Top 15 Indy Area Restaurants
- aaron6693
- Mar 25, 2023
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 30, 2023
In April of 2022, Indianapolis was ranked by Food & Wine magazine as one of the ”11 Next Great Food Cities."
Indianapolis has transformed in the last decade with downtown restaurant growth in the Mass Ave, Bottleworks (former Coca-Cola bottling plant, and Fountain Square areas. Outside of downtown, Broadripple, Carmel, Zionsville, Fishers and more are bustling with new and evolving local restaurants.
I've spent 20+ years in Indianapolis and this list represents my personal favorites which I think are some of the best options in the city. It is tough to narrow down the list as there are so many great options and tough to rank across the various cuisine types.
Here are my favorite in no particular order!
Bluebeard
Trendy New American kitchen serving sharing plates & craft cocktails in a renovated 1924 warehouse. Bluebeard opened in 2012. In its first year, it became a James Beard Award semi-finalist for Best New Restaurant in America. Under the steady hand of Chef Abbi Merriss (who has earned multiple Beard nominations herself) it has continued to earn accolades and an audience of adventurous eaters from all over the world.
Bluebeard is a staple of downtown area's Fountain Square area. It is a farn to table experience that started as Amelia's bakery that is still in place. They have a daily refreshed menu , so you can expect avariety and seasonal fare. I recommend you definitely try the grilled bread given the origins. The accompanying anchovy butter, honey thyme butter, roasted garlic oil are great complements and it is always on the menu. The charcuterie & cheese is always a good option. Beyond that, the menu changes and rotates to what is fresh and seasonal and I've never had a "bad choice". In the warmer season, the outdoor patio is a great space to enjoy the Fountain Square area.
My Bluebeard Yelp Reviews
The Gallery Pastry Shop
Gallery Pastry Shop brings brunch, dinner, cocktails and European pastries to Indianapolis, IN. Located in South Broadripple, Gallery features indoor and outdoor seating, a full bar, and abundant gardens. Great for families, groups of friends, and romantic occasions.
Gallery Pastry Shop relocated to the space formerly renovated and occupied by Next Door American Eatery. They offer a all day brunch as well as a new dinner menu. I had missed out on experiencing Gallery at their previous location in Broadripple and the 2 downtown area locations, but after trying their brunch and a dinner within the first 7 days of their opening, Gallery has made it onto my short list rotation and top 5 Indy list. The Gnocchi (see below) was really tasty and impressive as were the sticky wings.
Root & Bone
Honest Southern Food: Soul nurturing, conscientiously sourced, farm-fresh ingredients. A craftsman’s ethic coupled with artisitic culinary thought. A tribute to the timeless recipes and traditions of a rural America and the warm embrace of its hospitality.
Root and Bone has excellent southern influenced brunch and dinner options. Make sure to start with the Drunken Deviled Eggs! My favorite dinner items have been the Chicken "Pot Pie" - which is more of a deconstructed twist (see below), the Shrimp & Grits, and the Barbeque Bruleed Spare Ribs. Their cocktail menu is solid - with my favorite, the R&B Old Fashioned - which involves Bacon Bourbon, maple syrup, Angostura & bruleed bacon (you can never go wrong with adding bacon!)
Vida
Vida embodies a modern expression of culinary techniques with a worldly influence, set in a relaxed ambience
At, we’re dedicated to providing fresh and innovative cuisine, carefully crafted cocktails, a diverse wine collection, and a professional, fine-dining service to our customers.
Vida is for 5+ straight years, still unequivocally my favorite restaurant in Indy. The chef inspired always changing menu is always interesting and flavor forward. Their every year winning of AAA’s coveted Four Diamond award reinforce it's allure (and also validate the $$$$. While I would say it is more of a special occasion spot with 4 course pre-fix or the 6 course Chef's Tasting Menu, you can order ala carte - which can keep a quicker dinner in the bar a viable option. Featured below are the Ricotta Doughnuts - which are with bourbon maple glaze, candied bacon, maple cream, brown butter crumble, sea salt-caramel ice cream.
The Fountain Room
The Mass. Ave Corridor of Indianapolis—and more specifically, Bottleworks District. The team of Clancy's Hospitality, Executive Chef Andrew Popp, and locally renowned designers, Phanomen/Design, have created The Fountain Room—a place that not only elevates what has already been done, but evolves the American Supper Club for the modern diner.
The Fountain Room opened in 2023 in the downtown Bottleworks area on Mass Ave and is billed as depicted above as an "American Supper Club for the Modern Diner"
I highly recommend the Brie Brulee (shown below), the Quilted Pigs (which may have been a special as I don't seee them on the menu any longer), the Seared Scallops, and the Ora King Salmon.
Osteria by Fabio Viviani
Nestled next to Market District, Osteria is a rustically refined eatery by celebrity chef, hospitality developer and TV personality Fabio Viviani. This signature venue offers seasonally inspired dishes, including elevated takes on his favorite comfort foods, as well as local craft drafts and cocktails. Osteria features housemade pastas, Neapolitan-style pizzas, barrel select bourbons, and an extensive wine list.
Osteria by Fabio Viviani got a slower start during Covid - initially only offering To Go options. It took over the space connected to Market District previously occupied by Table (which I was sad to see depart). However, Osteria is a formidable replacement and is a modern take on Italian fare. I've been for lunch and dinner and have not had a meal I did not enjoy. The braised pork shank (shown below) and the cast iron focaccia bread were the highlights of my last visit.
Noah Grant's
Noah Grant's, locally owned & operated, offers East Coast sophistication in charming Downtown Zionsville on the brick Main Street. Our menu specializes in Fresh Seafood, Burgers, Sushi & Certified Angus Beef. ALL of our seafood entrees are rated ‘Best’ or ‘Good Choice’ from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch!
Noah Grants checks a lot of boxes of some of my favorite things: steak, seafood, oysters and sushi. However, I tend to view it as a seafood focused restaurant that has great modern sushi rolls. The restaurant style is crisp and bright and they have a solid bar seating area which also includes their raw bar. The Caprese Stack includes fresh mozzarella and tempura fried tomatoes layered with basil & balsamic reduction and is worth a taste! The ice and spice raw oysters are a nice take on a classic, but you can't go wrong with any of the oyster options if they are your bag. Don't miss the sushi rolls either. You can also make a meal out of sitting in the bar and ordering the seafood tower (shown below).
Anthony's Chophouse
Anthony’s Chophouse is a family owned restaurant with unparalleled views of downtown Carmel. We are an innovative take on a traditional steakhouse that redefines the modern fine-dining experience by serving classic steakhouse cuisine with a unique spin along side signature cocktails to the Indianapolis area.
Anthony's is, in my opinion, the best non-chain steak restaurant on the north side. I enjoy their take on side dishes and steak accompaniments. They have a nice patio and are connected to the Monon Trail and many surrounding walkable areas and after dinner options (including 3Up, the adjacent rooftop bar and patio). Below is the Lobster and Waygu filet with bone marrow butter.
Blupoint Oyster House
Gino Pizzi has founded each of his restaurants on the principle that the best food - and the best times of our lives - begin with love. In the Pizzi family kitchen in Liguria, Italy, the dinner table was a treasured space for family and friends, and fresh seafood was a way of life. Gino fondly recalls scooping octopus and fishing out of the bay near his home - and even driving his grandmother's livestock through the streets.
At 15, Gino emigrated with his family to Indiana, and in his 20s pursued his dream - to become a restaurateur. Since that time, he's been responsible for creating some of Indy's favorite dining spots. But Blupoint is the project that has always been near and dear to his heart. Please come and savor the fruits of his dream.
Blupoint Oyster House was a much needed addition to the Indianapolis (and specifically Broadripple scene). While Indianapolis doesn't have the coastal positioning to inspire fresh oysters to be front of mind, Blupoint does it right in both quality and accoutrements. I really appreciate multiple mignonettes that come with the oysters (shown below) and not ruining a good oyster with cocktail sauce. The combo seafood / Italian vibe from the same owner and curator of Ambrosia. Scallops and Ocean Risotto are both great!
Rize
Rize offers a selection of farm-to-table breakfast and lunch options. Enjoy dishes that feature ingredients fresh from the farms in Indiana, baked items from our kitchen, along with the hydroponically grown produce from our very own CRG Grow greenhouse. Top off the Rize experience with a freshly squeezed juice, house-blended smoothie, kombucha, and a variety of freshly brewed coffee options.
Rize is a brunch spot (which started in Ironworks on the north side) and has quickly expanded to additional locations around town in Fishers and Carmel. It offer picturesque entrees that taste even better than they look. My favorite dish hands down is the Egg Tart (shown below). The fluffiness of the egg is almost like a soufflé, but creamier. It comes with a hibiscus mustard sauce (which I recommend ordering an extra cup of it because it is quite excellent)
Livery
Livery brings Latin flair and flavors to Indianapolis dining, in a restored 1890’s building that once stabled horses. We're a two-story, casual gathering place with rooftop seating under the stars. We're a part of the Cunningham Restaurant Group.
Livery is has a modern Latin themed spread with a great downtown location (recently expanded to other locations). The rooftop is one of the best in town and the menu is vibrant and interesting.
I can recommend the Red Drum (a mild, sweet, firm, but flakey game fish), any and all of the Empanadas, and the paella (pictured below). The cocktails and tequila bar are all top notch.
Nesso
Nesso highlights the rich flavors and traditions of Italian cuisine. Our menu offers a sampling of seafood, locally sourced meats and vegetables, fresh pasta, and other dishes by the Nesso culinary team.
Nesso is the Cunningham Restautant Group's latest hit - next to the Alexander Hotel in City Way. It is hard for me not to start with the Burrata as it is the best I've had in the Midwest (seen below). The grilled crostini is on point and the cherry tomatoes are roasted so they are perfectly blistered and ready to pop with juice and flavor. From there, you can't go wrong on entrees, but I have had and would recommend the short rib or the salmon. Both are cooked to perfection.
Monterey Coastal Cuisine
Our menu offers one-of-a-kind culinary delights, the kind only a privately-owned restaurant can deliver. With the freshest seafood, most tender aged beef, as well as uniquely inspired appetizers, temptatious desserts, and world-class sushi — all conceived and created by our award winning artisan chefs.
Monterey Coastal Cuisine is a locally owned restaurant that blends seafood, steak and sushi. This is probably my current favorite restaurant in Carmel and has something for a variety of tastes. The sushi is very good and usually start there as an appetizer. The cocktails are well made with all the right aspects (glass clear balled ice and the right Lucardo style cherries). The sea bass is my favorite entree on the menu, but I've had great luck with their chef specials (such as the Halibut seen below)
Delicia
The cuisine of Delicia is a culmination of our love of food and drink from the Americas, Caribbean and Spain. Our passionate blend of ancestry and influence can be felt and tasted in all we do. It is our privilege to share with you our interpretation of these global drinks and dishes and we thank you for continuing to eat and drink local.
Verde Flavor of Mexico
VERDE, Flavors of Mexico, is a family-owned, authentic Mexican restaurant serving delicious, authentic Mexican food. We use only the freshest ingredients, all prepared daily by our chefs. Our diverse menu features Mexican family recipes that have been passed down for generations.
Blue Sushi Sake Grill
Blue Sushi Sake Grill unites creative ingredients with energetic vibes, premium cold sake with happy moments to give you a fresh and fun new way to experience sushi.
Comments