Highest-rated restaurants in Ann Arbor by diners
Humans are creatures of habit. We tend to stick to our morning routines, rewatch movies we've seen time and time again, and hit up the same tried-and-true restaurants when going out for a meal. In fact, 35% of Americans said they rarely, if ever, try a new restaurant they haven't been to before, and 5% say they never do, according to a survey of more than 2,600 diners from TouchBistro.
But those numbers look quite different when you focus on younger generations—56% of Gen Zers and 47% of millennials in the U.S. say they visit new restaurants once a month or more. When it comes to deciding which new restaurant to try, younger generations are also more likely to rely on online reviews, through sites like Yelp or Google or from social media. The TouchBistro survey found that 71% of Gen Zers and 72% of millennials have opted to try a new restaurant solely because of favorable reviews online.
Some of the best restaurants in your neck of the woods might be those established spots that customers have been visiting for decades, but some may be brand new. More than 10,000 new restaurants opened in 2023, up 5.7% from 2022, according to a report from BentoBox. The states that saw the most new restaurants open up in 2023 were Florida, Texas, California, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, but new locales are popping up all over the U.S.
To help you determine which spots—both new and long-standing—to try out, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated restaurants in Ann Arbor, according to Yelp reviews from diners as of January 2024. Only restaurants with at least 20 reviews were considered. Read on to find some inspiration for the next time you dine out.
Note: The photos in this article are stock images and do not necessarily reflect each restaurant listed.
#30. Detroit Street Filling Station
- Rating: 4.5/5 (306 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 300 Detroit St. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Vegan, Jazz & Blues, Vegetarian
- Read more on Yelp
#29. DOZER Coffee
- Rating: 4.5/5 (63 reviews)
- Address: 112 Jackson Plz Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#28. The Lunch Room - Bakery & Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (64 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2200 Fuller Court Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Bakeries, Cafes, Beverage Store
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Star's Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (165 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2575 Jackson Ave. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Juicy Kitchen
- Rating: 4.5/5 (367 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1506 North Maple Road Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Gluten-Free, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Plate Sushi & Chicken
- Rating: 4.5/5 (60 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1133 Broadway St. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Sushi Bars, Japanese, Chicken Wings
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Poke Fish
- Rating: 4.5/5 (316 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3500 Washtenaw Ave. Ste E4 Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Poke, Japanese
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Burger One
- Rating: 4.5/5 (69 reviews)
- Address: 1771 Plymouth Road Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Burgers, Halal
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Detroit Cookie
- Rating: 4.5/5 (35 reviews)
- Address: 609 East William St. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Bakeries, Coffee Roasteries, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Bao Space
- Rating: 4.5/5 (65 reviews)
- Address: 205 North Main St. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Asian Fusion, Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Pilar's Tamales
- Rating: 4.5/5 (182 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2261 West Liberty St. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Latin American
- Read more on Yelp
#19. The Jefferson Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (121 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 609 West Jefferson St. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Salad, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#18. El Limon
- Rating: 4.5/5 (26 reviews)
- Address: 2709 Plymouth Road Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Halal, New Mexican Cuisine, Mediterranean
- Read more on Yelp
#17. RoosRoast Liberty
- Rating: 4.5/5 (147 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 117 East Liberty St. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Cafes, Coffee Roasteries, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#16. La Piazza Pizza and subs
- Rating: 4.5/5 (20 reviews)
- Address: 2715 Plymouth Road Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Pizza, Chicken Wings, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Tacos El Mariachi Loco
- Rating: 4.5/5 (29 reviews)
- Address: 2140 Oak Valley Drive Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Food Trucks, Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Cinnaholic
- Rating: 4.5/5 (54 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 121 East Liberty St. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Vegan
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Monahan's Seafood Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (224 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 407 North 5th Ave. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Seafood, Seafood Markets
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Pita King
- Rating: 4.5/5 (71 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2412 East Stadium Blvd. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Ricewood
- Rating: 4.5/5 (146 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1928 Packard St. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Barbeque, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Blue LLama Jazz Club
- Rating: 4.5/5 (127 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 314 South Main St. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Jazz & Blues, Music Venues, New American
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Biercamp
- Rating: 4.5/5 (242 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1643 South State St. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Meat Shops, Breweries, Hot Dogs
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Zingerman's Creamery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (60 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3723 Plaza Drive Ste 2 Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Cheese Shops, Gelato, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#7. First Bite
- Rating: 4.5/5 (164 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 108 South Main St. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Gluten-Free, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Ricewood
- Rating: 4.5/5 (42 reviews)
- Address: 245 North Maple Road Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Barbeque
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Moon Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (41 reviews)
- Address: 812 South State St. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Korean, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#4. 1923
- Rating: 4.5/5 (28 reviews)
- Address: 552 South Main St. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Tacos, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#3. El Harissa Market Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (163 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1516 North Maple Road Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Mediterranean, African, Gelato
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Shawarma Shop
- Rating: 4.5/5 (43 reviews)
- Address: 2993 South State St. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Lebanese, Sandwiches, Falafel
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Bao Boys
- Rating: 4.5/5 (105 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1928 Packard St. Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Categories: Food Trucks, Asian Fusion, Korean
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 331 metros.