Eat

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.

outdoors

Address: 401 E Michigan St
Website: rathskeller.com (opens in a new tab)

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Listing from Wikivoyage: Indianapolis, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.

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Drink
Kellerbar at the Rathskeller
Located inside the Rathskeller German restaurant, this is a place to drink beers from around the world and sop it all up with German food. During the warm months, this is one of the busiest bars in town. Get there early to enjoy a quieter beer or two; the bar opens up in the afternoon and you can enjoy their in-house brew (the Dunkel is particularly good) outside in the Biergarten or inside in the cozy oak bar that emulates a German castle. Later in the evening on the weekends, cover bands rock out in the garden and drunk college students go wild.
Do
Chatterbox
A local favorite and one of the oldest bars in town. It's a Mass Ave. staple that has walls graffitied by visitors and the bathrooms as well. Bring a marker. Drinks are really strong and they have a small wine menu with good choices and beers too. Live jazz is the thing here. The teeny tiny bar features a teeny tiny stage that caters to Indy's finest real jazz. This is the place to hear good simple old school jazz at its finest. Smoke free early in the evening, and outdoor seating which is the best in town. Check the website for wine tastings and special events. Great place to mix with the locals—artists, journalists, musicians all call it home. Grab some Jamaican Patties while you're there. 21+.
Buy
Global Gifts
Indy's only all fair-trade boutique. Meaning that artisans from all over the world receive a fair price for their work. Buy clothing, decor, beauty products, food, and unique gifts from Africa, Asia, Europe and beyond. A unique non-profit shop that supports third-world-countries artisans and talents.
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.