We visited during happy hour and sat at the bar, and the experience was lovely from the moment we walked in until the very last bite. The service was attentive and our server was both personable and knowledgeable, which made the experience even more enjoyable. Everything we ordered was well-seasoned and well prepared. The standout dish was easily the lamb shoulder appetizer, extremely tender and perfectly paired with the creamy hummus. Hands down, the best lamb shoulder I've had to date. The half chicken was also very good, tasting fresh off the grill, and paired nicely with the light, fluffy rice and grilled asparagus. The ambiance deserves a mention as well. The space feels modern and classy with romantic undertones, while still being warm and inviting. Overall, it was a wonderful dining experience, and I'll definitely be back to explore more of the menu. read more

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The staff is so fun and talkative. Not just our server but everyone would pass by and ask how we were doing and chat with us. The place is so nice, clean and very modern. I like that the booths are kind of private with the party you are with. For starters we had the pulled lamb shoulder hummus. The lamb was well seasoned and so tender the hummus was great but the combination was amazing. The mini gyros were really good too. They should make them as an entree with a bigger portion. They were so much flavor in the two bites I had since we split them in half. The branzino was good I have had better and the sides that it came with were a little on the small side it was Swiss chard and there was suppose to be romesco in it but I didn't see any and just a few pieces of fingerling potatoes. The ribeye was cooked to perfection and came sliced already the sides were plentiful and flavorful. The lamb chops were very small and not a lot of pieces and didn't really come with any sides. For dessert we split the Citrus Cheesecake and Trilece Cake. The cheesecake was very creamy and light the citrus taste was very pronounced and so fresh there wasn't any kind of artificial taste to it at all. The cake was delicious the cream on top was light and fluffy, cake was soft and moist, the sauce at the bottom gave it that extra touch that made it one of the best things I ate that night. read more

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We loved the ambiance and entrees here. The entrees in particular were delicious and presented very well, and we also loved our mocktails that went with them. However, the service was pretty slow- we were there for almost 2 hours and ran out of time for dessert, even though it didn't seem very busy. Additionally, I felt like the appetizers options were all out of left field, but we found some that we liked enough. I would certainly return, but would factor more time into my plans. read more

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Staff is awesome, menu has an Adriatic flair, parking is readily available, drinks are good ... totally recommend. It is a bit on the smaller side, but larger groups (say 10+) can move to the lower level. I have been now four times, and each time has been solid. Only ding (and it's a bit of a personal preference) is the menu is pretty limited. That very well may be a part of the business model (concept) but I wish the offerings were expanded by like 15-20%. Other than that, it's great. read more

I would give this place 10 stars if I could. Impeccable service, cool vibe, and amazing food and drink. read more

Besa - Drinks were so different and delightful - New American Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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I have to say, I'm really surprised this spot doesn't get included in more best of Detroit lists, and not even hearing more about it, I went in with very little expectations. I will tell you this, I left nothing but glowing reviews. First of all, what a beautiful restaurant. Visually and aestheticlly and tonally and go ahead an pick another sense because those were also wowed too. Modern style but yet still stunningly elegant, I was absolutely stunned the moment I walked in. Sitting down, you have views of Woodward and the bustle of Saturday night which I have to say was a very nice big city feel that I was missing here. But onto the food and drinks. The cocktails were well made, full of punch. My old fashioned was perfect, boozy right to the point of too much but still could taste the lovely orange. The crown jewels is of course the food. While the menu is not experinmental by any means, every dish was perfectly made. The lambchops were so tender I didn't even need a steak knife to slice them, a butter knife would have sufficed. The pasta (which is usually the least favorite part of any meal unless it's a ragu OMG!!! it was a ragu) was a shareable delight. As far as the service goes it was impeccable. We had a big group and we were left wanting for nothing. They were friendly and attentive and just so knowledgeable about any question we might have had. I am going to start a campaign to get Besa more recognized because it's a crime it's not talked about more. read more

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Lovely, relaxed atmosphere. Excellent service. Beautiful decor. Glad I finally got to come here. My friend and I ordered almost everything on the happy hour menu. The chicken kebab was very tender and the best thing we had, and the hummus with it was great too. The fries were underwhelming and too salty for us. The short rib arancini was very bland. The sauce didn't help and it looked so good. Such a bummer because the plating was beautiful too. The beef cevapi slider was okay. Not super tender or flavorful. We really enjoyed the butter lettuce salad. If you like truffles, this is the salad for you. I ordered a few mocktails. Golden Hour tasted like a lemonade and wasn't too exciting. I couldn't taste any cardamom. I loved that Ruby Hive drink. The grapefruit and honey combo was delicious. I overheard the man sitting next to me at the bar say that the scallops are the best scallops he's ever had so maybe I should order off the main menu next time. read more

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We had an exceptional time here. The bread is complimentary with delicious olive oil. Lions mane mushroom kebab has phenomenal flavor. Eggplant toast is good but could be skipped. The cheese appetizer was delicious. For two people we were so full after those 3 apps that we skipped entrees entirely and went to desserts. We got the tres leches which is phenomenal and some pistachio raspberry which was good but not mandatory to get. Ambiance is lovely. It's in such a nice area of Detroit. Our server was also super nice. He actually told us the plates were small but we were pleasantly surprised by the size. read more

Besa - New American Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Located right downtown, this is a must visit place. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would. It is more of an upscale vibe. A glass of wine is $25. The service is impeccable. The food is so good, and portioned exceptionally well. read more

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Excellent cuisine and atmosphere - their chicken breast entree, with fragrant rice, mushroom, asparagus, and avgolemono sauce was amazing. Also their bread with olive oil was excellent as well. The Filette sparkling water I ordered was also great, but $9 for a bottle. Service was exceptional, very prompt, attentive and accommodating. There are upstairs and downstairs dining areas too - highly recommended if you are looking for a nice fine dining place in downtown Detroit! read more

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We stopped here for appetizers and cocktails, and had a great experience! The food and drinks we tried were all unique and delicious, and Sebastian was attentive and friendly. We tried the Short Rib Arancini, Herb Marinated Chicken Kabob, and Broccoli Frito... all were so tasty! The "Toast to the Coast" cocktail was so unique and flavorful, I loved it! "Hard Day's Night" was also great, very refreshing. Highly recommend a visit! read more

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Came here with a friend this past weekend and had a great time. Besa is located in the center of downtown, and the restaurant ambience definitely matches to the beat of the city. It's lively, beautifully lit, and tastefully designed. There is complimentary bread service, and the foccacia was *chef's kiss*. I had to stop myself from filling up on it. We split the lamb shoulder and hummus appetizer and it was delicious! My friend ordered the salmon, and it was one of the most perfectly cooked salmon I have ever tried. I had the roasted eggplant on toast and I thought it was pretty good. It's an appetizer but I had it as my entree because I didnt have much of an appetite. We also had a side of broccolinii, and they were blanched and sautéed to perfection. Overall service was exceptional to say the least and would definitely return! read more

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Tiropita delicious! Waiter super friendly and helpful. Great at explaining the flavor in the food. Dark and very Modern looking. read more

Great Service and GREAT food. I'm from minneapolis and my Michigan friends took me here for my 40th birthday! It did not disappoint! we stayed at the David Whitney, autograph collection and the restaurant was in walking distance. The dish of the night was Pulled Lamb Shoulder which was set over hummus. This was a whole fave of the table. I also got the swordfish belly kebab which was delish. the only dish that didn't pass was the Ribeye, they kept over cooking it, however they comped my friend so no hard feelings! We also got free dessert for our birthdays! read more

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Food was great tired a different couple entrees and apps. Lamb shoulder was definitely a recommendation. Portions are on the smaller side of the apps tho. Service was great, our server was very cool and explained the menu very well. The Ambiance was Very nice has a very upscale look and design! read more

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Besa is a romantic dining spot with modern, muted decor and classy, up-beat music. Our service was friendly and attentive. This is an ideal for a nice date out! I just have to say their bread was so fluffy and AMAZING paired with this citrus olive oil. The halibut was extremely delicious and the whole plate was very flavorful. The steak frites was tasty along with the fries with the aïoli. For dessert, the vegan chocolate cake was an absolutely decadent finish! They have unique craft cocktails and are a close walk to downtown's main bars and attractions, like Campus Martius! read more

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Abbey G was the best server we've had in years of eating out. Actually, all of the staff--from the hostess who greeted us and validated our parking to the guy who held the door for us on our way out--were amazing. They do validate parking, by the way, and using the One Detroit Garage is the easiest option. Husband and I tried 4 cocktails, 5 savory dishes, and 1 dessert; they were all perfect. The bread has ruined focaccia for me; it's so good. The space is cozy and spacious at the same time. It's not loud at all, even though all the tables were full, so we could actually talk to each other without shouting. Eat here. read more

Absolutely beautiful restaurant in a great, central location. The staff is quick and attentive, and willing to provide recommendations. The food and drinks were good but felt slightly overpriced for the quality. I had the steak frites and it was well-cooked, but a bit on the bland side compared to other restaurants of similar caliber. The wine list is frankly a bit underwhelming given how beautiful their cellar is -- a bunch of uninspired grocery store wines with the occasional $$$ big brand bottle thrown in there. It just doesn't feel super thoughtful or like it's meant to go with their food menu in any meaningful way. Overall, a good spot for a date night but probably not my first choice at its price point. read more

This place is so beautiful from start to finish. Had my 30th birthday dinner here and felt so welcomed! The staff was amazing. Deserve a raise. Literally accommodated our group on a silver platter. Took some our allergies and dietary restrictions so seriously it was so appreciated. My friends even surprised me with a cake and they cut it for us read more

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One of my new favorites. Everything was excellent. The service was great. I was able to hear my friends conversation lol. I had the I believe it was called winter lady with earl grey infused vodka and Limencello. Absolutely unique and delicious. Then my friend and I split the calamari. Very crisp and good. We also spilt the village salad which they plated up for us separately. Then she had the chicken which she enjoyed and I had the spaghetti with anchovie, peppers and oil that was absolutely delicious. Don't worry, it doesn't taste fishy cause of the anchovie. The spaghetti fish in my opinion had a bit too much oil but it was still very good. I would order it again and just tell them them go lighter on the oil. It had a bit of heat because of the peppers which I love. I will be back! read more

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Went during Valentine's day and I can't help but be so impressed with how amazing both the food and service was for how busy they were!! The lamb chops were so tender and the chimichurri(?) relish was so extremely flavorful, the scallops were very impressive and perfectly cooked, the short rib almost melted in your mouth. The desserts were really good (especially the raspberry pie!!). Calamari and sides (broccolini and potato fingerlings) were unfortunately nothing very special though. Service was absolutely fantastic!! He had to take care most of the downstairs area and still kept up with our needs. Environment was super cute!!! they had balloons on the ceiling and left a rose for every table for Valentines day! :) read more

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Besa is one of the best restaurants at the end of Woodward and they should be extra commended for that success. The atmosphere is amazing, with huge windows allowing the city lights to shine in, the staff is extremely friendly and the food is great. The fish crudo was bright and acidic but well balanced. The pulled lamb should was divine, extremely tender and well seasoned allowing for all the lamby flavors to be highlighted. A great spot if you're looking for a downtown dinner read more

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Besa is a great place to dine at, the waiters are excellent, the place has a beautiful ambiance , the food is phenomenal I had the pasta it was definitely spicy but it was good , I can't remember the name since it's been a few months since I been here, but what I love about this place I that they change the menu over time I'm assume there menu change seasonal, but at the time I dine here my wife had the lemon chicken breast with rice , with an olives salad as a side , which we shared . Overall this place is a most try if you are in the downtown area of Detroit , the service is spot on and they definitely cater to your needs when it comes to add on to there dishes , meaning I asked for a a vegetable that was not even on the menu and they said we will ask the chef to add it on , that 5 star service , they time here was definitely an experience. Plus the cocktails and drinks were good. I definitely give them a 4.5 stars in my opinion , would of been 5 stars but I found out on my wife brunch visit they validate parking across the street , on this visit in particular I parked around the corner thinking they didn't have parking . Great date night , or just a night out enjoy the city view read more

We were in town for the University of Michigan football game, and my husband was nice enough to make a reservation at this restaurant. It is in a nice area with other restaurants and office buildings nearby. We were quickly seated at a nice table aIong the window. The restaurant has a very nice modern vibe. The complimentary focacia bread and olive oil were great. We started with the calamari appetizer, and it is one of the best calamari dishes I have had. The menu has several seafood, meat, and chicken entrees. I opted for the scallops dish. The scallops were delicious. One suggestion would be to serve the mashed potatoes that come with the scallops at a higher temperature. My husband had the prawn scampi dish. He loved the flavors. We were too full for dessert, but maybe next time. read more

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Food was excellent. It was enough for the tomahawk steak for us to share so we only had one tomahawk steak but enjoy the delectable tartar and other delicious appetizers., Our service was impeccable very attentive, nice friendly ambience was looking out the window and around a circular seat at Woodward and Congress really enjoyed this meal. I will be coming back. It was definitely five star and amazing every taste. read more

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Well, 4.5 if I'm being picky about cilantro! We ate at BESA during happy hour and ended up making a meal out of the appetizers and we were not disappointed. Every single small plate was packed with flavor and beautifully presented. The butter lettuce salad had an amazing crunch and perfect balance, and the beef cevapi slider was juicy and deeply satisfying. The short rib arancini were rich and comforting, the pulled lamb shoulder was tender and flavorful, and the seared manouri cheese was a total standout!. The only miss for me was the chicken dish, but that's purely because cilantro tastes like soap to me (if you don't have that gene, you'll probably love it!). The vibe at BESA is modern but super chill. The lighting is warm and inviting, and the huge windows overlooking the city make the whole place feel open and airy. It's the kind of place where you can relax and linger. Definitely a Detroit gem! I'll be back! read more

Fantastic plates and great ambiance. It's an eclectic mix of food offerings and changes regularly. The only criticism would be if you get seated in the lower level... i.e. the basement! It's definitely a bit pricey, but if it's a special event, it's worth it . read more

Besa - Steak - New American Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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Food was delicious Service was Great Alex & Sebastian was top notch Ambience was 10/10 music was decent and the atmosphere was beyond amazing. Sebastian created my special drink from his own collection of drinks and did not disappoint!!! Peach Lemon Drop, I will be back soon read more

Besa - Peach Lemon Drop-Sebastian - New American Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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We only stopped for drinks before a reservation somewhere else. The atmosphere was great at the bar area! We would definitely return to try the food when we have a chance! read more

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We had just two full days to explore and eat in Downtown Detroit. For happy hour we chose Besa for location and the fresh appearance of it. I won't make this a long story. Sat at the bar and ordered some bubbles to start and some appetizers. Everything, food, beverage, service and ambiance was outstanding. I wish we had more time to have a full dinner but definitely in our list for whenever we visit again. read more

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Second time here after bad first experience with service. My group wanted to come here, so I went with the majority. Food was delicious and service was outstanding. I'm assuming since it was a Wednesday, it was better compared to the weekend. I had the chicken breast dinner and I actually finished it because it was so delicious. The chicken wasn't over cooked, and was moist. The asparagus was a little burnt, but was still good. I do wish they could have added more mushrooms to the dish and it was not enough. Our waitress was very attentive and helpful with answering any questions. I'm happy and will be back. read more

Besa - Chicken breast entree - New American Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Great customer service, good and different food, cool romantic ambiance, and drinks were great. I'd for sure come back. read more

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Yet another five star experience at Besa! Amazing food, ambiance, and service. Raed provide the absolute best service and makes perfect recommendations. We have loved every recommendation he's max river the years and tonight was no exception. Best restaurant in Detroit! read more

Besa - New American Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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So this restaurant has been on my "restaurant list quote for quite some time. Finally tried it today and I was impressed. My friend and I went after work and the vibe inside was very nice. It's definitely a very nice classy restaurant for dates or business functions or grown/sexy birthday party. We had the most amazing waitress (blanking on her name at the moment). She arranged for us to see the wine cellar downstairs and had the manager give us a small tour of all the different wines. I had the Caymus Cabernet. Very smooth and full. She was also very aware of the menu. We started with the pulled lamb which was so tasteful. It was served over hummus, and the combination is just amazing. We both had the ravioli as an entrée which was topped with summer truffle. OMG! So flavorful! Highly recommend this restaurant. It's located right downtown Detroit. read more

Besa - Pulled Lamb over Hummus - New American Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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I've been to BESA several times, and I love it!! The food and drinks are so fresh and delicious! The ambiance is so cool and sophisticated. I love the music they play. It's like a chill modern club, giving it a cool vibe. The service is excellent, and the prices are on the more expensive side, but it's worth it if you are celebrating a special occasion! I highly recommend the red sangria!! read more

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The location of the restaurant is decently central to everything going on downtown. The Q-line passes right by the restaurant with a stop kiddy corner from the entrance. They do offer valet parking for $15 or will validate your parking. When you go in there in a QR code to scan by the host stand. I'd recommend making a reservation through Resy or by calling the restaurant. The dress code is business casual, but not stuffy by any means. The food and service was phenomenal. Our server, Shawn, knew it was our first time and was simply amazing. If we could have her as our server wherever we went, we'd be happy. The food was very tasty and perfect portions. Tonight's special was 1.5 lbs of crab (cracked in 1/2 down the middle and a 55 oz. Tomahawk steak). The appetizers and sides are definitely a shareable portion (more so the sides). I was able to try all the dishes posted with this review and would highly recommend anything to anyone. The halibut was very tender and perfectly seared, scallops fresh and slightly larger than I would have expected, and braised short rib very soft and flavorful. We made a decision last minute to order the salad and fries and I would recommend, but be mindful there is a hotter pepper in the salad. You get an order of bread and oil with herbs for the table. The restaurant is very trendy and has a basement for overflow and private parties, and the wine cellar. The main level supports the full-service bar (where you'd get happy hour specials) and a bathrooms (male & female are separate). My mother was able to use the restroom before we left and it was dirty. Everything else was clean and proper, but someone should be checking on the bathroom from time-to time. Overall I'd still give this restaurant 5 stars every day and will be back to try more of their tasty dishes. read more

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Classy and sophisticated. The wait staff is very attentive and friendly. I tried the chicken which is on top of rice with trumpet mushrooms and asparagus. It was delicious! The chicken was juicy and the avgolemono sauce was perfection. I was drinking the lule which is vodka, rose water simple syrup, and citrus. Just a hint of floral rose and bright citrus. It was good. read more

Besa - New American Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

I LOVED the lamb shoulder app and would get it every time I come. The soup also far exceeded my expectations. Those 2 alone were already really filling, but I decided to also get the sable fish. I thought the sides could have been a little more seasoned but I loved the balance overall. I would highly recommend any of them. Our server was super attentive and explained everything very professionally. read more

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My girlfriends and I had a girls night out here on Saturday and we were blown away by the food. We decided to get some appetizers and some entrees to split. The food was fantastic. The wait was very accommodating to allow us to split most of the food so we could share it. Not pictured is the bacon scallops which were cooked to perfection. Also not pictured is the bread - it was so delicious that we asked for more. The cheese was interesting and the combo of the honey and nuts was great. I'd love to come here on a date night to try a lot of the other menu items. It was not a cheap dinner, but the service and the atmosphere was worth it. read more

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Terrific vibe with big floor to ceiling windows adding brightness and people-watching. Music was a bit loud for my taste, but not overly obnoxious. The calamari appetizer was among the best ever - Fresh calamari and tasty red sauce. The Prawns Scampi was well-prepared, flavorful and filling. Service was excellent, supported by multiple staff members. Pricing is at the higher end averaging about $80-$100/person all-in, depending upon what drinks are selected. Overall, a wonderful experience. read more