Restaurants in Indianapolis: Openings and closings so far in 2024
Want to know which restaurants in the Indianapolis area opened and closed in 2024? Take a look at some of the establishments that made the list.
You’ve stumbled to your seat in one of Indianapolis’ many concert halls, shifting back and forth. There’s a certain tension in the air. It’s almost showtime.
The growling in your stomach, however, reminds you that it’s almost time for dinner, too. The establishment’s bag policy prohibits the smuggling of culinary contraband. Wherever you go, food stalls lure you with $14 light beers. There’s nowhere to run. The overpriced soft pretzel looms in your future.
But a little pregame planning can save you. Indy’s theaters and arenas are surrounded by restaurants — many within walking distance — where an appetizer and drink typically cost $25 or less. Here’s where to eat your fill before your next event without experiencing price shock.
Downtown restaurants near Lucas Oil Stadium, White River State Park and Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Loughmiller’s Pub
301 W. Washington St., (317) 638-7380, loughmillerspub.com
Stop by this long-standing downtown pub for an impressive selection of burgers ($14-$23) and sandwiches ($12.50-$15), plus a drink from an extensive beer list. Loughmiller’s is located under a blue canopy between the Westin and Marriott hotels, about a half-mile from White River State Park and Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Slippery Noodle Inn
372 S. Meridian St., (317) 631-6974, slipperynoodle.com
In its 174-year history, the Slippery Noodle has served as a rest stop for frontiersmen, a refuge for the Underground Railroad, and a “restaurant” during Prohibition. It should be fine for a quick bite before heading to Lucas Oil Stadium (2 miles) or Gainbridge Fieldhouse (4 miles). Sandwiches, burgers, chicken wings, and other shareable dishes ($9.50 to $17) are available, as are beer, liquor, and house cocktails. And yes, they also have noodles ($16 to $22).
Shapiro’s Deli
808 S. Meridian St., (317) 631-4041, shapiros.com
Indiana’s oldest deli closes at 7:30 p.m., but Shapiro’s is set up to get you in and out quickly if you’re attending an early evening concert at Lucas Oil (2.9 miles) or Gainbridge Fieldhouse (7 miles). Grab a tray and load up on corned beef or pastrami ($19 for a sandwich) or entrees like meatloaf ($15.25), brisket ($23.25) and stuffed peppers ($15.90), all with two classic cafeteria sides, rye bread and a pickle.
Dugout Bar
621 Virginia Ave., (317) 916-1514, thedugoutindy.com
Less than a mile of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail connects the Gainbridge Fieldhouse and the Dugout Bar, a fixture in Fletcher Place since 1954. Beer and cocktails are the Dugout’s calling card, but the picnic tables on the scenic patio are made to support the oodles of bar food. Hearty sandwiches, including pork tenderloins ($15) and patty melts ($15.25), are served with Ruffles chips, though you might consider $2 a reasonable upcharge for crispy, fluffy tater tots. Two chili cheese dogs ($10) are a fitting farewell to summer, while the chicken tenders and fries ($15.25) easily feed two people, assuming you can agree on dipping sauces.
Chains and other restaurants nearby: Five Guys, Old Spaghetti Factory, Agave and Rye, Tupelo Honey, Arby’s, Fresco Italian Café, Chipotle, Chick-fil-A
City centre restaurants near the Old National Centre and IndyFringe Theatre
Thaitanium
735 Massachusetts Ave., (317) 686-1848, thaitanium-indy.com
Located 300m from the Old National Centre and just around the corner from the IndyFringe Basile Theatre, this Southeast Asian restaurant offers a wealth of Thai and Thai-American classics. Start by crunching your way through vegetable tempura ($8) or spring rolls ($8), then slurp pad Thai ($14) or carefully sip a colourful palette of sweet, spicy, botanical curries ($14).
St. Joseph Brewery
540 N. College Ave., (317) 602-5670, saintjoseph.beer
If you want to snack on German pretzels, fancy nachos and a sausage sampler platter without dipping into your Roth IRA, consider a stop at St. Joseph. A wide selection of church-inspired beers ($4 to $4.50 per pint) is complemented by a full menu of hearty fare, including buffalo chicken poutine ($14), bison meatloaf ($15) and burgers and sandwiches ($12 to $16). There’s also a $7 kids’ menu for young concertgoers. St. Joseph is just 300m from the IndyFringe and 500m from the Old National, though depending on how much beer cheese you’ve eaten, you might feel like wandering around a bit before your show.
Tavern at the Point
401 Massachusetts Ave., (317) 756-9609, tavernatthepoint.com
Tavern at the Point is neither the most well-known nor the fanciest of Cunningham Restaurant Group’s numerous restaurants on Mass Ave, but it’s undoubtedly an ideal spot for a pre- or post-concert meal. You’ll find a selection of gastro-pub fare here, including brisket nachos ($17), chicken wings ($16), chili cheese fries ($12), club sandwiches ($15) and tacos ($17) alongside similarly priced vegetarian options. A $9 kids’ menu features treats like chicken tenders and grilled cheese, while the drinks menu ($5 to $12) has plenty of options to please older patrons. The menu is pared down to nine late-night options from 9 p.m. to closing — 10 p.m. or 11 p.m., depending on the night — that are great for a post-show snack.
The Old National Centre (0.3 km), IndyFringe (0.7 km), Gainbridge Fieldhouse (0.7 km), Indiana Repertory Theatre (0.8 km) and Hilbert Circle Theatre (0.5 km) are all within walking distance.
Oishi Sushi and Ramen
600 Massachusetts Ave., (317) 493-1884, oishisushiandramen.com
If meat in a bun and fried potatoes aren’t your thing, consider Oishi. Located less than half a mile from Old National and IndyFringe, this sushi and ramen restaurant serves a colorful selection of rolls and bowls for between $14 and $16.
Petra Café
610 Massachusetts Ave., (317) 602-3535, petracafemassachusettsave.com
A five-minute walk separates this eatery from the Old National Centre and IndyFringe in either direction, ideal for a quick bite when you’re on a tight schedule. Shawarma, falafel and kebab sandwiches fill the menu like sliced meat in a pita. Seating at Petra is sparse, but you might find that there are few things easier to do in Indy than strolling down Mass Ave with a large sandwich and soda in hand.
Chains and other restaurants nearby: Fat Dan’s Deli, Condado Tacos, The Eagle, Bru Burger Bar, Nine Irish Brothers
Restaurants near Ruoff Music Center
Jim Dandy
2301 E. Conner St., Noblesville, (317) 773-3288, jdrest.com
There’s not much within walking distance of Ruoff—parking alone surrounds the main stage in a half-mile radius—but Hamilton County offers plenty of tasty and affordable options within a 15-minute drive of the venue. One of them is Jim Dandy (13-minute drive), which has been serving chicken and various American dishes since 1964. The famous drive-in offers burgers ($8.69 to $10.49), sandwiches including filets ($6.49 to $9.19), chicken and traditional sides ($12.19), and classic dishes like meatloaf and pot roast ($10.49).
Outlaws Steaks Burgers Beers
13871 Cabela Parkway, Noblesville, (317) 238-1503, outlawssteaksburgersbrews.com
Outlaws’ burgers, sandwiches and comfort food are all fairly priced, ranging from $13 to $29. Pay homage to the heart of country with a breaded tenderloin sandwich ($14), country fried chicken ($14) and a variety of traditional sides. Drink specials change daily, and there’s a kids’ menu with options for $10 or less, all just a 5-minute drive from Ruoff.
The Palenque
2313 Conner St., Noblesville, (317) 770-1972, mexicanrestaurantelpalenque.com
At El Palenque, 13 minutes from Ruoff, a plethora of main courses and a la carte options await. Sizzling platters of steak, chicken or seafood ($16 to $18) join house specialties like chile rellenos ($14) and chilaquiles ($13), offering seemingly endless ways to stuff yourself with cumin, oregano and lime juice before the big show.
Chains and other restaurants nearby: Ford’s Garage, Chuys, Condado, Raising Canes
Restaurants near Carmel Palladium, Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre
Sun King Brewery
351 Monon Blvd., Carmel, (317) 843-6250, sunkingbrewing.com/carmel
You’d be missing out if you didn’t order from Sun King’s ever-growing tap list, but the Carmel-based brewery also offers food from La Margarita and Queenie’s Pizza. Sun King’s popular Mexican lager, Pachanga, is perfect for washing down bold-flavored tacos ($8.50 for two), while the pizza ($14 to $16 for a single pizza) goes with pretty much anything cold and bubbly. A quick one-mile stroll down the Monon Trail puts you right next to the Palladium and the Tarkington Civic Theater.
Mexican restaurant in Cancun
511 S. Rangeline Road, Carmel, (317) 580-0333, cancun-indy.com
At Cancun Mexican Restaurant, a half-mile northeast of Carter Green, you’ll find a variety of Tex-Mex dishes—from burritos ($13.50) to chimichangas ($13) to fajitas ($13.50). Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from getting in the mood for a symphony or stage production with a spicy margarita ($12) and some fried ice cream ($7.50).
Muldoon’s am Main
111 W. Main St., Carmel, (317) 571-1116, muldoons.net
In a city that has been largely shaped by rapid development over the past 25 years, Muldoon’s feels a little backwards; not many restaurants have their fax number these days. The surprisingly international Irish eatery offers dishes ranging from Irish stew ($13) to Cajun chicken pasta ($17) to pollo Mexicano ($17). Sandwiches include Muldoon’s self-proclaimed biggest and best tenderloin ($15), Monte Cristo ($14) and four burgers ($14 to $16). From Main Street, it’s a five-minute drive or 20-minute walk to Carter Green.
Woody’s Library Restaurant
40 E. Main St., Carmel, (317) 573-4444, woodyscarmel.com
The fancier dishes at Woody’s might break your budget, but there are plenty of affordable options at this storied Carmel restaurant. Refined entrees like bison meatballs ($13) and Southwest spring rolls ($13) join fish and chips ($21), savory deconstructed pies ($18) and an extensive sandwich menu ($13 to $20). Enjoy rotating drink discounts and pick up less complex flavors like fish sticks ($9) and macaroni and cheese spirals ($6) for the kids. Formerly a public library, administrative building and courthouse, Woody’s is just over a mile from Carter Green.
Chains and other restaurants nearby: Bru Burger, Bub’s Burgers, Old Spaghetti Factory, Fat Dan’s
Contact food reporter Bradley Hohulin at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter/X @BradleyHohulin.
