When July rolls around I will have officially lived in Indianapolis for one year. It definitely took me a while to get acclimated to living in the Midwest. Plus I was starting my first full time job and there was a lot going on in my life. I really didn’t get around to seeing Indy until 2018 and I’m so glad I did! Indianapolis isn’t a large city by any means, but it has lots of great neighborhoods and outdoor space. I love walking around downtown or on Mass Ave and I just recently went hiking right outside the city. I know I won’t live here forever, but I’m starting to really enjoy my time in Indy and I think everyone could if they gave it a chance!
I’ve outlined some of my favorite places below. I will say that the north side of Indy (Zionsville, Fishers, and Carmel) have a lot of great restaurants and shopping, but I don’t spend a lot of time up there. I live on the south side and work downtown so it’s pretty out of my way. If you’re looking for upscale suburbia with the shopping to match the north side is where you need to be.
This is by no means a comprehensive list so I will be adding to it as I continue to explore and try new places.
Coffee Shops
Restaurants
Cuban Pastries & a Cafecito from Taste of Havana
- Petit Chou Bistro & Champagne Bar – Broad Ripple – French cuisine and champagne cocktails
- Lincoln Square Pancake House – IUPUI
- Metro Diner – Multiple Locations – So Metro is close to my heart because it was actually started where I grew up in Florida. They’ve franchised them out, but the one by me in Indy looks exactly the same, with the same menu, and the same incredibly nice staff. Plus, they have this beautiful watercolor portrait of the original Metro Diner that I went to growing up and it makes me miss home every time I see it.
- The Raskeller – Mass Ave – Best German food I’ve had since I came back from Germany
- Taste of Havana – Broad Ripple – Never would have thought I’d find Cuban food in Indiana, but here it is. They’ve got all my favorite pastries, Cuban sandwiches, and Cuban coffees. It’s as close to authentic as you can get this far from Miami.
Bars
- 1933 Lounge – Wholesale District – Swanky lounge attached to St. Elmo’s Steak House. Stop in for a classic french 75 and one of their famous shrimp cocktails.
- Burnside Inn – Mass Ave – Three distinct floors of fun
- The Ball & Biscuit – Mass Ave – Best place for creative cocktails that I’ve found so far. You’ve seen me Instagram my favorite drinks too many times
- Books & Brews – Broad Ripple – I believe this place was created for me. They have local beer, games, snacks, and a building full of used books for $3 each. Someone took my dreams and made them into a reality
Breweries
- St. Joseph Brewery – Lockerbie Square – It’s a brewery in an old catholic church…enough said.
- Sun King Brewery – East Downtown – Largest brewery in Indianapolis, second largest in the state! You’ve got to try the classics – Osiris Pale Ale and Sunlight Cream Ale. My personal favorite is the Wee Ma Scottish Ale. Wash down some charcuterie, play some board games, and take home a growler full of hometown brew.
Outdoors
- Eagle Creek Park – Lovely park right outside of the city. Multiple hiking trails for different levels and it’s right along the reservoir meaning plenty of water views!
- Holliday Park – The only park I’ve ever visited that had a piece of New York City as its centerpiece. Definitely worth the trip and as a bonus, it’s one of the spots mentioned in The Fault in Our Stars!
- American Legion Park & War Memorial
Leave a Reply