Only in Indy Restaurants
Circle City restaurants surround you with rich history and fill you with richer flavors to keep you talking long after the meal is finished.
Do you love seeking out original eateries when you visit a new city? We do too! So in the spirit of sharing insider information, we compiled a list of must-eats that are unique to Indianapolis. From farm to table delights to the world's spiciest shrimp cocktail, we have everything that will satisfy your unique-food cravings.
Iozzo's Garden of Italy
If only the walls could talk at Iozzo's Garden of Italy. Italian immigrant Fred Iozzo opened Indy's first full-service Italian restaurant, only to be closed soon after a historical brawl broke out. Be sure to ask your server about this unique story. Iozzo's serves traditional southern Italian meals in a cozy dining room or in a renovated courtyard. For a unique treat, try their lobster ravioli with real squid ink decorating the saffron pasta.
St. Elmo Steak House
Just about any celebrity who has visited Indianapolis in the last century most likely has dined at St. Elmo Steak House. Folks from around the world have made it a point to carve into their beef and take a stab at the World Famous Shrimp Cocktail. It's smothered in fiery cocktail sauce that is made with fresh horseradish ground daily. The restaurant also has the largest retail wine cellar in Indiana (with a collection fluctuating around 18,000). And, the tiger oak bar was first used in the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and serves up martinis and single malts.
R bistro
Indianapolis prides itself on the slow food movement, bringing fresh fruits, vegetables and meat to the table from local farms. Owner Chef Regina Mehallick of R bistro is a James Beard Award nominee; so, you know you are in for a treat. This farm to table restaurant boasts an eclectic menu that changes weekly and an intimate dining experience. With just 17 tables, this hidden gem features spices and vegetables that are grown in a garden that literally sits next to the restaurant and another in the owners' backyard.
Goose the Market
If you're looking for a good sandwich or unique spice to use in your own kitchen, you might check out Goose the Market. It opened in 2007 and was featured in Bon Appetit's list of the ten best sandwich shops in the country. It offers dry-aged beef from Fischer Farms in southern Indiana and free-range chickens, turkeys, and ducks plus pork are brought in from Gunthorp Farms in northern Indiana. You'll find succulent lamb from Viking Lamb in eastern Indiana. Artisan breads, farmstead cheeses, olives, fresh herbs and spices, grains, gelato, and a selection of Italian and French specialty dry goods stock the shelves. And you can find meaty wines and craft brews in the cellar.
Café Patachou
Martha Hoover is another award winning restaurateur who was a farm to table pioneer some 20 years ago. By day, she was a prosecutor in the Marion Co. District Attorney's office. By night she planned her restaurant. Now she has a half dozen throughout the Indianapolis area including Patachou, Café Patachou, and Petite Chou. Offering quick and light options for lunch and breakfast, the award-winning gourmet breakfast menu includes made-to-order omelets (from local free-range eggs) and thick toast oozing with cinnamon and sugar. Homemade soups and sandwiches make their appearance during the lunch hour.
Of course, these establishments are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to original tastes in the Circle City. From hot dogs to pizza to fine dining, Indianapolis has local flavors that will surprise your taste buds and leave eager for a return visit.
