10 Indiana Spots Where Dogs Are Welcome and the Food Is Amazing

I have spent a lot of weekends driving around Indiana with my dog riding shotgun, nose out the window, tail wagging like she already knows where we are headed. Finding places that welcome her while also serving food I actually want to eat used to feel like a treasure hunt.

But Indiana has quietly built a solid collection of spots that get it right on both fronts. From the busy sidewalks of Indianapolis to the college-town charm of Bloomington and the riverfront energy of New Albany, this state has dog-friendly dining dialed in.

These are not just places that tolerate your pup at a corner table. They roll out the welcome mat, keep water bowls nearby, and serve dishes worth driving for.

1. Flatwater Restaurant

Right along the canal in Indianapolis, Flatwater Restaurant has the kind of outdoor patio that makes you want to cancel all your other plans. The setting alone is reason enough to show up, but the food keeps you coming back.

Fresh seafood, thoughtful salads, and a rotating menu of seasonal plates make every visit feel a little different.

Dogs are genuinely welcomed here, not just tolerated. The staff often greet four-legged guests with water bowls and a friendly scratch behind the ears.

Your pup will feel right at home while you settle into something like the lobster roll or a beautifully plated fish entree.

The canal-side atmosphere creates a natural breeze that keeps outdoor seating comfortable even on warmer days. Nearby, you can take a stroll along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail or walk the canal path with your dog before or after your meal.

It is a genuinely relaxing way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Located at 832 E Westfield Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46220, Flatwater is one of those places that checks every box for a dog-friendly dining experience with real culinary substance behind it.

2. The Runcible Spoon Cafe

Bloomington locals have been loyal to The Runcible Spoon Cafe for decades, and once you visit, you understand why. The place has a lived-in, welcoming energy that feels nothing like a chain restaurant.

Mismatched furniture, local art on the walls, and a menu full of scratch-made breakfast and brunch items create an atmosphere that is genuinely hard to replicate.

Dogs are a common sight on the cafe’s outdoor patio, which spills out onto a shaded sidewalk perfect for people watching. Regulars bring their dogs without a second thought, and the staff are clearly used to accommodating furry guests with grace.

Bring your pup on a weekend morning and claim a good table early because this spot fills up fast.

The food is the real draw. Generous portions of eggs benedict, fluffy pancakes, and creative omelets have earned this cafe a devoted following among students, professors, and longtime residents alike.

The biscuits deserve their own reputation entirely. Located at 412 E 6th St, Bloomington, IN 47408, The Runcible Spoon is a short walk from Bryan Park, where you can let your dog stretch their legs after a satisfying meal.

It is a Bloomington tradition that feels personal every single time.

3. Petite Chou Bistro & Champagne Bar

Petite Chou Bistro sits just across from Flatwater on Westfield Boulevard and brings a completely different energy to the same neighborhood. French-inspired dishes, a warm bistro atmosphere, and a patio that feels genuinely romantic make this spot a favorite for date nights and leisurely weekend lunches alike.

The name means little cabbage in French, which is actually a term of endearment, and that warmth carries through every detail of the restaurant.

Your dog is welcome on the outdoor patio, and the compact, tree-lined seating area gives the whole experience a tucked-in, European feel. Smaller dogs especially seem to love lounging under the bistro tables while their owners work through plates of moules frites or a perfectly dressed salade nicoise.

The kitchen takes its food seriously without taking itself too seriously.

Brunch at Petite Chou is something worth planning your weekend around. Crepes, quiches, and savory egg dishes come out beautifully plated and full of flavor.

Located at 823 E Westfield Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46220, the restaurant is an easy walk from Broad Ripple Park, which sits nearby along the White River. Spending a morning at the park and then settling in for brunch here with your dog is one of the better Saturday plans Indianapolis has to offer.

4. Upland Brewing Co.

Upland Brewing Co. in Bloomington has built a reputation that goes well beyond its location on 11th Street. The outdoor patio is spacious, lively, and genuinely dog-friendly in a way that feels like the whole setup was designed with pet owners in mind.

Wide open seating, plenty of shade, and a crowd that skews young and social make it one of the more energetic dining patios in the city.

The food menu holds its own with a strong lineup of burgers, flatbreads, sandwiches, and seasonal specials that rotate throughout the year. The kitchen sources locally when it can, and you can taste that commitment in the freshness of the ingredients.

The pretzel bites with dipping sauce have developed a serious fan base among regulars.

Dogs are a regular fixture on the patio, often drawing more attention than the food. The staff keeps water available and the atmosphere is relaxed enough that even an excitable dog settles in quickly.

Located at 350 W 11th St, Bloomington, IN 47404, Upland is a short distance from the Indiana University campus and close to Switchyard Park, a newer green space that is popular with dog owners. Pairing a visit to the park with a stop at Upland makes for a full, satisfying afternoon that both you and your dog will enjoy.

5. Half Liter Beer & BBQ Hall

Half Liter Beer and BBQ Hall on Winthrop Avenue in Indianapolis does not mess around when it comes to smoked meat. The brisket is tender and rich, the ribs have a bark that holds up beautifully, and the sides, from mac and cheese to collard greens, are the kind that make you reconsider your portion sizes.

This is serious BBQ served in a setting that welcomes dogs without hesitation.

The outdoor area is casual and spacious, built for exactly the kind of long, unhurried meal that good barbecue demands. Dogs roam the patio regularly, and the staff seem genuinely happy to see them.

Bring a leash, grab a shaded table, and settle in for the kind of meal that requires no rushing.

Half Liter has earned its place as a neighborhood institution in the Broad Ripple and Glendale area of Indianapolis. The crowds on weekends reflect how many people have discovered it.

Located at 5301 Winthrop Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220, the restaurant is close to the Monon Trail, which makes it a natural stop before or after a long walk or bike ride with your dog. Few things pair as well with a day on the trail as a plate of properly smoked BBQ shared on a shaded outdoor patio with your best four-legged companion by your side.

6. The Exchange Pub + Kitchen

New Albany does not always get the spotlight it deserves, but The Exchange Pub and Kitchen on West Main Street is one very good reason to make the trip across the Ohio River. The restaurant sits in a historic building in downtown New Albany, and the outdoor patio carries that same sense of character.

Exposed brick, warm lighting, and a menu that balances comfort food with creative twists make this a place worth the drive.

Dogs are welcome on the patio, and the outdoor seating connects naturally with the energy of downtown New Albany, a walkable stretch of local shops, galleries, and cafes. Bringing your dog here on a weekend afternoon means you can explore the neighborhood before or after your meal without ever having to put them back in the car.

The food at The Exchange is built around fresh, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Burgers, flatbreads, and seasonal entrees rotate regularly, and the kitchen clearly takes pride in what it puts out.

Located at 118 W Main St, New Albany, IN 47150, the restaurant is a short walk from Bicentennial Park along the Ohio River, where dogs can stretch their legs and enjoy the waterfront views. New Albany has a growing food scene, and The Exchange Pub and Kitchen sits comfortably at the center of it, welcoming both locals and visitors with equal enthusiasm.

7. Farm Bloomington

Farm Bloomington has built its entire identity around the idea that food should be honest, local, and thoughtfully prepared. The menu changes with the seasons because the kitchen works directly with regional farmers and producers to source ingredients at their peak.

Sitting down at Farm means eating something that feels genuinely connected to the land around Bloomington, which is a rare and satisfying experience.

The restaurant welcomes dogs on its outdoor patio, and the calm, unhurried atmosphere there suits both the food philosophy and the kind of relaxed afternoon a dog owner hopes for. The patio is modest in size but carefully maintained, with a warmth that matches the restaurant’s overall character.

If you come with your dog on a slower weekday, you might have the whole outdoor space to yourselves.

Dishes at Farm are creative without being overcomplicated. Think roasted root vegetables, heritage grain bowls, and proteins prepared with real care and technique.

The dessert menu leans into seasonal fruit and house-made components that change regularly. Located at 108 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, IN 47408, Farm is right in the heart of downtown Bloomington, steps from Peoples Park and a short walk from the Monroe County Public Library.

It is the kind of restaurant that makes you think differently about where your food comes from, and that mindset lingers long after the meal ends.

8. BRU Burger Bar

Massachusetts Avenue in Indianapolis is one of the most vibrant stretches of urban energy in the state, and BRU Burger Bar fits right into that scene. The restaurant has built a following on the strength of its creative burger lineup, which goes far beyond the standard options.

Toppings like truffle aioli, fried eggs, and house-made sauces turn each burger into something worth deliberating over before you order.

The outdoor patio on Mass Ave is a natural spot for dog owners who want to enjoy the neighborhood energy while keeping their pup close. Dogs are welcomed here without fuss, and the sidewalk patio gives you a front-row seat to one of Indianapolis’s most walkable and interesting corridors.

After your meal, the whole stretch of galleries, boutiques, and theaters along Massachusetts Avenue is yours to explore.

BRU also does a solid lineup of loaded fries, crispy onion rings, and fresh-cut sides that round out the meal in a satisfying way. The portions are generous, and the kitchen does not cut corners on quality.

Located at 410 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46204, the restaurant is close to the Indianapolis Cultural Trail and just down the street from the Athenaeum, a beautifully restored historic building worth a look. Few spots in Indianapolis combine great food, a great neighborhood, and genuine dog-friendliness as naturally as BRU Burger Bar does.

9. Kuma’s Corner

Kuma’s Corner on Prospect Street in Indianapolis is not trying to blend in, and that is exactly the point. Originally from Chicago, this outpost in Indianapolis carries the same bold, unapologetic identity that made the original famous.

The burgers are named after heavy metal bands, stacked high with unexpected toppings, and built for people who want their food to make a statement.

The outdoor patio welcomes dogs, and the crowd that gravitates toward Kuma’s tends to be the kind that genuinely loves animals. The vibe is loud, fun, and unfiltered in the best possible way.

Your dog will fit right into the energy, especially if they are the type who thrives in a social, high-energy environment.

Do not let the rock-and-roll aesthetic fool you into thinking the kitchen is all style and no substance. The burgers are genuinely excellent, made with quality beef and assembled with real intention.

The mac and cheese is rich and satisfying, and the loaded fries deserve serious attention. Located at 1127 Prospect St, Indianapolis, IN 46203, Kuma’s sits in the Fountain Square neighborhood, which is one of Indianapolis’s most interesting and creative districts.

After your meal, the neighborhood itself is worth exploring, with local art spaces, vintage shops, and the Fountain Square Theatre Building nearby. This is a burger experience that sticks with you.

10. Fire by the Monon

Fire by the Monon earns its name honestly. The kitchen uses a wood-fired approach that gives its dishes a depth of flavor you cannot get from a conventional oven or flat-top grill.

Pizzas come out with a beautifully charred crust and toppings that are carefully balanced rather than just piled on. Roasted vegetables, wood-fired proteins, and creative seasonal specials round out a menu that rewards adventurous eaters.

The location on Ferguson Street in Indianapolis puts it right along the Monon Trail, making it a natural destination for anyone who has spent the morning or afternoon walking or running the trail with their dog. The outdoor patio is relaxed and inviting, and dogs are a regular and welcome presence.

The trail crowd gives the whole atmosphere a healthy, active energy that feels different from a typical restaurant patio.

Service at Fire by the Monon tends to be warm and attentive without being intrusive, which is exactly what you want when you are trying to enjoy a long, comfortable meal outdoors with your dog. Located at 6523 Ferguson St, Indianapolis, IN 46220, the restaurant sits in a section of Indianapolis that connects easily to Broad Ripple Village, where additional dog-friendly shops and green spaces await.

Whether you stop here mid-trail or make it the main event of your outing, Fire by the Monon delivers on both food quality and genuine hospitality for pet owners.