Bakersfield Mass Ave is a mexican restaurant in Mass Ave, Indianapolis.
Bakersfield Mass Ave in Indianapolis runs Mexican street fare with over 100 tequilas, an American whiskey list and one of the better Mass Ave patios.
Signature dishes: Street tacos, Queso, Mezcal flights
Must order: Three street tacos, the queso, a flight off the mezcal list.
Tip: Late-night kitchen Friday and Saturday until midnight. Walk-ins only; lines build for Taco Tuesday.
Address: 334 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46204
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 for dinner; the rooftop is walk-in and weather-dependent.
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 for dinner; the rooftop is walk-in and weather-dependent.
Yats Broad Ripple in Indianapolis runs Cajun-Creole on North College for over two decades. Bowls of jambalaya, etouffee and drunken chicken over rice.
Signature: Chili cheese etouffee, Drunken chicken, Jambalaya
Order: The chili cheese etouffee with crawfish, the drunken chicken, the cornbread.
Tip: Order at the counter, find a table. The hot sauce on the table is the move. Cash and card both accepted.
St. Elmo Steak House on South Illinois Street has anchored Indianapolis steakhouse dining since 1902. The eye-watering shrimp cocktail is the city's icon.
Signature: Shrimp cocktail, Filet mignon, Tomato juice
Order: Five jumbo shrimp around the eye-watering horseradish cocktail sauce, then the filet mignon.
Tip: Reserve well in advance for race week or convention nights. Coat-and-tie not required but the room rewards it.
Beholder is Jonathan Brooks' near-eastside room on East 10th Street in Indianapolis. The constantly-changing menu is the city's most-watched table.
Signature: Crudo, Grilled octopus, Burger nights
Order: Whatever the kitchen is doing with crudo, plus the special pasta or grilled vegetable course.
Tip: Closed Sunday and Monday. Reservations on Resy are essential for Friday and Saturday; the bar takes walk-ins.
Vida is Thomas Melvin's tasting-menu room in Indianapolis since 2016. The six-course menu changes weekly and is the city's most ambitious kitchen.
Signature: Six-course tasting menu, Chef's tasting menu
Order: The six-course tasting at 150 dollars per person, or the chef's tasting at 235 with the standard pairings.
Tip: Tuesday to Saturday only, dinner service. Book by week in advance; the dining room is small and the kitchen does not turn tables.
Bluebeard on Virginia Avenue in Indianapolis runs a scratch kitchen and the in-house Amelia's bakery. A James Beard semifinalist Fletcher Place anchor.
Signature: House sourdough from Amelia's, Wood-grilled pork chop, Pasta of the day
Order: The bread basket from Amelia's, the wood-grilled main of the day, the seasonal pasta.
Tip: Walk in before 6:00 to drink at the bar; the dining room books up by Thursday for weekend nights.
