Folks, I have a confession to make.
As a proud Indianapolis resident, this is difficult to admit; but, during a recent trip to Nashville, TN, while enjoying brunch at a local café after a morning jog through Centennial Park , I felt myself experiencing a dreaded sensation of “city-envy.”
All Indianapolis sentiments aside, Nashville is a great city. In addition to cultivating a thriving count
ry music scene, Nashville boasts a myriad of public parks, cultural museums, and annual festivals comparable to few other cities in the United States. During my visit, I was specifically taken aback by the burgeoning local food and restaurant scene (That, and the immaculate bike sharing system the city recently implemented—but, that’s a story for another day).
The number of chain restaurants I encountered during my stay can be tallied up on one hand. Instead, I was met on every corner and every street by locally owned restaurants, complete with adorable outdoor patios, intriguing entrees, and a steady stream of devoted customers—some waiting in line for hours just to indulge in the perfect pancake.
After a weekend living in local food bliss, I returned to Indianapolis: The land of the chain restaurants. As I sunk back into my restaurant routine, I began to feel a sense of resentment towards Indianapolis for not being more supportive of local food. I began thinking, “Why can’t Indianapolis be more like Nashville? Why are there not adorable cafes on every corner? And where are all the outdoor patios?”
Just as I was about to start packing my bags, and move to the land of country music and corner cafes, my faith in Indianapolis was restored during an evening stroll down Mass Ave. As I passed by droves of cheerful customers eating and laughing around tables at Bazbeaux, Bru Burger, and Chatterbox, I was reminded of why I love Indianapolis and it’s food. Having lived in Indianapolis for 25 years, I had begun to take for granted the amenities Indianapolis has to offer. But, the truth is, the local food scene in Indianapolis is alive and thriving.
Mass Ave, alone, is lined with a wide variety of local restaurants at which to grab a delectable bite to eat, including Mesh, Black Market, and Yats, who only accepts cash, and allows you an IOU when your pockets are empty!
Broad Ripple boasts it’s own set of intriguing bars and restaurants lining the sidewalks along and behind Broad Ripple Avenue; some of my favorites being Brugge, Fire by the Monon, and Petite Chou.
If you want to eat truly local, you can visit one of the many Farm-to-Table restaurants in our city, which offer meals prepared from locally sourced foods: The Loft at Traders Point Creamery, Café Patachou, R Bistro, or Goose the Market.
Or, if you feel like making your own meal from local meats and produce, you may visit the Winter and Summer Farmers Markets at the Indianapolis City Market downtown, or visit Pogues Run Grocery on East 10th Street.
If craft beer is your scene, you can check out any one of the growing number of breweries in Indianapolis: Sun King downtown, Upland in Broad Ripple, Black Acre in Irvington, or Fountain Square Brewery in (you guessed it) Fountain Square.
While the local food scene may not be as “in your face” as it is in Nashville, local food is certainly alive and well in Indianapolis. And, perhaps this echoes the simplistic charm of Indianapolis as a city.
Eating locally not only helps spur the local economy and connectedness of our city, but also is an important piece in living a sustainable lifestyle. This week, I encourage everyone to visit one of Indianapolis many first-rate local restaurants.
The list of aforementioned locations is by no means extensive. What are some of your favorites local places and why? What are the best “hidden gems” in Indianapolis?
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Carly Weidman is an Indianapolis native, Ball State Alumni, and IU SPEA Master of Public Affairs Graduate. A strong proponent of sustainability and smart growth, Carly works to promote local and state public policies related to transportation, the environment, and sustainability, and strives every day to find new ways to live her life more simply. Stay up to date by following her on twitter: @carlyweidman.
