The very popular barbecue joint that kicked off the neighborhood's revitalization. Have a beer and ponder the phases of the moon (in mural form) in the cozy backyard.

An Eastside breakfast institution. The diner connects to the Shorecrest Motor Inn and offers a no-nonsense menu, hell-yeah portions, and a sun-drenching atrium. Order everything from a short stack to chicken wings and eggs.

No trip to Detroit is complete without catching some jazz. This no-frills soul-food restaurant and bar sets up an alfresco drinking patio and Motown karaoke on Saturdays, and musicians can check out the jazz open mic on Thursdays. 

With decades-old laminate tables and a stained glass awning over the bar, this place is the official go-to for a bloody Mary. A little bit peppery, each glass comes with a pickle spear, lime, and a beer sidecar.

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This Mexican bakery features old-fashioned wooden pastry cases filled with flaky empanadas, tarts, cookies, churros, homemade tortillas, tamales, and unmatched tres leches. Grab some tongs and wax paper and help yourself.

The old haunt hosts sports legends like Hank Aguirre and Al Kaline. Signed newspaper clippings and photographs plaster the walls to prove it. The menu consists of burgers and fries exclusively, but that's part of the charm.

As O.G. Italian American as it gets. Of course it's a local favorite. Think frescoes of Venice, lacy tablecloths, and homemade lasagna as big as the plate.

Not your average red-sauce joint. This light-filled Italian bistro serves delicious fare without breaking the bank.

This rustic farm-to-table eatery cooks most of its small-plate menu in a wood-fired oven. Serving ingredients from nearby urban farms, wines from small producers, and seasonally crafted cocktails, it's truly a locavore's dream.

Housemade pickled items line the shelves at this brine-focused eatery. The pickle-brined chicken and waffles, washed down with acpickle juice Bloody Mary make it a prime spot to brunch till you're pickled.

Go for a flat white, boiled egg-and-ricotta sandwich, coconut bread, and daily salads made with veggies from nearby urban farms. The ever-changing floor-to-ceiling chalkboard gives this inviting cafe an artistic feel.

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This Thai-inspired Corktown hotspot started as a food truck, but found its permanent home in a converted garage, cinderblock walls and all. Check out the live broadcast of their radio show Saturday nights 11p.m.-2a.m.

A wacky, English-style public house with a roaring fireplace and the most unassuming and delicious farm-to-table menu by chef Adam, who lives on an urban farm.

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Serving up sushi and colorful Vietnamese dishes, the pop-up restaurant in the old Verner Coney Island Diner shouldn't be missed. Only open a few days a week, the eatery is known for its delicious fried chicken and good music. If you're lucky you'll catch the contemporary rap melodies of Shigeto on the turntables while you eat.

In a city lacking in boutique properties, this is a cute, budget option in trendy Corktown. The hostel provides quirky, colorful rooms (shared and dorm-style), common spaces, and kitchens, as well as an educational twist: uniting guests with an authentic, wholistic understanding of the city and its offerings through free tours with volunteer "ambassadors" in the city. 

Four lovingly restored Victorian homes and two carriage houses make up the cozy bed and breakfast in Midtown. Rooms are simple and comfortable, and the hotel is just steps away from great art at DIA and shopping in Cass Corridor.

After a $200-million face-lift in 2008, the historic Italian Renaissance-style hotel brings back the 1920s glamor to Downtown Detroit. Sitting under vaulted ceilings over marble floors in the Italian Garden, it's not hard to imagine the good ol' days when the Kennedy's, Martin Luther King Jr., Frank Sinatra, and Lou Gehrig passed through.

This design-focused boutique hotel is a throwback to the way people used to travel: By checking into one of a few rooms above the local pub. Rub elbows with locals at the coffee shop or bar downstairs, and get their tips on what to do in the trendy Corktown neighborhood.

The old-school hat shop complete with cursive neon sign, a scrolling roster of ardent clients (including Kid Rock), and a history that dates back to 1893.

A small, family-owned grocer and cheese shop dating back to 1887, where your selection is cut and wrapped with butcher paper at an old-fashioned wooden cheese counter.

Just off Eastern Market, a stylish shop stocks pared-down apparel for both men and women, from carefully-curated vintage tees (think retro Tigers and Supremes) to the shop's own line of high-quality basics.

The two block radius around W. Canfield St. is home to fantastic, design-driven stores stocking everything from bicycles to terrariums to watches to leather notebooks. Pick up breakfast at Avalon Breads and amble over to the Shinola flagship for quality made-in-America goods, peruse artsy local goods at Nest and sister store City Bird across the street. Stop for lunch and drinks at the gastropub Traffic Jam and Sung, and then make one more stop at Nora for modern ceramics and maybe a fancy shave brush for Dad at Hugh.

On a road trip from California to Michigan, owner Erin Gavle picked up unique accessories, home goods, trinkets from resale shop garage sales, and craft fairs along the way. She then put them all up on shelves she built herself and opened her shop to share her discoveries with the rest of Detroit.

The best dollar-bin records in Motown. And refreshingly old-school with none of the pretension (and jacked-up prices) some newer record stores might have. Pick up funk, blues, jazz, soul,and r&b vinyl, and then consider a second-hand turntable or speakers to make it a complete collection.

A cozy, independent bookstore and publishing house. Sit back in one the comfy chairs and flip through artsy 'zines in the light-filled space.

A must-see Detroit-only experience. Spend the whole day thumbing through the vast selection of rare and used books stacked floor to ceiling on four sprawling floors of an old glove factory.

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, walk among colorful murals and open sheds at the farmers market where you can find everything from Michigan Honey-Crisp apples to artisan jewelry from local desigenrs. Open on Tuesdays and Saturdays. After you've got your market fix, cut through to the riverwalk for a breezy stroll along the water.