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[metrofood-blog]

“There is a ‘liaison that can be built between tourists and authentic cultures through food"

While residents of Metro Detroit may not be tourists in their own towns, they can still tour and explore the different cultures in southeast Michigan through the excellent ethnic restaurants the metro area has to offer.

— Dilly, B. J. (2006), Real Cuisine in an Age of Globalization. Anthropology News, 47: 21–22. doi: 10.1525/an.2006.47.2.21

[metrofood-blog]

Knapp's Donuts, 500 N Main St Rochester, MI

Favorite Dish: Raspberry-Apple filled donut

When to go: Early, as they sell out of popular flavors fast. Also Sundays are the busiest day by far.

The best Polish pastries in Rochester are made by a charming and friendly local Asian family. Paczkis from Knapp's are the best you can get without a drive to Hamtramck and the selection of flavors is impressive, but only available for a limited time during the year. During the rest of the year Knapp's provides fresh, delicious donuts to devoted customers. The donut varieties range from classics like cake and Boston creme to more unusual flavors like maple and raspberry-apple. Stop in and read the paper over coffee and donuts or take a baker's dozen home.

[metrofood-blog]

Le Petit Zinc, 1055 Howard St Detroit, MI

Favorite Dish: Crepes and a huge Cafe au Lait

When to go: Early, closes at 4 on weekdays and Saturday, 3 on Sunday

The cutest little French restaurant located in a tiny freestanding building offers the feel of a European cafe right in Corktown. Home of authentic cafe au laits served in bowls and delicious brunches and lunches. Le Petit Zinc is sunny with a warm, inviting atmosphere. Outdoor seating on the adorable patio is available when the weather permits. The fare is definitely lighter, you're not going to leave here fit to bust, but it's definitely satisfying. The prices are very reasonable. The crepes are wonderful, as are the salads and other dishes. This is the place to go if you're ready to adventure beyond Good Girls go to Paris. 

[metrofood-blog]

Crazy Wisdom Boosktore & Tearoom 114 S Main St Ann Arbor, MI

Favorite dish: Lemon Italian Cake and Jasmine Pearl tea

When to go: Friday and Saturday nights for tea and live music

This is my favorite place to go for coffee or tea in the Ann Arbor area. This hippie bookstore/tea shop has some of the best vibes in a town full of good vibes. It's cozy, with tons of teas from all over the world to pick from, plus baked goods and vegetarian plates sent over from Seva a few blocks over. While the food itself may not be especially "global", the atmosphere certainly is.Crazy Wisdom is the spot for all your worldly needs. From imported goods from Tibet, to Chakra and palm readings, to meditation sessions, lectures on local organic farming, and live music from local and international artists on weekends, this place has it all. If there ever was a business that truly thought globally and acted locally, Crazy Wisdom is it.

[metrofood-blog]

Rangoli Indian Cuisine, 3055 E Walton Blvd Auburn Hills, MI

Favorite Dish: Paneer Makhani

When to go: Any day before 2:30 for the lunch buffet, and Friday nights for live sitar music

Rangoli is one of my all-time favorite restaurants. I love any and all Indian food, but this place is definitely tops. It's conveniently located just outside of OU, and has excellent takeout service. Rangoli has a huge menu ranging from Southern Indian food such as Dosas (lentil crepes) to super rich Northern dishes with heavy  cream and tomato-based sauces. I would definitely recommend the buffet, which is served every day during lunch hours for under $10 and offers up to 7 different entrees plus appetizers, naan bread, and dessert. All dishes are made as spicy (or mild) as you like, so there's no need to worry if you have a milder palette. The restaurant also has live sitar music every Friday. 

[metrofood-blog]

Noble Fish, 45 E 14 Mile Road Clawson, MI

Favorite dish: Spicy tofu roll

When to go: EARLY if you want dinner. This place gets busy quick and the bar closes at 7:30.

Possibly the best sushi in the Metro-Detroit area is Noble Fish, located on the main drag in Clawson. The sushi bar is a charming hole-in-the-wall located at the back of an Asian grocery store. Decorated by customer's drawings and photos of cats posing with sushi, the bar itself has a capacity of about 30, and there's often a wait for tables. The wait for food is often longer, but it's well worth it. The sushi is always incredibly fresh and reasonably priced (at least compared to to other sushi places around) and afterwards you can pick up dessert or sake on the way out.   

[metrofood-blog]

Carnival Market, 1101 E Walton Blvd. Pontiac, MI

Favorite Dishes: Quesadilla (If you eat meat the tacos are supposedly killer), Chips and salsa, Tres leches cake

When to go: Any time (Closes at 10pm)

The cheapest, freshest, best Mexican food around. Also located within a grocery store, the lunch-counter style restaurant is on the smaller side, with limited seating (they mostly do carry-out.) The food is incredible however, and incredibly low-priced (less than $2 per taco.) The grocery store sells fresh-made salsas and chips, and the most delicious tres leches cake as well as produce, and Mexican candy and sodas. The only thing I wouldn't recommend is the baked goods, they usually taste a little stale.