NYT Names Two Detroit Restaurants to 2026 List
Tacos Wuey and Roses are the only Michigan restaurants on the New York Times' 50-restaurant list for 2026.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Dining Out
The New York Times included two Detroit restaurants, Tacos Wuey and Roses, on its 2026 list of 50 favorite restaurants nationwide. Sixteen food writers visited the restaurants unannounced and paid for their meals out of pocket.
Why it matters
Inclusion on the list spotlights Detroit's dining scene on a national stage and highlights local restaurants that have built reputations through cuisine and neighborhood presence. For Detroit diners, it offers a guide to two standout spots in Southwest Detroit and on the Eastside.
Both listed restaurants are in Detroit: Tacos Wuey on West Vernor Highway in Southwest Detroit and Roses on East Jefferson Avenue on the Eastside. The list includes 50 restaurants nationwide, selected by 16 food writers.
The players
New York Times
The New York Times is a major American daily newspaper whose annual restaurant lists are closely followed by food enthusiasts across the country.
Molly Mitchell
Molly Mitchell is a Detroit chef and restaurateur who first opened Rose's Fine Food in 2014 before its closure and later reopening as Roses.
Eddie Vargas
Eddie Vargas is a Detroit chef who moved to the United States as a young boy and leads the kitchen at Tacos Wuey.
The details
Tacos Wuey, located along West Vernor Highway in Southwest Detroit, is led by Chef Eddie Vargas, who moved to the U.S. as a young boy. Roses on East Jefferson Avenue was originally opened in 2014 by Chef and owner Molly Mitchell as Rose's Fine Food, closed in 2023, and reopened in September 2025 with a dinner-focused menu.
Timeline
2014: Molly Mitchell originally opened Rose's Fine Food.
2023: Rose's Fine Food closed.
September 2025: Roses reopened with a dinner-focused menu.
November 4, 2026: The New York Times published its 2026 restaurant list.
Culture Shift
The New York Times' annual restaurant list, which relies on writers dining unannounced and at their own expense, has become a recurring national signal of which regional restaurants merit attention beyond their home markets. Detroit's presence on the 2026 list reflects a broader pattern of food media recognizing neighborhood restaurants outside traditional culinary centers.
Detroit diners can visit Tacos Wuey on West Vernor Highway or Roses on East Jefferson Avenue as nationally recognized options in the city. The recognition may draw visitors from other areas to these two neighborhood restaurants.
The takeaway
Inclusion on a national list like this one can give neighborhood restaurants wider visibility, so exploring local spots directly is a practical way to discover what Detroit's dining scene offers.
Further reading
Explore more Detroit Dining Out coverage to see what else is drawing attention in the city's restaurant scene.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 97.9 WGRD.
