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Detroit Restaurants for Kids and the Entire Family
Delicious, one-of-a-kind pizza, burgers, fish and chips, delis, crepes and barbecue on the fly: Find it all in southeast Michigan's core urban city!
Detroit's been on the rise in recent years, and one benefit has been an explosion of good, cheap, interesting places to eat that are family-friendly – but not dumbed-down for the younger set. Stop in before a Tigers game, a foray into the Cultural Center or after a bike ride on the Dequindre Cut and sample a taste of the city's rebirth.
Brooklyn Street Local
- Address: 1266 Michigan Ave., Detroit
- Phone: 313-262-6547
The latest craze in Corktown was recently opened by a couple of Canucks. No wonder some are saying they serve the best Poutine in southeast Michigan: The French Canadian dish of French fries topped with brown gravy and curd cheese is naturally kid-riffic. Vegetarian/vegan options also abound.
Mercury Burger Bar
- Address: 2163 Michigan Ave., Detroit
- Phone: 313-964-5000
Another Corktown keeper, this is a super spot to get a great burger, some tasty tots and a marvelous milkshake.
Mudgie's Deli
- Address: 1300 Porter St., Detroit
- Phone: 313-961-2000
Not your average sandwiches, served in a retro-funky space across from a great playground. Take your food to-go and have an impromptu play date with families from the neighborhood and the nearby Most Holy Trinity School. Meats are roasted in-house, and vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are plentiful.
Good Girls Go to Paris Crepes
- Address: 15 E. Kirby, Suite 115, Detroit
- Phone: 877-PARIS-CREPES
This artsy, chic little place serves up a wide variety of sweet and savory crepes; like a cross between a pancake and a wrap, but better than either one. Watch your child's eyes widen when you say yes, they can have a dessert crepe for lunch; little do they know it's loaded with fresh fruit and a minimum of sugar, wrapped in a thin, crisp crepe. (There's now one in Grosse Pointe Park, too!)
Green Dot Stables
- Address: 2200 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit
- Phone: 313-962-5588
Appearing virtually unchanged since its 1970s heyday, the horse racing-themed bar (although it's generally soccer on the TV) features a menu of inventive sliders – the gut bombs of late nights in college these are not. Try lamb with rosemary hummus or the PB&J slider that we can attest to at least one 4-year-old picky eater devouring!
Russell Street Deli
- Address: 2465 Russell St., Detroit
- Phone: 313-567-2900
There's a reason this place has a line extending down the block on market Saturdays: The food is that good. Grab a table (likely shared with others) and enjoy house-made soups, sandwiches and more that reflect the abundance of delicious food right out the door.
Scotty Simpson's Fish & Chips
- Address: 22200 Fenkell St., Detroit
- Phone: 313-533-0950
Drive around some of the dodgier areas of Detroit and you'll likely see a bunch of "You Buy, We Fry" joints – but honestly, most of them have so-so seafood. But Scotty's has been a seafood staple since 1950, cooking up crispy cod kids and adults will crave.
Slows To Go
- Address: 4107 Cass Ave., Detroit
- Phone: 877-569-7246
Skip the wait at the sit-down location and head to this Midtown outpost for BBQ by the pound or terrific take-out sandwiches. The Yardbird (Amish chicken topped with mustard, mushrooms, cheddar and bacon) has received lots of props, but we can't help but join the fan club.
Supino Pizzeria
- Address: 2457 Russell St., Detroit
- Phone: 313-567-7879
Neighbor to Russell Street, this place has revolutionized what we think of as Detroit pizza. Amazing as the D's Sicilian-style, thick-crusted signature pies are, Supino offers a cracker-thin crust, minimally topped – because you don't need tons of topping when they are of this quality.
Traffic Jam & Snug
- Address: 511 W. Canfield St., Detroit
- Phone: 313-831-9470
A wide variety of foods (including fried pickles and homemade ice cream), plenty of seating, parking in an actual lot right across the street – there is a lot that recommends this restaurant to families.
