Burgers$$mass-ave
Bru Burger Bar opened on Mass Avenue in 2011 and remains the avenue's standard burger room. Hand-pattied house grinds, scratch brioche, craft-beer list.
Signature: Bru burger, Truffle fries
Order: The Bru burger with sharp cheddar, truffle fries, an Indiana draft.
Tip: Walk in for the bar, reservations on OpenTable for the dining room.
Pizza$$mass-ave
Bazbeaux on Mass Ave in Indianapolis has built specialty pies for over 30 years. Thin crust, creative combinations, the Mass Ave dinner-walk standard.
Signature: Specialty pies, Bazbeaux salad
Order: The Quattro Stagioni pie, a Bazbeaux salad, a craft draft.
Tip: Slices 11:00 to 1:00. The patio runs spring through fall.
Sushi$$$mass-ave
Forty Five Degrees on Mass Ave is the avenue's sushi anchor. Cocktails, hot-rock cooking and a strong roll list, with a late-kitchen most nights.
Signature: Sushi rolls, Hot-rock dishes
Order: Two creative rolls off the menu, a hot-rock entree, a craft cocktail.
Tip: Late kitchen Friday and Saturday until midnight. Walk-ins seat at the bar.
American$$mass-ave
Tavern at the Point on the historic Old Point Tavern corner is the new operator at one of Indy's oldest bar addresses. Gastro-pub plates, Indiana drafts.
Signature: Smash burger, Reuben
Order: The smash burger with cheddar and the day's draft list.
Tip: Bar walk-ins all day. The corner patio runs spring through fall.
Italian$$$downtown
Iozzo's Garden of Italy in Indianapolis carries the recipes of the city's first full-service Italian restaurant. A South Meridian dinner-and-wine room.
Signature: Veal scaloppine, Lasagna, Tiramisu
Order: Veal scaloppine, the house lasagna, the tiramisu.
Tip: Pre-concert dinners get busy; reserve before Symphony or Pacers nights.
Soul food$$east-side
His Place Eatery on East 30th Street in Indianapolis runs gourmet soul food and BBQ. Chicken and waffles, ribs, scratch sides and a Sunday family room.
Signature: Chicken and waffles, Ribs
Order: Chicken and waffles, the rib platter, the mac and cheese.
Tip: Sunday is the busiest. Two locations; eastside is the original.