Trifter

Set on the Detroit River, the city of Detroit is the eleventh most populous city in the United States. Its riverfront setting, multiple universities and soulful background make Detroit the perfect, though possibly unlikely, spot for foodies.

Whether you’re shopping on the Riverwalk, strolling through the historic farmers market or admiring the English Tudors, Queen Anne and Georgian-style architecture, you’ll find Detroit offers its visitors a little of everything. No matter where you are in the Motor City, you’re probably near a great place to eat. Check out the following five neighborhoods, which seem to be built with those who love food in mind.

Greektown Historic District

Settled by German immigrants and later populated by Greek immigrants, Greektown offers authentic Greek cuisine in its restaurants and coffee houses. Cyprus Taverna serves up the typical moussaka, spanikopita, lamb chops and kebabs, as well as warm haloumi cheese, seftalies (mixed pork and lamb spicy rolls) and lamb riganto until late in the night. If you’re visiting the Greektown Casino, stop by Pegasus Taverna for the lamb simmered in tomato sauce, baked macaroni, grape leaves and Greek salad. Visit PizzaPapalis, a Detroit institution, for deep-dish, Chicago-style spinach, pepperoni or meat lover’s pizza.

Midtown

Centered around Wayne State University and Henry Ford Hospital, Midtown is where you’ll find most of Detroit’s museums and cultural centers. Great restaurants such as The Whitney, an elegant French restaurant and architectural masterpiece, and the romantic Iridescence, are here. Avalon International Breads serves up artisan breads, quiche, sandwiches, soups, pizzas and baked goods. Wayne State students frequent the Potato Place, a budget-friendly spot serving up baked spuds loaded with steak, cheeses, corned beef, broccoli, spinach, turkey, tuna, bacon, chili, pizza toppings and more.

Eastern Market Historic District

Named for Michigan’s largest and most colorful market that makes its home here, Eastern Market is an ideal spot to find restaurants serving locally grown and organic products. Each Saturday, join more than 26,000 patrons at the market, or stop by any of the numerous delis, such as Russell Street Deli or Louie’s Ham and Corned Beef. Roma Café, opened in 1890, calls itself Detroit’s oldest restaurant, and its pastas, seafood, steaks and veal are out of this world. Supino Pizzeria is a local favorite for thin-crust pizza with fresh mozzarella or ricotta, and salads with homemade lemon-basil vinaigrette.

Downtown Detroit

When mouthwatering cuisine, an impressive riverfront and rooftop views meet, Downtown Detroit aims to impress. Fine diners love the rooftop restaurant Coach Insignia for its lengthy, 25-page wine list, foie gras prepared two ways, Maine lobster, seared ahi tuna and grilled vegetable entrée. Carnivores rejoice at Roast, a steakhouse, where the beef cheek pierogi, roasted marrow, fried Brussels sprouts and rack of wild boar is delightful. If you’re in a hurry, stop by Zoup! for 200 varieties of steaming soup, or Good Girls Go To Paris Crepes for the 20 types of crepes. Of course, a visit to Downtown Detroit wouldn’t be complete without strolling through Layfayette Coney Island for the chili-slathered Coney dog and loose hamburgers with chili fries.

Birmingham

Though Birmingham is actually a Detroit suburb, its noteworthy restaurants are worth the 15-mile trip north. Cameron’s Steak House delights with sesame-crusted tuna, grilled salmon, Maryland crab cake and 18-ounce Kansas City strip steak, as does Big Rock Chophouse and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar. Diners flock to Olga’s Kitchen for the “Snackers,” warm Olga Bread seasoned savory or sweet, and to 220 Restaurant for the lobster ravioli and artichoke tosca. Brooklyn Pizza is an economic, delicious option for wood-fired pizza and house-churned ice cream, sorbet and gelato.