Indy's 25 Best Restaurants

Indy was named the most ‘Underrated Food City in America’ by Condé Nast Traveler, and for good reason.

As Voted by Indy Locals

Indy’s diverse culinary scene is booming, from tried-and-true eateries to some newcomer favorites. And because we know every memorable trip begins and ends with a great meal. That's why we asked you - our residents and visitors - your top restaurants in the city. The results are listed below. Dig in.

St. Elmo Steak House

St. Elmo Steak House is Indy’s award-winning classic style restaurant that proves great service and classic cooking methods make for a timeless menu worth visiting again and again.

Known For: World Famous Shrimp Cocktail with spicy, signature cocktail sauce, traditional steak cuts or chicken and seafood paired with potatoes or classic sides
Drink Menu: Equally weighted wine and beer menus next to classic martinis, mules, and their signature cocktail, the Elmo Colas
Atmosphere: Early 20th-century decor inside the bar, large room, and private dining areas features wood paneled and brick walls with carefully curated art and photos.
Open For: Dinner

St. Elmo Steak House

Credit: @exploremoreofindy

Mama Carolla's Old Italian Restaurant

Set in a charming former monastery, Mama Carolla’s serves classic Italian comfort dishes in a warm, romantic setting.

Known For: Traditional Italian favorites like pasta, veal, and house-made sauces
Drink Menu: Italian wines and classic cocktails
Atmosphere: Cozy, rustic, and intimate with ivy-covered patios and candlelit rooms
Open For: Dinner

Mama Carolla's

Credit: @didieatsindy

Ale Emporium

Ale Emporium is a longtime local favorite known for its bold flavors, extensive beer selection, and famously spicy wings.

Known For: Hermanaki wings, pub food classics, and generous portions
Drink Menu: Large craft and domestic beer lineup with rotating taps
Atmosphere: Lively and casual with a neighborhood sports bar feel
Open For: Lunch, Dinner

Ale Emporium

Shapiro's Delicatessen

Shapiro’s Delicatessen is a legendary Indy institution serving classic Jewish deli fare made from scratch for over a century.

Known For: Pastrami, corned beef, matzo ball soup, and freshly baked desserts
Drink Menu: Non-alcoholic beverages with traditional deli offerings
Atmosphere: Cafeteria-style, bustling, and rooted in tradition
Open For: Breakfast, Lunch

Shapiro's Delicatessen

Bluebeard

Indy’s oldest neighborhood is home to a daily rotating menu and derived from local farms at Bluebeard, named after a Kurt Vonnegut novel.

Known For: Afternoon or cocktail snacks of pickles and cheese, lemon spaghetti, or mains like roasted cauliflower or pierogi
Atmosphere: Step off the Indianapolis Cultural Trail into a renovated 1924 warehouse with wood floors, brick walls, large windows, and vintage typewriters that connect Bluebeard back to the legacy of Vonnegut
Drink Menu: House-crafted libations, sommelier-selected wine, and local beer
Open For: Lunch and dinner

Bluebeard

We’ve spent so many summer evenings out under the roped lights on the patio at Bluebeard with friends from New York or LA who have told us 'this is the best meal of my life!'

Mab GravesGraphic Designer

Café Patachou

Martha Hoover’s Café Patachou is a must visit for both the farm-to-table sustainable menu and the impact of food and social change in Indianapolis.

Known For: Cinnamon toast, farm-fresh omelets, or vegan Cuban breakfast. Locals will tell you the Patachou chicken salad is a lunch must.
Drink Menu: Five types of mimosa and prosecco cocktails, self-serve coffee bar, yogurt smoothies, and juices.
Atmosphere: Multiple locations across the city have many things in common, such as the clean lines and fresh white walls that allow the light to focus on the bright and fresh plates.
Open For: Breakfast and lunch

Cafe Patachou

Bodhi - Craft Bar + Thai Bistro

A women-owned craft cocktail bar and Thai bistro with a focus on authentic Thai flavors shared for three generations.

Known For: Tamarind Peanut Noodles, also known as Guaytiew Pad Thai, with sweet radishes, bean sprouts, and your choice of tofu, chicken, or shrimp
Drink Menu: From the bar, BODHI offers creative and modern libations designed by a talented team of mixologists, as well as curated wine and craft beer lists
Atmosphere: New-age inspired dining room and bar, with botanical and rustic influences. In the warm months, enjoy the patio while soaking in the hustle and bustle along Mass Ave
Open For: Dinner

Bodhi

Bazbeaux

Since 1986, Bazbeaux has served dozens of signature pizzas with traditional and exotic toppings on handcrafted crusts alongside salads and sandwiches.

Known For: The Pizza All Quatrro Formaggio is their signature pie and features rich dollops of ricotta cheese, as well as cheddar, mozzarella, bacon, and mushroom. Their house-made creamy basil dressing is a must for any salad
Drink Menu: Several wine and local beer options
Atmosphere: Both the downtown and Broad Ripple locations offer vibrant colors indoors and outdoor seating. Be part of the Mass Ave buzz downtown or enjoy the views of the canal through the heart of Broad Ripple
Open For: Lunch and dinner

Bazbeaux

Livery

Livery offers Latin-inspired cuisine and bold flavors in a historic building, blending traditional dishes with modern flair.

Known For: Latin American small plates, empanadas, and wood-fired entrees
Drink Menu: Tequila, mezcal, rum-forward cocktails, and Latin-inspired drinks
Atmosphere: Stylish and vibrant with a rooftop patio and downtown energy
Open For: Dinner

Livery

Workingman's Friend

Consistently voted one of Indy's best burgers, Workingman's Friend recently won Yelp's search for the best cheeseburger spot in the state as well as Food & Wine Magazine's contest for the best burger in Indiana.

Known For: Charbroiled smash burgers and crisp onion rings that bring the nostalgic diner tastes back to life.
Drink Menu: Canned sodas, beer, and mixed drinks
Atmosphere: This cash-only, casual eatery is known for its unmatched burgers and relaxed setting
Open For: Lunch

Workingman's Friend

Iozzo's Garden of Italy

Originally established in 1930, Iozzo's Garden of Italy resurfaced onto Indy's culinary scene in 2009, inviting residents and visitors alike to enjoy a classic Italian meal in an old-world environment.

Known For: Classic Southern Italian recipes such as lasagne bolognese and pistachio crusted salmon
Drink Menu: Signature cocktails and extensive wine list
Atmosphere: The interior immerses visitors in exposed brick and historic family photos and the charming outdoor patio is one of Indy's hidden treasures
Open For: Lunch and dinner

Iozzo's Garden of Italy

Rick's Cafe Boatyard

Rick’s Cafe Boatyard pairs fresh seafood and American classics with waterfront views along Eagle Creek Reservoir.

Known For: Seafood dishes, patio dining, and sunset views
Drink Menu: Cocktails, wine, and beer with a focus on easygoing classics
Atmosphere: Relaxed and scenic with lakeside seating and nautical charm
Open For: Lunch, Dinner, Sunday Brunch

Rick's Cafe Boatyard

Yats

Yats keeps Indy’s food scene alive and spicy with fast Cajun and Creole dishes that rotate on and off a daily menu.

Known For: Crawfish étouffée, gumbo, the B&B, all served on rice and ordered with or without cheese, onions, and sour cream. If two items are calling your name, go half and half. And always get more bread
Drink Menu: Soft drinks, beer, and wine
Atmosphere: Walk into any Yats location and prepare for a punch of bright colors and New Orleans-style decor, often adorned with restaurant accolades and Indy-centric memorabilia
Open For: Lunch and dinner

Yats

I always take out of town visitors to Yats - it's approachable, delicious, and there's something for everyone! It's always a hit!

Jingo M. De La RosaIndy Artist

Harry & Izzy's

Harry & Izzy’s delivers classic steakhouse fare with a slightly more relaxed approach, offering a menu rooted in tradition and hospitality.

Known For: Steaks, seafood, and classic American dishes inspired by St. Elmo favorites
Drink Menu: Full bar with classic cocktails, wine, and beer
Atmosphere: Polished yet approachable with a downtown dining room feel
Open For: Lunch, Dinner

Harry & Izzy's

1933 Lounge

1933 Lounge offers a refined cocktail experience adjacent to St. Elmo Steak House, channeling Prohibition-era elegance and classic hospitality.

Known For: Craft cocktails, premium spirits, and elevated bar bites
Drink Menu: Classic and contemporary cocktails with a focus on whiskey and bourbon
Atmosphere: Intimate, upscale, and timeless with vintage-inspired decor
Open For: Dinner, Late Night

1933 Lounge

Fernando's Mexican and Brazilian Cuisine

Fernando’s blends Mexican and Brazilian flavors into a vibrant menu that celebrates bold spices, grilled meats, and traditional comfort dishes.

Known For: Brazilian-style entrees, tacos, and house specialties rooted in family recipes
Drink Menu: Margaritas, cocktails, and beer selections that complement the menu’s bold flavors
Atmosphere: Casual and colorful with a welcoming neighborhood feel
Open For: Lunch, Dinner

Fernando's Mexican and Brazilian Cuisine

Goose The Market

The modern neighborhood grocery and butcher shop caters to hungry diners who want to bite into crusty bread sandwiches.

Known For: Stacked charcuterie boards of thinly sliced meats and cheeses of all varieties and regions, daily sandwich specials like The Batali, gourmet grocery items, terrines, and fresh fish.
Drink Menu: Wine by the glass, local craft beer for dine in or carry out.
Atmosphere: A hybrid grocery and sandwich shop with gelato bar on the ground floor; enjoy wine and beer tastings in the underground enoteca.
Open For: Lunch and dinner weekdays, lunch on weekends

Goose the Market

The Rathskeller

Located inside the historic Athenaeum, The Rathskeller delivers classic German cuisine and beer hall tradition in one of Indy’s most iconic dining spaces.

Known For: Jaegerschnitzel, bratwurst, and traditional German fare
Drink Menu: Extensive German and European beer list with draft and bottle options
Atmosphere: Old-world charm indoors and a lively outdoor biergarten seasonally
Open For: Lunch, Dinner

The Rathskeller

Fat Dan's Deli

Fat Dan’s Deli combines Chicago-inspired comfort food with a strong craft beer lineup in a relaxed, sports-friendly environment.

Known For: Italian beef sandwiches, wings, burgers, and indulgent pub fare
Drink Menu: Extensive craft beer selection with rotating taps
Atmosphere: Lively, casual, and welcoming with TVs and neighborhood bar energy
Open For: Lunch, Dinner

Fat Dan's Deli

Tinker Street

Tinker Street’s tiny restaurant is bursting at the seams with the bold flavors served often vegetarian style in an upscale but approachable menu.

Known For: A seasonably rotating menu with shareable plates like fried brussels sprouts and entrees of duck breasts and pumpkin gnocchi highlight the creative and modern vegetarian, gluten-, and dairy-free fine dining options
Drink Menu: Wine list curated with each rotating menu
Atmosphere: Minimal accents and dark walls put the diner’s focus on looking straight through to the tiny-but-mighty kitchen, or enjoy the year-round patio
Open For: Dinner

Tinker Street

Futuro

Futuro brings Detroit-style and tavern-style pizza to Indy with crispy-edged pies and inventive flavor combinations served in a laid-back setting.

Known For: Thick-crust Detroit-style pizzas, tavern-cut pies, and rotating specialty toppings
Drink Menu: Beer-focused menu with local and regional selections
Atmosphere: Casual, modern, and unpretentious with a neighborhood pizza joint vibe
Open For: Lunch, Dinner

Futuro

King Dough

King Dough serves naturally leavened, wood-fired pizzas that blend classic techniques with bold, seasonal toppings in a neighborhood-friendly setting.

Known For: Artisan pizzas made with house-fermented dough, seasonal ingredients, and standout combinations like ricotta, basil, and hot honey
Drink Menu: Craft beer, wine, and a small selection of cocktails
Atmosphere: Warm and casual with an open kitchen feel and community-driven energy
Open For: Lunch, Dinner

King Dough

Vida

Vida embodies a modern expression of culinary techniques with a worldly influence, set in a relaxed ambience.

Known For: Your choice between a four course tasting menu or a six course tasting menu, including options like Berkshire pork belly and beef tartare
Atmosphere: Located in the Lockerbie neighborhood on the East side of downtown, this fine dining eatery grows their own herbs with their prolific greenery wall
Drink Menu: Vida’s bar is fully stocked with rare spirits and diverse and curated wine selection
Open For: Dinner

Vida

Pictured: Lincoln Square Pancake House

Lincoln Square Pancake House

This family-owned local business, with five Indy locations, is no-nonsense approach to breakfast and lunch in a familiar diner-style setting.

Known For: Breakfast classics such as omelets and eggs benny with an abundance of varieties and customizations. Try the Spinach, Bacon, and Tomato Eggs Benedict for a fresh take on a popular favorite, or spice it up with a Chimichanga Breakfast Burrito
Drink Menu: Fountain drinks, juice, and coffee – including specialty lattes
Atmosphere: Cozy, nostalgic diner-vibes with table and booth seating
Open For: Breakfast, Brunch, and Lunch

Lincoln Square Pancake House

Strange Bird

Experience landlocked seaside bliss at this tiki bar serving rum, cocktails, and a phenomenal food menu.

Known For: Scrumptious ramen dishes packed with flavor, wings, and dumplings.
Drink Menu: Tiki drinks and craft cocktails.
Atmosphere: A moody and tiki-themed interior adds intrigue to this Irvington stape.
Open For: Dinner & Drinks

Strange Bird

“

Indy often receives high ratings and awards for our food scene. Whatever you are craving, you will find it here.

Julia WhiteheadFounder & CEO of Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library