The 10th annual list of Yelp’s “Top 100 US Restaurants” has officially been published and the Detroit area is officially the home to two of the top 50 best restaurants in the country! The two spots that the Detroit area can be proud to claim are Baobab Fare, in Downtown Detroit, which secured the #28 spot in America’s top 100 restaurants according to Yelp, and House of Falafel in Farmington Hills, which was ranked just ten spots later at #38.
Baobab Fare in New Center Detroit at #28
This Downtown Detroit eatery landed itself in the country’s top 30 best restaurants with its delicious East African flavors centered around authentic Burundian recipes, which reflect the heritage and background of the married founders and chefs of the now highly touted restaurant. Throughout the year yelpers consistently reveled and remarked about the incredible flavor of Baobab Fare’s soups and stews, which is something that Yelp itself clearly agreed with. Also worth mentioning are the highlights that Yelp felt were worthy of inclusion as well, which were the fried plantains, yellow beans, and coconut rice.
Location: 6568 Woodward Ave Detroit, MI 48202
House of Falafel in Farmington Hills at #38
Just a few spots behind Baobab Fare on the list, but still breaking the top 40 best restaurants in the country, was House of Falafel in Farmington Hills. According to Yelp, the secret behind what sets this restaurant apart from other falafel restaurants around the country is the secret family falafel recipe founder David Kharsa. When ordering the namesake Falafel at House of Falafel, expect high-quality creamy homemade hummus, freshly baked pita, and an array of delicious sauces. The other star items on their menu that were highlighted in Yelp’s recap were the crushed lentil soup, which was one of the most highlighted items by Yelpers throughout 2023, and the chicken shawarma, which is one of their top-selling items.
Location: 21095 Farmington Rd Farmington Hills, MI 48336
What does this mean for the Detroit food scene?
Detroit’s attempt at a resurgence is no secret and this point and all the long-term efforts and projects made by local businesses and officials are finally starting to pay off! Detroit is once again starting to be one of the more respected cultural centers of the country, known not only for its history in the auto industry, but also for its contributions to culture in the form of quality food, music, and many other forms of art! Considering that Detroit has been considered one of the best places to go in North America in 2024, it should be no surprise that in the future there will be more Detroit area restaurants that also gain notoriety.