EZTrip.com International Destination Guide and Hotel Listings

Detroit's ethnic restaurants dish up the best (and least expensive) food in the city. Greektown , basically one block of Monroe Avenue between Beaubien and St Antoine streets, is crammed with authentic Greek places, and also contains Trappers Alley, a small mall brimming with good stalls and shops. Less commercial, but offering just as high a standard, are the bakeries, bars and cantinas of Mexican Town , five minutes from downtown. Royal Oak , ten miles north, has a wide range of vaguely alternative wholefood places, along with bars, record stores and bookstores, making it the liveliest suburban hangout in this massive sprawling metropolis.

Atwater Block Brewery 237 Joseph Campau St tel 313/393-2073. The new, spacious Rivertown brewpub serves up excellent beer-battered fish, mushrooms, mussels, wings and whatever else the chefs can think of.

Fishbone's Rhythm Kitchen Café 400 Monroe Ave, Greektown tel 313/965-4600. Noisy, fun and often packed Cajun joint.

Intermezzo 1435 Randolph St tel 313/961-0707. The cigar-and-martini set hangs out at this modern downtown Italian place. Good food.

La-Shish 12918 Michigan Ave, Dearborn tel 313/584-4477. Juice bar with good, inexpensive Lebanese dishes.

New Hellas Café 583 Monroe St, Greektown tel 313/961-5544. The very authentic, reasonably priced Greektown institution also includes the Top of the Hellas café, serving coffees and desserts in grand, relaxing surroundings.

Original Pancake House 33703 Woodward Ave, Birmingham tel 248/642-5775. Amid uninspired decor, it offers a huge variety of superb crepes, waffles, omelets and pancakes. Top breakfast spot.

Pronto ! 608 S Washington, Royal Oak tel 248/544-0123. Big salads and a huge selection of sandwiches are the specialties in a soothing pastel space.

Rattlesnake Club 300 River Place, Rivertown tel 313/567-4400. Owned by creative Detroit master chef Jimmy Schmidt, it contains a setting to match the exquisite food. Dinner will set you back $15-25 per main course; lunch costs a lot less.

Woodbridge Tavern 289 St Aubin St, Rivertown tel 313/259-0578. Excellent burgers and sandwiches come with the 1920s decor and a great outdoor terrace and live rock music Thurs-Sun.

Xochimilco 3409 Bagley Ave tel 313/843-0179. The cornerstone restaurant of Detroit's authentic Mexican Town area delivers on huge portions, great service and superb value. Open to 2am, but if it's full try El Zocala across the street.