Westland, Michigan is a lively suburb of Detroit with a blossoming dining scene. From long-standing family-owned eateries to hip new hotspots, Westland has an eclectic mix of cuisines and atmospheres to suit any palate or occasion. In this article, we shine the spotlight on 12 of the top restaurants that make dining in Westland such a mouthwatering experience.
| Restaurant Name | Cuisine/Description |
|---|---|
| Steve’s Family Diner | Classic American diner with homestyle cooking |
| George’s Senate Coney Island | Famous for Detroit-style Coney dogs |
| Lucky Fox | Hip lounge with handcrafted cocktails and upscale bar bites |
| The Plymouth Cork | Casual eats with a quality wine selection |
| Benito’s Pizza | Renowned for thin-crust pizzas and Italian favorites |
| Rose’s Fine Food | American diner with a history of quality ingredients |
| Lim’s Star Restaurant | Cantonese classics and dim sum options |
| Randazzo’s Italian Restaurant | Italian fare in a chic, family-owned setting |
| Pub One Eleven | Gourmet burgers and craft beers in a gastropub ambiance |
| Real BarBQ | Slow-smoked meats with a range of sauces |
| Brome Modern Eatery | Farm-to-table fare with simple, global accents |
| Omelette and Waffle Cafe | Breakfast and brunch spot with sweet and savory options |
The 12 restaurants featured here were selected based on factors such as consistency, quality of ingredients, level of service, value for money, popularity with locals, as well as accolades and press coverage. From cozy diners serving classic American fare, to high-end steakhouses searing the perfect filet mignon, the restaurants on this list all have devoted followings of happy patrons. Foodies will also appreciate Westland’s array of global flavors, from authentic Italian pastas and pizzas to spicy Indian curries.
So pull up a seat and get ready to tantalize your tastebuds, as we present the 12 best restaurants in Westland, Michigan!
1.Steve’s Family Diner
Name and Location: Steve’s Family Diner
History and Significance: Opened in 1968, Steve’s is a beloved neighborhood diner known for making everything from scratch daily including their fluffy pancakes, hearty omelets, hand-pattied burgers and signature slinger – a mashup of eggs, cheese, meat, veggies and tater tots or fries. Their cozy retro setting harks back to a simpler era.
What to Expect: Homestyle comfort foods like pot roast, chicken tenders, fish fry and thick milkshakes at reasonable prices. Plus breakfast served all-day and rotating blue plate specials. Counter seating, big groups and kids welcome. Cash only but ATM on-site.
Visitor Information: 27750 Plymouth Rd. Open daily 7am-3pm. Get there early on weekends. Street parking available, rear lot for oversize vehicles. Carryout available but limited delivery radius.
If you ask any longtime resident of Westland where to find the best homestyle cooking, they will likely send you straight to Steve’s Family Diner. A neighborhood staple since 1968, Steve’s serves up all the classics like fluffy pancakes, hearty omelets, juicy burgers and their legendary fried chicken.
Their scratch-made soups, sides and desserts are always satisfying. The portions are generous and the prices are reasonable. Steve’s has a casual, welcoming ambiance where guests can relax and enjoy honest American classics, prepared with care. It’s the kind of place where you’ll spot families, seniors and Westland natives of every generation. Open since the crack of dawn for breakfast, Steve’s Diner is the place to kickstart your day or refuel after a long one.
2.George’s Senate Coney Island
Name and Location: George’s Senate Coney Island
History and Significance: A Detroit coney staple since 1952, George’s opened its first suburban outlet in 2018 at the former Senate Restaurant site – keeping the diner feel with signature coney dogs covered in ground beef chili, yellow mustard, white onions andnowait service just like its flagship store downtown.
What to Expect: Expect to see counter seats filled with regulars indulging in heaps of fries, flaming saganaki cheese, crispy French onion rings and author Tom Selleck’s beloved blueberry pie available by the thick slice. And of course snappy coneys for under $3 even here.
Visitor Information: 39515 Five Mile Rd. Open Monday-Saturday 6am-4pm. Cash only. Breakfast served until 11am when full menu including burgers and Greek specialties joins coneys. Dine in counter or order takeaway from kitchen.
For a quintessentially Detroit dining experience, head to George’s Senate Coney Island for their world-famous Coney dogs. A staple of the area since 1937, George’s serves premium natural casing Vienna beef hot dogs smothered in their proprietary beanless chili sauce, yellow mustard and fresh diced onions.
Their Coney dog sauce has a mildly spicy and smokey flavor, and a smooth, thin consistency allowing all of theElements to sing. It’s a salty, meaty, saucy, oniony, greasy, delightful mess – in other words, perfection. In addition to Detroit Coneys served steamed or grilled, George’s offers fries, chili cheese fries, burgers, chicken sandwiches and salads. The small diner seats maybe 20, and the chatty service makes regulars feel like part of the family. George’s attracts a cross-section of locals from college kids to off-duty cops bonding over Coneys and lively conversation.
3.Lucky Fox
Name and Location: Lucky Fox
History and Significance: Opened 2021 in a renovated former movie house, this urban restaurant and tavern brings a fresh upscale spin on new American gastropub cuisine, craft beers and inventive shareable plates made from locally-sourced ingredients in a striking open modern setting invoking 1920s charm.
What to Expect: Seasonally inspired dishes like butternut ravioli, braised short ribs, charcuterie boards and specialty cocktails at vintage-style booths plus a vintage mahogany bar spanning two levels connected by a winding staircase surrounded by natural light.
Visitor Information: 444 Forest Ave. Open daily for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Reservations recommended via SevenRooms. Valet parking available behind building off Union St for hotel guests and special events.
Handcrafted cocktails take center stage at Lucky Fox, a hip lounge shaking up Westland’s nightlife scene. Curiosity leads many guests through the unmarked door into this warmly lit den of craft beverages and good times. Those who enter are richly rewarded with a chill, modern space, attentive mixology-focused service and clever concoctions like the fan-favorite Hibiscus Margarita.
Beyond boozy blends, Lucky Fox has a kitchen turning out upscale bar bites like truffle fries, fried goat cheese with honey and mini crab cakes. Weekly event nights include trivia, karaoke, live music sets and whiskey tastings that keep the vibe buzzing. Lucky Fox brings a splash of sophistication and excitement to downtown Westland for visitors and locals alike.
4.The Plymouth Cork
Name and Location: The Plymouth Cork
History and Significance: Family owned for over 25 years in Plymouth’s Old Village, the Cork is a beloved wine bar offering 180+ labels from around the globe – available by the glass or bottle – complemented by a menu of artisan shareable plates making it an intimate date night destination or lively gathering spot for friends.
What to Expect: Cozy romantic vibe with dim lighting, tin ceilings and wood accents in several small rooms perfect for pairing Pinot Noir or Sauvignon Blanc with cheese boards, paninis, flatbreads and weekly dinner specials ringing up amazing value. Live music some nights.
Visitor Information: 714 Penniman Ave right off Kellogg Park. Open Tuesday-Sunday with hours varying by season. Limited streetside and lot parking behind, valet weekends. Corking fee waived on wines bought here to enjoy later.
Casual eats and quality wines are always on the menu at The Plymouth Cork, a local go-to spot for a relaxing meal. The ambiance is upscale yet cozy, with rich wood tones and vintage accents throughout the space.
Their wine list features over 150 bottles- Old World to new grapes, reds, whites and bubblies – expertly stored in an on-site temperature-controlled cellar. Guests can order wines by the glass to pair with contemporary American dishes prepared in Cork’s open kitchen.
Menus change seasonally, led by fresh ingredients, but popular picks include seared scallops in lemon butter, wild mushroom risotto cakes and bourbon glazed salmon. Save room for the salted caramel creme brûlée or warm banana bread pudding. The knowledgeable servers and sommelier provide outstanding hospitality to all who dine and drink at Cork, where the quality of cuisine matches the tasting experience.
5.Benito’s Pizza
Name and Location: Benito’s Pizza
History and Significance: Family owned since 1977, Beneito’s has perfected New York style thin crust pizza and authentic Italian entrees from family recipes across a few metro Detroit locations. Their cozy Plymouth pizzeria doubles as a neighborhood sports bar pouring regional brews.
What to Expect: NYC-caliber pizza by the slice or pie in varieties like plain cheese, deluxe veggie or chicken bacon ranch baked in a stone deck coal oven on homemade crispy crusts daily. Plus classic pasta dishes, oven-baked subs, wings and garden salads.
Visitor Information: 1020 W Ann Arbor Trail. Open daily for lunch through late night. Delivery available within limited area. Gluten free crusts offered, online ordering accessible. Families welcome, 21+ required in bar areas.
For piping hot pies fresh from the oven, Westland locals have been hitting Benito’s Pizza for over 50 years. Originally from Italy, the namesake owner Ben brought his sauce recipes and pizza-making prowess to Michigan in 1970. His thin-crust pizzas have achieved legendary status in the area due to mound of high-quality ingredients and signature spicy sauce.
Pepperoni is the top seller, but carnivores also favor the Proposition – packed with Italian sausage and meatballs. Veggie lovers will enjoy the colorful Sunshine or white-sauced Chicken Blanco pies. Benito’s also serves oven-baked subs, pasta dishes, salads and wings flavored with their proprietary seasonings.
While takeout remains a steady business, the small casual eatery also offers classic red vinyl booths for enjoying pizzas on premises. Benito’s homey quality and strong local following make it both a neighborhood staple and citywide destination.
6.Rose’s Fine Food
Name and Location: Rose’s Fine Food
History and Significance: A local institution for 65+ years started by the Rose family, now in second generation ownership. This unfussy diner opens early daily to serve hearty breakfast plates, hot sandwiches, burgers, homemade soups and Blue Plate specials scratch-made utilizing time-honored techniques.
What to Expect: Locals chatting at Formica counters and tables. Giant cinnamon rolls, three-egg omelets under $10, roast turkey on house-baked bread, fried perch and liver-n-onions. Daily specials always come with vegetable, potato, soup/salad and dessert!
Visitor Information: 448 Starkweather Ave in Plymouth’s Old Village. Hours daily 7am-8pm, closed Sunday. Cash only. Street parking and rear municipal lots available. Call ahead for takeout orders. Friendly prices, big portions!
A bastion of Metro Detroit’s restaurant history resides in Westland – Rose’s Fine Food. Since the 1950s this unassuming diner has been a beloved community staple drawing locals and visitors from all over. Outside it may seem ordinary, inside is anything but – overflowing with happy patrons and walls covered in nostalgic signage and photos.
The draw here is quintessential American diner fare prepared consistently with quality ingredients. Fluffy pancakes, crispy hashbrowns and juicy burger patties keep regulars coming back. Daily blue plate lunch specials mean there’s always something new to try alongside menu staples. Desserts like mile-high lemon meringue pie and classic egg creams top off meals with sweet satisfaction.
The servers attend warmly to multigenerational families, solo diners and work crews that fill Rose’s booths and classic counter seating. Recipient of numerous awards over its long history, Rose’s has only gotten better with time while retaining its welcoming neighborhood character.
7.Lim’s Star Restaurant
Name and Location: Lim’s Star Restaurant
History and Significance: Serving Cantonese cuisine for 50+ years since 1969, this white tablecloth Plymouth mainstay offers elegantly plated Hong Kong style dishes prepared to order using premium ingredients by a seasoned kitchen team – retaining loyal customers across generations for weddings, special occasions or Friday night dinners out.
What to Expect: Creative appetizers, seafood entrées, chicken/beef plates and house specialties like almond shrimp, lobster cantonese, Peking Duck and sizzling platters arrive steaming hot at your table. Extensive menu bursting with flavors awaiting your chopsticks.
Visitor Information: 445 Starkweather Ave. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended, especially weekends. Full service dining room and cocktail lounge. Takeout available with quick 20 minute turnaround.
Westland hungers for Eastern flavors often travel 15 minutes to Canton for acclaimed restaurant Lim’s Star. Thankfully, owner Lisa Lim recently opened another location right in Westland, bringing Cantonese classics closer to local fans.
The menu spans tasty starters through noodle and rice entrees, with standout signature dishes like crispy honey garlic chicken and shrimp with walnut sauce. Seafood lovers will delight in steamed Hong Kong-style dim sum dumplings filled with shrimp or barbecue pork. Hot pots bubble away with thinly shaved beef tenderloin swishing in steaming broth.
Stir fried noodle combinations sizzle from jet-engine wok burners manned by an experienced Chinese chef. Crisp-skinned Peking duck carved tableside is another showstopper. Stylish modern decor sets the scene for gatherings large and small. Lim’s Star transports guests to Hong Kong without the long flight, right here in Westland.
8.Randazzo’s Italian Restaurant
Name and Location: Randazzo’s Italian Restaurant
History and Significance: Family operated for 50+ years since 1970, Randazzo’s white linen ambiance balances old world charm with contemporary zest – serving Italian American fine dining including steak, seafood and signature pastas made from beloved recipes perfected through decades plus an award-winning wine list with over 100 selections.
What to Expect: Smart modern interior and professional waitstaff Provide a special night out feeling every visit.Satisfying classics like veal marsala, linguine with red clam sauce and tiramisu demonstrate why they’ve stayed so popular with locals through the generations.
Visitor Information: 39405 Plymouth Rd. Open Monday-Thursday 4-9pm; Friday & Saturday 4-10pm. Reservations recommended, especially weekends, request patio seating if preferred. Full bar.
Old World hospitality in a vibrant, modern setting awaits patrons of Randazzo’s Italian Restaurant. Family owned for over 25 years, Randazzo’s moved into a chic new Westland space in 2018 without losing theirMom-and-pop warmth. Exposed brick, chandeliers and fresh flowers bring Milan-inspired elegance to the charming trattoria.
Randazzo’s serves soul-satisfying, scratch-made Italian fare like cheese ravioli in browned butter sauce and seafood cioppino brimming with mussels, scallops, jumbo shrimp and calamari. Locals loves the chicken parmesan layered generously with melted mozzarella and the lasagna layered generously with Randazzo’s ragu Bolognese sauce.
Daily lunch buffets present an appetizing, affordable Italian smorgasbord. Gluten-free and vegan options are also available. Randazzo’s every dish feels like an authentic taste of the old country thanks to long-held family recipes and their little slice of Italy ambience.
9.Pub One Eleven
Name and Location: Pub One Eleven
History and Significance: Hosting the neighborhood since 2019 in a converted 1950s ranchette home, this gastropub exudes cozy charm punctuated by creative takes on comfort dishes utilizing consciously-sourced fresh ingredients served alongside Michigan made spirits, 15 rotating craft brew taps and weekend brunch.
What to Expect: Farmhouse chic interior with locals socializing around hearty fare like smoked beef brisket nachos, grilled Mahi tacos, crispy fried chicken sandwiches on pretzel rolls and homemade desserts. Extensive local beer list best enjoyed on the lively patio.
Visitor Information: 111 N Mill St in Plymouth’s Old Village Historic District. Hours everyday 11:30am-2am. Limited parking adjacent off Main St, otherwise downtown lots and side streets available. All welcomed.
Gourmet burgers and craft beers are always pouring at local favorite Pub One Eleven. Its welcoming, contemporary gastropub ambiance fills nightly with Westland residents savoring chef-driven bar bites and brews. 11 signature burgers stack ingredients between a soft pretzel bun like the Truffle Shuffle crowned with truffled mushrooms, fontina cheese and truffle aioli.
Handhelds like Korean pierogi tacos and coconut shrimp po boys also intrigue burger bar devotees. Salads and share plates cater to vegetarian and gluten-free diners as well. Daily specials present global flavors in selections like chicken tinga flatbread.
Constantly rotating taps deliver local IPAs, ciders and stouts to pair with Pub One Eleven’s palette-pleasing plates. Special events from cook-offs to tapping parties make this pub a perennial social hotspot in downtown Westland.
10.Real BarBQ
Name and Location: Real BarBQ
History and Significance: Opened 2010 by competitors on the Kansas City barbecue circuit, Real BarBQ serves championship caliber smoked meats true to Central Texas style “low and slow” pit techniques utilizing a custom smoker, wild-sourced proteins and signature rubs. Their local fanbase has only grown as the authentic smokehouse flavors have spread.
What to Expect: Bountiful meat plates with melt-in-your mouth moist brisket, smoky hot links, St. Louis style ribs and pulled chicken served solo or as mixed plates with made-from-scratch sides like beans, slaw and potato salad. Sit down or order by the bulk pound.
Visitor Information: 565 Forest Ave Suite 5. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Street parking available, rear lot best for tailgating and takeout orders. Texas style BYOB policy. Catering services offered.
Mouthwatering, slow-smoked meats anchor the menu at Westland’s premier barbecue restaurant Real BarBQ. Pitmaster Kasey Krekorian respectfully tends fatty briskets, smoky ribs and spicy sausages using his custom open-air smoker and time-honored hardwood fire methods.
The texas-style barbecue restaurant slathers resulting proteins in a range of sauce options from tangy carolina-style to a sweeter wild cherry version. Of course signature sides like gooey mac and cheese, corn fritters and baked bbq beans nicely complement all the smoked and grilled options. Daily specials might see smoked turkey,beer can chicken or andouille sausage.
Counter-serve style allows guests to load up trays with proteins by the pound, quart containers of sides and sandwiches overflowing with brisket. Picnic tables on Real’s back patio make an ideal setting for enjoying this authentic barbecue bounty. Area barbecue competitors have crowned Real the best, and anyone who tries their incredibly tender, smoky meats is sure to agree.
11.Brome Modern Eatery
Name and Location: Brome Modern Eatery
History and Significance: Opened in 2008, Brome aims to foster community by serving wholesome fresh ethically-sourced New American comfort foods prepared from scratch paired with boutique Michigan wines/craft beer in an inviting open kitchen atmosphere focused on mindful sustainable principles throughout their operations.
What to Expect: Coastal flavors shine bright across creative seasonal dishes from weekend brunch specialties, savory tarts, salads, flatbreads and nightly chef features focusing on what’s locally available served alongside 20+ wines by the glass and regional microbrew.
Visitor Information: 530 Forest Ave Ste 7. Open daily 8am-9pm. Street parking available, enter from rear lot. Online ordering plus catering options. Award winning restaurant walking distance from Kellogg Park.
Farm-to-table fare anchored in simple preparations makes Brome Modern Eatery is a standout in Westland dining. Co-owner chefs Jess and Matt pay homage to high quality ingredients by letting them shine clean preparations with global accents. Changing seasonal menus might include confit pork belly dumplings, mushroom flatbread with truffle cream, pan-seared salmon with charred tomato butter or Moroccan chicken with apricots, almonds and jeweled rice.
Even familiar comfort classics get an upgrade, like their popular Brome burger topped with bacon onion jam on a brioche bun. Clean flavors, responsibly sourced proteins and thoughtful global accents define Brome’s taste and ethos. The urban-rustic restaurant design also focuses on quality with brick, dark woods, leather and plants throughout.
Award-winning craft cocktails, Michigan craft beers and small production wines appease thirsty diners as well. Brome offers a refined yet cozy neighborhood eatery proudly representing modern Westland fare.
12.Omelette and Waffle Cafe
Name and Location: Omelette and Waffle Cafe
History and Significance: Known by locals as O&W, this cozy breakfast and lunch nook has specialized in fluffythree-egg omelettes prepared to order with a choice of 20+ fillings and toppings alongside other morning staples daily for over 35 years now – focused on friendly service starting your day satisfied.
What to Expect: Over 25 varieties of sweet and savory waffle options plus creative daily special omelettes posted on the chalkboard. Familiar diner setting and value prices appeal to college students, families and seniors alike. Cash only but ATM available.
Visitor Information: 1020 W Ann Arbor Trail. Open daily from 7am to 2pm. Free lot parking off Harvey St behind building. Takeout and delivery available. Ask about punch card loyalty specials for return diners.
For breakfast and brunch lovers, Omelette and Waffle Cafe hits the sweet and savory spot every time. Heaping plates arrive under a range of egg preparations mixing classic combinations and more inventive varieties. Build your own options allow choosing a base from eggs, waffles or hash browns then piling on fillings and toppings galore.
Go the DIY route or opt for a signature like the Three Little Pigs with ham, sausage, bacon and cheddar cheese baked into a fluffy omelette. Beyond breakfast, paninis and melts make solid lunch choices, especially the Club with smoked turkey, bacon and Swiss cheese. Wake up to waffles drenched in mixed berry compote or close the day with a piece of chocolate layer cake.
Daily specials also entice like Taco Tuesdays or Italian Wednesdays. Fast, friendly service ensures patrons get to focus on chomping these satisfying meals. Whether meeting friends for a weekend brunch or needing an afternoon pick-me-up, Omelette and Waffle Cafe always satisfies.
Conclusion
Westland offers hungry residents and visitors plenty of culinary gems to explore across categories. Longstanding hotspots focus on tried and true recipes passed down generation after generation, while newer restaurants expand horizons with global flavors and modern techniques.
Foodies find further reward in Westland’s ever-growing food events from pub crawls to restaurant weeks shining the spotlight on local chefs and unique eateries. The 12 restaurants discussed here capture some of the best spots to dine across Westland, satisfying loyal regulars and curious taste-testers every day.