Lunch in Ann Arbor, Michigan: Five Local Spots Where You Should Eat (With Map)

Best known as the home of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is as much a foodie destination as it is a college town. Whether you are visiting for the annual Ann Arbor Art Fair, a Michigan football game, or a weekend getaway, at some point you’re likely to wonder where to eat lunch in Ann Arbor. And trust me — there is no shortage of lunch options in this foodie college town.

As a Michigander, I’ve eaten lunch in Ann Arbor many times over the past 20-some years. However, I’ve limited my recommendations in this post to my favorite lunch spots from my visits within the past three years. Please note, some lunches in this post were hosted by Destination Ann Arbor during our partnership with Wanderful.

To access this post offline with GPS navigation to the restaurants listed, you can download the free GPSmyCity app and then have this Ann Arbor lunch guide handy when you are out and about. Want to learn more about how GPSmyCity works? I wrote about the app in this post.

Disclosure: Though I was sometimes eating on someone else’s dime, all opinions and experiences are strictly my own. This guide to Ann Arbor lunch spots also contains some affiliate links. When you click on or book a hotel room through one of these links, I may earn a small commission.  Now, let’s get back to what you really came here for — Ann Arbor’s best lunch restaurants!

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First of all, what kind of lunch food will you find in Ann Arbor?

Within a short walk of the University of Michigan campus, you’ll find a diverse selection of dining options. Interspersed with the classic American burger joints and pizzerias you might expect to see in a Midwest college town are restaurants serving exotic ethnic cuisines and full vegan menus.

Also, with Ann Arbor’s location in Southeast Michigan, the city’s restaurants benefit from the American Midwest’s bountiful agriculture. In fact, many of Ann Arbor’s best lunch spots source as many of their ingredients as possible from local farms and purveyors.

Of course, Michigan is also known for craft beer, and Ann Arbor’s breweries certainly add to that reputation. At lunchtime, the local microbreweries are dishing up delicious fare alongside their ales. Several of the restaurants on this list also serve craft libations made with locally distilled spirits.

Where to eat lunch in Ann Arbor, Michigan?

With so many tasty options in one college town, I’ve pinpointed my five favorite lunch places in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

All five of these Ann Arbor restaurants are conveniently located downtown or in the nearby Kerrytown neighborhood. Additionally, each of these restaurants is conveniently located near shopping, local attractions, public art, and the University of Michigan campus.

So, read on to see where you can eat my favorite Greek salad or sip a passion fruit milkshake with your chorizo burger!

Frita Batidos

Inspired by the Cuban street food chef Eve Aronoff Fernandez experienced during her childhood visits to Miami, Frita Batidos is the best Ann Arbor lunch spot to grab a burger and milkshake — with a little Latin flair, of course.

During lunch, picnic tables are filled with diners munching on garlic-cilantro fries inside the bright, all-white dining room. After eating lunch here in October 2018, it’s easy for me to see why Frita Batidos is such a hot spot.

Anchoring the menu are Fritas — burger patties topped with shoestring fries in a soft egg bun. At Frita Batidos, diners can build their Frita on a traditional Cuban chorizo patty, or they may opt for beef, chicken, fish, or a vegetarian black bean patty. Then you’ll load up your Frita with Muenster cheese, a sunny-side-up egg, cilantro-lime salsa, tropical slaw, avocado spread, jalapeño, or thick-cut bacon.

My Lunch Experience at Frita Batidos

I opted to “make it loco” adding everything except the jalapeño and bacon to my chorizo Frita. It was beyond messy — requiring a fork, knife, and complete disregard for how ungraceful I looked taking this Frita down.

Of course, the other half of the restaurant’s namesake is the Batido. In Cuba, you might find these milky smoothies sold by street vendors. At Frita Batidos, these tropical shakes are crafted with fresh fruit, the Detroit area’s Guernsey Dairy vanilla bean ice cream, and crushed ice. Coming in flavors such as coconut cream, hibiscus, and chocolate Español, it’s difficult to choose just one to order.

Personally, I highly recommend the passion fruit Batido. It’s smooth, creamy, and refreshingly fruity without being too sweet for a mid-day drink. If you are in the mood for an “adult beverage” just ask for a splash of rum for only $1 more.

Frita Batidos’ spicy chorizo burgers, garlic-cilantro fries, and rum-spiked tropical shakes are beloved by hungry college students and food critics alike. While those are all mouthwateringly delicious, I also recommend you don’t miss the twice-fried ripe plantains and churros. For another savory side, “the best snack ever” is a must. It’s coconut-ginger rice layered with black beans, melted Muenster, and a cilantro-lime salsa. Aptly named, IMO.

Essential Info for Dining at Frita Batidos

Woman-owned Cuban Burger Joint

Location: 117 W Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Hours: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Sunday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – Midnight Friday and Saturday

Phone: 734-761-2882

Website: fritabatidos.com

Atmosphere: Casual

Outdoor Seating: Yes

Wheelchair Accessible: No

Children’s Menu: Yes

Special Diets: Frita Batidos offers vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free dishes.

Takeout: Order here

Reservations: Not accepted

Miss Kim

Craving Asian food? Then I highly recommend heading over to Miss Kim at the Kerrytown Market & Shops.

This hip Korean restaurant serves a casual, Asian street-food-inspired lunch menu. You’ll find bibimbop, Bahn Mi sandwiches, fluffy buns, salads, and shareable veggie sides like kimchi and seasoned “smashed” potatoes.

My Lunch Experience at Miss Kim

When I dined at Miss Kim, I ordered a bowl of the signature purple multigrain rice topped with sliced avocado, a soft egg, and grilled garlic chicken from Indiana-based Miller Amish Country Poultry. Adding texture and color to the filling bowl were seasonal veggies from the local farmers’ market. It was filling yet felt light, fresh, and healthy.

When eating lunch at Miss Kim, you absolutely must try the fluffy steamed buns. Personally, I’m a fan of the roasted pork belly bun. The combination of hoisin sauce, scallions, ginger, and thinly sliced cucumbers is absolutely scrumptious.

Though the lunch menu slightly changes each week, you can always expect dishes created with fresh, seasonal, and locally-sourced ingredients at Miss Kim.

Essential Info for Dining at Miss Kim

Woman-owned, Asian-owned Korean Restaurant

Location: Kerrytown Market & Shops, 415 N 5th Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Hours: 11:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Monday, Closed Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday, 11:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Sunday

Phone: 734-275-0099

Website: misskimannarbor.com

Atmosphere: Casual

Outdoor Seating: Yes

Wheelchair Accessible: Wheelchair Accessible

Children’s Menu: Yes

Special Diets: The Miss Kim lunch menu clearly labels dishes as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, soy-free, nut-free, dairy-free, and fish-sauce-free. All kids’ meals are free of soy, nuts, dairy, and gluten.

Takeout:  Place carry-out for pickup | Order delivery here | Call 734-275-0099

Reservations: Book here

Pretzel Bell

From its opening in 1934 until it closed nearly 50 years later, the original Pretzel Bell was a beloved hangout for both college students and locals. After more than 30 years, Pretzel Bell returned to Ann Arbor as a bi-level restaurant and bar.

University of Michigan memorabilia adorns the walls and fills cases throughout the dining room, evoking nostalgia while paying homage to “U of M.” Since the decor is inspired by the university, Pretzel Bell would be a fitting restaurant for eating lunch before attending a Michigan football game.

With its outdoor seating along the sidewalk, dining under a blue umbrella at the Pretzel Bell is especially enjoyable in summer. In fact, Pretzel Bell is in a prime location for a lunch break during July’s annual Ann Arbor Art Fair.

Serving modern American comfort food, Pretzel Bell’s lunch menu features salads, burgers, sandwiches, Detroit-style pizza, and upscale comfort food favorites such as beer-battered fish & chips and pretzel-crusted mac & cheese.

My Lunch Experience at Pretzel Bell

Personally, I’m a fan of Pretzel Bell’s burgers. One of my favorites is the blue burger topped with blue cheese, tomato bacon jam, and an aioli. Another burger I recommend is the turkey and avocado burger with Michigan white cheddar, lettuce, tomato, pickled red onion, and an aioli. Most burgers are served either on a pretzel roll or a brioche bun made by a local bakery.

Essential Info for Dining at Pretzel Bell

New American Restaurant & Bar

Location: 226 S Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Hours: 4 – 9:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday, 4 – 11 p.m. Friday, 1 – 11 p.m. Saturday, 12 – 9:30 p.m. Sunday

Phone: 734-994-2773

Website: thepretzelbell.com

Atmosphere: Casual

Outdoor Seating: Yes

Wheelchair Accessible: Yes

Children’s Menu: Yes

Special Diets: Vegetarian dishes include a black bean burger, a variety of salads, nachos, and a soft pretzel appetizer.

Takeout: Order here

Reservations: Book here

Sava’s

Since 2007, Sava’s has grown from a 23-seat lunch spot, where entrepreneur Sava Farah was both cooking and serving her customers, to a 300-seat flagship restaurant of her hospitality group. Certainly, Sava’s has become a State Street mainstay for lunch in Ann Arbor.

Offering a breakfast and lunch menu until 3 p.m. daily, you’ll find lunch selections such as fresh salads, savory sandwiches, and hearty grain and pasta bowls.

My Lunch Experience at Sava’s

On more than one occasion, I have ordered Sava’s Greek salad. Served in a bowl filled with mixed greens, the Greek salad had roasted beets, cucumber, tomatoes, chickpeas, onion, pepperoncini, kalamata olives, feta, and grilled pita. While I found Sava’s Greek salad plenty filling for lunch as it is, you could also add a protein of chicken, shrimp, or salmon. It’s actually quite delicious with chicken if you are looking to add a protein to your salad.

Having most recently eaten lunch at Sava’s on Father’s Day 2021, I can also share that the cocktails and burgers were thoroughly enjoyed by my husband and father. Sava’s burger is a Wagyu beef patty topped with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and the house sauce. It comes with Parmesan & garlic fries that are pretty irresistible.

In addition to the main dishes, Sava’s offers a number of small plates ideal for sharing. So far, I’ve tried the tasty bang bang shrimp served on crispy brown rice cakes. Whichever small plate you choose, I don’t think you could go wrong at Sava’s.

Essential Info for Dining at Sava’s

Woman-owned Restaurant

Location: 216 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday

Phone: 734-623-2233

Website: savasannarbor.com

Atmosphere: Casual

Outdoor Seating: Yes

Wheelchair Accessible: Yes

Children’s Menu: No

Special Diets: Several vegetarian options, some vegan and gluten-free options

Takeout: Order pickup here

Reservations: Book here

Zingerman’s Delicatessen

An Ann Arbor institution since 1982, Zingerman’s Delicatessen serves made-to-order sandwiches, housemade deli sides, soups, and other Jewish specialties.

Additionally, the deli carries a refined selection of gourmet groceries, and the Next Door cafe serves Zingerman’s Coffee, pastries, cakes, gelato, candy, and high-quality chocolate.

Of course, at lunch, the sandwich reigns king here. In fact, the menu features more than 50 sandwiches!

You’ll find Ruebens, BLTs, a Cubano, and Zingerman’s take on an Italian sub. There are sandwiches made with corned beef, pastrami, Amish chicken, roast beef, cold-smoked salmon, and more.

Plus, the menu lists several vegetarian sandwiches and even a couple vegan options. In particular, Sheila’s Viva Las Vegan sounds delicious with hummus, artichokes, roasted red pepper, and baby spinach on Zingerman’s grilled farm bread.

My Lunch Experience at Zingerman’s Deli

On my first visit to Zingerman’s Deli, I selected Benno’s Birdie. Definitely a sandwich for pesto lovers, it’s Amish chicken breast, Ligurian pesto, oven-dried tomatoes, and fresh, handmade mozzarella on grilled rustic Italian bread.

Knowing Zingerman’s esteemed reputation, I also added a side of garlic potato salad. Made with redskin potatoes, the salad had just the right amount of garlic. It’s definitely a side I’d order again. Rounding out my lunch was a crisp new pickle and a housemade root beer.

Many diners also choose to add a bag of Zingerman’s Potato Chips to their order. Combining Traverse City’s Great Lakes Potato Chips with Épices de Cru spices, the chips come in four flavors: Detroit Street Barbecue, French Grey Sea Salt, Tellicherry Black Pepper, and Dill-icious Deli Pickle. I’ve eaten the Detroit Street Barbecue chips and want to try the French Grey Sea Salt next time. Which chips would you add to your lunch?

At the time of updating this post in November 2021, Zingerman’s Deli is not accepting in-person orders. The deli is open for shopping and coffee, but sandwich orders must be placed in advance. You can call in your order at 734-663-3354 or by placing your order here.

Essential Info for Dining at Zingerman’s Deli

Delicatessen & Sandwich Shop

Location: 422 Detroit St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Hours: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Daily

Phone: 734-663-3354

Website: zingermansdeli.com

Atmosphere: Casual

Outdoor Seating: Yes

Wheelchair Accessible: Yes

Children’s Menu: Yes

Special Diets: The vegetarian menu includes several vegetarian sandwiches and even a couple vegan options. Any sandwich can be made on gluten-free bread for an extra charge. Zingerman’s Deli recommends customers inform the staff of any food allergies to ensure each order is safe to eat.

Takeout: Order here

Reservations: Not accepted

Map of Ann Arbor’s Best Lunch Spots

Search the map below to find these Ann Arbor lunch spots:

Visiting Ann Arbor?

Now that you’ve seen some of the tasty lunches you could eat in Ann Arbor, I wouldn’t blame you if you’re craving a visit. To help plan your trip to Ann Arbor, I’ve written about the following topics:

• Best Ann Arbor Takeout & Food Delivery
• Locally-owned Ann Arbor bookstores
• Unique Ann Arbor coffee shops
• Boutique hotels in Ann Arbor: Graduate Ann Arbor and Weber’s Boutique Hotel
• Michigan football game day, including where to eat before and/or after
• Date ideas in Ann Arbor for foodie couples
• Where to eat, drink, and shop in Ypsilanti, Michigan

Also, if you are wondering where to stay in Ann Arbor, I recommend Graduate Ann Arbor and Weber’s Boutique Hotel.

For more resources in planning your trip, visit Destination Ann Arbor and check out these self-guided Ann Arbor tours. You can also use the map below to search for hotels and vacation rentals in Ann Arbor.

  So, where do you want to eat lunch in Ann Arbor?