Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Indianapolis

OpenTable

Updated December 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!

Daddy Jack's Restaurant & Bar

4.8

4.8 (1066)

$30 and under

American

Broad Ripple / Meridian - Kessler

About the restaurant

For over three decades Daddy Jack's has served up tantalizing appetizers, salads, pasta dishes, chicken, hand-cut steaks and seafood. Relax with a generous libation and you'll quickly see why this is Indianapolis' fine dining favorite spot for food, fun, and friends. Join the crowd for a sporting event on one of our many TV's, or request a secluded corner for a romantic dinner for two.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Very enjoyable dinner with friends. Connie our server was excellent. The food tasted great.

LA Cafe

4.8

4.8 (628)

$30 and under

American

NW Indy / Zionsville

About the restaurant

We’re a local business that is proud to serve our supporting community and any new customer that enters our restaurant.
We’re always trying new things! That’s why we’re happy to serve you on our newly renovated patio!
Join us to enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner from Monday to Saturday! We have pasta, seafood, sandwiches, steaks, cocktails, and more!

Top review

Jeff

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

This restaurant is always great! Have never had a bad experience. Excellent food and service! Highly recommend!!

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Popular dish

Chicken Parmesan

Rusty Bucket - 86th & Ditch

4.8

4.8 (538)

$30 and under

American

Broad Ripple / Meridian - Kessler

About the restaurant

Rusty Bucket is a casual neighborhood tavern serving the highest quality food and beverage in a “come as you are” setting. Scratch kitchens, fresh cocktails, and the perfect pour are our craft. Our associates are welcoming, and our hospitality naturally makes us the local hub where friends and family frequently gather to share in a good time.

Top review

Kerry

Dined 6 days ago

We had a group of 7 and really enjoyed our dining experience. Everyone loved their meal!

Canal Bistro - Mediterranean Grille

4.7

4.7 (775)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Broad Ripple / Meridian - Kessler

About the restaurant

The Canal Bistro is the realization of a dream for Mona and George Hanna. George's homeland is Egypt; Mona spent her first 23 years in Lebanon. They know Mediterranean cooking. George has been in the restaurant business for 22 years. And over the years, Mona watched her mother and grandmother cook for their big family from their own herb and vegetable gardens, learning the value of freshness in cooking.

George says. "It's been our dream to open our own place, to be creative with cuisine, and to have a family business that our sons can be a part of."

The Canal Bistro is that dream. "It's like you've come to one of our parties -- we've basically just moved our kitchen from home to here," they say. "We put the grill in the dining room because we want people to know that we are using top quality ingredients, and that freshness is our goal, so everything is done right in front of you."

So eat up, relax, be happy. You're eating in a dream come true!

Top review

Noah

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

When I walked inside, I was warmly greeted by the women up front. After we sat down, we quickly got service and then ordered our food. Bread came shortly after and was delicious. Overall, the foods were incredible as was the service as well.

The Locale

4.7

4.7 (380)

$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

MichaelVIP

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

Great service and delicious food! Always love the Locale.

Tavern at the Point

4.7

4.7 (95)

$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

RANDYVIP

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

An OUTSTANDING place to have dinner or drinks. Ambiance and food was perfect in this small tavern/pub setting close to the core downtown of Indy. Jesse our waiter was spot on the whole time. Perfect. We traveled here to Indy to watch our Oregon Ducks SPANK Penn State and this was a PERFECT appetizer and we will be back. Thank you, Tavern on the Point!

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Experience

Give More to Get More this Holiday Season!

FoxGardin Family Kitchen

4.6

4.6 (783)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Fishers / Geist

About the restaurant

FoxGardin Family is a restaurant that focuses on bringing fresh local ingredients to a family style restaurant in an atmosphere that appeals to all ages.

Top review

Katie

Dined 1 day ago

Outstanding service. We had a wonderful waitress that was very attentive, personable and treated our children wonderfully. Wonderful variety of food options. Will definitely be back

Gather 22

4.6

4.6 (127)

$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

Emory

Dined 3 days ago

Gather 22 is exactly what Indy’s dining scene needed! We stopped in for lunch while picking up friends from out of town, and it instantly became a highlight of our day. From the moment we walked in, the space felt warm, welcoming, and full of energy. The attention to detail—from the thoughtful decor to the friendly, attentive service—was incredible. The Byrne’s grilled pizza was hands-down the best we’ve had—perfectly crispy, loaded with flavor, and absolutely unforgettable. If you’re visiting during the Yuletide Tiki Tavern, don’t miss the Hoosier Vice. It’s a fun, festive twist on the classic Miami Vice and completely hits the mark. We will be back many, MANY times.

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Experience

Yuletide Tiki Tavern

Upland Brewing Co - Clay Terrace

4.5

4.5 (36)

$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

Mary

Dined on Nov 7, 2024

Our family loves upland! Always the best service.

Taxman Bargersville

4.4

4.4 (126)

$30 and under

American

Bargersville

About the restaurant

Taxman Bargersville is a gastronomic destination and tap room that shares a building with the award
winning Taxman Brewing Co. Our culinary team is committed to artfully pairing the highest quality local
ingredients with house-made craft beers and wine. Our seasonally evolving menu features fresh
interpretations on familiar favorites, local grass-fed beef burgers and Belgian inspired double fried fries
(“frites” as they say in Belgium).

The restaurant features a full bar with craft beer, global wine selection and cocktails. The expansive outdoor patio is dog friendly and includes a fire pit. The upstairs loft area is available for private events and features a private bar and seating for up to 90 guests.

Top review

Norvin

Dined 4 days ago

FIRST TIME LINDA AND I WENT JUST FOR APPETIZERS. BEER CHEESE AND PRETZEL AWESOME. BRUSSEL SPROUTS, AMAZING. GREAT TASTE AND PRESENTATION. ALMONDS MADE A DELIGHTFUL TASTE ADDITION. SALMON PATTIES...DISAPPOINTING. ASKED SERVER HOW PATTIES WERE PREPARED. SAUTEED. BAD, BAD IDEA. DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO THE FLAVOR PROFILE THAT WAS COMPLEMENTARY. LIGHT BREADING, FRYING, THEN ADDING SAUCE WOULD HAVE BEEN A WINNER. KEEP COMING BACK. DINNER BEFORE BROWN COUNTY MUSIC CENTER. RICKY SKAGGS CHRISTMAS SHOW

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