Maxine's Chicken & Waffles is a soul food restaurant in Indiana Avenue, Indianapolis.
Maxine's Chicken & Waffles on Indiana Avenue in Indianapolis runs scratch soul food. Fried chicken over Belgian waffles and Sunday brunch institution.
Signature dishes: Chicken and waffles, Smothered chicken
Must 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.
Address: 132 N East St, Indianapolis, IN 46204
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.
Amara in Carmel runs modern South Asian out of an open kitchen, with tandoor-cooked lamb and chef-driven dal. One of the city's best Indian dining rooms.
Signature: Lamb biryani, Dal makhani
Order: The lamb biryani, the dal makhani, garlic naan.
Tip: Closed Monday. Reservations for dinner; lunch is walk-in friendly.
Spoke & Steele in the Le Méridien Indianapolis is the convention-district New American room. Wagyu burger, roasted chicken, cocktail program on the bar.
Signature: Wagyu burger, Roasted half chicken
Order: The wagyu burger and a craft cocktail at the bar.
Tip: Bar walk-ins all evening. Pre-Pacers crowds fill the dining room.
