Three Cats Café at Leon & Lulu

Three Cats Café at Leon & Lulu is one of those places we send people to when they say “show me somewhere that feels like Detroit, not like everywhere.” It’s a café tucked inside Leon & Lulu — a wonderfully eccentric home-and-furniture store in an old Clawson theater — so you’re eating surrounded by gorgeous, slightly theatrical decor that you can half-shop while you wait for your short rib. We’ve been a few times now, including taking Andrea’s mom here for Mother’s Day, and it nails the thing that’s weirdly hard to pull off: genuinely special without being stuffy or overpriced.

Why we keep coming back

The food holds up to the room — the short rib and mashed potatoes are the move, the seasonal menus keep it interesting, and brunch has a real local following (people drive in for it). But honestly, the atmosphere is the headline. It feels like stepping into a beautifully cluttered set — funky, warm, full of things to look at — and the staff lean into the hospitality (someone once brought a guest a dedicated “purse chair,” which tells you the kind of thoughtful that’s going on here). It’s our go-to for a celebration, a long catch-up brunch, or anytime out-of-town guests need proof that the metro has character.