Here in Indiana, we know great food often comes out of restaurants that might not look like much from the outside. Some of our favorite places are neighborhood restaurants you wouldn’t know to visit unless someone told you to. We’re spreading some of the love for the amazing neighborhood restaurants in Indiana today, by recommending 12 amazing local joints you’ll want to visit time and time again.
- Turoni’s Pizzery & Brewery – Evansville
Jeep1977/TripAdvisor
HanKelly/TripAdvisor Turoni’s is basically Evansville for pizza. This staple has been serving up some of the best thin pizza and beers in southern Indiana for over 30 years. While they now have two Evansville locations and another in Newburgh, most residents agree there’s something special about their Pizzery & Brewery location. Find them at: 408 N Main St, Evansville, IN 47711
- Tate’s Place – Portage
Tate’s Place/Facebook
Summer C./Yelp Tate’s Place has been a dining refuge for locals for years. They’re open for just breakfast and lunch, but they’re worth getting up early for. When you need a big breakfast that satisfies you and will keep you fueled for hours, you need to visit Tate’s. Find them at: 3051 Willowcreek Rd, Portage, Indiana 46368
- Coney Island – Fort Wayne
Tim M./Yelp
Amy R./Yelp You don’t need class to enjoy a good meal. Fort Wayne’s often overlooked Coney Island has been whipping up famous Coney dogs for over 100 years! Step back in time and enjoy good old fashioned American food at its finest, complete with Coke in a bottle. Find them at: 131 W Main St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
- Southern Style Family Dining – Connersville
Michelle S./Yelp
Michelle S./Yelp If the name alone doesn’t sell you on this place, one taste sure will! You’ll find classic southern favorites like chicken and dumplings, gumbo, fried chicken, catfish, and greens. There’s no way you’ll leave hungry from this place (and you’ll definitely want to stop back for breakfast). Find them at: 203 12nd vine St, Connersville, IN 47331
- Trolley’s BBQ – Nashville
Bryan M./Yelp
Erin B./Yelp You won’t find a place to sit in this place (because all seating is outside), but you’ll definitely keep coming back for more. From pulled pork and sliders to classic Coney dogs, this no frills BBQ and comfort food stop is one of the best neighborhood finds in Nashville. Find them at: 11 E Gould St, Nashville, IN 47448
- Gray Brothers Cafeteria – Mooresville
Dom M./Yelp
Jennifer S./Yelp For winning home cooked meals, you have to check out Gary Brothers. This cafeteria-style restaurant has food that could rival your mother’s, including their ridiculous selection of mouth-watering desserts like cheesecake, fruit pies, carrot cake, and cobblers. Find them at: 555 S Indiana St, Mooresville, IN 46158
- Amazing Joe’s Grill - Muncie
Brad S./Yelp
Aaron S./Yelp If you love classic American fare, then you’re going to fall in love with Amazing Joe’s. This place does American food right with perfectly tender meats, brilliantly battered pork tenderloins, and addictive ribs. You won’t forget about your visit to this impressive place. Find them at: 909 N Wheeling Ave, Muncie, IN 47305
- Whisky’s Family Restaurant – Lawrenceburg
T.J./Yelp
David L./Yelp Whisky’s has it all: amazing food, fantastic service, and a winning atmosphere. You might have to wait for a table on weekend nights, but you’ll be handsomely rewarded. Consider trying their beloved ribs, peanut slaw, and finger lickin’ Cajun fries. Find them at: 334 Front St, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
- The Dugout – Indianapolis
Amy C./Yelp
Chris P./Yelp Blink and you might miss this tiny dive bar that fries up a mean assortment of entrees. You’ll find a variety of classic bar foods here like pizza, burgers, tenderloin sandwiches, and fries. Be sure to also try their heavenly fried bologna sandwich, an often overlooked menu choice. Find them at: 621 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203
- The Toast Café – Anderson
Jason D./Yelp
Jason D./Yelp Come here for a hearty breakfast that won’t cost an arm and a leg. The Toast Café is a local haunt in Anderson offering great lunches, and even better breakfasts. It might get a little crowded on weekend mornings, but you’ll definitely want to wait it out. Find them at: 28 E 13th St, Anderson, IN 46016
- South Street Smoke House – Lafayette
John H./TripAdvisor
Glenn55southlake/TripAdvisor There’s nothing fancy here, just BBQ done right. From pulled pork and chicken to their famous brisket, there’s an item here to satisfy every taste. With a delicious selection of sauces and a line to prove they’re food is worth it, you’ll find yourself a new favorite lunch spot. Find them at: 3305 South St, Ste 6, Lafayette, IN 47904
- Northside Diner – Chesterton
Heather H./Yelp
Zerb Z./Yelp This diner has out-of-this-world breakfasts and lunches. With comforting favorites like biscuits and gravy, huge and fluffy pancakes, and unbelievably great brisket and burgers, you’ll find something amazing here any time of day. Find them at: 100 N Calumet Rd, Chesterton, IN 46304
Which one of these neighborhood restaurants are you going to try first? Did we miss any? Let us know and in the meantime, check out these awesome Indiana restaurants loaded with local history.
Jeep1977/TripAdvisor
HanKelly/TripAdvisor
Turoni’s is basically Evansville for pizza. This staple has been serving up some of the best thin pizza and beers in southern Indiana for over 30 years. While they now have two Evansville locations and another in Newburgh, most residents agree there’s something special about their Pizzery & Brewery location. Find them at: 408 N Main St, Evansville, IN 47711
Find them at: 408 N Main St, Evansville, IN 47711
Tate’s Place/Facebook
Summer C./Yelp
Tate’s Place has been a dining refuge for locals for years. They’re open for just breakfast and lunch, but they’re worth getting up early for. When you need a big breakfast that satisfies you and will keep you fueled for hours, you need to visit Tate’s. Find them at: 3051 Willowcreek Rd, Portage, Indiana 46368
Find them at: 3051 Willowcreek Rd, Portage, Indiana 46368
Tim M./Yelp
Amy R./Yelp
You don’t need class to enjoy a good meal. Fort Wayne’s often overlooked Coney Island has been whipping up famous Coney dogs for over 100 years! Step back in time and enjoy good old fashioned American food at its finest, complete with Coke in a bottle. Find them at: 131 W Main St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Find them at: 131 W Main St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Michelle S./Yelp
If the name alone doesn’t sell you on this place, one taste sure will! You’ll find classic southern favorites like chicken and dumplings, gumbo, fried chicken, catfish, and greens. There’s no way you’ll leave hungry from this place (and you’ll definitely want to stop back for breakfast). Find them at: 203 12nd vine St, Connersville, IN 47331
Find them at: 203 12nd vine St, Connersville, IN 47331
Bryan M./Yelp
Erin B./Yelp
You won’t find a place to sit in this place (because all seating is outside), but you’ll definitely keep coming back for more. From pulled pork and sliders to classic Coney dogs, this no frills BBQ and comfort food stop is one of the best neighborhood finds in Nashville. Find them at: 11 E Gould St, Nashville, IN 47448
Find them at: 11 E Gould St, Nashville, IN 47448
Dom M./Yelp
Jennifer S./Yelp
For winning home cooked meals, you have to check out Gary Brothers. This cafeteria-style restaurant has food that could rival your mother’s, including their ridiculous selection of mouth-watering desserts like cheesecake, fruit pies, carrot cake, and cobblers. Find them at: 555 S Indiana St, Mooresville, IN 46158
Find them at: 555 S Indiana St, Mooresville, IN 46158
Brad S./Yelp
Aaron S./Yelp
If you love classic American fare, then you’re going to fall in love with Amazing Joe’s. This place does American food right with perfectly tender meats, brilliantly battered pork tenderloins, and addictive ribs. You won’t forget about your visit to this impressive place. Find them at: 909 N Wheeling Ave, Muncie, IN 47305
Find them at: 909 N Wheeling Ave, Muncie, IN 47305
T.J./Yelp
David L./Yelp
Whisky’s has it all: amazing food, fantastic service, and a winning atmosphere. You might have to wait for a table on weekend nights, but you’ll be handsomely rewarded. Consider trying their beloved ribs, peanut slaw, and finger lickin’ Cajun fries. Find them at: 334 Front St, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
Find them at: 334 Front St, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
Amy C./Yelp
Chris P./Yelp
Blink and you might miss this tiny dive bar that fries up a mean assortment of entrees. You’ll find a variety of classic bar foods here like pizza, burgers, tenderloin sandwiches, and fries. Be sure to also try their heavenly fried bologna sandwich, an often overlooked menu choice. Find them at: 621 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203
Find them at: 621 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203
Jason D./Yelp
Come here for a hearty breakfast that won’t cost an arm and a leg. The Toast Café is a local haunt in Anderson offering great lunches, and even better breakfasts. It might get a little crowded on weekend mornings, but you’ll definitely want to wait it out. Find them at: 28 E 13th St, Anderson, IN 46016
Find them at: 28 E 13th St, Anderson, IN 46016
John H./TripAdvisor
Glenn55southlake/TripAdvisor
There’s nothing fancy here, just BBQ done right. From pulled pork and chicken to their famous brisket, there’s an item here to satisfy every taste. With a delicious selection of sauces and a line to prove they’re food is worth it, you’ll find yourself a new favorite lunch spot. Find them at: 3305 South St, Ste 6, Lafayette, IN 47904
Find them at: 3305 South St, Ste 6, Lafayette, IN 47904
Heather H./Yelp
Zerb Z./Yelp
This diner has out-of-this-world breakfasts and lunches. With comforting favorites like biscuits and gravy, huge and fluffy pancakes, and unbelievably great brisket and burgers, you’ll find something amazing here any time of day. Find them at: 100 N Calumet Rd, Chesterton, IN 46304
Find them at: 100 N Calumet Rd, Chesterton, IN 46304
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