Norm's Diner
Restaurant · Islandview ·
Twists on diner breakfast and lunch staples, malts & shakes
Twists on diner breakfast and lunch staples, malts & shakes
"The sudden appearance of this bright and cozy modern diner in leafy West Village has been a gift: the coffee never stops coming, the food soothes, and along with fat stacks of pancakes, smashed breakfast potatoes with a cream cheese schmear, crispy chicken cutlets, and turkey clubs, it turns out one of Detroit’s most delicious breakfast sandwiches. The $13 egg and cheese is a magnificent two-hander—a tall stack of folded scrambled eggs, a sausage patty, and a swipe of pimento cheese on a squishy, craggy English muffin so big it needs a toothpick; the secret to Gallant’s pimento cheese is her mom’s recipe, which adds spicy jelly for sweet heat that tastes a bit like hot honey. Pimento cheese is a popular breakfast sandwich topping right now, and this is a strong one I revisit often; in fact, this is the place I come back to more than any other restaurant in Detroit for an impeccable diner experience that feels lovely, real, and nostalgic, especially at the counter, with extra touches like biscuits and gravy made with chorizo gravy, a lox plate with rye toast and onion schmear, and drinks from drip coffee and orange juice to malts and shakes." - Danny Palumbo
"I feel the comforting sameness of classic American diners translated for Detroit: leather banquettes, all-day pancakes, precise technique and careful sourcing from Midwestern purveyors, summery Coney dogs topped with chorizo gravy, Michigan-cherry highlights in chicken salad, and rotating specials like a substantial croque madame on Texas toast — all served with bottomless drip coffee and an unpretentious neighborhood warmth." - ByBon Appétit Staff & Contributors
"This cute and cozy West Village diner won the hearts of every Detroiter when it opened in 2024 with its thoughtful breakfast plates, stacks of pancakes, exemplary turkey club, wonderful weekly specials, and one hell of a breakfast sandwich. The “egg + cheese” sandwich costs $13, and is a massive two-hander that features scrambled eggs, spicy pimento cheese, and a homemade sausage patty smooshed lovingly in-between English muffin halves. The secret to the pimento cheese? Elise Gallant, co-owner and chef of Norm’s, mixes her mom’s recipe for spicy pepper jelly in with the cheese. Expect a wait during peak weekend hours." - Danny Palumbo
"Norm’s Diner landed on the city’s east side from the creative minds of Elise Gallant and Danielle Norman. The casual and well-designed space features twists on diner breakfast staples like biscuits and chorizo gravy; a lox plate with rye toast and onion schmear; or for lunch, a crispy chicken cutlet with green goddess dressing; or a turkey club with an herby mayo spread and bacon from Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats. To drink, sodas, iced tea, and lemonade are available, as is drip coffee, orange juice, and a selection of malts and shakes. Be warned, Norm’s gets quite a bit of foot traffic, so when you arrive, leave your number with the host to be added to the waitlist, take a stroll around the block, and maybe do some window shopping, and your table will be ready before you know it." - Serena Maria Daniels
"Norm’s Diner landed on the city’s east side from the creative minds of Elise Gallant and Danielle Norman. The casual and well-designed space features twists on diner breakfast staples like biscuits and chorizo gravy; a lox plate with rye toast and onion schmear; or for lunch, a crispy chicken cutlet with green goddess dressing; or a turkey club with an herby mayo spread and bacon from Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats. To drink, sodas, iced tea, and lemonade are available, as is drip coffee, orange juice, and a selection of malts and shakes. Be warned, Norm’s gets quite a bit of foot traffic, so when you arrive, leave your number with the host to be added to the waitlist, take a stroll around the block, and maybe do some window shopping, and your table will be ready before you know it." - Serena Maria Daniels