Best Restaurants in Ann Arbor
The tentpole restaurants that define the Ann Arbor food scene, then a neighborhood breakdown so you can find dinner within five minutes of wherever you are parked. Hand-picked by a local editorial team, cross-linked to the full 65-restaurant directory.
The tentpoles
All restaurants →Aventura
Aventura offers an authentic Spanish dining experience for those seeking flavorful cuisine in downtown Ann Arbor. Situated prominently on Ma…
Frita Batidos
Frita Batidos brings the vibrant flavors of Cuba to Ann Arbor, offering a lively dining experience on Washington Street. This popular restau…
Grizzly Peak Brewing Co.
Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. is a popular brewpub located on Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor, offering a diverse selection of house-brewed cra…
Jolly Pumpkin Cafe and Brewery
Jolly Pumpkin Cafe and Brewery offers a distinct brewpub experience on Main Street in Ann Arbor, catering to those seeking unique craft beer…
Mani Osteria and Bar
Mani Osteria and Bar offers a popular dining experience on Liberty Street in downtown Ann Arbor, specializing in Italian cuisine. Guests can…
Miss Kim
Miss Kim is an Ann Arbor restaurant offering Korean-inspired cuisine, catering to diners seeking a distinctive and flavorful culinary experi…
Sava's
Sava's is a well-regarded restaurant serving Ann Arbor diners from its prominent location on State Street. This establishment offers a diver…
Zingerman's Delicatessen
Zingerman's Delicatessen is a renowned food destination in Ann Arbor, serving a wide array of gourmet sandwiches, cheeses, and specialty foo…
How to read this list
"Best" is a slippery word. For locals, the best restaurant in Ann Arbor is usually the one they walk to on a Tuesday. For visitors, it is usually Zingerman\'s. We tried to write a list useful to both: the tentpoles that define the town, and then a neighborhood-by-neighborhood breakdown so you can eat well without a car. If a place is too new to verify, we leave it off until we have eaten there twice.
Best restaurants in Main Street
See the neighborhood →Aventura
Aventura offers an authentic Spanish dining experience for those seeking flavorful cuisine in downtown Ann Arbor. Situat…
Black Pearl
Black Pearl is a popular seafood restaurant located on Ann Arbor's bustling Main Street, offering a refined dining exper…
Blue Tractor BBQ
Blue Tractor BBQ on Ann Arbor's bustling Main Street offers a robust menu of slow-smoked barbecue and American comfort f…
Grizzly Peak Brewing Co.
Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. is a popular brewpub located on Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor, offering a diverse selection…
Jolly Pumpkin Cafe and Brewery
Jolly Pumpkin Cafe and Brewery offers a distinct brewpub experience on Main Street in Ann Arbor, catering to those seeki…
Mighty Good Coffee
Mighty Good Coffee is a cafe serving coffee enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike in Ann Arbor. Located conveniently on …
Best restaurants in Kerrytown
See the neighborhood →Miss Kim
Miss Kim is an Ann Arbor restaurant offering Korean-inspired cuisine, catering to diners seeking a distinctive and flavo…
TeaHaus
TeaHaus is a distinctive cafe located in Ann Arbor's Kerrytown neighborhood, serving tea enthusiasts and casual drinkers…
The Lunch Room
The Lunch Room is a popular vegan restaurant in Ann Arbor's Kerrytown neighborhood, offering a diverse menu for those se…
Zingerman's Delicatessen
Zingerman's Delicatessen is a renowned food destination in Ann Arbor, serving a wide array of gourmet sandwiches, cheese…
Best restaurants in Downtown
See the neighborhood →Afternoon Delight
Afternoon Delight is a popular restaurant serving breakfast and lunch to residents and visitors in Downtown Ann Arbor. K…
Cottage Inn Pizza
Cottage Inn Pizza, a long-standing fixture in Ann Arbor, offers a diverse menu for pizza lovers. Located in the bustling…
Best restaurants in Central Campus
See the neighborhood →Amer's Deli
Amer's Deli is a popular spot serving students, faculty, and locals seeking quick and satisfying meals near the Universi…
Pizza House
Pizza House has been a staple for pizza lovers and late-night diners in Ann Arbor, especially those around the Central C…
Frequently asked
What is the most famous restaurant in Ann Arbor?
Zingerman's Delicatessen in Kerrytown is the most nationally recognized restaurant in Ann Arbor, known for its sandwiches, cheese counter, and the broader Zingerman's Community of Businesses that includes the Roadhouse, Bakehouse, and Coffee Company.
Where should I eat on Main Street in Ann Arbor?
Main Street is the densest restaurant strip in the city. For a first visit, Aventura (Spanish tapas), Grizzly Peak (brewpub), Jolly Pumpkin (wood-fired pizza and sour beers), and Mani Osteria (Italian) are the tentpoles.
Does Ann Arbor have good brunch?
Yes. Afternoon Delight (Downtown), Frita Batidos (Downtown, Cuban breakfast sandwiches), Zingerman's Roadhouse (West Side), and Café Zola are the most reliable brunch spots. Weekends get a wait.
Where do students eat in Ann Arbor?
Around South U, students lean on Good Time Charley's, The Brown Jug, Pancheros, and HopCat for cheap and late. Pizza House and NYPD are the late-night classics. For sit-down, Frita Batidos and Miss Kim are affordable and both very good.
What Ann Arbor restaurants have outdoor seating?
Gandy Dancer, Aventura, Jolly Pumpkin, Bill's Beer Garden in summer, and the Dominick's patio are the most well-known outdoor seating options. Main Street restaurants open sidewalk seating from May through October.