16 Fresh Midwest Spots to Eat, Drink, Play and Stay This Spring

Coeur, Ferndale, Michigan

When chef Jordan Smith realized there isn’t a French word for “Midwest,” he found a fitting alternative. His new restaurant, Coeur—French for “heart”—nods to the heartland with  elevated fare in a warm, unfussy atmosphere. Try the chicken roulade or Squash Pithivier, similar to a vegetarian beef Wellington. 

Hide + Seek, Chicago

A recent addition to Chicago’s bustling West Loop, Hide + Seek whisks diners on an excursion inspired by Spain, France and Italy. The menu follows a journey from Land and Sea (oysters, crudo, short ribs) to Grand Plates (branzino, lamb chops) and Housemade Pasta (no explanation needed). Sampling across categories is the best way to stamp your culinary passport. On warm days, the restaurant swings open the front windows and sets out bistro tables. 

SPF, Chicago

With a thwack and a pop, players lunge across eight courts at SPF, a new Lincoln Park spot for pickleball fun. No need to know what a dink or nasty nelson is—SPF offers clinics and intro lessons. Picklers benefit from instant replay technology, which eliminates crosscourt disputes (and may encourage gentle ribbing). Other sports, like cornhole and Ping-Pong, beckon from the sidelines, while saunas, a coffee bar and movie nights promote recovery. 

Good Ambler, Chicago

“When I heard that Mondelēz International (the parent company of Nabisco) launched a coffee shop below its Fulton Market offices, I expected Oreos or Toblerone on the menu. But the cozy vibes don’t give ‘conglomerate’ at all. With latte art, artisan chocolate and tempting pastries, Good Ambler makes the case for not working from home.” — MWL writer Kelsey Schagemann 

Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Over the past 10 years, the Fort Wayne Museum of Art has been accumulating what is perhaps the fastest-growing collection of Studio Glass in the Midwest. And now, they’re ready to show it off. The new permanent Glass Wing at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art shimmers with sparkling displays in all shapes, forms and colors.

Commission Row, Indianapolis

It’s game time at Commission Row. Located just north of Gainbridge Fieldhouse, this three-level hub fuels hungry (and thirsty) Pacers fans. The main restaurant delivers steaks, chops and seafood; Mel’s speakeasy hosts after-game celebrations. A top-floor event space rounds out the downtown complex.  

The Godfrey Hotel, Detroit

No amount of bad weather can dampen the fun on The Godfrey Hotel’s rooftop. The lounge features a retractable glass roof and walls, making this hangout a year-round affair. As spring approaches, it’s an ideal time to catch the sunset from an emerald chair set among towering ferns. This new hotel also oozes sophistication in its rooms—furnished with leather headboards—and the first-floor restaurant, Hamilton’s, outfitted in blond wood and chambray. Outside, Detroit’s oldest neighborhood, Corktown, beckons with bars and boutiques, as well as the Detroit Riverwalk and Michigan Central Station.

Mission Proper, Old Mission Peninsula, Michigan

They had us at blueberry scones and Detroit-style pizza. A fast-casual cafe, Mission Proper also sells delightfully curated gifts, like candles, soaps and gourmet local food products, plus grab-and-go meals. Check their events calendar for community hangs with their neighbors, Tinker Studios and Old Mission Distilling. 

Breadless, Detroit

It sounds wacky: a sandwich sans bread. But the concept works at Breadless’ two locations, where customers rave about the gluten-free and low-carb menu. Collard greens, swiss chard and turnip greens render tortillas obsolete, while fillings like jerk chicken, smashed falafel and roasted portobello add zing. 

Breva, Minneapolis

At the newly opened Breva in Hotel Ivy downtown, local ingredients shine in a walleye dip with homemade potato chips and Suya Honey Chicken Wings with roasted peanuts. Seasonal availability dictates menu items, so plan on visiting quarterly (or more!). 

Muddy Tiger Indian Bistro, Edina, Minnesota

Not long after Muddy Tiger Indian Bistro launched, a customer approached owner Jyotiee Kistner. “I’ve been waiting 25 years to see Marathi food in Minnesota,” she said, referring to the cuisine of Maharashtra, the Indian state where Kistner grew up. “We want to show people there is so much more to Indian food than curry, butter chicken and naan,” Kistner says. With her husband, Andy, Kistner’s been doing just that via a food truck and now a fast-casual restaurant in Edina. Specialties include Vada Pav, a potato patty sandwich; Kheema Pav with minced lamb; and Falooda, a dessert made with condensed milk, rose syrup, sweet basil seeds, vermicelli and ice cream.

King Coil Spirits, St. Paul

No one is sleepy in this former mattress factory. The historic Vandalia Tower hums with energy as bartenders at King Coil Spirits shake custom cocktails behind a gleaming wooden bar, and servers carry thick slabs of Roman-style pizza. Friends chat while sipping drinks featuring celery bitters, blackstrap rum and two dozen other house-made spirits and liqueurs. “We love creating fun and comfortable spaces for our community,” says Matt Lange, cofounder and head distiller. “When I became interested in craft cocktails, the wheels started spinning.” 

 

Butterbird, Madison, Wisconsin

Despite the success of their modern supper club, The Harvey House, Joe and Shaina Papach never planned to open another restaurant. Two things changed their minds—the popularity of Joe’s fried chicken (served at private events) and their desire to include kids around the table. “Butterbird embodies the spirit and spontaneity of the American roadside grill,” Shaina says. Families can pose in a vintage photo booth or play lawn games before devouring fried and rotisserie chicken, smashburgers, and soft-serve ice cream.

Miijim, Madeline Island, Wisconsin

History and heritage accompany each meal at Miijim. Chef Bryce Stevenson draws on the traditions of his Ojibwe ancestors to create dishes like the Shishito and Tomato with manoomin (wild rice). French flavors find new homes here, too, as in Braised Rabbit Leg, Bison Heart Steak and other soulful options. 

Bo’s Schnitzelbunker, Pewaukee, Wisconsin

As a Polish native raised in Germany, Mathäus “Mat” Myga grew up on schnitzel, but when he emigrated to the U.S., he found his new home sorely lacking in really good breaded, fried cutlets. Enter Bo’s Schnitzelbunker, Myga’s new walk-up window. His mother, Mama Bo, supplied the top-secret breading blend and nine-spice ketchup recipe. Other items include cheese pretzels, currywurst and potato salad—also a family recipe, of course. 

Marty’s Deli, Minneapolis

“I recently discovered Marty’s Deli, a tiny corner sandwich shop in Northeast Minneapolis that opened a little over a year ago. On a blustery Saturday at 12 p.m., the line was out the door. I’d soon find out it was people ordering hot and oozing egg sandwiches, served for breakfast during the week and until noon on weekends. But I was there for the two-hands-needed cold deli sandwiches like the Gigi—with smoked turkey, giardiniera, provolone, herby aioli and shredded lettuce—which are all served on house-made focaccia. Make sure to also grab the deliciously herby potato salad from the deli case.” — Senior travel editor Julia Sayers Gokhale