Indiana may often get overlooked on the national stage when it comes to its foodie offerings. But whether you’re looking for cozy lunch spots under $15 or inventive, gourmet dining, this Midwestern state has it all. While Indiana is home to a number of growing flavor-packed hubs, such as Westfield, Indiana’s capital city is certainly one of its epicenters. Indianapolis’ dining scene is quickly growing, as the city attracts a rising number of creative chefs and an increasing number of standout culinary offerings. In 2025 alone, over 80 new restaurants opened their doors in the city, so while it’s not the worst problem to have, narrowing down your list of must-tries for an upcoming trip is only becoming more of a challenge.
We’ve combed through numerous food-centric Reddit threads in r/Indianapolis, determining which restaurants earn the most frequent positive mentions among locals, and narrowing down that list to five unmissable eateries. From Latin American-inspired cuisine to seasonal, farm-fresh menus, Reddit foodies are loving chef-forward restaurants that offer innovative dishes, local ingredients, and unique experiences across the city — and these are their top five picks.
Borage
Since opening up in 2024, Borage has become the talk of Redditors across r/Indianapolis, also earning a mention in Indianapolis Monthly’s best restaurant list in 2025. Helmed by chefs Zoë Taylor and Josh Kline — who were previously behind Milktooth, another beloved Indianapolis eatery — Borage centers European-inspired cuisine utilizing American ingredients, most of which are sourced from local farmers and artisans. At the time of writing, weekend brunch service features dishes like lions mane mushroom steak and eggs, fried cheesy polenta cake, and a sausage and potato skillet with sumac crema, while dinner includes meals like honey glazed pork belly and five cheese mac.
“Creative, unpretentious, and community-focused — I’ve loved every meal there,” said one Reddit user. Apart from the restaurant, Borage also operates a cafe and bakery, where you’ll find cozy bites and sweets like breakfast sandwiches, ham and cheese croissants, and Basque cheesecake. “A jewel in Indiana’s crown,” commented another Redditor. Borage offers dinner service from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and brunch on weekends from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Its cafe and market is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.
Beholder
Beholder is another restaurant that pops up frequently in local food-centric Reddit threads, with Indianapolis residents praising its innovative, chef-driven dishes. Self-described as a “culinary wonderland where nothing is off-limits, and everything is on the table,” according to its website, the 4.5-Google-rated Beholder offers a pared-down a la carte menu along with a tasting menu. Led by acclaimed chef Jonathan Brooks (who earned a James Beard nomination in 2025 for best chef) and sommelier Josh Mazanowski, Beholder’s menu features dishes such as Arctic cod tamales, beet and garbanzo bean salads with cashew cheese, and wagyu tenderloin with blue cheese creamed greens, at the time of writing…