My Favorite Indy Spots: Where to Eat, Shop + Things to Do

Hi everyone! I’ve had a few people reach out recently who are either visiting Indianapolis or are local and are just looking for recommendations of places to check out. Though I’ve lived in Indiana my whole life, I didn’t really start exploring downtown Indy until college, and though I’m still discovering new places too, I’ve definitely come across some favorites along the way that I highly recommend. Keep reading for my recommended Indy spots, including places to eat and shop, as well as things to do in and around the city.

FOOD

MOD Pizza
This is our all-time favorite. Though this is a chain and not specific to Indy, it’s too good not to mention and is definitely somewhere you need to check out regardless. We ate here for the first time over a year ago and we were so impressed by it! Essentially, you pay one set price for the size of pizza you choose and you can pile on as many toppings as you want at no additional charge. It’s set up like a Subway in the sense that they put all the toppings on in front of you before throwing it in the oven. I’m not kidding when I say this is the best pizza I’ve ever had, and I think it makes it even better that you “made” it yourself! I got spinach, garlic rub, roasted garlic, sausage and mushrooms on mine over the weekend and I think it will be my new go-to. They also have these things called “no name cakes” that are like homemade ding-dongs, various fun glass-bottle drinks, milkshakes and more — DELISH! You can read more about my experience there in this post.

The Eagle
Located on Mass Ave, this is a great place to stop by and eat if you’re in the area. They’re pretty much always busy in my experience, so come early and just know it’s worth the wait! I highly recommend the mashed potatoes and mac & cheese (ft. five cheeses with garlic breadcrumbs). Lifechanging.

Bakersfield
If you love Mexican food, this is a must! They have a list of various small tacos you can get (in addition to other dishes), and I always get the fish and shrimp ones. I tried the carnitas one last time and really liked that as well. The environment is dark and kind of rustic, and they have amazing salsa, salsa verde and guacamole. I don’t really drink, but I’ve heard great things about their margaritas — especially the pineapple one!

Patachou
This is the perfect brunch spot. I always get the waffle and an order of cinnamon toast, which is probably the main thing they’re known for. The service is quick and consistent, and they have nice outdoor seating. There are several locations in and around the city, so there’s bound to be one close to where you live or where you’re staying.

Louie’s Wine Dive
Yet another great brunch spot, with yummy lunch choices too. There are a couple location in and around the city, as well as some in Missouri, Tennessee, Iowa and Kansas. Their menu changes (seasonally, I believe), but everything I’ve tried has been really good. The inside is really cool as well, so it’s a great spot for pictures!

Cake Bake Shop
This is probably one of the most popular places in Indy because it’s just so unique. Located in the prettiest little white house in Broad Ripple, this shop sells the most delicious cakes and baked goods. It’s an entire experience in itself with pink everywhere, intricate decorations and workers dressed in all pink aprons. Oprah is a fan, need I say more?

SHOPPING + ACTIVITIES

Penn & Beech
I mentioned this in a blog post last week, but this is an amazing place where you can make your own candles, reed diffusers and fragrances. This is a great group activity or just something fun to do with a friend when you have an open weekend. The prices are very reasonable and the experience is unlike anything else — and you can order drinks here too! You can read a bit more about my experience there in this post.

Fashion Mall at Keystone
I haven’t shopped too many local boutique storefronts, but this mall is a nice place to spend the afternoon. They have lots of great restaurants (including Napolese, another place with yummy pizza!) and a wide variety of stores to check out. Justin and I like to go there on days when we don’t have much planned because it’s easy to spend a couple hours there looking around. We love it!

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Those are my top favorites and recommendations! I hope this post serves as a quick reference for you if you’re looking for somewhere new to check out. Where are your favorite spots in Indy, and if you’re visiting here, which places are you most excited to go to? Thanks so much for reading and check back for another new post on Wednesday!