This British-Inspired Indiana Eatery Features Hearty Shepherd’s Pie and Authentic Scottish Eggs

I never expected to find a slice of Britain tucked into Indiana, but this restaurant proved me wonderfully wrong. From the moment you catch the aroma drifting from the kitchen, something shifts and suddenly you feel like you have traveled thousands of miles without leaving the state.

This modern British eatery has quietly become one of the most talked-about dining spots in the area, and for very good reason. Whether you grew up loving British culture or you are simply hungry for something different and deeply satisfying, this place delivers on every level.

I found myself thinking about the food long after leaving, which is always the truest sign of a restaurant worth revisiting.

The Shepherd’s Pie That Feels Like a Warm Hug

Comfort food has a way of cutting through a rough week, and the lamb shepherd’s pie at Cheeky Bastards does exactly that with quiet confidence. Rich with herbs and spices, the filling sits deep and satisfying beneath a crown of creamy mashed potatoes that arrive at your table still steaming.

It is the kind of dish that makes you slow down and actually taste what is in front of you.

What makes this version stand out is the balance. The meat is not overseasoned or drowned in salt.

Instead, the flavors layer naturally, building warmth with every forkful. Guests who have visited from Europe have noted how authentically the dish is prepared, which says a great deal about the kitchen’s commitment to getting it right.

Shepherd’s pie has roots going back centuries in British cooking, traditionally made as a way to use leftover roasted lamb with a potato crust on top. Cheeky Bastards honors that tradition while giving it a polish that feels current and intentional.

If you have never tried this dish before, this is genuinely one of the best places in Indiana to experience it for the first time. It pairs beautifully with a pot of their loose-leaf tea, making the whole meal feel like a proper British afternoon well spent.

Scottish Eggs Done the Right Way

There is something almost theatrical about a perfectly made Scottish egg. The crispy outer shell gives way to savory sausage meat, and then that soft yolk at the center arrives like a little reward for your patience.

At Cheeky Bastards, the scotch egg is one of the most-ordered starters on the menu, and after one bite it becomes very easy to understand why.

Guests who ordered it as an appetizer consistently describe it as delicious and satisfying, with the kind of texture contrast that makes you pause mid-bite. The exterior is golden and properly crisped, not greasy or heavy.

The inside stays moist and flavorful, which requires real technique to pull off consistently.

Scottish eggs have been a British pub staple since the 1700s, originally created as a portable snack for travelers. Cheeky Bastards brings that same hearty spirit into a polished dining room setting without losing any of the rustic charm that makes the dish so appealing.

Whether you order it as a starter before the shepherd’s pie or pair it with fish and chips, it holds its own as one of the kitchen’s genuine highlights. For Indiana diners who have never explored British cuisine beyond fish and chips, the scotch egg is the perfect introduction to what this food culture is really about.

Fish and Chips That Redefine the Standard

Bold claim, but several guests have said directly that Cheeky Bastards serves the best fish and chips in all of Indiana. That is not the kind of thing people say lightly, especially when some of those guests have roots in the United Kingdom and know exactly what the dish is supposed to taste like.

The batter is light, crispy, and golden without being thick or greasy.

The fish inside stays fresh, flaky, and tender, which tells you everything about the quality of ingredients being used. The chips are hand-cut and perfectly seasoned, arriving with just the right amount of bite.

One detail worth noting is that the kitchen fries in beef tallow, a traditional method that gives the chips a depth of flavor you simply cannot replicate with standard vegetable oil. It is the same approach used in classic British chippies for generations.

Portions here are genuinely generous. Multiple guests have mentioned that a single order of fish and chips could easily feed two people, which makes the price feel more than fair.

The housemade tartar sauce and the option to add malt vinegar round out the experience in the most classically British way possible. If you have a go-to spot for fish and chips anywhere in the state, Cheeky Bastards will make you reconsider that loyalty after just one visit.

A Proper British Afternoon Tea Experience

Afternoon tea is one of those experiences that feels inherently special, and Cheeky Bastards takes that feeling seriously. Hosted on select Sundays each month, the afternoon tea service brings together multiple tea selections, generously portioned finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, and a rotating selection of desserts that guests consistently describe as incredible.

The scones here deserve their own conversation. Moist on the inside, crumbly at the edges, with a light buttery flavor that melts without effort, they are unlike most scones you will find anywhere in Indiana.

The clotted cream served alongside them is the real deal, thick and rich in the way that only proper clotted cream can be. Even guests who do not normally enjoy tea have come away genuinely converted after their first visit.

Reservations for the afternoon tea service fill up quickly, so planning ahead is strongly recommended. The restaurant also sells loose-leaf tea and related products, so you can bring a little of that experience home with you.

There is something quietly joyful about sitting in a beautifully decorated room, surrounded by vintage teacups donated by guests over the years, sipping a perfectly steeped pot of tea. For anyone in the Indianapolis area looking for a unique and memorable way to spend a Sunday afternoon, this is one of the most genuinely enjoyable options available.

Decor and Atmosphere That Transport You Completely

Walking into Cheeky Bastards feels like the room itself has a personality. Vintage British posters line the walls alongside carefully arranged tea sets in corners and shelves.

The lighting is warm without being dim, and the layout of the dining spaces creates a sense of privacy that feels both intimate and welcoming at the same time.

Some guests have compared the separation of dining areas to a British-American traditional feel, with just enough coziness to make the space feel personal without being cramped. The decor is thoughtful rather than kitschy, which is a meaningful distinction.

Every element seems chosen with care, from the table and chair arrangements to the collection of customer-gifted teacups displayed throughout the room.

On busy nights like Valentine’s Day, the restaurant fills with energy that somehow does not feel chaotic. The British vibes hold steady even when every table is occupied, which speaks to how well the space is designed.

For Indiana locals who may not have traveled to the UK, the atmosphere here offers a genuinely immersive glimpse into what a modern British dining room actually feels like. It is clean, chic, and quietly elegant without ever feeling pretentious.

The bathroom has even earned its own enthusiastic mentions from guests, which tells you the attention to detail extends well beyond the dining room itself.

Beef Wellington Bites and a Menu Built for Exploration

The menu at Cheeky Bastards is one of those rare ones that makes you wish your stomach had more room. Beyond the headline dishes, there are items like beef Wellington bites that arrive with a shatteringly crispy outer layer and a soft, flavorful center.

They disappear quickly, which is probably the most honest review any appetizer can receive.

The Birmingham cheesesteak is another standout that surprises guests who were not expecting it. Juicy steak mixed with caramelized onions and melted cheese on toasted but soft bread, it is the kind of sandwich that could genuinely compete with Philadelphia’s famous version.

The BAP breakfast sandwich with banger sausage and British bacon is a weekend favorite, especially for guests coming in for Saturday brunch when the kitchen opens at 8 AM.

Crumpets, bubble and squeak, bangers and mash, hummus sandwiches, and chips with curry gravy round out a menu that rewards repeat visits. There is always something new to try, and the kitchen executes each dish with clear intention.

The curry gravy alone has earned its own loyal following among regulars. For anyone who thinks British food is limited or boring, a single trip through this menu will permanently change that assumption.

Cheeky Bastards makes the case for British cuisine with every plate it sends out of the kitchen.