Ypsilanti, often shortened to “Ypsi” by locals, is a college town and city located along the Huron River in Michigan’s Washtenaw County. Located a stone’s throw from Ann Arbor and conveniently situated near Detroit, this is a prime spot to put down roots. The city has historic districts, recreation options, craft breweries, a thriving art scene, and more — so what are you waiting for? Come see what Ypsi is all about!

The Best Coffee Shops in Ypsilanti

Many people rely on their morning cup of caffeinated joy to kick-start their day. If you want to skip the home brewing and leave it to the professionals — check out these local coffee shops!

Hyperion Coffee

Where? 306 North River Street

This hidden gem of a coffee shop is a great local hangout in Ypsilanti. There are tables situated inside, as well as an outdoor picnic area where you can relax and enjoy your coffee. The roasts are fresh and the quality is apparent when you take the first sip. The menu features plenty of variety and the staff is knowledgeable on how to guide you if you’re unsure what to choose. You can even purchase and take home a bag of freshly roasted beans for an at-home cup of Joe when you don’t have time to swing by Hyperion! Specialty drinks include year-round favorites and seasonal delights, such as a honey lavender latte and a mocha that’s to die for.

Café Liv

Where? 202 North Washington Street

Café Liv is a friendly neighborhood coffee shop dedicated to delivering great drinks in a charming atmosphere that’s welcoming of all. The menu features delicious beverages such as macchiatos, flat whites, nitro cold brews, cortados, americanos, and more! There is even a respectable tea offering, including oolong, Earl Grey, peppermint, chamomile, and a masala chai latte. Want to pair your caffeine with a baked good? Sample treats from Bird Dog Bakery, Milk & Honey Baked Goods, Terry’s Baker, and Botanical Bakeshop on a rotating schedule throughout the week. After all, there’s nothing that says “treat yourself” like your favorite latte and a homemade cinnamon roll!

Vertex Coffee Roasters

Where? 307 North River Street

Vertex Coffee Roasters is committed to zero waste practices, as well as building community through providing space for public events and inviting opportunities to celebrate creativity and the arts. The café menu includes house-made chai, matcha, cafe miel, hot chocolate, and a variety of alternative milk, such as oat and soy. Prefer a warm cup of tea? Try the Honeybush or the East Frisian Assam. Depending on the season, you’ll find rotating specials at Vertex, and all syrups and chai are made in-house. There are also a variety of roasts to choose from, such as Colombia with tasting notes of pear and nuttiness, and Ethiopia with blueberry and peach.

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea

Where? 735 West Cross Street

Classic coffees at Sweetwaters include the “Dreamy” cold brew with vanilla syrup and rich cream, the Crème Caramel topped with whipped cream, and the Dragon Eye signature coffee that blends the house brew with sweetened condensed milk. From a tea standpoint, you can enjoy herbal varieties, as well as black, oolong, and green tea. Try the ginger raspberry tea hot or iced — you won’t be disappointed. What’s not available at Sweetwaters you might be wondering? Well, bad-tasting drinks, chemical-laden treats, and surly staff! Swing by to enjoy your new favorite cup of coffee, as well as complimentary WiFi and patio seating.

Where to Wine & Dine in Ypsilanti

Whether you’re in the mood for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a leisurely weekend brunch — these Ypsi spots have you covered. Enjoy wine, beer, cocktails, and more while you dig into an order of bratwurst or a fried shrimp sandwich!

The Wurst Bar

Where? 705 West Cross Street

Whenever you need a cold one and a bite to eat, hop right over to The Wurst Bar for delicious snacks, burgers, “potato things” and of course house-made wursts. Enjoy Bavarian pretzels, pimento cheese, and fried green tomatoes, and build the wurst of your dreams by picking a bread, a wurst, and topping it to your heart’s content. Keep an eye out for weekly specials as well, such as Fireball Friday where shots of your favorite cinnamon whiskey are only $6! The bar has new beers on tap all the time, so there’s always something new to sip. Recently, the Wolffer’s Estate Peach Cider No. 139 and the Griffin Claw Raspberry Mr. Bluesky were introduced.

Bellflower

Where? 209 Pearl Street

This neighborhood restaurant conveniently located in downtown Ypsilanti serves up lunch and dinner, as well as wine and cocktails. Bellflower is closed on Mondays. On Sundays, you can enjoy brunch from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Don’t have time to enjoy a sit-down meal? Take your wine and cocktails to go and grab your contactless pickup order. Featured items on the menu include a fried shrimp sandwich and the pepperoni roll on a milk bread loaf. Save room for something sweet because you won’t want to leave without enjoying a cornflake and chocolate chip cookie!

Bomber Restaurant

Where? 306 East Michigan Avenue

In search of a hearty order of your favorite breakfast food? Bomber Restaurant has you covered! Grab a breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs, hash browns, cheese, and Mexican chorizo sausage, or keep things simple with three eggs and toast. The menu also features the Sunrise Biscuit with sausage, eggs, and country gravy and the classic steak and eggs with a 10-ounce New York strip steak. Kiddos will love the silver dollar pancakes or the peanut butter French toast! Other local favorites include the Cowboy Skillet with fries, bacon, eggs, and cheese, the Greek omelet with black olives and feta, and the crab Benedict on the weekend.

MAIZ Mexican Cantina

Where? 36 East Cross Street

The chefs at MAIZ prepare food from scratch each day, using local ingredients and authentic recipes. Starters on the menu include sweet potato cakes, baked avocados, and roasted jalapeños. Order some guacamole to share with the table or get straight to the tacos — such as the award-winning carnitas tacos meal or the spicy chicken fresco tacos. Or go for some enchiladas, with each Enchilada Meal including three enchiladas and two sides. You can also build your own giant burrito or order from one of the specialty selections, like the California Club or the Big Barbacoa. If you want to take your Tex-Mex to go, make sure to also grab an order of the margaritas that make between 4-5 cocktails! You can opt for the margarita mix with alcohol or without.

Aubree’s Pizzeria & Grill

Where? 39 East Cross Street

Aubree’s Pizzeria is beloved for its legendary pizza and diverse grill menu. The full-service, family-friendly restaurant was first introduced to Depot Town in Ypsilanti back in 1972 and is perfect for a weeknight dinner or when the craving for pizza strikes on the weekend. You can opt to build your pie or select one of the tried-and-true options, such as the Margherita, the BBQ chicken, or the Mighty Mighty Meat with crumbled bacon, pepperoni, ham, Italian sausage, ground beef, and of course, the signature five-cheese blend that holds everything together. Take advantage of the daily happiest hour from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM if you want to sample some of the refreshing cocktails at Aubree’s.

Where to Indulge in a Sweet Treat in Ypsilanti

Craving something sweet? Ypsilanti has all your bases covered! Choose from ice cream and freshly baked goods, such as cinnamon rolls, cookies, danishes, and more.

Ice Cream Time

Where? 1240 Ecorse Road

This shop’s menu features something for everyone, regardless of how sweet your sweet tooth is. Enjoy soft-serve ice cream flavors, sundaes, and a variety of shakes and malts. Ice Cream Time also whips up a mean banana split, as well as flurries that can be customized to your heart’s delight. Whether you’re in the mood for a fruity smoothie or you want to dive into one of the novelty options, such as fudge nut bars or dipped cheesecake bars — you won’t be let down. There are even doggie treats on the menu so the whole family can enjoy something tasty at the end of the day!

Dom Bakeries

Where? 1305 Washtenaw Avenue

Dom Bakeries is a family-owned bakery located next to Depot Town. Whether you need a quick cup of coffee or a daily treat, this place has sweets for all occasions! Donuts include apple fritters, glazed twists, raspberry filled, and cake varieties like apple crisp cinnamon sugar and red velvet. You can also choose from baked goods such as bagels, cookies, muffins, danishes, and even croissants and brownies. Pair your decadent treat with a hot cappuccino or a refreshing tea. Dom Bakeries is closed on Tuesdays — so make sure to grab your treats on Monday or make a trip first thing on Wednesday for donuts!

Ypsilanti’s Parks & Green Spaces

Whether you want to toss the ball around with Fido, let the kids run wild on the playground, or simply sit back and watch the clouds float by — these Ypsilanti parks and green spaces are the ideal spot to spend the afternoon sunbathing.

Riverside Park

Where? 2 East Cross Street

Riverside Park has an array of amenities, including a bike trail, fishing options, a pavilion, a playground, and picnic tables. The 16-acre park is situated on the Huron River in the center of Ypsilanti. The park is home to various events throughout the year and hosts activities such as bicycling, dog walking, fishing, and more. The park is also part of the Washtenaw County Border to Border Trail, as well as part of the Huron River Water Trail — providing visitors with plenty of exploration options.

North Bay Park

Where? 1001 Huron Street

North Bay Park is a great spot to spend the early morning taking in the sunrise, or to visit at any other time during the day — as there are hiking trails, picnic shelters, and a playground for the little ones to enjoy. The 139-acre park is located at the west end of Ford Lake, and is a popular spot for walking, observing wildlife, and fishing. There are restroom facilities on site, as well as an observation tower to take in the view.

Points of Interest in Ypsilanti

Ypsilanti also has fascinating museums to visit. Next time you have a free afternoon, swing by the Automotive Heritage Museum or the Firehouse Museum!

Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum

Where? 100 East Cross Street

Located on the corner of East Cross and North River, the Auto Museum is a fascinating place to visit. The museum preserves a unique era in American History and the building also hosts the National Hudson Motor Car Company Museum. One of the interesting featured cars in the collection is #92, which is a 1952 Hudson Hornet race car that’s owned by NASCAR champion, Herb Thomas. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Admission is priced at $5, children under the age of 12 can enter for free.

Michigan Firehouse Museum and Education Center

Where? 110 West Cross Street

The Michigan Firehouse Museum encompasses over 26,000 square feet, including a multilevel exhibit display area and an original 1898 firehouse, where visitors can view fire engine steamers. The museum houses 25 changing exhibits of antique fire trucks and early fire rigs, as well as historic artifacts such as tools, equipment, memorabilia, and the largest collection of fire truck bells in the country! Admission is priced at $10 for adults and $5 for kids between the ages of 5 and 11. Kids 4 and under get in free.

Interested in Learning More About Michigan’s Ypsilanti? Let Us Help!

If you’re intrigued by all that Ypsilanti has to offer, we’d love to help you further explore the area! Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, we can help you find your dream home or kick off your next adventure.