Detroit Paella Showdown | Which One Have You Tried? 😋

As a true paella lover, I’ve enjoyed this iconic dish everywhere from Cuba to Florida — and yes, I’ve even tried making it at home! Here in Michigan, we’re lucky to have a few spots serving their own versions: 🥘 Bahamas Breeze in Livonia — Caribbean-style paella 🥘 Culantro in Ann Arbor — Peruvian-style paella 🥘 Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine in Detroit — Cuban-style paella Today, I’m sharing my experience at Vicente’s — a true downtown Detroit gem! 📍 Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine 1250 Library St, Detroit, MI If you're not familiar with Detroit, no worries — the downtown area is safe during the day ☀️, perfect for walking or hopping on the free People Mover train 🚆 to explore the beautiful architecture and vibrant streets. The area is filled with lovely and tasty restaurants — definitely worth the visit! 🍚 About the Paella You’ll need to order at least two servings — a slight downside compared to the single-serving options at Bahamas Breeze and Culantro. But the portion is absolutely worth it! The paella is loaded with flavor and ingredients: 🦐 Tiger shrimp, scallops, squid, mussels, lobster 🐔 Spanish chorizo, chicken thighs, fresh veggies 🍚 All served over perfectly cooked saffron rice The seafood was incredibly fresh, the chicken was tender, and the rice? Just the right texture — not too soft, not too firm. We cleaned the pan! 😋 The chorizo was a bit on the chewy side, but well-seasoned. Overall, this was my favorite of the three! 🆚 Comparison Time Culantro (Ann Arbor): Saltier, stickier rice, fewer seafood varieties — but more budget-friendly. Bahamas Breeze (Livonia): Lighter in color and flavor, includes shrimp, mussels, chicken, chorizo — good but less complex. Each spot has its strengths, and they all offer other great dishes too! Pick based on your location and craving. 💡 Pro Tip Make a reservation and call ahead to pre-order the paella — otherwise, you’ll wait about 45 minutes. Street parking is easy and affordable nearby! 🅿️ #LifeInTheUS #MichiganLife #MichiganEats #MichiganFoodie #DetroitEats #DetroitFood #AnnArborEats #PaellaLover #FoodShowdown #CubanFood #100RestaurantsChallenge #EatTheWorld