Restaurants in Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis once was known for its superb cafeterias, and there is one glowing legacy of that fact, southwest of town: the magnificent Gray Brothers Cafeteria, where a dozen trips through the line aren’t enough to sample everything that’s good. Prior to lunch at Gray’s, we suggest breakfast at Shapiro’s Deli (also cafeteria style), where the corned beef hash (with house-baked rye bread on the side) is a plate of beauty. Other excellent lunch opportunities include John’s Famous Stew and Mug ‘n” Bun Drive-In near the Raceway for burgers and four-star root beer. For a big deal dinner, steak (and ferocious shrimp cocktail) at St. Elmo Steak House is an enduring treasure, as is skillet-fried chicken at the old-fashioned Hollyhock Hill

Indianapolis’s Most Famous Dishes

Huge slab of prime rib extends far beyond its plate

Beef

Cup of chili topped with cheese and chopped raw onions

Chili

Close view of marinated, long-cooked beef shows how tender it is. It is topped with sweet gravy and little dumplings.

Sauerbraten

Thick bacon strips hung with clothespins on a line

Bacon

Indianapolis’s Best Restaurants

St. Elmo Steak House - Shrimp Coctkail
St. Elmo Steak House

INDIANAPOLIS, IN

The Rathskeller

INDIANAPOLIS, IN

Hollyhock Hill - Fried Chicken Dinner
Hollyhock Hill

INDIANAPOLIS, IN

Shapiro’s Deli Cafeteria - Corned Beef Sandwich
Shapiro’s Deli | Corned Beef on Rye…in Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS, IN

John’s Famous Stew

INDIANAPOLIS, IN

Plump's Last Shot Tenderloin sandwich
Plump’s Last Shot

INDIANAPOLIS, IN

Nick’s Chili Parlor

INDIANAPOLIS, IN

The smash burger at The Workingman's Friend in Indianapolis, IN
The Workingman’s Friend

INDIANAPOLIS, IN

Indianapolis Articles & Guides

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Drive Ins

For two-lane travelers, pulling into a parking lot perfumed by hamburgers and hot onion rings is as satisfying as any four-star dining experience. At a true classic drive-in, you...

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Shapiro’s Deli Cafeteria - Corned Beef Sandwich

Indianapolis in a Day

Food-Filled Day Indianapolis once was known for its superb cafeterias, and there is one glowing legacy of that fact, southwest of town: the magnificent Gray Brothers Cafeteria, where a dozen...

Chocolate layer cake frosted with caramel and pecans

Seductive Cafeterias

For some passionate eaters, a great cafeteria can be a source of tremendous anxiety. How on earth can a person choose from among dozens and dozens of good-looking desserts,...

Steak Houses: Roadfood Favorites

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Double decker Reuben sandwich

Midwest's Best Corned Beef Sandwiches | On 4-Star Rye

When people think of good corned beef sandwiches, they tend to envision New York, or maybe Miami or Los Angeles. But in fact, the Midwest's best corned beef sandwiches,...

Great Indianapolis Recipes

Reuben Sandwiches Stacked

Reuben

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