Ferndale for First-Timers
12 stops · about 6 hours · Updated October 11, 2026
For a first visit to Ferndale, MI, start with tacos, make time for contemporary art, and leave room for books and a drink. DA BOMB TACO serves Mexican food, small plates, and vegetarian options on Eight Mile W. On Woodward Avenue, Luisa's Artisanal Street Food offers piadina and cascione, Italian filled flatbreads, alongside vegan and gluten-free options.
Books, coffee, and bar service share an address at Corner Shop. Balam Coffee & Wine combines Mexican-sourced coffee, small plates, and rotating art on E 9 Mile Road. For another kind of evening, B. Nektar pours mead, cider, and beer with board games and trivia, while Detroit Axe pairs guided axe throwing with interactive darts and more than 500 board games.
Art stops include M Contemporary Art, Paul Kotula Projects, and David Klein Gallery, whose program presents national and regional contemporary artists. Continue browsing at Love & Other Books for new romance, adult fiction, and children's books, or visit family-owned Whistler's Daughter Books on Livernois Street. Cirilla's adds lingerie and adult products to the shopping options. These stops introduce Ferndale, MI through its restaurants, galleries, bookstores, and places that combine several reasons to visit under one roof.
Eat here first
anytime
Stop 1
DA BOMB TACO
4.9(101)Ferndale
This Black-owned, women-owned Mexican restaurant focuses on tacos, with vegetarian options, small plates, and takeout making it a practical lunch or dinner stop.
Stop 2
Luisa's Artisanal Street Food
4.8(230)Ferndale
Luisa's serves piadina and cascione alongside vegan and gluten-free options, with counter service and a dog-friendly patio adding choices for dining.
Stop 3
Detroit Axe - Ferndale
4.7(862)Ferndale
Have a drink
evening
Stop 4
Corner Shop
5.0(60)Ferndale
Corner Shop brings books, coffee, food, wine, and cocktails together, with dine-in service and free parking in both a lot and on the street.
Stop 5
B. Nektar Meadery - Taproom & Production Facility
4.8(485)Ferndale
B. Nektar pairs mead, cider, and beer with board games and trivia, while allowing outside food and welcoming dogs.
Stop 6
Balam Coffee & Wine
4.8(81)Ferndale
Balam combines Mexican-sourced coffee, wine, craft cocktails, and small plates with rotating art, bringing a coffee house and art space together.
See something
anytime
Stop 7
M Contemporary Art
4.7(19)Ferndale
M Contemporary Art adds a gallery stop on E 9 Mile Road, with Thursday through Saturday hours and a wheelchair-accessible entrance.
Stop 8
Paul Kotula Projects
5.0(3)Ferndale
Paul Kotula Projects focuses on contemporary art on Woodward Avenue, with free lot and street parking and Thursday through Saturday hours.
Stop 9
David Klein Gallery
4.8(5)Ferndale
David Klein Gallery presents national and regional contemporary artists, alongside a longstanding interest in Post War American and European art.
Take something home
anytime
Stop 10
Love & Other Books
5.0(78)Ferndale
This women-owned independent bookstore specializes in new romance, adult fiction, and children's books, and hosts events for both children and adults.
Stop 11
Cirilla's
4.9(326)Ferndale
Cirilla's offers lingerie, adult products, and novelty items on Woodward Avenue, with free on-site parking and a wheelchair-accessible entrance.
Stop 12
Whistler's Daughter Books
5.0(42)Ferndale
Whistler's Daughter Books is a family-owned independent bookstore centered on community and creativity, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance and free street parking.
