Fall is the perfect time to spend a weekend in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Imagine changing leaves, a hot coffee in hand, and a stroll across campus on a sunny day. This feeling brings back those treasured memories of your favorite college days.
Named the #1 Best College Town in the U.S. by World Atlas, Ann Arbor is home to the University of Michigan (U-M), complete with tree-lined, walkable blocks surrounding campus filled with retail shops, cafés, wellness studios, and art galleries.
Connecting U-M to Ann Arbor’s Food Scene
U-M brings together students, families, friends, and visitors from all over the world, introducing a variety of new experiences and influences that show up in Ann Arbor’s food scene.
It’s the collection of local diners, farm-to-table restaurants, award-winning chefs, and fusion cuisine that reflects Ann Arbor’s creative and diverse culinary culture.
Find itinerary inspiration with Ann Arbor’s highly rated farm and food experiences.
Zingerman’s brings an authentic taste of Ann Arbor’s food scene, born and raised in A2.
Locals, often called “townies,” regularly recommend Zingerman’s to friends and family. It’s been an Ann Arbor institution serving generations of U-M students. Zingerman’s also partners with chefs to create innovative ventures like modern Korean restaurant Miss Kim, led by award-winning chef Ji Hye Kim, a five-time James Beard Best Chef Semifinalist.
Zingerman’s Deli, a nationally famous spot in the charming Kerrytown neighborhood, is known for their top seller, the Reuben Sandwich. Alumni, students, first-time visitors, and celebrities have all enjoyed a taste of this well-known hangout.
It’s also the Michigan farmers, makers, and chefs who help build Ann Arbor’s food culture through local farm-to-table dining.
White Lotus Farms runs an eco-friendly bakery and café just two miles from their farm. They harvest greens daily and create their own products like handcrafted artisan cheese, plus breads and pastries baked with organic flour, locally sourced and milled.
The chef’s counter at vegetable-forward Echelon provides an immersive dining experience as the chef cooks, preps, and plates each dish. This farm-focused restaurant is a James Beard Semifinalist for Best New Restaurant and has earned recognition for wine excellence. Echelon intentionally works with nearby farms, ranches, and artisans, staying focused on sustainability.
At Argus Farm Stop, the team prioritizes supporting local agriculture. It’s part farmers market, part grocery store, and carries locally sourced food and artisanal goods. With three locations near campus, including a café and tavern, Argus is a convenient stop for fresh finds.
Ann Arbor restaurants are known for globally infused flavors and fresh takes on traditional recipes. Take Earthen Jar, specializing in vegetarian North Indian-style cooking with a modern touch. Or go Central European at Amadeus, inspired by old-world Viennese cafés and serving classic Polish, Austrian, and Hungarian cuisine, complete with homemade tortes and desserts.
It’s easy to find cuisines from around the world with menus created by chefs who are inspired by their own experiences and passions. Fusion foods blend these influences together in inventive, flavorful ways. Try a taste of fusion at Peridot, serving Vietnamese with Chef Duc’s unique twist.
As local townies, travelers, students, and alumni share their own tastes and culinary traditions, Ann Arbor’s food scene continues to expand. There is always more flavor to discover in A2. Visit Annarbor.org/foodanddrink to plan your trip.