9 Highest-Rated Restaurants in Indiana That Are Always Worth the Visit

The review says five stars. The empty stomach says, “Let’s verify that.” That is the sensible approach to this Indiana restaurant trail.

Ratings can tell you where people are impressed. They cannot tell you what happens when the food lands.

That part requires a fork. Across the state, highly rated restaurants range from longtime institutions with generations of history to newer spots that have convinced diners to take a chance on something different.

Some serve comfort food. Others lean adventurous.

A few have dishes famous enough to become the entire reason for the trip. Put them together and dinner starts becoming its own form of sightseeing.

The map gets interesting. So does the menu.

1. St. Elmo Steak House, Indianapolis

Tears are practically part of the menu at St. Elmo Steak House, and regulars would not have it any other way. The culprit is the famous shrimp cocktail, served with a sauce packed with so much fresh horseradish that first-timers often reach for water after one bite.

Consider it a rite of passage.

The restaurant has been serving downtown Indianapolis since 1902, making it the oldest steakhouse in the city still at its original location. Find it at 127 S Illinois St, Indianapolis, IN 46225, just a short stroll from the convention center and the big sports arenas.

Inside, dark wood, white tablecloths, and old photos give the rooms a classic, big-city glow. Servers move quickly but never seem rushed.

Many have worked there for years, and it shows in how smoothly everything runs.

Steaks are the main event, of course. Each one comes with a choice of navy bean soup or tomato juice, a tradition that has lasted for generations and still surprises newcomers.

Say yes to the soup at least once.

Reservations are a smart move, especially on weekends or during major downtown events. Families celebrating birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries fill many tables, and the mood feels festive without being stuffy.

For anyone exploring Indianapolis for the first time, this spot offers a tasty slice of city history. Leave room, and maybe bring tissues for that sauce.

2. Shapiro’s Delicatessen, Indianapolis

Corned beef piled so high it needs two hands and a plan. That is the usual first impression at Shapiro’s Delicatessen, a family-run favorite that opened back in 1905.

The deli sits at 808 S Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46225, a few blocks south of the downtown skyline. Service works cafeteria style, so grab a tray, slide it along the counter, and point at whatever looks good.

Decisions come fast here, which is part of the fun.

Sandwiches are the stars, with corned beef and pastrami sliced thick and stacked on fresh rye bread. Matzo ball soup is another comfort pick, especially on a chilly Indiana afternoon.

The potato pancakes also have a loyal following.

Then there is dessert. Cakes and pies sit in a glass case like trophies, and the slices are enormous.

Splitting one with a friend is not a sign of weakness, just good sense.

The dining room is bright, simple, and a little noisy, with office workers, families, and travelers all sharing the space. Nobody stands on ceremony.

It is the kind of place where a quick lunch can easily stretch into a long chat.

Lunchtime lines can get long, but they move quickly. Arriving a bit before noon or in mid-afternoon usually means an easier time finding a table.

Either way, expect to leave full and very happy.

3. Nick’s Kitchen, Huntington

Ask any Hoosier about the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, and a proud grin usually follows. The story of that oversized sandwich traces back to Huntington, where Nick Freienstein started selling it from a food cart in 1904.

His cart eventually grew into Nick’s Kitchen, now found at 506 N Jefferson St, Huntington, IN 46750. The small downtown diner still serves the famous tenderloin, pounded thin, breaded, and fried until golden.

It hangs way past the edges of the bun, and nobody seems to mind.

Fun fact for the road. Many food historians credit this very spot as the birthplace of the sandwich, which is now a staple at Indiana fairs, diners, and festivals.

Eating one here feels a bit like visiting a museum, only tastier.

The atmosphere is cozy and homey, with booths, a counter, and friendly chatter from locals who clearly know each other. Breakfast draws a steady crowd too.

Pancakes, eggs, and hash browns come out hot and generous.

Save room for pie if possible. Sugar cream pie, Indiana’s official state pie, shows up often and makes a sweet ending to a classic Hoosier meal.

Huntington sits along a pleasant drive in northeast Indiana, so this stop fits nicely into a road trip toward Fort Wayne. Come hungry, and maybe skip the snacks beforehand.

4. Hollyhock Hill, Indianapolis

Sunday dinner at grandma’s house, minus the dishes. Hollyhock Hill has been serving family-style fried chicken since 1928, and the recipe for comfort has barely changed.

The restaurant sits at 8110 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46240, in a quiet corner of the north side. Its cottage look and flower-trimmed grounds give it a sweet, almost storybook feel.

Summer visits bring colorful blooms that match the restaurant’s name.

Meals arrive on shared platters passed around the table. Crispy fried chicken leads the parade, followed by mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, corn, and warm biscuits.

The sweet and sour lettuce salad surprises plenty of first-timers, then quickly becomes a favorite.

Seconds are part of the tradition. Servers keep bringing more until everyone is ready to wave the white napkin.

Pace yourself, because dessert still waits at the end.

The dining rooms feel bright and cheerful, with a vintage charm that suits big family gatherings. Grandparents, grandkids, and everyone in between tend to fill the tables on weekends and holidays.

Birthdays here have a special kind of warmth.

Calling ahead for large groups is a good idea, since busy evenings can fill up fast. Plan for a slow, relaxed meal rather than a quick bite.

This is a place built for lingering, telling stories, and reaching for one more drumstick.

5. Das Dutchman Essenhaus, Middlebury

Horse-drawn buggies clip-clop along the roads near Middlebury, setting a slower, gentler pace before the first bite. Das Dutchman Essenhaus captures that Amish country spirit on a grand scale.

Open since 1971, the restaurant is part of a larger village campus at 240 US-20, Middlebury, IN 46540. Along with the big dining hall, there is a bakery, shops, gardens, and even an inn.

It is easy to spend half a day wandering around.

The menu leans hearty and homemade. Broasted chicken, roast beef, mashed potatoes, and thick egg noodles are crowd favorites.

Family-style meals let everyone try a little of everything.

Pie deserves its own paragraph. The bakery turns out dozens of flavors, from creamy peanut butter to fruit-filled classics, and the slices tower above the plate.

Picking just one can take a surprisingly long time.

Inside, the decor is simple and warm, with wood accents and quilt-inspired touches. Tour buses and families both roll through, so the place hums with friendly energy.

Staff handle the crowds with calm, cheerful efficiency.

Visiting in spring or summer adds bonus charm, with flowers blooming around the grounds and farm stands popping up nearby. The surrounding Elkhart and LaGrange counties are full of quiet backroads worth exploring.

Grab a pie to go, because the ride home always feels long without one.

6. Schnitzelbank Restaurant, Jasper

Guten Appetit is more than a greeting in Jasper. This southern Indiana city was settled by many German families in the 1800s, and that heritage still flavors daily life, especially at Schnitzelbank Restaurant.

Serving guests since 1961, the restaurant welcomes diners at 393 3rd Ave, Jasper, IN 47546. The building has a cheerful Bavarian look that stands out right away.

Kids tend to love the playful details.

Wiener schnitzel is the obvious order, a thin cutlet breaded and fried until crispy and golden. Sides like German potato salad, sauerkraut, and sweet red cabbage round out the plate.

Bratwurst and hearty sausages are also popular choices.

A salad bar gives lighter eaters plenty of options, though most people end up saving room for German-style desserts. Warm apple strudel is hard to pass up.

So is the dark, rich chocolate cake.

The dining room feels cozy and a little old-fashioned in the best way, with wood trim, folksy decorations, and a relaxed pace. Waitstaff often wear traditional outfits, which adds to the fun.

Locals treat it as a gathering spot for celebrations of all sizes.

Jasper also hosts a lively Strassenfest each summer, celebrating its German roots with parades, music, and food. Timing a visit around that festival makes the trip even more memorable.

Any other time of year still delivers plenty of flavor and friendly small-town hospitality.

7. Joseph Decuis, Roanoke

Small towns rarely come with a farm-raised Wagyu herd, but Roanoke is full of surprises. Joseph Decuis brings fine dining to this tiny northeast Indiana town, and food lovers drive from far away to try it.

The restaurant sits in a historic brick storefront at 191 N Main St, Roanoke, IN 46783, just southwest of Fort Wayne. Inside, the mood is calm and elegant, with soft lighting, artwork, and tables spaced for quiet conversation.

Big-city polish meets a sleepy Main Street.

What makes it special is the farm connection. The owners raise their own Wagyu cattle and grow produce nearby, so much of what lands on the plate traveled only a few miles.

That kind of freshness is easy to taste.

Menus shift with the seasons, highlighting spring greens, summer tomatoes, autumn squash, and hearty winter dishes. The Wagyu is the headline, rich and tender.

Seafood and vegetable plates hold their own too.

Plan ahead, because reservations are strongly recommended. Evenings here are best treated as an event, perfect for anniversaries, graduations, or any milestone that calls for something special.

Dressing up a little fits the mood nicely.

Before or after dinner, stroll the short Main Street to see the charming old buildings. Roanoke is small enough to explore in a few minutes.

It is also proof that some of Indiana’s most exciting cooking hides in unexpected places.

8. Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor, Columbus

A giant mechanical music machine plays tunes in the corner while sundaes slide across marble counters. Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor feels like a time capsule, and that is exactly the point.

Greek brothers opened the parlor in 1900, and it has welcomed sweet tooths ever since. Find it at 329 Washington St, Columbus, IN 47201, right in the heart of downtown.

A careful restoration brought back the original glamour, from stained glass to polished wood.

The star of the room is a rare Welte orchestrion, a huge automatic instrument that fills the space with old-time music. Kids tend to stare at it with wide eyes.

Adults usually do too.

Ice cream is made in house, and the classic sundaes arrive dripping with hot fudge or fruit toppings. Old-fashioned sodas and milkshakes keep the soda fountain spirit alive.

Savory options, like the grilled Cheese-Burger sandwich, make it easy to turn dessert into a full lunch.

Don’t miss the small museum area showing antique soda fountains and vintage gear. It adds a fun history lesson to the visit.

Nobody will complain about learning with a spoon in hand.

Columbus is famous for its modern architecture, with striking buildings designed by world-known architects scattered around town. Pairing a walking tour with a sundae stop makes a perfect afternoon.

Old and new blend here in a surprisingly delightful way.

9. Mother Bear’s Pizza, Bloomington

Scribbled names, silly notes, and messages of love cover nearly every inch of the walls. At Mother Bear’s Pizza, reading the graffiti is almost as much fun as eating.

This beloved pizza spot sits at 1428 E 3rd St, Bloomington, IN 47401, a short walk from the Indiana University campus. Generations of students have celebrated big wins, finished exams, and first dates here.

Their marks remain on the walls as a kind of family scrapbook.

Deep dish is the signature order, with a thick, buttery crust and plenty of gooey cheese. Patience is required, since good deep dish takes time to bake.

Trust the wait.

Thin crust and stuffed pizzas are available too, along with creative toppings for adventurous eaters. Breadsticks with dipping sauce make a great warm-up.

Salads help balance things out, at least in theory.

The mood inside is lively and casual, especially during basketball season when the whole town seems to wear crimson. Families, students, and visiting fans all squeeze into booths.

Noise levels rise, but so does the fun.

Bloomington itself is worth exploring, with tree-lined campus paths, colorful shops, and nearby Lake Monroe for outdoor adventures. Grabbing pizza here caps off a busy day perfectly.

Bring a marker, just in case there is still a tiny blank spot on the wall.