Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in Indianapolis by diners
Fine dining in the U.S. isn't what it used to be. Many customers are no longer interested in classic white tablecloths and 16-ounce New York strips; instead, it's about cutting-edge culinary experiences.
Although steakhouses have defined fine dining in America since the 19th century, that started to change in the mid-1990s. Elite chefs like Thomas Keller at the French Laundry unearthed a whole different kind of tasting experience (with 40 courses), and a new age of fine dining was born. Soon, prix fixe meals—a French style of serving with a set menu—became the norm for fine dining in the U.S.
Between the rise of chef's tasting menus and consumers' continued desire to have diverse culinary experiences, the restaurants that grace the pages of top-tier restaurant reviewers like Zagat or the Michelin Guide look very different today than they did 30 years ago. Restaurant goers aren't just looking for high-quality food. They want the type of menu that will tell a story. They want creative ingredients they've never tried before. They want to be transported into a whole new world.
With so many innovative menus and restaurant experiences popping up across America to choose from, it can be challenging to choose where to go for a special evening. Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated fine dining restaurants in Indianapolis using data from Yelp. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself.
Only businesses with at least five reviews and at least level 2 pricing (i.e., $$ to $$$$) were considered. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with five or more locations nationally (based on Yelp data) were not included. Restaurants in certain lower-cost categories (like "diners," "buffets," and "food trucks") were excluded. Data is as of Aug. 19, 2024.
Read on to find a potential restaurant for your next special meal out!
#27. The Northside Social
- Rating: 4.2/5 (330 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6525 North College Ave. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: American, Lounges
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Ambrosia
- Rating: 4.2/5 (316 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5903 North College Ave. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Italian
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Beholder
- Rating: 4.2/5 (215 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1844 East 10th St. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: New American, Wine Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Late Harvest Kitchen
- Rating: 4.3/5 (367 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 8605 River Crossing Blvd. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: New American
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Capri
- Rating: 4.3/5 (317 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 2602 Ruth Drive Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Italian
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Sangiovese Ristorante
- Rating: 4.3/5 (272 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2727 East 86th St. Ste 110 Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Italian
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Mori Sushi
- Rating: 4.3/5 (270 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 231 South College Ave. Ste 200 Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Sushi Bars, Ramen, Izakaya
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Iozzo's Garden of Italy
- Rating: 4.3/5 (702 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 946 South Meridian St. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Italian
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Flatiron
- Rating: 4.3/5 (42 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 605 North Pennsylvania St. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: American, Seafood, Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Provision
- Rating: 4.3/5 (424 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 2721 East 86th St. Ste 200 Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: New American, Steakhouses, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#17. The Fountain Room
- Rating: 4.4/5 (369 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 830 Massachusetts Ave. Ste 1480 Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Seafood, Steakhouses, Supper Clubs
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Oakleys Bistro
- Rating: 4.4/5 (352 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1464 West 86th St. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: New American, Wine Bars, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Union 50
- Rating: 4.4/5 (978 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 620 North East St. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Gastropubs, New American, Music Venues
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse
- Rating: 4.4/5 (275 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 51 North Illinois St. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Steakhouses, Seafood, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Bluebeard
- Rating: 4.4/5 (1286 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 653 Virginia Ave. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: New American, Venues & Event Spaces
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Root & Bone Indianapolis
- Rating: 4.4/5 (678 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4601 North College Ave. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: American
- Read more on Yelp
#11. 1933 Lounge
- Rating: 4.5/5 (212 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 127 South Illinois St. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Lounges, American, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Delicia
- Rating: 4.5/5 (752 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 5215 North College Ave. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Latin American, Mexican, Caribbean
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Bocca
- Rating: 4.5/5 (185 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 122 East 22nd St. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Italian, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Nesso
- Rating: 4.5/5 (304 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 339 South Delaware St. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Italian, Seafood, Pasta Shops
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Strange Bird
- Rating: 4.5/5 (300 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 128 South Audubon Road Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Tiki Bars, Cocktail Bars, Ramen
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Tinker Street
- Rating: 4.6/5 (948 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 402 East 16th St. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Wine Bars, New American
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Tony's of Indianapolis
- Rating: 4.6/5 (444 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 110 West Washington St. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Steakhouses, Seafood, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Livery - Indianapolis
- Rating: 4.6/5 (1396 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 720 North College Ave. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Latin American, Empanadas, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Slapfish
- Rating: 4.6/5 (392 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 345 Massachusetts Ave. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Seafood, Salad, Fish & Chips
- Read more on Yelp
#2. BODHI
- Rating: 4.6/5 (447 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 922 Massachusetts Ave. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: Thai, Cocktail Bars, Gastropubs
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Vida
- Rating: 4.7/5 (497 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 601 East New York St. Indianapolis, Indiana
- Categories: New American, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Kiersten Hickman, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 299 metros.
