Overview
This Italian-inspired neighborhood restaurant from Minda Balcius, the restaurateur behind Bovaconti Coffee, is open in the heart of Fountain Square, offering a warm, hospitality-driven dining experience designed to feel both elevated and deeply welcoming.
Located in one of Indianapolis’ most vibrant and walkable cultural districts, Monti reflects the spirit of Fountain Square: creative, expressive, and community-centered. Just steps from live music venues, theaters, galleries, and boutiques, Monti is designed as a natural gathering place for everything from pre-show dinners and casual weeknight meals to late-night drinks with friends.
“Fountain Square has always been about food, art, music, and people coming together,” said Balcius, also a real estate developer with a passion for the neighborhood. “With Monti, we wanted to create the kind of neighborhood restaurant you find in Europe, a place where you’re greeted by name, where you linger over a glass of wine, and where it feels just as right to stop in on a Thursday night as it does for a celebration.”
Monti brings together a leadership team with deep culinary and hospitality expertise. Executive Chef and General Manager Francesco Settanni leads the kitchen and daily operations, crafting a menu rooted in Italian farmhouse tradition and shaped by seasonal ingredients.
“My goal with Monti is to create food that feels soulful, honest, and meant to be shared,” said Settanni. “We’re pairing classic Italian techniques with the best ingredients we can find here, so the menu feels both familiar and fresh, and something you want to come back to again and again. We are a true scratch kitchen, we make focaccia, mozzarella, meatballs, pasta, and desserts daily.”
The beverage program is led by Sommelier and Bar Manager Zoe Hayes, who has curated an approachable yet thoughtful wine and vermouth list alongside a cocktail program highlighting classic drinks, Italian spirits, and amaros.
“Wine and cocktails at Monti are meant to invite people in, not intimidate them,” said Hayes. “Whether you’re a serious wine lover or just want a great glass with your pasta, we’ve built a program that feels welcoming, balanced, and fun to explore.”
The menu features handmade pastas, thoughtfully prepared proteins, bright vegetable dishes, and shareable plates designed to encourage connection at the table. The bar offers a mix of classic and modern cocktails, Italian-leaning wines and vermouths, and digestifs meant to be enjoyed before, during, or long after dinner.
Monti’s interior blends warmth and character with European-inspired design — soft lighting, natural textures, and inviting spaces that encourage guests to settle in. Whether arriving before a show, meeting friends for drinks, or enjoying a relaxed date night, Monti is designed to feel both special and familiar.
