Let’s get it clear about hipsters. A hipster is cool. Where hipsters go, you’ll want to go, too. The classic definition of a hipster is:

\hip-stur\n. One who possesses tastes, social attitudes, and opinions deemed cool by the cool. (Note: it is no longer recommended that one use the term "cool"; a Hipster would instead say "deck.") The Hipster Handbook, Robert Lanham

But the term hipster was actually coined in the 1940s, and was first published in 1944, on Harry Gibson’s Boogie Woogie in Blue album notes, meaning “characters who like hot jazz.”

Regardless of origin, note that a hipster is cool, interesting, and finds unique places to eat (I’ll get you 9 examples in a minute). We can especially see the hipster culture in certain areas of large cities – and many college campuses. One such campus is local to me, at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The campus weaves its way through the city, and hidden treasures are in every corner.

Oh, let me tell you, in Ann Arbor, hipsters abound. And no matter where you stay in Ann Arbor, you’ll be close to many of these hipster hangouts. Get ready to eat (and drink) like a foodie. That’s one more thing hipsters know how to do well.

 

 

 

Babo

403 Washington Street; Phone: (734) 997-8495

Want a fresh local market, with eclectic offerings? One that also offers several seating areas, an outdoor patio, and extraordinary food? Head to Babo. Grab a fair-trade, single origin pour over coffee, or an espresso. Coffee is roasted to order by Ypsi’s Ugly Mug. LOVE.

 

Custom sandwich

 

coffee pour

 

Cold bar

 

Black Pearl

302 S Main Street; Phone: (734) 222-0400

Where else, but a seafood and martini bar? The Black Pearl’s goal is to “reinvent the experience of "comfortable and cool" dining and lounging in the vibrant heart of downtown Ann Arbor. Our bar and wait staff have been selected for what their parents have taught them to do . . . to welcome everyone with love.” And love is evident in everything they do – love for creating delicious drinks, and love for good food. In the summer, snag an outside table. Do try something from the sea – it’s their specialty, and they do it quite well. Note: Black Pearl makes their own ice cream. Swoon. Kudos to owners Harry and Jan Ziegelman Cohen.

 

 

Black Pearl's clam chowder

 

 

 

Eat

1906 Packard Street; Phone: (734) 213-7100

Eat is a catering business where you can order takeout or dine at a few tables or on the patio outside, when the weather is nice. What will you find from Chefs Helen and Blake? Soups, sandwiches, and well-put together creations (Korean BBQ beef sandwich with kimchi, Pork Confit, Lamb Merguez, saffron rice croquettes stuffed with fresh mozzarella, sloppy yusef, grilled tempeh, a BLT with house-cured bacon…) with amazing sides (always my favorite part of the meal). Save room for dessert, it’s award-winning.

 

Chicken sandwich

 

Soup

 

Frita Batidos

117 W Washington Street; Phone (734) 761-2882

Did someone say garlic cilantro fries? The food at this Cuban-inspired restaurant is extraordinary. The staples? A Frita (burger made with spicy chorizo, topped with fries), and Batidos (fresh fruit milkshakes)! Anyone that names their restaurant after 2 such foods deserves accolades. Much of the menu is locally sourced and follows the seasons; the restaurant is small but has a big heart. You’ll also find a bit more Cuba than Michigan on your tastebuds – from conch fritters to Cuban sandwiches, loaded plantains, and my favorite, Churros with Chocolate Español for dunking. It’s a delight to be here, and feast on the inspirations of chef Eve Aronoff.

 

The garlic cilantro fries

 

Batidos

 

A variety of Frita

 

Grange

118 W. Liberty; Phone (734) 995 2107

Local and sustainable sourced food is, as this article has proven, a very hip way to eat and be in the world. It serves Chef Brandon and the Grange Kitchen and Bar well, with seasonal menus and delicious food. One must-try is the spicy fried chickpeas for an appetizer. It’ll start your meal off perfectly. You can play it cool with house made charcuterie, house pickles, fermented veggies, and mustards, or be brave and try the fried pigs head with sauce gribiche. For mains, try the lake perch, goat cheese gnocci, or roasted duck breast. I have to be honest, though – everyone goes for the duck fat fries. If you want to be cozy, head upstairs to the lounge. Take a virtual tour of the first floor here!

 

Jamaican curried goat stew

 

Snag a seat outside!

 

The Last Word

301 W. Huron; Phone (734) 585-5691

Named after a Detroit Athletic Club cocktail created in 1921, The Last Word is serious about their cocktails. Try the Andy’s Only (New Amsterdam gin, fresh lemon, honey, blueberries, basil, and ginger beer), or one that involves one of my favorites, the Penicillin (Dewar’s blended scotch, Laphroaig single malt scotch, fresh lemon and ginger, Michigan honey syrup), or You’re my Boy Blue (Elijah Craig 12yr Bourbon, St Germain Elderflower,  fresh lemon, muddled blueberries). Intrigued? Check out the drinks menu here. And don’t worry - there’s plenty to enticing things to eat, too. Did I mention the music?

 

 

 

 

Mighty Good Coffee Café

217 N Main Street; Phone (734) 222-4514  

Also at Mark’s Cart’s (211 W Washington) and inside Two Wheel Tango (4765 Jackson Road)

A2 has a plethora of great coffeeshops. One of my favorites is Mighty Good. Their coffee is freshly roasted in small batches, the staff is friendly, and the taste is divine. I love the espresso, but have recently rerouted to the cocoa latte or the cold press au lait. Mighty Good is founded on “family traditions; artisanal craft processes; building local community; and fantastic coffee. We start with beans from select farms, mills, and co-ops (yes, we visit!), roast in small batches, and package quickly to preserve freshness. We pour our passion into every roast, every bag, every day.” Yep.

 

 

 

 

San Street

217 W Washington; Phone (734) 531-9622

Chef Ji Hye Kim fuses home cooking and Asian street markets to bring Asian street food to Ann Arbor. One of the carts at Mark’s Carts, San Street offers a Asian-inspired cuisine to Michiganders. Try the San Street specialty of filled buns, or the banh mi (another swoon). You’ll also find San Street at the Cobblestone Farm Market, Westside Farmer’s Market, a Sunday popup at the Bar at 327 Braun Ct, and Sunday Artisan Market in Kerrytown. Note: plenty of options for vegetarians. Hooray!

 

The menu at San Street popup

 

Hot Asian buns

 

Thai basil sesame soba at San Street

 

Shisito peppers

 

Zingerman’s Delicatessen

422 Detroit Street; Phone (734) 663-3354

Oh, this is the epitome of great food in Ann Arbor. Founded in 1982, Zingerman’s Deli has been delighting Wolverines and visitors for generations now. Zingerman’s is more than a restaurant, though – it’s a complete gourmet food shop, packed into a small space. Wind your way past the bread to the coffee, and come out the other side by the hanging hams and array of cheeses. If you don’t want to get ingredients to go (a tailgating picnic, perhaps?), you can order genius sandwiches made from high-quality ingredients, as well as soups, salads, hash, Jewish foods, and great sides (try the mac & cheese, which is one of their most popular items. Get there early to get some). Be prepared to shell out for their incredible bread, worth every penny and then some. Or buy some enticing treats from Zingerman’s creamery, which handcrafts cheeses and gelato. Be sure to stock up on the homemade cream cheese for the aforementioned bread. Oh, yes.

Can’t get enough Zingerman’s? Head to Zingerman's Roadhouse (2501 Jackson Ave) for a sit down meal.

And eternal love to anyone who runs a yearly Camp Bacon, a fundraiser for the Southern Foodways Alliance.  ‘Nuff said.

 

 

 

the bread...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: All photos courtesy and copyright each restaurant (thank you!), except for Zingerman's and Mighty Good photos courtesy and copryight Wandering Educators, and word photo flickr cc: David; Arrow Maps 1964. Adapted by Wandering Educators