Unique Restaurants in Indiana: 12 Coolest Places to Eat

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Are you on the hunt for the quirkiest places to eat in Indiana? From the charming lanes of Bloomington to the bustling streets of Indianapolis, here are 12 of Indiana’s most extraordinary restaurants.

If you’re anything like me, finding unique places to eat in Indiana is at the top of your to-do list when exploring this vibrant state. Trust me, Indiana is a goldmine for foodies looking for something out of the ordinary. Think Ethiopian flavors served in a communal setting, Jamaican vibes with live sports, and classic American dishes that take you back in time.

We’re about to explore spots where the setting is as intriguing as the menu. Imagine enjoying German cuisine in a traditional beer garden atmosphere, or finding a tavern hidden away in the countryside. There’s even a place where Tibetan traditions meet Midwestern hospitality!

Prepare to be wowed on this exploration of flavor and fun. Indiana’s best restaurants, both undiscovered and beloved, are set to reveal their unique charm. If you’re hunting for the coolest places to eat in Indiana, you’ve hit the jackpot. Let’s begin!

👉 Pro Tip: Discover Indy’s flavors on the Massachusetts Avenue Food Tour! Stroll through this trendy neighborhood, sampling local dishes while learning about its history and culture. A must for food lovers!

Indiana’s Most Unusual Restaurants

Eager to explore Indiana’s coolest places to eat? Come along as we embark on a journey through a landscape rich in culinary wonders, from high-end dining gems to quaint, hidden gems. Let’s discover the most unique places to eat in Indiana—a beautiful spot in the state.

Ever imagined feasting in a historic tavern or savoring dishes in a traditional Tibetan restaurant? Indiana’s dining scene is as varied and vibrant as its cultural heritage. Here’s your ultimate guide to the most unique restaurants in Indiana. Prepare to turn your dining moments into memorable adventures—a reflection of the state’s charm as one of the top places to live and visit in the USA.

1. Axum Ethiopian Restaurant

• 📍 Location: Indianapolis (Near Downtown/Fletcher Place)
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Authentic Ethiopian
• 🔥 Standout Features: Ethiopian communal dining, injera bread, vegetarian/meat stews (wots).
• 🎯 Perfect For: Ethiopian food explorers, communal diners, and adventurous eaters.

Journey to the Horn of Africa at Axum Ethiopian Restaurant! This gem offers an authentic taste of Ethiopia, where you ditch utensils and scoop up flavorful stews with spongy injera bread. It’s a hands-on flavor adventure!

Share large platters laden with colourful wots. The spicy chicken doro wat is a must-try. Fantastic lentil and vegetable options like the vegetarian combo (with misir wot, kik alicha, and gomen), or savory beef tibs, are also excellent.

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2. Jamaican Breeze Sports Bar & Grill

• 📍 Location: Indianapolis (Northwest Side)
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Authentic Jamaican / Caribbean
• 🔥 Standout Features: Jamaican jerk/curry dishes, island cocktails (rum punch!), reggae/Caribbean music.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Jamaican food lovers, jerk spice enthusiasts, rum cocktails, Caribbean vibes, and sports fans.

Ya mon, get ready for island time at Jamaican Breeze Sports Bar & Grill! This spot brings the irie vibes and fiery flavors of Jamaica right to Indianapolis. Expect bold spices, tropical drinks, and music that makes you want to move!

Feast on authentic Jamaican classics. Tender, spicy jerk chicken is essential. Rich curry goat, or savory oxtail stew slow-cooked to perfection, are also fantastic. Cool down with a potent rum punch or a Red Stripe beer.

• Read Next: 12 Amazingly Unique Restaurants in Indianapolis

3. Mayberry Cafe

• 📍 Location: Danville (West of Indianapolis)
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Homestyle American / Diner Classics
• 🔥 Standout Features: Andy Griffith Show/Mayberry theme, classic comfort food, Aunt Bee’s fried chicken, nostalgic diner feel.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Fans of the Andy Griffith Show, classic TV, homestyle comfort food, and families.

Welllll, doggies! Step into the wholesome world of Mayberry at the Mayberry Cafe in Danville! This charming spot is a loving tribute to The Andy Griffith Show, filled with memorabilia and serving classic American comfort food just like Aunt Bee used to make.

Enjoy hearty helpings of “Aunt Bee’s” fried chicken. Creamy mashed potatoes and gravy, or other diner classics like a hot roast beef sandwich, are also popular. The atmosphere is pure small-town nostalgia, making every meal feel like a visit with Andy.

4. Heidelberg Haus

• 📍 Location: Indianapolis (Lawrence area)
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $25 per person (Cafe/Bakery)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: German Cafe / Bakery / Delicatessen
• 🔥 Standout Features: German pastries, traditional German deli, imported German groceries.
• 🎯 Perfect For: German pastries, deli, and treats.

Guten Tag from the Heidelberg Haus! This Indianapolis institution is a delightful German bakery, cafe, and delicatessen that transports you straight to a cozy Bavarian village. Prepare for an onslaught of incredible pastries and Old World charm!

Indulge in authentic German baked goods. Delicate Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich) is a must-try. Rich Black Forest Cake, and crusty German breads like rye or pumpernickel, are also fantastic. Grab a traditional German sandwich from the deli.

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5. Bonge’s Tavern

• 📍 Location: Perkinsville (Rural, North of Anderson)
• 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Upscale American / Steak & Seafood (Chalkboard Menu)
• 🔥 Standout Features: Chalkboard menu changes frequently, quality meats/seafood, unique tailgating/BYOB-while-waiting culture.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Destination dining adventurers, steak and seafood lovers, and patient foodies.

Pack your patience and cooler for Bonge’s Tavern in tiny Perkinsville, an Indiana culinary pilgrimage! This legendary spot is famous for incredible food, a chalkboard menu that changes frequently, and the unique tradition of tailgating while you wait.

Once inside, expect expertly prepared upscale American fare. Fantastic steaks, like a New York strip or ribeye, are always a highlight. Fresh seafood specials, or their renowned Perkinsville Pork (a smoked pork chop), are also excellent.

6. Story Inn

• 📍 Location: Story (Brown County – Historic Village)
• 💲 Price range: $40 – $80+ per person (Restaurant Fine Dining)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Upscale American / Farm-to-Table (Often)
• 🔥 Standout Features: 19th-century village setting, romantic ambiance, seasonal/local ingredients.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Romantic getaways, historic inn lovers, farm-to-table enthusiasts, and Brown County visitors.

Step back in time at the Story Inn, in the preserved 19th-century village of Story. The restaurant, in the former general store, offers a unique and romantic dining experience steeped in history and charm. This story has a delicious ending!

Indulge in upscale American cuisine. Expect beautifully crafted dishes like perfectly cooked duck breast with a seasonal fruit reduction. Creative vegetable entrees, or tender local lamb preparations, paired with selections from their thoughtful wine list, are also common.

7. Payne’s Restaurant (Payne’s Restaurant & Custard)

• 📍 Location: Gas City 
• 💲 Price range: $8 – $20 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Classic American Diner / Custard Stand
• 🔥 Standout Features: Carhop service, fried chicken/breaded tenderloins, homemade frozen custard.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Retro diner fans, fried chicken lovers, frozen custard addicts, and classic carhop service.

Roll back the clock at Payne’s Restaurant & Custard in Gas City! This historic diner offers carhop service, making you feel like you’ve stepped into “American Graffiti.” And the food? Pure comfort! Save room for their delicious homemade frozen custard.

Sink your teeth into their famous fried chicken, crispy and juicy. A massive breaded pork tenderloin sandwich (an Indiana staple!), or classic diner burgers with crinkle-cut fries, are also fantastic. Their homemade frozen custard (vanilla or chocolate) is a must.

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8. Little Tibet Restaurant

• 📍 Location: Bloomington 
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Tibetan / Himalayan
• 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Tibetan momos (dumplings)/thukpa (noodle soup), vegetarian-friendly options.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Tibetan food explorers, dumpling fans (momos!), Bloomington locals, and vegetarians.

Journey to the roof of the world at Little Tibet Restaurant in Bloomington! This cozy spot offers an authentic taste of Tibetan and Himalayan cuisine, featuring unique spices and comforting dishes. Get ready for a delicious mountain escape!

The absolute stars are the Momos – delicious steamed or fried dumplings filled with meat (beef or chicken) or vegetables. Warm up with a hearty bowl of Thukpa (noodle soup with vegetables and meat). Explore other traditional Tibetan specialties like shapta (stir-fried beef).

9. Samira Restaurant

• 📍 Location: Bloomington 
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Afghan / Middle Eastern
• 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Afghan cuisine, kebabs/rice dishes.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Middle Eastern cuisine fans and intimate dinners.

Experience warm hospitality and rich aromas of Afghanistan at Samira Restaurant in Bloomington. This spot offers authentic Afghan dishes prepared with care, served in an elegant yet welcoming atmosphere. It’s a journey for your taste buds!

Indulge in succulent kebabs (lamb or chicken) grilled to perfection. Served alongside fragrant basmati rice dishes like Qabuli Palaw (rice with carrots, raisins, and lamb). Flavorful vegetarian options like Badenjan (eggplant stew) are also excellent.

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10. Schnitzelbank Restaurant

• 📍 Location: Jasper
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Authentic German / Bavarian
• 🔥 Standout Features: Huge variety of schnitzels, German beer hall ambiance, extensive German menu, imported German beers.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Schnitzel fans, German food lovers, beer garden enthusiasts, and enjoying German heritage in Indiana.

Willkommen to Schnitzelbank Restaurant in Jasper, a true taste of Germany in Southern Indiana! This beloved spot is famous for its incredible array of schnitzels and its authentic German beer hall atmosphere. Get your oom-pah-pah on!

Choose from a dizzying variety of perfectly pounded and fried schnitzels – classic Wiener Schnitzel (veal) is a must. Jägerschnitzel (with mushroom gravy), or various sausage platters with sauerkraut, are also fantastic. Wash it all down with a stein of German beer.

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11. Ivanhoe’s

• 📍 Location: Upland
• 💲 Price range: $8 – $20 per person (Burgers/Shakes)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American Diner / Ice Cream Parlor (100+ Shake Flavors!)
• 🔥 Standout Features: Over 100 shake/sundae flavors, classic diner burgers/sandwiches.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Milkshake lovers, ice cream fans, diner food enthusiasts, retro seekers, and families.

Prepare for shake-induced indecision at Ivanhoe’s in Upland! This legendary local spot is famous for its mind-boggling menu of over 100 different milkshake and sundae flavors. It’s a sweet tooth’s paradise!

While you choose between a Peanut Butter Oreo Shake or a Strawberry Cheesecake Sundae, grab a classic diner meal. Juicy burgers, a satisfying BLT, or their popular breaded tenderloin sandwich are great. The retro vibe and endless sweet treats make Ivanhoe’s a must.

12. House of Como in Evansville

• 📍 Location: Evansville
• 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Old-School American Steakhouse / Lebanese-American
• 🔥 Standout Features: Supper club vibe (since 1969), Lebanese-American appetizers (Como Mezza), classic steaks/seafood.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Steakhouse traditionalists, romantic retro dinners, and experiencing Evansville history.

Step into a time capsule of supper club cool at the House of Como in Evansville! This historic spot, serving since 1969, exudes old-school charm with its dim lighting, classic steakhouse fare, and a unique Lebanese-American twist. It’s a taste of vintage Evansville.

The experience starts with the “Como Mezza” – a traditional spread of Lebanese appetizers like hummus, tabbouleh, and kibbeh. For entrees, a fantastic classic steak (filet or sirloin) or seafood like fried shrimp are popular.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Most Unique Restaurants in Indiana

Are you searching for more information about where to eat in Indiana? Here are some common questions (and answers) I get asked a lot about Indiana’s most unique restaurants.

What food is famous in Indiana?

If you’re cruising through Indiana, you’ve got to try the pork tenderloin sandwich. Picture this: a juicy, breaded pork tenderloin, fried to perfection and bigger than the bun it’s served on. It’s crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, and absolutely delicious. And let’s not forget about Indiana’s sweet corn and sugar cream pie, known as the state pie. Your taste buds will thank you!

What is the state dish of Indiana?

While Indiana doesn’t officially have a state dish, if you ask me, the pork tenderloin sandwich would take the crown. It embodies Hoosier hospitality with its generous size and down-to-earth goodness. Another contender? Sugar cream pie. It’s simple, sweet, and screams Indiana. Both are must-tries for anyone wanting a taste of the state’s culinary heart.

Does Guy Fieri have a restaurant in Indiana?

Guy Fieri doesn’t have a restaurant in Indiana. But don’t let that stop you! Indiana is packed with diners, drive-ins, and dives that feel like they’ve jumped straight out of an episode of his show. From mouthwatering BBQ joints to classic American diners serving up those famous pork tenderloin sandwiches, there’s a flavor adventure waiting at every corner.

What are 3 fun facts about Indiana?

• The Racing Capital of the World: Indiana is home to the Indianapolis 500, the world’s oldest major automobile race.
• Popcorn Capital: Did you know Indiana is one of the leading producers of popcorn in the United States? If you love snacking on those buttery kernels while watching a movie, you’ve likely enjoyed some Hoosier popcorn.
• A Musical Note: The iconic song “(Back Home Again in) Indiana” isn’t the state song, but it might as well be. It’s closely associated with the Indy 500 and captures the heartwarming feeling of returning to the Hoosier state.