13 Amazingly Unique Restaurants in Indianapolis

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As a travel blogger who’s explored over 65 countries, I’ve come across some incredible food scenes, and I have to say, Indianapolis is one of the most underrated. This city is full of surprises, offering everything from chic rooftop bars to historic, industrial buildings turned into trendy dining spots. Whether you’re enjoying farm-to-table cuisine in a cozy neighborhood bistro or indulging in craft cocktails at a stylish speakeasy, Indy’s food scene is a blend of creativity and local charm.

What makes Indianapolis stand out? It’s the perfect blend of classic Midwest comfort food and bold, experimental flavors. The city’s rustic BBQ joints know how to do it right, and its many brunch cafes really keep it cool and casual. If you’re looking for a dining experience that’s fun, unique, and full of personality, here are 13 of the best restaurants in Indy that you need to check out!

• 👉 Pro Tip: I HIGHLY recommend doing this pedal pub experience in Indianapolis. It brings you to the best spots in town for local drinks and also some fun stops along the way for photos and group games! This tour is an absolute must-do on an Indy itinerary in my opinion, especially for groups.

Unique Restaurants in Indianapolis

Ready to check out the coolest restaurants in Indy? This city is packed with spots you won’t find anywhere else.

Want to feel like you’ve stepped into the tropics? How about grabbing a burger at an old-school diner? From gourmet vegan dishes to rooftop meals with killer views, Indy’s restaurant scene has something special for every taste and budget.

Here’s your guide to the most unique restaurants in Indianapolis.

1. Bluebeard

• 📍 Location: Fountain Square
• 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Contemporary American / Farm-to-Table
• 🔥 Standout Features: Literary theme (Kurt Vonnegut), focus on local ingredients, Amelia’s bread, craft cocktails.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Foodies/book lovers, farm-to-table fans, casual dates, craft cocktails, and Fountain Square hangs.

Named after a Kurt Vonnegut novel, Bluebeard in Fountain Square offers contemporary American cuisine with a strong focus on local Indiana ingredients. The vibe is literary-cool and comfortable, perfect for enjoying their ever-changing seasonal menu.

Their charcuterie board, featuring house-cured meats and Amelia’s bread, is a must-try. Inventive seasonal vegetable small plates, like roasted carrots with yogurt, or their perfectly cooked pork chop with seasonal accompaniments, also receive high praise.

2. Abyssinia

• 📍 Location: Near Westside / International Marketplace Area
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Ethiopian
• 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Ethiopian stews (wots), spongy injera bread, veggie/vegan options, traditional coffee ceremony.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Ethiopian food lovers, communal/sharing meals, vegetarians/vegans, trying injera, and cultural dining.

Get ready to eat with your hands at Abyssinia, Indy’s go-to for authentic Ethiopian cuisine. Located near the International Marketplace, this spot serves traditional dishes centered around flavorful stews (wots) served atop tangy injera bread, your utensil!

Their vegetarian combination platter, brimming with colorful lentil and vegetable stews like misir wot (red lentils) and gomen (collard greens), is fantastic. The savory doro wat (spicy chicken stew) or tender beef tibs are also excellent choices.

3. The Loft at Trader’s Point

• 📍 Location: Zionsville (Northwest of Indianapolis)
• 💲 Price range: $40 – $80 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Farm-to-Table American / Dairy Focus
• 🔥 Standout Features: Located on an organic dairy farm, true farm-to-table dining, rustic loft setting, seasonal menu.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Farm-to-table fans, scenic dining, family outings, brunch/lunch escapes, and supporting local farms.

Escape to The Loft Restaurant, on the grounds of Traders Point Creamery in Zionsville. Housed in a restored rustic barn loft overlooking the organic dairy farm, the restaurant deeply reflects the seasons, featuring ingredients sourced directly from the farm.

Expect elevated American comfort food. Dishes utilizing their own dairy, like creamy mac and cheese made with farmstead cheeses, are a highlight. Their grass-fed burgers or seasonal salads with fresh produce also showcase the farm’s freshness.

4. Heidelberg Haus

• 📍 Location: Northeast Indianapolis (Near Lawrence)
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $25 per person (Cafe/Bakery focus)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: German Bakery & Cafe / Konditorei
• 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic German bakery/pastries, imported German goods/gifts, cozy cafe, old-world charm.
• 🎯 Perfect For: German pastry lovers, European cafe vibes, finding German imports, casual coffee/cake, and nostalgic treats.

Step into a little piece of Germany at Heidelberg Haus. This long-standing establishment is part authentic German bakery (Konditorei), part cafe, and part import shop, radiating old-world charm. It smells amazing with traditional German pastries and cakes.

Trying a slice of their classic Bee Sting cake (Bienenstich) or a rich Black Forest cake is essential. Fresh pretzels, various German breads, or seasonal treats like Stollen are also fantastic. Grab a coffee and enjoy the cozy cafe.

5. Big Hoffa’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que

• 📍 Location: Westfield (North Suburb)
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $35 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Barbecue / Smokehouse
• 🔥 Standout Features: Award-winning BBQ, huge portions, creative dishes (Hoffanator!), pirate/funky theme, popular spot.
• 🎯 Perfect For: BBQ fanatics, huge appetites, casual fun meals, trying creative BBQ, and family-friendly eats.

Get ready for epic barbecue portions at Big Hoffa’s Smokehouse in Westfield. This place is legendary for its award-winning smoked meats and creative, sometimes over-the-top dishes. The vibe is fun, casual, often with a quirky pirate theme.

The Hoffanator, a massive bowl layered with pulled pork, mac & cheese, fries, and baked beans, is their most famous creation. Excellent classic brisket, tender ribs, or juicy pulled pork are also must-tries. Come hungry!

6. John’s Famous Stew

• 📍 Location: Near Westside / Downtown Edge
• 💲 Price range: $5 – $15 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American / Stew Specialist
• 🔥 Standout Features: Indy institution (since 1911!), focuses almost solely on stew, old-school counter service, no-frills classic.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Experiencing Indy history, stew lovers, cheap eats, quick lunch, and no-frills dining.

Talk about an Indianapolis original! John’s Famous Stew has been ladling out its signature dish since 1911. Forget a big menu; they focus almost exclusively on their famous beef stew – a hearty, comforting concoction served simply with bread and crackers.

It’s a classic, no-frills, counter-service joint that feels frozen in time. You come here for one thing. Grabbing a bowl of John’s famous stew, perhaps with an extra side of bread for dipping, is like tasting Indy history – warm and satisfying.

7. Eagle’s Nest Restaurant

• 📍 Location: Downtown (Hyatt Regency Top Floor)
• 💲 Price range: $60 – $120+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Upscale American / Fine Dining
• 🔥 Standout Features: Revolving rooftop restaurant, panoramic city views, romantic atmosphere, upscale hotel dining.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Special occasions, romantic dinners, impressing visitors, city views, and fine dining splurges.

For dinner with a spectacular, ever-changing view, head to the Eagle’s Nest, the revolving rooftop restaurant atop the Hyatt Regency. As it slowly rotates, you get stunning 360-degree panoramic views of the Indianapolis skyline – particularly magical at night.

Expect upscale American fine dining. Well-prepared steaks, like a filet mignon, are a popular choice. Fresh seafood dishes, such as pan-seared salmon or scallops, or elegant pasta creations, also fit the special occasion setting.

8. Bar One Fourteen

• 📍 Location: Broad Ripple (Associated with Patachou Inc.)
• 💲 Price range: $$$$ (High-end cocktails & bites focus)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Luxury Small Bites / Caviar / High-End Cocktails
• 🔥 Standout Features: Intimate high-fidelity listening room bar, focus on luxury (caviar/wagyu), premium cocktails/spirits, exclusive vibe.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Audiophiles, luxury seekers, unique intimate dates, caviar/wagyu fans, and high-end cocktail experiences.

Step into a world of curated sound at Bar One Fourteen in Broad Ripple. This isn’t your average bar; it’s an intimate, high-fidelity listening room experience designed for appreciating music on a top-tier sound system. The vibe is exclusive and sophisticated.

Complementing the audiophile focus is a menu centered on luxurious small bites. Think premium caviar service with all the accoutrements. Small portions of A5 Wagyu beef or delicate oysters are also featured, paired with meticulously crafted high-end cocktails.

9. Workingman’s Friend

• 📍 Location: Westside 
• 💲 Price range: $5 – $15 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: American Dive Bar / Smash Burgers
• 🔥 Standout Features: Historic dive bar (since 1918!), famous thin smash burgers, cash only, no-frills atmosphere.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Dive bar lovers, smash burger purists, experiencing Indy history, cheap eats, and classic beer joints.

Another legendary Indy institution, Workingman’s Friend on the west side has been serving simple perfection since 1918. This is a true, no-frills dive bar known far and wide for one thing: its incredible smash burgers. Thin patties are smashed onto the griddle.

Don’t expect fancy decor. It’s all about the burgers – get a double cheeseburger with grilled onions. Cheap beer and the authentic, unchanging atmosphere are part of the charm. Be prepared: it’s cash only. For a classic smash burger, this is essential.

10. Mug-n-Bun

• 📍 Location: 5211 W 10th St, Speedway
• 💲 Price range: $5 – $15 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Classic American / Drive-in Diner
• 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic 1950s-style drive-in experience, homemade root beer, famous pork tenderloin sandwiches, crispy onion rings, vintage carhop service.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Retro dining experiences, casual dates, budget-friendly meals, families, nostalgic American classics.

Step back in time at Mug-n-Bun, Indy’s beloved drive-in diner serving timeless comfort food since 1960. Pull into a spot and flip on your headlights—carhops will soon appear to take your order, giving you the full classic diner vibe.

Their legendary pork tenderloin sandwich is crispy, oversized, and consistently delicious, but the real star here is their frosty homemade root beer served in chilled mugs. Pair it with some golden onion rings or crispy fries, and you’ve got an authentic slice of Americana.

11. Yats

• 📍 Location: Multiple Locations (Broad Ripple, Downtown, Mass Ave, etc.)
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Cajun & Creole / Fast-Casual
• 🔥 Standout Features: Casual Cajun/Creole dishes, rotating daily menu, flavorful étouffée/gumbo, served over rice, quick service.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Cajun/Creole cravings, quick flavorful meals, budget eats, casual lunches, and trying étouffée.

When you need a quick, flavorful blast of New Orleans, Yats is the Indy go-to. With multiple casual locations, they specialize in serving hearty Cajun and Creole classics fast-casual style. The menu features a rotating selection of rich, savory dishes.

Their chili cheese étouffée with crawfish is a fan favorite. Other popular choices include a classic gumbo with chicken and sausage, or a flavorful jambalaya, all served generously over rice. Don’t forget the side of garlic bread!

12. Vida

• 📍 Location: Downtown (Lockerbie Square Area)
• 💲 Price range: $70 – $140+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Contemporary American / Fine Dining
• 🔥 Standout Features: Upscale dining, seasonal tasting menus/a la carte, hydroponic wall garden, sleek modern decor, craft cocktails.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Special occasions, fine dining experiences, impressing guests, seasonal food lovers, and modern ambiance fans.

Located near historic Lockerbie Square, Vida offers a sophisticated fine-dining experience in a sleek, modern setting. Known for its commitment to seasonal ingredients, the restaurant even features an impressive hydroponic wall garden. The ambiance is upscale and contemporary.

Vida offers tasting menus and refined à la carte selections. Expect creative Modern American cuisine like pan-seared scallops with seasonal puree. Dishes featuring Wagyu beef or delicate sashimi preparations also showcase beautiful plating and precise technique.

13. The Inferno Room

• 📍 Location: Virginia Ave.
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $35 per person (Drinks focus)
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Tiki Bar / Tropical Cocktails / Small Bites
• 🔥 Standout Features: Elaborate authentic tiki decor, exotic rum cocktails, flaming drinks, immersive escapist vibe.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Tiki drink lovers, escapist bar experiences, fun date nights, themed hangs, and strong rum cocktails.

Escape to a tropical paradise at The Inferno Room in Fountain Square. This bar fully commits to the classic tiki aesthetic, boasting incredible, immersive decor filled with carved masks, bamboo, and pufferfish lights. It feels like a lost island movie set.

The focus is on expertly crafted, potent, rum-based tiki cocktails. Try a classic Mai Tai or a “Zombie.” The “Painkiller” or their signature flaming “Inferno Bowl” (for sharing) are also popular. They offer some island-inspired small bites too.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Unique Restaurants in Indianapolis

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

Is Indianapolis a foodie city?

Yes, Indy is a foodie city. With a diverse range of dining options, from unique restaurants in Indianapolis to bustling food markets, the city offers a culinary experience that caters to all tastes and preferences. Whether you’re in the mood for traditional Midwestern fare, international cuisines, or innovative fusion dishes, Indy has it all!

What food is Indianapolis known for?

Indianapolis boasts a rich culinary heritage that reflects its Midwestern roots. Here are some iconic dishes and foods that Indy is known for:

1. Tenderloin Sandwich: A Hoosier classic, this breaded pork tenderloin sandwich is a must-try for anyone visiting. Typically served with lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles, it’s one of the best foods in Indianapolis, IN.
2. Sugar Cream Pie: Also known as the Hoosier Pie, this dessert is a creamy, custard-like treat that’s sweet and delectable.
3. Popcorn: Indiana is one of the top popcorn-producing states. And Indy has its share of gourmet popcorn shops offering a variety of flavors.
4. Fried Biscuits with Apple Butter: A staple in many local diners and breakfast spots, these biscuits are fluffy, golden, and best enjoyed with a generous spread of apple butter.

What is the name of the restaurant in Indianapolis that rotates as you eat?

The restaurant you’re referring to is the Eagle’s Nest. It’s one of the most unique places to eat in Indianapolis. This is becauase it offers a rotating panoramic view of the city skyline. Located atop the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis, diners can enjoy a 360-degree view of the city while savoring their meal. It’s a sought-after spot for both locals and tourists.

Are there any themed restaurants in Indianapolis worth visiting?

Yes, Indianapolis is home to several themed restaurants that offer unique dining experiences. One notable mention is The Inferno Room, a tiki bar and restaurant adorned with artifacts from Papua New Guinea. Another popular spot is Big Hoffa’s Smokehouse, where you can enjoy BBQ in a pirate-themed setting. These establishments not only serve delicious food but also provide an immersive atmosphere.

Where can I find the best vegan options in the city?

Indianapolis has embraced the vegan movement with open arms, and there are numerous establishments catering to plant-based diets. While many restaurants offer vegan options, dedicated vegan eateries have also garnered rave reviews.. Places like Three Carrots and Ezra’s Enlightened Cafe stand out as some of the best vegan restaurants in Indianapolis, offering a range of dishes that even non-vegans would love.

Are there any hidden gem restaurants in Indianapolis that locals love?

Absolutely! Indy is filled with lesser-known spots that locals swear by. Places like Bluebeard, set in a renovated 1920s warehouse, or Milktooth, a cozy diner with a modern twist, are just a couple of examples. These establishments might not always make the tourist guides, but they’re hidden gem in Indianapolis that offer fantastic food and a genuine local experience.