Little Liberia Restaurant Public Opening on March 5

After Nearly a Decade as a Pop-Up, Founder Chef Ameneh Marhaba Establishes Permanent Home on Detroit’s East Side

Detroit, MI — Liberian cuisine now has a permanent home on Detroit’s East Side. On March 5, Little Liberia officially celebrates the public opening of its brick-and-mortar restaurant along the E. Warren Corridor, marking a major milestone for founder Ameneh Marhaba and for African culinary representation within the city’s evolving food landscape.

Founded in 2016 as an Afro-fusion pop-up, Little Liberia introduced Detroiters to Liberian and West African cuisine shaped by African influences. Over the years, the concept built a devoted following through community-centered dining experiences, steadily growing from a grassroots pop-up to a permanent destination.

“For years, Little Liberia has been about more than food. It has been about visibility, culture, and creating space,” said Marhaba. “Opening a permanent home in Detroit feels deeply personal. These are the recipes I grew up with and the flavors that shaped my understanding of family and belonging. Sharing them here is both an honor and a responsibility.”

The restaurant began welcoming guests through a limited soft-opening period in late February, allowing the team to refine service and menu pacing ahead of the official public launch. The March 5 public opening marks the restaurant’s full introduction to the broader community.

Little Liberia’s opening menu highlights traditional Liberian flavors rooted in West African culinary traditions. Guests can expect a curated selection of beef, goat, seafood, and thoughtfully crafted vegan dishes. The restaurant prepares halal meat options, alongside house-made desserts and a cocktail program featuring both cocktails and non-alcoholic offerings.

Beginning March 5, Little Liberia will operate Thursday through Saturday from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., welcoming both walk-ins and reservations.

In addition to dine-in service, Little Liberia offers catering for private and community events, a private gathering space for small groups and celebrations, and branded merchandise available for purchase on-site.

Little Liberia’s journey to brick-and-mortar has been supported by Detroit’s small business development ecosystem. In 2021, Marhaba graduated from ProsperUs Detroit’s Entrepreneur Training Program. In 2022, the restaurant won the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest, receiving a $100,000 grand prize to support its permanent location. In January 2024, Little Liberia was awarded an additional $80,000 grant through Motor City Match Round 25 and participated in the program’s development track to secure and build out its East Warren Corridor home.

More than a restaurant, Little Liberia is designed as a welcoming space for education, gathering, and cultural exchange. The public opening represents the successful transition of a community-rooted concept into a permanent East Side institution.

A formal grand opening celebration event will be announced in the coming weeks.

For reservations, updated hours, and general information, visit littleliberia.com.