Guests savoring Argentinian delicacies at Puma, Detroit's new culinary hotspot.
A new culinary gem, Puma, has opened in Detroit, quickly gaining recognition as the No. 1 New Restaurant of 2025. Offering a vibrant atmosphere and a menu rich with Argentinian cuisine, Puma showcases unique dishes like aguachile and choripán. The restaurant adds to the city’s vibrant dining scene, especially with its timely launch coinciding with the Movement Electronic Music Festival. Chef-owner Javier Bardauil creates a casual dining experience, highlighting seasonal ingredients and communal dining. Puma invites food lovers to enjoy delicious flavors while soaking up the lively ambiance.
In the heart of Detroit, a new culinary gem has emerged, earning the coveted title of No. 1 New Restaurant in the city for 2025. Welcome to Puma, a lively eatery that captures the essence of Argentinian cuisine, all wrapped up in a vibrant atmosphere that invites patrons to kick back and enjoy.
Puma is making waves with its unique offering of aguachile, a refreshing dish that showcases cooked shrimp accompanied by a zesty broth made from juiced cucumber, celery, jalapeno, and lime juice. This delightful ensemble is garnished with spicy red onion and sliced cucumber, making it a perfect starter for sharing.
This dish serves up to four people and is constructed with fresh ingredients like English cucumbers, crunchy celery, a kick of jalapeno, a touch of garlic, and robust cilantro. With a quick prep time of just thirty minutes and a total time of about an hour—including chilling—aguachile is not just a treat for the taste buds, but also a fun dish to prepare at home.
But that’s not all! The jicama and apple salad brings a delightful crunch to the table, drizzled with a dressing that harmonizes lime juice, lemon juice, maple syrup, grated garlic, and a touch of Aleppo pepper. It’s cool, citrusy, and perfectly complements any meal. Much like the aguachile, this dish also serves four and takes about 45 minutes from start to finish.
Puma opened its doors just in time for the annual Movement Electronic Music Festival, further enhancing the dining experience with nightly live DJ performances. Guests can groove to house and techno beats while savoring the exciting flavors of Argentinian cuisine, making it the talk of the town.
Chef-owner Javier Bardauil, who previously gained recognition with Barda, describes Puma as Barda’s ‘little sister.’ This new establishment emphasizes a casual, laid-back atmosphere where food lovers can share small plates, sip on cocktails, and enjoy spontaneous conversations over delicious bites.
One of the standout dishes is the choripán, made using Bardauil’s own sausage blend crafted by Corridor Sausage Co. Served on a toasted roll and slathered with chimichurri, it’s a must-try for anyone visiting the restaurant. This dish not only highlights Argentinian flavors but also embodies the idea of communal dining, where sharing is encouraged.
Puma doubles as a culinary map of Latin America, with menu items drawing inspiration from various countries including Peru, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Bolivia, and Mexico. Their drink menu beautifully captures the spirit of the cuisine, featuring cocktails infused with Latin flavors like pisco and yerba mate, along with a selection of unique regional ingredients.
For those with a sweet tooth, don’t miss the dulce de leche soft-serve, a heavenly way to finish off your meal. It’s the perfect sweet send-off from an exciting dining adventure at Puma.
Even the restaurant’s design pays homage to its previous life as an auto garage, elegantly blending vintage charm with lively decor to create an inviting ambiance. Open from Thursday to Sunday starting at 5 PM, Puma has a relaxed no-reservation policy and includes a 20% automatic gratuity for the hardworking staff.
With a strong commitment to celebrating local ingredients and seasonal produce, Puma offers an authentic taste of Michigan’s culinary landscape. So if you’re looking for an exciting new spot to enjoy delicious food and vibrant atmosphere, head on over to Puma, located at 4725 16th St., Detroit. For inquiries, call 313-819-6804 or check out their website at pumadetroit.com. Your taste buds will thank you!
News Summary Detroit mourns the loss of Dr. Jo-Ann Waiting Terry, an influential figure in…
News Summary The Adrian community comes together to honor Sister Margaret 'Peggy' Manners, OP, who…
News Summary The Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design (PLC Detroit) has kicked off…
News Summary On May 16, 2025, the Black Legacy Advancement Coalition will hold a gala…
News Summary On June 23, 2025, Detroit will once again light up the sky with…
The Detroit News Wikipedia: Crime in Detroit CBS News Detroit Google Search: Detroit Police News…