Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Northwest Indiana

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Northwest Indiana? 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!

Gamba Ristorante

4.8

4.8 (1176)

$31 to $50

Italian

Merrillville, IN

About the restaurant

The former owners of the Venezia Bar & Grill and Café Venezia, Benito and Hilda Gamba, have combined their efforts into the Gamba Ristorante. Located in Merrillville, this restaurant is housed in an architectural masterpiece, which is hard to miss with its circular design and copper roof. Modeled after upscale restaurants in exotic European locations, the menu offers classic Italian cuisine. The wine room boasts storage space for 1,000 bottles. A banquet hall holds up to 175 people and looks out onto an open courtyard.

Top review

Thomas

Dined 3 days ago

This place is top-notch! My mother and I have been going here for just about a year, and every time, we walk away very satisfied. You are greeted by the bartender as you arrive. Walk through to the hostess station and give your name on the reservation. (I highly recommend you use the Open Table App to set your reservation. This place fills up quickly, and you want to make sure you have a table reserved so you are not waiting.) The waiter and employees are very nice and courteous to you and are very knowledgeable (the server) about the dishes on the menu. Almost always, you see the owner walking around and he engages with you about your food, wait staff, and server, as well as your overall experience there. He is very warm and kind and it makes the meal just that much better.

Nisi Greek Taverna

4.9

4.9 (516)

$31 to $50

Greek

Schererville, IN

About the restaurant

Modern Greek Cuisine. Opened up by Greek Master Chef Pandelis Vouros. Book today!

Top review

john

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Staff were all friendly and nice, service was great and food was good and some unique options. It was enjoyable.

Fiori Italian

4.5

4.5 (577)

$50 and over

Italian

Munster, IN

About the restaurant

Chef Gaetano Ascione brings international flair to Indiana. A native of Italy, and fluent in five languages, Chef Gaetano Ascione brings international flair to Munster, with experience, teaching, owning restaurants, consulting, and running hotels on four continents – Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. He served both Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan as Chef de Cuisine at the Georgetown Club in Washington, D.C., and served as Executive Chef for the Inaugural Banquet for President Nelson Mandela in South Africa.

He is a member of the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs 1248-1950, the American Culinary Federation, and the Gruppo Virtuale Cuochi Italiani. Ascione was a finalist in the “Chef of the Year” competition at the World Gourmet Summit in Singapore in 2001.

Top review

barbara

Dined 1 day ago

Christmas lunch with longtime girlfriends. The food was good; the dining room was beautiful; and the lunch special was perfect.

Farina's Supper Club

4.8

4.8 (949)

$31 to $50

Steak

Michigan City, IN

About the restaurant

Featuring Prime steaks and chops, fresh fish, and seafood. Many of Chef Farina's signature favorites, include Pork Chop Sinatra, Brick Chicken and Joe's Mama's Meatballs. Other Italian favorites like Eggplant and Chicken Parmesan, Mile High Meat Lasagna, and Linguine with Clams will be offered daily. Stop in to experience our global wine list, along with the old school cocktails, which will bring you right back to the Supper Club era!

Top review

Courtney

Dined 7 days ago

Great time celebrating my dad’s 70th birthday with my family!

Gino’s Prime and Surf - Dyer

4.8

4.8 (1241)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Dyer, IN

About the restaurant

Since 1950, Gino’s Prime and Surf specializes in serving up prime steaks, seafood, pastas and chops, while providing guests with a casual fine dining atmosphere. Voted “Best in the Region,” Other services and/or amenities include a lounge area, banquet space, a beautiful patio, on and off site catering and carry out services. We also offer the best in live entertainment every weekend!

Top review

Challen

Dined 4 days ago

The food was amazing from the delicious sweet peppers and Oyster Rockefeller, to the perfectly prepared Ribeye and Lobster tail. Everything was absolutely delicious! The winter candy martini was superb!! Overall great experience! Great service! Great ambiance!’ We will be back!’

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Popular dish

16 oz Ribeye

Lighthouse Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (1325)

$50 and over

American

Cedar Lake

About the restaurant

Nestled on the shores of cozy Cedar Lake, Lighthouse Restaurant welcomes residents, visitors, and boaters with its beacon of great food, fun, and friends. Surrounded by windows, diners enjoy the scenery of the water while savoring cuisine that is found nowhere else in the region!

Top review

Brittney

Dined 7 days ago

Our server, Tyler, was great! Food was delicious! Drinks were amazing. We were seated by the live acoustic set and he was amazing! A great time with family!

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Popular dish

Lobster Bisque

Experience

2024 New Year's Eve Party!

Experience

Wine Wednesday

William B's Steakhouse - Blue Chip Casino

4.6

4.6 (2673)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Michigan City, IN

About the restaurant

Named after Boyd Gaming Corporation's Chairman and CEO William S. Boyd, William B's Steakhouse is a world-class steakhouse in the tradition of the Stardust Hotel in Las Vegas. But there's more than steak on the menu. You'll also find fresh seafood and exquisite pasta dishes, all prepared with classic Midwestern flair.

Must be 21 to dine.

Top review

Michael

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

We had an awesome dinner great service. As always, I love the Iberica pork chops will definitely be back.

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant - Schererville, IN

4.6

4.6 (64)

$30 and under

American

Schererville, IN

About the restaurant

Experience the perfect fusion of award-winning wines, Napa-style tasting rooms, and modern casual dining at Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants. Enjoy contemporary American cuisine influenced by international flavors from our scratch kitchen. Each dish is expertly paired with our selection of wines for the best food and wine match. Whether you explore the tasting room for a pre- or post-dinner adventure or join the world's largest wine club, we believe in the power of food and wine to create lasting connections. Dining reservations are highly recommended, but walk-in guests are always welcome on a first-come, first-serve basis. Gluten-free and vegetarian dishes are available.

Top review

La Tonja

Dined 1 day ago

Great experience and great food. The server was amazing and knowledgeable too

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Experience

Brunch & Bubbles | Saturdays & Sundays 11am – 2pm

Experience

Wine ‘O’ Clock Happy Hour | Mon-Fri 3 - 5:30 pm

Experience

Seasonal Chef Recommendations

Goblin & The Grocer

4.5

4.5 (321)

$30 and under

American

Michigan City, IN

About the restaurant

The Goblin & The Grocer is a restaurant, market & take away built to be an inviting year-around lake retreat & respite. As hosts we are passionate about serving thoughtfully prepared, locally sourced food & drink with a unique combination of service that is knowledgeable, friendly & laid back.
We are proud of our Award Winning Bloody Marys, Brunch with Bottomless Mimosas &
Farm to Table Menu

Top review

Kathie

Dined 6 days ago

I always enjoy eating at Goblin and the Grocer. It is fun and lively in a unique and creative atmosphere. It has a wide variety of dishes on the menu and the staff is always accommodating.

Rosebud Steakhouse - Munster

4.5

4.5 (1076)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Munster, IN

About the restaurant

*Rosebud Steakhouse is a special occasion restaurant, with an UPSCALE BUSINESS CASUAL Dress Code Policy. For clarification please review the policy at https://rosebudsteak.com/dress-code/ and we thank you for your courtesy!

Welcome to a rare steakhouse, well done! Rosebud Steakhouse Located in Centennial Village, is the second location for the Rosebud Steakhouse brand. This relaxing hideout is the perfect place to enjoy an unforgettable meal paired with a glass of wine from our impressive wine list. The extensive menu features prime steaks by Meats by Linz, fresh seafood and Italian specialties. Our sister restaurant, Rosebud Steakhouse Magnificent Mile, was recently voted one of the Top-10 steakhouses in Chicago by Tripadvisor. Rosebud Steakhouse invites you to enjoy an unforgettable fine dining experience in a romantic setting. Rosebud Steakhouse is a Creative Hospitality Concepts restaurant. Visit our third location, coming soon to, Wheeling, IL.

Top review

Darlene M.VIP

Dined 2 days ago

we had a very enjoyable evening with family. everything was perfect. i do enjoy a midday experience. It is a little slower pace, weekends can be a bit busy. But all in all a very nice experience.

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Popular dish

Salmon

Experience

Celebrate Christmas Day At Rosebud Steakhouse!

Experience

Celebrate Christmas Eve At Rosebud Steakhouse!

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