Royal Oak Date Night
8 stops · about 4 hours · Updated October 10, 2026
Build a date night in Royal Oak, MI around dinner, a cocktail and a pastry finish. Bella Rose Italian pairs Italian-inspired share plates with indoor-garden-style decor, seated table service and reservations. For a counter-service dinner, Detroit Eatery offers curry, pizza and Mediterranean plates, including halal, vegan and vegetarian options. Johnny Mustard’s brings Italian deli sandwiches, hot dogs and Mama Mustard’s signature chili to an earlier start: it closes at 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 4 p.m. the other days.
Make Motor City Gas Whiskey Distillery on E 4th St the cocktail stop; its Friday and Saturday hours run until 11 p.m. For a wine-focused alternative, Michigan By The Bottle Tasting Room in Royal Oak, MI serves local wines with area-sourced cheeses and charcuterie. Hookah Joe supplies a separate hookah-bar option on S Washington Ave, open until 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Finish with artisanal pastries, desserts and locally roasted coffee at Rehla Coffee House, open until 10 p.m. every day. For a celebration planned in advance, Artisan Buttercream creates custom cakes by appointment, with delivery and curbside pickup rather than dine-in service.
Dinner
evening
Stop 1
Johnny Mustard’s
4.8(99)Royal Oak
Johnny Mustard’s earns an early dinner slot with Italian deli sandwiches, hot dogs and Mama Mustard’s signature chili served at the counter.
Stop 2
Bella Rose Italian
4.8(55)Royal Oak
Bella Rose Italian combines share plates, indoor-garden-style decor and seated table service, with reservations and vegan and vegetarian options available.
Stop 3
Detroit Eatery
4.7(1325)Royal Oak
Detroit Eatery brings curry, pizza and Mediterranean plates to a casual counter-service dinner, with halal, vegan and vegetarian options.
Cocktails
evening
Stop 4
Motor City Gas Whiskey Distillery
4.9(217)Royal Oak
Motor City Gas Whiskey Distillery fills the cocktail stop on E 4th St, with Friday and Saturday hours extending until 11 p.m.
Stop 5
Hookah Joe
4.7(614)Royal Oak
Hookah Joe adds a hookah-bar option on S Washington Ave, with hours extending until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Stop 6
Michigan By The Bottle Tasting Room-Royal Oak
4.7(334)Royal Oak
Something sweet
night
Stop 7
Artisan Buttercream | Custom Cakes by Appointment
5.0(213)Royal Oak
Artisan Buttercream makes the sweet course a custom celebration cake, reserved in advance by appointment, with delivery and curbside pickup available.
Stop 8
Rehla Coffee House
4.9(282)Royal Oak
Rehla Coffee House closes the evening with artisanal pastries, desserts and locally roasted coffee, staying open until 10 p.m. daily.
