Splurge in Indianapolis

St. Elmo Steak House ★ 4.8

downtown · 127 S Illinois St, Indianapolis, IN 46225

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.

Tip: Reserve well in advance for race week or convention nights. Coat-and-tie not required but the room rewards it.

St. Elmo Steak House ★ 4.8

downtown · 127 S Illinois St, Indianapolis, IN 46225

St. Elmo Steak House on South Illinois in Indianapolis since 1902. The canonical Hoosier steakhouse with the eye-watering horseradish shrimp cocktail.

Beholder ★ 4.8

near-eastside · 1844 E 10th St, Indianapolis, IN 46201

Beholder is Jonathan Brooks' East 10th Street room in Indianapolis. The constantly-changing a la carte makes it the most-watched dining experience.

Vida ★ 4.7

downtown · 601 E New York St, Indianapolis, IN 46202

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.

Tip: Tuesday to Saturday only, dinner service. Book by week in advance; the dining room is small and the kitchen does not turn tables.

Vida ★ 4.7

downtown · 601 E New York St, Indianapolis, IN 46202

Vida is Thomas Melvin's six-course tasting room on East New York Street in Indianapolis since 2016. The city's most ambitious table-service kitchen.

Bluebeard ★ 4.7

fletcher-place · 653 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203

Bluebeard on Virginia Avenue in Indianapolis is a James Beard semifinalist room with in-house Amelia's bakery. The Fletcher Place anchor of the city.

Late Harvest Kitchen ★ 4.5

north-side · 8605 River Crossing Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46240

Late Harvest Kitchen in Indianapolis is Ryan Nelson's farm-to-table room near Keystone at the Crossing. The menu changes daily with a Hoosier-ingredient lean.

Tinker Street ★ 4.5

downtown · 402 E 16th St, Indianapolis, IN 46202

Tinker Street in Indianapolis runs seasonal small plates on East 16th. A serious wine list and 2026 James Beard Foundation recognition for Tom Main.

Convivio Italian Artisan Cuisine ★ 4.5

carmel · 11529 Springmill Road Suite 300, Carmel, IN 46032

Convivio in Carmel runs an open kitchen with a live pasta shop. Artisan Italian pasta and pizza, the most-talked Italian room in the Indianapolis suburbs.

Petite Chou Bistro & Champagne Bar ★ 4.5

broad-ripple · 823 Westfield Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46220

Petite Chou by Patachou in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis is Martha Hoover's French bistro and champagne bar since 2007. A reliable Indianapolis pick.