New Restaurants, Closings & Trends: Metro Detroit Dining News for January 2026

Rock & Brews, the national restaurant concept founded by KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, is set to make its Michigan debut this spring in downtown Royal Oak. The venue will occupy the former HopCat space and feature three levels: a first-floor dining room, a second-floor bar with a live concert stage, and a third-floor open-air rooftop sky lounge with DJ performances. The menu will include beers, "rocktails," and American fare, with some locations offering dishes like the Alice Cooper Poison Burger, paying homage to Detroit's rich musical heritage.

 

Cardoon, an all-in-one European-inspired bakery, all-day café, deli, and provisions market, is slated to open this spring in Sylvan Lake. From the team behind Sylvan Table, Cardoon aims to be a place where patrons can grab everything needed for a dinner party and also enjoy a glass of wine and a bowl of pasta before heading home. The café will serve coffee, beer, wine, and cocktails all day, with breakfast plates and pastries in the morning. The full-service deli will offer sliced-to-order meats and cheeses, while the food menu will feature schiacciata and panuozzo sandwiches, fresh pastas, pizzas, rustic breads, and viennoiserie. Notable items include porchetta schiacciata, a Danish-style hot dog, mortadella and pesto panuozzo, Swedish cardamom buns, as well as house-made sausages and cured-in-house charcuterie.

 

Hunã Bar, a new tiki bar, is set to open in February in Ann Arbor, occupying the space below Echelon Kitchen & Bar. The bar will feature tiki drinks and pu pus prepared by Chef Joseph VanWagner. Additionally, memberships to the bar will be available, offering perks like access to events, members-only days, priority reservations, merchandise, and more.

 

Lola’s Taco Bar celebrated its grand opening on January 12 in Grosse Pointe Woods. The fast-casual restaurant serves tacos, burritos, bowls, queso, rotisserie chicken, margaritas, beers, and more. One of its owners, Brandon McRill, previously founded Rebelle, a Michelin-starred restaurant in New York City.

 

Medusa Cucina Siciliana, a Sicily-inspired eatery, officially debuted on January 15 in Midtown Detroit. This is the second Detroit restaurant from SheWolf chef-owner Anthony Lombardo, a two-time James Beard Award semifinalist. The menu features wine, cocktails, Sicilian street food, pastas, couscous, and small seafood bites like Insalata di Mare (grilled octopus, shrimp, calamari, banana pepper, potato, caper dressing).

 

Slows Bar BQ, known for staples like brisket, pulled pork, ribs, mac ’n cheese, and signature sandwiches like The Yardbird, opened a new location in Berkley in late December inside the former Berkley Common building. This follows the opening of another location in downtown Ann Arbor just weeks prior.

 

Motor City Brewing Works, a Cass Corridor staple for pizzas and house-brewed beers, is pausing operations on February 8. The brewery’s steam line, which operates on Detroit’s 100-year-old thermal steam grid, has corroded, making brewing impossible. While closed, the brewery will explore solutions to become independent from the grid and consider options for the future of the location.

 

Hygrade Deli, a historic deli on Michigan Avenue in Detroit, closed in late December and is currently in receivership after defaulting on two business loans. Hygrade first opened in 1955, over 70 years ago, and its future remains uncertain.

 

The Fed Community Wine Dinner is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, at The Fed in Clarkston. This exclusive wine dinner will take place in The Gold Bar, a speakeasy-style bar in the basement of The Fed. The event is open to current and prospective wine locker holders, or those interested in experiencing a multi-course meal with wine pairings. The evening will feature an afterglow with music from John Arnold.

 

Vodka Fest 2026 will be held on Saturday, January 31, at the Royal Oak Farmer’s Market. Attendees can sample vodkas and meet brand ambassadors from around the world, who will provide insight into their products. Food will be available for purchase, and the evening will feature DJs and dancing. Proceeds from the event will benefit K9 Charities.

 

Galentine Night’s Out is set for February 5 at The Royal Park Hotel in Rochester. Guests can sip champagne and enjoy strolling bites at the hotel’s third annual Galentine Night’s Out Celebration. The night will include a cash bar, live DJ, DIY bath salt making station, bingo, and shopping booths from local vendors.

 

Super Bowl Sunday Brunch will take place on February 8 at Grey Ghost in Detroit. Guests can get ready for the big game with a multi-course brunch of Super Bowl-inspired fare, with drinks available at an additional cost.