September 7, 2022
9 Relatively New Restaurants to Try in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor is a city known for its vibrant food scene, with a plethora of options ranging from classic diners to upscale eateries. However, with the city’s food landscape constantly evolving, it can be hard to keep up with all the latest openings. That’s why we’re highlighting some of the relatively new restaurants in Ann Arbor that have been making waves with their innovative menus and unique concepts over the last several months.
Whether you’re a local looking for a new favorite spot or a visitor seeking out the best culinary experiences in town, these restaurants are definitely worth checking out. From “bustaurants” serving tacos to Korean fried chicken joints, there’s something for every palate on this list. So, without further ado, let’s dive in and discover some of the newest and most exciting restaurants that Ann Arbor has to offer!
1923
1923 is a classic London double-decker bus transformed into a taco restaurant — a “bustaurant,” if you will. This charming food truck has both rooftop and patio seating, where you can dig into their delicious tacos packed with flavors from around the world, including Korea, Kentucky, the Caribbean, Arabia, and more. The Caribbean jerk chicken tacos are a favorite amongst regulars! And don’t forget the falafel as an appetizer and their delectable rolled ice cream for dessert. While 1923 is a restaurant on wheels, you can always find it just outside of downtown, parked in the back of the parking lot off Miller Avenue near 1st Street — but it is moving to 552 South Main Street mid-April 2023.
North Star Lounge
From the same folks behind Detroit Street Filling Station and The Lunch Room, North Star Lounge is an intimate music venue and vegan bar in Kerrytown. This cozy spot showcases an array of talent, with a weekly lineup of music and events almost every day of the week, from LGBTQ Night on Tuesdays, Hot Club Jazz on Wednesdays, Piano Bar on Thursdays, Bluegrass on Fridays, rotating artists on Saturdays, and Jazz Brunch on Sundays! All the while, enjoy their all-vegan menu, which includes Cajun cauliflower wings, a buffalo wrap, a grilled queso burrito, a spinach artichoke dip, and many more delicious options. Don’t miss happy hour at North Star Lounge from 5–7 p.m., when you can get free popcorn, half price draft beer, and $2 off wine, cocktails and cans.
Venue by 4M
Venue by 4M is a restaurant, co-working and event space in Lower Burns Park with four food lines available for dine-in or take-out, plus a full bar, lounge and market. While it’s one of our favorite co-working spaces in the Ann Arbor area, we’re zeroing in on the restaurant aspect of this unique venture. Chef Thad Gilles, who hails from the beloved, now-shuttered Logan Restaurant, has crafted several independent food menus to choose from, including Americana, pasta, pizza, and Oaxacan street food. Pair your meal with a drink from Bar19, which has an excellent cocktail and mocktail selection, plus organic and biodynamic wines, and beers from small, independent breweries.
El Limon
Are you craving Mexican food? Or Mediterranean? You don’t have to choose between the two at El Limon, a new restaurant combining the cuisines, with dishes like falafel tacos, spinach feta quesadillas, and a cauliflower tahini bowl. This unique concept comes from owner Ali Hijazi, who also owns Zamaan Café, which has two locations in Ann Arbor. El Limon is located in the Traver Village Shopping Center just north of the University of Michigan North Campus, making it extra convenient for students and faculty.
Monty’s Public House
Monty’s Public House is a welcomed addition to the South Packard corridor, providing a comforting pub-like atmosphere, with a modern twist. English meets American with pub favorites like fish and chips, a classic reuben, Shepherd’s Pie, creamy mac and cheese, and much more. Monty’s also has a basement arcade, plenty of screens for watching the game, and an excellent outdoor patio for the warmer days ahead. Don’t miss happy hour on weekdays from 3–6 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 9 p.m. to close!
La Piazza Pizza & Subs
Pizza from a small, locally owned pizzeria is always better — and that’s certainly the case with La Piazza Pizza & Subs, which opened in early 2023. La Piazza serves both authentic hand-tossed pizzas and fresh grilled subs, making it the best option for takeout for both lunch and dinner. The team makes their own pizza dough and has a variety of different pizzas to choose from, from the classic margherita to the Mediterranean with chicken, olives, feta cheese, and mild peppers. And of course, don’t miss the grilled subs, fresh salads, chicken wings and garlic bread!
Union Rec
Located in the former Fingerle Lumber Company building, Union Rec is a bit of everything: a coffee shop, bar and restaurant, all located in one eclectic, vibrant space. The restaurant is focused on comfort food from the three Americas (North, Central and South), with options like Cowboy Caviar, Chicken Mole Enchiladas, Veggie Pozole, a Bandeja Bowl, and more. The space is a little bit retro a little bit modern, with a focal point fireplace setting the tone for the cozy, inviting atmosphere. This is the place to be for work or studying with a cup of coffee in the morning, lunch on a Tuesday, or late-night margs on the weekend. Union Rec has been especially popular amongst U-M students, as it is perfectly positioned between the Big House and downtown Ann Arbor.
Noori Chicken
Craving KFC? And no, we’re not talking about that KFC — we’re talking about Korean Fried Chicken. You’re in luck, because the beloved Noori Chicken (originating in Virginia) has expanded with a location in Ann Arbor, just steps from the U-M campus. Noori Chicken specializes in great-tasting chicken paired with fresh sauces made daily. Customers rave about the bone-in chicken, which has a sweet and tangy flavor that is sure to please your taste buds. The fries, sprinkled with the restaurant’s signature “magic” seasoning, are also a must-try. Noori Chicken’s chicken is both crunchy and juicy, perfectly cooked without being overly fried or undercooked. The inside of the restaurant is small, seating up to three people, but the unique seasoning and fresh ingredients make it well worth the visit. In addition to Korean-style fried chicken and non-breaded naked wings, Noori Chicken also serves mixed rice bibimbap, Korean-style pizza, and more. The menu is intentionally limited to ensure that the food is always fresh and clean.
Bao Space
Bao Space is an authentic Asian restaurant specializing in hand-made bao buns. They offer traditional and authentic bao buns, made with high-quality and natural ingredients, including premium Berkshire pork, wild-caught shrimp, and organic Michigan-grown mushrooms. Bao Space is committed to exploring the heritage of the traditional Chinese culinary art and providing their customers with a unique and delicious dining experience. In addition to bao buns, Bao Space serves salads, soup, dumplings, dim sum, and bubble tea. Customers rave about the authenticity of the food and the reasonable prices, with two big baos costing only $6-8. The light and airy interior is the perfect place to enjoy your bao buns and other dishes while in Kerrytown or downtown.
Hungry Yet?
Which of these new restaurants in Ann Arbor are you dying to try? Let us know in the comments below!
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