Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Indianapolis

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Indianapolis? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Tavern at the Point

4.8

4.8 (89)

$30 and under

American

Downtown Indy

About the restaurant

Tavern at the Point is a friendly neighborhood tavern with a pub style menu and a full service bar selection of beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails.
Patti and Chic Perrin took over Old Point Tavern in 1990 from James Newlin who operated the 401 Mass Ave corner bar since 1954. The bar itself dates back to 1887 when the location’s first liquor license was obtained. Old Point Tavern was the second oldest bar in Indianapolis after Slippery Noodle on Illinois and South.
Nachos and half pints, laughing guests and full bowls of chili brought locals and visitors to the authentic tavern experience. Nostalgia and stories kept the corner space a favorite of Indianapolis’ bar scene alive for many years.
When the Perrins decided it was time to retire, they went to Cunningham Restaurant Group to pass on the baton of the iconic corner of hospitality. “It’s bittersweet, but we’re super excited about the Cunningham Group” Patti Perrin told Indy Star in the announcement in January 2018.

Top review

Erichvip

Dined on Sep 25, 2024

Taylor is a great bartender! Enjoyed our first time there thanks to him!

The Locale

4.7

4.7 (374)

$30 and under

American

Brownsburg

About the restaurant

The Locale is a locally restaurant offering great steaks, seafood and pasta complimented with a full-service bar. We are also offering Catfish as well as Pitstops famous BBQ & Baby back ribs.

We offer both family dining as well as a large sports bar with six TV's - the perfect place to relax with a cold beverage and catch the latest game in a non-smoking environment.

Top review

Bill

Dined on Sep 20, 2024

Food and service was excellent the tenderloin was what me and wife got

Bocca

4.7

4.7 (339)

$30 and under

Italian

Downtown Indy

About the restaurant

WELCOME TO BOCCA
MODERN italian CUISINE

Come to celebrate your special event or occasion! Allow us to make your event memorable. We look forward to serving and seeing you soon!

Top review

DanF

Dined 2 days ago

Great food, great service. Just a really wonderful time

North High Brewing - Zionsville

4.6

4.6 (87)

$30 and under

Brewery

NW Indy / Zionsville

About the restaurant

North High Brewing Co is based out of Columbus, Ohio. We are a craft brewery and brewpub dining experience that specializes in "From Scratch" dishes curated by our Executive Chef, Ryan Oldham. Our Zionsville Location features a gorgeous bar and dining room, large patio and events space on the lower level of the property. We are well known for our House Made Fried Pickles, Beer Cheese Nachos, Oven Roasted and Fried Chicken Wings, Buffalo Chicken Sandwich and our famous North High Chicken Sandwich. Now Hiring for All Positions!

Top review

Jeremy

Dined on Sep 16, 2024

We sat on the outdoor patio and has a wonderful evening. We arrived for our reservation a bit early and the host staff got us seated early. Jed provided great customer service. The food was great, we had chicken sandwiches and flatbreads and everyone completely enjoyed what they ordered. The ambiance made for a very enjoyable evening.

Upland Brewing Co - Clay Terrace

4.6

4.6 (34)

$30 and under

American

Carmel / Westfield

About the restaurant

Our brewpub fare brings the best that the land has to offer, crafted and served by the people who are downright close to the salt of the earth. Chef-created, seasonal menus filled with locally sourced ingredients and just-from-scratch recipes reflect the same artisan approach we bring to our beers.

We’ve produced quality beers over the years by challenging and refining our craft, not by appeasing trends. Discerning taste, rolled up sleeves, and upholding our uniquely progressive ideals ensures our drinkers will appreciate Upland beers as much as we do. Many of our brews are unique twists on traditional recipes, while others are creations of our own imaginations. In 2006, we traded a few cases of beer for barrels from our friends at Oliver Winery, and we haven’t stopped innovating with sour beers yet.

Top review

Loren

Dined on Sep 13, 2024

Great experience. Would recommend to anyone. Great food and drinks.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Noblesville

4.5

4.5 (231)

$30 and under

American

Noblesville

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we've continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ's a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ's to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we've put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we haven't just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it's because of them we're continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts. Welcome to BJ's, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

jaredvip

Dined on Oct 2, 2024

We had a great lunch at BJs. The service was attentive but not intrusive. Food quality is very good. Looking forward to next visit.

Gather 22

4.5

4.5 (107)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Downtown Indy

About the restaurant

To be the best gathering place in Indianapolis.
Where our new Hoosiers are proud to be locals.
Where a meal is an experience
and a restaurant can be so much more.
The place for first dates or family get togethers.
For celebrations or just another weekday adventure.
The place for something different.
The place for something new.
But at the same time,
the place you just keep on going back to.

Atmosphere: Modern, natural, large outdoor space(pet friendly)
Chef: Kris Krapinski
Bar: Pablo Gonzalez

Top review

lindavip

Dined 2 days ago

Best new restaurant- great service, fab food and one of the best outdoor spaces in Indy.

Ash & Elm Cider Co. Restaurant and Cider Bar - Carmel

4.5

4.5 (14)

$30 and under

American

Carmel / Westfield

About the restaurant

Ash & Elm Cider Co. makes complex and balanced ciders that are never from concentrate and are naturally gluten-free. Using regionally-sourced, all-natural ingredients, our award-winning ciders showcase a wide range of modern styles. There's something for everyone!

Top review

Nancy

Dined 5 days ago

The cider flights were wonderful and the food incredible. We frequented the Indianapolis location and are thrilled to have this closer location. There are more GF menu items at this location which is great fit me and my daughter.

Garden Table - Carmel

4.4

4.4 (178)

$30 and under

American

Carmel / Westfield

About the restaurant

UPDATE!! Great news, we are no longer taking reservations during brunch hours on Saturday and Sunday. This is to offer more availability to everyone. Hope to see you soon!
The Garden Table is a local eatery and fresh juicery with three central Indiana locations. We believe in simple dishes, made from natural ingredients. Our Carmel location serves brunch + coffee and dinner + cocktails.

Top review

Vanessa

Dined on Oct 2, 2024

Very tasty food. Restaurant vibe is calm and fresh and cool, but not overly fussy. Fish tacos were nicely seasoned. The slaw on the side was fluffy - not a word I would typically use for slaw, but it was light and fluffy rather than soggy. Salamat desserts were very unique and yummy

Lou Malnati's - Broad Ripple

4.4

4.4 (23)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

South Indy

About the restaurant

If you’re on the hunt for the best deep dish in Central Indiana, look no further than Lou Malnati’s in Broad Ripple. Located just north of the canal on Ferguson Street in this quaint neighborhood, you can enjoy Legendary Chicago Deep Dish and thin crust at the place that’s been perfecting it for 50+ years. Our restaurant features a full-service bar, dine-in, carryout, delivery, group ordering and drop-off catering. During the warmer months, we also offer outdoor seating on our extra large patio. While you’re out in this vibrant, ultra–stylish neighborhood, Lou Malnati’s is the perfect spot to satiate your deep dish cravings.

Top review

Dastufish

Dined on Aug 9, 2024

First time at Lou’s for our family. We enjoyed the outdoor seating as it was perfect weather & another restaurant had a band we could hear from across the canal. The service was great from the hostess to our server. She was kind & attentive!! The food was great as I have heard about the famous Chicago deep-dish pizza for decades. We will most definitely go back in the future! Great job!

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