RESTAURANTS + BARS
Restaurant shuffles in Royal Oak; here’s what’s new
Melody BaetensThe Detroit News
Updated Aug. 20, 2026, 10:55 a.m. ET
<a href="https://cm.detroitnews.com/comment/?storyUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.detroitnews.com%2Fstory%2Fentertainment%2Fdining%2F2026%2F08%2F20%2Frestaurant-shuffles-in-royal-oak-heres-whats-new%2F91384451007%2F&marketName=detroitnews&commentsopen=false” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”>View Comments
There‘s always a lot of news coming out of downtown Royal Oak’s restaurant scene, and this month is no different.
This week, restaurateur Adam Merkel unveiled his latest concept at his 11 Mile and Main Street location. The rooftop Italian spot Bella Limone has closed, and he’s debuted Bella Rose Italian on the main floor.
“Bella Limone gave us the opportunity to learn what our guests really connected with,” Merkel said in a statement, adding that the new spot takes the best of Bella Limone and builds on it. “Moving to the main floor gave us the opportunity to completely rethink the restaurant and create something that feels lighter, more energetic and more approachable, while still delivering the quality and experience people expect from us.”
Bella Rose Italian is next to Little Bella’s, a small restaurant that debuted earlier this year and has social media-worthy beverages, including the espresso martini souffle cocktail. The classic martinis here are done very well, too. Beverage director Sean May, formerly of Adachi, oversees the cocktails for both Bellas.
The food and drink menus at Bella Rose Italian were developed in collaboration with Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. The nationally recognized restaurateur runs Big Rock Italian Chophouse in Birmingham, where Merkel is also a partner, as well as several restaurants in other states.
Bella Rose’s menu starts with garlic bread, Brussels sprouts, roasted cauliflower, Sicilian saganaki and more. House-made pasta, steak frites, chicken limoncello and Chilean sea bass are featured.
Wine is served by the bottle or glass, plus the Italian-leaning cocktails and a list of margaritas.
Bella Rose and Little Bella’s are at 100 S. Main in Royal Oak. Reservations can be made
The Bella Rose space was formerly a Middle Eastern restaurant called Bohemia and Little Bella’s used to be Pearl’s Deep Dive, an oyster bar. In the past years, Merkel has also run a steakhouse at this address as well as a fun rooftop spot called Pinky’s
In other recent Royal Oak restaurant switcheroos, Bijou recently opened at 316 W. 4th with a steakhouse vibe. Chicken roulade, lamb lollipops and a wagyu flat iron steak are on the menu along with classic steakhouse sides and starters like cheese board, burrata, and stuffed mushroom caps.
This restaurant was formerly Iron Horse, which closed in March after more than a decade
