Alright, I have wanted to write this piece for a long time, but I wanted to make sure I had a few good years of living in Howell before I picked my favorite places. I feel like most people focus on the immediate surrounding areas of Detroit and don’t like to look out in the burbs for a good place to eat. Howell is about an hour from the city of Detroit and in my opinion has some of the best food in Michigan. Finally, after being a resident of Howell for a few years, I am ready to give my top 8 restaurants in the area.

Again, these are all my opinion, if you have any other locations I should try, let me know! I love finding new local spots to eat and have a drink at. When I think of great local spots. I have a few thoughts, first and foremost, the food has to be great. Second the atmosphere has to reflect the great city we call home. I think you’ll find on this list a lot of variety, great atmosphere  and above and beyond some great food.

As you go through this list, don’t forget to circle back and check out the photos I took while Howell was our WCSX City of the Week over the summer. I love to capture some of the history and love that is downtown Howell, from Farmer Market Sundays to the Melon Festival every summer. Howell is an amazing place and I am so happy I choose to move here and raise my family in this wonderful city.

Click HERE to find out more about the city.

Want more, here you go. My photos and thoughts from Howell City of the Week.

The Historic Howell Theater has been around since 1928

• Howell Mainstreet Winery

  I love this place so much. It is my wife and I’s favorite place to go have a glass or bottle of wine and eat the amazing pizza. I think that the Howell Mainstreet Winery has the best pizza hands down in Howell. The staff is amazing and come from a big family so bringing your kid in the winery is 100 percent acceptable. They treat you like family every time you are in there and we love going, especially when you can grab a bottle of wine and head to the outside seating.

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• Diamonds Steak and Seafood

  Next, you want a classic steak house? Diamonds again is a staple in the heart of Downtown Howell. From it’s very classy inside to it’s killer steaks and seafood, this is a great spot for an celebration especially and anniversary dinner. Open for lunch and dinner, Diamonds is a must try for anyone who loves a good steak. Don’t sleep on their desserts either! Some of the best in town.

  Welcome - Diamonds Steak and Seafood

  We are Open for Lunch!! Dine In and Carry-Out Tues-Thurs 11am-9pm Fri 11am-11pm Sat 4-11pm [...]

• Coratti's Pizzeria Bar and Bocce

  Coratti’s is number 2 on my list for good reason. The menu is amazing with multiple styles of pizza, sandwiches and main courses. I love the atmosphere in this restaurant because of the opening air seating at the front of the restaurant, and you can rent a Bocce court to play and spend a great night with friends. This was the first place my wife and I went after moving to Howell and I feel in love with the seafood pizza.

  Neapolitan Pizza Bar Bocce | Coratti's Pizzeria | Howell, MI

  Neapolitan Pizza Bar Bocce | Coratti's Pizzeria | Howell, MI

• Cello Italian Restaurant

  My wife is a huge fan of Italian food and when she wants it, this is where we go. It is right in the heart of downtown Howell with a great patio seating area along the main stretch of Grand River Ave. It is as classic as an Italian restaurant can get, with classic dishes, great wine and an old school setting that will make you feel like you are sitting in Italy. This place is a must for an Italian fan!

  Welcome to Cello Italian Restaurant

  Fresh Italian Ingredients + Quality Service Cello's menu is designed and priced to order multiple plates. Fresh pasta, seafood, traditional favorites & housemade limoncello

• 2FOG's Pub Bar and Grill

  When I think of downtown Howell, I go right to 2FOG’s pub. It’s a staple in the downtown community and for good reason. When you first go, you are taken back a bit in the best way possible, you walk behind the building to the ally and down a few steps. That’s right, this restaurant is in a basement. Right when you walk in you can see the charm and history. From the awesome long bar, to the rock and stone walls. This place has it all, amazing food, and great drinks. If you catch it on a nice summer day, they also have a great patio.

  2FOG's Pub - Bar & Restaurant in Howell, MI

  Known as the Uptown Downstairs place to be, 2FOG's Pub is located in downtown Howell and known as a destination location with a speakeasy atmosphere. We are an award-winning restaurant that has been featured in HOUR Magazine, Under the Radar, Dine in the D and Channel 2, just to name a few.

• GRIFFS GRILL

  Griffs Grill is reletivly new to the Howell scene, they recently opened up a small building with some of the greatest and unique sliders around. If you are heading to Griffs, I suggest the Rodeo Burger, It is American Cheese, BBQ sauce, Fried Onions Rings and grilled onions. That has to be one of my favorites on the menu. What I love about Griffs is the small town Howell feel it has when you walk in, everyone is very friendly and makes you feel at home. Check this place out!

  Griffs Grill Home of the Slider

  Dine in and carryout

• Gus's Carryout: Howell

  I love Gus’s, now I will say I am putting them at number 10 becasue they do have locations in other cities, but to me the Howell one is the best. They are owned by the same owners of the Highland House which tell you one thing. Their breadsticks are to die for. Another thing I love is how quick the food is without compramising the quality. Great pizza, chicken and ribs will have you coming back time and time again.

  HOME | GusCarryOut

  ALWAYS FRESH. ALWAYS READY. ALWAYS GREAT. With locations in Brighton, Hartland, Howell, and Walled Lake, Michigan, (AND COMING SOON NEW LOCATIONS IN NEW HUDSON AND FENTON) , Gus's Carry Outs have been serving quality food using only the the freshest ingredients and providing the highest standards of service since the mid-1980's.

• New China King

  Right when I moved to Howell, New China King was sold to new owners, after a rough Covid time, they opened and have some of the best Chinese food you can get in Livingston County. Everyone is very friendly there and gets your orders out fast. One of the coolest parts of New China King is, you can get carry out, dine in our they even have a drive thru if you are in a hurry. This is my favorite Chinese place in Howell, hands down.

  New China King

  New China King,1104 East Grand River, Howell, MI 48843, Take Out, Dine In,newchinakinghowell.com.

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