24 Flint Restaurants to Whet Your Appetite

Flint may be known for its rich automotive history, but its food scene is just as impressive. From classic coney dogs to globally inspired cuisine, the city is packed with incredible restaurants serving bold flavors, creative dishes, and plenty of local charm. Ready to dig in? Let’s explore some of the best restaurants in Flint that you won’t want to miss!

Best Places For a Quick Bite

Dale’s Natural Foods

4290 Miller Rd Suite 1, Flint, MI 48507

When you first pull up to Dale’s Natural Foods, you might think that it’s just a small grocery store. However, the shop is home to a deli and juice bar. It has been serving the area since 1947, providing fresh, fast meals.

Everything on the vegetarian deli menu is made from scratch, just like the pure fruit smoothies. You can order sandwiches, soups, salads, and hot entrees.

Hoffman’s Deco Deli & Cafe

444 Saginaw St, Flint, MI 48502

Located in downtown Flint, Hoffman’s Deco Deli & Cafe serves healthy, quality sandwiches daily. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite on the go or catering a corporate event, Hoffman’s strives to make your day fresher. Stop by for different featured sandwiches throughout the year.

Tee’s Plentiful Salads

300 E 1st St, Flint, MI 48502

Inside the Flint Farmers’ Market downtown, Tee’s Plentiful Salads prepares fresh salads every day under the management of former Culinary Arts Instructor Tamara Mathis. She started the business with a focus on bringing healthier fast food choices to Flint.

The menu features several daily specials, a list of traditional and unique salads, and the option to build your own.

Starlite Burger & Coney Shop

4125 E Court St, Burton, MI 48509

Since 1966, the Starlite Diner has been a family-owned tradition and a Flint staple that’s now a second-generation restaurant.

It specializes in serving breakfast all day, grilling fresh ground hamburgers, and putting together Coney Island dogs with Flint flair. You’ll always receive quality food at this diner.

Best Casual Restaurants

Dom’s Diner

3833 Corunna Rd, Flint, MI 48532

What makes Dom’s Diner one of the most unique Flint restaurants is the Dom Da Bomb burger — two patties, bacon, white cheese, an onion ring, and barbecue sauce.

From breakfast to dinner, the ingredients are never frozen in Dom’s kitchen. The diner has become quite popular since it opened in 2018, and everyone can find something on the menu to enjoy.

Luigi’s Restaurant

2132 Davison Rd, Flint, MI 48506

Serving brick oven pizza since 1955, Luigi’s Restaurant is a local tradition. In addition to pizza, customers can order sandwiches, pastas, and other entrees from the menu.

This local spot is a great place for large gatherings and events as well — it even offers party trays and catering services.

Pesto’s

5275 Miller Rd, Flint, MI 48507

Pesto’s restaurant serves American-Italian fare, including pizza and pasta. Customers can order a range of sandwiches, wraps, soups, and salads.

The best part, though, is that the restaurant tries to accommodate all dietary restrictions. It has a healthy choice menu and several gluten-free alternatives, including a handful of desserts!

Torch Bar & Grill

522 Buckham Alley, Flint, MI 48502

Situated in the Entertainment District of downtown Flint, Torch Bar & Grill has been in business for more than 50 years. Many of the locals consider the Torch Burger — a ½-pound fresh ground beef patty served with your choice of toppings — to be the most unbelievable burger in Genesee County.

This old-time pub makes awesome beer-battered fish and chips, and customers can also enjoy sandwiches, wedge-cut French fries, onion rings, and veggie burgers.

Best Breweries, Brewpubs, & Wine Stops

Barley & Vine

1072 Elms Rd, Flint, MI 48532

As a casual neighborhood hangout in Flint Township, Barley & Vine places an emphasis on providing quality, locally sourced products.

The menu features charcuterie boards, craft beer, and wine from local vendors, as well as regional and world.

On top of that, customers can order unique cocktails, whole leaf tea, and small batch coffee. On the weekends, the restaurant hosts live entertainment.

Blondie’s Food & Spirits

2520 W Hill Rd, Flint, MI 48507

As one of the best local Flint restaurants for a meal and drink, Blondie’s Food & Spirits has a passion for people and delicious food.

The family owners strive to deliver a memorable dining experience, and for their efforts, they were awarded Restaurant of the Year in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

The menu has traditional food items along with vegan and gluten-free options.

Market Tap

300 E 1st St, Flint, MI 48502

Market Tap is located in one of the coolest places in downtown Flint — the roof of the Flint Farmers’ Market. Although you won’t find much of a food list here, you can enjoy beers, ciders, seltzers, wines, and cocktails before or after dinner.

It’s only open on certain days of the week, so check out the website before you go.

Redwood Steakhouse & Brewery

5304 Gateway Centre Blvd

As the first microbrewery and restaurant in Flint and Genesee County, Redwood Steakhouse & Brewery offers an upscale food experience in a casual atmosphere.

Redwood Brewing Co. has been making award-winning brews since 1996, and you can get a taste with your meal.

The food menu includes wild game, a raw bar, mesquite grill, wood-fired pizza, and fusion sushi. You can order cocktails and wine too.

Tenacity Brewing

119 N Grand Traverse St #5620, Flint, MI 48503

Located in an old fire station downtown, Tenacity Brewing gives customers a chance to taste creative beers. A variety is available on tap — lagers, stouts, ales, and more. The brewer makes hard ciders, root beer, and kombucha, too.

Additionally, a small food menu is available, and guests can enjoy a meal with a view on seasonal outdoor seating that overlooks the Flint River.

Best Fine Dining & Upscale Restaurants

Applewood at Second & Saginaw

550 Saginaw St, Flint, MI 48502

Located in Flint’s Entertainment District, Applewood at Second & Saginaw is actually an upscale teaching restaurant at Mott Community College. The modern, sleek classroom is operated by talented students who make beautiful baked goods and a variety of dishes to suit every palate.

Since it allows students to learn and gain real-world experience, it’s one of the most distinct local restaurants to dine at.

Cork on Saginaw

635 Saginaw St, Flint, MI 48502

Housed inside a restored marble bank home in the Entertainment District, Cork on Saginaw is a bistro-like wine bar and restaurant. It has a full food menu featuring salads, soups, main dishes, cheese platters, snacks, and unique desserts.

The most attractive menu, though, depending on tastes, is the list of more than 100 wines from across the globe. Customers can attend a wine tasting event or arrange a private tasting to sample from the spectrum of flavors.

Sauce Italian American Kitchen

352 Saginaw St, Flint, MI 48502

Another downtown restaurant in the Entertainment District, Sauce Italian American Kitchen, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a historic bank building.

The kitchen takes inspiration for its dishes from experiences with friends, families, and farm restaurant tables across the state. Every dish has Italian roots but is infused with local ingredients and flavors.

There’s more to Sauce than just the main dining room. The owners run The Federal Coffee House (in the Hilton Garden Inn Flint Downtown) with the goal of brewing the best coffee possible.

The Simmer Rooftop Lounge (also in the Flint Michigan hotel) is an open-air, seasonal rooftop bar that serves farm-to-table bites and crafted cocktails.

Best Restaurants for International Cuisine

Italia Gardens

G-3273 Miller Rd, Flint, MI 48507

Established during the Great Depression in 1931, Italia Gardens was the first Italian restaurant to open in Flint.

Since then, it has maintained its roots of authenticity and tradition, only using fresh ingredients in homemade recipes and preserving the same passion as founders Josephine and Albert Barone. The restaurant is simply a wonderful place to enjoy good food and good company.

Grill of India

2105 S Linden Rd, Flint, MI 48532

Serving authentic Indian cuisine, Grill of India is worth the experience because you can expect recipes that have been perfected over centuries. Indian dishes are some of the most diverse in the world, and the chefs bring that to life in their cooking.

This eatery uses tandoori cooking techniques that originated in Northwest India, which is the birthplace of owner Mr. Manjit. The restaurant menu features a buffet and vegetarian dishes.

Xolo

555 Saginaw St STE 105, Flint, MI 48502

For the best tacos and tequila in downtown Flint, head to the Xolo. The taco menu is absolutely delightful, and the bar features over 75 tequilas.

Customers can sample the spirits in flights, but can also order specialty margaritas if the mood strikes.

3322 Davison Rd, Flint, MI 48506

On the east side of Flint, you can find more authentic Mexican food at Cocina Mio. Everything on the menu is freshly made, including the tortillas. You can order everything from breakfast tacos and enchiladas to menudo.

Best Coffee Shops & Cafes

The Good Beans Cafe

328 N Grand Traverse St, Flint, MI 48503

As a premier cafe in the Entertainment District, The Good Beans Cafe features imported coffee blends that tantalize your senses. The menu includes everything from espresso and Americano to fruit smoothies and lemonade.

You can even order a small bite to eat — bagels, muffins, scones, soup, protein bars, and more — to go with your beverage.

Donna’s Donuts

1135 W Bristol Rd, Flint, MI 48507

While you’re out and about in Flint, consider taking a break at Donna’s Donuts. The bakery has been a local favorite since 1962. It serves great coffee and tea and is home to the nutty doughnut.

Best Ice Cream & Dessert Shops

Banana Boat Ice Cream

3721 Corunna Rd, Flint

Open seasonally, Banana Boat Ice Cream has proudly served ice cream since 2014. The independent ice cream shop has partnerships with exceptional Michigan dairies and farms, bringing the best quality ice cream to guests of all ages.

You can order hand-dipped or soft-serve ice cream in many ways — coolers, floats, flurries, malts, parfaits, shakes, sundaes, and more.

Flint Crepe Company

555 Saginaw St, Flint, MI 48502

What started out as a food cart in 2008 developed into a brick-and-mortar shop downtown in 2011. The Flint Crepe Company is a popular local spot because of its locally sourced seasonal ingredients.

The inside decor is styled like the 1920s, and you can choose from a variety of sweet crepes.

Although we prefer the sweets, you might enjoy the savory crepe options that are also on the menu. The restaurant even serves dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian food items. Furthermore, you can order Flint-roasted coffee with your crepes.

Did we miss your favorite local Flint restaurant or eatery? We want to hear about it in the comments!