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Michigan’s changing seasons are always the perfect time to celebrate food that comes straight from the source. Across Metro Detroit, a growing number of restaurants are redefining what it means to eat local: partnering with area farms, growing their own produce, and crafting menus that change with the seasons. From cozy cafés to chef-driven kitchens, these farm-to-table spots highlight the best of what’s fresh, flavorful, and homegrown.
The Dixboro Project
5400 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor
Blending culinary creativity with rustic charm, The Dixboro Project honors local tradition while introducing modern twists. Among the expansive 20-acre space, you’ll find two unique dining concepts: the fine-dining Dixboro House and the more casual The Boro, which offers wood-fired pizzas, pastries, and takeaway options. The menu celebrates Michigan’s seasonal growth through dishes like wagyu-filled ravioli, gnocchi paired with pumpkin and turkey sausage, and duck legs with barbecue baked beans and bacon. “Nestled in the woods of charming Dixboro Village, The Dixboro Project invites you to experience abundant nature and an inventive menu that blends rich flavors with over a century of local culinary tradition,” shares the Dixboro team. With its warm atmosphere and woodland setting, The Dixboro Project captures the heart of farm-to-table dining in both spirit and flavor.
Folk Detroit
1701 Trumbull, Detroit
In Corktown, Folk Detroit has become a neighborhood staple for its cozy atmosphere, community-driven ethos, and locally sourced menu. The café serves up delicious, feel-good brunch and lunch fare like the Crunch Wrap with a Detroit-made tostada, egg frittata, and pickled onions, and the Folk Nosh Plate featuring a biscuit, jammy egg, rotating cheese, and local greens. Seasonal soups and harvest salads showcase produce from area farms such as Corn Wine Oil Farms. Founder and owner of Folk Detroit, Rohani Foulkes says, “Folk is your one-stop-shop for delicious food, biodynamic wines, and specialty coffee, served in a cozy Aussie-style café…We pride ourselves on sourcing locally, sustainably, and ethically.” With a menu that shifts with the seasons and a focus on freshness, Folk Detroit is as nourishing to the community as it is to the palate.
Sylvan Table
1819 Inverness Street, Sylvan Lake
Tucked in Sylvan Lake, aptly-named Sylvan Table takes the farm-to-table philosophy to heart, literally growing ingredients on a working three-acre farm just steps from the kitchen. The restaurant’s commitment to sustainability extends from composting food scraps to sourcing from trusted Michigan producers. Owner Nicole Ryan, executive chef Christopher Gadulka, and farm manager Rick Rigutto lead a team focused on closing the loop between land and plate. The menu reflects the season, featuring items like Rabbit Schnitzel, Grilled Pumpkin Curry, Berkshire Pork Chops, and Wood-Fired Flatbreads topped with hot honey and house-made cheese. Side dishes like honey-glazed Brussels sprouts, hay-smoked mashed potatoes, and roasted butternut squash bring Michigan’s fall harvest to life. At Sylvan Table, every meal is an invitation to savor sustainability in delicious ways.
Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails
15 East Kirby Street, Suite D, Detroit
In Midtown, Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails has become synonymous with vibrant, locally sourced cuisine and an upbeat dining experience. The restaurant’s playful approach to food, what the team calls “good mood food”, reflects its dedication to Michigan’s farmers and foragers. Examples of finds on Chartreuse’s ever-changing menu might include Smoked Fish Cakes, Amish chicken with rye spaetzle, Squash Coconut Curry, or Pork Belly with curried apples and crispy rice. Bright, fresh, and inventive, Chartreuse Kitchen & Cocktails proves that sustainability and creativity go hand in hand.
Mabel Gray
23825 John R Road, Hazel Park
Mabel Gray offers a highly acclaimed farm-to-table experience. Chef James Rigato’s ever-changing menu showcases Michigan’s ingredients in unexpected ways; think roasted beet salad, clam chowder with jalapeños, honeycrisp apples paired with kimchi, or Charred Cabbage Char Siu. The restaurant features limited seating, creating an intimate setting where each meal feels special. “Our kitchen is small and our à la carte menu changes weekly. The chef’s choice tasting menu is offered daily and is an 8-course menu completely overseen by me, Chef James. The guest relinquishes all control and allows themselves to be surprised by each dish,” Rigato explains. At Mabel Gray, every plate showcases seasonality and craftsmanship.
From rustic farms and forest retreats to cafés and fine-dining kitchens, Metro Detroit’s farm-to-table restaurants celebrate Michigan’s harvests in every bite. Whether you’re enjoying a relaxed brunch or an elegant tasting menu, these spots remind us that the best meals are grown and shared close to home.
This article has been updated to include new information. The original article was published on May 3, 2023, and was authored by Katie Goncalves.
