Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Indiana

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in 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!

Mel's

4.8

4.8 (54)

$30 and under

Speakeasy

Downtown Indy

About the restaurant

After an evening out or dining at Commission Row, guests can enjoy an after dinner drink in the adjoining speakeasy below. Mel’s speakeasy will offer a wide selection of wine, cocktails, and spirits.

Top review

WendyVIP

Dined on Nov 16, 2024

As always, wonderful service at Mel’s. The food is outstanding and a good selection of drinks. Nice atmosphere for a speakeasy. Love the gin martini!

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Experience

Mel's NYE Champagne and Caviar

Experience

Give More to Get More this Holiday Season!

Courses Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (235)

$30 and under

International

Downtown Indy

About the restaurant

Come join us at Courses Restaurant at Ivy Tech Community College, offering a unique experience where guests dine in a gorgeous Mahogany restaurant that looks out on the beautiful Indianapolis skyline. Guests are served and have the opportunity to support Hospitality Program students while enjoying their dining experience. Our menu selections are centered around course of study for 1st 8 Wks - Specialized Cuisine and 2nd 8-Wks Classical French Cuisine. Menus items may change due to product availability/course objectives.

Due to course schedule Courses Restaurant is open Spring 2025 1st 8-Weeks (Lunch Only - Seating 11am-Noon) January 23,30, February 6,13 and 20. 2nd 8- Weeks for lunch (seating 11am-Noon) and dinner (seating 6-7pm) on 3/27, 4/3, 4/10, 4/17 (dinner only), 4/24 (lunch only), 5/1. Accepting reservations 90 days prior to dining date.

**If you have more than 4 guests in your group, please contact Indianapolis-Hospitality-Events@ivytech.edu for your reservation.

Top review

Melinda

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

We eat here several times each semester and today was probably the best main course I have had at Courses. The sauce on the Coq au Vin was fabulous with a rich flavor of various spices on the palette. The onions and ham added a nice change of texture. The smoked salmon appetizer was delicious but needed a second crostini for the amount of Brie and salmon on the plate. Wonderful flavor, though. The dessert was an interesting combo of flavors but the beets added a nice compliment to the crème brûlée. All in all, a delightful meal.

Essence Restaurant + Bar

4.9

4.9 (387)

$31 to $50

American

Elkhart

About the restaurant

A culinary playground centered around unwavering hospitality and creatively curated cuisine, wine and spirits.

Welcome home.

Top review

Bill

Dined 4 days ago

Outstanding high quality restaurant, excellent and unique meals. A really extensive wine and liquor selection. We’ll be back!!!

Adams Street Chophouse

4.9

4.9 (225)

$31 to $50

American

Muncie

About the restaurant

Step into a 1935 Chophouse, just east of "mid town," in Muncie, Indiana where a revamped old house welcomes you to Adams Street Chophouse. Open Tuesday to Saturday, our menu boasts USDA prime beef, hand-selected for an unparalleled dining experience.

All ages are welcome to savor the era of innovation and prohibition in our charming establishment. Explore four unique rooms—the 1920s Adams St. Room, the Frank Sinatra Room, the Rat Pack Room, and the exclusive Speakeasy (21+). Adams Street Chophouse seamlessly blends history and imagination, inviting you to a culinary journey through time in the old Thomas S. Neely house.

Join us at Adams Street Chophouse, where timeless charm meets exceptional dining.

Top review

JillVIP

Dined 2 days ago

This is my go to place for dinner. We had Morgan as our server and she is so sweet and took perfect care of us. The seabass and salmon entrees are always a hit. Crab Cakes are a must have! And they have the best Caesar salad! Great girls night out!

9th Street Bistro

5.0

5 (853)

$31 to $50

Bistro

Noblesville

About the restaurant

Neighborhood Bistro offering a diverse menu inspired by seasonal and local ingredients, our small dining room of just nine tables and four bar seats boasts exposed brick & original hardwood floors. Chef Samir & his wife Rachel welcome diners into this intimate space in the heart of Old Town Noblesville.

With a menu that changes every one to two months, a full bar with an eclectic wine list, craft cocktails & mocktails and local beers on tap, we encourage you to try something new at every visit.

Our concept is globally-inspired Bistro fare - we draw inspiration from our own world travels and places on our bucket list to create dishes that will nourish your body and soul. We care deeply about food and where it comes from. We use fresh, local ingredients whenever it is practical, and make nearly everything from scratch. We love sharing our food and hospitality with the Noblesville community!

Top review

DanielVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Simply outstanding! We chose to sit at the bar and enjoyed our team service last night. Each course was simply fabulous.

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Experience

Ramen Shop Pop Up: Full-Menu-Takeover!

Experience

Celebrate New Year's Eve at the Bistro!

Vida

5.0

5 (2149)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Downtown Indy

About the restaurant

Vida provides an unparalleled dining experience with fresh, innovative Modern American cuisine, carefully crafted cocktails, a diverse wine collection and professional fine dining service, all in a warm, approachable environment.

Top review

JenniferVIP

Dined 4 days ago

As always it was amazing. Alex took great care of us and the food was stunning and delicious. We do a girls dinner every holiday season, and cannot wait to do it again.

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Experience

Give More to Get More this Holiday Season!

Experience

Valentine's Day at Vida

Our Table | American Bistro

4.9

4.9 (1644)

$30 and under

American

Bargersville

About the restaurant

Our Table brings the food, service, and atmosphere to the south side that you have been craving. Chef Joe Miller and his team source the best ingredients and make all their offerings from scratch. They showcase their fresh ingredients using preparations that are simple, yet refined. Come to Our Table to experience fresh seafood flown in daily; delicious hand-made artisan flatbreads; signature beef tenderloin sliders; or a sizzling steak.

Top review

Steve

Dined 4 days ago

Celebrating a birthday. All three dishes were delicious. Walleye, chicken piccata and shrimp Diablo. Great service and food absolutely delicious. Our waitress was the best.

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Beef Tenderloin Sliders (2)

Cascade

4.8

4.8 (215)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

South Bend

About the restaurant

South Bend’s newest dining destination, Cascade, showcases fresh seafood, shellfish towers and prime steaks. Featuring signature cocktails, craft beer and an extensive wine program with over 400 selections. Floor to ceiling windows provide unparalleled views of the St. Joseph River. Modern yet understated décor, open kitchen and wood fired hearth are the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable evening. Join us on our large river side patio and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Cascade waterfall, Keepers of the Fire sculpture and river lights, or dine at our custom-built bar: with every seat enjoying uninterrupted views of the water. Private dining for groups of 8-50 people

Top review

Jim

Dined 2 days ago

Outstanding meal start to finish. 10 out of 10. Kim was amazing. What a wonderful place. We will return.

The Cake Bake Shop - Carmel City Center

4.8

4.8 (5609)

$31 to $50

American

Carmel / Westfield

About the restaurant

Thank you for your interest in dining with us! Please note, for Afternoon Tea reservations, please contact our Events team. Any additional guests may not be added to your reservation nor do we honor multiple reservations intended to create a larger party. Thank you for understanding!

Transport yourself into a magical fairytale and prepare for an unforgettable experience. For our savory menu, we offer a lunch and dinner featuring some traditional dishes as well as our signature quiche and chicken salade. Our menu changes seasonally and everything on our menu is house made from scratch daily with our commitment to the highest quality and ingredients. Our full bar offers signature cocktails, Champagne and beer. Delicious three-layer cakes, as well as cheesecakes, pies, cookies, and other desserts fill our elegantly designed display case and are served daily. Gwendolyn's Cake Bake Shop's have become the destination of Indianapolis for celebrating all life's special occasions.

Top review

Amanda

Dined 5 days ago

Always a treat! The desserts are incredible, ambiance fantastic, and the experience is delightful. Multiple items on my “wish list” were already sold out but fortunately many things to choose from.

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Raspberry Champagne Cake

Borage

4.9

4.9 (38)

$30 and under

American

West Indy

About the restaurant

Chefs Josh Kline and Zoë Taylor bring vibrant, progressive American cuisine and freshly baked pastries to life at Borage. Located just a short walk from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, this café, bakery, and market works hand-in-hand with local Indiana farms to craft unique dishes, from reimagined classics to innovative options for both meat lovers and vegetarians.

Settle into the relaxed, diner-style café for a flavorful meal, or unwind in the market with a fresh pastry and a coffee beverage. The market is perfect for meeting friends, working remotely, or having a quick business meeting over a latte. You’ll also find fresh, locally-farmed meats and produce, and unique spices and products you won’t get at big-box stores.

After just a few months of being open, Borage was recently named to the Indianapolis Monthly Best Restaurants 2024 list. Come experience Borage for yourself and see why.

Top review

Dined 4 days ago

So good. The vegan desserts ( I had bread pudding) were some of the best I've ever had

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