Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Indianapolis

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

Verde - Flavors Of México - Fishers

4.8

4.8 (251)

$30 and under

Mexican

Fishers / Geist

About the restaurant

VERDE, Flavors of Mexico, is a family-owned, authentic Mexican restaurant serving delicious, authentic Mexican food. We use only the freshest ingredients, all prepared daily by our chefs. Our diverse menu features Mexican family recipes that have been passed down for generations. Our delicious salsa is made fresh every day!

WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE, BUT WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT RESERVATIONS OUTSIDE!

Top review

Jimvip

Dined 2 days ago

Oh wow - I have lived in Fishers (this time…) since 2017, and I have a new favorite Mexican restaurant here at home, and a new “Top 3” restaurant overall in Fishers! Verde was absolutely amazing. Fresh food products, great service, super presentation and awesomely tasty ~ great margaritas, too! It was just a great experience. Easy parking, too! Highly recommend. An authentic Mexican food experience and menu.

Upland Brewing 82nd Street

4.8

4.8 (102)

$30 and under

American

Castleton / Keystone Crossings

About the restaurant

UPLAND ON INDY’S NORTH SIDE
We took a pinch of lovable Bloomington quirkiness & a dash of Indianapolis culture to create a relaxing an cozy place to go for a remarkable craft beer & dining experience on the north side of Indianapolis. Spring through Fall, take a seat on our patio where both human & dog children are welcome.

Our tap list is fresh and always rotating with Upland classics, seasonal favorites, award-winning sour ales, and small-batch innovations. Pair your pint with a carefully crafted menu item featuring locally sourced ingredients and plenty of creative gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian options. Located between Keystone at the Crossing and Castleton Square Mall, Upland 82nd Street is the perfect spot for weekday lunch, after work beers, or a shopping trip fuel stop.

Top review

Johnvip

Dined 3 days ago

The server was great. Food was decent. I would go back.

Verde - Flavors of Mexico - Zionsville

4.8

4.8 (184)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Mexican

NW Indy / Zionsville

About the restaurant

VERDE, Flavors of Mexico, is a family-owned, authentic Mexican restaurant serving delicious, authentic food. We use only the freshest ingredients, all prepared daily by our chefs. Our diverse menu features Mexican family recipes that have been passed down for generations. Our delicious salsa is made fresh every day! VERDE serves Mexican food in two dining rooms and an outdoor patio with ample seating to serve our customers efficiently and comfortably. We also have a convenient bar room to provide ambiance and relaxation. Our authentic Mexican decor, including hand-carved tables imported from Mexico, and Spanish music enhance the complete dining experience! Our courteous, friendly wait staff awaits your next visit!

Top review

Samvip

Dined 2 days ago

Really good margaritas, enjoyed the fajitas. Loved the atmosphere.

Yard House - Indianapolis

4.7

4.7 (1108)

$30 and under

American

West Indy

About the restaurant

Yard House is the modern American gathering place where beer and food lovers unite. Known for great food, classic rock, an energetic vibe and endless fleet of tap handles featuring the best craft and local beers, each Yard House location offers 100+ beers on tap along with an array of craft cocktails. Our menu features favorites such as our signature Poke Nachos, street tacos, USDA prime burgers, seafood and steaks. Founded in Long Beach, Calif; in 1996, Yard House now spans across the U.S. with over 80 locations and is open daily for lunch, dinner, happy hour and late-night dining.

Top review

jenifervip

Dined on Oct 2, 2024

Antwoine was phenomenal! We will ask for him the next time we go.

Los Arroyos Mexican Restaurant - Downtown

4.7

4.7 (53)

$30 and under

Mexican

Downtown Indy

About the restaurant

Los Arroyos Mexican Restaurant and Take Out first opened March 1999 in a small 600 square foot space in Downtown Santa Barbara. 24 years later, we have three locations in California and two in Indiana. We employ many family members and friends that have worked for us for so long they are like family. Many of our employees stay with us for 10, 15, 20 years and longer! Most of our success is due to our employees, and we are proud and honored to be a local favorite. We will continue to prepare excellent Mexican food from fresh, homemade ingredients every day.

Top review

Rhettvip

Dined on Jul 20, 2024

Service was slow, they were very busy with not enough help. But understandable, sat in the bar, bartender is great.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Noblesville

4.6

4.6 (232)

$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

Bennie

Dined 2 days ago

My daughter and I went to BJ's for dinner, and everything was great. From the front door to the service, the food was prepared perfectly, and our server AMANDA S WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. She is very knowledgeable about the menu and suggested some things for us to try, we will definitely be back and will be requesting AMANDA S FOR MY SERVER. PS KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK BJ'S CREW.

Verde - Flavors of Mexico - Carmel

4.6

4.6 (363)

$30 and under

Mexican

Carmel / Westfield

About the restaurant

Top review

Amie

Dined on Oct 4, 2024

Verde in Carmel is always a great experience. We sat outside last night and it was delightful.

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.

Sara’s Soiree

4.6

4.6 (123)

$31 to $50

Modern European

Noblesville

About the restaurant

*21 and over* Sara's Soirée is a swanky music lounge nestled in the historic town square of Noblesville, Indiana with an eclectic Modern European and American menu. The lounge also boasts a fine wine and champagne list, an array of bourbons and whiskeys, and a lovely cocktail menu. Enjoy the sounds of world-class jazz by candlelight in this cozy atmosphere. Sara's Soirée is not only a fine evening out with music, it is a unique experience.

Top review

Robert

Dined 2 days ago

First experience at Saras! Nice quaint club atmosphere with good music and food. Well worth going. Expect to come back soon.

Discover more

Experience

Friday and Saturday Premier Music Acts with Cover

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

4.5

4.5 (16)

$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

Lisavip

Dined 3 days ago

This was our first visit and we really enjoyed it. I had the cider braised chicken sandwich…amazing! The flight of ciders is the way to go so you can decide your faves. We met the GM, Brent, and he is a delight! Thoughtful, caring young man that is working hard at making this new spot a success. We can’t wait to go back!

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