Coming here is really fun and grateful for a date night or a night out with your friends. There's one side of the restaurant that is the "fancy" side that you typically need a reservation for and end up paying a couple hundred dollars to dine at. This side faces the actual city. The other side is the bar side which I have never needed a reservation for and the side faces the Detroit river. The two sides have different menus and the bar side has like burgers and "normal" food that's actually not terribly expensive. Both sides are fun but I honestly like the bar side because you get to sit in comfortable couches and still have an amazing view. There's something called like Japanese bread that's pretty cheap and tastes fresh, and the ice cream is really good too. A few times we went we had something called a decompensated dessert which is a little bit odd, it's the ingredients that make up the dessert but spread out on a plate instead of formed into the actual desert. I included a picture of the decompensated cheesecake to explain. Honestly always so fun to visit here and the elevator ride up is cool too read more

Highlands - Decompensated cheesecake and ice cream - New American Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Atmosphere: The ride up the elevator to the 71st floor can be nerve racking if you don't like heights . They don't have very good signs directing you where to go in order to find the restaurant. Once you arrive the view from your seats is amazing. Food: The food was exceptional. We had the 3 course meal and upgraded to wagyu steak. The desert left a little to be desired but everything else was good. Service: The table service was excellent however, the bar service at the front was meh. Overall: The food was great but the desert was meh. The steak was worth the price but the rest was meh. I would go back for another special occasion. Again, the table service was great. read more

Highlands has been on my radar for a while. Last night we went for a 40th birthday. On the positive... The staff recognized my friend's birthday, were very accommodating as we dined for 2.5 hours, and of course, ambiance was nice with the sun setting over the river. We were also treated well and had a great server. I will say that the RenCen is just brutal. We couldn't find the elevator to the 71st floor because signage is non existent. Our food was very hit and miss. The beet and pear salad was great. Gnocchi was good but an extremely small portion. My friend got the filet as said it was "just ok". My wife got the scallops and said they were "fine". My Halibut was mediocre and our 4th diner didn't finish her short rib. Dessert was a similar experience - the Crème Brûlée was ok and the Orange cake was dry and left a lot to be desired. I really wanted to love this place but it what we experienced last night was not worth the price tag. read more

My husband and I went back to Highlands for Valentine's Day and it was just as great as our last visit! Food was delicious and portions were reasonable that we got so full before finishing our last course! Service was impeccable, no notes. The ambiance is nice with a beautiful view of course - the only thing was there was another table nearby that was too loud, and doesn't seem like anything was being done about it. But we didn't let that affect our meal. read more

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We had an excellent experience for our Highland's dinner on Wednesday. I'd talked all summer about taking my daughter and her girlfriend for a special treat to celebrate their high school graduation before they both head off to college. Parking was easy to find, and we got the validation QR code when we cashed out without having to remember to ask. The walk to find the restaurant was a bit deserted, but we managed without any real problems. The view was, of course, amazing, and the food was wonderful. We started off with a drink (for me) and mocktails for my daughter and her friend. Unfortunately, they had picked off the online menu, which is not up to date at this time. But the one they got was delicious. Our first course was the gem lettuces, the gnocchi, and the king prawns. All were delicious, but if I went again I'd probably get the gem lettuces instead of my king prawns. For our second course, they both got the new york strip, and I upgraded to the filet. Fantastic on all counts. The potatoes were also so good. I don't eat much, so I'll have the rest of my filet as leftovers tomorrow. For dessert, we all picked the creme brulee, and they brought my daughter and her friend each an extra mango sorbet to celebrate their graduation. We had time to spare afterwards and the bar on the other side was deserted, so they took lots of pictures with Belle Isle in the background. It was a great night, and worth repeating for another special occasion. read more

Highlands - Two Cosmonauts and a High Bar - New American Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

I brought a friend from out of town to Highlands for dinner and she was so impressed by the food and service. She had just arrived from Chicago where she went to a steakhouse there and she said Highlands was far superior. The food is top notch and the service is the best I've received this year. Highlands is an excellent option for fine dining with the best view in downtown Detroit. read more

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Highlands is on the 71st floor of the Marriott hotel. The views of Canada and Detroit are magnificent. Sunset from here is eye catching. Dinner reservations are required, but we came up here for a light casual happy hour, just a bite and a drink. read more

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My wife and I went to dinner at The Highlands last night. It was a very nice experience. Cons: If I am spending almost $400 on a meal, I have some expectations so this might sound a little snobby. Firstly, I believe there should be some dress code for a fine dining restaurant for staff and guests alike. The host wearing a loose button-up flannel style shirt doesn't ooze fine dining to me. Also, I don't feel jeans and t-shirts are acceptable to wear in a restaurant like this either. Unfortunately, I choose two different drinks, one a cocktail and one a scotch, and they were out of both. Kind of a bummer, but certainly didn't ruin our evening. The meal was a prefix menu which we were unaware of. While we were surprised, it was still OK with us. Pros: The service was wonderful. Andy was an outstanding server and Janae was very nice as well. The view is truly amazing as well and I don't know if any place in the city can compete. The food was very good as well. Course 1 - Hamchi Crudo for me and Apple Carpaciio for my wife. Both course were excellent! The crudo had a snow pea salad that I could have eaten a bowl of! Course 2 - Chitarra and Squash Gnocchi Both course were good, but not to the level and the first course. Some fresh ground pepper really helped out the chitarra. The gnocchi leans a little too sweet for us and the texture wasn't where we thought it should be, but good none the less. Course 3 - Filet and Scallops Again, both course were excellent. The filet was cooked to perfection and the squash was so very good! The sea scallops were probably the best cooked scallops I have every had. Both truly great! Dessert - Chocolate Ice Cream w/ Peanut butter cookie and Creme Brûlée. The ice cream stole the show here! All-in-all, a very enjoyable evening and a great meal. read more

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My boyfriend took me for the first time for Valentine's Day and I think that this is genuinely a place everyone needs to visit. The view from the top was incredible. Our waitress Andie was so attentive, sweet, and intelligent she was also a sommelier so when we got the wine pairing with our meals she did such a phenomenal job at describing the wines and choosing everything was paired so well. The first thing they brought us was this bread and butter which was so soft and flaky with salt on top was gorgeous. We then got the oysters (the sauce they brought with it was so perfect) and the tar tar which they brought with bread (unfortunately forgot to take a photo until half way through it was that good) and then this like crème brûlée type of spread with jam on top to put on bread. The first course I got the hamachi crudo which honestly I think was my favorite dish of the night it was refreshing and flavorful. My boyfriend got the king prawns and they were also delish (especially the wine she paired with it matched so well) Second course I got the Chitarra I don't think you can go wrong with a pesto pasta. My sister got the squash gnocchi which I was debating getting as well! The pear with the mustard offered such a unique taste that made me want more. And my boyfriend got the veal agnolotti which was also so good. For the last course we all got the steak but by the point I was so full I only ate half and took the rest home. I do love a steak and it was so good but with everything else we tried I think I would rank it last on my list (which is not a bad thing!!! I just loved all the unique things we had before) We also had this mushroom risotto (to die for) and broccoli with the steak as well! I was so sad I was too stuffed for dessert because it looked so good. The bar was also so cute I will have to go back for cocktails and dessert!! read more

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was there for event on Saturday nice venue food just ok! the place is really classy but the bartender seemed to be unkept and not very polished didn't match the vibe and was really hyper at times or often moved around! read more

What an awesome experience!! It was my dad's 50th birthday this weekend and his first choice was Highlands. The hospitality here is wonderful, the views of Detroit, the Detroit River and Windsor are GORGEOUS, and the food was absolutely delicious. Already looking forward to my next visit! read more

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The service and views of Detroit are excellent and are worth coming back for. The food, while beautifully presented and good portions, was mediocre. The desserts were probably our least favorite. There were strange textures and tastes with the chocolate cake and the ice cream. I think the concept of this restaurant is definitely there and there is a lot of good potential, but I think there is room for improvement to make the food and experience more refined! read more

Highlands - Rohan duck - New American Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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I heard so many wonderful things about Highlands from friends and family who came here. I was in the mood for a fine dining experience and we finally made time to pay the place a visit. The main draw with this restaurant is that it's at the top of the Renaissance Center, so you can see both the city of Detroit and Windsor while having dinner. I'm not going to go into each and every dish in great detail, but I wanted to highlight some noteworthy items. The Foie Gras Brulee is an absolute must try. It's both sweet and savory and pairs perfectly with the crunchy toast. This alone is worth dining here for. The sweet corn gnocchi was also exquisite, but I was slightly disappointed in the New York strip (which came recommended by my waiter). This cut of meat is good, but it doesn't have the same level of tenderness and fat as other types of steak and I was not exactly blown away by mine. So perhaps it's more so a preference issue, but I did not feel like it was worth the price I paid for it because the flavor just didn't wow me. But overall the food and service lived up to the hype. The only reason I did not give this a 5 star rating is because the bill was just way too high. I'm not a cheap person as I have paid good money for food in other places. I just did not feel like the whole experience justified the bill and that's honestly enough for me to never come back. I got a taste of what they had to offer, but it's a one and done for me read more

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Went to celebrate a birthday. Waitress was REALLY good & helpful. Gave free dessert. I'm not a cremr brûlée fan but the crème was the best I've tasted. drinks were cool. Seating area ok but kinda wish we sat at the bar. Looked more romantic lol. Food impeccable. They have fries (not pictured or listed) that tasted like McDonald's fries. My favorite of the 3 course meal was def the tuna crudo (mind you I am not a fan of Miss Tuna in her raw state). Absolutely amazing Not pictured was the sweet potato dish which came with crispy prosciutto. Fire. read more

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I'm not sure what I expected. The allure must be the view. The whole thing seemed dated. When spending $$$ on a steak, I don't know, I expected nicer. The menu I received was tattered. The table we sat at was wobbly. The server was sweet, the food was ok. Another things, they let people walk around the restaurant so as you're eating people will walk by and stare out the window you are sitting at. For that reason it didn't feel intimate. I felt like a zoo animal. Great to try. Not worth the hype. read more

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This place has been on my list of restaurants to try. What better time to check it out when out of towners are visiting. We didn't have reservations which aren't required for the bar. We had an amazing table with views of the Detroit river and Canada. Truly stunning. We got there before sunset so we were able to see even more. We started off with espresso martinis and a Mai's tai made with clarified rum. If you haven't had clarified liquor you have to try this! It's a process to clarify any liquor and the result is pure goodness. For appetizers, we ordered the beef tartare, pickle board, and artichoke hummus. Sooo good! Definitely want to come back for dinner. I checked out the dinner menu and it's a multiple course meal. Doesn't look like an option to order al carte, so come hungry! The restroom is on the other side of the bar which allowed me to walk the entire restaurant. 360 degree view of the city. Absolutely stunning! The only negative is the smoky smell of the old fashions. Double edge sword because I like old fashions that are smoked, but you leave smelling like the smoke. Overall, fantastic! Our bartender/server was amazing! Make sure to park at Beaubian Place. It's validated and free! read more

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I went here tonight with my fiance, two friends, and their child. I had been here twice before, but not to Highlands - once to the old Coach Insignia, and once to Hearth 71, which apparently isn't really in use right now (only private parties). The views are spectacular and the elevator ride especially is great. I had a tropical-type drink that was tasty, with choice of spirit (I chose vodka). The complimentary bread that's served is very good, as well. I did the three-course tasting menu ($90pp), and had the steak tartare, butternut squash soup, and the wagyu. I've only had steak tartare once before, it's not entirely to my taste but the bread they served with it was great; buttery and toasted. The soup was rather delicious and so was the wagyu. My fiance got the 10 oz. filet, but ordered it medium well and it came out medium rare. It also comes with your choice of some starters, so he got the salad, and he also got mashed potatoes and some dipping sauces. The waitstaff was very good here, even bringing orange slices to our friend's 1.5-year-old, who was getting a little fussy. My only minor complaint is that parking was supposed to be free, in the Beaubien structure, up to 3 hours, and it turns out it was just $10 off - by the time we exited the structure, it was 3 hours and 2 minutes ($15 regularly), so it ended up being $5. (By that logic, 3 hours would've been $12 minus the $10 discount, aka $2, so not entirely free parking) read more

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Went here with a friend for cocktails. Loved this place everyone was so nice. Service was fast and the space was beautiful

Wow! the views are the best in the city by FAR. I'm so glad we went for happy hour at the High Bar - it's a great happy hour. From 5-6:30 there are specials and the menu is perfect. Cocktails were great, and there were so many interesting ones to choose from. I had the pink pearl martini which was lightly sweet and super easy to drink. I also had the lemony snickett, which is made with mezcal and citrus with a Tajin rim - delightful. For food, we had several things, and everything was so outstanding. Chef is really doing his thing! We had the Japanese milk bread, which is this floofy salted round bread loaf with whipped butter - divine. We also had the pickle board which was so pretty and came with a variety of yummy things - the pickled strawberries were the best thing I ate all night, no joke. I've never tasted anything like them. They had so much fresh strawberry flavor along with a light pickle and spice. I really want to try and recreate those, but the strawberries they had were just so fresh and tasty - they must have an amazing produce vendor. We also had the fresh oysters, which came from Nova Scotia and were so delicious - smallish with a tender bite, salty and mild. Also, we had to try the foie gras creme brulee - a savory, creamy, salty and sweet spread with toast points. Wow! I've never had anything like it, and now I want it again! Not pictured is their smash burger, which I think should get more attention in the Detroit burger world. It was just the perfect messy but not too messy, not too big burger with the perfect seasoning and juiciness. The fries that come with are super hot and crispy. I'm already planning when I can return! If the snackies and burger are this good, I can only imagine how good the full dinner experience would be. Service was impeccable. Highly recommend for out of towners or business dinners - they also have the most beautiful private room. read more

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Food: 6.5/10 The bread and butter were surprisingly phenomenal and easily the highlight of the meal. However, the rest of the courses left a lot to be desired. I opted for the Australian wagyu as the main course alongside the other dishes, and while it was okay, it didn't justify the premium price. The ambiance may have set my expectations too high, but overall, the food fell short of delivering a truly memorable dining experience. Service: 8/10 The service was great--attentive, polite, and thoughtful. For instance, when I returned from the restroom, my napkin was folded neatly, which I appreciated. There were no issues here, and the staff added a nice touch to the overall experience. Ambiance: 9/10 Being on top of Detroit with a window seat made for an incredible view. You can see the Riverwalk and much of the city, which is undoubtedly one of the main reasons to visit. The ambiance is fantastic and definitely elevates the overall experience. Value: 4/10 For me, the food didn't meet my expectations, which is a big factor in value. If you're someone who prioritizes the view and ambiance, this might feel more worth it to you. However, for the price, I'd rather dine elsewhere. That said, it's worth visiting at least once or twice for the experience. If you're on a budget, I've heard you can just grab drinks and still enjoy the stunning views, which might be the better route. TL;DR: Stunning views and great ambiance make this a spot worth visiting at least once, but the food doesn't quite match the premium price. Service was excellent, but if you're prioritizing value, you might be better off just coming for drinks to enjoy the view without the full dining cost. read more

Highlands - Australian wagyu - New American Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Top to bottom we loved our dinner here. Everything was amazing. Prolly the best scallops we've ever had and the 3 course pairing was more than enough food we hurt b4 we finished but we couldn't stop. The views were obviously amazing and catching sunset was truly beautiful. The staff was everything one comes to expect from this type of high end restaurant. It instantly became our new special occasion place. read more

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Amazing experience at Highlands! My friends and I like to do a once a year find dining-esque dinner and this was the perfect place to do so. We made a reservation for 5:30pm on a Saturday about a month in advance just to make sure we could secure our spot. We parked in the Beaubian garage (the restaurant validated our parking up to 2 hours) and walked through the skywalk over to the Ren Cen where you then take the Elevator up to the 71st floor. We were seated right away and were able to do a coat check with the hostess. We started off with drinks. 2 of us had wine and the other had a cocktail. All super great! Loved the Pinot noir that I chose. We chose the 3 course meal option which they have a set price for. There are notes on the menu that some options are "supplements" so it will add a cost onto the base price of the 3 course meal. We all chose something different but I decided to go for the wagyu beef tartare for my first course, head on prawn for the second course, and the lamb chops for the third course. Everything was so amazing! It came out in great timing. The food was so rich and flavorful that by the end I was seriously so full. The head on prawn was super buttery and almost tasted like lobster which was great. The lamb chops were so ridiculously good, I am still thinking about them. I will say that the complimentary bread they served was also insanely good. I want that bread at home! We all got desert as well and it was again, super rich but so flavorful. The smoked chocolate cremeux was something different for me and I loved it. This is a great place for a special occasion or if you want to treat yourself. We were there for around 3 hours total. read more

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Really enjoyed our dining experience here over the weekend. Nice aesthetics and view. We enjoyed the chai creme brûlée, the three course menu with the filet mignon upgrade. Our waiter was very pleasant overall highly recommend. read more

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Fantastic views, great food, drinks and service. What more can you ask for? We arrived around 7pm on a Saturday without a reservation and got seats by the window in the lounge area. Perfect for drinks and apps with friends. read more

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I came here with two friends for a girls night dinner and we had the BEST time. We made our reservation for 5:30 in hopes to see a sunset, but the clouds and fog got in the way. By the time it was dark though, the whole city was lit up and the view was incredible. We all went with the pre fixe option for $85, as well as a glass of wine and a dessert. I started with a glass of Riesling to drink and the wagyu beef tartare for my appetizer. I'd never had beef tartare before, but it was so tender and flavorful. Then I had the lobster ravioli as my second dish. It was presented beautifully and sooo good. I loved the sauce that it came with. Then I had the scallops. By this point I was getting full, but every part of the dish was so delicious and cooked perfectly. I had the crème brûlée for dessert, and it was the perfect ending to the night. All of the staff was so friendly and attentive. We had a great time! It's definitely a place I'd only go to on special occasions, but I'd love to go back sometime. read more

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I've visited multiple times, taking friends here for the view and a quick drink. The decor is breathtaking. It's calm, is smooth, the 360 degree view is awesome. But it super loud and it doesn't feel intimate or private. Bartenders are helpful but super busy and no time to ask for recommendations- you need to know what you want right away. The food is good but - also after spending time and living in mountains of Europe and Scotland - the food is not matching my expectations BUT it was still a nice experience. I won't go back for my own personal experience but only for the view. read more

I don't know why it took me this long to eat at Highlands (I had previously stopped in just for a pre-show cocktail), but I'm glad I finally did. I will say, even though we had a reservation, our table wasn't ready when we arrived (I've seen other comments mentioning this), but my group didn't mind too much since we grabbed cocktails in their waiting area while enjoying the beautiful views. It's worth noting if you have somewhere to be after, though. Our server was okay -- she didn't seem to have strong opinions when we asked her about certain dishes, so she could've been a bit more helpful. But she was prompt and friendly. The sommelier, however, was very personable and helpful. We had a couple of beautiful bottles of wine (a Champagne and a Fleurie Cru Beaujolais), and I ate the duck thigh and a NY strip, both of which were delicious. Great spot for a date night or a fun dinner with friends who haven't seen much of Detroit. read more

Highlands - NY strip and Fleurie (Beaujolais) - New American Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

I can't say enough good things about this place! I've been celebrating my wedding anniversary with my husband for four years in a row. Every time we go, it's an amazing experience. From the amazing food to the complimentary glass of champagne to the service to the gorgeous view of the Detroit River, it makes us our favorite place for special occasions! Love, love, love it! read more

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Best views in Detroit! We attended the 2024 Highlands fireworks dinner and had a wonderful time. The food was amazing and the service was excellent. It was a 4 course meal and everything was delicious. read more

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It took us a min to find out how to get to the restaurant. You're greeted at the elevator. Seated immediately. Service was wonderful. The timing in bringing out courses worked perfectly. My mocktail (ginger rose) & lemonade were really sweet but flavorful. The oysters were so fresh. The ginger horseradish sorbet was a very refreshing & a lovely added touch. My 3rd course was the sea scallops & they were cooked perfectly! The sauce brought the oxtail mushroom & broccolini together nicely. A wonderful experience especially at sunset. Nice classic & vintage vibe. read more

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The Highlands lounge is where we went. It is the bar next to the Highlands restaurant at the 71st floor of the center tower of the Renaissance center. You cannot get better views than this of the city. The service is impeccable. Their drinks and appetizers are wonderful. It will not disappoint you. I cannot believe that more people do not go here. read more

Highlands - Detroit Renaissance Center the Highlands is at the top of the center tower - New American Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Nothing really beats the setting of this place, I think that's why you go here. I do have to say though the food was great and so was the service. read more

Ahhh Highlands....doesn't get any better than here! For many many years this has been the bar to sit at. Extra points if you make it in here right before the golden hour AKA when the sun is setting, you'll be in for one immaculate view. Thank me later. The food is obviously superb, the chefs are amazing. The staff will also take amazing care of you , always read more

The male bartender with the long hair, mustache, and bifocal glasses ruined my experience. Didn't make eye contact with me once and had horrible treatment towards our group as a whole. I am disappointed as I had higher hopes for this place. He should be fired in my opinion. read more

Had an absolutely amazing dinner here. The service was fantastic. It reminded me of being in Anchorman or the nice guys with all the wood look. The view is great as well. Highly recommend dining here if you want a memorable experience read more

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What a view!!! Fun and cool elevator ride up to the 71st floor. Good vibe once inside. Sat at the bar which was full on a late Tuesday night. Good service. I had the three course dinner with my choice of the salad (nice construction), truffle ravioli (they pour a warm butter sauce over it tableside - yum!), and the strip steak (cooked well but I wished it came with more potatoe puree). Definitely a repeat when in Detroit. read more

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If you've ever wanted to feel like you're on top of the world, then look no further than Highlands Detroit. Located on the 71st floor of the Renaissance Center, the view is spectacular. In equal splendor, the food is absolutely delicious and makes the entire time feel like an exquisite culinary experience (even the bread!). We did the three course meal. The foie gras brûlée was the perfect blend of sweet and savory (highly recommend), and the beef wagyu beef tartare was very rich. I also had the ravioli and my fiancé had the pork belly. For entrees, we had the wagyu skirt steak and Australian lamb chops--they knocked everything out of the park, and we were so pleasantly full afterwards. If you're looking for an incredible dining experience, don't hesitate to make a reservation. read more

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We started off with the foie gras brûlée which was sooo amazing the toasted salted bread paired perfectly with it and don't be afraid to ask for more bread. Also got the wagyu beef carpaccio which was also delicious only thing is I wish they gave you a little more meat. Gem lettuce was a nice starter for my fiancé light but also flavorful. I opted for the 3 courses: tuna crudo was perfectly balanced crunchy with a little spice. Wagyu short rib was *chefs kiss* tbh I liked this way better than the 3rd course the sea scallops. The scallop dish was disappointing bc everything else was so amazing before this. It was sooo salty I could not finish the veggies that came with it (and I tend to eat on the more salty side) Fiancé got the westholme 16oz ribeye which he really liked which came with a couple sauces and creamy mash. Views are amazing and service is good (when we first arrived they were on it but later on it took a very long time to get some of our food and the check) the whole dinner lasted about 3 hours which is a bit too long for me and the fiancé. They do cover your parking for the first 2 hours just ask to get it validated. read more

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Wowzers this place did not disappoint!! The food, the view, the service... all A+!! Started with the oysters which were perfect!! Then had the 3 course price fixe... tuna crudo was delicious, the lobster spaghetti was very good, not OMG amazing but very good... my colleague had the soup and that was next level! Then I had the sea scallops... which were perfect!! We were a group of 12 and also ordered a 40oz tomahawk for the table... I don't typically eat red meat but I tried a piece and it was really good! We enjoyed several bottles of the Orin Swift Abstract which is a Syrah blend and all I can say is, I really just needed a straw and the bottle! For dessert we ordered a few crème brûlée's and an apple crisp... both delicious as well. The service was impeccable and the views spectacular! Definitely not an inexpensive meal but if you're looking for a great place for a special occasion or celebration The Highlands should 100% be on your list!!!! Don't miss dinner here! read more

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I visit the High Bar every time I visit Detroit. Funny enough, I'm afraid of heights (so I hate the elevator ride up), but the mild panic is worth it. The views are stunning and the ambiance is upscale, but the bartenders are pretty chill. I order a cocktail and the pickle plate each time. My friends both had burgers last time we were there and said they were delicious. 10/10 recommend. read more

Highlands - New American Near Me - Detroit, Michigan