Latin American$$$mass-ave
Livery in Indianapolis is a pan-Latin room in a restored 1890s horse livery off Mass Avenue, with a long mezcal list, ceviches and a summer rooftop.
Signature: Ceviche, Empanadas, Mezcal cocktails
Order: Whatever ceviche is on the day's board, the beef empanadas, a mezcal cocktail.
Tip: Two floors plus the rooftop. Reserve downstairs; rooftop seats are walk-in only.
Food hall$$bottleworks-district
The Garage at Bottleworks in Indianapolis is the city's largest food hall, with two dozen stalls covering pizza, ramen, tortas, ice cream and more.
Signature: Pizzology slices, Poke bowls, Tortas
Order: A Pizzology slice, a poke bowl from Poke Guys, gelato at the creamery.
Tip: Lunch quieter than dinner; weekends queue from noon. Plenty of seating.
Pizza$$near-eastside
King Dough in Indianapolis fires wood-oven pizzas with a sourdough crust, hot honey pies and a serious local-beer list. The Highland Avenue tap room.
Signature: Wood-fired pizza, Nashville hot honey pie
Order: The Nashville hot honey pizza and a margherita to share.
Tip: No reservations; arrive before 6:30 or expect a wait on weekends.
Mexican$$stutz
Julieta Taco Shop in The Stutz, Indianapolis is a counter-service taqueria. Braised meats on house-pressed tortillas, aguas frescas, no shortcuts.
Signature: Birria tacos, Aguas frescas
Order: Three birria tacos with consome, an horchata.
Tip: Lunch only most days. Cash or card, fast counter service.
Mexican & Brazilian$$broad-ripple
Fernando's in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis runs two cuisines off one kitchen, Mexican on the order page and Brazilian on the weekend specials.
Signature: Picanha, Carnitas, Feijoada
Order: Picanha steak, the carnitas tacos, the feijoada on weekends.
Tip: Brazilian specials run Friday through Sunday. BYOB-friendly at lunch.
Bakery cafe$$fletcher-place
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: Sourdough sandwiches, Bostock
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.