We recently joined Alaska Airlines on one of their first flights from San Francisco to Indianapolis. It was a quick trip, but it was nice to see snow and feel the chill in the air–at least for a few days! We found some great places to eat and drink in Indy. If you’re planning a trip, below are a few of our favorites:
Traders Point Creamery
This organic dairy farm is located a short drive from Downtown Indianapolis. It was one of our first stops after checking into our hotel. We had the best time strolling through the idyllic property and checking out their cute cows. A farm-to-table restaurant located in a loft serves artisan cheese and locally-sourced food.
Bluebeard
This hip restaurant in a renovated warehouse serves craft cocktails and small plates intended for sharing. It’s always busy and there are no reservations, but put your name on the list and get a cocktail while you wait for their farm-fresh cuisine. The restaurant also has an interesting wine list.
Goose the Market
This was the best thing we ate in Indianapolis. If you love meat, don’t miss Goose the Market. This amazing deli serves house-made charcuterie and amazing sandwiches, and a downstairs cellar offers beer and wine, both for retail purchase and to enjoy on-premises. If you’re planning to dine in, order a sandwich upstairs then head down to pick out a beer from their unique selections. We highly recommend trying the Batali (named after Armandino Batali for his pioneering of salami), a spicy sandwich stuffed with coppa, soppressata, capocollo, provolone, and giardiniera. You can dine at communal tables and peruse their selections of gourmet provisions. Since it is a market, you can pick up everything you need to make dinner – vegetables, seafood, charcuterie and more.
Smoking Goose & Oca
If you plan it right, you can even learn all about cured and smoked meats from the pros behind Goose The Market. Their wholesale company, Smoking Goose, offers classes and the opportunity to become a butcher for the day (and get paid in meat). If you’re looking for a brewery in town, you can stop into Sun Brewing and check out Oca, their sausage-centric salumi counter.
Hotel Tango
This veteran-owned distillery is a great place to stop in for a drink while you’re waiting for a table at one of Indianapolis’ trendy Fletcher Place restaurants. Located in a large but cozy building with a fireplace, this distillery crafts a variety of spirits including vodka, gin, rum, whisky, and lemoncello, and the bar offers a full menu of craft cocktails using their own products.
Thank you to Alaska Airlines for sponsoring this guide.
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