Issuu

TABLE OF CONTENTS Cuisines

Dining ExperienceS

4 Best Vegan/Vegetarian Food 5 Best Asian Food Best Sushi 6 Best Mediterranean Food 7 Best Mexican Food Best Indian Food

15 Best Casual Dinner and Drinks Best Spot to Take Your Parents 16 Best New Business

Lifestyle 8 Best Workout Class 9 Best Thrift 10 Best Bookstore

sweet Treats 17 Best Ice Cream Best Pastry 18 Best Boba

Drinks & Nightlife 19 Best Trivia Night 20 Best Bar 21 Best Late Night Bite 22 Best Booze Shop 23 Best Nightlife

Meals & Bites 11 Best Sunday Brunch Best Coffee 12 Best Burger Best Pizza 13 Best Matcha 14 Best Sandwich

Design and ILLUSTRATIONS BY

Maisie Derlega Zachary Ajluni and Edith Pendell, Co-Editors in Chief Annabelle Ye, Joshua Mitnick ‘92 ‘95 Managing Editor Georgia McKay, Digital Managing Editor

Cici Copenhaver, Business Manager Gabrielle Gondoly, Sales Manager Kate Parambo, Creative Manager

Cora Rolfes and Campbell Johns, Managing Arts Editors Christina Zhang and Aanya Panyadahundi, Managing News Editors Maisie Derlega and Selena Zou, Managing Design Editors

Josue Mata and Alina Murata, Managing Copy Editors Holly Burkhart and Bridgette Bol, Managing Photo Editors Emma Peng and Julia Mei, Managing Online Editors

From gameday tailgates to farmers markets, there’s no shortage of places in Ann Arbor to enjoy the city and bask in the autumn sun before winter creeps in. Main Street cafes, South University Avenue bars and everything in between form an incredible city to grab food and make memories. How lucky are we? The Michigan Daily sure is proud of Ann Arbor’s bustling community, and the voters of this year’s Best of Ann Arbor are, too. For 2026, The Daily is once again highlighting the highest-voted spots around town. And, this year, we’re so proud — we’ve hung it on the fridge.

Scan the QR code to view the Best of Ann Arbor 2026 website!

Best Vegan/ Vegetarian Food: Detroit Street Filling Station Maahi Patel/DAILY

Maahi Patel/DAILY

Detroit Street Filling Station is perhaps one of the only restaurants in Ann Arbor where you can walk in for food and walk out with a cause. The Kerrytown restaurant has been a hallmark of the Ann Arbor vegan community since 2017, and distributed so many political advocacy buttons over the years — including those that read “abolish ICE” — that they’ve become a niche Ann Arbor collectible. Moreover — as any local could’ve guessed — they’ve won Best Vegan/ Vegetarian Food in Ann Arbor for the sixth consecutive year. DSFS has 44 employees, each of whom contribute immensely to the store’s operations. They can spend three hours crafting just one batch of burgers. Engelbert said labor and ingredient costs stack up when you have to create everything from scratch. “When you’re making things from scratch as a vegan restaurant, it often requires more ingredients than you

would otherwise,” Engelbert said. “Our black bean burger that we call the Fiesta Burger probably has 20 ingredients in it, and we use a lot of herbs and spices and some of those can get quite expensive.” The store is part of a broader business ecosystem including North Star Lounge and The Lunchroom Bakery & Cafe, all run by Phillis Engelbert, a University of Michigan alum. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Engelbert said she did a lot of advocacy work as a student, and carries that background into her business. “We put up and distributed 500 ‘Abolish ICE’ yard signs,” Engelbert said. “We have an enormous abolished banner hanging from the restaurant on the outside of the patio, cutting to the floor and we give out buttons. We’ve had — I don’t know how many thousands of buttons we’ve given out over the years.”

- Rebecca Borlace, Daily Staff Reporter

Best Asian Food: Miss kim If you’re looking for elevated Korean comfort food, Miss Kim is the place for you. Located at 415 N Fifth Ave., Miss Kim has been serving the greater Ann Arbor community since its founding in 2016. This year, the restaurant won Best Asian Food for the second year in a row. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Chef Ji Hye Kim discussed opening Miss Kim with the purpose of delivering fabulous food under sustainable practices. As a University of Michigan alum working a white-collar job, restaurants weren’t part of the plan. But she knew she loved food, especially Korean food. After deciding to embark on a different career path, Kim pivoted from working as a cheesemonger to opening Miss Kim as a part of Zingerman’s Community of Businesses. She spent years training to learn both the business and the culinary

side of restaurant ownership to ensure the highest quality. “The first dish we did good was the rice cakes, the tteokbokki,” Kim said. “It’s a quintessential street food.” Now there are four types of tteokbokki dishes on the menu, both traditional and contemporary-inspired, from a popular gochujang street style to an original cacio e pepe style based on Kim’s time spent in Rome, Italy. “The way we have our dishes, it’s not entirely what you’ve seen before,” Kim said. “But it is reminiscent of very traditional food.” Reflecting on 10 years in business, Kim has expanded her culinary horizons to mentoring junior chefs, continuously reinventing dishes and opening Little Kim, a vegetarian sister restaurant, next door. Through it all, there’s one thing

keeping Chef Kim and the Miss Kim team going: “The first thing I want people to say about Miss Kim is that it’s delicious,” Kim said.

Ananya Kedia/DAILY

- Tara Wasik, Senior Arts Editor

Best Sushi: Totoro

Varun Tandon/DAILY

There are many sushi-serving restaurants in downtown Ann Arbor, and for the sixth year in a row, the city has crowned the same champion: Totoro. Amid the rows of quick-bites and fancy sit-down joints surrounding State Street,

Totoro sits at the perfect middle ground of high-quality food served in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Walk in, and you’re immediately greeted by the restaurant’s namesake — a childhood cartoon about a woodland spirit. Totoro, the cat-owllooking hybrid, is perched on the back of employees’ shirts and in framed movie posters. The walls are painted in warm greens and yellows; the simple wooden table sets feel familiar; and the soft lighting is just right. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Totoro manager Sooah Kim described her experience working at the restaurant for the past nine years. “Nowadays (restaurants are) so modern and clean, a very city kind of feeling. We don’t have that vibe,” Kim said. “Sometimes it feels like, should I change it? But this is our environment and people like it.”

Despite its variety of options, the menu — which includes salads, bento boxes and soups — has stayed fairly consistent. Totoro’s fresh fish is sourced locally and delivered three times per week. Apart from being delicious, the menu’s variety allows for unique allergy accommodations, motivating customers to keep coming back for their favorite dishes. With its downtown location, Totoro sees a mix of student and local Ann Arbor resident customers, allowing the restaurant to stay open year-round. And after being voted Best Sushi for six years in a row, Totoro has clearly built a loyal following through its open and welcoming environment. “I always try to listen to what the customers say, and if I can change it, maybe it will be better. This makes our restaurant a community restaurant,” Kim said. “I try to make it a little bit better every year.”

- Siena Beres, Senior Arts Editor

Best Mediterranean Food: Jerusalem Garden Nearly 40 years in, the Jerusalem Garden staff still peel vegetables by hand each morning. That dedication to freshness and integrity has once again earned the restaurant the title of Best Mediterranean Food in Ann Arbor — a category it hasn’t lost in more than a decade. Ribhi Ramlawi, a Palestinian immigrant and father of eight, founded the restaurant in 1987. His son, Ali, worked behind the counter on weekends and during school breaks. When Ribhi died in 1993, Ali took the reins. “I was only 18 at the time, but with my naivety and a willingness and interest in

keeping his hopes alive and his vision relevant, I assumed responsibilities of the restaurant,” Ali Ramlawi said. “I just kind of learned on the fly how to do it. I was running on adrenaline and youth.” A defining moment for Jerusalem Garden came in 2015, when the restaurant left its “hole-in-the-wall” lunch counter at 307 S. Fifth Ave. for a space five times its size at 314 E. Liberty St. The new space offered expanded seating and a patio. Not much else has changed, Ali Ramlawi said, especially not the restaurant’s falafel recipe or commitment to fresh, value-driven food.

“We still make recipes from scratch,” Ali Ramlawi said. “We have a very dedicated kitchen staff that honors and maintains the tradition of old-world cooking, where you again strive to maintain quality and have integrity in the food.” Ali Ramlawi still makes the falafel, his father’s recipe, himself every morning. “We’re 40 years into this, and none of us are retired millionaires,” Ali Ramlawi said. “We come in, and we do the work and that’s it. There isn’t any kind of magic formula to it. It’s paying attention to detail. It’s having integrity. It’s treating people right.”

- Edith Pendell, Co-Editor in Chief

F ind Your i N n er Re u b E n

on tik

Tok!

Low us on TikTok a n n d use Fol to l the My InNe r Re u b e et us kno w fect

w ha

t #TeamReube n y ou'r e o

Zayd Ahmad/DAILY

Best Mexican Food: Chapala

Varun Tandon/DAILY

A DJ in a taco costume plays music while recent graduates, parents, Ann Arbor community members and even police officers ride a mechanical bull. What in the world is happening, a passerby might wonder? The answer: Chapala’s Cinco de Mayo Celebration! Chapala, the 2026 winner of Best Mexican Food for Best of Ann Arbor, is a great spot to grab delicious food and fun drinks with friends or family. The restaurant offers a fun, welcoming atmosphere where patrons can take a break after a long week. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Chapala’s general manager Maxx Emerick said customers love Chapala for its getaway vibes. “Especially when you’re going to school, and you’re constantly studying

and everything, it almost feels like you’re stepping into Mexico,” Emerick said. Founded in 2020, Chapala has expanded beyond its first downtown Ann Arbor location and aims to grow across Michigan. Currently, Chapala has restaurants downtown and in Highland, as well inside the Dixboro All Seasons Market and as a food truck. Emerick is excited to see Chapala continue to grow across Michigan as the restaurant looks to expand into areas such as Monroe, Roseville and Milford. However, her favorite part of her job is seeing customers enjoy spending time together. “With it being a college town, we get a lot of people, so it’s always new faces,” Emerick said. “Seeing everybody being happy, that’s the most rewarding thing for me.”

- Grace Schuur, daily Staff Reporter

Madras Best Indian Food: Masala

In January 2023, a fire destroyed the Maynard Street building that once housed Madras Masala for 20 years. Just 10 months later, owner Gopalsamy Ramanujam reopened the restaurant on Packard Street. In each of the three years since, Madras Masala has been voted as Best of Ann Arbor’s Best Indian Food. Ramanujam said seeing customers grieve the loss of Madras Masala drove him to reopen the restaurant as soon as possible. “When the last location burned down, 9-year-old kids cried,” Ramanujam said. “A 19-year-old young man, he also cried. I felt that day I need to run the Madras Masala. That’s what made it again; that was the goal.” Madras Masala blends traditional South Indian cuisine with Indo-Chinese dishes.

The restaurant is known for its welcoming atmosphere, extensive menu and all-youcan-eat lunch buffet. Ramanujam said the restaurant also draws customers for takeout, delivery and large party orders. “Food is always love — whether they take home (or) they eat here; they need to love the food,” Ramanujam said. In 2024, the franchise expanded with Madras Masala Express on Broadway Street. Of the more than 100 dishes his restaurant offers, Ramanujam said the lamb biryani and paneer curry are his favorites. No matter what they order, Ramanujam promises to leave every customer satisfied with both their food and dining experience. “If anybody comes to Madras Masala, 100% they will love the food and service,” Ramanujam said. “100% they love it.”

- Niko Wilson, Daily Staff Reporter

Will Larson/DAILY

Best Workout Class: Soulcycle A good workout class can change the course of your day or bring you an unexpected community. Ann Arbor’s SoulCycle studio — fourth–time Best of Ann Arbor Best Workout Class winner — is witness to that every day. Located on South University Avenue adjacent to the University of Michigan’s campus, SoulCycle hosts 45-minute indoor cycling classes every day with varying themes. The location opened in 2020 and has quickly become a staple for many community members. It offers a $20 new member discount, as well as $26 student classes and regularly

priced $28 rides. The studio is modern and sleek, with rows of bikes awaiting patrons — primarily students. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Taryn Henderson, Ann Arbor SoulCycle studio manager explained all that the studio has to offer. “We have everything from Taylor Swift rides to Wake & Drake’s Hip-Hop Mondays and kind of everything in between,” Henderson said. “Each of our instructors brings something so different and significant into their rooms.” With diverse class offerings in one indoor cycling format, guests get

consistency as well as dynamism. Another special aspect of the studio that Henderson highlighted is that her entire staff is made up of students — many of whom began as riders and ended up as instructors themselves. To her, this reflects the studio’s mission to encourage growth. “Our biggest thing is to bring the fun of indoor cycling to anyone,” Henderson said. “Our manifesto is basically that we move people to move the world … It’s all kinds of people, every kind of person. We celebrate diversity, dimension and everything in between.”

- Elena Nicholson, Co-Editorial Page Editor

Mahi Garg/DAILY

Best Thrift: Salvation Army Thrifting has taken Generation Z by storm for its economic benefits, promotion of individuality and environmentally-friendly impact. In Ann Arbor, Salvation Army, located at 1621 S. State St., has been voted the Best Thrift Store for the second year in a row. Sprawling more than 30,000 square feet, the Salvation Army is a haven for finding secondhand clothing, furniture and home goods, making them a leader in supporting the community. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Jacqulynn Idzior, administrator for the Salvation Army Southeast Michigan Adult Rehabilitation Center, said that aside from product, something that makes Salvation Army stand out is the store’s arrangement, easing shoppers’

experience and allowing them to focus on finding great pieces. “Our stores are laid out (in a) shopper-friendly way, as the clothing is organized by size and category,” Idzior said. “But we also pull out like maybe the more trendy pieces and put them in our boutique sections to make it a little bit more fun to shop.” Underpinning every purchase is also their mission to be environmentally sustainable. For items that aren’t in the best shape, the organization bales all textiles, selling them to a third party to be refurbished, and recycles all metals and electronics. All proceeds from the thrift store also go toward funding the Adult Rehabilitation Center in Detroit, which

- Tobin Saxton, Daily Arts Writer

serves as a place for individuals who are struggling with substance abuse, homelessness or other traumas to go and receive free guidance. Students may be thrifting to update their style at a low cost, but Salvation Army makes it possible for them to support the livelihood of others. “We give them opportunity to know that … there is an incredible purpose in their life,” Idzior said. “They just haven’t figured it out yet and we want to help them on that journey.”

Best Bookstore: Literati Literati Bookstore has been voted the best bookstore for the 11th year in a row. Filled to the brim with books on its first and lower levels and home to a fan-favorite public typewriter, Literati is beloved by locals and visitors of Ann Arbor alike. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Literati general manager Tom Wolan described how they try to foster an explorational space at the shop for people to browse for books and take a breather from their busy day-to-day lives. “We aspire to … have an environment where people feel that they can just take their time here,” Wolan said. “You spend as much time as you need. We’ll answer any questions you have. We try to make it … a location where people can come and feel like they can walk around and wander and learn more about the books that they’re interested in, or perhaps the

ones that they didn’t realize they were interested in.” Countless cards with staff book recommendation line Literati shelves, and handwritten chalkboard signs lend themselves to a homey feel. There is comfort in knowing that bookstores still have a place and customer base in today’s society, and perhaps Literati’s welcoming atmosphere is partly to thank for that. Regardless of if they keep their best bookstore title, Wolan hopes the store can continue to be a community space that people return to time and time again. “Our goal … with what we do here is that we want to (create) a positive experience that brings people wanting to come back for more,” Wolan said. “They don’t just find the book — the single book that they want — but they find the book they want and want to further that experience, and they come back to us.”

- Amany Sayed, Daily Arts Writer

Ava Farah/DAILY

Best Sunday Brunch: The Hen Amid Ann Arbor’s competitive restaurant scene, one Ann Arbor brunch spot has solidified itself as a must-visit destination on nearly every list of a perfect weekend spent downtown. With a line out the door facing E. Washington Street nearly every Sunday morning, The Hen has won Best Sunday Brunch for the third year in a row. Chris Fronimos, The Hen’s owner and operator, told The Michigan Daily the award reflects the restaurant’s dedication to customers who remain willing to wait for its classic breakfast meals and fresh lunches weekend after weekend. “We appreciate the fact that you’re willing to wait in line, and it’s amazing to see that people do appreciate the fact that we try to take the customer and make them our priority,” Fronimos said. “It really

just is a testament to us and what we try to provide.” Originally named “The Stray Hen,” the restaurant shortened its name to just “The Hen” in 2025 to differentiate itself from its original Elmhurst, Ill., location named “Stray Hen Cafe.” Frominos said the most popular menu items are the breakfast burrito and waffle flight combo, while his favorites are the cinnamon swirl pancake and egg scramblers. “If I’m (going to) be completely gluttonous and just eat my way through the menu, the cinnamon swirl pancake is probably my go-to cheat meal,” Fronimos said. “But my day-to-day meal is just a classic scrambler. Putting all the veggies and the protein and the eggs and just letting it ride.”

Regardless of if you’re craving savory or sweet, The Hen’s Instagrammable interior and something-for-everyone menu are sure to keep customers coming back.

Vivian Tai/DAILY

- Christina Zhang, Co-Managing News Editor

Best Coffee:

M- 36 Coffee Roasters Cafe

M-36 Coffee Roasters Cafe is comfortably loud with the sound of whirring espresso machines, shouted orders and awkward coffee chats. Hordes of students walk past on South University Avenue between classes as Lisa Tuveson, one of the shop’s owners, sits down to speak with The Michigan Daily. The winner of this year’s Best Coffee in Ann Arbor, M-36, has been on campus since 2020, when the owners bought the roasting business Espresso Royale, which they previously helped operate. The company’s only location exclusively serves beans they roast at their roaster in Whitmore Lake.

The shop boasts a wide selection of drinks and food items, in addition to its small-batch roasts. Tuveson tells me this variety is what sets M-36 apart from Ann Arbor’s other coffee shops. “We’re not snobby at all,” Tuveson said. “You can get whatever you want; we’ll make it for you because everyone has different tastes.” Beyond their products, the shop itself has become a place to gather and talk, contributing to the cafe’s success. Tuveson explains that she appreciates this chatty atmosphere at the shop. “(We are) back to people talking, people hanging out without their devices … when there

- Lorenzo Norbis, Books Beat Editor

was a time period with no interaction,” Tuveson said. She’s glad the shop’s atmosphere has bounced back since the pandemic. This is evident when looking around, watching people discuss work at booths or chat while waiting for their drinks. The shop’s owners clearly value this community. “We’re a student coffee house,” Tuveson says. “Really, we are a student community … and I always tell people we have the best customers in the world.”

Best Burger: Frita Batidos With so many options for burgers in Ann Arbor, one stands above the rest: Frita Batidos has once again, for

Akul Gunukula/DAILY

the 12th year in a row, won the vote for Best Burger. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, owner and chef Eve Aronoff Fernandez discussed this year’s win. “It makes me feel proud of our team … we’ve been very fortunate (for) that recognition for quite a while through The Daily,” Aronoff said. “That’s a reflection of our team’s care, because they really do … care so much and have a lot of pride.” Famous for their Cuban-inspired “Frita” burgers and “Batido” shakes, Frita Batidos is popular with the locals in Ann Arbor and those visiting the city as well. The restaurant has more than just the two items, however, and Aronoff was excited to share some of her favorites.

“I love to make a lot of our seasonal specials, to be honest,” Aronoff said. “… our conch fritters … the mocha cubano … the paletas, the housemade Latininspired popsicles.” In addition to their strong appreciation for their community and attentively designed menu, Aronoff was also adamant about Frita Batidos’s accommodations for those with dietary restrictions. “We have a lot of care for dietary preferences. … We really want to be a safe haven for people,” Aronoff said. “That’s something that’s really important to me and us.” With a solid menu, passionate team and supportive community, Frita Batidos has solidified itself as one of the must-see experiences in Ann Arbor and earned its title as Best Burger.

- Hudsen Mazurek, Senior Arts Editor

Best Pizza: New York Pizza Depot Friendly faces, good food and late hours are what you can expect from New York Pizza Depot, the 2026 winner for Best Pizza in Ann Arbor — for the second year in a row. Ann Arbor residents can get their own slice of New York with NYPD’s famous single slices that are perfect for an easy lunch or a late-night snack. Since the Telemaco family opened NYPD in 1997, it has been a staple for Ann Arbor residents and University of Michigan students looking for a quick and tasty bite to eat. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, co-owner Domenico Telemaco cited consistency as the main factor that keeps people coming back.

“The product has not changed in 30 years: same cheese, same sauce, same guy making it,” Telemaco said. “Consistency, to me, is the name of the game when it comes to food.” Part of this consistency comes down to using high-quality ingredients and making everything from scratch. “We do everything in-house,” Telemaco said. “The dough — we do it every day — the sauce, we shred the cheese every day.” Their dedication to freshness has given NYPD its reputation for high-quality slices that draws in new customers and keeps the old ones revisiting.

- Taylor Koski, Daily Arts Writer

“They keep on coming back; there’s gotta be a reason,” Telemaco said. “I think it’s the quality of the food and the consistency.”

Soyeon Kim/DAILY

Best Matcha: sml wrld In the past few years, Generation Z has found a love for matcha, a ground green tea from Japan. In a college town like Ann Arbor, there’s a high demand for quality matcha — one that can be satisfied in the downstairs cafe of Shinola Ann Arbor, where their sml wrld residency has won the inaugural title for Best Matcha in Ann Arbor. After starting as a pop-up business, sml wrld settled into Shinola Cafe for a physical storefront in November 2025 and has been operating there ever since. Their latte menu rotation is simple, offering three drinks suited to appeal to both matcha newbies and aficionados: plain, vanilla and salted

maple. However, to keep things fresh, the cafe regularly offers exclusive and seasonal additions to their menu, ranging from a peppermint-syrup latte for the wintertime to collaboration drinks with singer-songwriter Laufey. In a written correspondence with The Michigan Daily, sml wrld founder Izabella Ratcliffe said the matcha selection reflects her philosophy behind her matcha business. “We wanted to create something that felt approachable and exciting for people who already love matcha, while also introducing it to people who might not have tried it before,” Ratcliffe wrote.

For the time being, it appears that sml wrld will continue to be a favorite of the University of Michigan community and Ann Arbor, with students and locals frequenting Shinola Cafe to study, converse or relax in the warm jazz lounge over a drink of sml wrld’s matcha lattes. “Ann Arbor felt like a really natural place for us to grow, given that there’s such a strong community of students and people who are genuinely excited about food and drink culture,” Ratcliffe wrote. “I wanted to bring sml wrld somewhere that felt young, energetic and open to trying something different.”

- JC Rafal, Film Beat Editor

Harper King/DAILY

Best Sandwich: Zingerman’s Delicatessen

Holly Burkhart/DAILY

How many times can you say “once again?” Zingerman’s has won the category for Best Sandwich in Ann Arbor — to no one’s surprise — for the 16th year in a row. The Kerrytown deli’s fame is self-sustaining: The more popular Zingerman’s becomes, the more it becomes iconic for being an Ann Arbor staple in and of itself, and thus the cycle continues. For many University of Michigan students, Ann Arbor is a temporary home halfway between childhood and “real” adulthood. But Zingerman’s is here to stay, and so are its most diehard fans, sandwich Chef Mike Varney discussed in an interview with The Michigan Daily. “(They) know what Zingerman’s was like and what Zingerman’s was about before I was even alive,” Varney said. Of course, part of the deli’s appeal is that it has something for everyone, though Varney said they used to have an even

larger “decision paralysis”-inducing menu. Nonetheless, Zingerman’s effectively serves all of Ann Arbor’s diverse community, from University staff to born-and-bred locals. “There are people from all sorts of walks and creeds of life that work here,” Varney said. “The environment t hat we work in is unlike any other place that exists.” Of course, the same can be said for the town as a whole. My mother, who is a long-distance Zingerman’s fan, would take great interest in Varney’s recommendations. The most underrated sandwich, especially with the “younger crowd,” is #1, he says, with chopped liver and corned beef. The best sandwich for an adventurous eater — and Varney’s personal favorite — is #00, the Cuban. “It’s the perfect sandwich,” Varney said, and he has me sold.

- Sofia Thornley, Daily Arts Writer

Holly Burkhart/DAILY

Best Casual Dinner and Drinks: Frita Batidos Against the rustic backdrop of West Washington Street, Frita Batidos is nearly impossible to miss, in part due to the bustling atmosphere and vibrant energy, but also because of its monochromatic appearance. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, owner Eve Aronoff Fernandez asserted the unique purpose behind it. “We didn’t want to start out with big, bold colors because we wanted that warmth and spirit to come from the food, the spices, the people and the music,” Aronoff said. “It’s like this blank canvas where, when everybody is there enjoying it and listening to music, it’s complete.”

Aronoff grew up taking trips to Miami to visit her grandmother, where she was introduced to the energy of Cuban culture in Calle Ocho. These experiences, coupled with her formal culinary training in France, have formed what is now the essence of her restaurant. “Frita is a hybrid, bringing the passion and attention to detail of a very formal restaurant but in this really warm, convivial, anything-goes environment,” Aronoff said. Aronoff spoke of the communal seating, which is meant to foster a space where people could break bread together. Another employee even interjected to share an anecdote about their menu

item “The Best Snack Ever” and how it commemorates the staff at Aronoff’s firstever restaurant, eve. The warm dining experience at Frita Batidos can be attributed to the numerous careful and intentional decisions made by the many people on their team. The building’s simplistic design was pioneered by Neal Robinson, assistant professor of pxractice and architecture at the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, in adherence to the establishment’s doctrine of building community. Seeing as this is their third consecutive year winning Best Casual Dinner and Drinks, the results surely speak for themselves.

- Lila Darwiche, Daily Arts Writer

Best Spot to Take Your Parents: Mani Osteria

Bringing your parents to dinner? Mani Osteria has you covered. Standing proudly on East Liberty Street, Mani Osteria boasts authentic Italian cuisine that your parents are bound to love as much as they love you. Praised for its quality service and rustic yet elegant vibe, this spot is sure to charm them with a dinner they’ll never forget. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Amalia Di Rita, general manager of Mani Osteria, said customer comfort is crucial. “We try really, really hard to make sure that everything we do is … well done without feeling pretentious or overly precious,” Di Rita said. “We’re just taking care of people. That’s our number one priority.” Mani Osteria’s dedication to its customer base shines through in every stage of the dining experience, from the moment

they step inside and are met with warm, glowy lighting, to when they receive their carefully crafted dishes. The secret to Mani’s success, Di Rita claims, lies in its commitment to detail. “We spend a lot of time on … doing everything that we possibly can from scratch,” Di Rita said. “When you make things in-house, and you make them by hand, there’s just so much more attention and care that goes into them.” Mani Osteria prides itself on providing a familiar, welcoming atmosphere — and its enthusiasm to do so comes through on its menu. With wood-fired pizzas, housemade pastas and mouth-watering appetizers, the locally owned restaurant offers highquality dining worth every dollar. Mani Osteria’s attentive service and outstanding hospitality make it a show-

- Reagan Keller, Daily Arts Writer

stopper when your parents come to town. “We love to meet (the parents), and then get to know them for four years,” Di Rita said. “It’s somewhere we want people to feel like they can come for any reason or no reason.”

Arushi Sanghi/DAILY

Best New Business: Eat Thai

This year’s winner of Ann Arbor’s Best New Business, Eat Thai, has quickly become one of Ann Arbor’s most popular restaurants. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Managing Consultant Jay Armani discussed Eat Thai’s delicate combo of popularity and authenticity. “Most places aren’t made to handle that,” Armani said, “you know, when you have 100 people show up in a short amount of time.” A lot of their popularity can be attributed to their late-night model. Armani and his business partners opened the restaurant in 2025 because they noticed a lack of places to eat after a night out. “We used to come (to Ann Arbor) ... to

go to different pubs and bars around here … after you have a few rounds, you are just like, ‘What is there to eat?’” Armani said. “But after seeing the choices were limited, we were like, ‘Why don’t we try Thai food here?’” Eat Thai offers a diverse selection of noodle dishes, from Pad See Ew to Drunken Noodles. “Thailand revolves around food,” Armani said. He seeks to promote that same food-forward model in Ann Arbor. The restaurant also commits to authenticity, a commitment that sometimes has spicy consequences. Other places may “tone down” the spice, but Armani maintains that Eat Thai sticks to real Thai flavors.

“We don’t tone it down,” Armani said. “I have some people that order mild, no spice, I go, ‘No, mild has some spice.’” Guests come for the delicious, authentic food, but often stay for the incredibly welcoming environment. As soon as you enter the doors, one of the many servers greets you to bring you to a table in a way that feels incredibly personal, almost familial. And that’s the energy Armani seeks to bring to Eat Thai. “I want (people) to know they are always welcome,” Armani said. “They get to know us … we get to know them,” For a great environment and even better food, head over to Eat Thai on Main Street.

- Tiffany McKalko, Daily Arts Writer

Vivian Tai/DAILY

Best Ice Cream: Blank Slate Creamery Blank Slate Creamery has once again been crowned the Best Ice Cream in Ann Arbor by readers of The Michigan Daily, returning to the category after previously maintaining a seven-year win streak from 2018 to 2024. University of Michigan alum Janice Sigler started Blank Slate in 2014, and if you talk to her for any length of time, it becomes clear she cares about her craft. The store’s various flavors are made in-house from locally sourced ingredients, and the menu is designed to accommodate lactose-intolerant, glutenfree and vegan dietary restrictions. “I’ve always loved ice cream, and I always wanted it to be better than it was,” Sigler said. “People are really paying attention to what they put in their bodies, and I always say: If you’re going to have a treat like ice cream, you might as well

make it as good for you as you can.” This philosophy has given the store a distinct flavor profile. Some of the establishment’s popular flavors include basil, brown butter cookie dough, lavender lemon honey and vanilla caramel blondie, among many, many others. Sigler said she wants customers to experiment with the store’s various flavors. “I would encourage people to try things,” Sigler said. “There’s no limit to the number of tastes. You could come in and taste something until you find the thing you like.” Above all, Sigler is proud of Blank Slate’s role as a community space and encourages prospective customers to bring their friends along with them. “This was what I envisioned,” Sigler said. “What I really wanted to bring to the community was just a place where

Bridgette Bol/DAILY

it was abuzz with people who were having a good time socializing, eating ice cream.”

- Glenn Hedin, Daily Staff Reporter

Best Pastry: ONDO Nestled among the wide array of shops on State Street, right outside Nickels Arcade, is ONDO. The Korean-owned bakery has established itself as a go-to spot for meeting up, studying or simply grabbing a pastry or coffee on the way to class. Within just two years of business, ONDO has become integral to the local atmosphere of State Street. In time for its one-year anniversary, ONDO won the title of Best Sweet Treat for Best of Ann Arbor 2025. As the cafe now celebrates its second birthday, it wins the title of Best Pastry. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, cafe manager Conor Durkin shared what

the shop believes makes their pastries so special. “All the pastries are baked in-house every single morning, completely fresh,” Durkin said. “A team of about 12 bakers … spend the entire morning into the afternoon just baking, making doughs, decorating, making cakes.” Not only are the pastries baked fresh daily, but ONDO — the word for temperature or heat in Korean — fuses Korean and French techniques in the baking process. “A lot of the pastries are not just made with Korean flavors in mind,” Durkin said. “What I like to tell people is that it’s

- Meagan Ismail, Senior Arts Editor

maybe more like Korean trending kind of flavors with a lot of French traditional techniques.” Durkin noted that the New York rolls are ONDO’s most popular pastry. The creative choices for flavors continue to draw customers in and bring regulars back for more. ONDO’s location in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor, paired with its unique and quality products, makes the cafe a staple in the Ann Arbor community. Whether you’re interested in taking advantage of the multifunctional cafe space or rushing to your next destination, ONDO will be there.

' unitea cafe Best BOBA: Unitea café could be easy to miss. A quaint, cozy cafe sitting between two decades-old Ann Arbor businesses, UniTea was first opened as a boba shop in 2021. It has since undergone a quiet rebranding — as subtle as transforming the brand name into an all-lowercase unitea café — after an ownership change in 2025. While the coffee shop’s brand identity on the surface seems almost identical to its previous iteration, the ambience and menu of the new unitea could not be any more different. Focusing on a thoughtfully curated coffee and matcha selection instead of its previous extensive boba menu, unitea prides itself on its heritage as one of the only Vietnamese specialty cafes on campus. For many locals, unitea may be their first — and best — encounter with the smooth, bold and sweet flavors of

Vietnamese coffee that has become synonymous with its name. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, owners Lina Nguyen and Alan Tsai discussed their passion, reverence and thought behind the cafe’s menu selection. Nguyen, who was born in Vietnam, shares that her favorite drink from the menu is the salted Vietnamese coffee, while Tsai likes to put his own twist through an Americano-style matcha drink, which uses their premium-grade Okumidori and Saemidori blend. For all of these drinks, you can add unitea’s iconic boba for just a 95-cent add-on. The owners emphasize that unitea is not only an homage to Vietnam, but also to the Ann Arbor community. “Anything at all that (our customers) would like to tweak, we’ll try our best (to follow through),” Tsai said. “We’re always looking for feedback.”

- Nat Shimon, Daily Arts Writer

Mahi Garg/DAILY

Best Trivia Night: Good Time Charley’s From bars to restaurants, many Ann Arbor businesses have incorporated late-night trivia as a staple in their weekly rotation of events to draw in customers. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Steve Ivy, manager of this year’s winner of Best Late Night Trivia in Ann Arbor, Good Time Charley’s, spoke about cultivating a welcoming atmosphere for students and building community. “We like to call it organized chaos,” Ivy said. Students can come alone, with old friends or with new ones. The communitycentered environment is certainly reflected in Charley’s trivia nights, which

are hosted every Wednesday night and are always centered around a different theme, often taken from shows, movies or other iconic elements of pop culture. Ivy discussed how the staff members at Charley’s, many of whom are University of Michigan students, have invested in making these trivia nights special for players, often coming up with the themes and questions themselves. On a normal trivia night, Ivy estimated that the bar hosts about 36 groups, while on a themed night, they may host as many as 60. Ivy also spoke about the different rounds of trivia, including a

general knowledge round and a picture round alongside the themed questions. “There’s a little bit of something for everybody, which makes it really fun,” Ivy said. This year, trivia-goers can look forward to new themes and drinks, including a Monopoly-themed fishbowl later this year. “It’s really trying to make Charley’s feel like home for these kids and make them actually know that we appreciate them being here, and that their business is valued,” Ivy said. “We appreciate them coming in here and spending their money.”

- Abigail Weinberg, Senior Arts Editor

official

Consumer Bank of the University of Michigan Huntington Bank is proud to serve the students, faculty, and staff of the University of Michigan with financial resources and personalized support. With convenient locations near campus, we’re excited to meet our neighbors right where they live and work.

Find a branch close to home at huntington.com/UMich-Banking All trademarks of the University of Michigan used under license. Member FDIC. Huntington, Huntington Bank, and the Huntington Brandmark are service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. ©2026 Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. 3311667 | 06/26

Best Bar: Good Time Charley’s South University Avenue is one of Ann Arbor’s busiest nightlife streets, featuring a cluster of bars that all draw in large crowds. However, one South University bar rose above the rest to take home this year’s title of Best Bar: Good Time Charley’s. Charley’s is a staple of South University’s bar scene, but recently, their popularity has skyrocketed. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Steve Ivy, Good Time Charley’s general manager, said he believes a big part of Charley’s massive climb is due to the atmosphere cultivated by the staff. “Making Charley’s feel like it’s (the student’s) home, I think that’s part of the really big explosion,” Ivy said. Ivy, who has been working with the bar since his college days, has been instrumental in crafting this lively environment. But according to Ivy himself,

he isn’t the only piece of the puzzle. Ivy attributes much of Charley’s success to nighttime manager Chad Feldman, social media managers Justin and Jeremy Colorundo, the student bartenders and the owners themselves for making Charley’s feel like home for its many attendants. Ivy also maintains that Charley’s stands out by keeping in tune with Ann Arbor’s vivacious student body — whether that’s through themed events every day of the week, prizes ripped straight from the dreams of every college student or the extensive list of affordable “fish bowl”sized cocktails sprawling across the menu. “(Student) bartenders take time to come out with their own recipes, and then whatever one sells the best gets put on the menu, so that there’s always rotating fish bowls,” Ivy said, showing firsthand the love the staff holds for the bar. It’s no wonder

- Amaya Choudhury, Daily Arts Writer

that Charley’s takes this year’s crown. “Our MO, really, is to just give the best service and make sure people are having a fun time.” Ivy said. “That’s the goal, and it seems like we’re hitting it.”

Madalyn Braun/DAILY

Best Late Night Bite: New York Pizza Depot

Soyeon Kim/DAILY

For many University of Michigan students, a night out in Ann Arbor isn’t complete without a stop at New York Pizza Depot. Whether it’s after a football

game, a bar crawl or simply a craving for a slice before dawn, NYPD has become a staple of Ann Arbor after dark. This has earned NYPD this year’s Best of Ann Arbor title for Best Late Night Bite. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, NYPD owner Domenico Telemaco said the late-night rush is nothing new — it has been part of NYPD since its earliest years on East William Street. Quick service and reliable pizza keep students coming back. “The pizza is not different at night than it is during the day,” Telemaco said. “The line is long, but it moves quickly.” Since opening in 1997, Telemaco said the restaurant has kept its pizza largely unchanged, using the same cheese and recipes while making its dough and sauce in-house each day.

“The product has not changed in 30 years,” Telemaco said. “Consistency, to me, is the name of the game when it comes to food.” NYPD’s customer base has also grown beyond the student population. Telemaco said the restaurant was once one of the few businesses drawing foot traffic to East William Street, but nearly three decades later, it has become a familiar spot for the Ann Arbor community. That community includes former students who now return with their children. Telemaco has seen customers get engaged at NYPD, catered their weddings and welcomed back former Michigan athletes when they return to town. “It’s that kind of legacy,” Telemaco said. “People that come back to town to visit family for Thanksgiving, Christmas, the first thing they do is come to our store.”

- Ava Emery, Daily Arts Writer

Best Booze Shop: Campus Corner Whether you’re on the way to a football game at the Big House, stocking up for a Wednesday wine night with your roommates or fighting off the common cold, there is one place you can always rely on — Campus Corner. For the third year in a row and following more than 20 previous wins, Campus Corner is defending its title as Best Booze Shop in Ann Arbor. Located on South State Street, the liquor store has served University of Michigan students and Ann Arbor residents alike since 1997. Between the aisles of BuzzBallz and Jägermeister, shoppers can also find energy drinks, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and cold medicine. In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Joe Kraim, founder and manager of Campus Corner, said he believes the store has generated such a positive reputation because of its wide selection and relationship with students. “We take care of them and we keep

them happy,” Kraim said. “Anything that we can get — we try to get it, whatever they’re asking. Whatever emergency things, we try to help. That’s why we’ve stayed in business for that long.” Campus Corner further accommodates student needs through updates like instore Amazon Lockers, and — compared to their usual 10:00 a.m. opening time — open early at 7:00 a.m. on home game days. At the checkout counter, shoppers can see photos and notes from students and alumni thanking Campus Corner for contributing to countless memories and experiences at the University. Kraim said he is thankful for students, alumni and frequent visitors’ loyalty to the shop. “We’ve been seeing people come and they graduated 20, 30 years ago,” Kraim said. “Doctors, lawyers, police officers. When they are in town, they come in and see us and say hello — and we appreciate that.”

- Aanya Panyadahundi, Co-Managing News Editor

Geoffrey Huang/DAILY

Best Nightlife: Scorekeepers Sports Grill and Pub For more than 50 years, Scorekeepers Sports Grill and Pub — also known as “Skeeps” — has remained a cornerstone of the undergraduate experience, serving as the go-to bar for many Wolverines. For many, Scorekeepers offers a chance to decompress after a long week of assignments and club meetings. This year, it was voted Best Nightlife in Ann Arbor for the first time. Open Thursday through Saturday, Scorekeepers is the spot for Thursday night outs and sports watch parties. With two full-service bars, students can make their way through the packed dance floor with pitchers of their favorite drinks or head up to the second floor to watch the crowd below. The DJ keeps the energy high, spinning everything from throwback favorites to today’s biggest hits as patrons sing along and dance the night away.

A critical part of the Scorekeepers experience is running into someone you know, whether it be a random person from class or your old roommate from freshman year — and leaving your mark by signing the block “M” on the wall. In an email to The Michigan Daily, University alum Sophie Richards said she is drawn to the bar’s ability to bring people together. “Skeeps is a staple UMich bar — everyone goes to Skeeps so you know it’ll usually be packed ThursdaySaturday,” Richards wrote. “I love that when you go you’ll always bump into people you know, whether it’s close friends or people you’ve only spoken to a few times.” Richards described the electrifying environment that attracts both her and other students to Scorekeepers in four simple words. “Loud, chaotic, fun, exciting,” Richards wrote.

Dan Kim/DAILY

- Gia Verma, Daily News Editor

GET YOUR EXCLUSIVE DEBIT CARD TODAY!

*INSURED BY NCUA. DETAILS AT UMCU.ORG.