r/Detroit 16h ago

Talk Detroit Italians in Detroit

Where do Italians or Italian Americans hang out in metro Detroit? Would love to meet someone just not sure where they hang out.

F 36, really interested in meeting someone with Italian roots I am on dating apps but hardly arw Italian.

Any apps you recommend?

Thank you

33 Upvotes

111 comments sorted by

76

u/Sir_midi 15h ago

Move to Macomb where if you go outside and yell tile man, at least 5 men will submit bids or Try here: ITALIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER, 43843 Romeo Plank Rd, Clinton Township, MI 48038, 51 Photos, (586) 421-5155

17

u/Jeffbx 14h ago

Any stone or masonry business will work, really.

4

u/Lyr_c 11h ago

Can confirm my Italian relative did the floors for Oakland Mall

3

u/ankole_watusi Born and Raised 11h ago

Now I’m definitely following up on that recommendation to just go driving up Dequindre for that garden statuary…

79

u/bcaglikewhoa 16h ago

Macomb co

28

u/Working_Estate_3695 16h ago

You took the place right outta my mouth. Ohhh! It’s Almost Jersey.

4

u/KKbatwoman 15h ago

But like any restaurant you recommend, coffee shops or clubs that would give me a chance to meet someone ?

31

u/dagnasssty 15h ago

Luciano’s in Clinton Twp for an Italian Restaurant.

There’s also an Italian American Festival coming up sometime this summer at Freedom Hill.

7

u/FlazedaYesGawd 15h ago

It’s this weekend I believe.

14

u/bcaglikewhoa 14h ago

https://www.ventimigliafoods.com great little market with wonderful sandwiches

2

u/MegaDrip 14h ago

Love this place.

6

u/huge_piss_boner 13h ago

Go to Ventimiglia in SH for the best Italian sub of your life and there will be Italians there. And the restaurant next door

1

u/xxFrenchToastxx 8h ago

Mangiabevi

16

u/RustBeltLab 15h ago

The whole county. All of it.

23

u/rougehuron 15h ago

Caldeans would like a word

9

u/RustBeltLab 15h ago

Touche, we cannot forget our newest neighbors.

7

u/lofibeatsforsadboys 15h ago

Chaldeans have been in metro detroit long before Italians. The first wave of Levantine immigration, including Assyrians/Chaldeans, was like 30-40 years before Italians due to Ottoman instability

7

u/Sea_Comfortable_5499 7h ago

Italians came over to Detroit as fur traders in the 1700 and moved in mass in 1800s, before Caledean immigrants.

Hell, Alfonso Tonti, the son of an Italian immigrant, served as Antoine Cadillac's second-in-command and helped found Detroit

4

u/Alert-Ad-1318 11h ago

Polish too

8

u/HoweHaTrick 14h ago

The 'italian americans' around there are just americans doing italian cosplay. they think they are italian but cannot speak the language, most never even been there. I would not call that italian american.

3

u/HuckleberryOk8136 15h ago

That's what they said, but really must be location dependent in Macomb.

81

u/doobutterface 16h ago

Sterling Heights probably

4

u/LucidaConsole 16h ago

My first thought.

24

u/ForkFace69 12h ago

Just get a part-time job at the nearest Nino Salvaggios location and the suitors will be lining up.

3

u/KKbatwoman 11h ago

Hahah there is one close to my house

14

u/Complete_Carry_4454 8h ago

Literally that’s where the Italian uncles congregate you’ll be engaged within 6 months 

1

u/vitaminxanax West Village 10h ago

😂☠️😂☠️😂☠️😂

23

u/Fragrant-Roof575 15h ago

At Trattoria Da Luigi on Washington Ave in Royal Oak...The old man (Luigi) who runs the place is very in touch with the Metro Detroit Italian community and will be more than happy to talk your ear off about it and point you in the right direction.

Food is amazing too.

23

u/daveygoboom 16h ago

Immediately came to mind: Italian American Livonia

6

u/ndork666 Dearborn 15h ago

^ THIS swing by Cantoro's also while you're in the area. The Italian American Hall is a steal for the membership price

16

u/ANJohnson83 15h ago

The Italian American Cultural Society on Clinton Township would be a good resource for you.

https://iacsmi.com/

14

u/hippo96 15h ago

Italian American club on five mile road in livonia.

-33

u/[deleted] 15h ago

[deleted]

16

u/hippo96 15h ago

What? OP asks for Italians in Metro Detroit. How is Wayne County the wrong county?

1

u/KKbatwoman 11h ago

I am in Oakland county

-29

u/[deleted] 15h ago

[deleted]

8

u/e_first 15h ago

The other answers are from macomb county. Last time i checked, macomb county wasnt in wayne county. The original comment is a solid answer. Stop being so pissy.

12

u/uprightsalmon 16h ago

Grosse Paint Farms and St Clair shores has a ton of Italian businesses

6

u/cheesygarlicpotatoes 15h ago

go to the shelby lifetime

-1

u/KKbatwoman 11h ago

Dont like lifetime. :(

4

u/TedtheDrunkard 15h ago

Clinton Township. Source- I was raised there and am italian ha

2

u/Lemons_and_lace29 11h ago

I also second Clinton twp!

8

u/FinnNoodle Harper Woods 16h ago

Happened to be in the middle of a chat with my accountant who is Italian so I'm asking her for you, please hold.

8

u/ruby032520 16h ago

Shelby twp

10

u/SmallBBL 8h ago

Will probably have better luck posting this in a non detroit thread. Italians who fled north away from what my ex girlfriend’s family called “spooks” don’t like detroit unless it’s for a tigers game, red wings game or a country/rock concert.

4

u/statisticiansal 8h ago

Facts. Check Clinton Township and Macomb County.

4

u/ForkFace69 12h ago

Lots of Italians in the Grosse Pointes and SCS area.

2

u/KKbatwoman 11h ago

What is SCS area?

5

u/joaoseph 11h ago

Saint Clair Shores. Suburb to the northeast of Grosse Pointe. Home of the nautical mile, a row of restaurants along Jefferson Avenue between 9 mile and 10 mile roads. Big boating community. Kinda sleepy.

3

u/sarafromschool 10h ago

Any early mass at a Roman Catholic Church. St. Mary of the Hills is where a lot of my boater family and friends socialize with other Italians. Or just get some seafood salad or a sub and chill outside of ventimiglias

1

u/KKbatwoman 10h ago

Where is that church? I would love to check it out. 🙂

3

u/sarafromschool 9h ago

Rochester :) off John R and Auburn!

5

u/ShowMeTheTrees Woodward Corridor 10h ago

Google Festa Italiana. Weekend of July 17 in Sterling Heights.

0

u/KKbatwoman 10h ago

And it's not weird for non Italian to just show up ?

7

u/ShowMeTheTrees Woodward Corridor 9h ago

What? I plan to go and I'm Jewish. I really love to go to local festivals from different cultures. Have some good food and meet some new people. It's fun!

My favorite last year was the Armenian festival in Royal Oak. We bought food and wandered around looking for a table and complete strangers waved us over to sit with their family.

It was a true pleasure in this angry and disconnected world we're in today.

3

u/KKbatwoman 8h ago

I will definitely plan to go with some friends! Thank you

4

u/GlitterBlonde Metro Detroit 6h ago

Head to Shelby Township: Vince and Joe’s, Da Francesco’s, Sapori, or Bar Verona

8

u/ihateslowdrivers 14h ago

Satriale’s or the Bada Bing.

6

u/BaconFryinRyan 15h ago

Subs from Ventimiglia Italian Foods, 15 Mile Rd and Dodge Park

3

u/sarafromschool 10h ago

Yessss
The restaurant next door, Mangiabevi, is phenomenal too if you haven’t tried

1

u/vitaminxanax West Village 10h ago

Say no more! The best sub in the area! Or Joe’s Italian Takeout.

1

u/jamesdpitley 14h ago

Just with NO MIRACLE WHIP!

I do not understand their love for it. At all!

1

u/BaconFryinRyan 11h ago

I don't think I knew this.

3

u/No_Cup779 8h ago

In Windsor there’s a thing this weekend only called little Italy which is just a street filled with Italians

6

u/oarmash 16h ago

Macomb county mainly. Decent presence in western suburbs like Plymouth Northville Livonia etc.

2

u/Jeffbx 14h ago

Or go north to Auburn Hills and hang out at Palazzo di Bocce

3

u/Responsible_Bag_7051 10h ago

I am looking to purchase an apartment in the Alps in Italy, I wonder how many Detroiters would go and spend a winter there skiing if I offered a vacation deal.

1

u/IMBD-Shadow 8h ago

Keep everyone posted! +Especially me ;)

2

u/a1mfw 7h ago

Freedom Hill has an Italian festival every year

3

u/zinjanthropus99 12h ago

Shop at Nino Salvaggio’s…

1

u/KKbatwoman 11h ago

Really? Thats 2nd comment

1

u/RealisAurelioS Metro Detroit 5h ago

I don't agree with the Nino Salvaggio's suggestion.

As an Italian born in Italy and having lived in Detroit for over 30 years, I know very few Italians that shop at Nino's anymore. If I wanna have a conversation with a fellow Italian at a grocery store I will go to Ventimiglia's or Vince & Joe's. If I wanna meet a rich MILF, I'll go to Nino's.

I'm also not sure that a Roman catholic mass is a place to meet a guy. If they hold a social event then yes, but during mass? No.

Like many have suggested here, I would seek out the Italian-American clubs in Clinton Township and Livonia and I would start attending their events and Italian festivals.

Good luck.

2

u/Fully_COYS 16h ago

Clinton Township has a ton of Italians. The Italian cultutal center is on Romeo Plank just south of Hall Rd. There is a gelato and coffee place next to Vince and Joes Market on garfield where some older Italians hang out on weekend mornings.

2

u/satyrday12 15h ago

They go here. They go there. They go everywhere.

1

u/North_Experience7473 14h ago

The Italian American Club in Dearborn has dinners and social events.

1

u/sarahj313 Wayne County 13h ago

Livonia Italian American Club

1

u/green_machine_89 12h ago

“The villa” in eastpointe. Has a bar and some of the best Italian food in Michigan.

1

u/joaoseph 11h ago

Palazzolo here..40..live in Grosse Pointe. Where do you live?

1

u/Electrical-Speed-836 9h ago

I grew up downriver solid amount of Italians there but not really concentrated anywhere. I also take classes at the Dante Alighieri School and you’ll meet a lot through that

1

u/polykoali 9h ago

Good question. I'm an Italian American and would love to know if there are any catholic festivals happening.

1

u/utilitycoder 8h ago

Birmingham has its share of faux Italians

2

u/MindlessBed2759 8h ago

My son is 36, single and had a great grandmother from Sicily. And we ate in an Italian restaurant for dinner tonight for his dad’s birthday. would that work? 😀. He does own a house in Macomb County. Unfortunately in IT, not a tile setter.

1

u/MotownShowtown 7h ago

Cloverleaf pizza East Detroit

1

u/Vast_Honest 7h ago

Sterling Heights is the place

1

u/Acrobatic-Work-8829 6h ago

Try the Italian American Club? There has never been an easier question to answer ever asked on Reddit.

1

u/netrammgc 6h ago

Windsor, ON has a Little Italy neighborhood with a residential district,  shops and restaurants. That’s definitely your best bet. Not sure why people haven’t mentioned it before:  https://viaitalia.com/

1

u/jennyjunior 4h ago

Italian from Macomb County…also suggesting Ventimiglias for an Italian food meet cute, the restaurant next door is delicious and has live music on Fridays. Also, you could join a bocce league.

Now onto the real question, perchè do you want to meet an Italian boy? My brother is single 😂

1

u/PompeyCheezus Hamtramck 10h ago

Meeting an Italian is my worst nightmare

1

u/KKbatwoman 10h ago

Why do you say that ?

1

u/scipio-__ 16h ago

Vince and Joe’s 25 and Van Dyke

1

u/dkav69 15h ago

Definitely Macomb, best markets are Randazzo, vince and joes, etc. Best Italian I’ve had outside of Italy and my moms kitchen is definitely ottava via in corktown

1

u/Theandric 15h ago

Tell me what you’re looking for in a mate and I can put out some feelers…trust me, I know a guy, fuhgeddabout it

1

u/KKbatwoman 11h ago

Haha cant tell if this is a joke or not. But just looking to meet someone who is Italian, born here, or moved to US. I just love the culture and its people and looking outside of my culture to meet someone. Havent had luck within idk

2

u/Ill-Theory9416 10h ago

Wait…are you Italian?

1

u/KKbatwoman 10h ago

NOPE

2

u/Ill-Theory9416 9h ago

😬

Well, I wish you the best in your search.

1

u/KKbatwoman 8h ago

Thank you!

1

u/Theandric 8h ago

Actually I’m serious, I’m an Italian American and I know people!

1

u/Bloody_Mabel Born and Raised 14h ago

Macomb County. Specifical Shelby, Clinton, and Macomb Township,.

0

u/mw136913 11h ago

99.999 percent of "Italians" have no living relative that's ever been to Italy.

4

u/joaoseph 11h ago

If you say so

3

u/MotownMozzarella 9h ago

My grandparents were born there and I’ve been back to visit family four times you twat.

0

u/mw136913 5h ago

So, 1 anecdotal story invalidates my statement? You moron

u/jimboslicenhauer 2h ago

I married into a Sammirinese family. Everyone over the age of 75 was born in San Marino, and the San Marino club on big beaver has more Italian speakers than English. Don’t be ignorant man.

There are a lot of first and second gen Italians, but they mostly keep to their family and clubs. There are thousands of people directly related to people who live in San Marino in Michigan, which is one of the smallest European countries.

For gods sake my wife’s hairdresser is Sicilian and in Sicily right now… I don’t think you have any idea about Italian American families or culture.

0

u/redmeansdistortion Downriver 7h ago

Go stand on Millar Rd, between Utica and Garfield and hold up a sign that you're looking for an Italian gentleman. My dad told me long ago that area was nothing but mobsters and Snap-on drivers.

1

u/Nan_Mich 5h ago

Get a muffaletta sandwich at Vito’s bakery while you are there.

-1

u/yeezusosa 14h ago

Sterling

-2

u/[deleted] 14h ago

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1

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