Foodies of the Hoosier state unite! When it comes to unique and amazing dining opportunities in Indiana, there are almost certainly way too many to mention in one sitting. Hoosiers are lucky in the sense that Indiana just seems like a hub of excellent restaurants and cafés just waiting to be discovered. We combed through the endless lists of the best restaurants in Indiana, and we narrowed it down to eight places you’ve absolutely got to try in 2021, in no particular order. These restaurants are unique, enchanting, and almost criminally delicious. Bring your appetite – you’re going to need it!
- Milktooth, Indianapolis
Milktooth/Facebook Milktooth is a modern hipster’s dream. It prides itself in being a delectable fine diner, where guests can delight in unique dishes that can’t be found anywhere else. Chef and owner Jonathan Brooks opened the place in 2014, and in 2015, it was named one of the 10 Best New Restaurants by Bon Appetit. Chef Brooks was awarded the distinction as one of the 11 Best New Chefs by Food & Wine.
Your experience here will be nothing short of unique and succulent. Milktooth takes their masterful craft very seriously; they were closed for the month of January 2021 so that they could dream up an incredible new menu. No two trips here will ever be the same.
Address: 534 Virginia Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46203
- Joseph Decuis, Roanoke
Joseph Decuis/Facebook We cannot gush about this restaurant enough. Its claim to fame? It’s one of the few places serving 100% genuine Waygu beef in the Midwest. It’s a farm-to-fork operation through and through; the majority of food on the menu is straight from the Decuis Farm, just six miles away from the restaurant. Make sure to check out the Emporium next door for a more casual lunch sometime, too.
Address: 191 N. Main St, Roanoke, Indiana, 46783
- Woochi, South Bend
Woochi Japanese Fusion & Bar/Facebook This larger-than-life restaurant is THE premier destination in Indiana for Japanese fusion and to-die-for sushi. It’s located in a complex which contains two other Woochi properties: a stunningly chilled-out lounge and a reservable banquet room. The atmosphere in this place is unlike any place we’ve ever featured; you simply have to go see it for yourself.
Address: 119 N. Michigan Street, South Bend, Indiana
- The Rathskeller, Indianapolis
Rathskeller Restaurant/Facebook If you’ve ever found yourself on a search for authentic German cuisine in the Midwest, you’ll definitely need to stop by The Rathskeller. It features world-class German dishes, as well as surf & turf and even options for our vegetarian friends! The Kellerbar is stocked with 12 imported draft beers and more than 50 imported bottled beers. Much like Woochi, the interior of this Indy destination restaurant is just too spectacular to not mention!
Address: 401 E. Michigan St., Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204
- The Overlook, Leavenworth
The Overlook Restaurant/Facebook This little slice of heaven is situated on a grassy bluff overlooking a 20-mile-wide panoramic view of the Ohio River. The sunset views are breathtaking, and we’re pretty sure the clam chowder and the setting combined will make you feel like you’ve been transported to the New England coastline.
Address: 1153 W. St. Rd 62, Leavenworth, Indiana, 47137
- Oasis Diner, Plainfield
Oasis Diner/Facebook This little gem is one of the last remaining legitimate 1950s diners there are; only five of them exist along the stretch of the US 40 that Oasis Diner sits on. Oasis Diner was manufactured in New Jersey and then sent by rail to Plainfield, Indiana, in 1954. The restaurant was moved from its original location to its current home on the 40, and one thing is for sure: the tenderloin alone is worth the trip out.
Address: 405 W. Main Street, Plainfield, Indiana, 46168
- Batar, Seymour
Batar/Facebook This unsuspecting little spot in the woods is actually a delightful seasonal café. Serving up such delicacies as artisan sugar cookies and William Dean chocolates, there’s no way you can pass this place up! It’s surrounded by forest and sits right on the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge. It was named one of the Top 20 Destination Restaurants In Indiana by the Indiana Tourism Bureau!
Address: 12649 E. US Highway 50, Seymour, Indiana, 47274
- The Exchange, New Albany
The Exchange pub + kitchen/Facebook The Exchange is an absolutely gorgeous bar and grille located in the Historic District of New Albany, Indiana. They’re an ideal spot for brew-lovers, featuring 12 rotating craft beers on tap. The menu is ever-changing and oh-so-perfect every time,
Address: 118 W. Main, New Albany, Indiana, 47150
It’s hard to adequately express just how worth it these restaurants are! They’re all amazingly unique in their own ways, and we believe they accurately reflect the pioneer spirit of the Hoosier state. What’s your favorite Indiana destination restaurant? What’s the most unique one you’re ever been to? Tell us about them in the comments!
Milktooth/Facebook
Milktooth is a modern hipster’s dream. It prides itself in being a delectable fine diner, where guests can delight in unique dishes that can’t be found anywhere else. Chef and owner Jonathan Brooks opened the place in 2014, and in 2015, it was named one of the 10 Best New Restaurants by Bon Appetit. Chef Brooks was awarded the distinction as one of the 11 Best New Chefs by Food & Wine.
Your experience here will be nothing short of unique and succulent. Milktooth takes their masterful craft very seriously; they were closed for the month of January 2021 so that they could dream up an incredible new menu. No two trips here will ever be the same.
Address: 534 Virginia Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46203
Joseph Decuis/Facebook
We cannot gush about this restaurant enough. Its claim to fame? It’s one of the few places serving 100% genuine Waygu beef in the Midwest. It’s a farm-to-fork operation through and through; the majority of food on the menu is straight from the Decuis Farm, just six miles away from the restaurant. Make sure to check out the Emporium next door for a more casual lunch sometime, too.
Address: 191 N. Main St, Roanoke, Indiana, 46783
Woochi Japanese Fusion & Bar/Facebook
This larger-than-life restaurant is THE premier destination in Indiana for Japanese fusion and to-die-for sushi. It’s located in a complex which contains two other Woochi properties: a stunningly chilled-out lounge and a reservable banquet room. The atmosphere in this place is unlike any place we’ve ever featured; you simply have to go see it for yourself.
Address: 119 N. Michigan Street, South Bend, Indiana
Rathskeller Restaurant/Facebook
If you’ve ever found yourself on a search for authentic German cuisine in the Midwest, you’ll definitely need to stop by The Rathskeller. It features world-class German dishes, as well as surf & turf and even options for our vegetarian friends! The Kellerbar is stocked with 12 imported draft beers and more than 50 imported bottled beers. Much like Woochi, the interior of this Indy destination restaurant is just too spectacular to not mention!
Address: 401 E. Michigan St., Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204
The Overlook Restaurant/Facebook
This little slice of heaven is situated on a grassy bluff overlooking a 20-mile-wide panoramic view of the Ohio River. The sunset views are breathtaking, and we’re pretty sure the clam chowder and the setting combined will make you feel like you’ve been transported to the New England coastline.
Address: 1153 W. St. Rd 62, Leavenworth, Indiana, 47137
Oasis Diner/Facebook
This little gem is one of the last remaining legitimate 1950s diners there are; only five of them exist along the stretch of the US 40 that Oasis Diner sits on. Oasis Diner was manufactured in New Jersey and then sent by rail to Plainfield, Indiana, in 1954. The restaurant was moved from its original location to its current home on the 40, and one thing is for sure: the tenderloin alone is worth the trip out.
Address: 405 W. Main Street, Plainfield, Indiana, 46168
Batar/Facebook
This unsuspecting little spot in the woods is actually a delightful seasonal café. Serving up such delicacies as artisan sugar cookies and William Dean chocolates, there’s no way you can pass this place up! It’s surrounded by forest and sits right on the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge. It was named one of the Top 20 Destination Restaurants In Indiana by the Indiana Tourism Bureau!
Address: 12649 E. US Highway 50, Seymour, Indiana, 47274
The Exchange pub + kitchen/Facebook
The Exchange is an absolutely gorgeous bar and grille located in the Historic District of New Albany, Indiana. They’re an ideal spot for brew-lovers, featuring 12 rotating craft beers on tap. The menu is ever-changing and oh-so-perfect every time,
Address: 118 W. Main, New Albany, Indiana, 47150
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 534 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203, USAAddress: 191 N Main St, Roanoke, IN 46783, USAAddress: 119 N Michigan St, South Bend, IN 46601, USAAddress: 401 E Michigan St, Indianapolis, IN 46204, USAAddress: 1153 IN-62, Leavenworth, IN 47137, USAAddress: 405 W Main St, Plainfield, IN 46168, USAAddress: 12649 US-50, Seymour, IN 47274, USAAddress: 118 W Main St, New Albany, IN 47150, USA
