Puma Detroit — Restaurant in Detroit

I would say this place was mediocre (at best). We have been to Barda, their sister restaurant a few times and generally have had very high quality experiences. But Barda’s prices are quite high so we came here hoping for similar quality at a lower price point.

We were there for happy hour on a weekday evening. The room felt sparse and kind of cold. When we arrived it was pretty empty but it filled up by the time we left. Service was generally very good, friendly, and knowledgeable. The only issue there was we were told after we were sat that happy hour is only available at the bar seating off in a separate space. I strongly would have preferred them to ask us if we were there for happy hour before they sat us. And truly I think it makes no sense for them to offer happy hour in only one space and not the other. Either way, we were already seated and decided to stay where we were in front of the open kitchen station because the happy hour seating was really unwelcoming. That meant we had to pay more for the same food as the people around the corner. But moving around the corner would have really dampened the experience so we stayed put.

As for the food, it was just meh. It looked really good but tasted just ok. Mostly bland. We liked the shishito peppers, but besides that couldn’t in good faith recommend the chicken sandwich or the steak sandwich. And the cheese dish was the most disappointing. It looked amazing but had no flavor and was dense and clumpy. Drinks were fine. The whole experience felt underwhelming and disappointing.

If the food had been great, or even good, the prices would have felt fair. But because the food and ambiance was pretty bad, it all felt way too expensive. Like we just wasted $100+ and still...

Puma is an experience. It was a gorgeous interior, and the music was bumping loudly (which we enjoyed). The wait staff was very attentive and gave amazing recommendations.

As to the food, we were underwhelmed: we ordered the aguachile, the milanesa, and the choripan. The aguachile had little to no flavor, which went against every iconic aspect of aguachile. Aguachile should be spicy, sharp, acidic. Their aguachile was flat and very mild. Next was the milanesa: the milanesa was good. We got it with a fried egg on top (which it didn’t really need in all honesty). The breading stayed on, it was crispy, and you can’t go wrong with fried meat. The cilantro aioli was delicious; a wonderful addition to the rich dish. The addition of arugula also made this dish our favorite of the evening. Finally, the choripan, or should I say chimichurri with a small chorizo. The chimichurri was too overpowering in this dish, it could’ve went with half the amount. The chorizo itself was delicious but it was hard to find beneath the intense flavors of the chimichurri. The bread was delicious: it was soft and absorbed the oil of the chimichurri perfectly. The food was all under salted. It needed a bit more seasoning to bring it to life. we expressed to the waitress that we weren’t really happy with some of the food and she brought us the mussels: they were delicious. Definitely brought the overall score of the restaurant up.

Finally, the drinks. The drinks were phenomenal. If you come here, come for the drinks and ambiance...

An Unforgettable Experience at Puma Detroit!

From the moment we walked into Puma Detroit, we were blown away by the atmosphere, service, and delicious food—but what truly set this experience apart was the people.

Evelyn, the manager was incredibly accommodating, attentive, and genuinely passionate about creating a welcoming environment for every guest. Her warmth and professionalism didn’t go unnoticed—she made us feel like family from the second we stepped in.

Our server, Rae, was equally phenomenal. Rae went above and beyond to make our visit special. Not only was Rae kind, funny, and knowledgeable about the menu, but Rae had this amazing energy that lit up the whole table. Rae made sure every detail was perfect, anticipated our needs, and delivered service with such grace and care—it felt like Rae truly loved what she does, and it showed in every interaction.

The food? Absolutely divine. Every dish was flavorful, beautifully presented, and cooked to perfection. The cocktails were creative and refreshing, and the dessert selection was the perfect ending to a flawless meal.

The ambiance of Puma is unmatched—modern and chic, yet warm and cozy. It’s clear this place was crafted with intention, from the lighting to the playlist to the thoughtful decor.

We can’t wait to come back. Thank you Evelyn and Rae for turning a great night out into a truly unforgettable experience. If you’re in Detroit and want an incredible meal with even better service,...