Tree-lined residential streets between 38th and Kessler, anchored by Cafe Patachou at 49th and Penn and the Hubbard Cravens cafe nearby.
Mama Carolla's in Meridian Kessler, Indianapolis runs the canonical Italian-American room from a brick house on 54th. A reliable Indianapolis pick.
Signature: Veal Marsala, Chicken Parmesan, Garlic bread
Order: Veal Marsala, the chicken Parmesan, the eggplant rollatini and the house garlic bread.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Reservations on OpenTable; the patio is the move in summer.
Mama Carolla's in Meridian Kessler, Indianapolis is the canonical Italian-American room of 54th Street. Red sauce and a candlelit cult following.
Signature: Veal Marsala, Chicken Parmesan
Order: Veal Marsala, chicken Parmesan, eggplant rollatini.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Patio in summer.
Cafe Patachou at 49th and Penn in Meridian Kessler, Indianapolis is Martha Hoover's flagship since 1989. A trusted stop in the city. An Indianapolis favorite.
Signature drink: Cinnamon toast
Order: The cinnamon toast and a farm-egg omelet.
Tip: No reservations, first come first served. Weekends queue from 09:30.
Hubbard & Cravens at 49th and Penn in Meridian Kessler, Indianapolis is a cafe and bean shop from a 1991 local roaster. A pour-over standard in the city.
Signature drink: Filter coffee
Order: A filter coffee off the daily single-origin.
Tip: Quiet for working before 10:00. Wifi is reliable.
Taylor's Bakery on Allisonville Road in Indianapolis since 1913. The sugar cream pie counter where Indianapolis families pick up their Thanksgiving dessert.
Order: A sugar cream pie. Their version is canonical Hoosier.
Tip: Order pies a day ahead for holiday weekends.
Worth the queue: Sugar cream pie
Hubbard & Cravens has roasted coffee in Indianapolis since 1991. The 49th and Penn cafe runs the city's longest specialty bean program with strong espresso.
Order: A latte off the house espresso and a bag of the Sumatra.
Tip: The 52nd Street roastery offers cuppings on select Saturdays.
Sources from: Sumatra, Costa Rica, Brazil
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Cold brew, Whole bean retail
Bier Brewery on East 65th Street in Indianapolis is a north-side neighborhood taproom running German-inspired American craft. A consistent local award winner.
Cafe Patachou at 49th and Penn in Meridian Kessler, Indianapolis since 1989. Martha Hoover's flagship and the city's defining brunch room for decades.
Order: Cinnamon toast and a farm-egg omelet