7 Detroit restaurant openings in the works
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Waka in Eastern Market. Photos: Annalise Frank/Axios
It's a universal truth that restaurants come and go — and we've seen some big closures recently.
On the flip side, we're also waiting (im)patiently on exciting openings.
Why it matters: Delays in some restaurants' opening timelines reflect the various challenges many small businesses face, from financing to permitting, construction and staffing difficulties.
What we're watching: New ideas are bearing fruit and successful entrepreneurs are expanding, like the highly acclaimed East African restaurant Baobab Fare.
Here's some openings to look forward to:
Waka: The "Chopped"-winning family behind Baobab Fare is opening a highly anticipated permanent space for its Waka food truck. It'll serve fragrantly seasoned chicken, beef and eggplant inside flaky Chapati wraps — plus grilled skewers.
- Timeline: Announced in 2024 and originally set to open that summer. It's still in the works, but a date is not publicly known.
- What they're saying: It's "almost ready," owner Mamba Hamissi wrote on Instagram in March. Finalizing details like menu, team and consistency take time even after construction finishes.
- Where: 2465 Russell St. in Eastern Market
Gardenside Brewing: A garden-themed brewpub and restaurant planned with scores of native plants filling beds along a streetside plaza. It'll be in a prefab structure — built elsewhere and assembled on-site.
- Timeline: Expected sometime this year, per architecture and design firm END Studio. The owners are currently seeking public financing to redevelop the former industrial site, per Gardenside's Instagram.
- Where: 4403 Wabash St. in Core City
Joe Louis Southern Kitchen: The Southern breakfast and lunch restaurant that expanded from New Center to Southfield has a third location in the works downtown.
- Timeline: Originally expected to open around Opening Day as well, the eatery's anticipated opening is in August, per a spokesperson.
- Where: 1528 Woodward Ave.
Balkan House: The planned Five and Dime development will include the first Detroit restaurant for Ferndale Döner kebab eatery Balkan House.
- Timeline: The restaurant had been expected to open this summer, but the process is experiencing delays, per developer Detroit Rising's Jon Hartzell.
- Where: 3700 Third Ave. in Midtown
Hamlin Pub: The local sports bar chain plans to open downtown in the former Statler bistro space.
- Timeline: The goal was to open in time for the Tigers' Opening Day in April — it did temporarily, but not permanently. It's still not open, but a window sign says it's coming soon.
- Where: 313 Park Ave., ground floor of City Club Apartments
NoMad Hotel restaurant and bar: The luxury Hilton brand is expected to open a 180-room hotel in Michigan Central Station on the top five floors. NoMad will also "reimagine the Station's historic restaurant and carriage house with its signature restaurant and bar concepts," per a news release — certain to be a draw for visitors once they open.
- Timeline: 2027 opening projected
- Where: 2001 15th St. in Corktown
Calamansi: Planned by the owners of Shelby and Leña, this spot will serve modern Filipino food and drinks.
- Timeline: Originally set to open by the end of 2025 — but taking longer than expected, per Calamansi's Instagram. As of June, the owners were planning to announce updates on opening progress.
- Where: 4458 W. Vernor Highway in southwest Detroit