Best Restaurants With Patios in Indianapolis
It’s patio season — thank goodness for that!
If you’re like me, you want to spend every waking moment outside between May and October. These restaurants and bars around Indy have got you covered with all of your covered and uncovered patio needs through the spring, summer, and fall. Some of them even have covered or enclosed patios, so you can enjoy them year-round.
Taxman CityWay
I’ll admit it — I love the CityWay neighborhood downtown, so this one might be biased. Compact construction, big, walkable sidewalks, and plenty to do. Whether you’re catching a game or concert at Gainbridge Fieldhouse or just sitting on a patio with a few drinks all day, Taxman Brewing’s CityWay location is a great place to take in downtown. Their incredible Belgian beers don’t hurt either, and I’m pretty sure it’s illegal to go there and not get an order of their twice-fried Belgian-style frites.
Taxman Cityway, 310 South Delaware St, Indianapolis, IN
Savor
Get to Savor’s patio early if you don’t have a reservation. It fills up fast in the summer, but don’t worry — they’ve got garage doors in the restaurant that they roll up when the weather is nice, so even if you’re inside, you can get a taste of the outdoors. Order one of their spritzes and their crab bread and you’ll be set for a perfect evening.
Savor, 211 W Main St Suite 102, Carmel, IN
Milktooth
The line starts outside of Milktooth before the restaurant even opens on the weekends, especially when the weather is nice. This former-auto-shop-turned-brunch-mecca has a covered, but still open, patio on the front of their building. It’s the perfect place to sip mimosas and lattes and chow down on a dutch baby pancake after a night in Fountain Square.
Milktooth, 534 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN
Canal Bistro
This is as close as you can get to waterfront dining in Indianapolis without heading to a lake. Canal Bistro is a Mediterranean spot serving up incredible Greek fries (loaded to the max with feta and garlic… yum), located right on the canal that runs through Broad Ripple. Grab a glass of sangria, order some fries, and thank me later. Great for people (and dog) watching in the summer!
Canal Bistro, 6349 Guilford Ave, Indianapolis, IN
Cake Bake Shop
Head north to Carmel to enjoy this City Center patio. In the summer, the Cake Bake Shop opens the windows on their enclosed patio, letting the breeze flow through while you enjoy award-winning cakes, hot chocolate, and bubbly. This is the perfect summer birthday spot, if you ask me.
The Cake Bake Shop Carmel, 799 Hanover Place, Upper Deck, Hanover Place Suite 260, Carmel, IN
Bluebeard
If you walk by Bluebeard’s patio on a warm evening and you spot an open table, you are obligated to stop and eat there. I don’t make the rules!
Their patio is full of good vibes — string lights, big old trees in the middle of a mostly tree-free urban area, murals, music, firepits… it’s nice. Really nice. Pair that with their James Beard-nominated chef and incredible bar staff and you’ve got a winning patio on your hands.
Bluebeard, 653 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN
Big Lug Canteen
Beautiful beer garden. Great beer. What more is there to say? Ride your bike up the Monon Trail to this Nora brewery and restaurant. Pick one of their weekly special menu items (you can’t go wrong with any of them), order a pint of their award-winning beer, and toast to beautiful days and nights in Indianapolis.
Big Lug Canteen, 1435 E 86th St, Indianapolis, IN
The Stutz
Ok, The Stutz isn’t a restaurant. You caught me! But it’s an incredible complex with lots of options for both day and night. Head to Amelia’s Bread, their newest location, for sourdough breads, grab-and-go sandwiches, and pastries baked fresh daily. Or head across the way to Turner’s bar for cheap drinks and good times. Soon you’ll be able to grab tacos from Julieta Taco Shop, brunch at Cafe Patachou, or coffee at Barista Parlor’s first Indiana location.
The Stutz, 1060 N Capitol Ave, Indianapolis, IN
The courtyard at The Stutz.
Strange Bird
Strange Bird is one of my very favorite bars in the entire city. Tiki drinks in the middle of my landlocked state? Yes, please. Their patio is truly a piece of paradise in the summer. (I’m sure there’s a “they paved paradise and put up a parking lot” reference in there somewhere.) Head to this Irvington neighborhood staple for bowls of ramen and Japanese curry, strong drinks, and oysters.
Strange Bird, 128 S Audubon Rd, Indianapolis, IN
Bodhi
Bodhi is one of the most popular spots on Mass Ave for a reason — their food rocks, and so does their restaurant’s design. You can’t go wrong with a seat inside or out, but their patio is truly the place to be in the summer. A patio nestled between the end of Massachusetts Avenue and the interstate might not sound super hospitable, but Bodhi has done it right. You’ll feel like you’re in a jungle under their wooden pergola draped in plants. All you need is an incredible Thai meal and creative cocktail to go along with it, both of which Bodhi provides.
Bodhi, 922 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN
King Dough
King Dough’s patio is great from spring through fall, but it really shines in the summer. They’ve got tons of greenery, plus a fire pit, to make their patio one of the best near east side hangs in town. King Dough’s bar and restaurant is also equipped with garage doors that are often open in the summer, so you’re never too far from the outdoors, even when you can’t snag a patio seat.
Bonus: They serve some of my favorite pizza in town. Get the Gabba Ghoul, trust me.
King Dough Indianapolis, 452 N Highland Ave, Indianapolis, IN
A seasonal cocktail on King Dough’s patio.
Cannon Ball Lounge
Rooftop bars are few and far between in Indy, much to my dismay. But the Cannon Ball Lounge at Hotel Indy fits the bill. Right in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, you can enjoy Indy-inspired cocktails and mocktails while enjoying trendy tunes and lounging on comfy patio furniture. It’s one of the best places to be during sunset in the city.
Cannon Ball Rooftop Lounge, 141 E Washington St, Indianapolis, IN
Bocca
If you’re looking for an Italian go-to in Indy, Bocca is a great place to choose. This little restaurant on 22nd Street doesn’t look like much from the front, but in the back, they’ve got a fun turf patio with plenty of umbrellas to keep you from getting too hot.
When you’re done being outside, head to their basement speakeasy bar to keep the fun going. Plus, on Mondays they’ve got dollar oysters. Slurp up!
Bocca, 122 E 22nd St, Indianapolis, IN
Garden Table
Few things go together quite as well as brunch and outdoor dining. The Garden Table on Mass Ave in downtown Indy has both. Order a fresh-pressed juice or espresso and enjoy your avocado toast on their Mass Ave-adjacent patio. This is another great people-watching spot!
Garden Table, 342 Massachusetts Ave # 100, Indianapolis, IN
Natural State Provisions
From the owners of King Dough comes yet another great outdoor hang. This one, though, is extra special: it’s a restaurant and a dog park. Bring your pup along as you grab a Pax Verum beer and a smash burger. You could truly spend all day at Natural State — it’s that good.
Natural State Provisions, 414 Dorman St, Indianapolis, IN
Petite Chou
Looking for a year-round patio option? Petite Chou is for you. This classic French bistro serves up the best onion soup in town, along with mussels, steak tartare, lobster and frites, duck confit, and more. In the winters, you can join them for their weekly coq au vin night, which turns into fried chicken night during the summer months. You might even be lucky enough to catch them on a soufflé night (currently Thursdays).
Petite Chou Bistro & Champagne Bar, 823 E Westfield Blvd, Indianapolis, IN
Livery
Livery is another all-season hang, but it’s best enjoyed in the warm months when you can spend all day on their rooftop deck overlooking the Cultural Trail. Order their Carriage House margarita and an order of corn empanadas (only available in the summer), sit back, and enjoy the sights and sounds of downtown Indy.
Livery Indianapolis, 720 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN
