10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Indianapolis

Indianapolis offers fantastic dining choices including local flavors, international cuisine, and freshly baked pizzas. Many of the restaurants that are popular with locals focus on using farm-fresh, sustainable ingredients, and the menus change frequently to highlight the seasonal local produce. You can dine in intimate dining rooms, rustic bars, modern spaces, and spacious patios. You’ll also find plenty of child-friendly options as well as menus that feature vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals. Here are 10 places locals love to eat in Indianapolis.

1. St Elmo Steak House

Treat yourself to a dry-aged steak

Good for: Couples, Food

St. Elmo Steak House has a reputation for its fantastic steaks, fresh seafood, large chops, and top-notch service. You will find the restaurant housed in its original 1902 location on Illinois Street just north of West Georgia Street. The menu features traditional steakhouse items such as shrimp cocktail, wedge salads, and prime, dry-aged steaks with a selection of sauces and sides to share. If you dine at the bar, you can watch the chefs preparing your meal through a large, open kitchen window. The bar offers several thousand bottles of wine, which are housed in the award-winning wine cellar. Several private dining rooms are available to host special events of all sizes.

Location: 127 Illinois St, Indianapolis, IN 46225, USA

Open: Sunday–Friday from 4 pm to 10 pm, Saturday from 3 pm to 10 pm

Phone: +1 317-635-0636

2. Bluebeard

Savor Midwest comfort foods with an exotic twist

Good for: Couples, Families

Bluebeard combines comforting Midwest elements with exotic international flavors. You will find the restaurant in the historic Holy Rosary Church neighborhood. Chef Abbi Merriss has been nominated several times for the James Beard Award and happily opens her kitchen to train up-and-coming chefs. The restaurant started with a focus on European-style bread, and the in-house bakery, Amelia’s, draws residents from all over the state. Bakers arrive early every morning to prepare hundreds of fresh loaves of bread, cookies, pastries, and other treats.

Location: 653 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203, USA

Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 5 pm to 10 pm (closed Sunday–Monday)

3. Festiva

Try imaginative Mexican dishes or traditional favorites

Good for: Couples, Families

Festiva features popular Mexican food along with new and exciting dishes. You will find this local favorite located in the Broad Ripple neighborhood. The restaurant offers a wide variety of tacos filled with steak, chicken, fish, or shrimp that are topped with signature salsas as well as traditional and more creative toppings. You can also try one of their signature dishes such as carne asada or enchiladas. With an extensive tequila and mezcal list plus house-made margaritas, cocktails, beer, and wine offerings, Festiva is a great spot for a night out. It is also an excellent place to stop for a bite to eat with your family thanks to their children’s menu. You’ll also find a wide variety of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free items available.

Location: 1217 E 16th St, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA

Open: Sunday from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm, Tuesday–Thursday from 4.30 pm to 9 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11.30 am to 9 pm (closed on Mondays)

Phone: +1 317-635-4444

4. King Dough

Enjoy lunch at a favorite local pizzeria

Good for: Couples, Families

King Dough specializes in handmade pizzas and highlights classic recipes as well as gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan pies. You will find the newest location in the Holy Cross neighborhood of Indianapolis. Everything here is made fresh and in-house daily. The menu also features appetizers such as homemade meatballs and fried calamari, fresh entree-size salads, and mouthwatering desserts. This intimate restaurant that focuses on high-quality food and great service is a favorite spot to have a quick meal with your family or enjoy a dinner with friends.

Location: 452 N Highland Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA

Open: Thursday–Sunday from noon to 9 pm, Monday–Wednesday from 4 pm to 9 pm

Phone: +1 317-602-7960

5. Beholder

Indulge in a 5-course tasting menu with wine pairings

Good for: Couples, Families

Beholder offers a dining experience that highlights modern cuisine featuring local, organic ingredients. You can find Beholder on the east side of downtown, overlooking historic Woodruff Place. You will find several small-plate options that are great for sampling and sharing with your table. A la carte menus and 5-course tasting menus with optional paired wines are updated with seasonal selections. Offerings include oysters, fall sweet potato and apple salad, braised lamb, and grilled banana ice cream. Beholder offers an extensive wine list featuring small wineries.

Location: 1844 E 10th St, Indianapolis, IN 46201, USA

Open: Tuesday–Thursday from 5 pm to 10 pm, Friday–Saturday from 5 pm to 10.30 pm (closed Sunday–Monday)

Phone: +1 317-419-3471

6. Rick’s Cafe Boatyard

Savor fresh seafood and steaks at a waterfront restaurant

Good for: Couples, Food

Rick’s Cafe Boatyard serves fresh seafood and prime steaks in a friendly waterfront setting. You will find the restaurant located on the east side of the Eagle Creek Reservoir. The menu offers delicious starters including baked brie and fresh oysters, hearty entrees such as linguini with scallops and a prime, dry-aged rib-eye, and fabulous desserts like Cuban creme brulee. The indoor dining room offers waterfront views from almost every table. You can also choose to enjoy a la carte dining on one of their decks, which feature retractable siding to protect diners from the wind and rain. The lively outdoor bar presents live music nightly and offers exciting craft cocktails.

Location: 4050 Dandy Trail, Indianapolis, IN 46254, USA

Open: Sunday from 10 am to 11 pm, Monday–Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm

Phone: +1 317-290-9300

7. Tinker Street

Dine at a hip adult-only restaurant

Good for: Couples

Tinker Street offers flavors based on fresh, locally sourced ingredients in a hip atmosphere. You will find the restaurant in Herron-Morton Place next to the Old Northside Historic District. The menu changes with the seasons, and extensive vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are available. Previous menu offerings have included citrus salad topped with soft goat cheese and crunchy quinoa, shrimp and grits, and delicious ricotta donuts. You can enjoy dinner in the warm and inviting dining room or on the spacious patio. The restaurant is adults-only, and you must be 21 or older to dine.

Location: 402 E 16th St, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA

Phone: +1 317-925-5000

8. Ukiyo

Enjoy a modern Japanese restaurant with an emphasis on sustainability

Good for: Couples, Families

Ukiyo features a Japanese-inspired menu that utilizes local foraged and grown ingredients. You can find the restaurant located on College Avenue north of East 49th Street. The menu includes a wide variety of fresh sushi, ramen, and kappo-style small plates. The contemporary decor features eccentric light fixtures and modern furniture. With the restaurant’s strong focus on environmental sustainability, you can rest assured that their products are sourced from sellers that value the environment. While they do accept reservations, they usually have room for walk-ins.

Location: 4907 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46205, USA

Phone: +1 317-384-1048

9. Vida

Treat yourself to a chef-inspired tasting menu

Good for: Couples, Families

Vida prides itself on thoughtfully prepared menu items featuring seasonal local ingredients, house-made charcuterie, and hydroponic greens grown on-site. The restaurant is situated in Lockerbie Square. You can choose from a seasonal a la carte menu or treat yourself to a 6-course tasting menu. Menu favorites include beef tartare, buttermilk brined chicken thighs, and Hawaiian ono. An experienced sommelier is available to offer carefully selected wine pairings to complement your dinner. Seasonal ingredients are also utilized in handcrafted cocktails like the Golden Girl, made with Tito’s vodka, Cardamaro wine, chai syrup, cider, lemon, and bitters.

Location: 601 E New York St, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA

Open: Tuesday–Thursday from 5 pm to 10 pm, Friday–Saturday from 5 pm to 11 pm (closed Sunday–Monday)

Phone: +1 317-420-2323

10. Oakleys Bistro

Enjoy locally sourced and affordable bistro eats

Good for: Couples, Families, Budget

Oakleys Bistro is a relaxed American bistro that aims to offer affordable dining where every meal feels like a special occasion. Menus change often to offer the freshest seasonal products including meats, produce, and dairy, all of which are locally sourced when possible. There is a large selection of shareable starters like the local favorite foie gras mousse or sea scallops, and hearty entrees including beef short ribs and squash paella. Chef Oakley offers support and gives back to the community by donating a part of sales to Second Helpings, a local job training and hunger relief program.

Location: 1464 W 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46260, USA

Open: Tuesday–Thursday from 11 am to 1.30 pm and 5 pm to 9.30 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11 am to 1.30 pm and 5 pm to 10 pm (closed Sunday–Monday)

Phone: +1 317-824-1231

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