
BESA
600 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
About BESA - steak house in Detroit, Michigan
Globally-inspired bistro fare, raw bar, & cocktails in an elevated space with rich interior details.
Customer Review Summary
BESA offers a nice atmosphere with a moody vibe, suitable for casual or dressy outings. Parking options include street and valet, and the menu features a variety of delicious dishes, including vegetarian choices. Service is generally praised for being friendly and attentive, although some reviews noted occasional disorganization among host staff. The food is often described as excellent, beautifully plated, and with well-balanced flavors. Desserts, especially the vegan chocolate cake, receive special mentions for being a highlight. While some found the portion sizes small for the price, others thought the overall experience justified the cost. Reservations come with a $25 charge, applied to the final bill, and a 20% gratuity is added automatically. Overall, BESA is recommended for romantic dinners or special occasions and is noted for its upscale yet inviting ambiance.
Key Features
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
Popular for
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Halal food
- Happy hour drinks
- Happy hour food
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Organic dishes
- Small plates
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upscale
Crowd
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- High chairs
Parking
- Free parking garage
- Free street parking
- Valet parking
Customer Reviews
Rating Distribution
Rain
The atmosphere was really nice with a moody vibe – perfect for a business casual or dressy outing. They offer street parking or valet, which is convenient. The menu had plenty of delicious options, including a good selection for vegetarians. Our waitress was super friendly and attentive, and there were lots of drink choices to complement the meal. The dessert was absolutely delicious – definitely worth saving room for! Overall, a great place for a night out. Highly recommend!
anna page
The restaurant, dishware, and silverware were clean and pristine. Good volume for conversation and lighting was good. Attentive and helpful wait staff, we loved our waitress! The hostesses were a bit disorganized and whispering behind menus which was a little odd upon our entry. We went for valentines and enjoyed our dinner. We were sat at a table with a rose and candle which was a nice touch. Our waitress gave a brief overview of the menu, offered for a detailed description of the specials, and let us know that they would be happy to accommodate any food allergies or dietary preferences. We got the calamari appetizer, short rib and scallop entrees and they were spectacular. The bread was great too! Our drinks were good; however, the cocktail menu was quite short. Great wine list though if that’s what you’re into! $25 per person reservation charge which was applied to the bill at checkout. 20% gratuity automatically on bill. Ended up spending $200 for two drinks, one appetizer, and two entrees including tip. Price was as expected and it was a nice experience.
Brent
The staff, particularly the hostess, was kind and welcoming, but the overall service left much to be desired. Our server acknowledged his inattentiveness at the end of the meal, which added to the disappointment. Portions, like the lobster tails, were very small for the price, and the experience didn’t live up to the hype. On the positive side, the espresso martinis and lamb appetizer were good. However, there are other places in Detroit I’d recommend trying first.
Julianne Jones
Everything about Besa was executed to perfection. The ambiance strikes an impeccable balance—elegant yet modern, sophisticated yet inviting. It’s feels both refined and comfortable, never veering into the realm of stuffy formality. The food is excellent, both original and inventive. The menu includes both new dishes and fresh perspectives on the classics. Every dish was plated beautifully, with portions that felt just right. The flavors, textures, and temperatures were masterfully balanced—complex without being overwhelming. What truly sets Besa apart is the service. On the day of our reservation, I emailed with a special request—a surprise birthday dessert. Within 15 minutes, Gerti, the managing partner, responded warmly, assuring me they would be happy to accommodate. What followed was service at a level that I have rarely seen anywhere in the world, in which I include several Michelin starred restaurants. Danielle, our server, was simply extraordinary. Her knowledge of the menu, her ability to describe dishes with both precision and enthusiasm, and the grace with which she guided our experience was unparalleled. Her professionalism and warmth, even the phraseology in which she described dishes, popular menu items was at a level I have not experienced. She was attentive yet never intrusive, instinctively knowing when to engage and when to step back. She even took the time to write a thoughtful birthday note. Besa gets everything right—effortlessly. Five stars, well-deserved, without hesitation.
Shannon Johnson
First Time Alert! The Staff were All great from the Hostess to the wait staff.. Alexus was our server she was Great! Very attentive & knowledgeable of the menu. I was a little upset to hear they were all out of my sea scallops :( but I ended up ordering the Chicken, and Hunty! It was Great.. 10 of 10 if you are downtown definitely stop by..
Edison Huang
Definitely an upscale place in terms of the ambiance, small portion sizes, and pricing. Maybe we just don't belong here because we thought our overall experience was underwhelming. We have mixed feelings regarding the flavors. Can't recommend the toasted honey ice cream.. it doesn't have a strong honey flavor but I guess that could be scoop dependent?
Lindsay Gottschalk
Besa is a romantic dining spot with modern, muted decor and classy, up-beat music. Our service was friendly and attentive. This is an ideal for a nice date out! I just have to say their bread was so fluffy and AMAZING paired with this citrus olive oil. The halibut was extremely delicious and the whole plate was very flavorful. The steak frites was tasty along with the fries with the aïoli. For dessert, the vegan chocolate cake was an absolutely decadent finish! They have unique craft cocktails and are a close walk to downtown’s main bars and attractions, like Campus Martius!
Charlie Barks
BESA manages to feel both upscale and relaxed. My co-worker and I went during happy hour on a Monday and had appetizers and drinks at the bar. Chicken kabob and broccoli items were both excellent. Laidback music (mostly trip hop & downtempo stuff) contributed to the ambience. Thank you for having us!
Location
Contact Information
Hours of Operation
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