Where to Eat & Drink

Right around Cass Lake & Waterford (5–15 min)

Closest to the house for an easy night — and don't forget you can fire up the wood-fired pizza oven for a DIY pizza night at home.

• The Beachcomber

  ~5 min

  Casual lakeside bar & grill right on the water in nearby Keego Harbor — burgers, drinks, and a patio in summer.

• Pontiac's revival scene

  ~10–15 min

  Nearby Pontiac has a growing lineup of restaurants, taprooms, and a public food hall worth exploring.

• Everyday options

  5–10 min

  Plenty of pizzerias, coney/diners, and chains along M-59 and Dixie Highway for a quick, low-key meal.

Clarkston — the closest great dining (~15 min)

Walkable, historic downtown Clarkston is the area's standout food cluster.

• Union Woodshop

  ~15 min

  Beloved wood-fired BBQ — ribs, brisket, wood-fired pizza, and mac & cheese. Casual, lively, and very popular (co-owned by Kid Rock), so expect a wait on weekends.

• Clarkston Union

  ~15 min

  Comfort food in a beautifully converted 1800s church — famous for its beer-cheese soup and mac & cheese.

• Honcho

  ~15 min

  Modern Latin street food — tacos, wood-fired plates, and great cocktails. A local favorite.

• Parker's Hilltop Brewery

  ~15 min

  Brewpub with house beers, a big patio, and scratch pub food.

Birmingham — date night & fine dining (~20–25 min)

Upscale, walkable downtown Birmingham is the spot for a special dinner.

• Townhouse

  ~22 min

  Stylish New American with one of the best patios in town — also a popular brunch.

• Phoenicia

  ~22 min

  Long-running, upscale Lebanese — a Birmingham institution.

• Adachi

  ~22 min

  Sleek modern Japanese in a striking dining room.

• Commonwealth

  ~22 min

  Beloved all-day breakfast & brunch spot.

• Griffin Claw Brewing

  ~20 min

  Well-known local brewery and taproom with a full kitchen.

Royal Oak & Berkley — lively & casual (~25–30 min)

• Vinsetta Garage

  ~25 min

  Burgers, pizza, and comfort food in a converted vintage auto garage on Woodward.

• Lily's Seafood

  ~30 min

  Seafood, brunch, and house-brewed beer in walkable downtown Royal Oak.

• Downtown Royal Oak

  ~30 min

  Dozens more bars and restaurants packed into a few walkable blocks.

Detroit-style pizza — the must-try

Square, thick, crispy-edged, and cheese-to-the-corner: Detroit-style pizza was invented here. Worth the trip at least once.

• Buddy's Pizza

  20–40 min

  The original Detroit-style pizza (since 1946). The Detroit and several suburban locations make it easy to find.

• Loui's Pizza

  ~30 min

  Iconic, old-school Detroit-style in Hazel Park — a longtime favorite of locals.

• Shield's

  ~25 min

  A metro-Detroit pizza staple with suburban locations.

Downtown Detroit classics (~40 min)

Make a day of it — pair a meal with a game, a museum, or Eastern Market.

• American & Lafayette Coney Island

  ~40 min

  The legendary side-by-side coney dog rivals downtown — order a coney, fries, and a Vernors.

• Slows Bar BQ

  ~40 min

  Famous Corktown barbecue that helped put the neighborhood on the map.

• Selden Standard

  ~40 min

  Acclaimed seasonal small plates in Midtown — one of Detroit's best.

• Eastern Market

  ~40 min

  Historic Saturday market plus great eats nearby like Supino Pizzeria and Russell Street Deli.

Breweries & coffee

Oakland County has a strong craft-beer scene. Closest taprooms: Parker's Hilltop (Clarkston, ~15 min) and Griffin Claw (Birmingham, ~20 min); Lily's brews its own in Royal Oak. For mornings, you'll find local coffee shops in Clarkston and Birmingham — or just brew a cup at the home's coffee bar before you head out.