Coffee and cookies$$mass-ave
Please & Thank You on Mass Ave in Indianapolis is a record-shop coffee bar imported from Louisville. The chocolate chip cookie is the city's reference cookie.
Signature: Chocolate chip cookie, Proprietary blend coffee
Order: A chocolate chip cookie and a cortado off the house espresso.
Tip: The vinyl wall is the shop's other reason. Order at the counter.
Italian$$$mass-ave
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.
British$$downtown
Cheeky Bastards in Fountain Square, Indianapolis serves traditional British pub plates with a serious Sunday roast. A reliable Indianapolis pick.
Signature: Bangers and mash, Fish and chips
Order: Sunday roast with Yorkshire pudding, fish and chips, a real ale.
Tip: Sunday roast 11:00 to 4:00 only; book a week ahead.
South Asian$$$north-side
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.
New American$$$downtown
Spoke & Steele in the Le Méridien Indianapolis is the convention-district New American room. Wagyu burger, roasted chicken, cocktail program on the bar.
Signature: Wagyu burger, Roasted half chicken
Order: The wagyu burger and a craft cocktail at the bar.
Tip: Bar walk-ins all evening. Pre-Pacers crowds fill the dining room.
Progressive American$$$speedway
Borage in Speedway, Indianapolis is a cafe-bakery-market with weekend dinner service and a Progressive American menu. A reliable Indianapolis pick.
Signature: Milk bread, Daily small plates
Order: The milk bread course, two seasonal small plates, a glass off the natural list.
Tip: Dinner Thursday through Saturday only. Reservations on the website.