Detroit’s 2025 Best New Restaurants & Dining Experiences
We count down the Detroit Free Press/Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Top 10 New Restaurants and Dining Experiences for 2025.
Rina Tonon, who, along with her late husband, Adriano, founded Café Cortina in Farmington Hills, is being recognized for her contributions to the restaurant industry and local community.
On Sept. 10 in Napa, California, Tonon will be inducted into the DiRōNA (Distinguished Restaurants of North America) Hall of Fame.
“A trailblazer of farm-to-table dining and one of the Midwest’s most respected restaurateurs, Rina Tonon has transformed Cafe Cortina into a nationally celebrated destination known for soulful Italian hospitality and a garden-to-plate philosophy,” Scott Breard, CEO of DiRōNA, said in a news release. “Her story is one of passion, perseverance, and heart — qualities that embody the spirit of the DiRōNA Hall of Fame.”
Cafe Cortina is one of metro Detroit’s longest-standing restaurants. The restaurant is known for its made-from-scratch Italian dishes and its patio amid lush gardens that supply the restaurant with fresh herbs, heirloom tomatoes and vegetables. Cafe Cortina’s menu features an array of Italian classics such as osso buco, spinach lasagna and a selection of pasta dishes, featuring pasta made from scratch daily.
The restaurant is on the grounds of a former apple orchard and is nearing its 50th anniversary. It was founded by the Tonon family in 1976. Today, Tonon operates the establishment with sons Adrian and Giancarlo.
“I’ve always said Cafe Cortina isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a reflection of our values, our traditions, and our love for people,” said Tonon in a news release. “This recognition by DiRōNA is an incredible honor, not just for me, but for my entire family and the loyal guests who’ve made this journey possible.”
The DiRōNA organization honors dining establishments for outstanding cuisine, service and other distinctions across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
Café Cortina is at 30715 W. Ten Mile Road in Farmington Hills; cafecortina.com.
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter.
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