Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Ann Arbor

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

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!

The Earle

4.8

4.8 (4005)

$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

NancyVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent food and service. Refreshingly quiet atmosphere. Perfect restaurant in which to celebrate an anniversary or birthday.

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Popular dish

Salmon in Puff Pastry

Popular dish

French Onion Soup

Zingerman's Roadhouse

4.7

4.7 (4039)

$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

Brandon

Dined 2 days ago

Lukas was an amazing server and was very attentive to our allergy needs, as well as the kitchen. Will definitely be our new place for special occasions!

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Popular dish

Fried Chicken Macaroni & Cheese

Popular dish

Fried Chicken Sandwich

Sam Hill

4.7

4.7 (113)

$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

Tara

Dined on Jun 23, 2025

We had a large party & our server was amazing! Outside was closed, but what a GREAT space!! Food was great-so many options- even for vegetarian and gluten free!!!

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Experience

Reserve the Cabana in The Yard!

Experience

Reserve the Fireside Lounge in The Yard!

Mani Osteria

4.6

4.6 (218)

$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

Mary

Dined 7 days ago

Our family was there to celebrate our anniversary and the staff did a great job making all comfortable and happy and well fed, and everyone was very kind.

The Session Room

4.6

4.6 (717)

$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

TraciVIP

Dined on Jun 27, 2025

Great food and service. I wish their Tuna Poke bowl was not just on their specials menu. It’s delish!

The Grateful Crow

4.6

4.6 (77)

$30 and under

Global, International

Chelsea

About the restaurant

Located in downtown Chelsea, MI our burger and sushi restaurant is the perfect solution for diverse palates. With its romantic gothic industrial interior, hand-crafted cocktails and original artwork gracing every turn and table.

For reservations please note;

-All reservations are held for up to 15 minutes past the scheduled time. If you are going to be late on arrival, we kindly request you call us and let us know.
-During high-volume service, all reservations are booked in 2 hour increments. Please be advised, so we can accommodate future guest seatings.
-All reservations made in-house are done with at least 2 hours in advance notice.
-For large party reservations, please call the restaurant directly and one of our team members will be happy to assist you.
-If you do not see an available time online for your party, please call directly to the restaurant and we will be happy to look for options.

We're looking forward to your dining experience with us here at The Grateful Crow!

Top review

Julie

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

We have gone to Grateful Crow for Mothers Day and then for Fathers Day-great menu, great service! Its something special! My family has also eaten outside and said it was great as well.

Bitter Truth BBQ

4.6

4.6 (26)

$31 to $50

Barbecue

Ypsilanti

About the restaurant

Intimate barbecue restaurant/cocktail lounge with an Art Deco vibe. Perfect for date night, a celebration with friends or just a cozy retreat. Enjoy a cocktail from our curated menu, paired with genuine smokehouse barbecue.

Top review

Carmen

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

The service was exceptional and the food was very good although the collard greens were bland and full of stems. It was a very nice experience

Salt Springs Brewery

4.5

4.5 (877)

$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

Judy

Dined on Jun 25, 2025

Food was excellent, service was top tier and enjoyed the happy hour!

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Experience

Brunch at the Brewery

4.4

4.4 (73)

$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

Lynn

Dined on Jun 13, 2025

The burgers were phenomenal and the fries delicious

Cafe Zola

4.3

4.3 (1047)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Ann Arbor

About the restaurant

Café Zola is an independently owned and operated restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in downtown Ann Arbor. 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 freshest and highest quality ingredients available and supporting local businesses, farms, and suppliers. Café Zola’s seasonal menus emphasize organic and local produce, dairy, eggs, poultry, meat and seafood. Our full service bar features artisanal cocktails, happy hour specials, and a rotating wine selection chosen from various small production vineyards throughout the world.

Reservations move you to the top of the list.
You may still wait 10-30 minutes.
We may use more than one table for large groups.
If you are interested in a reservation for a large group or special event, please contact us directly.

Top review

HowardVIP

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

Our party of four very much enjoyed our dinners of tofu, salmon, and your signature pasta entrees. Excellent flavor throughout. Picky points include serving the salmon in a bowl rather than a plate to limit chasing the sauce with a fork. Also bringing the martini shaker to the table is a charming touch but dilutes the drink noticeably. And finally the coffee temperature was cooler than expected. Service by Daryl was superb.

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