Metro Detroitβs ever-evolving dining scene is a harmonious blend of influences from all over the world. Every year, lots of hard work, dedication, and creativity goes into opening and maintaining the places we go on our lunch breaks or to relax with a drink on the weekends. To celebrate new beginnings, hereβs a handful of restaurants slated to open in 2024 that the ΒιΆΉ·¬ΊΕ Detroit team is most excited about.
Coming to Detroit
PumaΜύ
Originally slated for last November, Puma is planned to open in Detroitβs Core City neighborhood sometime in 2024. It will be the second Detroit restaurant from chef JavierΜύBardauil, whose James Beard-nominated Argentine eatery Barda is just across the street.
Puma is designed with twenty-something diners in mind, with a laid-back atmosphere, late-night bites, and an afterhours cocktail bar known as Cougar with live DJ sets. Dishes on the menu include empanadas, and choripΓ‘n, a chorizo sandwich popular in parts of South America.
βI have been eagerly awaiting Puma ever since I interviewed theΜύteam at Barda for our Best New Restaurants feature in 2022 when they hinted at a new restaurant, especially when they mentioned there would be choripΓ‘n,β says ΒιΆΉ·¬ΊΕ Detroit food writer Dorothy Hernandez. βBarda restaurant quickly found its way into my rotation for whenever I wanted a great night out with friends, and I expect Puma will bring some of the same energy to their little corner of Core City.β
Little Liberia
Anticipated to open mid-to-late 2024 in Detroitβs New Center, will be an exciting addition to Detroitβs thriving food scene. What started as chef-owner Ameneh Marhabaβs pop-up in 2016 will become Michiganβs first and only brick-and-mortar Liberian restaurant.
The halal food menu will feature regional classics like palm butter, a comforting and rich stew made with a base from African oil palm fruit, often accompanied with poultry, meat, fish, or seafood; plus βAfrican, Caribbean, and Antebellum-South African American influences.β There will also be cocktails and mocktails.
Sexy Steak/Sexy Burger
, a steakhouse with halal beef, seafood, cocktails, and more, will be the newest tenant in the historic Grand Army of the Republic Building (which already looks like itβs fit for royalty, never mind the fine dining).
In the same building, its sister restaurant Sexy Burger will offer a more casual dining experience, with Wagyu burgers, pasta, salads, and other unpretentious fare. Itβs the latest concept from , known for fine dining establishment (also in downtown Detroit), and three more concepts in West Bloomfield (, , and ).
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Vesper Books and Wine
Book bars are becoming a bit of a trend. Hey, nothing beats a cabernet and a nice read. is tentatively scheduled to open this spring at . in Detroitβs Core City. Itβs the one that ΒιΆΉ·¬ΊΕ Detroit contributor Michelle Kobernick is most excited about.
βItβs a wine-bar-book-shopΜύconcept set up for people toΜύlearn more about the culinary and wine world, which are two of my favorite things,β Kobernick says. βFor me, thereβs nothing better than being surrounded by the food, wine and booksΜύthat can help me delve deeper into my passion and profession.β
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Vecino
Named the Spanish word for βneighbor,β will serve up contemporary Mexican dishes with influences from Oaxaca and Mexico City. Executive chef Ricardo Mojica (formerly of βsΜύin Ann Arbor) and head chef Stephanie Duranβs menu will include ceviche, crudo, pollo al carbon and whole snapper, plus wood-fire prepared appetizers like salsa, charred peppers, and Oaxcan cheese with tortillas.
The eatery will be located at , just south of Wayne State University campus in Midtown.
Nuevo Seoul
From the founders of Clawsonβs and Detroitβs (who happen to be brothers) comes a new concept β Mexican street food with Korean influences, scheduled to open this February.
The restaurant is βdesigned to provide a convenient and elevated dining experience for individuals seeking a delicious meal and drink on the go or a quick, casual gathering with family and friends,β said a press release. The eatery will be located at in downtown Detroit, right next door to Hanah Steakhouse.
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Fixins Soul Kitchen
A soul food restaurant owned by former Sacramento mayor and NBA All-Star player Kevin Johnson is opening its fourth location in Detroit.
The eatery β known for comfort staples like chicken and waffles, fried green tomatoes, and gumbo β will inhabit in downtown Detroit, formerly occupied by Detroit Seafood Market. Fixins Soul Kitchen has just three other locations (Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Tulsa).
Coming to the βBurbs
Pie Sci Oak Park
Known for its creatively named and delicious pizza offerings that change by the season, Detroitβs is opening its second location in Oak Park. βHey Oak Park, just a couple more weeks,β Pie Sci page on Jan. 12, accompanied by a photo of the latest renovations. Unlike the original pizzeria (located in Woodbridge near Wayne State University), Pie Sci Oak Park will be takeout only.
βWhat I really love about Pie Sci is the creativity, which helps it stand out in a city where there are so many to choose from,β says Hernandez. βEven though the go-to options like the margherita and meat lover donβt miss, I always gravitate to whatever theyβre cooking up in the Science Lab where you can get pizzas like Francis Ford Spanakopita and Edgar Allen Poβboy. Now with the new Oak Park location, itβs even easier and more convenient to get your Pie Sci Fix.β
Rudyβs Prime Steakhouse (Clarkston)
Clarkstonites are anticipating a new downtown chophouse. Rudyβs Prime Steakhouse is slated to open summer 2024 just across the street from the Clarkston Woodshop. The concept comes from the owners of Rudyβs Market, which has been doing business in Clarkston over 90 years.
Rudyβs Prime Steakhouse is taking over tenancy at ., the former Rudyβs Market location, which has been closed since 2021.
What new restaurants are you most excited for in 2024? Tell us about them in the comments.
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