The Best Brunch in Indy is in Speedway
The first time I stepped into Borage, before the spot had even officially opened, I knew it was going to be different. It had a cozy vibe that felt like a mix between your grandmother’s home and your coolest friend’s living room. It felt curated, but not stuffy or overly precious. It felt like a place where anyone could sit down and enjoy a meal cooked with care.
As it would turn out, all of that remains true. Seven months after opening, Borage isn’t necessarily “new” any more, but it is my favorite place to have brunch in Indy. Don’t get it twisted, though — Borage is not just a morning spot. They serve dinner three days a week, have a cafe with the best pastries and coffee in town, plus a market that helps you avoid those post-brunch grocery store trips (just me?).
Croissant toast, canelé, and a cocoa nib cookie from the bakery at Borage
Mussels and the gigante bean salad from Borage’s dinner menu
Borage is run by two Indy food scene legends, Zoë Taylor and Josh Kline. Their experience and talent speaks for itself in the food that comes out of their kitchen. They have an incredible staff that’s caring, engaged, and equally as talented — from vegan pastry chefs to expert baristas and everyone in between, the team’s passion is clear and they take their jobs seriously (without being, you know, too serious).
The food, drinks, and vibes are all exactly what I want in a morning pit stop. It’s calm in there. The staff is kind and caring. When you have to wait for a table, there’s an entire market to explore with plenty of seats to wait in. There’s an open kitchen with a counter that makes snagging a seat easy when it’s just you. The Speedway community has embraced Borage with open arms, as has the rest of the city, and you can see it when you walk in. People of all ages, families, students, everyone is welcome at Borage.
My favorite kinds of menus are the ones where there are a few staples that I know I can rely on with some exciting specials thrown in when I feel like mixing things up. Borage fits this bill perfectly. The Turkish poached eggs are my go-to brunch order, especially when I’m sitting at the counter mid-bike ride. Two gently poached eggs sit atop herby crème fraîche, more fresh herbs, a spiced butter that’s so good I could drink it, and grilled homemade bread. Dunk the bread spears into the soft egg yolks, drag them through the herby, spicy mixture of crème fraîche and butter, and sit back — you’ll need a minute to take in just how tasty this is.
Turkish poached eggs in a bath of spiced butter and herbed yogurt
Gravlox toast, a special, with house beet-cured salmon on homemade milk bread
Other menu items that are a must-order when I visit include the Taylor Family Caesar and gigante bean salads, the former with salty, plump white anchovies and the latter with just the right mix of creamy beans and crunchy textures. The Chicken Liver Mousse Dirty (not) Rice is another fantastic choice, Borage’s take on dirty rice, subtracting the rice and replacing it with farro. And it wouldn’t be a stop at Borage without Zoë’s signature fried-to-order donuts, which are served with a seasonal jam and whipped yogurt for dunking.
The dinner menu features hearty dishes ranging from midwestern classics like pork belly and turkey manhattans to southern specialties like fried chicken or shrimp and grits. Borage also features a rotating list of specials — some of my favorites in recent memory are their gravlox toast (beet-cured salmon with pickled mustard seeds and dill on house milk bread) and the cinnamon roll bread pudding. Oh, and don’t forget the Texas sheet cake for dessert after your dinner.
Speaking of which… skipping the bakery at Borage would be a crime.
I first learned of Zoë’s work years ago at another popular brunch spot, but I really became a fan of hers during her pandemic-era pastry box porch pickups. Every week or two, Zoë would sell boxes of pastries via her Instagram account, and I learned quickly that I wanted to try as many of her pastries as I could. When I started hosting bake sales around the city, Zoë was one of the first people I reached out to (and, thankfully, she said yes!). We’ve finally come full circle and I’ve been able to host a bake sale at Borage, which is incredible — but that’s not what we’re here to talk about. We’re here to talk about those delicious, delicious pastries.
A vegan cake with rum butter frosting
Borage has a range of coffee drinks, well-balanced cocktails, and non-alcoholic drink options
The cinnamon roll bread pudding I mentioned earlier? It’s made with their homemade cinnamon rolls, which have gone viral on Instagram for being so dang good looking. Borage’s pastry menu always has a healthy mix of sweet and savory items, as well as several incredible vegan pastries (shout out to Emma, a true vegan baking expert, and the rest of the team!). I’ve remarked that “I wouldn’t even know that was vegan” which probably says more about my understanding of vegan baking than anything, but I’d put their vegan pastries up against the best of them. Canelé, croissants filled with any number of sweet or savory seasonal fillings, an incredible coffee-soaked cherry chocolate chip cookie…
There’s so much to love about Borage, and the best way to experience it is to taste it for yourself.
Borage, 1609 N Lynhurst Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46224. Located right off of the B&O Trail for any cyclists in the house — it’s a quick five mile ride from downtown Indy on protected lanes.
