Downtown Breakfast Joints

**Zads07** · July-15-15, 05:02 PM

While in Detroit on Saturday morning, early morning to watch the Hotel Park Ave. fall, I wanted some breakfast. After going to Eastern Market, which was busy per usual, I figured a breakfast Downtown would do.

But, there weren't many breakfast joints in the Downtown area. By bike, it was easy to navigate from Eastern Market to Downtown, where I ended up at Plaka Cafe in Greektown. Breakfast was very good and cheap.

That got me thinking though, that's what Detroit lacks, is some great breakfast spots in the Greater Downtown area for when guests come in for big events [[Auto Show, sporting events, concerts, conventions, etc.).

I figured a list of Greater Downtown breakfast joints would be a good list to start and maybe spur some talk about bringing more breakfast/lunch-type restaurants to Downtown.

These are all the Breakfast joints I could come up with in Downtown/Midtown/Corktown/Eastern Market when searching 'breakfast' on Google Maps.

Downtown
Hudson Cafe
Dime Store
Parks and Rec
Subway
Ham Shop
Urban Bean Co.
WBC Coffee To Go
Woodward Coney
Bistro 555 [[Greektown Casino)
Plaka Cafe

Corktown
Brooklyn Local
Detroit Institute of Bagels

Eastern Market
Farmers Restaurant
Russell St. Deli
Zeff's Coney Island
Vivio's

Midtown
Honest John's
Fresh Corner Cafe
Dunkin' Donuts

Didn't add in any of the coffee joints, as I know there are many.

Add more if you'd like, if there are more that I may have missed.

**EastsideAl** · July-15-15, 05:09 PM

That actually seems like a pretty good amount. More than there have been at any time since downtown was the bustling business/shopping/entertainment center of the metro area.

**Zads07** · July-15-15, 05:51 PM

It's actually a decent size right now. But Dime Store was closed at about 9:30 am, Hudson Cafe was filled as was the restaurants in Eastern Market and Parks and Rec wasn't yet open.

**belleislerunner** · July-15-15, 06:17 PM

Not specific to downtown, but near Belle Isle all on Jefferson less than 5 min - you also have Rose's Fine Foods, Legends, IHOP and Belle Isle which all have good breakfast. Legends Grill is actually my favorite Detroit greasy spoon. Eggs, sausage, hash, toast for $6.00.

New Center Eatery in New Center is hands down best breakfast in Detroit. Chicken N Waffles.

**Zacha341** · July-15-15, 06:29 PM

I've heard and read that the Dime Store is great for breakfast. Must try it soon...

...!

**gvidas** · July-15-15, 09:26 PM

The Clique on Jefferson @ Rivard is a solid breakfast joint.

Al's Paradise used to do some great breakfast dishes, haven't had breakfast there since the expansion tho. The menu changed a bit.

Grand Trunk used to do a great brunch. Haven't been there in a while either.

Lucy & Ethel's in the Leland is, uh, within your geographic bounds, altho some will quibble about what they serve.

**Neilr** · July-15-15, 11:42 PM

Louie's on Mack just east of Russell at the northern end of Eastern Market is a fine place for good food, large portions, a friendly crowd, good service, and reasonable prices. They service breakfast all day.

**stasu1213** · July-16-15, 05:57 AM

These places that are mentioned are not in the walkable areas of downtown. They are places that one would have to bike or drive to. Downtown need more affordable sit down breakfast/lunch restaurants. The Ham Shop in Greektown is a good one. Olgas is another one. Tim Hortons is a place for coffee and light breakfast. Eastside Al is correct about there are more than that had been during downtown's bustling years but the restaurants were more on a diner style then. The one thing that downtown is missing is clothing retail especially for women. Once women's clothing retail open downtown the men would soon follow

**belleislerunner** · July-16-15, 07:32 AM

Cadillac Square Diner is hands down the best breakfast place downtown and is open 6 days a week.

**401don** · July-16-15, 07:41 AM

Many people are not aware Fishbone's started serving breakfast from 6:30 am about a year ago. Terrific menu.

**CrashDummy** · July-16-15, 08:43 AM

Punch Bowl Social serves breakfast. Breakfast tacos and and a bloody Mary, the key to any good breakfast.

**softailrider** · July-16-15, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by gvidas

The Clique on Jefferson @ Rivard is a solid breakfast joint.

Al's Paradise used to do some great breakfast dishes, haven't had breakfast there since the expansion tho. The menu changed a bit.

Grand Trunk used to do a great brunch. Haven't been there in a while either.

Lucy & Ethel's in the Leland is, uh, within your geographic bounds, altho some will quibble about what they serve.

Clique has good food, not real cheap though. Excellent grits, and I don't even really like grits that much. I usually eat them when I go there though.

Haven't tried that place on Jefferson that used to be Elmo's. I heard it was really good.

**downtownguy** · July-17-15, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by gvidas

The Clique on Jefferson @ Rivard is a solid breakfast joint.

Al's Paradise used to do some great breakfast dishes, haven't had breakfast there since the expansion tho. The menu changed a bit.

Grand Trunk used to do a great brunch. Haven't been there in a while either.

Lucy & Ethel's in the Leland is, uh, within your geographic bounds, altho some will quibble about what they serve.

Grand Trunk Pub still does an excellent brunch on weekends, but they don't open til 11am.

Jacoby's used to do an excellent Sunday brunch, but a few years ago they cut back to only opening if there was a game or event downtown.

Originally Posted by EastsideAl

That actually seems like a pretty good amount. More than there have been at any time since downtown was the bustling business/shopping/entertainment center of the metro area.

EastsideAl is right. When I moved downtown in the early 80s, there wasn't much to choose from. The Big Boy was open in the Ren Cen, but service was awful. Back then it was so easy and cheap to hop over to Windsor. I always enjoyed Big Boy for breakfast, so I got into the habit of going to the Big Boy on Ouelette. The service was great and the Canadian dollar was low. The premium I got on my American money was usually enough to cover my tolls.

**FormerEastsider** · July-17-15, 06:45 PM

When I lived in Detroit I always enjoyed breakfast at Motown Grille on Jefferson between Walker &
Adair.

**royce** · July-19-15, 10:17 PM

Where is the Dunkin' Donuts in Midtown?

**belleislerunner** · July-20-15, 07:20 AM

The Midtown Dunkin Donuts is on Anthony Wayne Drive by WSU. There's also an Einstein Brother Bagels and Starbucks. Basically the Lodge Freeway and Warren.

**compn** · July-20-15, 11:37 AM

what, you dont get breakfast at hygrade deli in corktown on michigan?
says breakfast right there on the building.

theres avalon breads in midtown , but i cant remember if they do anything but breads. also way too expensive for me.

motz burgers are open at 9am, not sure if they do breakfast though, some of the other bates style burger joints do breakfast like bacon n eggs.