Brian Nagele
Look no further than Indianapolis if you are looking for a city to enjoy some outdoor dining. Do you want to have brunch on the patio of a nearly 150-year-old church?
How about the oldest restaurant in the entire city that has been in continuous operation since 1894? Or do you want to relax in a quaint spot that opened a few years ago? Indy can provide whatever you are looking for.
The Eagle
310 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 317-929-1799
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This Southern-flavored food hall and bar is located in the Mass Ave Arts District, an eclectic neighborhood flush with hip theaters, shops, and restaurants.
There are plenty of great options on The Eagle’s menu, but I recommend trying a piece of fried chicken. The all-natural, free-range chicken is brined in-house and is absolutely delicious.
Pair it up with some Southern sides such as collards, spoonbread, or white cheddar grits, and you will be ready to go back for dinner again the next day.
LIVERY
720 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone: 317-383-0330
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Livery is another Mass Ave restaurant located in a renovated 1890s building that used to be a horse stable.
The restaurant is a bit off the beaten path, allowing patrons to take full advantage of some amazingly relaxing outdoor rooftop seating.
This is the place to be if you are looking for a casual, yet sophisticated atmosphere to enjoy Latin-inspired food and copious amounts of tequila.
Start with some yucca fries before diving into one of their amazing empanadas and wash it down with a delicious margarita or cocktail.
Bluebeard
653 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203
Phone: 317-686-1580
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This renovated 1924 warehouse sits in the historic Fletcher Place District. Bluebeard operates on the belief that food creates community.
They work closely with local farmers, so their menu can be a bit different on any given day. I recommend going during dinner and ordering the rainbow trout.
The combination of fish with green papaya, red onions, and other ingredients creates a delightful melody of flavor.
Follow that up with their vanilla bean chess pie, and you are going home happy and stuffed.
Metazoa
140 S College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone: 317-522-0251
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This Fletcher Place brewery is as pet-friendly as they come. Founded to provide a haven for pets and drinkers alike, they donate five percent of their profits to animal charities.
Metazoa typically has around 10-15 different beers on tap at any given time, broken down between malty, light, and hoppy.
If you like something crisp and refreshing, I recommend going with their Blueberry Bandit for a great-tasting combo of fruit and wheat.
Iozzo’s Garden of Italy
946 S Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46225
Phone: 317-974-1100
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Iozzo’s is located in Downtown Indianapolis about three minutes from Lucas Oil Stadium.
So, if you are looking for passed down through the generations family Italian recipes before watching the Colts play, this is your place.
It is difficult to choose a recommendation from a menu full of recipes that go back 100 years or more, but you cannot go wrong with spaghetti with Iozzo’s family sauce.
Iozzo’s also has a solid selection of wine, so ask your server what they recommend.
Late Harvest Kitchen
8605 River Crossing Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46240
Phone: 317-663-8063
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Late Harvest Kitchen is outside downtown in the heavily commercialized Castleton district. Do not let the fact this restaurant is attached to an Old Navy fool you, this is a locally-owned place that puts service first.
LHK has a sophisticated menu boasting veal, rabbit, and caviar pie. You cannot go wrong with any of those, but I recommend the Chesapeake Bay Style Crab Cakes.
The in-house sauce pairs with them so nicely you almost forget you are hundreds of miles away from the nearest ocean.
BRU Burger
410 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 317-635-4278
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BRU Burger is another Mass Ave favorite. The burger and beer place is located within easy walking distance of a jazz club, ice cream shop, and other bars if you are up for some hopping.
You are not going to get any old burger here. BRU uses a signature grind of sirloin, chuck, and brisket to provide a mouthwatering experience.
They offer burgers to satisfy any craving, but when in doubt I recommend going with the most simple, but very delicious BRU Burger.
The Rathskeller
401 E Michigan St, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 317-636-0396
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The Rathskeller is the oldest restaurant in Indianapolis.
The German restaurant is located in the Athenaeum Building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and a beacon for the Indianapolis German American community.
You can of course get some great German food at The Rathskeller, but I would recommend saving most of your room for beer at this establishment.
They boast a truly impressive selection of beers from Germany, other European countries, and the U.S.
St. Joseph Brewery
540 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone: 317-602-5670
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This brewery and public house is located in a renovated church nestled in the heart of downtown.
The brewery is kid-friendly and features a dog-friendly outdoor area making this unique drinking establishment a great place to take the whole family.
Sunday brunch is the main draw for St. Joseph, which provides a bit of fun irony considering the building’s origins.
I recommend going with the Bison Scramble. The bison meat is locally-sourced, and the dish includes delicious Capriole goat cheese.
Canal Bistro
6349 Guilford Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220
Phone: 317-254-8700
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Canal Bistro brings a taste of the Mediterranean to the laid-back Broad Ripple District.
The restaurant is located right on the city’s canal, just off the White River, and features plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy the view while eating.
I recommend trying their Moussaka. The Greek dish with ground beef and onions covered in a bechamel sauce is mouthwatering.
Make sure to finish your meal with some homemade baklava.
Rick’s Cafe Boatyard
4050 Dandy Trail, Indianapolis, IN 46254
Phone: 317-290-9300
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Rick’s offers one of the best outdoor views in Indianapolis. It is located outside of downtown on the Eagle Creek Reservoir just minutes away from Eagle Creek Park.
They even have a couple of Tesla charging stations on-site if you need to charge your car while enjoying your meal.
I say enjoy the seafood while eating in a boathouse overlooking the water. Start with some crab cake hush puppies, move into some lobster manicotti, and wash them down with any one of Rick’s signature cocktails.
