16. Tie Dye Grill
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (317) 353-9393
Address: 1311 N. Shadeland Ave.
Description: A funky little place opened by Shayne and Jan Dye, the Tie Dye Grill has a menu you have to take time to read and enjoy. It might bring back some memories with ’70s names like the Crimson and Clover Tuna, Lava Lamp Wings, Garfunkel French Onion Soup, Yoko’s Shrimp Basket, and Bogart Cheese Fries. The names are cute but the food is good and plentiful. Try the Abby Road, fresh homemade chicken or tuna salad on focaccia bread, or the Magic Mushroom Swiss Burger. A wall of fame features pictures of diners in their tie-dyed shirts. Groovy!
17. Ah Barista Cafe
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (317) 638-2233
Address: 201 S. Capitol Ave.
Description: Located across the street from the Convention Center, Ah Barista is a handy place for breakfast and lunch. The cafe features free Wi-Fi and has indoor and outdoor dining. Check the daily specials like meat loaf panini and milkshake choices. The mango creamsickle milkshake is a favorite. A build-your-own Barista classic sandwich is a nice way to get exactly what you want. Choose the bread, meat, cheese, topping, and sauce from a wide choice. The cafe also features a nice selection of coffees and teas.
18. Canal Cafe and Terrace at Indiana State Museum
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (317) 232-1637
Address: 650 W. Washington St.
Description: Dine inside or outside on the terrace overlooking the canal at Canal Cafe and Terrace. See where the place got its name. Located in the Indiana State Museum, the cafeteria-style restaurant offers family dining in a casual atmosphere. Menu items include burgers, pizza, salads, deli sandwiches, and more.
19. Dick’s Bodacious Bar-B-Q
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (317) 916-9600
Address: 50 N. Pennsylvania St.
Description: Born in East Texas and raised on Texas barbecue, Rich “Dick” Allen always wanted to open his own eatery. After moving to Indiana in 1996, Dick did just that. Opened in 1999, Dick’s Bodacious Bar-B-Q features authentic Texas barbecue slow smoked, not grilled, to enhance the meat’s natural flavor while adding a succulent smoky flavor. Listed among the best barbecue in Indianapolis by National Barbeque News and the best barbecue in Indianapolis by Dine magazine, Dick’s has no trouble getting and keeping customers. If you have trouble deciding what to order, try the Texas Feast—three ribs, sliced beef brisket, and smoked sausage, served with two sides and white bread to sop up the sauce. Beer is also available.
20. Smokehouse on Shelby
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (317) 685-1959
Address: 1103 Shelby St.
Description: Located in historic Fountain Square, this casual eatery features hickory-smoked ribs and meats smoked in-house, along with wings, sandwiches, and burgers. Watch sports on the big screens or play a game on two full-size pool tables. Lunch specials, kids’ menu, beer, wine, and cocktails, are available. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner.
21. Weber Grill Restaurant
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (317) 636-7600
Address: 10 N. Illinois St.
Description: Created by the company that set the standard for outdoor cooking, Weber Grill Restaurant prepares everything on—you guessed it—Weber charcoal kettles. The menu offers grilling favorites: steak, barbeque, seafood, and hamburger. For something different, try the Black Angus meatloaf, three thick slices glazed with Weber Hickory BBQ Sauce; or the Beer Can Chicken, half a chicken roasted with garlic, beer, and Weber Signature Spice Rub. Weber’s serves cocktails and wines. The restaurant is no slouch at desserts either. Try the Big G’s Warm Dutch Apple Pie with Maker’s Mark bourbon caramel sauce and cinnamon ice cream.
22. Le Peep
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Restaurants
Description: Since opening in 1988, Le Peep has consistently won awards for “Indy’s Best Breakfast.” Specializing in the art of breakfast, Le Peep’s offers its signature Pampered Eggs, skillet dishes, omelets, French toast, and pancakes. A sweet way to start the day, the French toast is made of Vienna bread dipped in rich custard batter and grilled golden. Madagascar vanilla and a pinch of cinnamon create the old-fashioned taste. Dusted with powdered sugar and served with a side of Mom’s Sassy Apples or blueberry compote, the toast is heavenly. A steaming pot of hot coffee at each table is a nice touch. Homemade soups and creative sandwiches are popular lunch offerings.
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Restaurants
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Restaurants
Address: 14390 Clay Terrace Blvd.
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Restaurants
Address: 4911 N. Pennsylvania St.
26. Shapiro’s Delicatessen
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Restaurants
Description: The granddaddy of delis, Shapiro’s is listed in USA Today as one of the 10 great places to nosh on authentic Jewish deli cuisine. Shapiro’s offers quick cafeteria-style service and you can choose from original home-cooked recipes mastered over generations. Louis Shapiro started it back in 1905 with a motto that holds true today: “Cook good. Serve generously. Price modestly. People will come.” And they certainly do. Enjoy corned beef and pastrami piled high on rye or egg bun, matzo ball and chicken noodle soups, comfort foods such as Swiss steak, baked chicken, meat loaf, macaroni and cheese, and mile-high pies, cakes, and pastries.
27. Shapiro’s Carmel
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (317) 573-3354
Address: 918 Rangeline Rd.
Description: The granddaddy of delis, Shapiro’s is listed in USA Today as one of the 10 great places to nosh on authentic Jewish deli cuisine. Shapiro’s offers quick cafeteria-style service and you can choose from original home-cooked recipes mastered over generations. Louis Shapiro started it back in 1905 with a motto that holds true today: “Cook good. Serve generously. Price modestly. People will come.” And they certainly do. Enjoy corned beef and pastrami piled high on rye or egg bun, matzo ball and chicken noodle soups, comfort foods such as Swiss steak, baked chicken, meat loaf, macaroni and cheese, and mile-high pies, cakes, and pastries.
28. Shapiro’s Indianapolis International Airport
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Restaurants
Description: The granddaddy of delis, Shapiro’s is listed in USA Today as one of the 10 great places to nosh on authentic Jewish deli cuisine. Shapiro’s offers quick cafeteria-style service and you can choose from original home-cooked recipes mastered over generations. Louis Shapiro started it back in 1905 with a motto that holds true today: “Cook good. Serve generously. Price modestly. People will come.” And they certainly do. Enjoy corned beef and pastrami piled high on rye or egg bun, matzo ball and chicken noodle soups, comfort foods such as Swiss steak, baked chicken, meat loaf, macaroni and cheese, and mile-high pies, cakes, and pastries.
29. Sky City Café
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (317) 636-9378
Address: 500 W. Washington St.
Description: Located in the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, the Sky City Café offers tasty southwestern and Native American inspired cuisine. Dine inside or choose to enjoy the canal view on the scenic terrace. The contemporary 90-seat café offers direct access from Indy’s Central Canal. Favorites include the Tatanka Burger—a buffalo burger with guacamole, pico de gallo, shredded lettuce, and jalapeño jack cheese served on toasted onion bread—and the Tularosa Grilled Chicken—grilled chicken, chihuahua cheese, red onion, and garlic lime mayonnaise served on grilled rustic white bread. Sky City is open for lunch and serves beer and wine. Daily special soups are served with fresh baked corn bread.
30. Stanley’s Deli
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (317) 254-3354
Address: 8555 N. Ditch Rd.
Description: An authentic New York deli, Stanley’s serves the real thing, along with homemade potato chips. Try the Bronx Bomber, corned beef and pastrami with Swiss cheese and yellow mustard piled high on Old World rye; or the Brooklyn Bridge with pastrami, Swiss cheese, homemade coleslaw, and thousand island dressing on pumpernickel bread. The menu also features fresh bagels, salads, meats, cheeses, and fish available by the pound. Flat-screened TVs and some framed New York art set the decor. Nothing fancy here, just a good neighborhood deli.