Winter in Ann Arbor is typically marked by cold, snowy days. For those days when you don’t feel like heading to the grocery store or cleaning up the dishes, these area restaurants, breweries, and bistros are serving up your favorite comfort dishes – from hearty stews to smash burgers and mac and cheese.

Sherpa Stew from Everest Sherpa

2803 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor

The team at Everest Sherpa boasts diverse backgrounds from across the Himalayas, allowing patrons to savor authentic Nepali, Tibetan and Indian cooking right here at home in Ann Arbor. Hailing from a remote mountain village in Nepal, Chef Lama purchased the restaurant in March 2022 to share his passion for cooking comfort food. The menu focuses on fresh, homemade goods that include familiar favorites as well as new, exciting dishes that you’ll be eager to try. You can’t go wrong with an order of the Sherpa Stew on a cold winter day, which features a mixture of vegetables, traditional dough dumplings, spices, and your choice of protein (chicken, lamb, or a veggie vegan option). The menu also includes grilled tandoor options like Polayko served with rice and dal soup, as well as South Asian favorites like traditional curry, tikka masala, and Makhani. If you’re craving something sweet, there is a Sherpa Kheer and a Lal Mohan on the menu.

Brewery Steak Sandwich from Grizzly Peak Brewing Company

120 West Washington Street, Ann Arbor

Grizzly Peak has been a longstanding cornerstone in the heart of Ann Arbor, nestled in a historic century-old building. Aside from brewing their own beers long before the craft beer boom had even made its mark, the brewing company also takes pride in serving elevated classic pub fare. Your favorite comfort dishes are made using the freshest, highest-quality ingredients. The Brewery Steak Sandwich is made using marinated sliced steak, crispy potato cakes, cheddar, bacon, and mixed greens ale creme fraiche. You’ll also receive a side of house-made chips! Not big on steak? No problem. The 734 Mac + Cheese is made with cavatappi pasta and four-cheese sauce, topped with buttered bread crumbs and herbs. Grizzly Peak is also known for its hearth-baked pizzas, which come in a diverse selection of toppings like chicken and smoked pepper, garlic and onion, and the classic Italian with pepperoni, salami, and spicy chorizo.

Buffalo Cauliflower Wings from Detroit Street Filling Station

300 Detroit Street, Ann Arbor

The Detroit Street Filling Station (DSFS) is located just a few steps from the Kerrytown Market & Shops, as well as the Ann Arbor Farmers Market. Seating is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and patrons have the option of indoor seating, as well as seats on the patio and sidewalk. Of course, in the colder months you’ll want to enjoy the cozy atmosphere found inside of the DSFS. The menu features an array of hearty staples, such as cornbread with maple butter, chili, and buffalo cauliflower wings. Other menu items include rotating wing varieties, such as the cajun cauliflower wings — if you like some spice. You can also order sandwiches like the Chk’n Fried Wild Mushroom Sandwich or the Taco ‘Bout It Wrap. Additional entrees include burrito bowls, Pad Thai, and a PowerUp Bowl which will give you plenty of energy to tackle a range of winter activities. Save room for dessert, like a fudge brownie or an oatmeal cream pie.

German Sauerbraten from Metzger’s

305 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor

For over 95 years, Metzger’s German Restaurant has been an iconic part of the Ann Arbor cultural scene. The restaurant serves as a reminder of the contributions of the city’s early German immigrants. Metzger’s is serving rich, tasty, and traditional German cuisine that’s perfect for a chilly Michigan day. The menu features favorites like German Sauerbraten, which has been a house specialty at Metzger’s since 1928. The slow-roasted choice beef is marinated in wine, vinegar, and spices and served with a sour cream gravy. On the weekends, you can enjoy the German Rouladen stuffed with onions, bacon, pickles, mustard, and spices and baked to perfect tenderness in a fresh tomato beef sauce. The bar area offers a weekday happy hour where you can take advantage of drink and appetizer specials.

Main Street Mac from Smokehouse 52 BBQ

125 South Main Street, Chelsea

Smokehouse 52 BBQ is a place for real pit barbecue and real hospitality. If you’re in the mood for a superbly hearty plate, then Smokehouse 52 is the way to go. There is also a second location in Saline. Whether you love burnt ends, twice-baked potatoes, or smoked wings — the menu has something for everyone. The Main Street Mac is the dish that helped land this BBQ joint on the Top 25 places to eat in Michigan, so you shouldn’t skip it! Other hearty, comforting winter options include shepherd’s pie, chicken and waffles, and the Hot Mess — which consists of two baked potatoes stuffed with pit beans, pulled pork, shredded cheddar, and sour cream, all drizzled with All-American BBQ sauce.

Creole Classic Supreme Gumbo from Cuppy’s Best Soul Food

2469 Washtenaw Avenue, Ypsilanti

Cuppy’s should be high on your winter culinary bucket list. This Ypsilanti staple is serving up delicious seafood options, including the Creole Classic Supreme Gumbo that will leave you feeling warm and satisfied on even the coldest winter day in Michigan. Cuppy’s sandwiches include their Famous Catfish Sandwich and the Creole Delight Shrimp Po’Boy. Diners can choose from turkey dinners, lamb dinners, chicken dinners, seafood dinners, and beef dinners. There is even a section dedicated to soulful vegetarian options, such as the veggie hoagie and the phenomenal vegan catfish dinner. Upgrade to a combination platter, allowing you to enjoy combinations of shrimp, fish, chicken wings, NY strip steak, and more for when you just can’t decide.

Artisan Pizza from Raterman Bread Haus & Bistro

8080 Grand Street #1B, Dexter

The Raterman Bread Haus & Bistro is a German-style, 100% sourdough bakery. You’ll find Raterman loaves at local farmers’ markets and several stores across Ann Arbor, Dexter, and Chelsea. The menu highlights include hearty sandwiches like the Raterman Reuben and the Bistro Chicken. Diners can also build their own artisan pizza with toppings like salami, olive and onion, pear and gorgonzola, bacon, mushroom, and chèvre, or choose from pre-selected pizza selections like Pepperoni and Calabrian Pepper, or the Farmhaus Veggie. Because sometimes, all you want on a cold winter day is a warm pizza to enjoy either solo or with a friend or two.

French Onion Soup from The Earle Restaurant

121 West Washington Street, Ann Arbor

The Earle Restaurant is located in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor and serves award-winning country cooking from the provinces of France and Italy. The menu kicks off with appetizers like ricotta gnocchi, calamari, risotto croquettes stuffed with mozzarella, and a warming French onion soup enhanced with shallots and chives. The soup is topped with gruyére and finished under the broiler for a bubbly appearance. Entrees at The Earle include beef tenderloin with Roquefort, lamb chops, roasted chicken, and stuffed acorn squash — giving diners a diverse selection to choose from. Or enjoy the pasta offerings, such as the linguine with shrimp, four-cheese penne, or the Mezzogiorno. Aside from the food choices, The Earle Restaurant also features over 1,200 selections of wine and has received the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence for 35 consecutive years!

Classic Tokyo Shoyu from Slurping Turtle

608 East Liberty Street, Ann Arbor

Nothing is quite as warming as a large bowl of ramen on a snowy winter evening. Slurping Turtle has you covered with all things savory, spicy, and delicious. The menu includes starters like gyoza, fried Brussels sprouts, and duck fat fried chicken, as well as bao offerings like pork belly with tare, shrimp tempura with remoulade, and tofu with unagi sauce and fresh cucumbers. If you’re interested in one of the “slurps,” like the Classic Tokyo Shoyu with pork belly, molten egg, bamboo shoots, and garlic-shallot oil, you won’t be disappointed. The ramen menu also includes spicy options like the Tan Tan Men with spicy pork miso and chili flakes or the DFFC Miso Ramen. Diners can mix and match extra toppings like black garlic oil, buttered corn, silky tofu, spicy volcano paste, and shrimp.

Authentic Valencian Paella from Aventura

216 East Washington Street, Ann Arbor

At Aventura, you’ll find modern tapas and world-renowned Valencian paella with an abundance of hospitality in downtown Ann Arbor. Small plates include tortilla española, pimientos de padron, patatas bravas, and chorizo a la planxa. The paella will serve 2-3, so bring a friend or two and enjoy this warming comfort dish on a cold Michigan winter day. Paella selections include the Americana with boneless chicken thigh, Catalan sausage, chorizo, and a range of veggies like cauliflower, English peas, and broccolini, and the Valenciana with confit duck, bone-in chicken legs, white beans, Romano beans, artichoke hearts, and saffron. Other options are the Marisco paella, with clams, shrimp, and octopus, or the Arroz Negre with squid ink, clams, mussels, and piquillo pepper.

House-Made Wursts from Wurst Bar

705 West Cross Street, Ypsilanti

You’ll find an array of comfort bites and warm dishes at Ypsi’s Wurst Bar. From soft-baked Bavarian pretzels and fried cheese curds to Wurst chili — diners will have a hard time choosing which appetizer to start with. For your main, choose from burgers on your choice of pretzel bun, brioche bun, or sesame seed bun, or build your own by picking your bread or lettuce wrap and choosing your wurst (chorizo pork, sweet Italian pork, PBR brat pork, or the Impossible Bratwurst). Top your wurst to your heart’s content with caramelized onions, roasted sweet peppers, spicy slaw, or pickled onions. The Wurst Bar also offers happy hour and everyday specials, such as $1 pitchers of PBR, 4 shots of whiskey for $15, and $5 long islands. From 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, warm up with a few half-price drafts or half-price wine bottles.

Double Smash Burger from Dan’s Downtown Tavern

103 East Michigan Avenue, Saline

Dan’s Downtown Tavern is a warm, welcoming bar in Saline and serves as a watering hole of sorts for the surrounding community. This no-nonsense joint serves up great burgers and Michigan-crafted beer from 64 taps! The family-friendly atmosphere is great for a meal out with the fam or for a group get-together with your best buds. Share appetizers like stuffed jalapeños, deep-fried pickles, or a basket of sweet fries. Dan’s also whips up delicious burritos, quesadillas and a diverse selection of sandwiches, as well as wraps like lamb gyros, and cali club wraps. The Double Smash Burger is made with American cheese, sautéed onions, and Dan’s special sauce, and includes your choice of chips or coleslaw.

Lentil Soup from Jerusalem Garden

314 East Liberty Street, Ann Arbor

Jerusalem Garden is a local, independent eatery that proudly offers fresh and delicious Middle Eastern fare. The restaurant uses old-world recipes to craft delicious hummus, kabobs, falafel, and sandwiches. The founder was born in 1934 in a village near Jerusalem and moved to the United States in 1962 to settle in metro Detroit. Today, three of his children are still involved in the business — serving as manager and head of operations, assistant manager, and chief falafel-maker! The lentil soup is spiced with cumin, turmeric, and salt, and is the perfect bowl for a freezing cold Ann Arbor day. Pair your soup with a meat sandwich, like the Kafta Kabob or the Beef Shawarma, or dig into a falafel meal with your choice of two sides. Save a spot for dessert, such as the baklava or the rice pudding.

Treat Yourself to Your Favorite Comfort Foods in the Ann Arbor Area!

When the temps are below freezing and you just can’t be bothered to linger in the kitchen all day making dinner, warm up with your favorite comfort dish at these local restaurants access Chelsea, Ypsilanti, Dexter, Saline, and Ann Arbor.