14 hot new bars and restaurants that have opened so far in 2022

We’re halfway through 2022, so let’s take a look back and see what the year of the tiger has brought us so far in terms of Metro Detroit dining. 

One trend I’m seeing is that many businesses aren’t opening as soon as they wanted to be. It’s no secret that staffing and supply chains are still issues, which is causing delays. Some places are opening several months later than they had originally planned. 

There are a lot of new spots to eat downtown Detroit where things are often buzzing, and also in the surrounding neighborhoods and suburbs, too. It’s not just sit-down restaurants either, but cafes and cocktail lounges, as well. 

Here are some highlights among the new businesses that debuted in the past six months:

Bar Pigalle

Easily one of the most hotly anticipated openings of the Detroit restaurant scene, this upscale and hospitality-forward gem is great for a date night. It has a comprehensive wine list, fun cocktails and a menu that leans French, but has a lot of Midwest influences as well. If you start seeing frog legs trending on menus everywhere in the second half of the year, you have Bar Pigalle to thank. 

Open for dinner Wed.-Sun. 2915 John R, Detroit. (313) 497-9200. barpigalle.com.

Bohemia

There are three restaurants on the corner of 11 Mile and Main in downtown Royal Oak from chef and restauranteur Adam Merkel. Pinky’s Rooftop is well-known, and seafood restaurant Pearl’s Deep Dive just opened in late 2021. Bohemia opened in May, sharing the ground-floor space with Pearl’s. The cocktail list — hello, Lebanese Mai Tai and pistachio martini — matches the Mediterranean menu of coal-grilled meats and veg-heavy small plates. The décor is eclectic, colorful and fun.