage. 

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Eat At Toast

23144 Woodward Ave, Ferndale, MI 48220,
Phone: 248-398-0444
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Eat At Toast tells you what to do in its name. The breakfast and lunch restaurant is a neighborhood staple and is decorated with vintage toasters. With booth and bar seating, the restaurant feels like a retro dinner and serves up delicious, classic dishes. Try the Curious George Coffee; a cold-pressed banana coffee with vanilla, almond milk, and whipped cream. For your meal, the wild mushroom omelet is delicious, but there are about fifteen other omelet options on the menu! Also, try these signature dishes: bacon-fried rice, the Whoreable Decision Breakfast Burrito, or the bacon gouda grilled cheese with a side of truffle fries. 


PJ’s Lager House

1254 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: 313-961-4668
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Since 1914, PJ’s Lager House has been operating in Corktown. During prohibition, the restaurant pretended to be a furniture store, but was in fact, a true speakeasy with the remaining evidence of secret rooms and locked doors. PJ’s Lager House aims to combine the attitude of Detroit with the flavors of New Orleans. Weekend brunch is available from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The most popular dish is the Shrimp and Grits with a cajun cream sauce, and it is delicious. Other brunch items include French toast, scrambles, avocado toast, and vegan biscuits and gravy. If you are in a party mood and feeling adventurous, the bar offers special brunch shots—try the Cinnamon Toast Crunch with fireball and rumchata. 


Folk Detroit

1701 Trumbull, Detroit, MI 48216
Phone: 313-742-2672
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Folk Detroit is a gourmet market located in Corktown. It is primarily a shopping market offering to-go brunch items. The market also offers catering for offsite events. Rohani Foulkes is the owner and general manager of Folk and aims to build a local, community-based, sustainable market and cafe. Folk is the best place to prepare for a picnic—go in, grab some food items from the cafe, some wine from the market, and enjoy a beautiful day. Try one of the daily pastries like cinnamon buns or cheddar and chive scones. The turkey reuben and the pesto pasta pair well together, and another great combo is the quiche and greens, which can be personalized as ingredients are available. 


Al Tayeb Restaurant

15010 W Warren Ave Suite 111, Dearborn, MI 48126
Phone: 313-908-9527
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Visit Al Tayeb Restaurant, a Lebanese breakfast spot in Dearborn, Michigan, for a unique take on brunch. Dearborn is a suburb about 10 miles from downtown Detroit. Many menu items are vegetarian or vegan friendly. It is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Try the Mosabaha, cooked chickpeas with garlic and lemon—it is delicious paired with a pan-fried egg. The Fatteh is a bread-based meal with chickpeas, garlic yogurt and can be served with or without a meat addition. Also, try the spicy potatoes with the housemade garlic sauce. 

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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

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