Post Contents

• Review: Alpino Detroit – Authentic Alpine Dining in Corktown
  • Alpino Quickfacts
• The Vibe: Upscale German Dining in Detroit’s Corktown
• Drinks & Service: Expert Bartenders and Custom Cocktails
• The Menu: From Alpine Fondue to the “Bartender’s Handshake”
• Final Verdict: Is Alpino Detroit Authentic?

Review: Alpino Detroit – Authentic Alpine Dining in Corktown

On my quest to find authentic German food, my fiancée recently showed me a TikTok about Alpino in Corktown, Detroit. As the name suggests, Alpino tries to capture an alpine flair. Their interior is rustic, their food menu includes Alpine-sounding meals, and they have a big German beer selection. But can they hold up to a German’s critical standards?

The Vibe: Upscale German Dining in Detroit’s Corktown

Established in May 2023, Alpino is part of Corktown’s rise out of the ashes. While there are other, more legacy restaurants for German food in the Detroit metro, Alpino tries to capture a more upscale audience. A first look into the interior confirmed that. Their homepage recommends making a reservation. When we went there on a Friday night, it was definitely necessary.

Alpino’s menu is inspired by the traditional cuisine of the Alpine regions, spanning the mountains of Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, and Italy. Classic German/Austrian dishes like Wienerschnitzel, Spätzle, Rotkraut, and Goulash are accompanied by fondue, raclette, risotto, and panna cotta from the other Alpine countries.

Drinks & Service: Expert Bartenders and Custom Cocktails

Our favorite spot, even for finer dining, is always the bar. Our bartender was very knowledgeable about the menu and could help us make an informed decision on drinks and beer. He even made a custom cocktail for Ali after she gave him her preferences. With cocktail prices between $16 and $20, they are scraping the pricier side, but nowadays I believe this is just normal.

The Menu: From Alpine Fondue to the “Bartender’s Handshake”

The couple sitting next to us was indulging in their cheese fondue, and we could not resist and had to order it ourselves. In addition, we also had the raclette, which was some pan-grilled melted cheese served atop sourdough bread. Both apps were delicious with a little caveat: for my taste, the cheese could be a bit stronger/sharper.

As a main, we shared the Wienerschnitzel, which is, contrary to most schnitzels, actually made with veal. Our sides were Spätzle with mushroom gravy and some crispy potatoes. The schnitzel was thin, tender, and perfectly fried. The sides were pretty standard. We then opted out of dessert and decided to have a Fernet-Branca. Our bartender said ordering this is considered to be a bartender’s handshake—which means I signal to him that I work in the bar service industry myself. It couldn’t be further from the truth.

Final Verdict: Is Alpino Detroit Authentic?

How authentic is it? Compared to modern Alpine restaurants, I would say it captures the quintessence of it: classic meals in modern clothing, excellent service, and a cozy atmosphere. Overall, our night was not cheap, but neither was the quality. I can fully recommend. In numbers:

Have you ever been to Alpino? How did you like it? Let me know in the comments below!

And if this post awakened your gravings for some Schnitzel, check out my Schnitzel recipe! 🥨🦉