Family owned for over 40 years, this cozy, Indy evening lounge with great drinks is sure to make your night out spectacular.
Another Indy favorite is Axum Ethiopian, close to the heart of the city on the north side of downtown. With vegan options, combo plates, and mouthwatering entrees, Axum Ethiopian is known for its authentic cuisine and friendly staff.
Bar-B-Q Heaven started with one restaurant in Indianapolis in 1952. Now with more locations, including one in Lucas Oil Stadium, it’s not hard to get your hands on their authentic and distinctive open pit goodness. For the signature heavenly experience and a dinner full of flavor, pair the corn on the cob and potato salad with the famous rib tips.
Your favorite seafood dishes, done right. Pair steaming heaps of shrimp, crab legs, lobster tail, and more with one (or more!) of Chef Oya's signature sauces. An vibrantly colored store front with simple seating encourages visitors to stay and enjoy their dishes on the outdoor picnic table. If you're looking for some great seafood while in the Circle City, Chef Oya has your back.
Known for her Honey Hot Wings drenched in her special sauce blend, Chef Tia Harrison invites guests to come and try this and many other delectable dishes at her westside restaurant. Other options include Crawfish Ettouffe, Cajun Seafood Alfredo, her signature Chicken and Sausage Gumbo.
Owner: Chef Tia Harrison
Classic Americana cuisine is calling your name. Feast on Chuck’s Coney Island’s selections of burgers, wings, and Detroit chili dogs. You’ll know the chili is straight from Detroit, as the owner drives to Michigan once a week to pick up the week’s chili selection.
Perfect for a casual breakfast or lunch, Cleo’s Bodega Grocery & Café has everything you need to start your day off right. With sandwiches, smoothies, salads, and pastries, Cleo’s vegetarian menu is sure to excite all visitors. The best part – Cleo’s is operated by Flanner House, a local organization working to eradicate food deserts in underdeveloped neighborhoods.
A unique take on Asian and Mexican comfort food fusion, Comida delivers an expansive menu with exceptional depth and flavor. Try the Flaming Hot Elotes or the General Tso tacos. Together with expert baristas and coffee producers, they also offer a full-service coffee shop. Comida's atmosphere can be described as colorful, funky, and chic, and its central location, right by the Central Library, offers convenience for visitors and residents alike.
In the mood for something sweet? Try Cretia Cakes Bake Shop, known for what owner LaCretia Allen calls “a little something different” for her Southern-style sweet treats. Her cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and desserts can be ordered online or in-store, giving you plenty of opportunities to indulge your sweet tooth.
This vegan restaurant on Indy’s northeast side is known for its fresh ingredients, friendliness, and possibly the best vegan nachos you’ve had in a while.
Caribbean food with a twist! Locals rave about Da Blue Lagoon’s unique flavor combinations, such as the coconut curry chicken and goat curry, as well as fan favorites like the mac & cheese and the Jamaican patties.
Enjoy traditional African cuisine such as spicy shawarma, porridge, plantains, and peppered snails at this westside restaurant.
This kosher seafood café has all you need for a quick and easy meal on the go. Known for the salmon burger and halibut sandwiches, Eat to Live Café offers options for every taste palette at their East 38th Street location.
Delectable Florida-style seafood to excite your entire crew. Fried seafood with waffle fries, King Crab, and authentic gumbo are just some of the options that grace the menu of this seafood spot.
There’s nothing like that sweet, tangy taste of delicious barbeque. Garrett’s Smokehouse is committed to bringing “real barbeque back,” and therefore smokes their pork, beef, chicken, and turkey.
This milkshake shop on Mass Ave is truly one to add to your list. With craft shakes made from homemade ice cream, including dairy free and vegan options, Gordon’s Milkshakes are bound to excite your taste buds. Image: @christine_runs_indy
Homestyle barbeque that will have you wanting more and more. Dubbed “the best smoked brisket sandwich in Indy,” Hank’s is a local favorite that is worth exploring.
From the turkey manhattan to the cole slaw-stacked fried bologna barbecue sandwich, it’s clear that His Place is not a cookie cutter soul food restaurant. To get the full effect of this welcoming eatery’s unique flare, save room for the southern fried chicken, collard greens, and macaroni and cheese while also indulging in the crave-worthy sweet potato cheesecake.
Fresh, cooked-to-order food is the passion of this northwest Indy eatery. Be sure to try the Fish n Chips, Mac n Cheese, and corn bread.
Jerk chicken, curry goat, and Jamaican patties are just some of the delicacies you can expect when dining at Jamaican Breeze. A sports bar with a Caribbean twist, the Keystone locale transports guests to the sunny beaches of Jamaica with its exceptional food and atmosphere. Pair your entree with sides like plantain, cabbage, or macaroni.
This Nigerian restaurant that has been thriving in Indy since 2012. Each meal you’ll enjoy from this ethnic restaurant is made from scratch, without preservatives or additives, and is sure to please.
You may wait a few minutes in line for this award-winning BBQ joint, but your patience will pay off when you bite down into perfectly smoked ribs. Try the mac 'n cheese, coleslaw, or potato salad to accompany your seasoned and smoked pork, chicken, pig's feet, or beef.
“Irresistible food, incredible service, infectious atmosphere” is Krab Kingz daily mission. Specializing in Florida-style crab boils, Krab Kingz has perfected mouthwatering seafood paired with the perfect amount of spices and seasonings.
Located in the heart of the International Marketplace, Madina's menu features authentic African cuisines and vegetarian options daily.
Dining in Ethiopia/Eritrea is characterized by the ritual breaking of injera and eating from the same plate to signify the bonds of loyalty and friendship. All dishes are authentic and so is the dining experience.
Maxine's motto is "A Taste of Love in Every Bite." Whether it's the signature dish, jumbo fried chicken wings and specialty waffle topped with Maxine's own peach butter, or other options like the catfish or tilapia with grits, each delicios choice is made from scratch.
Combining the comfort of soul food with the elegance of a Saturday night out on the town. With a full bar and live entertainment, Michael's Soul Kitchen offers your favorite eats in a decadent all-you-can-eat buffet.
Family owned and operated by Michael Warren, Jr. and Tiffani Warren, since 2016, Off the Hook brings the best fried seafood to Central Indiana. This food truck can be found all around the Circle City, but follow their social media or head to their website to plan ahead!
One of the most well-known soul food joints in Indy, Paleo Soul has everything your appetite needs to indulge in favorites like sweet potatoes, salmon cakes, and garlic parmesan wings.
Carrying the favorite flavors such as of Honey Garlic Pepper, Buffalo, Garlic Parmesan, BBQ, Papa Bear’s Chicken offers a diverse menu with affordable prices and a focus on making the best chicken wings.
Visit either the food truck or the Sun King Spirits location in Carmel for Pi Indy’s decadent pizzas and snacks. Follow the establishment on social media for updates on where you can next snag one of their coveted pizza pies.
Located near Garfield Park, making it a perfect destination for a carry-out order and a picnic, Pull Up Grill & BBQ has the flavors you need to satisfy your barbecue appetite.
Whether your like your wings spicy, sweet, or somewhere in between, R&R Extreme Wings has your back. Pair with their crispy French Fries for the perfect flavor combination.
A casual eatery with classic seafood options, Sea Kings Seafood Kitchen is just what you need when you're craving homestyle fried fish such as salmon or catfish. Sides including okra, fries, onion rings, and baked beans will take your experience to the next level. Try a classic fish sandwich, or take it up a notch with the fish tacos.
Specializing in making online food ordering and contact-less curbside pickup as easy as possible, Smoove’s Indy offers 100% vegan cuisine with a rotating menu. Try their Beyond Burgers and enchiladas packed with healthy vegetables.
Born and raised a Hoosier, Tiffany Colvin fulfills her passion for baking by serving cupcakes, cookies, brownies, ice cream, and specialty cakes for special order or those just passing through. It’s one of Broad Ripple’s best places to have your cake and eat it too.
Coffee shop by day, restaurant by night, St. Yared brings authentic Ethiopian and Eritrean culture and cuisine to diners. Named after the Ethiopian holy musician from Aksum, St. Yared offers combinations and party platters for the Ethiopian food amateurs and professionals. Located in Fishers, just north of Indy, this local restaurant also celebrates Ethiopian hospitality with the St. Yared Coffeehaus and a dedication to excellent service.
Pizza buffet also featuring salad, tacos, nachos, polish sausage, hot dogs, and more. Specialty toppings include goat and lamb.
Owner: David Lee
Founded and owned by the former Indiana Fever star Tamika Catchings, Tea’s Me is Indianapolis’ premier tea bar and cafe. Tea's Me Café prides itself on offering the highest-quality selection of teas and tisanes from around the world. With comfortable sofas and a cozy fireplace, the café is a perfect place to enjoy world-class tea and accompanying small plates, such as desserts, sandwiches, salads, and soups.
Owner: Tamika Catchings
Indulge in those ice cream cravings at this aptly named locally-owned sweet shop. Classic flavors, as well as unique creations such as the donut-ice cream sandwich, will have you counting down the days until your next visit.
With a colorful and bright interior, health-conscious food options like quinoa and fresh smoothies, and friendly staff, Healthy Food Café has been called a hidden gem in the Indy area for a quick snack or a casual lunch date.
Indy's first 21+ pizza joint specializing in creating urban dishes on pizzas through collaboration with other successful brick and mortar restaurants.
Known for deliciously prepared seafood and snacks, especially their fried shrimp basket, this local seafood favorite is ready to serve you a meal you won’t soon forget.
This westside wing joint is bursting with flavor for you and your friends and family to enjoy.
