14+ Unmissable Restaurants on Mass Ave {from a local}

2/24/2024

Looking for a new restaurant to try on Mass Ave? Your favorite Indy local has rounded up the best restaurants on Mass Ave you need to try this weekend.

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Wondering where to eat on Mass Ave?

I've finally decided to share my recommendations in the best downtown neighborhood, the area surrounding Massachusetts Avenue, ("Mass Ave"), where we had the pleasure of living for 6 years and the continued pleasure of visiting essentially every weekend. The bartenders know (and hopefully love) us, and you can find me having the world's earliest dinner anytime we have a babysitter.

Whether it's craft cocktails, quick bar bites, a nice dinner, just good food, or a 5-course meal, we've got it all here on Mass Ave, home to the most popular restaurants in the downtown area.

One of Indianapolis's four, main diagonal streets coming off of The Circle, Massachusetts Avenue and the surrounding streets has become the fastest growing neighborhoods in the entire city. Originally "the German" area of town, in the mid-to-late 19th century, you'll still see traces of that Midwestern history on "the Ave," including a personal favorite of mine, The Rathskeller, which celebrates its German heritage, well all the time, but particularly in the fall. "Mass Ave" as a district now stretches all the way from New York Street up to 10th Street and beyond, intersecting College Ave. along the way.

These days, you'll find a slew of nice, but accessible, casual restaurants that keep locals entertained year after year. It's our LGBTQ+ zone, and you'll find plenty of fun, inclusive activities throughout the year, but especially in summer months. You'll find restaurants using fresh, local ingredients, serving strong cocktails, and used to welcoming locals and out-of-towners for Indy's many yearly events. There's definitely a neighborhood feel, but that's not at the expensive of many a unique dining experience.

So let's explore Mass Ave! And while you're here, I hope you'll take the opportunity to check out my many other Indianapolis-based travel suggestions, while you're exploring the Circle City!

Mass Ave Restaurants: Ralston's

While we're discussing the lay-out of Indianapolis, I'd be remiss not to start with Ralston's, named for the city planner who designed Indianapolis in 1821, Alexander Ralston, a disciple of Pierre L'Enfant, of Washington D.C. fame.

A locally-owned, comfortable tavern, with a full bar and a menu that constantly surprises, it's our favorite spot to bring out-of-town guests, to show them that Indy can do a fancy, yet relaxing watering hole just as well as anywhere.

Get here early - and don't expect to just waltz onto the Ralston's patio on a Saturday night at this popular spot!

Care / Don't Care sign on Mass Ave, Indianapolis

One of my favorite signs on Mass Ave!

Love exploring Indianapolis? Check out my guide to the Indianapolis Cultural Trail!

Best Pubs, Breweries, Bar Food on Mass Ave:

Chatham Tap (best wings)
Nine Irish Brothers (best Irish pub)
Mass Ave Pub (dive bar)
St Joseph's (brewery and restaurant)
Sun King (microbrew)

Mass Ave Restaurants: Union 50

Union50 Mass Ave Indianapolis Restaurants

Eating at the bar at Union 50

The first mention of the members of the Cunningham Group, Union 50 is an upscale spot, with a creative and diverse menu. Union 50's cocktails are superb - and often themed. Don't see your perfect tipple? These bartenders can take care of you!

Mass Ave Restaurants:
The Rathskeller

If you're familiar with Indianapolis (or the Midwest in general), you'll know we have strong German heritage. This is where thousands of German immigrants settled in the middle of the 19th century, and, here on what was the outskirts of downtown Indy, built Das Deutsche Haus in 1893. Anti-German sentiment led to the name being changed to The Athenaeum, and today you'll hear it referred to by both monikers.

The Rathskeller is a combination of many venues. Historic and huge, it's a sit-down restaurant, a bar, a beer garden, a wedding rental venue, a coffee shop, oh and also home to my gym! Pro tip: ask to be seated in the bar if you stop by for dinner, it's a bit less stuffy.

Love beer? Check out my list of the best downtown Indianapolis breweries!

Best Coffee Shops on Mass Ave:

Commissary
Coat Check Coffee
Blue Collar Coffee Co
Please & Thank You
Starbucks (has a walk-up window if you have your pup!)

Delicious coffee at Commissary

Mass Ave Restaurants: LouVino

LouVino wine & cheese samplings

An import from Louisville, hence the name, LouVino serves up "Southern-inspired" small plates and excellent wine selections, it's great for pre-theatre dinner if you'll be visiting the Murat! Cheese lovers should try their wine and cheese pairings.

Mass Ave Restaurants: Slap Fish

Serving fresh seafood in two different wings of its space, Slap Fish has both a casual dining (order at the counter) portion and a raw bar ("Raw Bar by Slap Fish").

Both feature seafood flow in daily, and surprisingly delectable seafood creations for a landlocked state. The Raw Bar is a great place to grab drinks and appetizers as you kick off your evening.

Mass Ave Restaurants:
Tavern at the Point

Cocktails at Tavern at the Point, Mass Ave

Another Cunningham creation, Tavern at the Point filled the vacated location of one of Indianapolis's oldest restaurants, the Old Point Tavern. They were big shoes to fill, but unsurprisingly, they rose to the challenge! Also featuring Southern-inspired sandwiches and salads, they're well-known for their massive nachos, a tribute to their predecessor. The unique, "point" location is the result of the intersection of Mass Ave's diagonal turn and other streets, making for an eye-catching, green building!

Best Places to Grab Craft Cocktails on Mass Ave

The Exchange
Ball & Biscuit
Union 50
Livery

Ball & Biscuit Mass Ave Restaurants Indianapolis

Sipping a gin and tonic at Ball & Biscuit

Check out my guide to Fountain Square!

Mass Ave Restaurants: Bazbeaux

If pizza is the name of the game, locally owned Bazbeaux (with several locations throughout the city), is an Indianapolis classic. Though we don't boast our own "type" of pizza here in the Circle City, we have Bazbeaux and we sure do love it.
Try the Bazbeaux special.

Mass Ave Restaurants: Vicino

One of the newer addition on Mass Ave, Vicino is the only Italian restaurant on the list. Offering traditional brunch, and accessible, delicious Italian classics, Vicino is a dependable place for a solid dinner.

Mass Ave Restaurants: Livery

If it's margaritas you're after, Livery tops my list - and has excellent "rooftop" seating. Located in a completed renovated former stable, Livery is a much more architecturally interesting building than we tend to boast in Indy. Offering their excellent, not-too-heavy take on Mexican fare, the paella, guacamole, and manchego crisp salad never disappoint.

Mass Ave Restaurants: Vida

Dining room at Vida

Cocktails at Vida

Vida is undoubtedly the nicest restaurant on Mass Ave, and one of the best in the entire city. With a creative, innovative menu, and a cocktail selection that cannot be beaten, no matter the season, Vida is a must-see for anyone visiting Indianapolis to celebrate a special occasion.

Amuse bouche at Vida

Delicious dinner at Vida

Mass Ave Restaurants: fortyfive degrees

Craving sushi? fortyfive degrees has been Indy's go-to sushi joint for as long as I can remember. With tons of bar and outdoor seating in its unique, 'on the diagonal' location at the corner of Mass Ave and College Ave, fortyfive degrees doesn't disappoint. Unless it's Sunday, when they offer crazy discounts and you should expect a significant wait.

Mass Ave Restaurants: The Bottleworks District

The Bottleworks Hotel

I thought the new, ever-growing addition to the north end of Mass Ave deserved its own section. The Bottleworks district boasts several dining options, in addition to The Bottleworks Hotel, Pins (duckpin bowling), a spa, a nail salon, and a yoga studio.

The Garage Food Hall

Not sure what you want to eat for dinner? You'll find every possible option at The Garage Food Hall, a one-stop shop for anything you're craving. From hamburgers to sushi, a wine bar and a cocktail bar, to fish and chips and Indian. Oh and a few gift and clothing shops. And live lobsters!

Modita

If anyone asks me where I'd like to grab dinner on Mass Ave, I always, always, always say Modita. It's Cunningham Group's Asian fusion restaurant, featuring Japanese-forward cuisine and cocktails on their exciting menu. Soup dumplings, ginger miso salad, and whatever sushi you fancy - the perfect meal.

The Fountain Room

A "supper club," The Fountain Room is one of the newer additions to The Bottleworks District. Well-appointed and shiny, the food is good, basic, and tasty, if fairly unimaginative. If you want classic, high-end steak house fare with an extensive wine list, it's the perfect fit for date night. It's surprisingly expensive, so check the menu before you go.

Best Outdoor Dining
on Mass Ave

With summer just around the corner, here are our favorite outdoor dining spots on Mass Ave, some of which we discussed above:

The Tap
The Eagle
Union 50
The Rathskeller
Condado Taco
The Rathskeller
Ralston's
BRU Burger Bar

Thanks for stopping by!

Thank you *so much* for taking time to read about all Mass Ave has to offer. I hope you have a wonderful time in one of my favorite spots in Indianapolis, no matter where your dining travels may take you. I know you'll find delicious food, unique flavors, strong cocktails, and friendly bar tenders no matter where you select. Be sure to post your favorite Mass Ave restaurants in the comments below, sign up for the newsletter, and check out all of my other Indianapolis tourism suggestions, particularly if you're visiting us from out-of-town.

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