Detroit Grand Prix 2023: Where to eat
When the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, presented by Lear, returns to downtown streets, local restaurants will be ready for hungry race fans.
Around the track and within several blocks of the IndyCar race, plenty of downtown restaurants have launched special menus, race ticket meal packages and expanded hours.
Some restaurants that are typically closed on Sundays, the final race day, are set to be open. At the GM RenCen, places like Highlands Steakhouse, on the 71st floor with spectacular views, will be open with expanded hours at its High Bar.
Part of the race travels along Atwater Street behind the GM RenCen. Restaurants such as Andiamo and Joe Muer Seafood, all located in the RenCen, will be prime spots for food and race-watching. On Jefferson Avenue, restaurants like the Sloppy Crab with a special menu and Applebee's Grill and Bar at the Millender Center will be open.
Across from Campus Martius at Cadillac Square, there will be an expanded lineup and hours for Downtown Street Eats food truck program. The food trucks will be at Cadillac Square from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Each day, a rotating lineup of more than a half-dozen food trucks will be at Cadillac Square, including Los Dos Amigos, Rolling Stoves, Shredderz, Tacobachis and Max Chicago Italian Beef.
The Small Business Straightaway will also be featured at Campus Martius. It’s where nearly 30 Detroit-based businesses will be highlighted, including several food-based businesses.
More: Detroit Grand Prix map 2023: Where the race will take place downtown
More: 2023 Detroit Grand Prix returns downtown: Everything you need to know
Restaurants nearby Campus Martius include those in Capitol Park such as Leila and Prime and Proper and those a few blocks away in Greektown such as Delmar Detroit and its newly opened rooftop.
Keep in mind Friday is free race day. On Saturday and Sunday, some areas are ticket-restricted.
If you're looking for a restaurant to visit on race days, here's a sampling of those near the track.
Anchor Bar
450 W. Fort St.
This iconic bar on Fort Street is a longtime favorite hangout. Hours will be expanded during race days, including being open on Sunday. It's the place for wings, sliders, burgers, salads, and drinks. On race days, specials include the Winner's Circle cocktail with habanero tequila, triple sec, and lime, $10 Anchor Bar burgers, selected $4 shots and $5 beers.
For info: anchorbardetroit.com
Andiamo Detroit Riverfront
On the first floor on the Detroit River side of the RenCen, Andiamo has Grand Prix packages available for Sun. that includes a ticket to the race, parking, and a four-course meal with non-alcoholic beverages starting at $170 per person and include tax and gratuity. Dinner reservation time will be arranged with the restaurant staff.
The restaurant will be open noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. Reservations and walk-in seating will be available after the final race on Friday through Sunday.
For info: andiamoitalia.com
Apparatus Room
Right across Washington Boulevard from Huntington Place, the Apparatus Room will be open at its regular hours. The restaurant's regular menu which includes lunch, weekend brunch, and dinner will be available. The Apparatus Room is on the ground floor of the Detroit Foundation Hotel and is the former Detroit Fire Department Headquarters. 250 W. Larned St.
For info: detroitfoundationhotel.com
Besa
600 Woodward Ave.
At Besa, the menu focus is based on the European side of the Adriatic Sea. They will open at noon Friday and Saturday and serve its regular menu until 11 p.m. A menu highlight will be its Grand Prix Smash Burger featuring roasted mushroom, hot pepper cheddar, onion rings, and pickled chillis. Grab a seat at the bar and enjoy all the downtown action.
For info: besadetroit.com
BrisaBar
Campus Martius
Recently opened for the season, this is a beach-themed bar with an area that has chairs set on the sand. BrisaBar is at Campus Martius and offers a select menu, tropical cocktails, and slushes. A highlight of the menu is the sweet and spicy Honey Chile Chicken Wings with rosemary gremolata. There will be a live DJ all weekend.
For info: brisabar.com
Nearby: Maru Sushi, London Chop House, Caucus Club.
Central Kitchen & Bar
660 Woodward
This spot is on the ground floor of the First National Building. It's steps from Campus Martius Park and Cadillac Square. They will be open during regular hours, offering lunch and dinner menus. There is a brunch on Saturday and Sunday. On the menu, there are burgers, including the Detroit Burger, featuring roasted wild mushrooms, zip sauce, gruyère cheese, lettuce, and bistro sauce on brioche, sandwiches, soups, salads, and other entrees.
For info: centraldetroit.com centraldetroit.com
Grand Trunk Pub
612 Woodward Ave.
A limited menu will be available during race days. There will be some items from Grand Trunk's brunch and dinner menus, such as scrambles and sandwiches. Regular bar service will be available as well as boozy slushes will be offered to go on the patio. Grand Trunk's specialty cocktails will not be available.
Hanah Steakhouse
607 Shelby Street
New to downtown, Hanah Steakhouse on the corner of Shelby and Congress Streets has extended brunch hours for the Grand Prix. Dinner hours with a menu of small plate offerings are 4 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. Brunch is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
For info: hanahdetroit.com
Highlands Steakhouse
Detroit
From high atop the RenCen, Highlands Detroit on the 71st floor is adding an a la carte menu and expanding hours for its High Bar. Highlands will offer an a la carte menu on race days. The restaurant's High Bar lunch hours will be noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. Menu items include confit chicken wings, beef tartar, Hearth burger, ]Nashville hot chicken sandwich and a Mediterranean wrap with falafel, marinated grilled vegetables, Bibb lettuce and hummus.
For info: highlandsdetroit.com
Joe Muer Seafood
The restaurant, located in suite 200, is on the river side of the RenCen and will be open 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday. Its race/dinner packages are sold out. They will be open for walk-ins following the final race on Friday through Sunday. Reservations for dinner service are available 7:30-10 p.m.
For info: joemuer.com
Parc
Campus Martius
This contemporary lunch and dinner menu features American fare with French and Mediterranean styles. It's at the heart of Campus Martius. There's indoor and outdoor seating. It's open for lunch and dinner with offerings of starters, salads, soups and wood-fired grilled entrees. There are also seasonal summer cocktails.
For info: parcdetroit.com
Table No. 2
Greektown
This revived fine dining concept from chef Omar Mitchell opened on Mother's Day. For the race, they will have their full-service menu starting at 3 p.m. daily, a social hour and a sushi bar. Hours may vary and they'll open early depending on the demand.
For info: tablenumber2.com
Townhouse Detroit
500 Woodward Ave.
Steps from Jefferson and a main stretch of the racetrack, Townhouse Detroit was completely remodeled more than a year and a half ago. Townhouse is open regular hours on Friday and will open at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. A highlight of Townhouse is its attached atrium with a glass ceiling that opens, weather permitting. A menu highlight is its signature Townhouse burger, ground daily and topped with aged white cheddar and bourbon onions and served with fries.
For info: townhousedetroit.com
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Grand Prix 2023: Where to eat
