Top 10 Ann Arbor Restaurants in Ann Arbor
The best top 10 ann arbor restaurants in Ann Arbor, Michigan — reviewed and rated by locals.
Top 10 Ann Arbor Restaurants
Zingerman's Roadhouse
2501 Jackson Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
A James Beard Award nominee for Outstanding Hospitality and a true Ann Arbor institution, Zingerman's Roadhouse has been celebrating 'really good American food' since 2003 with an obsessive commitment to sourcing from the finest small farms and producers. Alton Brown and Food Network Magazine named their mac and cheese the best in America, and the buttermilk fried chicken, NOLA gumbo, and cornmeal-fried catfish are equally revered. Reviewers call it a must-do for any visitor to Ann Arbor.
The Chop House
322 S Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Ann Arbor's premier upscale steakhouse occupies a handsome space on Main Street and has earned a loyal following for its USDA prime cuts, impeccable tableside service, and serious wine program. Diners consistently praise the perfectly seared fillets, porterhouses, and prime rib alongside an atmosphere that is 'clubby, inviting, and special occasion-worthy.' Rated 4.4 out of 5 across more than 7,000 reviews, it is widely regarded as the best splurge-worthy steak experience in the city.
Pacific Rim by Kana
114 W Liberty St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Consistently TripAdvisor's top-rated restaurant in Ann Arbor, Pacific Rim draws from Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, and Chinese traditions elevated with classical French technique, resulting in a menu of extraordinary refinement. Chef Duc Tang's commitment to the finest seasonal ingredients is evident in every dish, from the pristine sashimi to the boldly flavored entrées served in a sleek, warmly lit dining room. Reviewers describe the hospitality as 'warm and genuine' and the overall experience as 'worth every penny.'
The Earle Restaurant
121 W Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
An Ann Arbor treasure since 1977, The Earle occupies a romantic below-street-level space where live jazz plays Tuesday through Saturday and the candlelit atmosphere evokes a European supper club. The rotating menu of fine Italian and French cuisine — lamb chops, veal, duck breast, sea scallops — is paired with a nationally recognized wine list earning Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence with over 1,400 selections. Guests consistently rave about the 'cozy speakeasy vibe' and 'exceptional service.'
Echelon Kitchen & Bar
200 S Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Ann Arbor's most exciting recent addition to the fine dining scene, Echelon is the project of Executive Chef Joseph VanWagner — an alumnus of Alinea, Blackbird, and Restaurant A.T. Paris — who brings serious pedigree to a hyper-seasonal, vegetable-forward menu built around Michigan's agricultural riches. Wood-fired cooking anchors the menu with dishes like charred cauliflower, crispy octopus, and fresh lobster bucatini alongside an all-Michigan beverage program. Early reviewers call it 'Ann Arbor's most serious contender for best new restaurant in years.'
The Ravens Club
207 S Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Since opening in 2011, The Ravens Club has carved out a dual identity as one of Ann Arbor's best cocktail destinations and a serious American dining room, with a kitchen turning out scratch-made seasonal dishes alongside more than 130 American whiskeys and expertly built classic cocktails. The handsome Main Street space — warm wood, vintage details, and an inviting bar — creates an atmosphere that feels both sophisticated and genuinely relaxed. Reviewers single out the cocktail program as exceptional and the overall vibe as the right answer for a great night out.
Mani Osteria & Bar
341 E Liberty St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
This locally owned Italian osteria has been a downtown anchor since 2011, earning a top TripAdvisor ranking thanks to its wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas, hand-rolled pastas, and a kitchen that takes playful seasonal risks. The signature pizzas — blistered and served atop empty San Marzano tomato cans — arrive alongside creative toppings like pistachios, goat cheese, and rosemary, while the pastas are made entirely from scratch daily. The welcoming neighborhood energy and strong Italian wine list have made it a beloved fixture.
Spencer
113 E Liberty St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Spencer describes itself as a neighborhood wine shop and restaurant, and that perfectly captures its rare ability to feel both special and entirely relaxed — a place where the monthly-changing menu celebrates local, seasonal Michigan produce with genuine creativity and the wine program is curated to pair intelligently with every dish. The staff brings real, unpretentious knowledge to guiding guests through the glass selections, and the intimate space rewards lingering. Reviewers describe the food as 'exquisite melt-in-your-mouth happiness.'
The Dixboro Project
5400 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Tucked inside a converted 19th-century barn in the historic Dixboro Village northeast of downtown, The Dixboro Project offers one of the most distinctive dining settings in the Ann Arbor area — all exposed beams, intimate candlelit rooms, and genuine farm-to-table cooking sourced from the surrounding countryside. The menu blends rich flavors with over a century of local culinary tradition, spanning fine-dining dinner service and fresh pastries and wood-fired pizzas. With a 4.74/5 rating, guests call it 'classy but not snobby.'
Frita Batidos
117 W Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
A true Ann Arbor original, Frita Batidos channels the street food of Havana — specifically the Cuban frita burger and the tropical milkshake known as the batido — into a downtown dining room that is energetic, casual, and utterly distinctive. Named Best Burger by the Michigan Daily consecutively from 2014 through 2025 and voted Best Cuban Restaurant by Metro Times five consecutive years, Chef Eve Aronoff's kitchen also produces outstanding fried plantains and imaginative daily specials.