A canal-side village known for bars, brunch and a Saturday farmers market, six miles north of downtown along the Monon Trail.
Yats Broad Ripple in Indianapolis runs Cajun-Creole on North College for over two decades. Bowls of jambalaya, etouffee and drunken chicken over rice.
Signature: Chili cheese etouffee, Drunken chicken, Jambalaya
Order: The chili cheese etouffee with crawfish, the drunken chicken, the cornbread.
Tip: Order at the counter, find a table. The hot sauce on the table is the move. Cash and card both accepted.
Petite Chou by Patachou in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis is Martha Hoover's French bistro and champagne bar since 2007. A reliable Indianapolis pick.
Yats Broad Ripple in Indianapolis runs Cajun-Creole on North College for over two decades. Bowls of jambalaya, etouffee and drunken chicken.
Signature: Chili cheese etouffee, Jambalaya
Order: The chili cheese etouffee with crawfish, the cornbread.
Tip: Order at the counter. Hot sauce on the table.
Fernando's in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis runs two cuisines off one kitchen, Mexican on the order page and Brazilian on the weekend specials.
Signature: Picanha, Carnitas, Feijoada
Order: Picanha steak, the carnitas tacos, the feijoada on weekends.
Tip: Brazilian specials run Friday through Sunday. BYOB-friendly at lunch.
The Cake Bake Shop on Carrollton in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis is Gwendolyn Rogers's storybook pastry room. Iconic layer cakes, sit-down high tea, full bar.
Order: A slice of Earl's Sugar Cookie Cake and a glass of Champagne.
Tip: Reservations recommended on weekends. Parking is very limited.
Worth the queue: Earl's Sugar Cookie Cake
Rene's Bakery in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis runs a French-leaning bakery and deli since 2004. Croissants, country loaves, sandwich lunch counter.
Order: An almond croissant, a baguette, a quiche slice.
Tip: Saturday queue from 9. Sell out by midday for the croissants.
Worth the queue: Almond croissant
Good Morning Mama's on 54th Street in Indianapolis is a breakfast pastry shop. Cinnamon rolls bigger than a fist, scratch quick breads, day-of-pickup only.
Order: A pecan cinnamon roll and a coffee for the road.
Tip: Saturday queue from 7:30. Cash-friendly, fast counter.
Worth the queue: Pecan cinnamon roll
Monon Coffee Company in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis on the Monon Trail since 1997. Organic fair-trade specialty pours and locally made pastries.
Order: A pour-over and a pastry from the case.
Tip: Patio fronts the Monon Trail. Best for cyclists and morning walks.
Sources from: Organic fair-trade rotation
How they serve: Espresso, Pour over, Cold brew
Prufrock Coffee on North College in SoBro, Indianapolis is a family-friendly cafe with a relaxed counter. Long espresso menu and seasonal lattes.
Order: A seasonal latte and a slice of the day's cake.
Tip: Children welcome; the back room has a kids' corner.
Sources from: Local roasters
How they serve: Espresso, Filter
Petite Chou in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis runs a Champagne bar inside a French bistro. By-the-glass Champagne and grower bubbles in a Patachou-group room.
Signature pour: Grower Champagne by the glass
Wine focus: Champagne and French wines
Food: French bistro small plates
The Red Key Tavern on North College in SoBro, Indianapolis is a 1933 tavern. Vonnegut's hangout, no cell phones rule, the city's most respected dive.
Signature drink: Cold beer and a cheeseburger
Food: Cheeseburgers and tavern plates
The Aristocrat Pub in South Broad Ripple, Indianapolis since 1933. A cherished neighborhood pub with a wide draft list and the city's longest patio.
Signature drink: Indiana craft drafts and a pub burger
Food: Pub menu
Thieves on East 65th in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis runs a tight cocktail program with a long mezcal-and-amaro list. Bartender's choice off the chalkboard.
Signature drink: Mezcal cocktails and amaro flights
Food: Snack plates
The Jazz Kitchen on North College in SoBro, Indianapolis books live jazz seven nights a week. Pan-Latin small plates, cocktails, two sets nightly.
Signature drink: Old fashioned and a jazz set
Food: Pan-Latin and Caribbean small plates
Yats Broad Ripple in Indianapolis runs Cajun-Creole rice bowls at around 10 dollars on North College. Counter-order, big portions, hot sauce on the table.
Try: Chili cheese etouffee with crawfish
Petite Chou by Patachou in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis runs Saturday and Sunday brunch since 2007. The Travel and Leisure US French restaurant list anchor.
Order: Crepes and a glass of Champagne
Good Morning Mama's on 54th Street in Indianapolis is a Broad Ripple diner brunch room. Cinnamon roll French toast, scratch quick breads, weekend queue.
Order: Cinnamon roll French toast and a coffee