Indianapolis

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

A2Z Cafe

Named after the owners and their child (Asraf, Antonio and Zulma) A2Z offers up tasty breakfast and lunch dishes. From oatmeal to crepes, omelettes and "build your own" breakfast, to babba ganouche and Divine Salmon Cake salad. Warm, friendly environment for families and friends alike.

Ambrosia

Located in Broad Ripple, a family establishment for just that, and for romantic night outs, gatherings, and so forth. Owned by a tiny Italian lady who has kept it in the family since she moved here so long ago. Great Italian food and a bar next door. Great outdoor dining. Dress cute, jeans are very lame to wear here, and enjoy a nice, relaxing, homemade Italian meal. Elegant and light decor, Ambrosia is also a staple place to visit for visiting racecar drivers.

Andrus O'Reilly's

Irish owned. Traditional Irish and American food in a dark, nice, clean environment. Plenty of televisions for your sports viewing pleasure, lots of beers and plenty of room to wander. Nice outdoor dining, and a good place to grab a bite for lunch or early evening.

Capri

Locally owned Italian restaurant that is one of the stars of the city. The family is from Naples, and the food is fresh and delectable. Dine in the bar—a dark wooden collection of comfy couches and a few televisions. Live music all week and a nice wine list.

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.

Edelweiss Restaurant

Located inside German Park on the far south side of Indianapolis, this restaurant is run by a private club (the German-American Klub) but is open to the public. Serves lunch Tuesday through Saturday and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Food is mostly Bavarian in style, with some American specialties on the menu with daily specials. Friday evenings often have live entertainment in the quaint Gasthaus-style dining room. There is also a Biergarten for dining on pleasant evenings. A ballroom on the upper floor is available for rental.

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.

Have dessert at the Eagle's Nest

The Eagle's Nest is the highest dining room in the city, sitting atop the Hyatt downtown. The restaurant is revolving, slowly moving to show the best view of the city. The food is high-priced and just okay but, get a table and enjoy a nightcap or dessert. Make reservations to see the sunset.

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.

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.

Indianapolis City Market

A historical landmark. Open only for breakfast and lunch stop by here for a great cheap meal. From Cajun to Greek, gourmet potatoes and roast beef sandwiches. Tons of restaurants and merchants make this a multi-level historical edible experience. Dine outside to enjoy the historical area and watch the locals buzz around on their lunch breaks.

Inkas

Machu Picchu

The food is so fresh you will think it was flown directly from South America to your plate. The portions are extremely generous and everyone gets some complimentary bread and aji sauce. Make sure to try the Yucca a la Huancaina.

Sun-Wed 11AM-9PM, Thu-Sat 11AM-10PM·$12

Just Pop In

Indy's only popcorn shop is owned by two identical twin sisters. It has moved to a new larger location in Broad Ripple that boasts a cafe with not just popcorn, but also small plates, beer, wine, and cocktails. Just Pop In offers up all types of popcorn flavors: classics like caramel, and cheese, as well as more exciting and "out-there" flavors like hot wing and bloody mary. They also sell gift tins and sampler packs.

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

Milktooth

List in Condé Nast Traveler's The Best Restaurants in the World this foodie haven features "Classic Stock" dishes alongside "Of the Moment" offerings which will make it worth your while to return. Each dish is unique from sourdough pearl sugar waffles made with local nectarines to potato and celeriac latke sides. (Modifications will be politely declined but the restaurant accommodates allergies if possible.)

$13

Mug-N-Bun Drive-In

Serving up pork tenderloin and "bacon cheeseburger on toast" this is a destination for all greasy food loving Hoosiers. Employees arrive at 7AM to start preparing the root beer that lures people from all over the state. Famous racecar drivers are known for making an appearance here during race season. A must visit. Cash only.

New Bethel Ordinary

A popular dining destination located in the small-town of Wanamaker (formerly New Bethel) famous for its "true fork & knife pizza". The Ordinary strives to maintain a small-town appeal and provides a casual family friendly atmosphere. The Ordinary is open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week, but opens early on Saturday and Sunday to offer a full cooked-to-order breakfast featuring made-from-scratch sausage gravy and biscuits. Pizza delivery is available to the Franklin Township area.

Rathskeller

Indianapolis' best joint for traditional German food. One of Indiana's oldest buildings, the building was actually built by writer Kurt Vonnegut Jr.'s grandfather. It used to house the German Klub of Indianapolis, it's now a true German dining experience. It's on Mass Ave. within walking distance of bars and theaters. Make reservations to enjoy potato pancakes, Jaegerschnitzel, and wurst. Tons of beer and wine available too including beers that are hard to find locally. Lunch time offers outdoor dining in the beer garden.

Rene's Bakery

Small house in North Broad Ripple owned by pastry chef A. Rene Trevino. Freshly baked, menu changes daily. Scones, croissants, muffins, cookies, truffles, eclairs, tortes, tarts and breads. Weekly bread selection includes Walnut Rye, Multi-Grain, Raisin, White, Brioche and Challah. Great place for a quick snack or to pick up a lovely breakfast. It's just a bakery—no seating—but when the weather is nice you can sit outside or relax on one of the many benches on the Monon Trail.

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.

Seasons 52

Seasons 52 is a fresh grill and wine bar that invites guests to discover the sensational flavors of a seasonally-inspired menu and international wine list in a casually-sophisticated ambiance.

Shalimar

One of Indy's finest Indian restaurants featuring a great affordable buffet. Chock full of yuppies and Broad Ripple hipsters. Vegan friendly.

Shapiros Delicatessen

An Indianapolis institution, Shapiro's is a Jewish bakery/delicatessen with a cafeteria line. Their fried chicken is to die for (available principally in the evenings), and their pastrami is arguably some of the best anywhere. The food is not cheap, but it is typically heavenly, and the portions very generous.

Side Wok Cafe

Good, affordable Chinese located in Broad Ripple. Clean, friendly and basic good food. Vegan friendly.

St. Elmo Steak House

Downtown in Indy since 1902, the restaurant has gone through some changes, but the biggest asset is the main room. Make reservations to dine in the main room/entry room/bar. This is the original restaurant, the walls are covered with celebrity photos including more car racing stars than the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's museum, artwork and memorabilia from the opening to present. Their shrimp cocktail features giant prawns and is the best in the city. The wooden bar is beautiful and the prep-chef sits in the window, serving up shrimp cocktails and preparing seafood and steaks for your viewing.

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.

Thai Cafe

One of the finest Thai restaurants in the city. Dine in and watch Thai-themed films on hi-res televisions in a teeny tiny restaurant or order to go. Arrive with plenty of time, there can be a wait. Not good for large tables, but if you have a party of 6 or less you should be okay. Great for couples. With 10 levels of spice, a good start level is 2. Amazing Thai ice tea and the greatest pad thai in town.

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

The Bosphorus Istanbul Cafe

Turkish restaurant located in a cute building adjacent to a hookah bar. The Turkish delight lives up to the name and the baklava is rich.