BLAC Detroit magazine is known for expressing our love and appreciation for Detroit’s Black life, arts and culture – and all the things that cater to that mission. We’ve dedicated a special issue to highlighting some of the best that metro Detroit has to offer, from nightlife to food. Some establishments are new to the community while others have been around for over 100 years, but you’ll get why each made the list. 

1FOOD &  DRINK

Steve’s Soul Food – BEST SOUL FOOD

1440 Franklin St, Detroit • 313.393.0018

Steve’s Soul Food has etched its way into the go-to spot for African American cuisine in Detroit, offering oxtails, pork chops, corn muffins, peach cobbler, Kool-Aid and more.

Hudson Café – BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH

1241 Woodward Ave, Detroit • 313.237.1000

hudson-cafe.com

The Hudson Cafe is home to an eclectic and modern twist on brunch. Guests enjoy hearty, sweet and savory options in the heart of downtown Detroit. Bring your appetite for dishes like chicken and waffles, salmon croquettes, Florentine benedict and more. 

Dutch Girl Donuts – BEST SWEET TREAT

19000 Woodward Ave, Detroit • 313.368.3020

Since the day Dutch Girl Donuts was established in 1947 they have captivated the sweet tooth of Detroiters and beyond. The glazed, freshly powdered or iced donuts sink into your taste buds to cause you to come back again and again.

Narrow Way & Shop – BEST COFFEE SHOP

19331 Livernois, Detroit • 313.397.7727

thenarrowwaycafe.com

Narrow Way Cafe & Shop was created to meet the needs of the community, both spiritually and physically. With natural light illuminating the space, guests are welcomed into a stress-free environment to enjoy coffee, smoothies and baked goods.  

Good Times on the Ave – BEST COCKTAIL

19416 Livernois, Detroit • 313.739.6601

goodtimesontheave.com

Good Times on Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion is a full-service restaurant, bar and event space, perfect for a family hangout or date night. Signature dishes like the shrimp cake benedict and grouper po’ boy, plus cocktails including Bellinis and mimosas, keep guests coming back time and again. 

2Nightlife & Entertainment

Motor City Casino Hotel – BEST CASINO

2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit • 866.782.9622

motorcitycasino.com

The MotorCity Casino is equipped with all of Detroit’s favorite casino games. Guests can spend a full day at MotorCity enjoying dining and
cocktail experiences, hotel and spa services and entertainment. 

Floods Bar & Grille  – BEST CLUB OR LOUNGE

731 St Antoine, Detroit • 313.963.1090

floodsdetroit.com

Flood’s Bar & Grille is for the grown and sexy and has been that way since 1987. It has graced Greektown in Detroit with happy hour specials, live entertainment, karaoke, soul food and more. Bring your dancing shoes and get ready for a good time. 

The Woodward BAR & GRILL – BEST GAY BAR

6426 Woodward Ave, Detroit • 313.872.0166

Woodward Bar & Grill FB

Dance, drink and mingle at this hub known to cater to the LGBTQ community. The Woodward offers the music and vibes you and your guests need to make it a night to remember. 

Baker’s Keyboard Lounge  – Best Live Music OR Open Mic

20510 Livernois, Detroit • 313.345.6300

Coined “the world’s oldest jazz club,” Baker’s Keyboard Lounge transports guests back to a time when dinner was served with live jazz. Let the music hit your soul while the food we love ignites your taste buds. 

El Club – Best Neighborhood Joint

4114 Vernor Hwy, Detroit • 313.279.7382

elclubdetroit.com

Located in Southwest Detroit, El Club is home to the arts, showcasing everything from exhibitions to live music to DJ sets. Walk into the space and be transported.  

3Health & Wellness

The Trap Yoga & Massage Studio – BEST YOGA STUDIO

3179 Franklin St, Detroit • 313.980.8727

jamelrandall.com

The Trap Yoga & Massage Studio guides you toward mental and physical flexibility. Using yoga, meditation, bodywork and massage, they help guests let go and enjoy the natural flow of life.

Bee’s Beauty Bar – BEST SPA

18308 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield • 248.281.3044

beesbeautybarspa.com

Bee’s Beauty Bar specializes in luxurious spa treatments, from sugar waxing to massages and more. Their mission is to enhance natural beauty and create an experience that drives guests to come back for more. 

Grindtime Gym – BEST GYM

18451 Wyoming Ave, Detroit • 313.205.3107

grindtimefitnessllc.com

Grindtime Fitness has been dubbed by its patrons as “Resultsville.” Opened five years ago, they’ve created group and individual training programs designed to strengthen the body and provide results. 

Moor Herbs – BEST HEALTH STORE

16140 W Seven Mile Rd, Detroit • 313.583.9709

moorherbs.com

Moor Herbs is Detroit’s marketplace dedicated to healing and enhancing your mind, body and soul, while helping Detroiters transition to a healthier lifestyle. Shop sea moss capsules, essential oils, alkaline water and more. 

The Dequindre Cut – BEST WALKING & BIKING TRAIL

Dequindre Cut Greenway, Detroit

detroitriverfront.org

Located on Detroit’s east side, the Dequindre Cut features greenery, beautiful and alluring murals, a music stage and more. Enjoy the miles of ambience as you skate, walk, run or just relax along the way.

4Family & Fun

Eastern Market – BEST FARMERS MARKET

2934 Russell St, Detroit • 313.833.9300

easternmarket.org

Eastern Market opened in 1891 has since grown into a must-see attraction in Detroit. After you’ve shopped the fresh fruits and veggies, stay for the local vendors, original artwork and events.

Belle Isle PARK –  BEST PARK

99 Pleasure Drive, Detroit • 1-844-235-5375

belleisleconservancy.org

Belle Isle Park is a piece of heaven on earth. The 982-acre island park is filled with attractions including a beach, a nature conservatory, fishing spots, an aquarium and more. 

Ford-WYOMING Drive In  – BEST MOVIE THEATER

10400 Ford Rd, Dearborn • 313.846.6910

forddrivein.com

The Ford-Wyoming Drive In has been serving up nostalgia, new releases and all of our favorite movie snacks since 1950. Catch a double feature for the price of one until the wee hours of the morning.

Charles H Wright Museum of African American History – BEST EDUCATIONAL OUTING

315 E Warren Ave, Detroit • 313.494.5800

thewright.org

The Charles H. Wright Museum explores African American history and culture through art. Their vision is to present and preserve the culture, inspire others, and create understanding, acceptance and unity.

Wayne County Family Aquatic Center – BEST POOL OR SPLASH PAD

12600 Chandler Park Dr, Detroit • 313.822.7665

Splish! Splash! Wayne County’s largest family water park sits on over 22,000 square feet. The space offers wave pools, water slides, splash pads, kayaking and more, great for the whole family. 

5Fashion & Retail

The Peacock Room – BEST WOMENSWEAR

3011 W Grand Blvd, Detroit • 313.315.3061

15 E Kirby St, Detroit • 313.559.5500

Inspired by the fashions of the 1920s through ‘50s, the Peacock Room offers women’s apparel, accessories, stationery, gifts and furniture. Both locations are chock-full of one-of-a-kind finds.

THE RESTAURANT Fashion Bistro – BEST MENSWEAR

18212 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield • 248.809.9370

therestaurantfashionbistro.com

The Fashion Bistro is a family-owned shop showcasing local and national streetwear brands. The husband-wife duo has been curating looks and
serving the community for eight years.

HOT SAM’S DETROIT – BEST MENSWEAR

127 Monroe St., Detroit • 313-961-6779

hotsamsdetroit.com

Since 1921, Hot Sam’s has served as Detroit’s one-stop shop for classy men’s fashion. Located in downtown Detroit, they offer men of the city custom suits, tailored alterations, wedding and prom packages, and more.

Mama Coo’s Boutique  – BEST THRIFT OR VINTAGE SHOP

1701 Trumbull Ave., Detroit

313-404-2543

Burn Rubber is a staple in the sneaker and streetwear culture in Detroit and beyond. The boutique is dedicated to collaborating with different companies and creating alliances with the community that supports them.  

Burn Rubber – BEST STREET WEAR

512 N Main St, Royal Oak • 248.543.3000

burnrubbersneakers.com

Burn Rubber is a staple in the sneaker and streetwear culture in Detroit and beyond. The boutique is dedicated to collaborating with different companies and creating alliances with the community that supports them.  

Thumbprint Artifacts – BEST HOME GOODS

800.957.1105

thumbprintartifacts.com

Thumbprint Artifacts supports and showcases fair trade artisan companies from around the world. They offer hand-crafted unique and high-quality South African home decor. 

6Arts & Community

Norwest Gallery of Art – BEST GALLERY

19556 Grand River Ave, Detroit • 313.293.7344

norwestgallery.com

​​The Norwest Gallery of Art is dedicated to showcasing contemporary art of the African diaspora. They promote work that invites conversation to move the culture forward. The gallery also provides a variety of client services. 

Motown Museum (Hitsville USA) – BEST MUSEUM

The Motown Museum and Hitsville U.S.A Museums gives the inside scoop as to what it was like to live in the Motor City during the time where Motown was on top and Berry Gordy was conditioning some of America’s greatest musicians of all time.

2648 W Grand Blvd, Detroit • 313.875.2264

motownmuseum.org

Sydney G. James’ Girl With the D Earring – BEST MURAL

2937 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit

Located on the Chroma building in Detroit’s Milwaukee Junction, Sydney G. James reimagines and puts a modern twist on the renowned painting by Johannes Vermeer, Girl with a Pearl Earring.

Matrix Human Services – BEST NONPROFIT

1600 Woodbridge St., Detroit • 313-962-5255

matrixhumanservices.org

Matrix Human Services has served the metro Detroit community for over 100 years, dedicated to assisting children, teens, adults and seniors toward self-sufficient lives. By offering essential lessons, they help defuse crises and prevent abuse and neglect.

Coleman A. Young Community Center – BEST COMMUNITY CENTER

2751 Robert Bradby Dr, Detroit • 313.628.0995

detroitmi.gov

The Coleman A. Young Community Center in Detroit is a one-stop shop for all things recreational. They offer a swimming pool, racquetball courts, boxing rooms, game rooms, meeting rooms, a weight room and more. 

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