Start with brunch. End whenever. Ann Arbor is one of those cities where a “quick girls’ day” turns into seven hours because you keep finding one more shop, one more drink, one more reason not to leave yet. The whole downtown core is walkable, the food scene punches way above its weight, and there’s enough variety between Kerrytown, Main Street, and State Street to keep four very different people happy at the same time. Here’s how to build the day.
Start: Brunch
You need fuel, and Ann Arbor does brunch like it’s a competitive sport.
Sava’s on State Street is the photogenic pick – big airy space, good light, a menu that covers shakshuka, chicken and waffles, and avocado toast that actually has substance to it. The crowd skews young but the food works for everyone. Get there by 10:30 or expect a wait. Sava’s is right in the middle of everything, so you’re set up for walking after.
Zingerman’s Roadhouse out on Jackson Road does a weekend brunch that deserves more attention than it gets. This isn’t the deli (we’ll get there) – the Roadhouse kitchen goes big: buttermilk pancakes, huevos rancheros, and a fried chicken biscuit that will end any debate about where to eat. Zingerman’s Roadhouse requires a short drive from downtown, but the food justifies it.
Miss Kim in Kerrytown takes a Korean-American approach to brunch that feels like nothing else in the city. The scallion pancakes and the bibimbap brunch bowl are the highlights. The space is bright and the Kerrytown Market is right outside the door. Miss Kim puts you in the right neighborhood for the shopping portion of the day.
Afternoon Delight has been doing breakfast in Ann Arbor since 1982. Crepes, omelets, French toast – nothing experimental, everything executed well. The name alone starts conversations. Afternoon Delight is on S. University near campus.
Mid-Morning: Kerrytown Shopping
After brunch, walk to Kerrytown. The Kerrytown Market and Shops building is a two-story indoor market with the kind of small independent shops that make a girls’ day actually interesting.
Found is inside Kerrytown and it’s the store your group will lose 45 minutes in. Handmade jewelry, home decor, art prints, and one-of-a-kind pieces from emerging artists. Everything in here feels like a find because it is one. Good for gifts, better for treating yourself.
The Saturday morning farmers market fills the outdoor space with vendors selling baked goods, flowers, produce, and handmade soaps. If your girls’ day lands on a Saturday, time your Kerrytown visit for the market.
Zingerman’s Delicatessen is around the corner from Kerrytown. Even if you don’t eat here (you already brunched), walk through and grab coffee, sample the olive oils, or pick up a loaf of bread from Zingerman’s Bakehouse to take home. The Bakehouse runs baking classes too – a BAKE! class for the whole group is a legitimate girls’ day activity if you plan ahead.
Midday: Main Street and State Street
The walk from Kerrytown to Main Street takes about 10 minutes and puts you on the best shopping corridor in the city.
Literati Bookstore on E. Washington is a two-story independent bookshop with a cafe upstairs, a basement with a public typewriter, and the kind of curated shelves where you’ll find something you didn’t know you needed. The journals and greeting cards upstairs are gift-territory.
Cherry Republic on S. Main has a tasting counter where you can sample cherry salsas, cherry BBQ sauce, and their famous dark chocolate-covered cherries. It’s a Northern Michigan import and the samples alone are worth the stop.
State Street is a block east and runs south from campus. The mix is younger – think boutiques, vintage shops, and stores that cater to the student crowd – but there’s enough crossover to keep it interesting for any age.
Afternoon: Slow Down
This is where the day pivots from active to relaxed.
Option 1: Cocktails. The Ravens Club on S. Main does craft cocktails the right way – hand-pulled Old Fashioneds, over 130 whiskeys, and a patio that catches afternoon sun. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday, 4-6 PM. The bartenders here actually know what they’re doing.
Nightcap is the smaller, more intimate cocktail bar if your group prefers low lighting and a menu that rotates seasonally. The drinks are creative without being gimmicky.
Option 2: Wine and small plates. Vinology on S. Main pairs a serious wine list with a food menu that leans European. Sharing a bottle and a few plates here is the civilized version of happy hour.
Option 3: Beer garden. Bill’s Beer Garden on S. Ashley is an outdoor seasonal spot (March through October) that does local and craft drafts in the open air. Bring your own food or order from nearby restaurants – the vibe is purely social. Picnic tables, string lights, and no pretense.
Late Afternoon: The Arb
If the weather’s right and the group has energy, walk to Nichols Arboretum – locals call it the Arb. The entrance on Geddes Avenue is about a 15-minute walk from downtown. The rolling hills, river views, and peony garden (peak bloom in June, 10,000+ flowers) are the kind of backdrop that earns its place on the group photo wall.
The Arb is free, open sunrise to sunset, and good for a 30-minute stroll or a two-hour wander depending on your group’s pace.
Dinner
Now you’re hungry again.
Mani Osteria on S. Main does wood-fired pizza and Italian small plates in a space that’s warm and loud enough to keep the conversation going. The burrata is the right starter, and the pizzas are thin-crust with good char. Mani Osteria and Bar takes reservations – make one.
Spencer on S. Main is the fancier option if the group wants to dress up. New American menu, seasonal focus, and a cocktail program that matches the food. Spencer is the kind of place where you order the tasting menu and split another bottle of wine because the day’s been that good.
Bellflower in downtown Ypsilanti is a 15-minute drive but worth the detour. Chef Dan Klenotic was a 2024 James Beard semifinalist, and the menu blends Midwestern comfort with Southern coastal flavors. The brunch is better known, but dinner here is special. Bellflower is the pick if your group wants something outside the Ann Arbor bubble.
The Optional Nightcap
If the day turns into a night, The Circ Bar has a roof deck, karaoke nights, and a kitchen that stays open late. The Last Word on S. Ashley is a low-key cocktail spot where you can actually hear each other talk. Blue LLama Jazz Club on S. Main does live jazz and dinner if the group wants one last thing to be impressed by.
The Cheat Sheet
– Brunch: Sava’s (photogenic), Miss Kim (creative), Zingerman’s Roadhouse (big)
– Shopping: Kerrytown, then Main Street, then State Street
– Drinks: Ravens Club (cocktails), Bill’s Beer Garden (casual), Vinology (wine)
– Dinner: Mani Osteria (pizza), Spencer (fancy), Bellflower (worth the drive)
– Parking: Fourth & Washington garage downtown, or the Maynard structure near State Street
The whole day is walkable once you park. That’s the point. Find more ideas at miannarbor.com.
