Best gourmet restaurants in Indianapolis: find options near you

Good quality food, good service. Once a while it’s a treat when I’m in Indy.

It’s popular. I came for dinner on a Wednesday night. It’s surprisingly busy.

So you should definitely reserve a table if you don’t want to wait. Or worse yet get sent back.

All cuts of meet was tasty. The pork chop was a complete surprise! Yes pork chop. I don’t remember ever had pork chop here. But the skin is so perfectly crispy. It’s divine!

The servers are all so nice and friendly and helpful.

I loved this place. It looks amazing, the waiters were all very friendly and nice. The food was so amazing. I was told it was like a buffet and was an okay restaurant. They were wrong. The food here is so delicious. I even got to have a Picanha steak for the first time. Amazing experience. I loved it.

Out of the many times that I have been to Fogo, this was the best experience i’ve had thus far. Thank you Kiara & Kim for your attention & for taking the time to explain the experience to my family.
There’s not a lot of places that give great customer service these days but you guys finally gave me hope! Keep up the good work! Great work ethic gets you far!

Absolutely beautiful. The place, the good, the people! Indianapolis is lucky to have this restaurant. You can tell the people are well trained and are great at their jobs. Top to bottom a great place to dine. The food was top-notch, and the dessert was a delectable masterpiece. I drove over 2 hours to get there, and I’ll do it again! Q, our host, was awesome. He was switched to another area while we were there, and his replacement was just as good! I wish I had gotten his name as well.

Upon my recent visit to the establishment during a delightful brunch hour, I was thoroughly impressed by the culinary experience. The gastronomic offerings were exceptional, with each dish showcasing a remarkable blend of flavors and textures that delighted the palate. The service provided by the staff was commendable, marked by attentiveness and efficiency that enhanced the dining experience.

Particularly noteworthy was the preparation of the various meats, which were cooked to perfection, achieving the ideal balance of tenderness and flavor. The assortment of steak options was a highlight, catering to a range of preferences and demonstrating the kitchen’s adeptness at classic and innovative preparations alike.

In summary, the restaurant has distinguished itself through its superb cuisine, outstanding service, and a commendable selection of steak dishes, making it a must-visit destination for those who appreciate fine dining in a brunch setting.

Interesting mall with an interesting design.
When coming here for the first time, it’s kind of difficult to find the entrance since it kind of blends in with other office entrances.
The part of the mall over the intersection of Illinois Street and Washington Street is kind of interesting too especially if you’re into unique architecture. The mall is about four floors tall and extends into buildings across the street via sky bridges. There are lots of stores, the place is very clean and very nice and overall a great mall. The other big architectural detail about this mall is the interesting glass elevators near the main entrance at Washington and Illinois Street.

The mall is absolutely beautiful! So much impressive engineering. It must have been horribly expensive. The glass elevators are gorgeous. The art is everywhere and gives you plenty of visual feast. The views from the glass intersection where you can see down the streets is also fun. Everything seems to be well cared for.

The problem is, there are so many spaces where there used to be a store. Those spaces outnumber the actual stores by about 10 to 1. It’s a shame that it’s so empty. And because of it, I didn’t see hardly anyone else there except for the people who work there. Every place that was open had maybe 1 or 2 people in it, including the Forever 21, which surprised me.

I expect that it would do better if small businesses would move their offices there and turn it into a business center with a food court.

If you get a chance, come see this place while it’s still open. So many beautiful malls have been closed and torn down because they couldn’t transition to an effective new business model.

this mall is pretty dead, most stores are empty. Escalators throughout aren’t functioning. Sad for a downtown mall.

In the late 90’s and early 2000’s Circle Centre Mall was the place to go hang out, shop and enjoy night life. Unfortunately, like most malls, there are only a handful of stores open.

We used the mall for walking the different levels as the weather outside was windy and cold.

Sad to see malls going away. I’m sure this space in downtown Indy will become either a parking garage or apartments / condos in the near future.

Nice indoor mall hallways. Good place to find restrooms. Many small restaurants (mostly on 3rd floor), although prices seem a bit high to me.
Also mall stores for clothes, games, gifts, collectibles, etc.

This is a must have if you’re visiting Indiana. The longest running steak house in the state. They also have the largest wine selection in the state. The building is historic. They have been there since 1902. Try the only appetizer they have the tiger shrimp cocktail. The steaks are amazing with great flavor and attention to detail. The bean soup is fantastic. The menu is simple. There is nothing bad on it. There is a reason they have been in business so long. Down town Indy has a landmark and it’s St Elmo’s. The atmosphere is upbeat with a great staff to answer all your questions.

Everyone has always told me that you haven’t had a steak until you eat one from St Elmo’s. And there is a lot to be said about that. Although pricey, the steak is top of the line. And they are also known for the best shrimp cocktails. Spicy, but very good and fresh. Also, the navy bean soup was a great surprise! Definitely try this! The location of this restaurant is also great with it being in the heart of downtown Indy. Would I come here again? Yes, but would love for someone else to pick up the tab.

My wife and I are huge Parks and Rec fans. Even our wedding was Parks and Rec theme and I even got to wear my Colts jersey.

So for our 5 year anniversary we wanted to do a weekend in Indy and St Elmo’s was the top of that list.

I called, asked if I could have flowers sent over, day of and they said of course. They were sitting at the table when we sat down.

Everyone that worked there was fantastic and had an upbeat attitude.

Our server was great and took care of us.

Oh the food was excellent too.

You must go at least once.

Very cool place that came highly recommended as the oldest steakhouse in its original place in Indianapolis. Loved the atmosphere and high-end service. Shrimp cocktail definitely tasty; cocktail sauce very spicy with the horseradish and will clear out your sinuses! Server was very engaging and helpful. Salad was outstanding. Double chocolate mousse pie out of this world. The only disappointment was the steak was not prepared to request and had to be sent back. Maybe we should give more grace, but we expect that a famous steak restaurant would get the steak right. Everything else met or exceeded the mark.

A very cool vibe here! We made reservations a few weeks out (recommended!), and the ladies at the hostess stand were very friendly when we checked in.
Jason was our server. Very professional, polite, knowledgeable, and also friendly. Extensive wine list! The Lobster Bisque, Tomahawk Steak and Bourbon Butter cake were each a special part of the experience. It’s a bit noisy, but easy to overlook with all the positives. Oh… the Shrimp Cocktail WILL take your breath away!

Okay this is definitely my first visit but Ruth really surpassed my expectations! Customer service, ambience, food were outstanding! First things first one step in and you feel you are transported to a very royal, classy place. Then the service was so quick and easy! The food was a fixed menu but my salmon and even the mashed potatoes were to die for. The icing on the cake was the dessert which was swoon worthy chocolate mousse and delicious rich cheesecake. We just enjoyed our meal so much that I was in a food coma for hours later! Our end of year party was stellar thanks to Ruth! I highly recommend Ruth for team outings or anything else! Just try! Worth your dime.

This was my first time at Ruth’s Chris. My wife and I went for our 10th anniversary and the food and service here was the best we had at any restaurant on our trip.

The wedge salad was fantastic and perfectly proportioned. The crab cakes were moist and full of generous amounts of lump crap meat.

The potatoes are hearty and served in large portions (we got potatoes two ways, shoestring fries and mashed).

The ribeye steak was perfectly seasoned and temped, cooked to mid rare.

My wife’s chicken was seasoned impeccably as well, and included a cream cheese lemon butter stuffing that added another dimension of texture and flavor and would go well on anything from bread to steak.

As mentioned above the service was also top notch. Our server Kirstin was kind and professional, and everyone we interacted with was there to ensure that we had a pleasant dining experience.

Highly recommend!

Tharron was our waiter & he was wonderful. We were celebrating our anniversary & all the special touches just made it more special. From rose petals to anniversary dessert- we were so touched by everything. Truly a wonderful dinner.

Can never go wrong with the filet and garlic mashed potatoes. We mostly come here for the steak and cocktails. Everything else doesn’t feel quite like what you pay for. Asian noodle salad was tasty and a good portion for the price but slightly overdressed. Bread pudding is different than most but I do like this one. The sauces are delicious and the mint is a perfect touch.

Ohh my! This was the best lamb I had so far. Juicy and rich meat flavor not just condiments. Let’s not talk about that cheesecake it was on point with perfect balance. My mouth wished the time could stop right there. I had doubts, but now it is on my list of nice restaurants in indianapolis

The hot wurst platte appetizer was phenomenal! Highly recommend. Our server was so sweet, and she was very helpful when deciding on menu items as it was our first time visiting. Wish we lived closer so we could visit all the time. We we will definitely be back the next time we are in town.

Great Krampus celebration with multiple krampus types and good band. Beautiful building and convenient location. Nice beer garden atmosphere. Can’t wait to visit for other events and see the inside.

We ate at a German restaurant while celebrating Krampusnacht, and it was such a fantastic experience! The food was excellent, and the atmosphere truly reminded me of being in Germany. Our waitress was incredibly friendly, making the night even more enjoyable.

Not the best German food I had but some good dishes. Good Brezen and very tasty mustard (good spicy!) Non German food dishes too that are popular. Great selection of beers (German and others). Best Biergarten in the area. In a National Historic Landmark building. Go!

Very nice architectural experience. This was a first time visit for me and I loved the luxurious richness of this historical building. I saw 2 incredible shows, Mowtown and Dreamgirls and the seating arrangement was great to see the stage, the acoustics were great. We didn’t eat here, so I can’t say how the food is, but I will be back in November for another show and look forward to it. We parked close, on the street, but both nights were on Sunday so no pay parking. This is just a really nice historical building with a modern touch.

Fondue takes time and allows you to enjoy the people you are with and the Melting Pot is an ideal restaurant for that experience.

If you haven’t tried it, do NOT be intimidated. Their highly trained servers are well trained to advise you about the whole process.

The food is excellent and the dipping sauces for the entrees are diverse in flavors. You will find a combination that you love I’m sure.

Do not go if you are super hungry because the experience takes some time (about 2 hours). You will be full at the end, but it takes time to get there. If you’re really hungry, you may not enjoy the journey. This is really about exploring taste and enjoying flavors. Don’t rush it.

Fondyesplease! First time here, I’ve never had fondue before. I’ve been looking forward to trying the dining experience here for years. Veterans Day cut the cost of the experience in half. It seemed like an easy win.

Tommy, our server, is cool calm collected and very friendly. We are thankful he explained in a patient and kind manner what to expect and how to get the best out of our first time here.

Overall the staff here, from up front to other wait staff were remarkably friendly.

The 4 course meal was wonderful. We had the artichoke and spinach fondue to start. What a great way to start the meal. We are pleased with the oil option that Tommy recommended for our main course. Let’s not forget the chocolate course …. Delicious.

My wife insist we come back.

Thanks for having us!

We loved Karen! She was so Great with positive energy! I love how personal she was and she did a great job! She also checked on us to make sure everything was OK It was great overall!

Wow! I absolutely love this restaurant! It’s not only a dinner, but a whole experience! A 4 course meal: cheese fondue, salad, entree, and chocolate fondue for dessert. Lots of options and customization! The staff are phenomenal too. Really helping and guiding throughout. Great atmosphere! The only con, is that it can get a bit hot from cooking on the table. Overall, one of the best restaurants I’ve been too. Highly recommend!!!

This was our first time there and they did not disappoint. Our server was chandler H and she guided through each protein, sauce and veggie and cook time. She gave us insider tips on how to elevate our experience and it really did. She has a knack for flavoring combos and suggestions. She made this experience so fun and the food was mouth watering. It tasted fresh and was well seasoned and packed with flavor! We will definitely be back!! Thank you Chandler and the Melting Pot!

This place has a nice,fancy yet casual ambiance with low lighting,people chatting, and enjoying good food and wine. It’s a bit too noisy to be romantic. Awesome gift shop.Service and food were outstanding.The pretzel bread is very good. We started with Candied Bacon & Artisan Cheese Plate, which was my favorite, amazing,then ordered the Churrasco steak, accompanied by fries and vegetables (no complaints),well portioned and seasoned. Romance wine (sweet)was the choice of the night .you get a free bottle of choice with the membership. Then, we finished with Truffles and Salted Caramel Crème Brûlée. It was a wonderful experience. Definitely will be back.

I want to start by saying that the food was wonderful!
The service was super slow. The poor waitress ended up apologizing and letting us know that they seated 4 tables at the same time in different areas of the restaurant and gave all 4 to her! It took us forever to get drinks and even longer to get food. We still left her a good tip because it seemed as if it wasn’t her fault. She was running around like crazy trying her best to take care of everyone. Maybe they are understaffed? Maybe disorganized? But if you’re going to this location on a Friday or Saturday night, I’d say bring your patience.

Inexperienced and inattentive server. Filet mignon was underwhelming and broccoli needed to be cooked slightly longer. The cheeseburger was fine, nothing special but the fries were VERY tasty

I had an exceptional dining experience at Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant! The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with a beautiful wine-themed decor.

The service was top-notch, with friendly and knowledgeable staff who helped us navigate the extensive wine list and menu. We started with the wine tasting, which was a highlight of our visit! The sommelier was excellent, guiding us through the different varieties and sharing insights on the winemaking process.

The food was outstanding, with fresh, high-quality ingredients and creative dishes that paired perfectly with the wine. I highly recommend the signature dishes, such as the Chicken & Mushroom Creamy Pasta and the Grilled Filet Mignon.

The winery itself is impressive, with a large selection of wines made on-site. We took a wine tour and learned about the winemaking process, which was fascinating.

Overall, Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant is a must-visit destination for wine lovers and foodies alike. The wine tasting experience was exceptional, and we can’t wait to go back!

Pros:
Excellent service, outstanding food, impressive wine selection, beautiful atmosphere, exceptional wine tasting experience

Cons:
None

Recommendation:
Yes, I highly recommend Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant for any occasion.

Favorite dishes:

– Jambalaya

Favorite wines:

– Cabernet Sauvignon
– Merlot
– Chardonnay

Wine Tasting Highlights:

– Knowledgeable sommelier
– Variety of wines to taste
– Insightful guidance on wine pairings

I celebrated my birthday on 9/5 with my family and friends in the Barrel Room it was exceptional. We enjoyed ourselves, Shanét, Joshua ,Jennifer and Gabby took good care of us. Thank you, CH for a great time during Virgo season!!

This was my favorite meal during my visit to Indy! We went during Devour week, so we opted for their 3 course menu. We got the steak empanadas, fried plantains, skirt steak and chicken enchiladas. We followed that up with churros for dessert. Everything was tasty with the skirt steak and fried plantains being my favorites.

Service was attentive and friendly. Being outside on the patio at dusk added to the great overall experience.

Had dinner here and decided to try some empanadas and the yucca fries. The fries were good but a bit too dense to be something I would get again. The empanadas were decent. I would say the corn one was outstanding and the best of the bunch. The queso one and the chicken one seemed to be a bit overcooked to me and I usually don’t mind that taste. Overall a solid experience and I would be open to trying again but it didn’t blow me away. Prices seemed reasonable and the drinks were good.

Love the vibe and overall ambience of the place! Went here with friends to celebrate my birthday and it was soo nice and we had fun!

Food : We ordered Yuca fries for the table and then tacos for me and my partner. As a vegetarian I was keen to eat tacos but they only had option to replace meet with plantain which I’m feel made it too sweet. The fries were super yum!!

Drinks : Carry an ID! I forgot my ID and they couldn’t get me a drink but few friends got them and they liked it!

Ambience : Overall lovely! They had converted the outdoor patio into an enclosed space so it was nice but it was too loud and slightly chilly! Though once the crowd got less we could actually hear each other and talk!

Service : Super sweet and very friendly! Loved the overall experience! They even got me birthday churros! Though, we had issues with the bill and we had a few extra charges and we got the bill amended thrice! So do keep an eye out on the bill

One of the best restaurants in the country! Everything is so fresh and just tastes amazing. You can’t beat the service and atmosphere.

Gluten free options and alternatives. Just ask the staff for help!

Absolutely delicious! Livery went the extra mile to accommodate our bachelorette party on the 2nd-floor patio, which had an amazing atmosphere. They offer great gluten-free options, and the yucca fries were fantastic. The tacos were flavorful, and the customer service was top-notch. The whole place has a really cool vibe, located in a fun, hopping neighborhood. Highly recommend!

We came here for birthday dinner celebration. Waitress was very attentive and friendly. She refilled our drinks without us having to ask. The bread was buttery and the calamari appetizer was very good. I ordered the cod, which was very flaky and flavorful. My husband ordered the ribeye, which he said was very good. Everyone in our party loved the food, especially the bread pudding. Wow…that bread pudding. Overall, amazing dinner. We will definitely be back.

Went to the “retro rewind” brunch. Thought it would be a fun brunch and something different. I ordered the filet and egg slider ans sausage and egg slider. Both were delicious!!! One of our friends ordered filet Benedict and the eggs were NOT pouched. Sent it back and waited for a long time to get it replaced. It ended up being comped because it took so long. We next went to the bar to listen to the DJ. He was amazing. Great playlist. Unfortunately, the bartenders just seem disinterested in serving us. No personality, rare eye contact and both seemed they wanted to be somewhere else! Very disappointing.

A visit at this Harry and Izzy’s location for the first time this week. It was decorated beautifully for Christmas and the food was outstanding. 🙂 I enjoyed the Parlay lunch combo, which included two filet sliders, two of the famous shrimp cocktail pieces, a side salad and fries for $25. The filet was like butter! A wonderful lunch and a very enjoyable experience. I can’t wait to go back!

UPDATED: We would be happy to discuss with Aaron, please let us know his email address or phone number so we can reach out (not sure how he would contact us directly, as mentioned in your response to this review)
We celebrated a birthday here and were not super impressed. We had a reservation and were seated quickly, however we waited almost ten minutes for a server to come to the table. She was very sweet and asked if we’d been helped. It was clear we were not her table but she jumped in with charm and great personality, took our order and assured us the actual server would be right along. She also asked if we were celebrating, and returned with a birthday card and her congratulations for the table soon after. Our actual server did not address us until after our food arrived (it was odd because she had been serving the table right next to us, and we were surprised she had never even said hello) We did not see our server again until we were finished when she asked if we wanted dessert – no mention of the birthday despite the card sitting on the table. The food was adequate, but the service (minus the first young lady who we wish had been our server all along) was not.

I had the $25 parlay with French onion soup (+$5 surcharge) with a 6oz salmon filet with fries. Typically they cook it to medium but I requested medium rare and the waiter asked and the kitchen was able to do it. No complaints about the food it was well done and great. What I didn’t like was the fact that they bring you the soup along with the entree. I had to rush through the soup to get to the food and it still got cold. I think they do this so that it saves time but I would have preferred to take my soup separately and then get my entree still hot. I was kinda expecting complimentary bread and there were none. The ambiance was top notch, all the waiters and host were dressed formally and I felt severely underdressed when I walked in with my T-shirt, shorts, and sneakers. The inside was well decorated and seemed very nice.

Great service. Anthony and Chef Ernesto were very good – great service and delish food.
Note: your experience depends on your server and Chef. Definitely I recommend these 2 duo when you go here.

We just finished up eating here and they absolutely DID NOT disappoint! Our server Mona was timely and efficient, their strawberry lemonade is absolute fire and one of the best lemonades I’ve ever had! Our chef Ernesto did an absolutely fantastic job with our food. The proportions were accurate and the food itself is immaculate. And to top it off, my mother got a special birthday cake which she said was absolutely amazing. I would recommend this place 🙂

Had surprise dinner with family for my birthday. I had to get the Hot Sake, it’s a tradition!! Ordered the Hibachi Filet Mignon and Chicken. The steak was very tender and full of flavor. Unfortunately due to staffing issues, they were not able to sing their usual “Birthday Song “. Overall it was good.

Food and service was amazing. We were able to walk in for an early dinner service.

Restrooms were disgusting upon arrival. We mentioned to front end staff that they needed some attention. By the end of our dinner service the restaurant was full. We took the kids to the restroom once more and they were significantly worse. 1/3 stalls were actually usable. Told the staff again. For a nice location and price of the meal I would expect the restrooms to be checked regularly. And for them to be that disgusting at 5pm before the rush even was just ridiculous.

Will go back again as the food and service was amazing. Our chef was incredible with the kids. Would have been a 5/5 if it weren’t for the restrooms

My wife and I had lunch today and the food was phenomenal. For over the past year we have requested Brian as our chef. His food is always great! Very consistent in what he does! Not too often you find this! If you haven’t already, I strongly recommend for anyone reading this to give him a try! You will not be let down!