The Best and Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings in Detroit Fall 2021

The pandemic is far from over and most restaurants are struggling with a shortage of workers. This fall, however, the restaurant scene appears to be taking tentative steps back to a sense of normalcy. Almost. Dinners are slowly returning to restaurants. And there’s a lot to look forward to: a huge new restaurant opposite Comerica Park, Nigerian food in Cass Corridor and vegan on the Avenue of Fashion, for starters.

An opening date is a touching goal for any restaurant, but for now, here are a few of the most exciting restaurants expected to open their doors in the coming months.

Union Assembly

Gerard + Experiencer

open: September 22, 2021

protagonists: union joints

Union Joints, the restaurant group behind the suburban hot spots Vinsetta Garage, Clarkston Union, Gran Castor and others are opening a new two-story, 14,800-square-foot restaurant in Detroit’s Woodward and Columbia. Anchoring Little Caesars’ business expansion, the restaurant has elevated views of Woodward and Comerica Park from the indoor-outdoor bar and profiles of the Fox Theater and Fillmore Detroit. The first new restaurant of Union Joints. The menu features game-day classics, including Detroit-style pizza, adult hot pockets, macaroni and cheese, Nashville hot bass, an extensive array of salads, and other items based on the chef’s national and international experiences. cooks . 2131 Woodward, Detroit.

The Dixboro Project

open: September 3

protagonists: Sava Farah, Louis Maldonado

The Dixboro Project comprises three concepts under one roof: Dine-in restaurant The Boro; Boro to Go, a pizza and bakery takeaway restaurant; and the Dixboro House, a fine dining experience. The Dixboro House offers a seven-course pre-fixe meal, wine pairing, and live performances once a night. 5400 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor

Sloppy Krab

Soft opening: September 15

Main role: Chef Ali

Chef Al has packed them up at Sloppy Chops, the popular Northwest side restaurant since it opened in 2020. Now he’s opening Sloppy Crab, a restaurant that serves upscale seafood with an urban twist across from the Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit. Soft VIP openings have started in the former Briggs Detroit space. Expect shrimp, crab cakes and seafood cooking bags. 519 E. Jefferson, Detroit

Trap Vegan

open: September

Main role: Rondy Raiford

Trap Vegan, featuring health-based vegan items, has opened on the Avenue of Fashion. The smoothie bar offers a range of raw juices, smoothies and vegan burgers. For example, Moes Smoothie is filled with fruit and vegetables in honor of the owner’s deceased brother. Products are locally sourced and the restaurant focuses on takeout. 20198 Livernois, Detroit

Oishi Soul Cafe

open: September 2021

Oishi recently opened, in the former space that housed LeCulture Cafe in Eastern Market. Described as comfort food with a Japanese twist, the restaurant’s menu features lamb chops, firecracker shrimp, Asian slaw salad, and grilled salmon with honey hoisin. Currently, the food is available through Door Dash. 1428 Gratiot Ave., Detroit

Barcade

open: September 2021

Galaga, Frogger, Donkey Kong, Centipede, Asteroids, and Bubble Bobble are just a few of the old-fashioned games at this Midtown arcade slash bar. There are sandwiches, sliders, salads, sweets on the food menu, and plenty of American craft beer on tap. 666 Selden, Detroit

Louisiana Creole Gumbo

projected opening: September 23

Gumbo has been the main event at the Louisiana Creole Gumbos store in Eastern Market for 50 years. After nine months of recruiting, they’re bringing the eponymous dish and other bayou favorites like red beans and rice, jambalaya, and shrimp poboys to the burbs. 29216 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills

Mare Mediterranean

projected opening: End of September 2021

protagonists: Nino Cutraro, Sean Force

Restaurateur Nino Cutraro, owner of Bella Piatti in central Birmingham, is planning a new 6,800 square meter seafood restaurant this month, featuring freshly cooked fish from Greece and Sicily. Sean Force, formerly of Ocean Prime, chefs over an entree menu focused on plenty of fish and crudo that diners can choose from an ice-filled display. The menu also includes pasta, steaks and chops, accompanied by an extensive wine list with selections from Italy, France and Greece. Diners can hang out in a lounge before and after dinner, where snacks and drinks are served. 115 Willits Street, Birmingham

Fork in Nigeria

Monica Williams

Expected opening: October 1, 2021

Main role: Prej Iroegbu

Popular food truck Fork in Nigeria has new wheels, a new location in Ohio and plans to expand to a brick and mortar in Cass Corridor this fall. A nod to the owners’ Nigerian roots, floor seating and diners will eat with their hands. The restaurant will feature seafood products for the first time, such as ocean tilapia soup, ogbono, and fish pastries. The upcoming venue will have indoor dining and a heated outdoor patio. 4219 Woodward, Detroit

The Lobster Pit Stop

projected opening: October

protagonistsNick Wilson, Kathryn Wilson

There is always a line of vehicles for pick-up anywhere The Lobster Food Truck moves in, a setup that proved clever at the height of social distancing. Customers rave about the warm lobster rolls with garlic butter, lobster mac and cheese, loaded lobster fries, and shrimp tacos. Lobster comes straight from Maine and ships overnight so it’s always fresh. Chef Nick developed his talents working with seafood in Florida and other places in the country before returning to Detroit to open the truck in 2018. Now he and his Aunt Kathryn are planning to open a physical site. Ford Road and Wyoming, Dearborn

Freya and Dragonfly

Opening: At the end of 2021. The company is currently hiring hosts.

protagonists: Sandy Levine and Doug Hewitt

Restaurateur Sandy Levine and executive chef Doug Hewitt of beloved Detroit restaurant Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails are planning a 40-50-seat fine-dining restaurant with a tasting menu (Freya) and separate cocktail bar (Dragonfly) in the same building as Chartreuse in Milwaukee Junction . 2929 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit

Shake Shack

projected opening: autumn 2021

Shake Shack courtesy photo

Shake Shack’s fifth Michigan branch will open this fall in Rochester Hills. This outpost of the bustling New York chain offers the traditional lineup of 100 percent all-natural Angus beef burgers, as well as fried chicken sandwiches, grilled flat-topped hot dogs, and shakes. It includes a 600 square foot outdoor deck and window to pick up orders placed through the app or website. The chain introduced the window in other locations in April 2020 to accommodate the social distancing. 104 N. Adams Rd., Rochester Hills; shakeshack.com

Bohemia and Pearls deep dive

projected opening: autumn 2021

protagonists: Adam Merkel Restaurants

The plan for the corner of Main Street and 11 Mile Road in downtown Royal Oak includes Bohemia, a ground-floor Mediterranean restaurant, and Pearls Deep Dive, a casual seafood restaurant. The restaurants were initially expected to open months ago, but now they are set to open in the coming months. 100 S. Main St. Royal Oak; eatatbohemia.com

Bonchon

projected opening: October 2021

This popular Korean fried chicken chain is landing in Michigan this fall. The fast food restaurant also offers other fusion dishes, such as tacos and sliders, and Asian potstickers and pork buns. 27915 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington; bonchon.com

Sauce

projected opening: End of 2021

Sauce is an Italian-inspired restaurant by Heirloom Hospitality, the group behind Townhouse and Prime + Proper. Located in the former Will Leather Goods in Midtown, Sauce draws inspiration from the California coast and Italian traditions for its seasonal menu. The space was supposed to open earlier this year, but the opening has been postponed. 4120 Second Ave., Detroit

The Halal Boys

The Halal Boys

projected opening: autumn 2021

New York food-car institution the halal guys soon brings his chicken and rice over white garlic sauce to Dearborn Heights. The menu at the local brick and mortar store will be the same as at all franchises in other locations, including the original New York City location.

It is the first of four stores planned for the area, a company spokesperson said. The second is scheduled for 1043 Woodward in downtown Detroit.

Dearborn Heights customers will soon be able to order sandwiches and platters of beef gyro, chicken and falafel, as well as side dishes of hummus and baba ghanoush and baklava for dessert. 26650 Ford Rd., Dearborn Heights

Ladder 4 Detroit

protagonists: Sons of Banat, LLC

Expected opening: 2021

Not many details are available about this wine bar being developed in an old fire station in southwest Detroit. Co-owner James Cadariu is developing the bar, which is expected to focus on natural wines, with live music and a rooftop terrace. Five/eighth architecture is involved in the construction, which is nearing completion. 3396 Vinewood, Detroit

James Oliver Coffee Co.

James Oliver Coffee Co.

projected opening: 2021

protagonists: David Shock, Miranda Clark, James Oliver Clark

The former home of the Detroit Institute of Bagels will serve as the flagship cafe for family-owned James Oliver, managed by owners David Shock and Miranda Clark, daughter and son-in-law of the company’s founder and namesake. The place will once again serve bagels, along with coffee, espresso, cold brew, tea, and a decanter station. The renovated space will include a drive-thru and walk-up window. 1236 Michigan Avenue, Detroit; jamesolvercoffee.com

Metropolitan Bar & Kitchen

protagonists: Hailey Enszer, Brendon Edwards, Ashley Price, Rick Stanza and Jonathan Hartzell van DSC Hospitality

Expected opening: 2021

The site of the former Craft Work restaurant in the West Village is being replaced by a craft bar/market/restaurant/deli/tasting room. The owners, previously involved with Corktown’s former Gold Cash Gold restaurant, had plans to open in March 2021; maybe there is a gap before the year is out. 8047 St. Agnes, Detroit, Michigan; metropolitanvariety.com; 313-469-0976

How is it going

projected opening: 2021

protagonists: Max Hardy, Ron Bartell

Chef Max Hardy, owner of the Caribbean restaurant COOP on the Detroit Shipping Co., the now-closed River Bistro and the upcoming Afro-Caribbean spot Honey, is also planning a takeout seafood cookout on the Avenue of Fashion, just north of Seven Miles . For this venture, Hardy works with Ron Bartell, owner of Kuzzos Chicken and Waffles, just down the street. 19163 Livernois, near Seven Mile