Must-see restaurants in Indiana

  • Story Inn

    Indiana

    This former general store dating to 1851 (tin roof and metal facade still intact!) drips with countrified rustic charm, beckoning foodies for culinary…

  • Milktooth

    Indianapolis

    Breakfast lovers of the world unite at artsy Milktooth, a can't-miss morning hot spot set in a tchotchke-peppered garage. In 2015, Jonathan Brooks was…

  • Octave Grill

    Indiana

    Octave Grill's burgers made with grass-fed beef and piled high with gourmet goodness were voted best in Porter County. Indeed, they are cooked to…

  • Tinker Street

    Indianapolis

    Fork into seasonal dishes such as Indiana mushroom stroganoff with pappardelle, sherry, crème fraîche and parsley pistou or an incredible pork belly with…

  • St Elmo's

    Indianapolis

    This nearly 120-year-old carnivore haunt is Indy's best – and one of its only – independent steakhouses. It receives consistent accolades for service,…

  • Oh Mamma's on the Avenue

    Indiana

    This cute little grocery store and deli features toasted sandwiches, heaps of cheeses from the region (including awesome housemade goat's-milk cheese),…

  • Cardinal Spirits

    Indiana

    Bloomington's only craft distillery makes fantastic spirits with local botanicals, but their equally interesting, seasonally changing food menu is one of…

  • Portage House

    Indiana

    Sitting on privileged real estate along the Ohio River in Jeffersonville, this precious 1904 home's epic patio makes for a fine refueling stop with…

  • Exchange

    Indiana

    All things considered, New Albany's best restaurant is a one-stop evening out. Sky-high exposed-brick walls and and true-to-their-name Big Ass Fans…

  • Henry Social Club

    Indiana

    Punching above its culinary class by Columbus standards, HSC's seasonally changing menu satiates local foodies (and visiting architects) and is the best…

  • Rise'n Roll

    Indiana

    Now a Northern Indiana chain, it started here in Middlebury and all because of the sought-after cinnamon-caramel donuts known locally as 'Amish crack.'…

  • Sinking Ship

    Indianapolis

    This rock 'n' roll craft-beer pub has Indy's heart, serving up innovative vegan and vegetarian fare until 2am, when most (drunk!) vegans are relegated to…

  • City Market

    Indianapolis

    A smattering of food stalls fill the city's old marketplace, which dates from 1886. The 2nd-floor bar (open 2pm to 9pm Monday to Thursday and noon to 9pm…

  • Bluebeard

    Indianapolis

    James Beard–nominated chef Abbi Merriss creates the city's most raved about upscale comfort food. Her daily changing menus call on the freshest local…

  • 4th Street Bar & Grill

    Indiana

    This good-time bar and grill toes the line between diner and dive bar and manages to do both well. Come for well-done burgers, sandwiches and wraps (along…

  • Gray Brothers Cafeteria

    Indianapolis

    Cafeterias are an Indiana tradition, but most have disappeared – except for Gray Brothers. Enter the time-warped dining room, grab a blue tray and behold…

  • Hobnob Corner

    Indiana

    Nashville's most popular restaurant is a simple but fine spot to dig into wholesome, home-cooked Hoosier fare. The wonderful pot roast – juicy, tender and…

  • Richochet Tacos

    Indiana

    You cant go wrong at this gourmet taqueria on Valparaiso's pretty and revitalized main square: douse your Handle Bar (spicy skirt steak, avocado, queso…

  • Great Lakes Cafe

    Indiana

    This colorful Greek family diner sits right in front of a steel mill, whose workers pile in for the cheap, hearty pancakes, chopped steak burgers, bacon…

  • Samira

    Indiana

    With a lively location right on Bloomington's town square, Samira's is justifiably crowded for its somewhat upscale take on traditional Afghani cuisine…

  • Grains and Grill

    Indiana

    Set in a converted grain storage building, this atmospheric little spot cooks up surprisingly good steaks, burgers and comfort foods such as meatloaf-and…

  • Public Greens

    Indianapolis

    The on-site micro-farm raises kale, beets, eggs and other ingredients for this eatery's homey dishes; 100% of the profits are then plowed back into the…

  • Sara's Harmony Way

    Indiana

    A town meeting point, coffeehouse, bar and wine shop, and restaurant, Sara's Harmony Way is a little bit of everything with a whole lot of cozy. Pop in…

  • Hinkle’s

    Indiana

    It's hard to beat a plate of mini burgers and a caramel milkshake while sitting at the counter on a twirly stool. Hinkle’s is an old-school diner in…

  • Savory Swine

    Indiana

    A genuine butcher befitting of a much larger town than Columbus, the Savoury Swine offers an array of deli sandwiches in addition to gourmet provisions…

  • Bazbeaux

    Indianapolis

    A local favorite, Bazbeaux offers an eclectic pizza selection, such as the 'Tchoupitoulas,' topped with Cajun shrimp and andouille sausage. Muffaletta …

  • Bird's Nest Cafe

    Indiana

    This down-home charmer inside a funky historic bungalow serves tempting breakfasts (sweet-potato waffles, farm-fresh egg scrambles, fried green tomatoes…

  • Rocco's

    Indiana

    Rocco's is a South Bend institution, ladling marinara sauce since 1951. After football games, lines of Notre Dame alums craving pizza, pasta and other…

  • Uptown Cafe

    Indiana

    A Bloomington classic. The Uptown Cafe offers Cajun/Creole–inspired American fare alongside Italian and other Mediterranean specialties right on Kirkwood…

  • Village Inn

    Indiana

    The Village Inn sells sublime pies, such as the best-selling rhubarb custard. Bonneted women in pastel dresses come in at 4:30am to bake the flaky wares…

  • Fresh Take Kitchen

    Indiana

    Judging by the crowds, the whole of Southern Indiana heads here to escape all things fried. There's a lovely array of internationally flavored grain bowls…

  • Lucrezia Café

    Indiana

    This is a homey favorite for Italian-American staples – fettuccine alfredo, veal marsala, linguine with scallops – in a cutesy clapboard home in…

  • Mug 'N' Bun

    Indianapolis

    The mugs are frosted and filled with a wonderful home-brewed root beer. The buns contain burgers, chili dogs and juicy pork tenderloins (Indy's best!)…

  • Zaharakos

    Indiana

    Grab a counter stool, chat to the servers and let the sugar buzz begin at retro, stained-glass-packed Zaharakos, a 1909 soda fountain. The attached museum…

  • Anyetsang's Little Tibet

    Indiana

    Little Tibet offers specialties from the Himalayan homeland, including Tibetan dumplings (momos) and noodle stew (thukpa), as well as Indian and Thai…

  • Main Cafe

    Indiana

    This is a decent spot for a ham-bean-and-cornbread lunch, but the pies and cakes are the main reason to come. Coconut cream and carrot take the prize…

More destinations you need to see