Amelia's is a bakery cafe restaurant in Fletcher Place, Indianapolis.
Amelia's at Bluebeard on Virginia Avenue in Indianapolis is the bakery side of the James Beard semifinalist room. Sandwiches on naturally-leavened sourdough.
Signature dishes: Sourdough sandwiches, Bostock
Must order: A pressed sandwich on country loaf, a slice of brioche bostock, plus a Tinker pour-over coffee.
Tip: Morning queue Saturday and Sunday. Coffee bar runs until midday.
Address: 653 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203
Goose the Market in Old Northside, Indianapolis is a butcher and charcuterie shop with a sandwich counter and an Italianate wine cellar downstairs.
Signature: The Batali sandwich, Smoked ham
Order: The Batali sandwich, a side of charcuterie, an Italian red downstairs.
Tip: Smugglers Cove wine bar runs in the basement evenings. No reservations.
Maxine's Chicken & Waffles on Indiana Avenue in Indianapolis runs scratch soul food. Fried chicken over Belgian waffles and Sunday brunch institution.
Signature: Chicken and waffles, Smothered chicken
Order: Two-piece chicken with a waffle, a side of mac, a sweet tea.
Tip: Sunday brunch is the city's longest line. Weekday lunch quieter.
Sam's Square Pie on East 10th Street in Indianapolis turns out caramelized-crust Detroit-style pies with edge-to-edge cheese. A 2024 Best Restaurants pick.
Signature: Detroit-style pizza, Sicilian pizza
Order: The El Jefe and a Caesar to share.
Tip: Wed to Sat only. Order ahead at peak; pies run out by close.
Please & Thank You on Mass Ave in Indianapolis is a record-shop coffee bar imported from Louisville. The chocolate chip cookie is the city's reference cookie.
Signature: Chocolate chip cookie, Proprietary blend coffee
Order: A chocolate chip cookie and a cortado off the house espresso.
Tip: The vinyl wall is the shop's other reason. Order at the counter.
Vicino on Mass Ave in Indianapolis is a modern Italian room with hand-rolled pasta, regional Italian braises and a focused Italian wine list.
Signature: Hand-rolled pasta, Brodetto
Order: The day's pasta tasting, a braised meat main, a glass of Sangiovese.
Tip: Reservations Tuesday through Saturday; the bar takes walk-ins.
Cheeky Bastards in Fountain Square, Indianapolis serves traditional British pub plates with a serious Sunday roast. A reliable Indianapolis pick.
Signature: Bangers and mash, Fish and chips
Order: Sunday roast with Yorkshire pudding, fish and chips, a real ale.
Tip: Sunday roast 11:00 to 4:00 only; book a week ahead.
