12 restaurants and bars that opened in Metro Detroit in March, plus 7 that closed
Among the new bar, restaurant and specialty food shop that opened throughout March are a new hangout for the Cass Corridor, a tiny wine bar in downtown Detroit and new locations for well-known names around town.
New York Deli, Johnny Blacks, Gather + Grounds, Ginza Ramen and La Pecora Nera all opened new locations this month, expanding their reach to new communities.
Among March's closings are two breweries, another Bobcat Bonnie's location and local restaurants for national brands Mod Pizza and Bar Louie. Read on for more details about the openings and closings of March 2025.
The Dirty Shake — Midtown Detroit
Cool, hip, affordable and fun, the Dirty Shake debuted this month to the delight of hipsters, students and residents in the Cass Corridor. Located on the corner of Second and Forest, the brick bar's huge wrap-around deck is sure to be a top perch for people watching this summer, just like neighboring Bronx Bar down the street. There are cheap drink options, but because these are the same guys (Sandy Levine and chef Doug Hewitt) behind Chartreuse Kitchen + Cocktails and Freya, you know the food and drinks are also high quality. The cocktails are fun and kind of college-y: "strong" island iced tea, hummer ice cream drinks and $4 Pabst Blue Ribbons beers. I recommend the feta burger, a feta and chickpea patty that's fried and put on a bun with hummus, pickled onions, greens and chopped olives. You can have lunch or dinner here (cheeseburgers, smoked chicken wings, jerk chicken, vegan stuff) or just snack on Flamin' Hot Cheetos, Reese's Popcorn and other bagged treats.
11:30 a.m.-midnight Sun.-Thurs. and 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Fri.-Sat. Second and Forest, Detroit. (313) 279-8500. instagram.com/dirtyshakedetroit.
Hosted Detroit — Midtown Detroit
This specialty cheese and charcuterie shop opened where Mongers' Provisions Cass Corridor location was until it closed late last year. Hosted Detroit is one of only a small handful of Black-owned cheese shops in the nation. Detroiters will be able to find everything they need for parties including cheese, crackers, meats and more.
Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri.-Sat. and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. 4240 Cass, Unit 111, Detroit. instagram.com/hosted.det.
Chenin at the Siren Hotel — Downtown Detroit
Nick Arone, who was most recently behind the bar at award-winning new Mexican restaurant Vecino, opened his postage stamp-sized new bar inside the Siren Hotel this month. Located where the tasting menu concept Albena was for many years, Chenin (or Bar Chenin as it's also called) serves wine, cocktails and some food, including ice cream. It's open late, too. Sounds like a perfect stop after dinner downtown or a show at the nearby Detroit Opera House or Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts. No reservations taken.
Open 5 p.m.-midnight Mon.-Tues. and Thurs. and 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Fri.-Sat. Closed Wednesdays. 1509 Broadway, Suite A-1, Detroit. barchenin.com.
Enomah — Harmonie Park
A Black-owned Asian-soul fusion restaurant, Enomah opened about a month ago with spicy sesame barbecue ribs, shrimp bao buns, jerk sea bass, pan-seared salmon and other house specialties. The upscale spot also has DJs and will soon be booking live entertainment, too. Reservations are booked through the OpenTable app.
Open 4-10 p.m. Thurs., 4 p.m.-midnight Fri.-Sat. and noon-5 p.m. Sun. 1508 Centre, Detroit. (313) 285-8943. enomahdetroit.com.
Johnny Blacks Lakehouse — St. Clair Shores
From the restaurant group that owns Johnny Black Public House, Taphouse and Lake House locations across town, as well as Juan Blanco’s Tacos & Tequila and other restaurants, comes Johnny Blacks Lake House in St. Clair Shores. Like the others, the menu is moderately priced and heavy on bar food with burgers and sliders, entrée-sized salads, pizza and appetizers, plus seafood like lake perch, crab cakes, lobster tails and seafood piccata. Other house features are surf-n-turf, chicken and waffles and steak frites. The interior bears no resemblance to the previous concepts hosted here: Dragon's Landing brewpub, Shipwreck Brewing and, long ago, a banquet hall. The Johnny Blacks brand has brought in an updated layout, modern touches, comfy barstools, large booths and brighter lighting.
Open 11 a.m.-midnight Sun.-Thurs. and 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Fri.-Sat. 24409 Jefferson, St. Clair Shores. (586) 648-0700. johnnyblacks.com/lakehouse-east.
More March openings
Dearborn Inn: With the reopening of this upscale Marriott hotel comes the debut of two restaurants: Clara's Table, an American restaurant inspired by Clara Ford's gardens and Four Vagabonds, a private dining space.
La Pecora Nera: Known for making awesome Italian sandwiches and other lunchtime fare, the third location of La Pecora Nera opened in Birmingham this month at 135 Pierce.
Gather + Grounds: This coffeehouse run by students at Rising Stars Academy (a a post-secondary school for adults with special needs) has opened inside Treat Dreams, 22965 Woodward in Ferndale.
New York Deli: A third location on this list, New York Deli opened where Al's Famous Deli was at 32906 Woodward in Royal Oak.
Roar Brewery: This new, Black-owned brewpub had a soft opening on March 23 and will fully open with regular hours this summer at 666 Selden next to Barcade arcade and bar.
Souled Out Soul Food: This new waterfront soul food restaurant recently opened at 26643 W. Huron River Drive in Flat Rock.
Ginza Ramen: Known for super crispy katsu, ramen bowls and Japanese fusion cuisine, Ginza Ramen opened a second location this month at 43289 Garfield in Clinton Township. The original is in Rochester Hills.
March closings
Bar Louie: This national restaurant chain appears to have closed the locations at Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills and Laurel Park Place in Livonia. A representative for the brand reached by The Detroit News could not comment on the closings. Bar Louie continues to have restaurants in downtown Royal Oak and at the Mall at Partridge Creek.
Bobcat Bonnie's Corktown: The latest Bobcat Bonnie's location to close is the original, which opened on Michigan in Corktown in the summer of 2015. Just after owner Matthew Buskard announced the closing, vegan comfort food pop-up Street Beet announced it would be making that address its permanent home. They're still getting ready to open, but once they do, Street Beet will have breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week along with coffee beverages from Washed Up Coffee.
Loaded Dice Brewery: A family owned brewpub, Loaded Dice opened in Troy in 2020, surviving through the pandemic and its aftermath. Owner Jef Smith made the tough decision to close, but not before he was able to host a few goodbye dates for mug club members, customers, friends and family. "It was very emotional, lots of memories were shared, lots of laughs," he told The Detroit News. "I couldn't help but just stand back and go, how did this not go right?"
Rebuy Brewing Co.: A sister business to Loaded Dice Brewery, Rebuy Brewing Co. in Shelby Township closed this month. It was formerly Brooks Brewing.
More: It's a 'rough time' for Michigan's craft beer industry, but how bad is it?
Mod Pizza: The Canton location of build-your-own pizza chain Mod Pizza has closed its 41865 Ford Road location, but there are many others in the area. Find them in Troy, Northville, Livonia, Brighton and at Detroit Metro Airport.
Rice 'n Roll: Open for about eight years, this family owned, quick-service spot was one of the few places around town to get Filipino cuisine. The menu at Rice 'n Roll on Harper just north of 11 Mile in St. Clair Shores offered pork adobo, pancit, fried rice, butter fish, cassava cake, Hawaiian shaved ice and other treats. The business is going to a catering only model for the foreseeable future. Their last day at the brick-and-mortar was Friday. “So no worries, we will still be around, but not in our physical building any longer," reads a statement. A catering menu will be posted soon to their Facebook page, facebook.com/RicenRollrestuarant.
Zeoli's Modern Italian: A casual, family-owned Italian restaurant in Clawson, Zeoli's closed on March 14. Owner Scott Brown did not elaborate on the reason for closing, but left a heartfelt message for customers on their Facebook page. "I have read so many posts of restaurants closing over the last 6.5 years and I’ve always wondered what I may say when the time comes," he wrote. "I will keep it simple. We hands down have had some of the best customers of any restaurant or bar I have ever worked at." He also thanked staff, friend and family.
Melody Baetens is The Detroit News restaurant critic
mbaetens@detroitnews.com
More: 9 restaurants that opened in Metro Detroit in February 2025, plus 3 that closed
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: 12 restaurants and bars that opened in Metro Detroit in March, plus 7 that closed
