Updated by Lindsey Smiles, University of Michigan ’23
Coffee & Tea
Sweetwaters
In the past, you were only able to get Sweetwaters on Liberty Street, but now you can get your coffee fix in the Union’s atrium, too. My favorite drink is the Dreamy, which is a silky cold brew topped off with vanilla syrup and swirled with cream. If you’re hungry, you can also get a variety of bagels, pastries, or cakes. My friends and I have celebrated many college highs and lows with Sweetwaters’ carrot cake!
Roos Roast
Home of the Lobster Butter Love coffee blend, Roos Roast coffee is everywhere. You can find it in a store on campus or on restaurants’ menus. The Roos staff is laid-back and friendly, and they take pride in their hand-printed bags and sustainable roasting methods (their roaster uses 80% less energy).
Lab Cafe
Lab is a small cafe that resides on Liberty Street. It may be difficult to find enough counter space to set up your laptop. However, it’s a great place for discussing group projects and catching up with friends. The lattes are gorgeous and oftentimes different colors.
Drip House
Down by The Big House, Drip House is the perfect place to grab a coffee before heading to a football game. It’s not a bad place to get some homework done either. My favorite drink is their Caramel Latte.
Zingerman’s Next Door Café
Located next door to Zingerman’s Deli, the Next Door Café is home to an eclectic mix of coffees, teas, and baked goods. I recommend trying a Butter Croissant alongside their Lumberjack Latte.
Breakfast & Brunch
Amer’s Deli
This is my favorite all-in-one breakfast place. Amer’s Deli is a combination of a coffee house and a deli, so you can get breakfast, sandwiches, and your caffeine fix here. If you’re looking for sweets, try their amazing crepes, acai bowls, cheesecake, and frozen yogurt. There are two locations: State Street and Church Street. It’s difficult getting groceries without a car, so I’ve bought cartons of fruit here, too. You can have your food delivered to you via rover if you don’t feel like walking to pick it up.
The Songbird Cafe
It’s our family tradition to get brunch here and catch up on the weekends. Located on North Campus, The Songbird Cafe is not as crowded as other places, but it fills up quickly; grab a table while someone orders at the counter! You can get delicious sandwiches, soups, pastries, and coffee here. I recommend the avocado toast with the lavender latte.
Angelo’s
Opened in the 1950s, Angelo’s is a U-M breakfast staple. If you’re planning on going on the weekend, try and get there early as it gets very crowded. Angelo’s has a classic diner feel to it. I’ve enjoyed their raisin bread french toast and strong coffee.
Café Zola & Zola Bistro
Café Zola and Zola Bistro are fancier restaurants that are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If your parents are coming for the weekend or you want to celebrate a special occasion, their brunch menus are fantastic! They are inspired by French and Turkish cuisine; enjoy their delicate crepes and hearty shakshuka. If you’re not a fan of a sweet breakfast, Café Zola has absolutely perfected the savory brunch. I recommend the salmon buckwheat crepes.
Lunch
Zingerman’s Deli
If you’ve ever stepped foot in Ann Arbor, you’ve heard of Zingerman’s. For 30 years, this deli has been fiercely committed to the integrity of its ingredients and customer experience. You can ask the employees about a new cheese, and they’ll probably give you a sample and tell you about the farm it’s from. Zingerman’s has nearly 113 sandwiches, so I recommend going when you have some time to ponder the menu.
Zingerman’s Deli is one of 14 other Ann Arbor-based businesses, restaurants, and bakeries with Zingerman’s affiliation. Check out the Roadhouse, Bakehouse, and Miss Kim.
Bopjib
I didn’t find this Korean restaurant until junior year, but I’m so glad I did. Located on Church Street, Bopjib looks like a house, but don’t let that fool you! If you’ve got a cold (thanks, Michigan winters), their chicken soup (dakgomtang) might just be the cure. The sliced bulgogi and bibimbap are also delicious!
Mama Satto
There’s a TON of sushi places on campus, and I’ve found that Mama Satto is perfect for a quick lunch. Their rolls are simple and reasonably priced for student budgets. Plus, if you want more bibimbap options, the one served here is great, too.
Baba Dari
I’m a member of the Michigan Marching Band, and my love for Baba Dari is almost as strong as my love for the MMB. It’s a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant; similar to Chipotle, you customize your bowl or wrap with delicious offerings like shawarma, falafel, rice, and vegetables. During band week, I cool off with the mango smoothie.
Hola Seoul
This Michigan-based restaurant is located next to Mama Satto. The food at Hola Seoul is a fusion of South Korean, Mexican, and American. I’ve enjoyed their shrimp and Bulgogi tacos. You can also get Korean BBQ and dumplings here. Plus, the prices are great!
Sottini’s Sub Shop
If you like subs and want to try a local favorite, check out Sottini’s Sub Shop. It’s a bit of a walk into downtown Ann Arbor, but it’s worth it for the large sandwiches and student-friendly prices. I love the falafel sandwich!
Frita Batidos
Ann Arbor is nothing if not a city of good food, and Frita Batidos tops the list. Serving Cuban street food, it’s one of my favorite places to go out to eat. It’s named after the food it serves: fritas—inspired by traditional Cuban burgers served on a soft egg bun with shoestring fries—and batidos, otherwise known as tropical milkshakes. If you’re feeling adventurous, go for the ‘make it loco’ option, which allows you to add all of the toppings to your burger (except for bacon and jalapenos) for an extra $4.50!
Dinner
Jolly Pumpkin
Jolly Pumpkin is a staple for great pub food and excellent beer. JP is famous for its truffle fries; whenever my friends and I go out, we order some for the table! But it doesn’t just end with the fries—if you’re a fan of mushrooms, you’ll love the truffle pizza.
Sadako
If you’re craving sushi for dinner, this place is my personal favorite! Sadako is pricier than most campus sushi, but the flavors are intense and the value is fantastic. Depending on the price of the roll, you can usually get free soup and salad. I recommend the Dragon and Sadako Crunch sushi rolls, but their other dishes are yummy, too.
Cardamom
Located on North Campus, this place is tucked away from downtown traffic. The food is delicious, and Cardamom is our family’s go-to after a long Saturday afternoon at The Big House. Enjoy tasty momo (dumplings) and chicken tikka masala. The naan melts in your mouth—we usually order both the regular and the garlic!
Mani Osteria
Mani is a fun pizzeria, perfect for a girls’ night out. It can be fairly busy on weekends, so plan accordingly. I recommend the Cipollini pizza (roasted arugula, bacon, balsamic, and chili flakes) with a non-alcoholic cucumber mint spritzer.
Aventura
As someone of Spanish heritage, I’m admittedly tough on Spanish restaurants, but Aventura meets my standard! It’s a tapas restaurant, so order a few dishes for the table. The seafood and chicken paellas are also fantastic (though still only second-best to my grandma’s). It’s a little pricey, so I recommend it for someone wanting to try Spanish food.
Totoro
While there is no shortage of sushi places in Ann Arbor, Totoro is the perfect place to grab a quick dinner during the busy school week. In addition to sushi, they serve tempura, Teriyaki, and noodle dishes. My roommates and I became regulars here during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Detroit Street Filling Station
This place is heaven for vegetarians, vegans, and people who crave fresh, vegetable-forward food. The owner Phillis Englebert is a social activist, and oftentimes the restaurant participates in initiatives to help the community. As for the food, I love the Pad Thai and Treetown Tempeh Reuben. You can also make some of their recipes at home!
Pizza
The Original Cottage Inn
Founded in 1948, this was the first restaurant in Ann Arbor to serve pizza. They also offer Italian and Greek favorites. The Original Cottage Inn is a local favorite. For me, it’s special because the marching band typically has our “Thanksgiving dinner” here before the most important day of the year: the Michigan/Ohio State game!
Pizza House
I tend to see a lot of students at Pizza House because it’s close to some of the most popular campus apartments. The pizza, though pricey, is worth it. And the best-kept secret is the “Late Night Cravers” menu; if you order after 10 pm, you can get a free shake! The shakes are BOMB.
Joe’s Pizza
The first location outside of New York, (thanks to two Michigan alums hailing from New York), the famous Joe’s Pizza serves the most authentic New York-style slice in Ann Arbor. Located on the corner of South U and open until 3 am on weekends, this pizza joint is a favorite of students and visitors alike. Check out the photos of their famous customers while waiting in line on a late Saturday night!
Local Food & Farm Produce
Ann Arbor Farmers Market
Along with Lansing and Traverse City, Ann Arbor is a food hub for the state of Michigan. The Ann Arbor Farmers Market is one of the few markets open year-round. All of the farmers are local, meaning that you won’t find a California farmer selling avocados here. Open on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, take a five-minute Uber ride to Kerrytown where you can grab a coffee and stroll the market stalls.
Argus Farm Stop
If you don’t have a car on campus, buying groceries can be difficult. Sometimes you might want to buy local/organic, but you don’t have time to go to the farmers market. Argus Farm Stop is the place for you! With locations on both Liberty Street and Packard Road, they sell local produce and goods. Both locations have a coffee shop, but there’s more space at Liberty if you want to study.
White Lotus Farms
Baby goats! Do I have your attention yet? This farm is a bit of a drive from campus. It’s a Buddhist collective that sells creamy cheeses, crusty bread, pastries, microgreens, and botanicals. While they have a stall at the farmers market, I’d recommend visiting the farm where you can walk around the gardens, relax by the koi pond, and pet all the goats.
If Someone Else Is Buying
Gandy Dancer
Probably one of the fanciest restaurants in town, go to Gandy Dancer if you’re celebrating something special. The restaurant is located at the historic 1886 railroad depot, so every once in a while a train might rush past your table. The menu features delicious steaks, prime rib, seafood, and pasta.
Black Pearl
With its modern design, dark interior, and gleaming bar, Black Pearl is the place to go on a date or when you want to impress. It’s a seafood restaurant, but there’s plenty of meat and vegetarian options. My favorite is the cioppino seafood stew, and whenever I go, I always make sure to get an order of shrimp guacamole for the table.
The Chop House
Like Gandy Dancer, The Chop House is fairly expensive, so it’s definitely a place for celebrations or if you REALLY want to impress your date (side note: it works!). This is your standard fine-dining steakhouse with hefty sides for the table. The Chop House also has a special birthday discount.
Blue Llama Jazz Club
Blue Llama is a newcomer to Ann Arbor as of 2019. It’s a jazz club with light food and excellent cocktails. During COVID-19 shutdowns, Blue Llama has become resourceful, opening a variety of pop-up restaurants that (hopefully) will be here to stay. They recently bought the space beneath their club to open an Asian-inspired restaurant called Of Rice and Men. I have yet to go, but when I get back to campus, I know where I’m going next!
Night Scene
Rick’s
A classic undergraduate bar, you’ll hear Rick’s talked about all the time on campus. The bar itself is actually understated; if you were walking right by it, you’d probably miss it. Some consider going to Rick’s a student’s rite of passage. And for those who enjoy a night out dancing, this is the place for you! Plus, it’s located across the street from Pizza House; grab some feta bread to end your night on a delicious note!
Good Time Charley’s
You know it’s a good spot when you see students and locals alike dining on the patio—even on weekday afternoons! An Ann Arbor staple for 40 years, this bar and restaurant is a great place to hang out with friends. Student favorites include “fishbowl” drinks, the burger and fries, and the original “shooter list” of over 160 different flavors.
BTB Burrito
Whether it’s been a late night of partying, studying, or practice, BTB Burrito will have your back when everything else is closed. It has a small counter with just a few tables, so a majority of students will stand in line and order to-go. The burritos are great, and I HIGHLY recommend the chips and guac.
Dessert
Blank Slate
Hands down, this is the best ice cream on campus! Located at the end of Liberty Street, Blank Slate is a decent walk, but it’s worth it on those beautiful August and September evenings. Blank Slate is known for its artisanal flavors sourced with local ingredients. It gets its name from its chalkboard walls where you can write down your flavor suggestions. My favorites include Lavender Lemon Honey, Campfire S’mores, London Fog, Chai, and Loaded Banana.
Michigan Creamery
In my opinion, this place is a close second to Blank Slate, and it earns bonus points for being open year-round. Located on State Street, Michigan Creamery is close to campus. I recommend trying their Wolverine Tracks in a waffle cone!
La Dolce Vita
La Dolce Vita is connected to The Chop House, so if you’re already having a fancy dinner, finish it off with premium desserts and cocktails. Some favorites are the tiramisu, chocolate lava cake, and opera cake.
