15 hours ago - Food and Drink
A hidden Midtown lunch spot worth the visit
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Small World Cafe. Photos: Annalise Frank/Axios
👋 Annalise here. Did you know that if you take the stairs to the basement of a Midtown office building, you'll end up in an affordable lunch spot?
The vibe: Small World Kitchen serves Indian, Middle Eastern, Italian and other cuisines from a welcoming, cafeteria-like setting. It was bustling with diners at lunchtime on a Wednesday, but not too busy.
- It's in the lower level of the International Institute of Metro Detroit building, near the Detroit Institute of Arts.
The intrigue: Local food influencer Seoung Lee of Chow Down Detroit featured Small World on his channel last year.
- He used to eat there when he attended CCS and it was called the International Cafe.
Dig in: I tried the chicken shawarma ($7) and Mideast Feast with falafel, hummus and tabbouleh ($10).
- They weren't the best shawarma and falafel I've ever had, but felt more than adequate for the price.
- I coveted another customer's chicken curry, which looked tasty and plentiful.
If you go: 111 E. Kirby St.
- 11am-4:30pm Monday-Saturday.