Theater District

Detroit’s [1] impressive Theater District [2] is home to more than just gorgeously restored entertainment venues; it also boasts a decent array of restaurants, ideal for a pre-show meal. The Century Grille Restaurant (333 Madison Ave., 313/963-9800, www.gemtheatre.com [3], 5–8 p.m. Wed.–Fri., 4–8 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 3–6 p.m. Sun., $12–29), conveniently situated inside the Gem and Century Theatre Building [4], has a limited menu of soups, salads, Sunday brunch, and entrées like lamb chops and parmesan-crusted halibut. Theater and dinner packages are often worth considering, too.

A more casual option is the Hockeytown Café (2301 Woodward Ave., 313/965-9500, www.hockeytowncafe.com [5], 11 a.m.–close Mon.–Sat., noon–close Sun., $7–24). Though not far from the Fox Theatre [6], this bustling sports bar is, as the name implies, more popular among sports fans headed to or from nearby Comerica Park or Ford Field [7]. During hockey season, patrons can even hop the restaurant’s free shuttles to the Joe Louis Arena. Diners here can anticipate frequent drink specials, vittles like chicken wings and burgers, and a host of high-definition TVs broadcasting a variety of sporting events.

After shopping in the Eastern Market [8], head over to the Roma Cafe (3401 Riopelle St., 313/831-5940, 11 a.m.–10:30 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 11 a.m.–midnight Sat., $13–25), Detroit’s [1] oldest Italian restaurant, established in 1890. While classic dishes, such as gnocchi, lasagna, eggplant parmigiana, and tiramisu abound here, you’ll also find treats like breaded frog legs, filet mignon, and broiled whitefish.