About
Welcome to Central Kitchen Bar, a vibrant dining destination nestled in the heart of downtown Detroit. Known for its trendy yet casual ambiance, this American eatery is perfect for food lovers seeking a delightful culinary experience. With a focus on great hospitality, Central Kitchen Bar excels in providing a warm and inviting atmosphere where walk-ins are welcome and reservations are accepted.
At Central Kitchen Bar, you’ll find a diverse menu that caters to all palates, including an array of vegan and vegetarian options. Whether you’re in the mood for the renowned vodka rigatoni or the chef's special fish and chips, each dish is crafted with care and a playful twist that promises to tantalize your taste buds. Customer favorites like the smash burger with herb fries and the comforting bolognese showcase the restaurant's dedication to quality and flavor.
The service at Central Kitchen Bar is often highlighted by patrons, who have celebrated birthdays and special occasions here. From the moment you enter, you are greeted by friendly staff who genuinely care about your dining experience. With rave reviews praising the knowledgeable wait staff and the quick service, it’s clear this establishment values its customers highly.
As you dine, immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere accompanied by a full bar, where refreshing cocktails like the Lavender Bees Knees can elevate your meal to new heights. The restaurant not only caters to adults, as it's also family-friendly, with a casual dress code that invites everyone to relax and enjoy.
Central Kitchen Bar is more than just a place to eat; it's a gathering space that fosters connections through food and drink. The lovely outdoor seating area welcomes you to enjoy your meal in the fresh air, while the vibrant interior buzzes with energy. With many unique menu items to explore and a commitment to exceptional service, Central Kitchen Bar stands out as one of the best dining spots in downtown Detroit.
If you're looking for a memorable dining experience, whether it's lunch, dinner, or even brunch before the game, Central Kitchen Bar will surely not disappoint. Come for the food, stay for the community, and let yourself be swept away in the flavors and ambiance that this restaurant uniquely provides.
“ I was looking for a specific type of restaurant to go to and this restaurant came up in my search. Parking is a little rough so you definitely have to pack your patience or be prepared to walk a little bit. We were immediately greeted when we entered and the excellent customer service continued throughout the experience. I got the chef's special (fish and chips). It was the best fish and chips that I have had in years...possibly ever. The fish (perch) was seasoned well and fried to perfection. They served it with three sauces as well as additional condiments that complimented the fish as well as the chips (fries). We celebrated a few special occasions and indulged in the carrot cake which was delicious. (There was a distinct taste to the apples that it was garnished with that we could've done without.) They brought over some ice cream for my friend's birthday as well. Overall, this was a great experience and I would definitely recommend this to anyone who asked. ”
“ The food here is amazing, good for the price and the service was excellent. Our server Nya was very polite and she recommended the cheese curds which were delicious. The vodka rigatoni was the best rigatoni I've ever had, I added chicken to it and it made it even better! The chicken sandwich came with fries that had a crazy delicious truffle sauce on the side! Overall, this place is probably one of my favorites in downtown Detroit! Such a cute semi-casual spot to eat lunch around Campus Martius. They also offer a parking validation for a garage nearby which tops it all off. ”
“ Service sets Central Kitchen + Bar apart. Knowledgable wait staff guide you through the menu with charm and warmth. There are great views of the street from most tables in the restaurant, however there is a peculiar wait station breaking up the long view in the interior. The drinks are solid, and the beer is perfectly cold. I loved the ricotta and honey with caramelized tomatoes spread. The bread, though thickly cut, was perfect with a nice buttery sear on each side. The bolognese is also very enjoyable - classic and comforting. The French dip was good in parts - the sauce a bit too savory and the crease of the sandwich had an overwhelming quantity of mayonnaise. I took a photo but I'll spare you, because overall the experience was very enjoyable. If you find yourself thirsty and/or hungry in downtown Detroit, the Central Kitchen + Bar is definitely worth a visit. ”
“ Food 4/5 The smash burger with chips, herb fries and Power salad were outstanding. The wings were not favorite, because they had too much of a lemony sauce and could have been baked more to congeal the sauce. I would order evening again, except the wings. My friend had the salmon bowl and said it was very delicious--beautiful presentation of veggies with the fish. My cocktail was very tasty, Lavender Bees Knees Service 5/5 Our group attempted to dine at 3 other restaurants before making our way here, and we were met with one off putting server and closed or no further dining space for brunch. It was very refreshing to be greeted warmly by the hostess immediately with seating and a great server, Saffiyah. Ambiance 4/5 I've be a patron of Central Kitchen before, and it's been a while, so I was happy to have a good dining experience. ”
“ Came here for brunch before a lions game. The restaurant was very busy, because seemed like everyone else had the same idea lol we were sat quickly and our server was great. I got the brunch burger and my husband got the chicken and waffles. Both were great dishes! We got a few drinks as well. Overall a great meal, will be back! ”
“ First time here.. Came by after work for a meeting.. Really good hospitality and vibes.. Service was really good.. The bartender suggested the burger and he was spot on... Very good and big.. I really enjoyed the food and vibes here. It wasn't crowded at all, plenty of seats and friendly staff. ”
“ Had a bit of a difficult time getting here due to the Detroit Free Press Marathon setup, but once inside all was golden! My friend had made reservations and we were seated immediately. Our server, Niya (not sure about the spelling) was amazing! We ordered drinks- my Refresher course was brisk and refreshing- and three sharable plates. My favorite was the Delicata Squash. The squash was tender with a bit of charring and the nuts and pomegranate made for interesting textural and flavor pops. The Tenderloin Tips were also extremely tender and the tzatziki sauce was creamy and cool. The Whipped Ricotta had fresh tomatoes and lightly grilled bread which made for a delicious bite. I am not a huge truffle fan, so I didn't enjoy the truffle honey as much, but it certainly was not overpowering. All in all it was the perfect amount of food for the two of us. Would go back and try other dishes. ”
“ Ambiance. Packed on a Fri night. Seems like this spot is to see and be seen. Beautiful people. Interesting decor. Bar is the main attraction, but the atrium seating had a relaxing lounge vibe. But music was a tad too loud for this old lady. Service. Wonderful. Timely. Friendly. F&B. BEST PART. That Burrata Toast changed my life. WOW... the combination of the textures and flavors were PERFECTION: savory-sweet-juicy housemade tomato jam, creamy-salty burrata, and crispy-crunchy zucchini chips, and chewy wholesome artisan bread kept amazing me. And the housemade Blueberry Lemonade wowed me too. Central Kitchen + Bar, you hit it on the spot. Of note. Street parking. Loos clean and stocked. Overall, highly recommend. ”
“ The ambiance was nice. It had a classic upscale feel while making me feel welcome. Our server was great, he was attentive and made sure we had everything we needed. The drinks were nice. The espresso Martini was a particular hit as it was not too overpowering and well balanced. The "so fresh so clean" was nice, the mezcal was a bit overwhelming when compared to the other flavors of the drink, but not bad. The smoked salmon spread was lovely. I enjoyed it, but could have used a few more crackers as it was a sharable dish and was disproportionate to the aplmount of spread. The food was good. The tomato Bisque was a hit and was paired well with the balsamic glase. The dressing on the power salad was very nice the chicken paillard was a bit overcooked, but still had a good flavor and was nicely dressed. The scallops were cooked perfectly! I do wish there were a couple more options for the entre. Overall a very nice expirance and I would recommend visiting if you are looking for a nice place to dine. ”