Detroit: Shelby Detroit
Shelby Detroit is located in the basement of 607 Shelby Street, in Downtown Detroit’s Financial District. The building itself is historically known as the US Mortgage Bond Building which opened in 1925. To visit them, head downstairs to Coffee Down Under and let a barista know you're here to see “Shelby”.
The story of Shelby Detroit began in early 2019 when the owners stumbled upon a former bank vault that had been vacant for 20 years. The space exuded a deep history, and they felt compelled to restore it to its former glory.
After 2 years of restoration and construction, Shelby Detroit opened its doors in early 2021. Shelby Detroit owner, Tarun Kajepeeta, describes the design as “classy but unassuming”. The beauty of Shelby Detroit lies in the seamless pairing of old and new, which you will notice in everything from the food and drinks to the artwork, decor, and ambiance.
Shelby started as an Australian-style cafe (hence the name “Down Under Coffee”) serving coffee during the day and transitioning into a cocktail destination by night. The underground location really solidifies the speakeasy vibe. It didn’t take long for Shelby to evolve into one of Detroit’s premier new restaurants. It was named in the top 5 new restaurants in 2022 by the Detroit Free Press and was a James Beard semifinalist for outstanding bar program in 2022, a very high honor!
Since their happy hour is only for one hour Tuesday through Friday from 5-6PM, it may not easily fit into everyone’s schedule to get there for happy hour. But if you can, you will enjoy some of their delicious food and drinks at a discounted price with $10 cocktails and $10 select shareable plates. We try to stay around $30, before tip, for happy hours. The drink prices at Shelby are around $16, to $20 normally . . . so happy hours allow us to visit some pretty fancy places and still stay within our budget.
We ordered their Old Fashioned and an Espresso Martini with an order of the Beef Carpaccio. If you aren’t familiar with Carpaccio, it is a thinly sliced raw beef. Theirs is topped with charred scallion salsa verde, pistachio, Parmesan Romano cheese, microgreens and served with sliced toasted baguettes. It was absolutely delicious!
All their food is over the top good, because a lot of thought goes into their ingredients. From the egg whites used in their cocktails, to their meats and seafoods, they are dedicated and care deeply about the sourcing of all the products they use. They are intentional about working with not just local, but ETHICAL purveyors . . . especially when it comes to animal products.
Next time you are downtown consider stepping into the intriguing world of Shelby. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a cocktail lover, or simply seeking a memorable dining experience, this speakeasy promises a delightful journey through time and taste!
Shelby Detroit is open Tuesday-Thursday 5PM-12AM, Friday and Saturday 5PM-1AM and closed on Sunday and Monday. Walk-ins welcome but reservations are recommended.
Until next time . . . live well, eat well and enjoy life!
-Keith & Teresa Becker
