Alpino

The story

Alpino Detroit: Alpine-Inspired Italian & Swiss Cuisine in Corktown

The Inspiration

Alpino’s name and spirit come from the Alpine tradition of the Almabtrieb—the autumn homecoming of cattle from high pastures, celebrated with food, wine, and community. The restaurant’s guiding phrase, “’Till the cows come home,” captures that sense of gathering and gratitude. The menu, inspired by regional dishes from the Alps, draws on ingredients sourced from hills, fields, rivers, and streams. It’s a cuisine that feels both Italian and Swiss in its heritage, yet distinctly its own.

The Team

Owner and operator David Richter spent 25 years working alongside New York City’s hospitality elite, curating award-winning wine lists and leading notable restaurants and event spaces. He returned home to Detroit to open Alpino, his first solo restaurant. In the kitchen, executive chef Colin Campbell—a Charlevoix, Michigan native—brings a playful yet familiar cooking style honed in Boston, Salt Lake City, and northern Michigan. Together, they aim to cultivate a communal atmosphere centered on high-quality food, made simply, and paired with excellent wine, music, and hospitable service.

The Space

Alpino occupies a repurposed historic building at the corner of Bagley and Trumbull in Corktown. The dining room is anchored by a stone fireplace, complemented by warm wood tones, 100-year-old cypress beams, and rustic light fixtures. A basement has been transformed into a comfortable setting for private events, while the patio features teak tables, soft seating, a lush urban garden, and a bandshell for live music. The restaurant also offers a grab-and-go store with pantry staples, wine, and spirits.

Recognition

Alpino has earned widespread acclaim since opening. It was named Detroit’s Best New Restaurant in 2023 by the Detroit Free Press, Eater Detroit, and the Detroit News, and was honored as the 2024 Detroit Free Press/Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Restaurant of the Year. The restaurant was also a James Beard Awards semifinalist for Best New Restaurant. In 2025, its thoughtful wine program received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, further cementing its place as a destination for those who appreciate food and drink rooted in tradition and quality.