Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Ann Arbor

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Ann Arbor? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Mani Osteria

4.9

4.9 (215)

$31 to $50

Italian

Ann Arbor

About the restaurant

Mani Osteria & Bar, our locally owned family-friendly Italian restaurant, has been serving wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and signature antipasti since 2011. You can find us in downtown Ann Arbor.

We take advance reservations for parties of 6 or more. Please note that not all of our large tables are displayed online, so please contact us to check for additional availability. We will do all we can to accommodate your group.

Top review

Lisa

Dined 4 days ago

Loved everything from the food to the service, but the one downfall this restaurant has is the noise level. You’re close in seating arrangements and the acoustics aren’t good so the noise level is high at full capacity. We had a business dinner and it was quite hard to hear at times. Other than that, I love it!

Zingerman's Roadhouse

4.7

4.7 (3922)

$31 to $50

American

Ann Arbor

About the restaurant

The seventh member of Zingerman’s Community of Businesses, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Roadhouse opened in 2003 with the vision of bringing really good American food to the community. The Roadhouse has worked hard to create its own truly unique food culture, transforming high-quality ingredients into traditional, full-flavored dishes after years of studying American foodways.

With chef Bob Bennett at the helm of the kitchen, and our James Beard Award nominated staff’s dedication to great service, the Roadhouse draws in regulars from all over. We welcome our fans from right down the block or from all over the country. Buttermilk Fried Chicken, award-winning Mac ‘n Cheese, NOLA Gumbo, Nashville Hot Chicken, Oyster Po’Boys, full-flavored burgers, and Donut Sundaes are just a few Roadhouse specialties that people look forward to every time they dine with us. Beyond these tried-and-true dishes, the Roadhouse is also a destination for really good BBQ!

Top review

Antonia

Dined 2 days ago

Everything was excellent! Our waiter Lukas top notch!! Excellent food and excellent service!!

The Earle

4.7

4.7 (3879)

$50 and over

French

Ann Arbor

About the restaurant

An award winning Ann Arbor institution since 1977, The Earle serves a rotating menu of fine Italian and French cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. Selections include lamb chops, veal, beef tenderloin, salmon, duck breast, sea scallops and more. Live jazz plays Tuesday through Saturday in the dining room. The Earle's nationally recognized wine list (Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence) offers over 1,400 selections. Three private rooms are available and accommodate groups from 6 to 48.

If you have any questions or are interested in a party of 9 or larger, please call 734-994-0211.

Top review

Eileen

Dined 1 day ago

Lovely birthday dinner to welcome our son and his wife home for the holidays.

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Popular dish

Salmon in Puff Pastry

Popular dish

French Onion Soup

Carlyle Grill

4.7

4.7 (1630)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Ann Arbor

About the restaurant

Carlyle Grill, an Ann Arbor mainstay has proudly served the Ann Arbor Community since 2006. We work with some of Michigan’s finest food producers and purveyors to bring you the freshest offerings around. From steak dinners to burgers and salads and everything in between, we pride ourselves on providing you the best in flavor – offering generous portions to feed the hungriest of guests.

Comfort is the theme at our relaxed, family-friendly restaurant, where the menu runs to familiar, home-style dishes with top-notch regional ingredients. Enjoy our welcoming atmosphere featuring colorful yet classic design elements – bringing in added warmth and comfort with deep mahogany accents and large flagstone columns in our main dining room.

During the warmer seasons, take advantage of the two open-air dining areas surrounding the restaurant. We also have a dedicated, breathtaking dining room available for large reservations or private dining events.

Top review

EmilyVIP

Dined on Dec 6, 2024

The food and ambiance is always excellent and our favorite server Caitlin does an impeccable job and is always top notch!

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Popular dish

Carrot Cake

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Ann Arbor

4.6

4.6 (1692)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Ann Arbor

About the restaurant

Ruth’s Chris Steak House – Downtown Ann Arbor, Ruth’s Chris Steak House serves only the best steaks, hand-selected from the top 2% of the country’s beef and broiled to perfection at 1,800 degrees so that every last bite stays as hot and delicious as the first. Enjoy the freshest seafood, classic sides and homemade desserts that satisfy any craving. Whether it’s a business meeting or private event, a guys’ night out, or just the girls, we will accommodate your every need in our warm and inviting atmosphere.

20% gratuity is added to all parties of 6 or more.

Please call (734) 585-5155 directly if reservations are not available.

Follow us on social media or email us at salesannarbor@ruthschris.com for exclusive information about our TasteMaker Wine Dinner Series - Featuring the biggest names in wine, our TasteMaker dinners perfectly pair these world-renowned wines with hand-crafted dishes created by the Ruth's Chris culinary team.

Top review

Michelle

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

Spectacular experience and food! Our server, Andy, was absolutely wonderful.

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4.6

4.6 (691)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Ann Arbor

About the restaurant

Celebrating craft beer and quality food using local vendors and products. Housed in a conversion of a 6,000 sq. ft. brick machine shop on Jackson road, with 70 rotating taps and a large covered beer garden.

Top review

Adam

Dined 1 day ago

Great updates. I would bring lights down. It is very bright very very bright.

Salt Springs Brewery

4.6

4.6 (832)

$30 and under

Brewery

Saline

About the restaurant

"Mammoths & saber-tooth tigers once roamed these lands in search of their rich salts. Paleo-Indians hunted, farmed and raised families here because of the salt springs. Early settlers named their town Saline after the salt springs, and now in this stunning +120 year-old former church, so does this brewery.

Salt Springs Brewery offers lovingly crafted & locally sourced food, true-to-style ales, wine, cider, and craft cocktails. Located in the heart of Saline, complete with an outdoor Biergarten and main dining room filled with the original stained from 1899, Salt Springs Brewery will quench your thirst and nourish your soul."

Top review

Maria

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Haven’t been since Covid and so glad we made the trek. Fantastic meal and service. Will be back sooner next time!

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Popular dish

BELT Pizza

Experience

Brunch at the Brewery

Experience

Half Time

Sam Hill

4.4

4.4 (96)

$30 and under

American

Dexter

About the restaurant

Sam Hill is a spacious indoor-outdoor gathering place for local friends and families to spend the day enjoying food, drinks, games, and entertainment of all sorts.

Top review

michaelVIP

Dined 2 days ago

This was our first visit and not sure what to expect. We were very happy about the whole experience….great menu and service was excellent. Would totally recommend for a nice casual night out…..

Zola Bistro

4.3

4.3 (828)

$30 and under

Contemporary French / American

Ypsilanti

About the restaurant

Zola Bistro is a modern, independently owned and operated bistro serving breakfast, lunch and dinner on Ann Arbor’s East Side.

Our menus are inspired by flavors and recipes borrowed from European and Mediterranean cultures and cuisine, including some Turkish recipes. We are committed to sourcing the most fresh and the highest quality ingredients available and supporting local businesses, farms and suppliers.

Zola Bistro’s seasonal menus emphasize organic and local produce, dairy, eggs, poultry, meat and seafood.
Our full service bar features artisanal cocktails, local craft on draft and a rotating wine selection that has been selected from various small production vineyards throughout the world.

Top review

William

Dined on Dec 1, 2024

Food was great! The service from Hadlea wonderful since she made great recommendations and provided tiptop service

HopCat - Ann Arbor

3.9

3.9 (59)

$30 and under

American

Ann Arbor

About the restaurant

We've created a funky environment filled with unique art that pays homage to the city's more psychedelic side. It's completely different from the other HopCat locations -- big enough, but with an intimate vibe. With a small sidewalk patio, we’re located around the corner from the Michigan Theater, Hill Auditorium, State Theatre, Rackham Auditorium, and University of Michigan’s full campus.

We’re known for our award-wining Cosmik fries, which are beer battered, sprinkled with our signature cracked black pepper seasoning, and served with a side of warm cheese sauce. From burgers to tacos, our menu offers a wide range of delicious options.

We live the craft lifestyle - beer, cocktails and even craft food made from scratch. With a dedication to local breweries, sustainability and community engagement, HopCat offers craft beer and great food in a vibrant atmosphere for an inclusive, unforgettable experience.

Top review

Daphne

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Good place to hang out with friends, had the loaded fries, which were really good.

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