Downtown Detroit restaurant PAO made People magazine’s 50 most beautiful list

PAO restaurant in downtown Detroit, noted for its Pan-Asian cuisine, recently received huge accolades for its interior design and space.

For People magazine’s 50th anniversary and its 2024 Beautiful Issue, the editors at OpenTable and People named “The 50 Most Beautiful Restaurants in America.” PAO landed at No. 22 on the list.

“Original details from the 1920s-era Detroit building combine with a new mezzanine and glass garage-style doors,” OpenTable said of PAO.

The collaboration sought out and chose the beautiful restaurants in each state noting them for many design aspects.

“These super-stylish stunners deliver unforgettable dining experiences,” according to People magazine.

“Located in the historic Michigan Oriental Theater, PAO Detroit has always been a special project for our team,” said Joe Barbat, chairman and CEO of Barbat Holdings, PAO’s owner. “This accolade not only highlights the restaurant’s beauty but also enhances the storied legacy of this iconic building in downtown Detroit.”

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PAO’s menu features a variety of small and large plate items such as Pao Pao shrimp, tuna carpaccio and lo mein mein noodles.  More recently, PAO added a six-course rotating tasting menu that’s offered every Wednesday featuring bluefin tuna tacos, sesame chicken dumplings, tuna carpaccio and shoyu lamb chops.  Two menu options are offered at $50 and $65 per person. Also on Wednesday is PAO’s “Sip & Share” with half off small plate appetizers and signature cocktails from 5-11 p.m.

Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.