Top 12 Budget-Friendly Restaurants Near You in in Ann Arbor, MI

David Weiseman Always a great place for a special occasion. Slightly fancy, but not over the top. They had a live musician playing acoustic guitar Christmas music. A great addition to the ambiance of the restaurant. Terrific selection of wines as well as house cocktails. The menu is a blend of French and Italian meals. Always enjoy coming here.

Neal Bakshi How this place got 4.4 stars is beyond me. The food is delicious (although a tad pricy), the service is highly attentive and top notch, and the atmosphere is nice and clean. We went on a Wednesday night and it was not that busy. The decor is nice and the bathrooms are clean. The small plates all look so good, but we went with the brussel sprouts and feta which we would absolutely order again. The former better than the latter in my opinion. The salmon entree was perfect and has we only ordered these 3 dishes, we would’ve been completely satiated. Our eyes were bigger than our stomachs however and we got the vegan paella as well, which we mostly ended up taking home. This place is a great spot for a date night, night out with friends, or other upscale but not too fancy dinner. Great food and truly stand out service.

JJ Crisostomo Another wonderful Christmasy night at Ann Arbor listening to Handel’s Messiah at Hill Auditorium. For this night, we tried La Serre and it did not disappoint. Ordered the steak frites and it was perfect medium rare, juicy and well seasoned with French fry sticks. Also tried the mussels and they are as good. Quick and polite service. Located inside the new Vanguard Hotel. Valet parking if you wish. Highly recommended.

Randy P Absolutely love this place...always great beer on tap always a great staff on hand. Stopped in twice over the past weeks. The variety they have on tap is pretty amazing... Always hitting on all cylinders when it comes to variety and rarity. Love when they have witchs hat beers on tap. Best part is you can bring in your own food. Tip if they are not very busy opt for the table service, really makes things easier then getting up all the time. I also recommend not getting a glass of anything untill youve tried a few flights first

Rebecca Krawczak The chocolate chip pancakes and hot coffee were delicious!!! I also loved the bacon, it was deliciously cooked and flavored. My friend got a breakfast sandwich and really liked it. I’d definitely go back here again. The lady who was behind the coffee counter seemed kinda in a bad mood so they lost points for service there due to her being kinda mean for no reason but it didn’t take away from how delicious everything was. Line was long and went quick.

Ahmed What a cool spot- Lived in AA for nearly three years and only discovered this spot after moving away and revisiting. It’s super cool. The courtyard at the back is like something out of a small New England town, maybe even Europe. The system of ordering and having your order called out on a loud speaker was pretty unique, and the overall ambiance was incredibly lively. This spot had a bit of that pre-modernized authentic Ann Arbor feel, before all the chains and big businesses took over. The food was decent too and drinks were perfectly crisp. Highly recommmend a visit.

Alexander Baylerian Went to the later Alune Wade concert, last night. The show was incredible! It was our first time at the Blue Llama and we loved it. Great lighting, sound, and atmosphere, creative drinks, and a great desert.

Jaime Recommend! Very nice spot for lunch. We love trying out places while visiting in Ann Arbor and came across Union Rec. Everyone was very welcoming and attentive. The food was delicious, especially my new favorite the jalapeño sweet mash, there is something for everyone on the menu too all styles of food. The atmosphere was very welcoming and comfortable.

josh conley Good service great guy at the door for security on Friday August 30th. Me my brother and best friend came up from Pittsburgh for the game against Fresno state. The place was awesome it is a must go to if you are in Ann Arbor and especially a Wolverine life long fan. Thank you for make a good pre game night a great pre game night. Who ever was the security guy I didnt get your name dam glad to have met you we will be back. GO BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yunong Shi Pacific Rim by Kana offers a warm, polished dining experience with refined pan-Asian flavors and thoughtful service. We ordered a variety of dishes and loved every one of them. The Tuna Tartare with Taro Chips was a crisp, textural starter with a bright, clean flavor. The Unagi Terrine was a standout—served warm over sushi rice with avocado and finished with a bold, green mustard sauce. Rich, smoky, and deeply satisfying—one of the best bites of the night. For mains, both the Japanese-Style Sablefish and the Korean-Marinated Ribeye were excellent. Served over rice, they evoke donburi and bibimbap in elevated, plated form. The sablefish was silky and miso-glazed, while the ribeye was charred and tender, topped with a soft egg that brought everything together. Dessert was just as thoughtful. We had a Pistachio and Mascarpone Crêpe, and a Crème Brûlée Tasting with green tea, key lime, and ginger. The brûlées were distinct and well-balanced. Our server even added a birthday candle—unprompted and kind. Service was quietly exceptional. Our young server (possibly a student) was attentive, sincere, and never pushy. The setting is elegant without being fussy—warm lighting, natural wood tones, and subtle pan-Asian décor make it perfect for a special dinner that doesn’t need to show off. Just quality, quietly done right.

Juan Ortiz ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Palm Palace is a hidden gem of hospitality! We came in just expecting a good meal, but we walked out with an experience. Hoda, our server, turned dinner into something special. She patiently walked us through the menu, made thoughtful recommendations, and made us feel genuinely welcomed—as if we were guests, not just customers. Delicious food. Beautiful atmosphere. And service with heart. Thank you, Palm Palace—and especially Hoda—for making our evening memorable. We’ll definitely be back!

Steph Goertz Absolutely amazing. I wanted to order a bowl but they had sold out of all of them. Do I got the hamburger. Each week they have a special. I cant believe how amazing it was. I could taste the different layers of flavors but wouldnt exactly pint point all of them. They are in the same common space as at least 3 other food businesses, sharing the seating area. Great place. Lots of seating and atmosphere was very comfortable and exactly what you need for a BBQ food location, a bar with martinis , a bistro and a wine bar!! I have edits this review several times as I continue to sit here. Very clean. The young man who was cleaning was doing a very good job. Im not sure Ive seen someone clean door windows at 8:30 PM in a restaurant. He has swept the floor often. A great worker to keep.