Awaiting some of the coldest days Ann Arbor has seen this year, there was no better place to spend a quiet Friday afternoon than Gandy Dancer. Located at 401 Depot St., the restaurant’s cobblestone walls and historic charm are impossible to ignore. Originally built in 1886 as the Michigan Central Railroad Depot, the space has since been restored into a dining destination that preserves its past.
Upon entering, guests are greeted by soaring ceilings, chandeliers, stained-glass windows and decor that nods to the building’s train station origins. Passing room after room on the way to your table, you’ll eventually reach the back wall to find a window overlooking the train tracks. If you’re visiting, requesting a table here is well worth it, as the occasional passing train adds to the immersive experience.
For Ann Arbor Restaurant Week 2026, which ran from Jan. 18 to Jan. 23, Gandy Dancer offered two prix fixe menus: a $45 Chef’s Highlights option and a $29 lunch menu. I opted for the latter, though the distinctions between the two were minimal, mainly differing in dessert and entree offerings…