I am always getting asked where to eat in Indianapolis, so I thought it was time for me to gather up all of my recommendations and put them all in one big post! There are sooo many options out there, but these are some of our all-time favorites that we’re always coming back to. You’ll find my favorite spots broken down into 3 categories – brunch, dinner, and dessert – to help you navigate my recommendations. Let me know if you try any of these spots yourself, and if you’re a local, I’d love to hear your favorite places to eat in the comments!

Brunch

The Garden Table (Indy, Broad Ripple, or Carmel)

If you are looking for a cute aesthetic brunch spot you have to go to Garden Table! They have a lot of healthy options and fun juices and cocktails! I love their acai bowl, avocado toast, and their hash browns!

Cafe Patachou (Indy, Broad Ripple, or Carmel)

I love this for both breakfast and lunch! The green goddess salad is one of my favorite salads ever!

Tupelo Honey (Indy)

This is a fairly new brunch spot in Indy but is very popular in the southern US! You have to get their biscuits and fried green tomatoes.

Gallery Pastry Shop (Indy)

Probably the most delicious breakfast in Indy in my opinion! It is so cute inside and very unique! I love their croissants!

Rize (Carmel)

There are several locations on the northside. Love their croissants and strawberry jam that come as sides.

Rosie’s (Carmel, Zionsville, Noblesville)

Rosie’s is probably our most visited brunch spot. It is your typical local dive brunch and everything including their sauces and sides are made in-house! I love their breakfast burritos & quesadillas.

The Cake Bake (Broad Ripple or Carmel – Carmel location is the best)

The Cake Bake is a fun girly brunch spot! They are known for their cakes but personally I love their quiches and brunch! The chicken velvet soup is my favorite!

 

Dinner

The Eagle (Indy)

The Eagle is one of our favorite restaurants in Indy and our favorite fried chicken and Mac n cheese in the US! You have to get both of these if you are visiting and I love the side kale salad as well!

Bodhi (Indy)

This is a new hidden gem in Indy that has become one of our favorite restaurants! Keep in mind that you have to be 21 and over to eat here because the bar is not “enclosed”. This is the best Thai in Indy! I love their spring rolls and massaman curry.

St Elmos (Indy)

St Elmo’s will always be a Hoosier staple! They are known nationwide for their shrimp cocktail sauce and steaks!

Monterrey Coastal Cuisine (Carmel)

Monterrey is personally my favorite restaurant in Indy! They have amazing sushi, coconut shrimp, and the BEST salmon ever. The salmon is so random but you have to try it before you judge! So far everyone I have gotten to try it agrees! They also have fun cocktails.

Traders Point Creamery (Zionsville) 

Traders Point is one of the best experiences for a restaurant in Indy. It is literally farm-to-table as you eat on their farm and everything on their menu is grown on site. You can pet their cows and walk through their garden. I love going to their brunch on weekends more than their dinner!

Bakersfield (Indy)

If you are looking for tacos and a good spicy margarita Bakersfield is your spot! They also have amazing queso!

Taxman’s Brewery (Indy)

One of our favorite breweries in Indy! They have great burgers, fries, and an outdoor patio right by Lucas Oil and Banker’s Life Fieldhouse.

Bluebeard (Indy)

Another hidden gem in Indy! Everything on the menu here is amazing!

Anthony’s Chophouse (Carmel)

If you are looking for a great steak you have to try this place! Even the sides are incredible as well as their bourbon bread pudding.

The Garage at Bottleworks (Indy)

The garage is perfect for group events and is a food haul that offers a wide variety of food options. This is more casual and is right by a lot of attractions like duck pin bowling and a movie theater. The entire Bottleworks District is fun!

Napolese (Carmel)

One of our favorite pizza spots! This is more of a restaurant-style pizza spot and their brick oven pizza is to die for!

The Italian House (Westfield)

Mike and I’s favorite Italian restaurant in Indy! We love their bruschetta, chicken piccata, spaghetti and meatballs, and their fried ravioli!

Mama Carolla’s (Broad Ripple)

Another popular Italian restaurant in Indy! A local favorite.

 

Dessert

The Cake Bake (Broad Ripple or Carmel – Carmel location is the best)

We also love this place for brunch but they are known for their cakes!

Graeter’s (Broad Ripple or Carmel)

One of my favorite ice cream places of all time! They are known for their black raspberry chocolate chip!

Crumbl (locations all over)

This is a nationwide chain but if you haven’t tried their cookies they are a must! They rotate the flavors weekly so each week there is something new to try!

Nicey (Broad Ripple, Fishers)

These popsicles are our favorite! They have both fruit frozen ones and icecream ones! You can also dip them in chocolate!