Vegetarian and vegan food in Indianapolis

20 places in Indianapolis with vegetarian or vegan options.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Eat
10th Street Diner
A cozy industrial brick building houses one of Indianapolis' best restaurants, with a rotating menu of vegan sandwiches, salads, and sides that focuses on American diner food, but also has a surprise Greek, Indian, or Mexican dish. For any Taco Bell fans, try the crunchwrap on days when it's offered. Note that Saturdays have shorter hours and a restricted menu.
$15
Drink
Alley Cat
A dive bar in Broad Ripple, down an alley. No windows, smoke-ridden, and open at 7AM for breakfast till 3AM for dinner. A great jukebox, legendary bar staff, numerous pool tables, and the hardest drinks in town. Sometimes bands play too. A place you know will never change. Vegetarian friendly. 21+
Drink
Broad Ripple Brew Pub
British-style pub in Northern Broad Ripple. It was the first brewpub in town, and is the oldest microbrewery in the state. If E.S.B., India Pale Ale, Lager, Porter and Bitter falls into your vocabulary then this is a place for you. Good food—Scotch eggs, bangers and mash, and a good vegetarian menu. Friendly and familiar bar staff. Indoor and outdoor dining makes this one of the busiest lunch and dinner spots in the area. They also have real darts (not plastic). All ages.
Eat
Chocolate Cafe
South Bend Chocolate Company chocolate, sweets, coffees and sweet drinks. Check out the wall of celebrities who've indulged, and get educated on chocolate by the helpful and friendly staff. Watch fudge get made, sample the goods and enjoy the best hot chocolate in town. Vegetarian friendly.
Drink
Coaches Tavern
Popular for lunch and after-work meet ups, Coaches celebrates just that—sports and coaches. A nice wooden pub located right downtown with high tables, video games and jukebox, and of course sports on the TV. Live music and DJs offer entertainment on the small stage and outdoor seating is nice during the warm months. Thursdays is $2 pint night, and the beer choices are good and plentiful. They also serve food—and lots of it. Great place for lunch and a brew in the afternoon. Vegetarian-friendly. 21+
Drink
English Ivy's
An Old Northside institution. The downtown queer community regulars it, but everyone can find themselves at home here. Not much natural light, but plenty of Christmas lights decorate this bar and pub. Enjoy drinks and good food. Vegan friendly. 21+
Eat
Greek Islands
Opened in the late 1980s by the Stergiopoulos (is that Greek enough for you?) family, Greek Islands offers great Greek dining in a small, cozy atmosphere featuring art, pictures and a feeling of being right at home with the family. Everything is freshly prepared by the family everyday and they have belly dancers. Vegetarian friendly.
Eat
Heidelberg Haus
Enjoy this German bakery's treats and sweets. German-born owners who have served great German eats since the 1960s here in Indy. Real Black Forest Cake, sausages, potato salad, and more. Check out the gift shop with great German beer-lover gifts. The decor is filled with antiques and German decor. Authentic as hell and a great destination for simple basic German eats. Vegetarian friendly.
Eat
Iaria's
An Indiana tradition, Iaria's is where you go when you're craving mom's homemade Italian. Since 1933 the Iaria's have owned this Italian gem. With its amazing building—neon lights greet you in and out, mirrored walls and teeny bathrooms—have been a staple in the city. This is the place joints like Buca Di Beppo base their restaurant on. Family style portions, the biggest "wall of celeb photos" in the city, and the biggest and best meatballs available outside of mom's kitchen. Vegetarian friendly.
Eat
Major
Try a taste of authentic East African food with the music, decor, and hospitality to match. Pick the Eritrean–Ethiopian cuisine off of the injera bread with your bare hands or use a fork if you're slightly less adventurous. Make sure you also have some of the spiced tea. Elaborate coffee ceremonies are held as well. Vegan friendly.
Mon–Thu 11AM–9PM, Fri–Sat 11AM–10PM, Sun 1PM–9PM$12
Eat
Ripple Bagel & Deli
Broad Ripple's only locally owned deli—with the only steamed bagel sandwich in town. Hippies work the counter and the bagels are fresh. Look for the giant bagel clock over the door. Vegan friendly.
Eat
Shalimar
One of Indy's finest Indian restaurants featuring a great affordable buffet. Chock full of yuppies and Broad Ripple hipsters. Vegan friendly.
Eat
Side Wok Cafe
Good, affordable Chinese located in Broad Ripple. Clean, friendly and basic good food. Vegan friendly.
Eat
Sullivan's
Inspired by the famous boxer, 1940s decor offers up amazing steaks and seafood. Now smoke free, their bar is a great place to hear live jazz and watch a sports game. Bar menu is a tad different than the dining room. The bar menu features "The City's Best Hamburger" and it is—thick, juicy and cooked perfectly. Also order a chocolate souffle when you order dinner, your taste buds will thank you. Vegetarian friendly.
Eat
Thai Town Cuisine
A hidden gem with some delicious variety: spicy, savory, and sweet—often in the same dish. The shop is filled with appealing aromas and traditional Thai folk music. You will always get a smile and friendly สวัสดีค่ะ (sa-wat-dii, khâ) welcoming you. Vegetarian friendly
Sun–Thu 11AM–9PM, Fri Sat 11AM–10PM
Eat
The Flying Cupcake
Regular, filled and jumbo cupcakes with a menu that changes daily, or sometimes hourly. Alternative locations at 5617 N. Illinois Street, E. 82nd Street, and Carmel. Vegan and gluten-free options available.
Eat Not mapped
Bazbeaux Pizza
Gourmet pizza. Established in 1986, Bazbeaux is a local favorite. Downtown is perfect for that pre-theater or concert eat, and Broad Ripple is located snugly along the White River. Both locations offer indoor/outdoor dining. Art students and hip kids serve your eats—don't be surprised to see a mohawk or two in the kitchen. Their chicken BBQ pizza is amazing—BBQ sauce instead of tomato, and their Greek pizza is to die for. Vegan friendly.
Eat Not mapped
India Garden
Locally owned Indian restaurant. They have a lunch and dinner buffet that is legendary in Indianapolis. The downtown location just reopened for lunch & dinner, and the Broad Ripple location is chock full of hungry college students and Broad Ripple hipsters and vegetarians. Vegan friendly.
Eat Not mapped
Le Peep
One of Indy's favorite places to have breakfast. Classics like oatmeal and biscuits & gravy. Breakfast served in skillets with names like "Hobo" "Gypsy" and "Desperado" these meals are hearty for any wandering traveler. Their omelettes are the number one in town, and their pancakes will leave you speechless (cause you'll be eating them so quickly). Have a sweet tooth? Try the King Cakes, a sweet tempting pancake. They also offer lunch fare too. Be prepared to wait, no reservations accepted. Only open for breakfast and lunch. Vegetarian friendly.
Eat Not mapped
Yats
Indy's top restaurant for Cajun food. Sharing four locations, owned by a New Orleans native transplant, you'll feel like you're in the Crescent City. Large quantities of limited meals are offered up each day—and each is so tasty you'll be content. Pig out on great Cajun eats in a fun artsy environment. Vegan food available too. Hipsters and punks serve up your meals and sodas are refillable and mere $1. A great deal for a lot of enjoyable food. The chili cheese crawfish etouffe is their signature dish, but the jambalaya is also outstanding. Vegan friendly.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Indianapolis (CC BY-SA 4.0).