Best Restaurants 2024

IN A CITY with so many great places to dine, defining its best is a daunting task. This year’s standouts, which range from scrappy upstarts to comforting classics, all share a high standard of quality. More importantly, they all have that thrilling spark of greatness that turns a good meal into an exceptional one.

By Eve Batey & Terry Kirts; Photographs by Tony Valainis

9th Street Bistro

9th Street Bistro

Seasonal innovation in Noblesville.

Amara

Amara

Innovative South Asian cuisine on the north side.

Beholder

Beholder

A moody dining room and mercurial menu on the east side.

Bluebeard

Bluebeard

Fletcher Place’s homage to Kurt Vonnegut continues to delight.

Bodhi

Bodhi

Excellent Thai food on a Mass Ave cul-de-sac.

Borage

Borage

Small dishes pack a big punch at this new Speedway spot.

Café Babette

Café Babette

A Garfield Park bakery with some of the most innovative pastries in town.

Cheeky Bastards

Cheeky Bastards

A delicious taste of Great Britian in the Circle City.

Commission Row

Commission Row

A baller dining experience just steps from Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Duke’s

Duke’s

This southside honky-tonk fries up some great chicken.

Fernando’s Mexican & Brazilian Cuisine

Fernando’s Mexican & Brazilian Cuisine

Brazilian staples and Mexican standbys in Broad Ripple.

Gather 22

Gather 22

California meets Indy on 22nd Street.

Goose the Market

Goose the Market

This market’s menu has upped Indy’s sandwich game.

His Place Eatery

His Place Eatery

James and Shawn Jones serve up soul food in style.

Julieta Taco Shop

Julieta Taco Shop

Terrific tacos at the Stutz.

King Dough

King Dough

Wood-fired pizza to carry out or enjoy in-house.

Milktooth

Milktooth

Fletcher Place’s cool kid spot for breakfast and lunch.

Nicole-Taylor’s Pasta

Nicole-Taylor’s Pasta

Broad Ripple lunch destination with a hard-to-secure dinner series.

Sam’s Square Pie

Sam’s Square Pie

Self-taught pizzaiolo sticks to the basics.

St. Elmo Steak House

St. Elmo Steak House

This chophouse is a legendary mainstay for a reason.

Shoyu Shop at Strange Bird

Shoyu Shop at Strange Bird

Classic ramen with a twist in a tropical hideaway.

Tinker Street

Tinker Street

Fine dining with a laid-back vibe.

Vicino

Vicino

Hearty Italian fare served with creative craft cocktails.

Vida

Vida

Fixed-price fine dining and unexpected wines by the glass.

Wisanggeni Pawon

Wisanggeni Pawon

Indonesian street snacks from a new northside storefront.

Best Service

Best Service

Indy bars and restaurants that go above and beyond to make us feel at home.

Best Coffee

Best Coffee

These local roasters and coffeehouses are why we get up in the morning.

Best Desserts

Best Desserts

At these Indy restaurants, you’d be wise to save room for sweets.

Indy Food Trends

Indy Food Trends

The Indy dining innovations and trends that excite us the most.

More Dining Stories...

Easy Rider Diner Chilaquiles and Mexican corn

The Feed: Easter Brunch Ideas, Thaitanium Controversy, Bars Brace For Little 500

This week’s helping of Indy’s freshest dining news also includes an innovative new coffee shop, a new Mexican spot in Greenwood, and much more.
Brockelle Nelson sits

Foodie: Brockelle Nelson Of Pa and Ma’s Backyard BBQ

Brockelle Nelson keeps her father’s legacy alive.

Review: Magdalena

After spending years in New Orleans, Indy’s Nick Detrich returns to open a Fountain Square standout, Magdalena.

The Feed: Hooters Dumps Bikinis, Chuck E. Cheese Calls It Quits

This week's serving of Indy's freshest dining news also includes a new restaurant in a big downtown space, more airport dining, and a sharp spring menu.
desserts by TeaG sits on a plate

New In Town: TeaG

TeaG is serving some of Indy’s most Instagrammable desserts.