The Indianapolis dining scene features nearly 300 establishments ranging from well-known chains to one-of-a-kind restaurants. Despite the massive quantity of dining options, eaters here are always looking for more. The city boasts a population of over 864,000 and received 29.2 million annual visitors before the pandemic. As Indianapolis recovers from some of the trials of 2020, a growing number of restaurants are opening their doors or establishing firmer footing after having opened in the tumultuous times of COVID-19.
If you're looking for a taste of something new, we have several options for you to explore. Try a sampling of these newly opened or soon-to-open restaurants around Indianapolis.
Gallery Pastry Bar
The Gallery Pastry Bar (110 S. Pennsylvania St., Suite B) is a newly opened sister to the wildly popular Gallery Pastry Shop. The pastry bar opened in July 2020, delivering some delicious treats to look forward to during the pandemic. The pastry bar features a full brunch menu, light dinner menu, coffee menu, and full bar. The brunch mimosas are particularly popular, coming in a wide range of flavors including grapefruit, blood orange, mixed berry, pear lavender, and kombucha.
All of the menu items offer rich gourmet flavors, from the foie burger with apple jam and house pickles to the ribeye and eggs with chimichurri. The Gallery Pastry Bar also features many of the popular dishes from the Gallery Pastry Shop's menu, like the sausage gravy croissant with over easy eggs. In the evening, the menu is considerably smaller, focusing on shareable snacks like charcuterie, loaded frites, and gallery bread. No matter when you stop in, however, your taste buds are sure to dance over these decadent flavors.
Mori Sushi
Mori Sushi (231 S. College Ave.) experienced the unhappy coincidence of scheduling its opening for the same day in March 2020 that restaurants were closed to dine-in service due to the coronavirus. The sushi and ramen spot immediately converted to takeout and managed to ride out the pandemic with incredible success considering their untimely beginnings.
The restaurant has now settled into offering dine-in service as well, and regularly delights customers with its expansive menu and delicious dishes. The menu includes classics like miso soup, seaweed salad, and pork buns alongside a wide range of sushi rolls and ramen bowls. Customers rave over the creative options like the Pink Lady Roll with spicy crabmeat, avocado, asparagus, cheese, soy sauce, and spicy mayo or the Mango Tango Roll with spicy crabmeat crunch and fresh mango on top.
Oishii Sushi and Ramen
Set for a December 2021 opening, Oishii Sushi and Ramen (600 Massachusetts Ave.) will occupy the spot where Pizzology once operated. The space offers 3,771 square feet which can comfortably seat 70 indoors with additional patio seating for another 25 customers. Kanlaya Browning is taking over the space for her new Asian fusion restaurant. Browning is already co-owner of nine Thai restaurants in the local area including Thai Orchid, Pad Thai, Thai Basil, and Fuji Sushi Hibachi Express.
Wine Market and Table
The Wine Market (1110 Shelby St.) expanded in October 2021 to a new location known as Wine Market and Table. This fresh evolution takes the establishment from a wine shop to a bar and restaurant. Owners Zachary Davis and Kris Bowers are excited for the expansion, which includes a larger restaurant and bar space with room for 60 people in the dining room, 24 people at the bar, and another 60 people on the pet-friendly patio.
The menu includes a variety of small plates like house deviled eggs, beef tartare, and hummus as well as a build-your-own charcuterie board with a variety of meats, cheeses, and accoutrements to choose from. Guests who are looking for something more filling can also opt for big plates like a half chicken, bavette steak, or pork belly. This restaurant offers a sophisticated dining experience with perfect wine, cocktail, and beer pairings for any dish.
Apocalypse Burger
The idea for Apocalypse Burger (115 E. 49th St.) was born from the same bizarre circumstances that spelled doom for other restaurants. While restaurateur Martha Hoover's other restaurants were shut down due to the pandemic, she could think of only one thing — getting a good burger. Thus, Apocalypse Burger was born in 2020 as a new carry-out burger joint.
The menu includes a variety of burgers so this spot can satisfy nearly any craving for a juicy patty, from the Plain Jane with a single patty, house American cheese, aioli, and pickles to the Instaswag burger complete with two patties, mustard, tomato, Thousand Island, American cheese, lettuce, and grilled onion. The restaurant also serves "Spite Snacks" including fries and onion rings. Try the soda floats or blackout ding dong cakes for a sweet treat.
The Hulman
The Hulman in Hotel Indy opened in October 2021. The restaurant aims to pay tribute to famous locals who have contributed to the culture and landscape of Indiana. The restaurant offers casual dining in a distinctive atmosphere with its own edginess. The menu is entirely American with locally sourced ingredients. As such, it rotates seasonally to offer fresh and inspiring delights.
You can start the day with a gourmet breakfast like Southern crawfish benedict, a duck sausage sandwich, or avocado toast and smoked salmon. The lunch menu is light and easy, featuring soups, salads, and sandwiches. You'll find it's still heavy on flavor, however, with options like the shortrib melt featuring roasted peppers, caramelized onions, Gruyere cheese, and horseradish aioli on sourdough. For dinner, indulge in entrees like grass-fed steak tartare, Ora King salmon, or Miller's Amish chicken. This menu strives to inspire diners with its creative plates.
Did we include your favorite new restaurant on our list? If you know of additional establishments that have just opened or are set to open soon, contact our team at Tom Wood Nissan and let us know. We love having the best recommendations in the city for our customers. Our team always wants to know where to point hungry clients when they drive off the lot.