Overview
Royal Oak is a suburb of Detroit in Oakland County, Michigan known for its trendy downtown shopping area and bars. 1 mile South of Royal Oak is Ferndale, a place very similar to Royal Oak, known for its large lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender population. North of Royal Oak is Birmingham, an opulent area known for its upscale boutiques.
2 sights · 8 things to do · 10 places to eat · 17 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Royal Oak
Detroit Zoo
Recognized as one of the top zoos in the nation, ride the train, walk through arctic ring of wildlife. This is a must see.
Royal Oak Music Theatre
Bike Nights
During Wednesdays you can see cruiser motorcycles and on Thursdays you can see sports bikes
Affirmations
Lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender community center.
Brew and View at the Magic Bag
First-run movies are shown. 21+
Main Art Theatre
Nice and clean Independent film theater; they also have special midnight movie nights on the weekends.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Jul. (climate data from nearby Detroit)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Detroit — 22 mi away (major hub). Directions
- FNT Bishop International Airport, Flint — 45 mi away. Directions
I-75/the Chrysler Freeway is located directly east of Royal Oak, and runs north-south. I-696/the Reuther Freeway is located directly south or Royal Oak, and runs east-west. Bordering the left-hand side of Royal Oak is Woodward Avenue, which runs northwest-southeast, and will take you southbound directly into Detroit.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $8 per person at listed restaurants.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Main Art Theatre, Royal Oak Music Theatre, Bike Nights
- Lunch Peking House
- Afternoon Affirmations, Starr Jaycee Park
- Dinner Leo's Coney Island
- Evening Cafe du Marquis
Day 2
- Morning Detroit Zoo, Brew and View at the Magic Bag, Motor City Pride
- Lunch Tom's Oyster Bar
- Afternoon Hilton Family Billiards, Wagner Park
- Dinner Comet Burgers
- Evening Hookah Joe's
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
While a lot of fast food restaurants and chains such as Noodles & Company and Jimmy John's can be found in Royal Oak, as a visitor you shouldn't bother wasting your time eating in those establishments.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
I-75/the Chrysler Freeway is located directly east of Royal Oak, and runs north-south. I-696/the Reuther Freeway is located directly south or Royal Oak, and runs east-west. Bordering the left-hand side of Royal Oak is Woodward Avenue, which runs northwest-southeast, and will take you southbound directly into Detroit.
By train
- Route serving Royal Oak:
- Wolverine Service operates several times daily between Pontiac and Chicago including stops along the way in Troy, Royal Oak, Detroit, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, Jackson, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Niles, and New Buffalo. There are many train connections in Chicago.
Get around
Royal Oak is a very walkable city, the downtown area is a mile long, Main Street and Washington Street are the definite downtown areas to walk around.
See
See Bike Nights
During Wednesdays you can see cruiser motorcycles and on Thursdays you can see sports bikes
Do
Events
- Arts, Beats & Eats Downtown Royal Oak. Oakland county's annual festival celebrating art, music, food and community. Labor Day weekend. $3 before 3pm, $5 before 5pm, and $7 after 5pm
Disc Golf
Royal Oak has 2 Disc Golf courses, it is an inexpensive game to get into; there are liquor stores located directly across from the parks that sell individual discs ranging from $9-$18. Also, the store "In Flight" in the Oak Park/Ferndale area also sells discs and other disc golf accessories. The Throw Shop in Ypsilanti, an hour West on I-94, is the largest disc golf store in the region, well worth the trip as it also features a 28-hole disc golf course.
Buy
Shop BDT Pipe & Tobacco
The preeminent head shop of the Detroit metropolitan area. Knowledgeable and friendly staff.
Eat
While a lot of fast food restaurants and chains such as Noodles & Company and Jimmy John's can be found in Royal Oak, as a visitor you shouldn't bother wasting your time eating in those establishments.
Eat Beirut Palace
Family-owned Mediterranean restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating available. Those inclined can order a hookah and partake in smoking shisha with friends.
Eat Comet Burgers
'50s style restaurant, Sliders & Milkshakes, malt shakes, ice-cream. Known more for its pink-vinyl decor than its food. A good place to get a late night bite to eat if you can handle the crowds.
Eat Inn Season Cafe
Vegetarian restaurant open since 1981, features assorted veggie & vegan friendly cuisine such as Mexican dishes and stir fries.
Eat Loui's Pizza
Tasty deep-dish pizza, A local favorite. Also has a bar.
Eat Peking House
Mediocre Chinese cuisine
Eat Leo's Coney Island
A diner chain that covers most of south eastern Michigan and inspires nostalgia in all those who leave the area. Leo's is known for its Greek salads, gyros, omelets, and coney dogs (a Detroit specialty) .
Eat Toast
Popular spot serves breakfast and lunch.
Eat The Fly Trap
Described as a "Finer Diner" Lots of vegetarian options. Was featured on the Food Network show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives".
Eat Zumba Mexican Grille
Mexican fast casual restaurant, fresh ingredients make the food here & features a salsa bar.
Drink
Non-alcoholic
There is a Starbucks and Bean & Leaf Cafe located in Royal Oak, both of which are on Main Street.
Drink Cafe du Marquis
Free Wi-Fi internet connection, one of few smoker friendly places in Royal Oak.
Drink Hookah Joe's
Hookah Bar that attracts a young crowd. Free Wi-Fi.
Bars
Royal Oak has a ton of bars such as Mr. B's Pub, Woody's, Duggans, O'Tooles, Rock on 3rd, Goodnite Gracie, Sky Club, Ye Olde Saloon, Norm's Field of Dreams and Luna Lounge.
Drink The Berkley Front
Around 40-50 beers on tap and around 80 bottled beers available. German food, sandwiches, burgers, Tex-Mex and a few vegetarian options. Has Pool tables and a jukebox. Live music upstairs from Thursdays to Saturdays. Half off appetizers and certain pints are $2.50 on Mondays.
Drink BlackFinn Restaurant & Saloon
Trendy fake Irish pub chain, Happy Hour 4PM-7PM $2 Domestic Drafts, $3 Import Drafts, $3 House Wine, $4 Calls, $5 Martinis. Good place for a cheap pint of Guinness during happy hour, Drink specials on Wednesday night also. Tends to get really busy.
Drink Gusoline Alley
Local dive-bar, smoker-friendly. Notable beer selection. Bikers and hipsters tend to hang out here.
Drink The Loving Touch
Pool hall in downtown Ferndale near the Woodward Avenue Brewers and the Emory. Named after a seedy massage parlor that used to be in Ferndale.
Drink Post Bar
Good drink specials, frequented by hipsters. Features foosball, Golden Tee, plasma TVs and a pool table for entertainment.
Drink Snookers' Pool & Pub
Pool, Golden Tee Golf. Nice bar
Drink Vinotecca
Upscale wine bar with large selection. 4PM to 6PM everyday half-off all glasses of wine. 80s Thursdays 9PM-2AM, half off glass wines, $5 martinis, $3 pints of Bastone beer.
Drink The Corner
Neighborhood bar with over 50 Michigan beers and ciders on tap. The game room section has nearly 500 board games to play or purchase and there's a competitive axe-throwing area upstairs.
Brewpubs
Luckily for beer enthusiasts there are a fair number of brewpubs in this area. Brew pubs are restaurants that brew their own beer. For around 10 dollars you can also buy a "growler" from these establishments which holds a half gallon of beer and is a means to buy take-out beer. Besides being a great deal, growlers make a great souvenir. Also, just a short bus ride away is the Woodward Avenue Brewery in Ferndale, take the Smart 450/460 Direction: Inbound (Runs down South Washington) in Royal Oak to get there.
Drink Bastone
Beers & Belgian fries, kids eat free on Sundays.
Drink Lily's Seafood Grill & Brewery
Happy Hour is on Weekdays 2PM-6PM and Saturday 11AM-6PM with 2 dollar pints of their own beer. Also Monday nights is an All You Can Eat Fish Fry $9.99 with $2 pints from 8PM-midnight.
Drink Royal Oak Brewery
Food and microbrews, $5.00 Growler refills on Tuesdays, Happy Hour: 2.75 pints. 3 dollar pints on Wednesdays from 9PM-Close.
Drink Woodward Avenue Brewers
Brew pub that features A deck and sidewalk seating. $2 pints after 9PM on Sundays. Half-off food on Mondays 4PM-midnight.
Sleep
Stay Palms Motel
Stay Saranay Motel
Stay Seville Motel
Stay Travelodge Royal Oak
Stay safe
Royal Oak is generally considered a safe city with a low crime rate. Crime is highly uncommon during the daytime but spikes considerably during the night time.
While most crime in Royal Oak affects residents, there have been many cases where travelers were victimized, especially in the case of burglaries of vehicles with out-of-state plates.
Walking
While Royal Oak's downtown area is a very safe place, avoid walking into alleyways during the night time. Many strongarm robberies and rape attempts take place in the city's downtown alleyways. The sidewalks and streets of Downtown Royal Oak are otherwise safe to walk during the daytime and night.
Avoid walking in any neighborhoods near or around an industrial park, railroad or apartment complex at night. Drug dealers are often present in these types of neighborhood after dark. If you choose to walk through such neighborhoods after dark remember to wear neutral-colored clothing and avoid large groups of people.
In addition, try not to walk on the Eleven Mile corridor during the night-time outside of the Downtown area as it is where many robberies in the city take place.
Car theft
Always park in a well-lit area during the night time. Lock your doors and roll up your windows. Even during the day time, car burglaries are common, especially when an open window is involved.
Take further precaution regarding your vehicle if you are the owner of a Chrysler vehicle. Chrysler and Dodge automobiles are often targeted for navigation systems and owners of such vehicles may fall victim much easier.
Panhandling
Royal Oak has a significant homeless population in the city, mostly centered around the downtown area and industrial neighborhoods. If you are approached by a panhandler simply state in a firm tone of voice that you do not wish to pay them and walk away.
Nearby
Southfield
City / town · 3 listings · 4 mi away
Birmingham
City / town · 11 listings · 5 mi away
Warren
City / town · 6 listings · 6 mi away
Troy
City / town · 27 listings · 6 mi away
Bloomfield Hills
City / town · 6 listings · 8 mi away
Sterling Heights
City / town · 1 listings · 9 mi away
Franklin
City / town · 7 listings · 9 mi away
Roseville
City / town · 8 listings · 10 mi away
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