Metro Detroit’s dining scene had a wide variety of openings and announcements in August, from bagels to doughnuts to pizza.
Bev's Bagels, a beloved shop known for its crisp, chewy bagels and variety of schmears, announced they would open a location in Birmingham. Unc's Pizza is a new Detroit-style pizza place in Detroit's Capitol Park. The pizza spot is a collaboration between the owners of two downtown eateries, Mootz Pizzeria + Bar and the Dime Store. And viral doughnut shop Homies opened its first Michigan location in Dearborn.
Bella Rose Italian
The corner building on South Main Street and West 11 Mile Road in downtown Royal Oak is undergoing another transformation.
After Bella Limone and Little Bella's Pizza & Wine Bar replaced Pinky's Rooftop and Pearl's Deep
Dive last August, restaurateur Adam Merkel’s hospitality group introduced Bella Rose Italian on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
Bella Rose is a full-service Italian restaurant and bar that replaces Bella Limone and has moved to the building's first floor and will operate along with Little Bella's. The second floor will become White Lotus sushi, set to debut in the fall.
The menu at Bella Rose will offer "lighter, seasonal Italian cuisine" featuring handmade pasta, shareables, fresh seafood and Italian-inspired entrees. Bella Rose will aim to provide a more "romantic" presence with "florals" and "vintage-inspired artwork."
Bella Rose Italian, 100 S. Main St., Royal Oak.
Bev's Bagels
What began as a pop-up shop that developed a loyal following is now a brick-and-mortar with a second building on the way.
Huntington Woods native and James Beard Award semifinalist Max Sussman announced his second Bev's Bagels location was coming to Birmingham on Aug. 25, with an official opening in September. Sussman started Bev's Bagels in 2023 as a pop-up shop from his home and moved the business to Detroit's Core City area in May 2025.
The new Birmingham menu will give customers the same chewy and crisp bagels Bev's customers have come to know and love along with a few location-specific items.
Bev's Bagels, 283 Hamilton Row, Birmingham.
Homies
This viral doughnut shop got its start in Montreal and opened its first Michigan location. Homies is known for its creative sweet and savory doughnuts, such as its pizza doughnuts with cheese and pepperoni. There's more than 30 varieties, including the classics. At 23780 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn, just east of Telegraph, you can't miss Homies. The building is painted a colorful blue and pink. Its drive-thru has a giant blue and pink doughnut.
Homies, 23780 Michigan Ave., Dearborn
JD's Stage Bistro
Co-founded by Jeff Daniels, the well-known actor and Chelsea native, JD's Stage Bistro is officially open. Originally slated for a July opening, the bistro and venue that will also feature bands and a lineup of musicians had a grand opening in late August. JD's Stage Bistro menu features wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, house made pastas, steaks, plus seasonal offerings, fish and shellfish.
JD's Stage Bistro, 17 1/2 S. Main St., Chelsea
Joe Louis Southern Kitchen
A third location of Joe Louis Southern Kitchen is now open in downtown Detroit on Woodward avenue.Joe Louis Southern Kitchen pays homage to legendary boxer Joe Louis, with decor featuring photos and career milestones. The menu features all-day breakfast and Southern-style comfort food like shrimp and grits.
After a soft opening in early August, Joe Louis Southern Kitchen, an all-day breakfast and brunch spot, celebrated its grand opening on Thursday, Aug. 27, with owners, Detroit officials, and other dignitaries in attendance.
At 1528 Woodward in the heart of downtown Detroit, this spot marks the second Detroit location for Joe Louis Southern Kitchen and the third overall. Late last year, a location opened in Southfield. The chain's first restaurant opened in 2021 in Detroit’s New Center on Woodward.
The restaurant is known for its key lime flapjacks, Creole shrimp and grits and chicken and waffles.
My Big Fat Shawarma
This chain now has four locations in metro Detroit. Its newest is in Beverly Hills and opened in mid-August.
A grand opening is scheduled for Sept. 12 with giveaways and special offers throughout the day.
My Fat Shawarma is known for its Mediterranean-inspired menus that include a variety of shawarma and build-your-own bowl options, soups and sides. At its grand opening, there will be a giveaways including free shawarma bowls or wraps for the first 100 guests and gift card giveaways. My Big Fat Shawarma also has a partnership with NBA star Isaiah Stewart, and guests will have the chance to win prizes from 1-4 p.m., such as a signed Isaiah Stewart jersey, autographed sneakers and signed basketball.
My Big Fat Shawarma, 31243 Southfield Rd., Beverly Hills.
Orijin Bakery
Downtown Ann Arbor welcomed a new bakery, though one of its owners is already a familiar face to the community.
Sava Farah and Dixboro Project executive pastry chef Jin Capobianco Gorian opened Orijin Bakery on Wednesday, Aug. 19, in the space that formerly occupied Molly's Cupcakes, which closed in April.
Orijin's menu offers sweet and savory selections including croissants, pastries and sandwiches in addition to a variety of coffees and teas.
Orijin Bakery, 617 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor.
Raising Cane's
The Louisiana-based chicken chain opened its seventh Michigan establishment on Monday, Aug. 3.
The new Novi location sits across from the Novi Town Center and is the third location in Metro Detroit.
Known for hand-battered and made-to-order chicken fingers, Raising Cane's menu features combo meals that include crinkle-cut fries, Cane's sauce, Texas toast and a drink.
Opening day festivities included giveaways and a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Novi Chamber of Commerce officials and some of the restaurant's crew. Cane's also made a $1,000 donation to the Novi Youth Assistance nonprofit.
Raising Cane's in Novi is open from 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Rasing Cane's Novi, 26245 Novi Rd., Novi.
Unc's Pizza
A new pizzeria located in Capitol Park opened to the public on Tuesday, Aug. 11.
Unc's Pizza is a partnership between the owners of the Dime Store and Mootz Pizzeria + Bar. The name "Unc" is a nod to co-owner Larry Kahn's Uncle Paul who went by the nickname, according to a news release.
Located inside the Detroit & Northern building, Unc's spans 7,300 square feet and two floors. It seats 80 people inside the restaurant and offers outdoor seating for 50 people.
The menu features Detroit-style pizza, salads, sandwiches, mozzarella sticks, chicken wings and tenders.
Unc's will operate from 4-11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
Unc's Pizza, 1133 Griswold St., Detroit.
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @SusanMariecooks. Subscribe to the Eat Drink Freep newsletter for insider scoops on food and dining in metro Detroit.
Contact Eric Guzmán: eguzman@freepress.com; 313-222-1850.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Which metro Detroit restaurants opened in August?
