What are some awesome restaurants and bars in the Fountain Square Neighborhood? Especially if you go later in the evening. Any locals here? Or any con-goers who have been here before?
Fountain Square is a few miles southeast from the convention center, so it's not exactly Gen Con attendee-friendly by walking. But per Indianapolis having a lot of incredible restaurants just outside of the downtown area, and I expect this neighborhood to not disappoint!
- Rook: Filipino-inspired fusion. There's an arcade bar next to it too.
- (For the morning after) Milktooth: Really good brunch and drinks, but service was super-slow when I went.
- I've heard good things about Bluebeard but never been. Maybe this year.
Not sure what kind of awesome bars you're looking for (craft cocktails or a fun place to party), but if you mean the former and like exploring, some friends and I headed northeast from downtown to The Libertine Liquor bar and really liked it. Nice chill break from all the craziness downtown.
I'm looking up stuff about Bluebeard and wow, the head chef has been in consideration for a James Beard award multiple times including this year. Definitely interested in visiting Bluebeard.
The Northeast is a chill break? Nah my dude, northeast part of Indy right outside of downtown along Massachusetts Ave. is JAMPACKED with locals and with good reason. I wholeheartedly recommend Bazbeaux for some of the best pizza in Indy and Bru Burger for some very awesome burgers. I want to try out the fried chicken at The Eagle's but the wait is insane. Bakersfield Tacos seems like an awesome place later in the evening, plus they're open super late.
Sadly, the other two Indianapolis restaurants nominated for JBF awards this years are pretty far away, with one (Cerulean) actually not being in Indy at all. I have personally been wanting to try Shapiro's on the south side as well.
Fountain Square has arguably the best dining experiences in Indy.
Milktooth is hand's down the best restaurant in Indianapolis, and is consistently awarded top restaurant status world-wide. They are a not-so-average breakfast joint that is worth the time invested. Enjoy the coffee bar while you wait -- I believe they strictly brew Intelligentsia coffees. $20-30/person.
My personal favorite restaurant in Indy is right across the street: Bluebeard. They are a lovely Kurt Vonnegut-theme restaurant and bar with farm-to-table dishes and a great house-brewed ginger beer. Sunday afternoons, they offer $1 oysters that move quickly. $20-70/person.
Pioneer is on Fountain Square proper, and is very similar to Bluebeard. I believe the head chef and/or owner use to work at Bluebeard, in fact. They have great plates for sharing and a good enough beer/wine selection. The beef tartare is simply amazing. $30-70/person.
Thunderbird is a good option for a late night meal. They have a decent beer menu and good enough cocktails to pair with chicken & waffles or poutine. $20-40/person.
Kumas is one of the better burgers you'll find in Indy. After opening shop in town, they later closed one of the two in Chicago. Friends from Chicago say that the Indianapolis shop is better than the original. Great beer selection, even better burgers. $20-30/person.
Any recommendations on American-style Barbecue? I was looking at City Barbeque but they have multiple locations, and I'm not sure if there's a difference between them.
I prefer Dick’s, but Indy isn’t exactly known for its BBQ.
