The 38 Best Restaurants in Detroit, Spring 2025 | Eater Detroit

"Chef Mike Ransom’s Eater Award-winning restaurants in Corktown, Midtown, and Madison Heights are known for their udon noodles swimming in rich, earthy broths and karaage fried chicken or tofu sandwiches — all set in a casual, bright space with available indoor and outdoor seating. Ransom brings his vision full circle with Ima Izakaya in the former Gold Cash Gold restaurant just west of the original Corktown spot on Michigan Avenue. Expect a robust cocktail menu, meaty skewers from the robata grill, like the soy-glazed tsukune chicken meatballs, raw fish dishes like the velvety hamachi tuna crudo and ahi tuna tartare, panko-fried chicken katsu, and many other favorites. Vibe Check: As far as happy hour goes in Detroit, the one at Ima Izakaya is a sleeper hit. Between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays, visitors are given a reliably strong offering of snacks like dry-aged ribeye skewers or karaage chicken bites, carafes of house sake, draft beer, wine by the glass, and a few cocktails — all for $5." - Serena Maria Daniels