La Strada Italian Kitchen & Bar

4.6 (404)

$31 to $50

Italian

243 E Merrill St, Birmingham, MI 48009

Make a booking

2 people

19 Jun 2025

June 2025

19:00

Booked 16 times today

About this restaurant

Good for business meals
Charming
Great for fine wines

La Strada Italian Kitchen and Bar is your place for authentic Italian cuisine in the heart of downtown Birmingham. Restaurateur and chef Zharko Palushaj opened this gem in late 2015. Our menu is packed with top-quality Italian and European products, including a variety of aged and fresh cheeses, salumi, pizzas, homemade pasta, fish and seafood flown in from all over the world. We also include top American beef and poultry, classic desserts, and gelato, as well as vegetarian and gluten-free options. Our passion, attention to detail, and dedication to our guests set us apart. We can't wait to show you what makes La Strada a world of its own! We're so grateful for the opportunity to serve you, and we can't wait to share our love for food with you!

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, Wine Bar, Cocktail Bar
Hours of Operation
Dinner Mon–Thu 16:00–23:00 Fri, Sat 16:00–00:00
Phone number
(248) 480-0492
Website
https://lastradaitaliankitchen.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive Chef
Zharko Palushaj
Catering
We are pleased to offer catering services and request a sufficient lead time for preparation. Our catering packages are customized to meet your needs, and we are committed to ensuring that every dish catered is delicious, visually appealing, and meets your expectations in terms of taste. For inquiries about catering contact our restaurant.
Private party facilities
For inquiries regarding our event services, please contact us via email or through our website. Our team is committed to accommodating your requested date and any specific requests you may have. Whether you are planning a birthday party, graduation, business dinner, or any other special occasion, we are here to ensure the success of your event.

Location
243 E Merrill St, Birmingham, MI 48009
Area
Birmingham
Cross Street
Old Woodward & Merrill Street
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Ask Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Taleggio DOPUS$15.00
Parmigiano Reggiano DOP "Red Cow" 36US$23.00
Month Aged
Cacio Di Bosco - Truffle .PecorinoUS$23.00
Pecorino Toscano DOPUS$18.00
Asiago Vechio DOPUS$18.00
Montegrappa DOP - Venitian Semi SoftUS$18.00
Cow's Milk Cheese
Cacciocavallo - 36 Month Cave Aged DOP US$21.00
Paski SirUS$18.00
Croatian'sSheep's milk 12 Month Aged

Salumi

Mortadella PistachioUS$12.00
Salame Piacentino DOPUS$15.00
Coppa .Piacentina DOPUS$15.00
Specck Alto Aldige - Smoked ProsciuttoUS$15.00
Prosciutto San Daniele 'Secolo' DOPUS$18.00
Prosciutto Di Parma Black Label DOPUS$21.00
Bresaola-Air Dried Filet MignonUS$18.00
Jberico De Bellota (Spanish Prosciutto)US$55.00
100% Acorn-fed

Antipasti

OlivesUS$11.00
Cerignola Olives, Celery, Orange Zest, EVOO
BruschettaUS$18.00
Heirloom Tomato, Garlic, Basil, Parmigiano Reggiano, EVOO
Mozzarella Di BufalaUS$21.00
Bufala Mozzarella, Heirloom Tomato, Basil Pesto, 15 Year Balsamic
Burrata PuglieseUS$21.00
Creamy Mozzarella, Julienne Zucchini, Pistachio Pesto, Balsamic Caviar,
CaponataUS$15.00
Sicilian Eggplant Salad
Peperoni ArrostitiUS$15.00
Roasted Peppers, Garlic, Basil, Evoo, Crostini Pesto
Bresaola Ricotta Di Bufala US$23.00
Beef Tenderloin, Butala Ricotta, Walnuts, Truffle Honey
Carpaccio Di F'ilettoUS$25.00
EVOO, Lemon, Arugula, Parmigiano Reggiano, Toasted Pine Nuts
P'olpette Di VitelloUS$18.00
Veal Meatballs, Tomato Sauce, Whipped Hand Dipped Ricotta
Salsiccia & Peperoni US$18.00
Italian Sausage, Tre-Color Peppers, Roasted Garlic - Potatoes
Zuppa Di Vongole US$21.00
Steamed Manila Clams, EVOO, Fragrant Tomato, hot Calabrese Peppers
Stracciatella PuglieseUS$25.00
Cream of Burrata, Heirloom Tomato, Arugula, Speck, Melon Ball
Zuppa Di CalamariUS$21.00
Boston Loligo, EVOO, Spicy Tomato

Insalate

Tre ColoreUS$15.00
Arugula, Radicchio, Endive , EVOO - lemon, Parmigiana Reggiano
BarbabietoleUS$18.00
Carpaccio Beets, Arugula, Toasted Almonds, Pistachios, EVOO
CaesarUS$15.00
Romaine Hearts, Tomato, Parmigiana Basket, Crisp Speck, Parmigiana Dressing

Pizza

Americana US$18.00
San Marzano Tomato, Mozzarella, Fresh Basil
MargheritaUS$21.00
San Marzano Tomato, Mozzarella di Butala (slightly wet)
P'iccanteUS$23.00
San Marzano Tomato, Spicy Italian Salami, Mozzarella di Bufala
Quattro Formaggi US$23.00
Mozzarella di Butala, taleggio, fontina, gorgonzola
BiancaUS$21.00
Mozzarella di Bufala, Prosciutto San Daniele, Arugula, Parmigianio Reggiano
Pesto & MortadellaUS$23.00
Pistachio Pesto, Mozzarella di Bufala, Mortadella, Roasted Tomatoes

Fresh Pasta

Risotto Aquarello Carnaroli 7 Year Aged

Risotto ParmigianaUS$35.00
Parmigiano Reggiano, Amarone Reduction
Risotto Ai Funghi & TartufoUS$40.00
Gourmet Mushrooms, Black Truffle Shavings, Parmigiano Reggiano

Entrees

Parmigiana EggplantUS$30.00
Tomato, Basil, Mozzarella, Parmigano Reggiano
Scaloppine Ai Funghi Trifolati US$45.00
Provimi Veal, Mushrooms, Peperoncino, White Wine, Porcini Cream
Saltimbocca Alla Romana US$45.00
Provimi Veal, Prosciutto San Daniele, White Wine, Butter, Sage
Batuta Di Pollo Al L.imone US$33.00
Airline Chicken Breast, Artichokes, Caper Berries, White Wine, Lemon
Batuta Di Pollo Cardinale US$35.00
Airline Chicken Breast, Artichokes, Forest Mushrooms, Roasted Peppers, Marsala Wine, Fontina Cheese
Brasato Di ManzoUS$55.00
Wagyu Brasid Short Rib, Red Wine, Creamy Polenta
Costoletta Alla MilaneseUS$75.00
16 oz Veal Chop, Arugula - Cherry Tomato Salad
Costoletta Alla ParmigianaUS$85.00
16 oz Veal Chop, Tomato, Basil, Mozzarella, Parmigiano /Pesce Del Giorno / The Freshest Fish Of The Day

Contorni

Spinach US$13.00
Gourmet Mushrooms US$15.00
Broccoli & RabeUS$15.00

Dessert

Torta Quatro Formaggi/cheese cakeUS$15.00
Four Cheeses, La Strada Secret Recipe
Torta Di PistachioUS$16.00
Four Cheeses with Homemade Pistachio Paste
Tortino A CiccolatoUS$15.00
Chocolate Lava Cake, Vanilla Gelato
TiramisuUS$15.00
Cafe Espresso, Lady Fingers, Mascarpone Cheese, Cognac
Zabaglione ('For Two)US$30.00
Egg yolks, Granulated sugar, Marsala wine
Cream BruleeUS$15.00
Rich Custard Base, Fresh Berries, Vanilla

What 404 people are saying

La Strada Italian Kitchen & Bar reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.7Service
4.5Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Detroit / Eastern Michigan
Good for special occasions
Detroit / Eastern Michigan
Italian
Detroit
Good for special occasions
Detroit
Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

La Strada Italian Kitchen & Bar offers a memorable dining experience with "amazing food and service." Known for its "welcoming staff" and "high quality and delicious" dishes, this Birmingham gem is recommended for its authentic Italian cuisine. The ambiance is warm, though occasionally loud. A must-visit for Italian food enthusiasts.

404 Reviews

S
Sherry VIP
Detroit / Eastern Michigan5 reviews
2.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
The restaurant presents as an upscale restaurant. There were many things they were out of & the bathrooms were unkept. Not worth the $. Needs managerial oversight.
Is this helpful?
B
Beth VIP
New York City14 reviews
4.0
Dined on 7 June 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
This was our first time here. We were a party of four. I’m going to tell you that a restaurant has one time to make a first impression, and for me that first impression is the host or hostess. If I am greeted warmly, with a smile, I am set up for a nice time. The hostess here never cracked a smile and barely uttered a word. I saw her seat many guests and I never once saw a smile on her face. She’s too young to be so miserable, so unless she was having a really bad night, she may not be the best front person. Let’s get to the food. We sat down and were immediately asked if we wanted drinks. I ordered sparkling water, my husband order wine, our friends order wine and some other drink (I wasn’t paying attention). The drinks came out pretty quickly (within 10 minutes). About 15 minutes later we placed an appetizer order (2 things) and our main courses. One appetizer came out in about ten minutes, the other in about 20 minutes. We were enjoying our appetizers and conversations. We also noticed that people around us who sat down after us had already been served dinner. We said nothing, and continued our conversations. Our reservations were at 6:30 and at 8:15 we still had not been served. Seems they dropped the ball on our order. After a few minutes we were served dinner. We weren’t mad, we didn’t get upset, we shrugged our shoulders and started telling story of other dining experiences where the ticket got “lost.” It happens. When the food arrived, we certainly enjoyed it as it was very good. Our server whose name were didn’t know had one chance to end our dinner on an up note by offering us dessert, but he didn’t. Not mad, but we discussed it on the drive home. One last thing….if you want a relaxing dinner where you can have a conversation with your dinner companion, this is not the place. The noise level is very high. The food is good, but I don’t know when I might be back.
La Strada Italian Kitchen & BarResponded 6 days ago
Dear guest, We appreciate the feedback. It was thorough, especially for a first-time guest at our restaurant. Reservations are set for two and a half hours, and the kitchen is timed to prepare the course meal accordingly. We wish you had brought it to the attention of the waiter or the chef-owner. They're always present to check on guests. However, this is an effective method as well. The hostess has been with us for over three years, and there have never been any issues. We are proud to support college students with jobs. While smiling is not required, professionalism is essential. We have control over some noises, but not all. We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. We are committed to enhancing our service to ensure your next visit is a positive one Best Regards!
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D
David VIP
Detroit / Eastern Michigan13 reviews
5.0
Dined on 16 May 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Continues to be a great experience. Food as always is amazing as is the service. You need to add this to your restaurant list in Bham!!!
Is this helpful?
G
Gloria VIP
Detroit / Eastern Michigan99 reviews
5.0
Dined on 10 May 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The Chef and the staff here make you feel so very special ! They are welcoming! The food and wine and cocktails are top notch . High quality and delicious! La Strada is highly recommended.
Is this helpful?
S
Sam VIP
Detroit / Eastern Michigan5 reviews
1.0
Dined on 2 May 2025
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 2
Food was bad , low quality and not gourmet it just looks gourmet , disappointed and will not be back
La Strada Italian Kitchen & BarResponded 6 days ago
We really appreciate your feedback! It would be so helpful for us to know which dishes weren't to your liking. Gourmet we have mushrooms, which are delivered fresh when in season. We apologize for the inconvenience. We hope to have an opportunity in the near future to serve food that will meet your expectations. Best Regards!
Is this helpful?
A
Allison VIP
Detroit / Eastern Michigan23 reviews
3.0
Dined on 30 April 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Two entrees, two non alcoholic drinks, one dessert and coffee - $160 without tip! And who cooks … fries Coho Salmon to be well done! No quality chef. Value exchange is just not there. Sadly we won’t be back.
Is this helpful?
M
Maureen
Washington, D.C. Area7 reviews
5.0
Dined on 26 April 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was excellent. I had the grouper (fish of the day) and it was one of the best fish entrees I have had.
Is this helpful?
Z
Zachary
Indiana3 reviews
5.0
Dined on 20 April 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was great, service was excellent - very well managed & staffed. Definitely recommend!
Is this helpful?
T
Tim VIP
Detroit / Eastern Michigan18 reviews
5.0
Dined on 19 April 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always a good time. Great food, people, and service!
Is this helpful?
M
Maureen VIP
Las Vegas12 reviews
5.0
Dined on 10 April 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Restaurant was beautiful and much larger than expected! Food was delicious! The owner and staff were wonderful and helped celebrate my birthday with a special dessert. Everyone in my group really enjoyed their food! Definitely recommend this restaurant if you are looking for a dinner out in Birmingham!
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FAQs

La Strada Italian Kitchen & Bar offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (248) 480-0492.

La Strada Italian Kitchen & Bar is rated 4.6 stars by 404 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

19 Jun 2025

June 2025

19:00

Booked 16 times today

Google Map for La Strada Italian Kitchen & Bar

243 E Merrill St, Birmingham, MI 48009

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
Old Woodward & Merrill Street
Area
Birmingham
Hours of Operation
Dinner Mon–Thu 16:00–23:00 Fri, Sat 16:00–00:00
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, Wine Bar, Cocktail Bar
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Zharko Palushaj
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeaway, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://lastradaitaliankitchen.com/
Phone number
(248) 480-0492
Catering
We are pleased to offer catering services and request a sufficient lead time for preparation. Our catering packages are customized to meet your needs, and we are committed to ensuring that every dish catered is delicious, visually appealing, and meets your expectations in terms of taste. For inquiries about catering contact our restaurant.
Private party facilities
For inquiries regarding our event services, please contact us via email or through our website. Our team is committed to accommodating your requested date and any specific requests you may have. Whether you are planning a birthday party, graduation, business dinner, or any other special occasion, we are here to ensure the success of your event.

Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun

Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun

La Strada Italian Kitchen & Bar

Make a booking

About this restaurant

Dining areas

Additional information

Dinner

Formaggi

Taleggio DOPUS$15.00

Parmigiano Reggiano DOP "Red Cow" 36US$23.00

Cacio Di Bosco - Truffle .PecorinoUS$23.00

Pecorino Toscano DOPUS$18.00

Asiago Vechio DOPUS$18.00

Montegrappa DOP - Venitian Semi SoftUS$18.00

Cacciocavallo - 36 Month Cave Aged DOP US$21.00

Paski SirUS$18.00

Salumi

Mortadella PistachioUS$12.00

Salame Piacentino DOPUS$15.00

Coppa .Piacentina DOPUS$15.00

Specck Alto Aldige - Smoked ProsciuttoUS$15.00

Prosciutto San Daniele 'Secolo' DOPUS$18.00

Prosciutto Di Parma Black Label DOPUS$21.00

Bresaola-Air Dried Filet MignonUS$18.00

Jberico De Bellota (Spanish Prosciutto)US$55.00

Antipasti

OlivesUS$11.00

BruschettaUS$18.00

Mozzarella Di BufalaUS$21.00

Burrata PuglieseUS$21.00

CaponataUS$15.00

Peperoni ArrostitiUS$15.00

Bresaola Ricotta Di Bufala US$23.00

Carpaccio Di F'ilettoUS$25.00

P'olpette Di VitelloUS$18.00

Salsiccia & Peperoni US$18.00

Zuppa Di Vongole US$21.00

Stracciatella PuglieseUS$25.00

Zuppa Di CalamariUS$21.00

Insalate

Tre ColoreUS$15.00

BarbabietoleUS$18.00

CaesarUS$15.00

Pizza

Americana US$18.00

MargheritaUS$21.00

P'iccanteUS$23.00

Quattro Formaggi US$23.00

BiancaUS$21.00

Pesto & MortadellaUS$23.00

Fresh Pasta

Risotto Aquarello Carnaroli 7 Year Aged

Risotto ParmigianaUS$35.00

Risotto Ai Funghi & TartufoUS$40.00

Entrees

Parmigiana EggplantUS$30.00

Scaloppine Ai Funghi Trifolati US$45.00

Saltimbocca Alla Romana US$45.00

Batuta Di Pollo Al L.imone US$33.00

Batuta Di Pollo Cardinale US$35.00

Brasato Di ManzoUS$55.00

Costoletta Alla MilaneseUS$75.00

Costoletta Alla ParmigianaUS$85.00

Contorni

Spinach US$13.00

Gourmet Mushrooms US$15.00

Broccoli & RabeUS$15.00

Dessert

Torta Quatro Formaggi/cheese cakeUS$15.00

Torta Di PistachioUS$16.00

Tortino A CiccolatoUS$15.00

TiramisuUS$15.00

Zabaglione ('For Two)US$30.00

Cream BruleeUS$15.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does La Strada Italian Kitchen & Bar offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is La Strada Italian Kitchen & Bar restaurant rated?

Is La Strada Italian Kitchen & Bar currently accepting bookings?