I remember the first time I walked past the unassuming storefront at 1844 E 10th Street, just north of Woodruff Place in Indianapolis. The buzz around Beholder had been building for months, and I finally understood why after my first bite.
This James Beard-nominated restaurant has transformed the Indianapolis dining scene with bold flavors and creative dishes that push boundaries while honoring tradition. What makes this spot truly special is how Chef Jonathan Brooks blends Asian influences with Midwestern ingredients, creating something entirely unique to our city.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable food experience in 2026, this is your chance to explore a side of Indianapolis that locals have been raving about for years. The combination of innovative cooking, warm hospitality, and unexpected flavor combinations makes every visit feel like a celebration.
Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just curious about what all the excitement is about, this culinary adventure will change how you think about dining in Indiana.
The Chef’s Counter Experience Puts You in the Heart of the Action
Sitting at the chef’s counter at Beholder feels like getting a backstage pass to a culinary concert. You are just inches away from the kitchen team as they plate dishes with meticulous precision and artistry.
The energy is electric, and the aromas of fresh herbs, seared proteins, and rich sauces mingle in the air, giving you a sensory preview of each bite before it even reaches your plate.
What truly sets this experience apart is the interaction. The chefs do not just cook they engage, explaining techniques, sharing stories behind each ingredient, and occasionally offering tastes of dishes not even on the menu.
It is personal in a way that traditional table seating simply cannot replicate. You might learn why they selected a specific mushroom variety, how they perfected that signature anchovy sauce, or the inspiration behind a seasonal dish that surprises even regulars.
The counter seats fill up quickly, especially on weekends when the restaurant is open from 5 to 10 PM, making reservations essential for this prime spot. The kitchen crew balances incredible focus with a sense of approachable fun, drawing diners into their rhythm and making you feel like part of their culinary family for the evening.
This is not just dinner it is an education in modern cooking techniques, flavor layering, and creative ingredient use.
The Tasting Menu Takes You on an Unforgettable Flavor Journey
Beholder’s tasting menu is where Chef Brooks truly showcases his creative vision. Each course builds on the last, taking you through a progression of flavors that somehow makes perfect sense by the end.
You might start with oysters dressed in unexpected ways, move through inventive salads, and finish with perfectly cooked proteins that redefine what you thought steak or salmon could be.
The magic comes from the surprises. One reviewer mentioned a duck egg and chartreuse ice cream that ranked among their top three ice creams ever.
Another could not stop thinking about the brown butter salted caramel praline ice cream days later. These are not your typical dessert flavors and that is exactly the point.
The tasting menu changes regularly, allowing locals to return multiple times throughout the year and experience something completely new each visit. During Devour Indy, the restaurant offers special menus that highlight their range while making fine dining more approachable.
Portion sizes are carefully calibrated so you leave satisfied but not overstuffed.
What stands out most is how the kitchen accommodates dietary needs. They can adjust the tasting menu for gluten-free diners or vegetarians without compromising creativity or quality.
This attention to detail is what keeps people coming back season after season.
The Wagyu Steak Sets a New Standard for Beef in Indianapolis
Multiple reviewers have called Beholder’s Wagyu steak one of the best they have had in years and that is not an exaggeration. The beef arrives at your table with a crust that shatters under your fork, revealing meat so tender it practically melts.
The marbling throughout ensures every bite is rich and full of flavor without being overwhelming.
What makes this dish truly memorable are the accompaniments. The mushrooms served alongside are carefully selected varieties that complement the beef’s richness with earthy depth.
Some versions come with a sweet potato puree so light and airy it almost floats on the plate. Each element works together instead of competing for attention.
The kitchen’s precision shows in the temperature. Order medium rare and you will get exactly that, with a warm red center that reflects their mastery of timing and heat control.
It is the kind of consistency that builds trust with diners who return again and again.
Yes, it is priced at the high end, but when you are talking about quality Wagyu prepared by a James Beard-nominated chef, the investment makes sense. This is not just eating; it is experiencing beef at its absolute finest, prepared by people who understand and respect the ingredient completely.
The Ice Cream Program Deserves Its Own Cult Following
Ask anyone who’s been to Beholder what surprised them most, and ice cream comes up constantly. This isn’t your standard vanilla or chocolate situation.
We’re talking pumpkin seed, chocolate rosemary, duck egg and chartreuse, and peppermint varieties that people remember months later. The textures are impossibly smooth, and the flavor combinations sound wild until you taste them and realize they’re genius.
The chocolate rosemary ice cream has particularly passionate fans. One reviewer described it as tasting like an Italian chocolate baked good, with the rosemary adding an herbal note that elevates the chocolate instead of fighting it.
The brown butter salted caramel praline version hits all the right notes of sweet, salty, and buttery in ways that make you slow down and savor every spoonful.
What’s remarkable is how these desserts complete the meal. After courses of bold, savory flavors, the ice cream provides a refreshing finish that cleanses your palate while still delivering complexity.
Some versions come with a flaky salt crunch on top or paired with sorbet for textural contrast.
The ice cream program changes seasonally, which means you could visit four times a year and discover completely new flavors each time. It’s this commitment to creativity and quality that sets Beholder apart from restaurants that treat dessert as an afterthought.
The Wednesday and Thursday Special Makes Fine Dining Accessible
Fine dining can feel intimidating or financially out of reach for many people. Beholder addresses this with their Wednesday and Thursday special that offers incredible value without compromising quality.
For $25, you get a complete meal at a James Beard-nominated restaurant, which is practically unheard of in the fine dining world.
This special has developed its own following among Indianapolis locals who make it a weekly ritual. It’s the perfect entry point if you’ve been curious about Beholder but hesitant about the price tag.
You get to experience the same attention to detail, the same creative kitchen, and the same excellent service as any other night.
The menu for the special changes regularly, so you’re not getting the same meal every time. One week might feature their famous burger, another might showcase seasonal fish or a pasta dish that demonstrates their range.
It’s an excellent way to sample different aspects of what makes Beholder special without committing to the full tasting menu.
The restaurant is open Tuesday through Thursday from 5 to 9 PM, and Friday through Saturday from 5 to 10 PM. They’re closed Sunday and Monday, which means those midweek nights can get busy with locals taking advantage of this deal.
Reservations are highly recommended if you want to guarantee a spot.
The Location Near Woodruff Place Makes It a Perfect Dining Destination
Beholder’s location at 1844 E 10th Street puts it in one of Indianapolis’s most interesting neighborhoods. Just north of the historic Woodruff Place, the restaurant sits in an area that’s seen significant revitalization in recent years.
The near east side has become a destination for people seeking authentic, locally-owned experiences rather than chain restaurants.
The neighborhood itself is worth exploring before or after your meal. Woodruff Place is known for its Victorian architecture and tree-lined streets that feel worlds away from downtown despite being just minutes away.
You could easily make an afternoon of it, walking through the historic district before settling in for dinner at Beholder.
Nearby, you’ll find other local gems like Bluebeard at 653 Virginia Ave, another innovative restaurant that’s helped put Indianapolis on the culinary map. The area also includes coffee shops, small galleries, and other independently-owned businesses that give the neighborhood its character.
It’s the kind of place where you run into neighbors and feel connected to the community.
The restaurant’s physical space has a casual vibe despite the fine dining caliber of the food. The main dining room has energy and buzz, with the wine storage visible and the kitchen action on display.
It’s this combination of approachable atmosphere and exceptional food that makes Beholder feel uniquely Indianapolis rather than trying to copy restaurants from coastal cities.
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