The Best Restaurants to Get Your Brunch On in Indy
Some cities — I’m looking at you, Washington, DC — treat brunch like a sport.
It’s a lot.
Indianapolis isn’t quite on that level. Chances are that you’ll be able to find a spot to sit down to enjoy some mimosas and pancakes or micheladas and shakshuka without too much hassle. (Although some of the more popular brunch spots perpetually have a wait list for tables.)
All across the city and into the suburbs, you’ll find high-quality breakfast and brunch foods to fill you up (and maybe even make you whole again after a wild night out).
Milktooth
If you’ve spent more than a half-second Googling “Indy brunch,” or if you don’t live under a rock, you’ve heard of Milktooth. This is an Indy brunch icon that’s truly unlike any other in the city. No one else is doing it like Milktooth.
Milktooth is known for their grilled cheese, served on cranberry walnut bread with a ton of fancy cheese and a fried egg on top. You should try it.
Their menu changes frequently, but it’s always driven by what’s in season locally — plus whatever the chefs are in the mood for. Keep an eye out for their Dutch Baby pancakes, which are a must-order in my book (there’s usually a sweet and a savory version). Also commonly gracing their menu: beignets in rotating flavors with delicious dips to accompany them, creative coffee drinks, and something meaty, like a patty melt or a pile of chicken wings.
A word to the wise: get there early, or prepare to wait.
534 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203
Eggshell Bistro
Heading up north to Carmel, you’ll find the beautiful, tiny Eggshell Bistro nestled between the Palladium and City Center. Walk in the front door and you’ll be transported to a French bistro, just like the one you remember from Paris. Marble-topped tables and metal bistro chairs make Eggshell feel fancy without being too fancy, and French memorabilia and photos line the walls. They’ve been around since 2011, which speaks for itself. In dog years, this restaurant is basically an antique.
The dukkah egg and labneh & za’atar at Eggshell Bistro in Carmel.
Their coffee menu is short but sweet. If you’re in the mood for a little something extra with your caffeine, try the N'Orleans iced coffee with chicory, or the Kyoto iced coffee. I also love the hot and cold/sweet and bitter juxtaposition of the Polar Opposite coffee.
I’ve tried most of the menu at Eggshell, but I’m always drawn to the shakshuka. Theirs features a wonderfully spiced tomato base with plenty of onion, peppers, and garlic. The shakshuka is topped with zhoug and served with the most delicious grilled bread. Drag a slice through a runny egg yolk and the tomato-spice mixture and you’re in for a treat.
Other menu standouts include the homemade labneh and za’atar, the dukkah egg, and their rotating quiche.
51 City Center Dr, Carmel, IN 46032
Love Handle
Take Eggshell Bistro, spin it around, turn it upside down, and you’ve got Love Handle — and I mean that in the best way possible. Love Handle’s big, bright, pink dining room is lined with clown portraits, pig tails, and a movie projector running old films. If you’re recovering from a night out, Love Handle on Mass Ave is where you should be.
A crispy shrimp wrap with remoulade from Love Handle.
Pork and beef are the stars of the show here, but Love Handle always has veggie options on the menu. Their pork belly and waffle is a classic, and I love ordering their brisket when it’s on the menu. They host a fish fry on Fridays during lent (sometimes a white fish, sometimes oysters, sometimes even scallops), but the best way to stay up to date on what they’re slinging is on Instagram.
This is hearty, soul-filling brunch food.
877 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Bluebeard
What happens when you combine James Beard-nominated cooking, Amelia’s delicious sourdough, and one of the best meals of the day? Bluebeard brunch, that’s what.
Bluebeard’s weekend-only brunch is something special. The menu is refreshed often, but includes brunch classics like eggs benedict with a Bluebeard twist, a breakfast sandwich, breakfast casseroles, burritos, tartines… you get the picture.
653 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203
Ash & Elm Cider
The best cider in the city and brunch? Yes, please.
Ash & Elm’s restaurant on Washington Street isn’t just beautiful — their team is also serving some of the best brunch food (and drinks, of course) in town. Wash down whatever happened last night with brunch classics like southern-style biscuits, or an American take on poutine with sausage gravy, shredded cheese, and green onions over a bed of fries.
Trust me on this: the apple cider donuts cannot be skipped. Oh, and order a cider flight or a cidermosa.
1301 E Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46201
Cafe Patachou
Is it illegal to make a list of Indy brunch spots without including Cafe Patachou? I’m not sure, but I don’t want to chance it.
Patachou is an always-delicious, consistent, all-around-good-time place. Their waitstaff, bussers, hosts, and entire team are always friendly (and there’s a good chance you’ll be served by the same person who’s worked at one of their locations for ten or more years every time you visit).
If I go to Patachou, I’m ordering the Cuban Breakfast (rice, seasoned black beans, white cheddar, avocado, spinach jalapeño pesto, and a fried egg) and their iconic cinnamon toast.
With locations all over the city and suburbs, chances are good that there’s a Patachou nearby.
Original location in Meridian Kessler: 4901 N Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis, IN 46205, several locations in downtown Indy, The Stutz, Carmel, Zionsville
Petite Chou Bistro & Champagne Bar
Meet Patachou’s French sister, Petite Chou. Petite Chou makes you feel like you’re at your neighborhood Parisian restaurant, especially when you’re inside at one of the tightly-packed tables in the winter months.
Steak frites at Petite Chou in Broad Ripple.
Champagne is literally in their name, so you know they’ve got you covered on the mimosa front, although there are plenty of other champagne cocktails to try beyond the OJ classics.
Go big and order the steak frites for brunch, go classic with an avocado toast, or lean into the French classics with one of their many galette options.
823 E Westfield Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46220
Landlocked Baking Co.
Pastry lovers, rejoice! This one is for you. One of my favorite things to do on a weekend morning is get to Landlocked early (so that I have the best selection, obviously) and just take in their huge selection of pastries. Their baked goods are always laid out beautifully behind a glass case, truly a sight to behold.
As part of the restaurant group that owns Coat Check Coffee and Provider coffee shops, you can order an incredible latte or a drip coffee made with their very own beans. Get the pistachio latte, trust me.
They’ve also got a small selection of brunch mains that you can order at the counter and enjoy in the bakery. Try the short rib breakfast sandwich on a homemade biscuit (omg), avocado toast, or a BLT on focaccia.
118 S Audubon Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46219
Gallery Pastry Shop
There are several Gallery Pastry locations, but their SoBro location is the best, in my opinion, for food and service quality. They serve both brunch and dinner, and have a full bar to craft you any cocktail you’d like — although their house cocktails are all incredible.
Brulee Trillium from Gallery Pastry Shop, with a house croissant, jam, candied nuts, and fresh fruit.
As the name suggests, Gallery is not playing when it comes to pastries. Their croissants are delicious, and the best way to appreciate them is in the Brûlée Trillium appetizer. Local cheesemaker Tulip Tree Creamery’s brie-like Trillium is the star, brûléed and served with sliced croissants from the Gallery kitchen.
Try one of their many crepe options (I’m partial to the fruit foster crepe) or their smash burger.
4573 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46205
Delicia
Delicia is another one of those restaurants on this list that’s been around for a long time, and for good reason. Their Latin American cuisine and delicious craft cocktails mean you’re in for a treat at Sunday brunch or dinner.
Sure, you can order chips and salsa or queso fundido (and you should!) but they’ve got a great selection of flavor-packed brunch options on their menu.
If you love savory breakfasts, try the cochinita grit bowl. Think shrimp and grits, but with smoky, tender pork instead of shrimp, plus a delicious almond salsa on top. If you’re more of a sweet bruncher, try the churro toast with dulce de leche.
5215 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220
Tick Tock Lounge
At Tick Tock, you’re drinking your meal. Yes, we’re talking about Bloody Marys. It wouldn’t be a brunch list without at least one!
Their Bloody Mary is a production. It’s made with infused vodkas, seasoned well, and absolutely loaded with tots, bacon, olives, cheese and celery on top. Like I said, you’re drinking your meal.
They’ve also got loaded breakfast tots and a full bar grub menu with Indiana classics like a bread pork tenderloin sandwich, burgers, and more. This is the exact place you should be when you’re nursing a hangover.
2602 E 10th St, Indianapolis, IN 46201
