Top 3 restaurants in Michigan for business dining

Ramp processes billions of dollars in business expenses across thousands of companies every month. Our unique position in the payments ecosystem provides visibility into actual spending patterns, including restaurant and dining expenditures across diverse industries and business sizes.

Understanding Michigan's vibrant restaurant landscape requires analyzing real spending data to identify where businesses actually invest their dining dollars. This data-driven approach reveals not just popular venues, but establishments that consistently deliver value for business meetings, client entertainment, and corporate events. As Michigan's economy continues to diversify beyond its manufacturing roots, the state's culinary scene has evolved to meet the sophisticated demands of modern business dining, from Detroit's urban renaissance to Grand Rapids' thriving startup ecosystem.

Understanding Michigan restaurant industry

Michigan's restaurant and food service industry represents a $33.56 billion economic powerhouse, directly employing 423,500 workers across 23,123 establishments. The sector benefits from robust tourism, with visitors spending $29 billion statewide in 2023, fueling demand for diverse dining experiences. However, the industry faces significant challenges, with 40% of operators currently operating unprofitably due to inflation and rising labor costs. Geographic distribution shows concentration in urban corridors, with Wayne County hosting 3,155 establishments, Oakland County 2,601, and Kent County 1,751, reflecting metro Detroit and Grand Rapids as the state's culinary epicenters where business dining thrives.

Top 3 restaurants for business meals and client dining

Based on aggregated business expense data from thousands of Michigan companies, these three establishments consistently rank highest for corporate dining spend. This ranking reflects actual business purchasing patterns rather than individual consumer preferences, highlighting venues that successfully balance professional atmosphere, service excellence, and culinary quality for corporate entertainment and meetings.

Jet's Pizza

Jet's Pizza, founded in 1978 in Sterling Heights, has grown into Michigan's iconic pizza chain with over 400 locations nationwide, including 100+ standalone outlets across Michigan. The brand pioneered Detroit-style deep-dish pizza with its signature "8 Corner Pizza" – a rectangular pie featuring thick crust, crispy edges, and cheese baked to the edges. Jet's maintains a family-friendly, sports-oriented atmosphere with bright red interiors and open kitchens, positioning itself as a premium delivery-carryout concept perfect for casual business lunches and team meals.

Notable facts: Jet's Pizza has been featured on the "Inc. 5000" fastest-growing companies list and expanded to 20 states while maintaining Michigan as its operational hub. The chain has cultivated a loyal following through consistent quality and innovative offerings like gluten-free crusts and vegan cheese options, becoming synonymous with Michigan's pizza culture. Their Turbo Crust® technology, which bakes a butter-cheese blend directly into the crust, has become a signature innovation that sets them apart in the competitive pizza market.

Signature dishes:

• 8 Corner Pizza (Detroit-style deep dish)
• Turbo Crust® specialty pizzas
• All Meaty Deluxe with pepperoni, sausage, ham, bacon
• Jet's Bread (cheesy breadsticks)
• Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Best for: Jet's Pizza excels for informal team lunches, working meetings over pizza, and large group orders for corporate events. Their efficient delivery system and consistent quality make them ideal for office catering, while the casual atmosphere of dine-in locations works well for relaxed client meetings or team celebrations. The reasonable price point and crowd-pleasing menu make it a safe choice for diverse groups with varying dietary preferences.

Plum Market

Plum Market, established in 2007, operates seven Michigan locations including Ann Arbor, Bloomfield, and Detroit, blending gourmet grocery with artisanal foodservice. Each location features distinct culinary concepts: the West Bloomfield flagship houses a full-service café with seasonal menus, while the Ann Arbor location includes a wine bar and wood-fired pizza station. The markets emphasize locally sourced ingredients, with partnerships with 50+ local artisans creating a uniquely Michigan dining experience.

Notable facts: Plum Market has received multiple awards for sustainability initiatives including zero-waste kitchens and compostable packaging. Their "Chef's Counter" concept allows customers to watch chefs prepare meals in open kitchens, blending retail and dining experiences. The company sources 30% of produce from Michigan farms and has become a showcase for the state's agricultural bounty, making it a favorite among executives who value sustainability and local sourcing in their business dining choices.

Signature dishes:

• Michigan Cherry Chicken Salad
• Detroit-Style Coney Egg Rolls
• Wood-Fired Truffle Mushroom Pizza
• Great Lakes Whitefish Sandwich
• Vegan Beetroot Burger

Best for: Plum Market shines for health-conscious business lunches, casual client meetings over coffee, and catered events requiring diverse dietary options. The upscale casual atmosphere and communal seating areas facilitate networking and informal discussions. Their extensive prepared foods selection makes them ideal for grabbing high-quality meals for working lunches or sourcing impressive catering platters for board meetings and corporate events.

Amway Grand Plaza Dining

Amway Grand Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids features six distinct dining venues within the historic hotel complex, operating since 1981. The property's culinary program has earned Wine Spectator Awards for 15 consecutive years and features executive chef Matthew Millar, a James Beard semifinalist. Standout venues include Ruth's Chris Steak House and the rooftop LC Lounge offering panoramic city views, creating multiple options for different business dining needs.

Notable facts: The complex attracts celebrity clientele and has hosted presidential events, solidifying its status as Michigan's premier luxury dining destination. The hotel's Golden Age design creates opulent dining environments with crystal chandeliers, Art Deco details, and rustic elegance that impresses even the most discerning clients. Their annual "Grand Taste" festival showcases 50+ Michigan producers and features chef collaborations with local farms, demonstrating their commitment to elevating Michigan's culinary reputation.

Signature dishes:

• 45-Day Dry-Aged Ribeye (Ruth's Chris)
• Great Lakes Perch Almondine (The Kitchen)
• Venison Loin with Cherry Port Reduction (Cygnus 27)
• Artisanal Cheese Flight (LC Lounge)
• Grand Traverse Cherry Bread Pudding (dessert menu)

Best for: Amway Grand Plaza excels for high-stakes client dinners, executive entertainment, and formal business celebrations. The variety of venues allows for everything from power breakfasts at The Kitchen to closing dinners at Ruth's Chris. The professional service, impressive wine program, and sophisticated atmosphere make it ideal for impressing out-of-state clients or celebrating major business milestones. The central Grand Rapids location and on-site hotel facilities also make it convenient for multi-day business events.

Tips for business dining in Michigan's restaurant scene

Michigan's business dining culture reflects its Midwest practicality combined with increasing culinary sophistication. Make reservations at least 48 hours in advance for upscale venues, especially during major events like the North American International Auto Show in Detroit or ArtPrize in Grand Rapids. Many Michigan restaurants showcase local ingredients, so highlighting menu items featuring Great Lakes fish, Michigan cherries, or craft beers from the state's 400+ breweries can demonstrate cultural awareness to clients.

Timing matters in Michigan's business dining scene. Lunch meetings typically run 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, with many executives preferring earlier slots to avoid downtown traffic in Detroit or Grand Rapids. For dinner meetings, consider Michigan's seasonal patterns – summer evenings are perfect for waterfront dining along the Great Lakes, while winter calls for cozy, established venues with reliable parking or valet service. Weather can impact travel times significantly from November through March, so build in extra buffer time.

Understanding local preferences enhances business relationships. Michigan professionals often appreciate unpretentious excellence over flashy presentations. Craft cocktails featuring Michigan-made spirits like Two James or Valentine Vodka signal attention to local quality. For automotive industry meetings, venues near the Detroit-Troy-Auburn Hills corridor offer convenience, while Grand Rapids' Medical Mile professionals often prefer restaurants within walking distance of hospital complexes. Always confirm dietary restrictions in advance, as Michigan's diverse population includes significant Middle Eastern communities in Dearborn and vegetarian-friendly preferences in university towns like Ann Arbor.