If there’s one thing Hoosiers always do right, it’s make great food! Looking for a great bucket list of restaurants in Indiana to visit before you die? Be sure to check off every one of these mouth watering fine dining experiences before leaving Indiana. Here are the 13 restaurants in Indiana you absolutely have to try.
- Acropolis Restaurant & Catering - Evansville
acropolis facebook
Ellada H./Yelp
acropolis facebook The Acropolis Restaurant & Catering in Evansville has some of the finest Greek food in the country. From killer salads to gyro tortellini to the traditional rack of lamb, Acropolis won’t disappoint in serving traditional Greek inspired dishes.
- St. Elmo’s - Indianapolis
Sam S./Yelp
Anthony N./Yelp
Caroline O./Yelp St. Elmo’s is often raved about as the best restaurant in Indiana, and we agree that you absolutely have to try their award winning steak or shrimp cocktail before you die.
- Samira’s - Bloomington
M.B./Yelp
M.B./Yelp
Ahmed A./Yelp If you are up for something slightly different, Samira’s in Bloomington is sure to pique your curiosity. Their delicious, traditional Afghanistan cuisine is raved about. This is a place you MUST try at least once.
- Pastarrific - Kokomo
Bikers G./Yelp
Brandy B./Yelp
Brandy B./Yelp For great Italian food, you have to visit Pastarrific in Kokomo. Start with bread and salad, try a number of their pastas or dishes like eggplant parm, and finish off with a scrumptious dessert, like creme brule.
- Fiddler’s Hearth - South Bend
Heidi B./Yelp
David P./Yelp
Julie F./Yelp Traditional Irish food reigns supreme here, with classics like Fisherman’s and Shepherd’s pies, scotch eggs, and good old fashioned Irish whiskey and beer. Live music and great service will round out this fantastic dining experience.
- Mudbugs Cajun Cafe - Carmel
Brian K./Yelp
April S./Yelp
Bryan L./Yelp Mudbugs in Carmel is a local favorite that serves the area’s best Cajun inspired cuisine. From rice and beans to po’boys , catfish, and crawlfish, nothing tops Mudbugs for spicy, southern comfort.
- Asparagus - Merrillville
asparagus facebook
Richard J./Yelp
Mike T./Yelp If Asian fusion is what you’re seeking, head up to Merrillville for some of the best Asian cuisine in the area. Many swear you’ll find the best Pad Thai in the Midwest here.
- Bru Burger Bar - Indianapolis
Steven M./Yelp
E G./Yelp
Michelle K./Yelp
Alison Y./Yelp Bru Burger Bar serves more than just burgers. They craft delicious specialty burgers with homemade aioli, slaw, ketchup, and much more. From sriracha Caesar salads to jalapeno mac and cheese to craft beers, Bru has the best twist on classic American foods that you’ll find in the state.
- Panini Panini - Michigan City
Mai T./Yelp
Purvik P./Yelp
Erin Q./Yelp
Sam P./Yelp Panini Panini in Michigan City is more than just great sandwiches. They have fresh pastas, steak and eggs, and delicious salads and appetizers. For fresh, amazing creations, you have to swing by this local legend.
- Little Sheba’s - Richmond
little shebas facebook
Sida B./Yelp
Dan O./Ye;p For the best small town cooking, visit Little Sheba’s in Richmond. Little Sheba’s has a pretty diverse menu and their foods consist of fresh ingredients. In the summertime, enjoy their outside patio area.
- Bluebeard - Fountain Square (Indianapolis)
John C./Yelp
Mike S./Yelp
Kevin S./Yelp
Chris B./Yelp Named after the Kurt Vonnegut novel, Bluebeard is one of the highest rated restaurants in Indy. Located just north of Fountain Square in Fletcher Place, city dwellers can’t seem to rave enough about this international cuisine joint. If you are ever in Indy, you have to check this place out. They won’t take reservations, but the experience is well worth the wait.
- Octave Grill - Chesterton
octave grill facebook
Christy H./Yelp
Aubrey L./Yelp Octave Grill is another popular burger joint in Indiana, catering to the northwestern region. Along with burgers to die for (their menu changes often), they offer fondue, tots, sloppy joes, brats, and fantastic desserts.
- South of Chicago - Indianapolis
Howard L./Yelp
Kara P./Yelp
Wes N./Yelp
Lori E./Yelp South of Chicago has locations in downtown (Fletcher Place) Indianapolis and just recently opened a location in Fishers. As former Chicago residents, this family-owned restaurant knows Chicago cuisine. Their deep dished pizza and italian beef sandwiches are always to die for. Insider’s tip: try the spinach and tomato garlic bread as an appetizer.
If there’s one problem Indiana has, it’s that we have too much great food in our state! These are just 13 of our best restaurants that you have to try at least once in your lifetime. But, we definitely recommend talking to locals and finding other favorite places to eat, because Hoosiers do food right.
acropolis facebook
Ellada H./Yelp
The Acropolis Restaurant & Catering in Evansville has some of the finest Greek food in the country. From killer salads to gyro tortellini to the traditional rack of lamb, Acropolis won’t disappoint in serving traditional Greek inspired dishes.
Sam S./Yelp
Anthony N./Yelp
Caroline O./Yelp
St. Elmo’s is often raved about as the best restaurant in Indiana, and we agree that you absolutely have to try their award winning steak or shrimp cocktail before you die.
M.B./Yelp
Ahmed A./Yelp
If you are up for something slightly different, Samira’s in Bloomington is sure to pique your curiosity. Their delicious, traditional Afghanistan cuisine is raved about. This is a place you MUST try at least once.
Bikers G./Yelp
Brandy B./Yelp
For great Italian food, you have to visit Pastarrific in Kokomo. Start with bread and salad, try a number of their pastas or dishes like eggplant parm, and finish off with a scrumptious dessert, like creme brule.
Heidi B./Yelp
David P./Yelp
Julie F./Yelp
Traditional Irish food reigns supreme here, with classics like Fisherman’s and Shepherd’s pies, scotch eggs, and good old fashioned Irish whiskey and beer. Live music and great service will round out this fantastic dining experience.
Brian K./Yelp
April S./Yelp
Bryan L./Yelp
Mudbugs in Carmel is a local favorite that serves the area’s best Cajun inspired cuisine. From rice and beans to po’boys , catfish, and crawlfish, nothing tops Mudbugs for spicy, southern comfort.
asparagus facebook
Richard J./Yelp
Mike T./Yelp
If Asian fusion is what you’re seeking, head up to Merrillville for some of the best Asian cuisine in the area. Many swear you’ll find the best Pad Thai in the Midwest here.
Steven M./Yelp
E G./Yelp
Michelle K./Yelp
Alison Y./Yelp
Bru Burger Bar serves more than just burgers. They craft delicious specialty burgers with homemade aioli, slaw, ketchup, and much more. From sriracha Caesar salads to jalapeno mac and cheese to craft beers, Bru has the best twist on classic American foods that you’ll find in the state.
Mai T./Yelp
Purvik P./Yelp
Erin Q./Yelp
Sam P./Yelp
Panini Panini in Michigan City is more than just great sandwiches. They have fresh pastas, steak and eggs, and delicious salads and appetizers. For fresh, amazing creations, you have to swing by this local legend.
little shebas facebook
Sida B./Yelp
Dan O./Ye;p
For the best small town cooking, visit Little Sheba’s in Richmond. Little Sheba’s has a pretty diverse menu and their foods consist of fresh ingredients. In the summertime, enjoy their outside patio area.
John C./Yelp
Mike S./Yelp
Kevin S./Yelp
Chris B./Yelp
Named after the Kurt Vonnegut novel, Bluebeard is one of the highest rated restaurants in Indy. Located just north of Fountain Square in Fletcher Place, city dwellers can’t seem to rave enough about this international cuisine joint. If you are ever in Indy, you have to check this place out. They won’t take reservations, but the experience is well worth the wait.
octave grill facebook
Christy H./Yelp
Aubrey L./Yelp
Octave Grill is another popular burger joint in Indiana, catering to the northwestern region. Along with burgers to die for (their menu changes often), they offer fondue, tots, sloppy joes, brats, and fantastic desserts.
Howard L./Yelp
Kara P./Yelp
Wes N./Yelp
Lori E./Yelp
South of Chicago has locations in downtown (Fletcher Place) Indianapolis and just recently opened a location in Fishers. As former Chicago residents, this family-owned restaurant knows Chicago cuisine. Their deep dished pizza and italian beef sandwiches are always to die for. Insider’s tip: try the spinach and tomato garlic bread as an appetizer.
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