Detroit’s Lively Neighborhood: A Hub of Greek Cuisine, Historic Streets, and Entertainment

You don’t have to travel all the way to Greece to enjoy the enrapturing smell of sizzling gyros and the sound of bouzouki music filling the streets. The historic neighborhood of Greektown in Detroit is a custodian to Hellenic culture and cuisine in the heart of the Midwest, preserving authentic establishments still thriving today. It’s not uncommon for a Michigan town to exude European charm. Hopping to the Midwest’s “Little Bavaria,” for example, will give you the Alpine retreat you’ve been dreaming of. And you certainly don’t need a passport to visit “Little Venice,” Detroit’s under-the-radar canal neighborhood of waterfront parks. 

Situated between Randolph Street and Chrysler Drive, this vibrant district was once home to a prosperous Greek expat community that settled in the area in the early 1900s. Today, it’s a bustling entertainment hub, with establishments such as Exodos Rooftop Bar putting on live Greek music, and the Greektown casino sporting the blue and white colors of the national flag. Walk down Monroe Avenue after dusk and you’ll see an array of clubs and eateries open until late, as well as music and entertainment venues with a Greek twist luring you in.

Its central location makes it a must-do when visiting the Motor City. It’s a short 10-minute walk from central Detroit and the Greektown metro stop drops you right in the middle of the action. If travelling from further afield, Greektown is 20 miles west of Detroit Metropolitan County Airport via I-94, which connects Detroit to other major hubs, including Indianapolis and Chicago.

Don’t be fooled by its name — Greektown wasn’t always 100% Greek. In fact, this lively district was first established by German immigrants settling in Michigan in the 1830s. It wasn’t until a century later that Greek expats started flooding in, bringing with them heaps of culture and new destinations such as musical venues, restaurants, and wineries.

As the beating heart of Greektown, Monroe Street is the best place to grab a tasty bite. It is home to establishments that have been going strong for decades, such as Pegasus Taverna. This family-run restaurant — perfect for family gatherings as well as late night snacks — has been feeding Detroit for over 30 years. Treat yourself to sticky baklava and crumbly feta from their deli counter, or sit down for a Retsina-filled meal featuring lamb chops and Pegasus’ famous saganaki flambé cheese. And don’t forget to leave a gap for dessert, as it wouldn’t be a worthy visit to Greektown without a trip to Astoria Pastry Shop. Another historic feature of Monroe Street, Astoria has been dishing out more than 100 types of pastries since 1971, when the Teftis family first opened their little shop. Not too fond of pistachios and honey or filo pastry? Not to worry, Astoria has all the classics covered, from glazed ring donuts and indulgent muffins to mouth-watering key lime pie.

Far from being an exception, Greektown is only one hub of authentic cuisine in the city. Midtown Detroit is also home to fantastic eateries, including an upscale Old Rome-inspired Italian restaurant.