Indianapolis Monthly February 2025

DISCOVER ICELAND:

LAND OF FIRE & ICE

WITH INDIANAPOLIS MONTHLY ’S FEATURES EDITOR JULIA SPALDING

SEPTEMBER 12–21, 2025

Do you love exploring natural wonders and visiting historic landmarks? You’ll get the best of both worlds in Iceland. From volcanic lava and geothermal fields, to massive glaciers and flowing waterfalls, to distinctive European architecture, you’ll experience all the otherworldly beauty of this spectacular Nordic island nation. Space is limited, so reserve your spots for this once-in-a-lifetime adventure today.

Visit indianapolismonthly.com/discover-iceland for more information.

Read more about this grand adventure on page 60.

40

LET’S BE FRIENDS

Looking for your people? Whether you’re ready to join a book club, mingle with your neighbors, or simply say hello, let this list of friend-making suggestions help you build solid connections. You never know who you might meet.

EDITED BY

JULIA SPALDING

50

COFFEE’S NEW WAVE

It’s a great time to grab a cup of joe in Indy. Homegrown coffee shops are showcasing diverse communities, locals are fronting caffeinated hubs, workers are organizing for better pay, and upstart brands are fighting industry waste.

BY EVE BATEY AND TERRY KIRTS

58

MARK HER WORDS

Indiana author and bookstore owner Leah Johnson has built a career telling the stories of people who often go unheard. Her latest work, Black Girl Power, is a spirited anthology of voices that resonate now more than ever.

BY JULIA SPALDING

Author and bookshop owner Leah Johnson opens up.

Photograph by Andrew Doench at Golden Hour Books

CIRCLE CITY

13 SPEED READ

For the 38th consecutive year, the football world descends on Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine.

15

BEST BETS

Five can’t-miss events in Indy this month.

16 THE HOOSIERIST

Our Indiana expert addresses the feasibility of DIY pothole repair.

16

UNSPOKEN RULES

We offer a manner-festo for taking a winter joyride on the Pokagon Toboggan Run.

17

ARTIFACT

Bing Crosby’s wool felt fedora and long-stemmed pipe hark back to the crooner’s heyday.

18

ASK ME ANYTHING

Newfields’ new president and CEO steers our city’s premier cultural institution.

GOOD LIFE

23 WANTED

We found footwear with romantic flair for Valentine’s Day and beyond.

24 SHOP TALK

Luna Music has stayed in tune with the times for 30 years.

25 TRENDING

Warm up your winter style with a new and beautiful hue.

26 PET PROJECT

On the fence about fostering? We’ll help you decide.

27 TRAVELER

Music City beckons with stellar live shows, amazing museums ... and Goo Goo Clusters.

28

REALTY CHECK

Which would you pick: A condo in a prestige building downtown or a boater’s dream townhome in Geist?

THE DISH

31 SWOON Corridor’s kabocha squash wedge is a one-of-a-kind starter.

32 FIRST BITE

Hawaiian-style doughnuts

land in Fishers, Parkside Public House’s chef shares the secret to perfect salmon, and Sahm’s Tavern & Sports Bar enlivens Irvington. 34

FOODIE

Stephanie Daily’s scratch lasagna in traditional and inventive varieties is a giftable feast.

36

TASTE TEST

Veggies, proteins, and grains make for scrumptious and satisfying salads.

38 REVIEW

With know-how from her native England, the former owner of Tilly’s Tea Room opens a fish and chips shop.

Never heard of

Shinn Horse? You’ve probably seen it. We solve the mystery.

Carrington Homes is committed to providing a personalized, hands-on experience for every client. From concept to completion, we work closely with you to bring your vision to life, with meticulous attention to detail and seamless communication. Our approach ensures an unparalleled experience, delivering homes that reflect sophistication, quality, and individuality.

1,444

FEBRUARY

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTIONS IN THIS ISSUE

65 // SCHOOL GUIDE

Are you weighing education options for your family? Let us do the homework for you. Our annual school listings include test scores, tuition rates, and contact information for public, private, and charter schools in Central Indiana, as well as enrollment numbers, room and board fees, and degree programs offered at statewide colleges and universities.

IN THE NEXT ISSUE ...

FACES OF INDY

Meet Indy-area business leaders representing a wide range of industries, such as real estate, finance, education, medicine and dentistry, residential design, and restaurants and hospitality. They’ll share details about their professional successes, philosophies, and focus areas.

BIG TEN BASKETBALL FAN GUIDE

Hoops fans convene on the Circle City for women’s and men’s college tournament action. Get information about game schedules, fan festivities, and local attractions and dining destinations to visit during the championships.

PRIVATE BANKING

Our Private Banking clients receive exceptional personal service and advice from our experts. Private Bankers work with you, and our extended team of Wealth Management specialists, to provide comprehensive lending, investment management and trust services that meet your goals.

EDITOR’S

NOTE

Friend Request

Andrea Ratcliff Editor-in-Chief

BY OUR own physiological nature, humans are designed to be social creatures. We require interaction to learn, develop, and thrive in the world. But some of us are wired with a greater capacity for external stimulation, while others need to retreat and reboot regularly in order to function optimally. I’m the latter type, an introvert, which doesn’t mean I’m antisocial. I still crave meaningful connection, but my tank fills up and runs out more quickly than an extrovert’s. If you’re trying to guess who will be the last person standing at the end of a party, I’ll give you a hint: not me. If an event is too “people-y,” I’ll definitely reach overload sooner rather than later. And FOMO doesn’t really exist in my realm. Would I rather go to a packed venue where I must squeeze my body through a maze of complete strangers, accidentally touching way too many butt cheeks along the way, or stay in the comfort of my own home and hang out with Irving? The dog wins that decision all too often. It takes some effort for me to make new friends and establish bonds, but I find it much easier in the context of a structured activity, like volunteering, taking art or enrichment classes, or discussing a recent read with my book club. If you want to expand your circle but struggle to find like-minded souls, this month’s cover package (p. 40) is your new BFF. IM features editor and social butterfly Julia Spalding organized an inclusive roster of fun activities and collegial gatherings—from group hikes, to craft nights, to intramural sports games, to axe-throwing sessions—to fill your calendar and your contacts list. This guide acts as a wingman to help you score some new pals. If you prefer companions of the canine or feline variety, our flowchart on pet fostering (p. 26) could introduce some new four-legged friends, too.

( CONTRIBUTORS )

Lynch

If friends are the family we choose for ourselves, Amy Lynch is proud of and grateful for the circle surrounding her. “When my dad died last year, I couldn’t have gotten through it without that support,” says the Indianapolisbased freelance writer. A frequent IM contributor, Lynch enjoyed researching new ways to connect with the local community for this month’s cover story (p. 40).

Johnson

An illustrator based in Brooklyn, New York, Ryan Johnson works from his home studio, avoiding potholes—and the question of how to patch them (p. 16)—as best he can. His illustrations have been called eccentric, inventive, vibrant, and exaggerated. Johnson has contributed illustrations for Ask The Hoosierist for nearly five years.

An Indianapolis native and graduate of Lawrence North High School, Seth Johnson has worked as a freelance writer in the Indianapolis area since 2013, reporting on all things arts and culture, like Luna Music’s 30th anniversary (p. 24). When he’s not roaming the streets of Fountain Square, Johnson is likely found at a local concert or glued to the TV watching the Indiana Pacers.

MEET CUTES

FOLLOWING THE THEME OF THIS MONTH’S COVER FEATURE (P. 40), WE ASKED THE STAFF HOW THEY MET THEIR BESTIES.

“High school cheerleading tryouts. She didn’t go to my middle school, so I wanted to befriend her before high school started and warn her about all the boys in our grade. We bonded at summer gym and cheerleading camp. (And she eventually married my brother.)”

—Christiana Bertsch, Advertising Art Director

“She was my roommate freshman year of college. We were two of EIGHT in our suite. It was a big suite, but throwing eight teenage girls together who’d never met is crazy!”

—Camille Graves, Managing Editor

“At summer camp, a girl sitting next to me started humming a song by my favorite (obscure) band. I nearly screamed in excitement asking her how she knew that song. Turns out, it was her favorite band too, and now we’ve been besties for over 10 years.”

—Maura Broderson, Editorial Art Director

“I was at the bar of a glitzy private club when a fellow journalist I’d (gently, albeit publicly) criticized sat down next to me. Several drinks into a baredteeth verbal brawl, we were bonded for life. In the ensuing decades, we’ve laughed, cried, and worked together countless times.”

—Eve Batey, Food & Dining Editor

Amy

Seth Johnson

Ryan

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TEDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Andrea Ratcliff

PUBLISHER

Ivy Bayer

SALES DIRECTOR

Holly Whitney

FEATURES EDITOR

Julia Spalding

LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Christina Vercelletto

FOOD & DINING EDITOR

Eve Batey

MANAGING EDITOR

Camille Graves

DIGITAL EDITOR

Clay Maxfield

EDITORIAL INTERNS

Gabriela Bell, Erika Kovach

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Amy Cecil, Matthew Clements, Jena Jennings, Nancy Oliphant

IndianapolisMonthly.com/ advertise-with-us

DESIGN DIRECTOR

Margo Wininger

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Vu Luong

EDITORIAL ART DIRECTOR

Maura Broderson

ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR

Christiana Bertsch

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Megan Fernandez, Stephen Garstang, Jeana Harris, Terry Kirts, Amy Lynch, Sam Stall

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS

Ryan Johnson, Tony Valainis

BUSINESS

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Missy Beiting

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Combine Forces

For the 38th consecutive year, the football world descends upon Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine, a four-day showcase of rising stars. Tex Schramm, legendary general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, planted its seed in 1980 when he suggested teams centralize prospecting. Even he couldn’t have foreseen that his concept would explode into the premier mega-event it’s become.

THE COMBINE IS FAN-FOCUSED. And free. With the advent of open admission in 2023, an incredible 27,226 fans crossed the threshold of Lucas Oil Stadium at last year’s combine. Admission for the February 27–March 2 combine is again gratis for anyone wanting to catch a first look at future NFL legends. Complimentary admission is a directive from the NFL, part of its goal to keep this event accessible to all.

BUT YOU NEED TO DECIDE IN ADVANCE WHETHER YOU WANT TO GO. Fans are asked to register their interest in attending at nfl.com/combine prior to the event to receive an NFL 1 Pass, which is a QR code “ticket.” If you can’t be there in person, the NFL Network is broadcasting the event. Fans can also stream the combine on NFL+.

MUCH EXCITEMENT AWAITS. Back in 2018, the NFL only permitted fans to watch the on-field drills. But come 2022, it started taking a more fan-centric approach, dubbed the “Inside Look.” This year, it’s been renamed the NFL Combine Experience and will be set up all four days in the south lot of Lucas Oil. You’ll have the opportunity to take photos with the Colts Super Bowl XLI Vince Lombardi trophy, get a close-up look at all 58 Super Bowl rings, and participate in fun interactive games like agility drills to see how you’d stack up against an aspiring pro player. All the concession stands in the stadium will be open, offering special food and beverage choices. And, of course, you’ll have a chance to snag an array of branded merch.

IT ALL STARTS WITH APPROXIMATELY 3,000 GREAT COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYERS WHO HAVE THE TALENT TO JOIN THE NFL. To nab a chance at becoming one of the lucky ones to participate in the “ultimate four-day job interview,” hopefuls must first declare for the NFL Draft. While seniors whose college eligibility has run out are preferred, underclassmen can elect to relinquish their remaining college eligibility and apply for dispensation to declare for the draft if they meet all NCAA and NFL requirements. Athletes who did not play

THE NFL COMBINE HAS MORPHED INTO A MULTIFACETED, MAJOR DRAW— AND THUS ONE THAT’S NOW SOUGHT AFTER BY MANY OTHER CITIES.

college football may also be eligible and must contact the NFL’s Player Personnel Department.

ONLY 300 TO 335 ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMBINE. The Player Selection Committee includes the directors of both BLESTO (Bears, Lions, Eagles, and Steelers Talent Organization) and the National Scouting Services, which together represent 28 NFL teams. The remaining four NFL teams are encouraged to offer input as well. Those work alongside NFL executives who remain anonymous and rotate every year. Then the committee reviews every eligible player individually, paying careful attention to their college records. Each invitation to the combine is decided by a vote based on the player’s optimal field position. The NFL admits this is not a perfect science, but the goal is to invite every athlete who has it in him to make the final cut at the end of the combine and enter a professional football career.

ONLY ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THE PLAYERS IN THE COMBINE ARE EVENTUALLY SIGNED BY THE NFL. Once athletes are at the combine, the real test awaits. Physical drills include a 225-pound bench press, the ever-popular 40-yard dash, the broad jump, and a specialized speed, coordination, and agility test of “movement efficiency.” Scouts are looking at players’ ability to change direction with ease, for example. But physical ability isn’t the only consideration. Players are ranked on their overall health, especially as it relates to orthopedics, and judged on their competitiveness and drive to succeed. Character counts, too, and is showcased in interviews and through interactions with scouts, fellow players, coaches, and agents throughout the event.

PLAYING HOST TO THE COMBINE IS A BIG DEAL. For decades now, Indianapolis has been Combine City and without a

doubt helped the once low-profile event grow into what it is today. The combine helped us grow, too. In 2024, the economic impact was a staggering $9.26 million. Every year, hotels sell out, with not only players, coaches, and their families descending on Indy, but also with the executives of 32 teams, their staffs, and, now, throngs of fans.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE. OR A CITY. The advocates whose visionary work has kept this event coming to Indianapolis since 1987 include the Colts, Visit Indy, the Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium, the City of Indianapolis, IU Health, and Indiana Sports Corp. Recently this consortium angled to keep the combine here in 2026.

BUT OTHER CITIES ARE NIPPING AT OUR HEELS. The NFL Combine has morphed into a multifaceted, major draw—and thus one that’s now sought after by many other cities. Visit Indy is “on the offense playing defense” to save the annual event from migrating.

THANKFULLY, WE HAVE AN EDGE. When Lucas Oil Stadium was built in 2008, dedicated fiber optic lines were run underground that connected the stadium to local hospitals, primarily IU Health. Those provide near-instantaneous access to medical data, allowing for the analysis of 600-plus MRIs and 1,200plus X-rays in real-time. That gives us a significant advantage over cities that don’t have this advanced medical connectivity.

IT’S MORE THAN A SCOUTING AND MONEYMAKING EVENT IN THE END. The benefits of the combine to Indianapolis and the NFL teams stand out. But this program also helps develop generations of high-quality football players who have character on top of great skills, fostering the continued popularity of this all-American sport and a genuine love of the game. —MIKE BOTKIN

(1) WWE Royal Rumble

February 1

Wrestling fans have been flocking to this annual event since 1988, and it’s finally coming to Indy. The last man and woman left standing in Lucas Oil Stadium both move on to the WrestleMania championship. lucasoilstadium.com

(2) Mania: The ABBA Tribute

February 6 Polish those platform shoes. This popular tribute band is celebrating the 50th anniversary (!) of the Swedish pop group by recreating the 1970s “Dancing Queen” era at the Egyptian Room. concerts.livenation.com

(3) Winter Jam ’25

February 7 Christian music’s biggest tour will include Skillet, Anne Wilson, Colton Dixon, and Newsong when it stops at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Admission is $15 at the door. Arrive early for a pre-concert party. gainbridgefieldhouse.com

(4) Jay and Silent Bob: The Aural Sects Tour

February 13

Attention pop culture junkies of the earlyaughts: Don’t expect the usual schtick. At Old National Centre, the comedic duo will be themselves—Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes— sharing musings on being dads and husbands. oldnationalcentre.com

(5) Big Ten Indoor Track & Field Championships

February 28

This meet marks the first year the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion at the State Fairgrounds hosts the top-rung collegiate athletes from across the Big Ten Conference. indianastatefair.com

Rough Patch

Q : I REPORTED A HUGE POTHOLE ON MY STREET TO THE MAYOR’S ACTION CENTER MORE THAN A MONTH AGO. CAN I JUST FIX IT MYSELF? A: Your frustration is understandable. At the end of winter in Indianapolis, we all want to search “fix a pothole” on YouTube. That said, this is not a DIY project. Turns out, the Indianapolis Department of Public Works frowns upon private citizens taking matters into their own hands. They tell us you need a general contractor’s license and an excavation permit, plus bonding and insurance in case the work goes sideways. And rest assured that if you try to dump driveway compound into the offending crater while dodging traffic—you’d have no authority to close the street—odds are excellent that something will go sideways. Patience may not feel like a virtue here, but it beats getting arrested, sued, or hit by a car. —SAM STALL

Pokagon Toboggan Run

A MANNER-FESTO FOR INDIANA’S 90-FOOT-LONG WINTER JOYRIDE IN ANGOLA.

Arrive at 10 a.m. to avoid long lines and to nab your rental. Bring friends. For $20, four people get all the runs they can do in an hour. Accompany kids, even though they can go solo. Someone has to lug the sled up the tower. Brace yourself. Sleds have been clocked at 42 mph. Hit the lounge at the base of the slide, which has restrooms and snacks. Take advantage of warmer days. Thanks to the refrigerated track, the run operates every Saturday and Sunday through February 23. Check the weather if you plan to go on a cold day. They close if it gets down to 0 degrees. Wear gloves, required regardless of temperature.

ask THE HOOSIERIST

Bing Crosby’s Hat and Pipe

VINTAGE: PRE-1977

Resides at The Great American Songbook Foundation archives in Carmel.

AT THE TIME of his passing in 1977, Bing Crosby was the biggest selling recording star of all time. His relaxed, conversational style influenced legions of artists after him. The crooner, most famous for “White Christmas,” was also a radio show host, an Oscar-winning actor, and a beloved supporter of U.S. troops in World War II. Aside from his soothing baritone, hats were his trademark. Crosby—whose given name was Harry—donned them to avoid having to wear a toupee. This wool felt fedora, along with the pipe, was gifted to Michael Feinstein (a performer, preservationist, and founder of The Great American Songbook Foundation in Carmel) by Crosby’s family at least 15 years ago. Crosby was also rarely seen without a slender, long-stemmed pipe clenched between his teeth or in his hand. It’s said that he picked up pipe smoking to placate his mother, who hated the smell of his cigarettes. —CHRISTINA VERCELLETTO

Le Monte Booker, Newfields’ President and CEO

THE FORMER CFO OF CHICAGO’S FIELD MUSEUM IS READY TO STEER OUR CITY’S PREMIER CULTURAL INSTITUTION AWAY FROM THE CONTROVERSY OF THE PAST AND TOWARD AN EVEN BRIGHTER FUTURE. BY SAM STALL

Was leaving Chicago a big adjustment?

Chicago obviously has a bigger cultural arts scene, but here you have a growing arts scene, which the community is really invested in. That was surprising and very good to see.

What sorts of programs would you like to develop?

We recently did a sneaker giveaway to 2,000 local kids as part of our Future

Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks exhibition. It includes shoes from 3D-printed models to ones made from mushroom leather and

reclaimed ocean plastic. Schoolkids came in and were a part of it. We want to do more of that, bringing the community in to engage with us.

Did you find it odd that Newfields has such a mix of offerings?

That’s what makes this place special. With the treasures of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Miller House [in Columbus, Indiana], the Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, and the Lilly House and Gardens, we can deliver experiences to the public that other institutions can’t.

The last two CEOs left under controversial circumstances. Did that give you pause?

I did a great deal of research and was satisfied that Newfields is an excellent institution that was handling this challenge and responding to the community in a responsible manner.

What’s your favorite piece in the museum’s collection?

I’m not ready to name it since I’ve only been here since late October. But I do think LOVE by Robert Indiana, an outdoor sculpture before being restored and moved inside, is amazing.

What’s the way forward for a museum in a world of virtual everything?

That question is being asked by many institutions. We are engaging in areas that show incredible innovation, such as The Lume and the Future Now exhibition. We are looking to embrace a wider audience, though we do truly have great respect for the timeless masterpieces that are here.

For the last few years, Newfields has worked to develop that wider audience by increasing staff diversity and conducting DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, access) training. I had a meet and greet with our members, some of whom have been with us for 25 years or longer. I was amazed by the incredible diversity in age, race, gender, and sexual orientation. We will stay true to our values. And our values embrace DEIA because we believe it’s good for the entirety of our community.

What’s your mission, and how will you achieve it?

It’s to grow Newfields, not only operationally with more people choosing to visit but in the ways we impact children, future artists, and all those involved in art, including other cultural institutions. I think what will be key is recognizing the changing profile of our visitors. We will listen attentively to them to make sure we understand what they’re looking for. We’re already doing this in the types of new art that we’re selecting and our commitment to acquire art from underrepresented groups. Such steps will help ensure that interest in Newfields will only grow as demographics change.

Women’s heart health the focal point for Aly Bove and Chrissy Ryan

Aly Bove and Chrissy Ryan are on a mission.

They’re on a mission to help Hoosier women live longer, healthier lives by helping those women understand that heart disease is their number one health threat.

The two are co-chairing the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement in Indianapolis this year. Go Red for Women is now in its third decade of promoting women’s heart health by educating women and funding research

Both felt compelled to join the movement when they realized the impact heart disease has on the lives of women.

“When my friend and last year’s co-chair of Go Red for Women, Katie Lucas, discovered her heart issue, I was very surprised,” says Bove, national account director for QuidelOrtho, a manufacturer of diagnostic healthcare products. “We’re youngish, the same age – that’s not something you typically hear. Katie immediately wanted to do something to help others and I

was compelled to say yes to show my support for her and the AHA as a part of the leadership team.

“I learned so much about the to women that I didn’t previously know, and it immediately made me think of the women in my life – my mom, my mother-in-law, aunts, and my daughter.”

Bove’s mother had gone to the emergency room with chest pain a few times over a two-year period but had been diagnosed with anxiety each time. She eventually went for further testing and was found to have an aortic aneurysm.

“I’m not sure we would have taken all of the steps to get that diagnosed if I hadn’t have learned so much being part of Go Red for Women,” Bove says.

Ryan, too, committed to the cause when Bove and mutual friends called her about the opportunity.

“I was diagnosed with a heart marker in college, and I’m now in menopause,” says Ryan, whose family owns Ryan Fireprotection.

“My doctor was suggesting some preventative medication, and I was in the middle of processing all this and thinking about my heart health when Aly called me. I knew heart disease is my biggest health threat, and I knew I needed to help get the word out.”

Ryan is from a family full of heart disease. Her father and his eight siblings all have heart disease.

four others have a marker for heart disease.

“My dad had a fabulous cardiologist who got all of us tested, and I’ve been blessed to have great health care,” Ryan says. “But I know many women don’t have what I have. It’s important that their hearts are taken care of just as well as mine.”

A friend of Ryan’s had a stroke recently at age 45. Ryan doesn’t believe major events like heart

The Ryan family

The Bove Family

attacks or strokes should be necessary before cardiovascular disease is thought of more seriously by both women and medical professionals.

“We do so much preventative and diagnostic treatment for other diseases, but we need that same level of attention brought to heart disease,” Ryan says. “Breast cancer, colonoscopies – there’s so much done around other diseases, but even people with great health care usually don’t do any diagnostic tests for

heart disease. We usually wait until there’s a problem and then

Ultimately, “knowledge is power,” Bove says. And in their roles with the American Heart Association, both women intend to spread as much knowledge about heart disease and stroke as possible.

“Spreading awareness is the passion for me,” Bove says. “I know we’ve already helped women in a short amount of

time in this role. We’re excited to do even more.”

Go Red for Women is a comprehensive platform designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women. The annual Go Red for Women luncheon to celebrate the impact of the program in Central Indiana is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 28. More information is available at www.heart.org/ indygoesred.

BUILDING LONGER, HEALTHIER LIVES IN INDIANA

WANTED

Bed of Roses

Transitional footwear to carry you stylishly and comfortably from winter to spring is hard to find. But the L’Artiste Dezi loafers step gorgeously into the gap. They’re a work of art: The soft, ombre leather is hand-painted. With a rubber outsole and a leather lining, they’re sturdier than flimsier flats. That makes them the perfect shoes for your Valentine’s date night if the weather, or your mood, doesn’t allow for heels. $130. Goodman’s Shoes, 1530 E. 86th St., 317-846-5718, goodmansshoes.com —CHRISTINA VERCELLETTO

Luna Music

ADDRESS

5202 N. College Ave. HOURS

Mon–Sat 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Sun 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

( SHOP TALK )

High Note

“THE MUSIC SHOP FOR MUSIC LOVERS” TURNS 30.

BY SETH JOHNSON

SINCE day one, Todd Robinson’s first priority has been turning customers into friends. Then he makes sure those friends have a vast selection of music to browse that includes recordings they can’t find anywhere else. “Three decades on, I still try and do those things,” says the owner of record emporium Luna Music.

Originally at 86th and Ditch, Luna is now a beloved spot in Meridian-Kessler. It has hosted live performances by the Black Keys, John Mayer, and many other artists, carrying new and pre-loved vinyl LPs, CDs, and even cassettes, along with branded merch and musicrelated books and magazines. It also does a brisk business in used turntables. But the emphasis is on vinyl, the resurgence of which was a surprise. “I remember the moment where it was like, ‘We need to take away CD space to make more room for vinyl,’” Robinson says. And that he did, with well over 35,000 LPs now in stock.

Reflecting on his long run, Robinson is grateful for the connections he’s made. “The beautiful wellspring of people is one of the best parts of having this place.”

SUCH A COOL OUTFIT!

scouted

It’s comfy but a little elevated by the cashmere cardigan for any day on the job. It also works going out to see a band and dancing all night.

FAVORITE CLOTHING STORES?

Lux & Ivy, Zodiac Vintage, and Goodwill.

I NEVER LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT … Earrings. The more outlandish or shocking, the better.

HAS YOUR STYLE CHANGED OVER THE YEARS?

It’s swung between business casual and chef’s overalls, but I’m always going to be a rock and roller. Black jeans, T.U.K. buckle boots, band buttons, a crazy sweater, a big, chunky necklace. And pink hair.

—CHRISTINA VERCELLETTO

(1) Nathaniel Russell T-shirt, $20 (2) Laser-etched wood LP crate, $40 (3) Luna tote bag, $10 (4) Negative discharge–printed bandana, $15 (5) Luna throwback sweatshirt, reintroduced from 2010, $40

Purple Reign

THE HOT HUE? FUTURE DUSK, A HAZY PLUM WITH A SOPHISTICATED SENSIBILITY.

BY STEPHEN GARSTANG

1484 W. 86th St., 317-228-9411

(1) The Addison Ross London lacquered chinoiserie grinder mills salt or pepper. $75. Charles Mayer & Co., 5629 N. Illinois St., 317-257-2900

(2) Dip-dyed by hand, this brushed cashmere crewneck sweater has an extra-fuzzy finish. $198. J. Crew, The Fashion Mall, 317-848-2739

(3) The Garnier Thiebaut Fontainebleau tablecloth is woven of longfiber cotton. $447. Charles Mayer & Co., 5629 N. Illinois St., 317-257-2900

(4) Shown in Iron Fade, the On CloudX3 runners cushion you with comfort. $150. Englin’s Fine Footwear, multiple locations

(5) This grape agate pendant ($300) and adjustable bracelet ($150) shimmer like gumdrops. Inner Path North,

(6) Bora’s star sapphire ring is handcrafted of oxidized sterling in brutalist style. $650. Inner Path North, 1484 W. 86th St., 317-228-9411

(7) Dress Open Edit’s bias-cut satin maxi skirt in Grey Folkstone up or down. $60. Nordstrom, The Fashion Mall, 317-810-9809

Fostering Hope

Are you ready to host an animal waiting for a forever home? BY

CHRISTINA VERCELLETTO

Local rescues and shelters are inundated, especially with cats and bigger dogs. They rely on a network of foster families to help animals who need training, socialization, or daily medical care to be adoptable or who just need a break from shelter life. Fostering is rewarding, but signing on without thinking it through may do more harm than good. Answer these questions—be honest with yourself—to see if you’re prepared for both the joy and the responsibility of fostering.

CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF WANTING TO KEEP THE PET?

CONCLUSION 1:

Congrats! You’re a solid dog foster parent candidate. With realistic expectations plus time, energy, and space to spare, you can make all the difference to a canine. A fenced-in yard is ideal for the bigger dogs typically in need of fosters, but some, like seniors, do fine without. Find out more at indyhumane.org/foster.

FOSTER PETS OFTEN HAVE SPECIAL TRAINING OR CARE NEEDS. DO YOU HAVE THE TIME AND ENERGY?

IS EVERYONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD ON BOARD? NO

DO YOU HAVE A SPACE IN YOUR HOME THAT CAN BE CLOSED OFF FOR AT LEAST A WEEK?

ARE YOU ABLE TO BRING A PET TO A MEET-AND-GREET ON SHORT NOTICE?

DO YOU HAVE A FENCED-IN YARD?

CONCLUSION 2: A feline may be in your future.

An endless stream of feral and stray cats strains our local animal welfare organizations. Having only lived outside, foster cats need to be quarantined so that you can monitor their health and make it easier for them to adjust to being indoors. When kitten season starts in early spring, Biscuit Factory Animal Rescue (bfrescue.com/howto-help) particularly needs foster parents willing to bottle feed.

CONCLUSION 3:

Fostering probably isn’t a great idea right now. Even the kindest of animal lovers can’t necessarily foster successfully. Taking on an animal with toileting, aggression, or destruction issues is a big commitment that many of us can’t make, as much as we’d like to. And saying goodbye to an animal you’ve fallen in love with—and you will have to say goodbye—can be too hard. That’s OK, though: You can still help by donating supplies through wishlist shopping at indyhumane.org/foster and bfrescue.com/how-to-help

Honky Tonk Heaven

THE COUNTRY MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD HAS A SOUND ALL ITS OWN.

BY LOU HARRY

TENNESSEE’S capital city is inextricably linked to music, and for good reason. You don’t need to be the biggest fan of country, though, to have an unforgettable weekend down in Nashville.

The Grand Ole Opry (opry.com) is approaching 100 years of live and on-radio performances. Its format is as delightful as ever: Each act performs a trio of songs as a witty host keeps things jovial. Recently, Larry Gatlin performed with his brothers, then emceed a program that included American Idol winner Scotty McCreery and Riders in the Sky, the band of veterans best known for “Woody’s Roundup” in Toy Story 2. Downtown’s legendary Ryman Auditorium (ryman .com) still brings in top-tier performers. March 2025 shows include Keb Mo and Shawn Colvin, Lonestar, and Trisha Yearwood. At The Listening Room Cafe (listening roomcafe.com/nashville), meanwhile, the vibe

Nashville, TN

is mellow, the ribs and barbecue hit the spot, and the unscripted banter is as interesting as the lyrics of the singer-songwriters on stage.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (countrymusichalloffame.org) may be Nashville’s highest-profile attraction, but lesser-known museums are equally outstanding. The Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum (musicianshalloffame.com) celebrates studio musicians across genres, including those who recorded for Motown in Detroit and Muscle Shoals in Alabama. And don’t miss the National Museum of African American Music (nmaam.org), where a fascinating film leads you into room after room of memorabilia and engaging interactives. You can spend hours listening to artists you know and love while also connecting to the work of those who inspired them, as well as the musicians they, in turn, have influenced. A wristband, included with admission, lets you build playlists to transfer to Apple or Spotify.

IF YOU GO

STAY Get lost among dozens of eateries and shops, water attractions, a spa, and thousands of plants at the gargantuan Gaylord Opryland Resort (gaylordhotels.com).

INDULGE Make your own treat at Goo Goo Chocolate Co. (googoo .com), home of Nashville classic candy Goo Goo Clusters.

BELT IT OUT A party atmosphere awaits on Honky Tonk Highway (visitmusiccity.com), the lower Broadway bar-studded strip where the crowd is likely to sing along.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to get outside this winter, the LINCOLN BOYHOOD NATIONAL MEMORIAL in Lincoln City offers a mix of fresh air and education. Take a trip through time, and along hiking trails, at the park that honors Abraham Lincoln’s formative years in frontier Indiana. nps.gov/libo —ERIKA KOVACH

TRAVELER

Rooms With a View

The Prestige Address

The Indianapolis Athletic Club operated out of this building for 80 years before it was converted into upscale condominiums in 2005. The striking renaissance revival architecture has been maintained immaculately. Residents enjoy an impressive array of amenities, from pickleball, racquetball, and basketball courts to conference facilities, a rooft op patio, a reading library, and a fitness center. Inside the unit, the sleek space is flooded with natural light. Without any fussy design elements to distract from the elevated vantage point, it’s easy to be captivated by the bustling streets below. The large kitchen has loads of counter space and a double oven for easy dinner party prep.

The Boater’s Dream

If the thought of life by the water’s edge soothes your soul, this townhouse will tempt. Located steps from Geist Reservoir, the tidy home surprises with more than 3,000 square feet of living space across the three floors, yet it feels cozy and welcoming from top to bott om. Shiplap accent walls bring texture to the main level recreation room while also contributing to a laidback vibe. That feeling continues in the expansive primary suite, which is all about relaxation. It entices with a sitt ing room, a walk-in closet, and a bathroom big enough for both a soaking tub and a separate shower. A newly remodeled kitchen boasts a clean white-on-white palett e. Right off the kitchen, a deck offers lovely views of the water and the promise of serene summer nights on the horizon.

REALTY CHECK

Safe Passage

After chefs Erin Kem and Logan McMahan took over Nicole-Taylor’s Pasta + Market + Backroom Eatery in 2023, they slowly started to transform the venerable spot. Its biggest change will manifest this month following a renovation, when it reopens as Corridor, a lunchtime restaurant with influences from the Mediterranean, North African, and Arab worlds. (Its market and chef’s table dinners remain.) An example of the new menu is the Kabocha Wedge, a hunk of kabocha squash loaded with crispy kataifi pastry, puffed wild rice, and pomegranate, then dressed with zhoug (a Yemeni hot sauce) and garlicky toum. 1134 E. 54th St., 317-257-7374, corridorindy.com —EVE BATEY

Photo by TONY VALAINIS

SWOON

( NEW IN TOWN )

A Joyful Noise

INDY’S FAVORITE DOUGHNUT POP-UP LANDS

A PLACE OF ITS OWN. BY EVE BATEY

AFTER YEARS of pop-ups and having to use a shared space for their business, husband-and-wife restaurateurs Tom Nguyen and Rachel Burnett dreamed of a standalone storefront. After an ambitious construction project, that fantasy will be realized this month, when Mochi Joy Donuts opens in a 96th Street strip mall. “We wanted to have a big enough space to not be on top of each other, to have a big kitchen to grow and then have room for seating as well,” Burnett says of their new spot, a breezy and high-ceilinged space with simple lines that allow their eye-catching pastries to stand out.

The menu will include all of Mochi Joy’s current favorites, mainly brightly iced Hawaiian-style doughnuts with—thanks to its primary ingredient, rice flour—a cushiony inside and crisp outside crust. Watch for new menu items such as a cake scoop–topped doughnut, drizzled with caramel or fudge. 8664 E. 96th St., Fishers, 463-266-0021, mochijoydonuts.com

PINCH OF WISDOM

To make a perfect salmon fillet, sear it on the stove for just a couple minutes on each side, then finish by cooking it in the oven. That way, all its juices will stay inside instead of in the pan.

—Fidelmar

Garcia Garcia, chef, Parkside Public House

( CHEERS ) Many Happy Returns

A popular eastside corner bar space gets new life.

TAPS HAVE returned to the former Irvington home of Scarlet Lane Brewing, and this time, cocktails are shaking there too. Sahm’s Hospitality Group has expanded into the location with Sahm’s Tavern & Sports Bar, dressing the cozy corner spot with plentiful pennants and posters of locals’ favorite sports teams, as well as hunting ephemera for the outdoorsy crowd. Expect familiar Sahm’s fare, such as hearty app baskets, piled-high sandwiches, and a short list of Pittsburgh-style steaks, well-seared but still blushing pink inside. A full roster of Big Lug Brewing Co. beers gets good company from top-notch mixed drinks, including Sahm’s signature Coffee Cake White Russian, which is smooth, creamy, and full of spice and sweetness. 5632 E. Washington St., 317-3885228, sahmstavernirvington.com —TERRY KIRTS

TIMES THREE St. Elmo spinoff 1933 Lounge will open a third location in Carmel in “early 2025.” CHECK IN Downtown’s recently renovated Omni Severin Hotel boasts two new restaurants: railroad-themed coffee shop 8th Notch and Bar Cardinale, a Great Gatsby–inspired lounge and restaurant. IRISH GOODBYE After 10 years on Mass Ave, Nine Irish Brothers has abruptly closed for business, citing its owners’ “difficult year.” —E.B.

DREAM HOME

This 18,000-square-foot luxury show home combines cutting-edge design and amenities with seclusion and natural beauty on 8 wooded acres near Geist Reservoir in Fishers. The creative teams of Carrington Homes, Revkah Design, and Emily Handke Design collaborated on the high-end signature residence that includes custom features such as a gaming lounge, indoor basketball court, wellness center, gourmet kitchen, pool and spa, and more.

The Lasagna Lady

STEPHANIE DAILY’S SEND A FRIEND LASAGNA IS COZY COMFORT IN A PAN. BY

EVE BATEY

STEPHANIE Daily’s childhood as an Indy food scion is one of the reasons she vowed she’d never open a restaurant. Her grandparents owned Dunham’s Prime Time, a Carmel prime rib and seafood hot spot for much of the 1970s and ’80s. “I loved the chaos of it and loved seeing my family making amazing things,” she says. “But owning a restaurant is for the brave. And I am not that brave.”

Instead, she went into digital marketing, hopping on the social media trend in its earliest days. She built a successful career in that arena, but says, “I was always the lasagna person in my family. If somebody had a baby, or passed away, that was my lot in life, to bring them a lasagna.” After one of her cousins noted her role, using the phrase “send a friend lasagna,” Daily says she realized “this might be a business.”

She launched her endeavor as a side hustle in 2019, but when the pandemic

began in 2020, Send a Friend Lasagna blew sky-high. “Nobody wanted to leave the house,” Daily says, so someone ready and willing to bring a fresh (“Not frozen,” Daily repeatedly emphasizes) and made-from-scratch tray of comforting, filling lasagna was exactly what the world needed at that moment.

Though lockdown is a distant memory, Daily’s business continues to grow. At least six varieties of her

signature dish are always available, as well as a gluten-free version and a multi-pan sampler, all available for delivery across Indianapolis. But don’t expect her to move away from delivery or into other types of dishes. “I like to keep things as simple as possible,” Daily says.”I believe in picking one thing, getting great at it, and staying on the path that’s working for you. Why make it more complicated for yourself?” sendafriendlasagna.com

(1) My sous vide machine. “I love using it to cook steaks to a perfect medium rare.” (2) Bluebeard. “It’s my favorite restaurant in the city.”

(3) Anything bohemian. “Peace signs, flowers, all that good stuff.” (4) Live music. “I had just had knee surgery, and still went to see Tom Petty and the Red Hot Chili Peppers while in a wheelchair.” (5) Grace Enstrom. “She’s done most of my tattoos.”

FAVORITE THINGS

FOODIE

BREADED TENDERLOIN Steer-In

PIZZA King Dough

RAMEN Strange Bird

BURGER Bru Burger Bar

STEAKHOUSE St. Elmo Steak House

VEGAN FOOD 10th Street Diner

NEW RESTAURANT Gather 22

COFFEE ROASTER Tinker Coffee Co.

COFFEEHOUSE Parlor Public House

DOUGHNUT Long’s Bakery

MEAT SHOP Kincaid’s Meat Market

PODCAST Crime Junkie

CELEB Caitlin Clark

BOUTIQUE HOTEL Bottleworks

TEAM Indiana Fever DAY SPA Woodhouse

POP-UP DINNERS Milktooth

KIDS CLOTHING STORE Little Tulip Tree

HAIR SALON Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

TAILOR/SEAMSTRESS Leon Tailoring

U-PICK FARM Tuttle Orchards

(1) Garden Table

The Rachel From Friends Salad

Rumor has it Jennifer Aniston ate the same lunch every day for 10 years. So can you, with GT’s mix of chilled quinoa, feta, cucumber, chickpeas, mint, parsley, and red onion. Even if you’re on a break from dressing, you’ll be hard-pressed to pass up this salad’s bright topping of lemon vinaigrette. Multiple locations, thegardentable.com

Green Space

LOADED WITH VEGGIES, GRAINS, AND PROTEINS, THESE SUBSTANTIAL WINTER SALADS PROVE YOU CAN GET YOUR GREENS ANY TIME OF YEAR. BY AMY LYNCH

(2) Thaitanium

Laab

This traditional Thai salad— sometimes called larb— perks up a meaty base of ground chicken, pork, beef, or tofu with toasted rice powder, ground chili, onions, mint, and a kicky lime dressing. Make sure to specify your preferred spice level, as they will happily make it super mild, blazingly hot, or anything in between. 735 Massachusetts Ave., 317-686-1848, thaitanium-indy.com

(3) Sahm’s Place

Big Ed’s Chop Salad

With diced turkey, ham, bacon, cauliflower, broccoli, tomato, egg, scallions, shredded cheese, your choice of dressing (we like the zesty lemon red pepper vinaigrette), and a slice of Sahm’s famous coffee cake on the side, this generous lunch option pretty much covers all your basic food groups. 2411 E. 65th St., 317-2021577, sahmsplace.com

(4) Cafe Patachou

Public Greens Power Bowl

Still mourning the recent loss of Public Greens? You can still find the restaurant’s signature dish at Patachou locations. Warm quinoa and brown rice with seeds, scallions, kale, carrots, and mushrooms comfort the spirits during these chilly days, especially when you throw a sunnyside-up egg on top. Multiple locations, cafepatachou.com

(5) Yamallama

Delicatessen

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

This root veg–centric dish heaps steamed brown rice, crispy chickpeas, and pickled red onions onto a bed of springy lettuce, then tops everything off with a bright and tangy tomato vinaigrette. Did we mention that it’s vegan and gluten-free? Two locations, yamallamadeli.com

Max & Tilly’s golden fish and chips (below); a brimming pint and can of Smithwicks, an Irish brew only recently available in the U.S.

Chipping In

MAX & TILLY’S 8701 E. 116th St., Fishers maxandtillys.com

HOURS Tue–Sat 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun Noon–7 p.m.

VIBE British chip shop

TASTING NOTES

A BRITISH TRANSPLANT TO INDY HAS OPENED AN ACE FISH AND CHIPS SHOP IN FISHERS.

BY TERRY KIRTS

SANDWICHES, salads, and hearty soups often popped up on the menu at Tilly’s Tea Room, Sharon Moore’s longstanding cafe inside The Fashion Mall’s Saks Fifth Avenue. So when a real estate agent offered her a recently vacated spot on 116th Street, she leapt at the chance: At last, she could open the full-service fishand-chips shop she’d been mulling. And after an ambitious construction project and some unexpected changes to her business, that’s exactly what she did, launching Max & Tilly’s just as 2024 reached its end.

Moore was born in Newcastle upon Tyne and came to the U.S. in the 1990s as a freelance journalist on the auto racing beat. Years later, she pivoted to the restaurant game, opening her first tearoom in Fishers. Daughter Matilda, the “Tilly” in the cafe’s name, was barely knee-high, pushing toys around the floor near a counter stocked with baskets of Cadbury Crunchie and fudge bars, as well as glass domes over caramel slices and Aunt Kathy’s carrot cake. Back then, Moore and her crew would occasionally wheel a fryer out on the lawn for fish-and-chips nights, but those days ended when the refurbished house that counted

Fried British favorites, tearoom sandwiches and sweets, teas, pints, and wine

NEIGHBORHOOD Downtown Fishers

MUST-ORDER

The Max with flaky battered cod, chips, gravy, and not-somushy peas; generously topped Filthy Fries; a hearty hot roast beef sandwich; and daily scones

3-STAR RATING

(right)

Tilly’s as a tenant was slated for demolition. After moving the business to Saks, her days of casual outdoor fish fries were over, and her days of celebrity fundraisers and fashion previews began.

Moore’s new business will happily cater to Saks shoppers, of course, but also hopes to attract its neighbors and fartherflung fans of British cuisine. On a recent visit, a hearty but slightly modest steak and merlot pie was a highlight, with its deeply savory filling of tender steak tips and plenty of rich gravy. The Matilda sandwich is just as grown-up as its namesake, a budding cake decorator who is now often behind the cash register. Her eponymous sarnie is a toasty swath of baguette piled with turkey, smoked gouda

pimento cheese, and tangy lemon aioli.

A warm bowl of cock-a-leekie soup made a fine accompaniment, and traditional spotted dick—the steamed, raisinstudded pudding with the entertaining name—was a perfectly sweet finish, if a bit dense and served cold from the cooler.

Moore’s dream of bringing true British fare is fully realized in her fish and chips, which are truly spectacular. The golden filets were as flaky as fried fish comes, without being greasy, and the peel-on fries were hearty and compulsively snackable. Both American and British treatments came with accompaniments of tartar sauce, earthy gravy, and malt vinegar.

And the mushy peas, which are made with dried peas that are soaked and boiled, were a perfect al dente, mushy in name only.

The chips were great straight up, but I also tried them as one of the shop’s Filthy Fries platters with a douse of that gravy and a scant covering of cheese curds, a nod to Canadian poutine. I could definitely see myself coming back for those.

Some savory, cheese-and-herb-flecked scones that we took home with some house-made clotted cream and Moore’s Earl Grey–infused fig preserves were both a perfect pick-me-up the next day and a hint of things to come. That’s because just as Moore began work on Max & Tilly’s (the name nods to both her daughter and her adult son), she got word that Saks was shutting down, leaving her tea shop without a home. It seemed like kismet when the spot next to her new business opened up after tenant Memento Zero Proof Lounge shuttered.

Now Moore is working to reopen Tilly’s Tea Room in the neighboring space, this time with a wine bar added. She’s also taken over the building’s vast rooftop patio, where she plans to continue her legacy of private teas and parties. Perhaps those days of star-studded charity events and glitzy runway shows aren’t in the rearview mirror, after all.

Clockwise from upper left: Filthy Fries; black cherry Bakewell coffee cake; Sharon Moore with son Max and daughter Matilda; the cozily lit dining room.

Edited by Julia Spalding

Let’s Be Friends

An Indy guide to meeting your new besties.

Finding your people as an adult can feel like an impossible feat, especially given our busy schedules and the way WFH’s new normal has put a damper on office camaraderie. But solid connections are out there, if you know where to look … along Indy’s hiking trails, around the craft table, in the poetry section, at a ninja gym, on First Friday. Whether you’re ready to join a book club, mingle with your neighbors, or simply say hello, let this list of friend-making suggestions serve as your wingman. You never know who you might meet.

Writers:

Amy Lynch and Sam Stall

Photos by Andrew Doench

Models Halle Shine, Hannah Carlock, Uma Behati, and Emma Doud

MILE MARKERS

The Indianapolis Hiking Club has been hitting the trails since 1957.

READING CIRCLE Subject-specific book clubs draw literature lovers to Golden Hour Books.

Walk It Off

Two keys to a long, healthy life are exercise and creating/maintaining social connections. Few put these together quite as seamlessly as the Indianapolis Hiking Club, whose roughly 600 members have pounded pretty much every trail in the state since the group’s 1957 founding. Membership skews older (50s to 60-plus), and a disconcerting number of the group’s pedestrian excursions start at 8 or 9 a.m. There are perhaps a half-dozen events scheduled pretty much every day, ranging from a 5-mile “easy” jaunt through Eagle Creek Park to regular, crack-of-dawn sojourns through Zionsville and evening hikes around Broad Ripple. Distances and difficulty levels for each journey are noted on the club’s packed online event schedule. To join, you must complete two walks with the club as a guest, fill out its application form, and pay the annual dues ($25 for an individual, $40 for a family membership). After that, you’re off to the races. Or rather, the strolls.

Crochet in Public

Bring your hooks and yarn (and that work-in-progress baby cardigan) to Gaia Cafe and Botanical any Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m. Settle into one of the coffee shop’s comfy sofas for a group needlecraft sesh. Other art projects are welcome as well.

Get Crafty

It is no surprise that studies support the benefits of having a calming, manual hobby that satisfies your creative urge. Sharing the Zen of busy hands takes those perks a step further, because the process naturally fosters conversation and a nice, relaxed vibe. In addition to its indoor golf simulators and big-screen TVs, The Hangar is equipped with dedicated crafting tables, which can be reserved in two-hour sessions. They provide the necessary tools, supplies, and instructions for wood burning and enamel glass painting (plus a full menu of food and drink options). The on-location artists who make up Urban Sketchers Indianapolis, Indy’s regional chapter of the global grassroots nonprofit, meet monthly at picturesque spots around the city with their pencils and pads in hand. StitchWorks, a working production facility inside the Stutz Building, brings sewing enthusiasts together to connect and create on its industrial sewing machines. Upcoming classes include this month’s Second Hand Flip

with Lux & Ivy on February 22 and a two-day indigo dyeing and bag-making workshop in March.

Meet Your Neighbors

It’s time to stop lurking on the Nextdoor app and make some real-life connections right outside your front door. Local gathering spots are the new town halls, helping neighbors connect and, in some cases, serving as the heart and soul* of their ZIP codes. Residents of the up-and-coming eastside enclaves of Windsor Park and Brookside Park swap contractor recommendations and Top 10 indie movie lists at the gleaming Kan-Kan Cinema and Restaurant, which offers membership packages and a full calendar of events for cinephiles. The people of Irvington have already claimed newish Irish bar Snug as their neighborhood headquarters, whether they drop in on Tuesdays for traditional music nights or Wine & Vinyl Wednesdays—or just stop by for a pint of Guinness, a bag of Tayto crisps, and a discussion about the proper time to put away your 10-foot skeleton Santa Claus for the year. The original Cafe Patachou in Meridian-Kessler earns its tagline “a student union for adults” every time a connection is made at the self-serve coffee bar or among the folks huddled outside waiting for a table. On the Old Northside, Gather 22 names its signature lattes after nearby neighborhoods such as the Cottage Home (honey and rosemary) and the Mapleton Fall Creek (brown sugar and maple), perfect for sipping on the pet-friendly back patio. The karaoke machine never goes silent at Bates-Hendricks hang Bowhaus Tap, and southsiders fill the cozy rooms and courtyard tables at mansion-turnedwine-bar Vino Villa . Meanwhile in Speedway, the citizens of Brickyard City are taking full advantage of the sweet cafe setup, half-price bottles of wine on Thursday, weekend brunch, and Music in the Market live concert series at Josh Kline and Zöe Taylor’s Borage. Conversation starter: “How many cars can you park in your front yard on race day?”

*Neighborhood church festivals, such as Little Flower Catholic School’s Summerfest, the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish SausageFest, and the St. Joan of Arc Parish French Market, are another great resource for local friend-making.

Do First Friday Right

One night a month, the city’s art galleries and other creative spaces stay open late—an effective way to get the wineand-cheese crowd through the door.

The evenings are relaxed and social at First Friday’s don’t-miss locales, such as Harrison Center for the Arts, Murphy Arts Center, Tube Factory Artspace, Factory Arts District , and the Stutz Building . Wandering around open studios often leads to chatting up local artists and meeting fellow art lovers as everyone soaks up the creative energy. Just remember a few house rules: Use your indoor voice, don’t touch the art, bring cash to tip your servers, and ask for permission before taking photos of an artist’s works. Even in the age of selfies, nothing says, “I’m new here,” like a flash in front of a painting.

Start Pedaling

Cycling alongside strangers gives you plenty of time to chitchat as you bond over the shared miles—as well as, perhaps, the aching calves and sore butts. Founded by volunteers and fueled by community spirit, CIBA (the Central Indiana Bicycling Association) can turn a long stretch of Hoosier back roads into a fast track to new friendships with more than 600 rides a year, from laid-back breakfast jaunts to the iconic, quad-killing Hilly Hundred. The IU Health Momentum’s womenonly Divas welcomes riders of all levels but groups its weekly rides by ability level (from “Dolly” beginners to “J. Lo” pace-line pros) to ensure that everyone finds their groove. With the $150 annual membership, you’ll gain access to weekly rides, mentor clinics, a supportive community ready to answer all your questions, and a cool Divas jersey to show you’re part of the pack. Bike Indianapolis offers a nice entry point for city dwellers eager to pedal into a new community of urban cyclists. Dedicated to making two-wheeling around the city safer and more convenient, the organization connects riders through group rides and a shared passion for advocacy in a city where two wheels are increasingly welcome.

Finish Your Novel

Writing may be a solitary craft, but joining a writers’ group can turn the lonely glow of your computer screen into a shared creative spark. The international Shut Up & Write! nonprofit has several groups that meet in the Indianapolis area. The events are free and open to anyone who wants to show up for an hour of writing at either the Glendale Public Library (Fridays at 10 a.m.), in Speedway (Saturdays at 8:30 a.m.), or in Carmel at either the Just Love Coffee Cafe (Wednesdays at 9:45

Find Your Tribe

Take this quiz to determine which Indy-area fitness group is most likely to introduce you to the kind of people you’ll love sweating (and laughing) alongside.

What motivates you most?

(A) Friends hyping you up

(B) A high-energy workout

(C) A cool facility

(D) Hitting PRs

Which piece of fitness gear do you most likely have in your car right now?

(A) Foam roller

(B) Yoga mat

(C) Protein powder

(D) Swim goggles

MOSTLY A’S AND B’S

Are you a morning person?

(A) Yes

(B) Sometimes

(C) No

(D) Hell no

What is your preferred mode of encouragement?

(A) High-fi ves

(B) Thumbs-up

(C) A shout-out

(D) An Instagram follow

How do you feel about cardio?

(A) Love it

(B) Like it

(C) Tolerate it

(D) Not my thing

NOVEMBER PROJECT If you need a little extra motivation to crush a morning workout, these chirpy early birds will pull you out of bed with a pre-workout huddle, hugs, and plenty of high-energy encouragement. The group meets at dawn on Wednesdays, rain or shine, on the steps of the Indiana War Memorial. The sessions are free, and everyone will remember your name.

KANGOO JUMPS REBOUND SHOES

Indy offers several group fitness classes that involve what sounds like one of Doc Brown’s quirky contraptions from Back to the Future. It’s impossible to take your workout too seriously when strapped into a pair of these specialized bouncy ski boots, but the workouts with JumpFit Indy, Mo Bounce Fitness, and SweattBoxx Wellness Center burn calories and engage the core muscles while putting less impact on the knees, hips, spine, and joints.

INDY PICKLEBALL CLUB If you are ready to paddle your way into the court sport that everyone is talking about, this nonprofit group offers everything from beginner clinics to competitive tournaments.

What Indiana sports movie would you rather watch?

(A) Breaking Away

(B) A League of Their Own

(C) Hoosiers

(D) Rudy

Whom would you rather partner up with at the gym?

(A) 1980s Richard Simmons

(B) Serena Williams

(C) Caitlin Clark

(D) Bruce Lee y are you when you exercise?

(A) Overly

(B) Somewhat

(C) Not much

(D) Not at all

What is your fitness mantra?

(A) Just show up

(B) Just do it

(C) Namaste

(D) Every day a little better

MOSTLY B’S AND C’S

INVOKE YOGA A downtown staple for 20 years, Invoke provides a serene and welcoming space to perfect your downward dog while bonding with fellow yogis. With a second location on the northwest side and over 100 classes a week, it’s the ideal spot to meet supportive instructors— including Let’s Be Friends models Halle Shine (pictured with the Indianapolis Hiking Club on page 41), Hannah Carlock (page 42), Uma Behati (page 46), and Emma Doud (page 49)—and other like-minded people who’ll make you feel at ease.

NORTH MASS BOULDER Fitness meets community in the most modern and millennial way inside North Mass’ rambling repurposed warehouse. With its bouldering walls, yoga classes, weightlifting space, and Top Out Cafe for post-workout hangs, this urban-chic gym is a hot spot for meeting cool, active people.

OZWELL FITNESS Find a workout buddy who shares your passion for fitness at this sleek, modern space where working out and recovery go hand-in-hand. Take advantage of the top-tier equipment and share some fresh air on the outdoor turf as you crush your workouts.

MOSTLY C’S AND D’S

ULTIMATE NINJAS With obstacles like the Warped Wall and Salmon Ladder, plus adult programs alongside all the kid-friendly energy, this specialized Noblesville gym provides a way to get in shape that is equal parts quirky and hardcore. You will push your limits and make friends who are just as excited to climb, jump, and conquer challenges.

IRSAY FAMILY YMCA AT CITYWAY

This gorgeous downtown facility takes everything that makes the Y wonderful and puts a shine on it, offering outdoor sunrise yoga, pickup basketball games on a gleaming court, spin classes that make you forget you’re even working out, and more. Extras include a staffed swimming pool, saunas, an indoor running track, and cardio machines with a city skyline view. It stays open late on weekdays—a great way to meet fellow night owls. Free downtown parking seals the deal.

INDY CITY BARBELL This downtown gym with a raw, no-nonsense vibe is the place where bodybuilders, powerlifters, and beginners alike come together to chase their goals in a supportive, barbell-driven community.

a.m.) or the Starbucks at 1420 W. Main St. (Sundays at 10:30 a.m.). Members of the Indiana Writers Center keep fellow scribes accountable with classes and workshops at the Basile Opera Center. The focus ranges from an introduction to fiction, to intense eight-week courses, to single-session group critiques. The Pen to Paper Meetup group describes itself as a “coterie of misfit writers,” gathering at Indy Reads bookstore on the fi rst and third Saturdays of each month. And the Central Indiana Writers’ Association provides monthly opportunities for keyboard clickers to come up for air, trade notes, and make friends with others who understand the joys of “having writt en.”

Get Out There

Nature programs offer great chances for meeting like-minded tree huggers, and in Indianapolis, they’re as common as trash-stealing raccoons. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources offers its Indiana Master NaturalistSeries at locations around the state, from Danville, to Carmel, to West Lafayett e. The subject matt er of each class varies widely, as does the (typically nominal) fee to participate. Visit the program’s website for a full list of offerings. Each course includes a minimum of eight three-hour sessions focusing on some aspect of Indiana’s natural environment, such as geology, botany, or zoology. If this sounds like too much of a commitment, Eagle Creek Park Nature Center offers a very extensive list of much briefer nature dives, including everything from regular (and free) Sunday bird walks to the intriguingly titled Axe Throwing for Seniors (closed-toe shoes required). Fort Harrison State Park ’s roster of wholesome-to-quirky gatherings includes a catfi sh fi shing tutorial (not noodling, just using a fi shing rod), a summer schedule of dogfriendly concerts on the park’s sledding hill, and regular Sunday Morning Bird Walks. If you’d like to taste nature as well as see it, check out the Wild Edible Indiana website for a handful of spring and summer events guided by wild food forager and wild mushroom identification expert Carrie Vrabel. And if you’re interested in communing with creatures that might eat you (if they had the chance), then visit Wolf Park in the small town of Batt le Ground, near Lafayett e. The decades-old research facility keeps multiple wolf packs in very large outdoor enclosures and offers visitors several ways to interact with them, the most popular being Saturday Howl Nights, during which guests

gather outside the pens and howl along with the massive, furry canids. This is exactly as fun and surreal as it sounds. Adult tickets cost $15.

Network

From designers, to accountants, to rideshare drivers, everyone has a creative streak, according to Creative Mornings host Ryan Hunley. Recently marking its 10th year in Indianapolis, this irreverent monthly breakfast speaker series att racts audiences with a common thirst for truth, growth, and learning. “We shine a light on the real people and places that thread Indianapolis into a vibrant tapestry, telling their stories in a way that’s authentic and approachable,” Hunley says. Meetings take place at a variety of venues around town. Tickets are free, but registration is required.

Join a Book Club

• Planned discussion questions are a great starting point, but don’t be afraid to veer off script. Sometimes a small detail sparks the best conversation.

Support Independent Bookstores

FAST FRIENDS

Timeleft.com is an international app that matches compatible groups of strangers for dinner at a local restaurant or bar. There is a 10-minute online questionnaire and a fee—either a one-time payment or a subscription—and the rendezvous are scheduled every Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Sharing thoughts on a book can lead to reallife connections that last beyond the fi nal chapter, and Indianapolis has plenty of organized book clubs to get a conversation started. A beacon of local culture, Kan-Kan pairs with Indy Reads bookstore to host a themed Book to Film Club at its Windsor Park boutique cinema. Visit the theater’s website for the next scheduled combo, purchase a ticket, and then stick around aft er the fi lm for a group discussion. More than 150,000 members strong, The Gloss connects women across 15 countries who all read the same book and then break into local chapters or virtual meetings to discuss. And for a more genre-driven chitchat, get together with fellow intellectuals to talk about science-y tomes over drinks at the Books, Booze & Brains meetups hosted by Indiana Humanities.

… Or Start Your Own

It’s not hard to assemble your own band of bookworms. Sarah Layden, author of Imagine Your Life Like This (among other titles), associate English professor at IU Indianapolis, and longtime book club enthusiast, offers these tips:

• Invite opinionated acquaintances for a pop-up book club over coffee. It’s low stakes, and maybe you’ll make plans to do it again or even regularly.

• Ask friends who are also readers over for a meal. Books pair well with dinner.

Shelf surfers looking for companionship will fi nd plenty of kindred souls at the numerous book clubs and readings organized by the Indy area’s robust collection of independent booksellers. This startling variety of verbiage vendors includes Ujamaa Community Bookstore at Flanner House, featuring a large collection of books about the African diaspora and offering a packed calendar ranging from meetand-greets with authors to yoga classes. Downtown’s Dream Palace Books has a highly curated collection of used volumes, a full-service coffee bar, and events such as a women’s writers club and an open mic night. Golden Hour Books in SoBro hosts an eclectic collection of book clubs, including subjectspecific ones catering to everyone from short story buff s to science fiction fans. Be advised that they’re quite popular, so you might have to wait a bit for an open spot.

Golden Hour also hosts author signings, book swaps, workshops, and even private parties. Loudmouth Books on East 16th Street caters to the LGBTQ reading community with (among others) monthly meetings of the Sapphic Social Book Club and the Between the Covers Book Club for fans of romance novels. If an interspecies meet-andgreet sounds intriguing, every fourth Saturday of the month Curious Squirrel Bookshop in Zionsville offers Paws to Read, during which participants read books to specially trained therapy dogs. The Indianapolis Public Library also outlines its lists of regular book discussions at indypl.org.

Share the Table

The quarterly Community Dinners at 9th Street Bistro just off Noblesville’s historic downtown square seat 40 guests around one long dinner table for a four-course feast. Two of the dishes are brought out from the kitchen pre-plated, but the others are passed family-style, encouraging diners, who are likely strangers prior to the amuse-bouche and chef-owner Samir

GLUE GUN SHOW

The Hangar’s crafting tables can be reserved for wood burning and enamel glass painting.

Mohammad’s opening speech, to spend the evening chatting across the fresh flower centerpieces in a dining room that defines cozy. Maybe the best way to get to know someone is to find out how they like their steak and where they stand on roasted beets. Reserve a spot for the next pair of Community Dinners on March 24 and 25 at 9thstbistro.com.

Join a Team

Playing a sport isn’t just about scoring goals or shaving seconds off your time. It’s about forging friendships in the heat of competition and finding camaraderie in the shared victories and even defeats. (And let’s not forget about the after-parties and post-game hangs.) CCA Sports, which organizes coed adult sports leagues, is your ticket to reliving the sports you grew up playing, from kickball and dodgeball to cornhole and sand volleyball. Its more than 20 intramural leagues bring locals together to compete, socialize, and celebrate the love of the game both on the playing field and at postgame meetups and events. Beyond CCA’s standard huddles, Indianapolis is home court to a variety of niche teams. The Indianapolis Blues Vintage Base Ball Club, for example, brings the gentleman’s game to life by playing “base ball” as it was played in 1864—no gloves, underhanded pitching, wooden bats, and period uniforms. Travel games have included a tournament with other throwback teams (including the St. Louis Brown Stockings and the Vermillion Voles) on the grounds of the West Baden Springs Hotel. The Indianapolis Gaelic Athletic Association celebrates Ireland’s national games of hurling and women’s camogie in a laid-back, welcoming (but still highly athletic— weak ankles need not apply) atmosphere. The fast-paced pub leagues are perfect for bonding with teammates over shared bruises and victories both on the field and during the subsequent pub crawls. Sliding into the Circle City Curling Club is your opportunity to get involved in the Winter Olympics staple and sweep alongside its quirky enthusiasts. With entry-level leagues and learn-to-curl clinics, you’ll master the art of sliding polished granite rocks on ice—and earn the right to use one of the most obscure emojis on your smartphone, the red-handled curling stone.

And Indianapolis has no shortage of active roller derby teams, each with its own ecosystem of close-knit players, coaches, officials, and superfans. Naptown Roller Derby, Circle City Roller Derby, and the Race City Rebels men’s team all host tryouts and boot camps to get more people involved in the roughand-tumble sport that is also, ironically, known for its extremely welcoming and inclusive spirit.

Hang Out With Your Best Friend

At Metazoa Brewing Company ’s outdoor dog P-A-R-K, pets and the people who love them come together in an enclosed off-leash area right outside the College Avenue watering hole. Water bowls and B-A-L-Ls are provided, as well as benches where moms and dads can sit and swap proud pet-owner stories. As an added T-R-E-A-T, dogs are allowed inside the bar—and Metazoa donates 5 percent of its profits to animal and wildlife organizations.

FAST FRIENDS

Founded a year ago, BFF Indy (bffindianapolis.com) helps Indianapolis women connect with each other. The group’s membership tops 20,000, and it has already hosted more than 85 events, ranging from outdoor adventures, to book clubs, to spa days.

Volunteer

Local events and organizations could use your helping hands. As a bonus, you will join forces with people who are similarly altruistic. Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, for example, proves that not all heroes wear capes. Some adopt a block instead. By becoming a block captain, you’ll get to build bonds with your neighbors, looping them into the common cause of picking up litter and keeping your side of the street clean. If that sounds like too much of a commitment, just sign up for a one-off project or a day of service to plant trees, help create pocket parks, or perform administrative tasks. In addition to offering full- and part-time positions as well as paid summer gigs, Indy Parks solicits volunteers to help out across its 216-park territory, 153 miles of trails, and more than 11,000 acres of green space all year long. WFYI relies on the kindness of volunteers to assist with promotional events and tackle office work. Lend your voice to the Indiana Reading and Information Service by recording a book or publication for listeners with visual or learning impairments to enjoy, or if you’re feeling extra, dress up as your favorite PBS character for a personal appearance. Daniel Tiger! And, of course, large-scale local festivals such as Heartland Film, Spirit &

Place, and the Broad Ripple Art Fair always need friendly helpers to take tickets, distribute programs, direct traffic, help with setup and teardown, and answer FAQs.

Sing

Sometimes, you just need to belt your heart out—no auditions, no pressure, no perfection required. SongSquad Indianapolis, part of the communityfocused Ubuntu Choir Network, offers a joyous, judgment-free space to join the chorus. Whether you’re a quiet first-timer, a karaoke diva, or a veteran of show choir, these weekly jam sessions allow members to harmonize and meet new friends through the magic of group singing.

Dance

Whether your style skews toward hip-hop, country, retro, or classical, Indy is home to a range of dance partners. Within its sleek downtown studio, DanceWorks Indy caters to active adults with a busy schedule of movement classes that cover jazz, ballet, tap, fitness, contemporary/modern, and something called “Swerk”—a sexy hiphop/cardio hybrid. Meanwhile, swing is king at Naptown Stomp, a lively group that meets downtown at McGowan Hall on Thursday nights to give participants the chance to perfect their Charleston and Lindy Hop. You can keep the energy and the good vibes going during Swing Nights at Fountain Square Theatre, a twice-a-month opportunity to don your snazziest vintage duds and show off your new moves. For a different kind of stomping, scoot your boots over to Duke’s Indy for free line dancing lessons led by experienced instructor and caller Jeff Smilko. Admission’s free, y’all, and every skill level is welcome. So are song requests.

Play

Whether you come to the card table as a Magic: The Gathering pro or a Catan rookie, Family Time Games can help connect you with fellow board gamers. “There are many couples and singles that come multiple times a week for our open board game nights,” says owner Shane Priddy. The College Park business known for its welcoming vibe and a deep library of boxes hosts tournaments and open game nights, and it invites visitors to set up their own spreads (or check out something from the shop’s inventory) on one of several tables in the showroom. The staff and regulars are friendly and happy to teach newcomers how to master their new

Can We Hang?

YOU KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS, AND YOU KNOW WHAT YOU LIKE. PLOT YOUR PERFECT FRIEND ZONE ON THIS HANDY MATRIX.

hobby—although when everyone’s having a good time, nobody’s keeping score.

Topple the Patriarchy

Women-led organizations prove that making friends can be both empowering and fun. Want to know where Indy’s strong female leads hang out? Founded during the pandemic, Let’s Be Friends Indy has gained a following of more than 7,500 by hosting all sorts of social gatherings to link ladies with common interests—think book clubs, trivia nights, happy hours, movie outings, board game meetups, and coffee chats. Follow along on Instagram or Facebook for upcoming events. Striving to make female and minority voices heard and respected within the professional community, Amanda Bonilla and Doneisha Posey teamed up to launch the Women’s Equity Brunch in 2021. With events, training sessions, and speaking engagements on the menu, the platform addresses issues like diversity, inclu-

Race City Rebels page 47

November Project page 44

CCA SPORTS page 47 Invoke page 44

Family Time Games page 47

Indianapolis Hiking Club page 43

Swing Nights at Fountain Square Theatre page 47

The Hangar page 43

Kan-Kan Book to Film Club page 45

Indy Women in Food page 48

9th Street Bistro Community Dinners page 45

Urban Sketchers page 43

sion, and gender pay gaps to empower local ladies across all business sectors and demographics. Dating back to 1888 and led by ahead-of-her-time suffragist May Wright Sewall, the Indianapolis Propylaeum (Greek for “gateway”) gathers women for meetings, cultural events, programs, and volunteer opportunities in the gorgeous historic downtown John W. Schmidt House. The Indy Women in Food network celebrates and supports chefs and cooks, restaurateurs, bloggers, organizers, entrepreneurs, and creatives, ultimately aiming for a more inclusive, collaborative, and equitable local food scene.

Talk It Out

If you’ve got something to say—and you don’t mind saying it in front of a (probably) sympathetic crowd—White Rabbit Cabaret’s Vocab sessions offer a once-a-month chance to get things off your chest. The hosted event includes its own DJ and typically opens with the

Indiana Writers Center page 45 Vocab at White Rabbit page 48

work of a featured performer followed by an open mic. Be advised that this is usually a left-of-center crowd, so if you want to share your “challenging, edgy” views on men’s rights or your dislike for pronoun usage controversies, this isn’t the place to do it. You must be at least 21 to attend, and doing so will set you back $10.

Be You

Members of Indy’s LGBTQ community can connect and build lasting relationships through groups such as the Indy Queer Coffee Club, which meets monthly to caffeinate and socialize. Loudmouth Books’ calendar of events celebrating queer literature and culture includes a Backyard Reading Series. We Walk Indy is a social walking club that encourages both fitness and friendship. And Stonewall Sports, which caters to LGBTQ individuals and allies, offers leagues for everything from kickball to trivia.

SUN SALUTATION

This year, Invoke’s downtown yoga studio celebrates 20 years of connecting people on and off the mat.

coffee scene is bigger and better than ever. Homegrown shops are its beating heart, with immigrant communities sharing deep java roots, locals opening caffeinated community hubs, and upstart brands fighting back against industry waste. Meanwhile, workers at the world’s biggest brew chain are harking back to Indy’s history as a labor union hot spot. It’s a great time to grab a cup of joe in the Circle City.

wave

EDITED BY EVE BATEY

Common Grounds

THERE’S A VIBRANT, CENTURIES-OLD CULTURE BEHIND INDY’S NEW SURGE OF MEDITERRANEAN AND ARABIC COFFEE SHOPS.

It’saround 8 p.m. on a Sunday, long after most coffeehouses in the city have turned their chairs over their tables and swept the floors. At this late hour, even the most ardent coffee fans have likely switched to decaf. But

Yafa Golden Coffee, the Ali family’s Yemeni-style bean-brewing spot and bakery that opened last June in Noblesville, is bustling. Some patrons are working on laptops or tapping on their cellphones, but most are deep into conversation with their tablemates, enjoying aromatic lattes or tipping ornate and long-handled brass pots called ibriks of dark, thick coffee into tiny cups. No worries about the buzz of the brew keeping them up. There are still hours to go.

Yafa Golden is just one of several all-day coffee spots that have sprung up mostly on Indy’s northeast side over the last year or so and that offer an array of steaming, foam-topped drinks that you can also find in cafes from Istanbul, to Cairo, to Dubai. “Saudis, Pakistanis, Yemenis, they all cherish their coffeehouse culture,” says Sajjad Shah, founder of Muslims of the World, abbreviated MOTW, an Instagrampage-turned-global-initiative with the mission to “illuminate the lives of Muslim individuals.” His organization has raised millions for humanitarian causes and has franchised seven coffeehouses with the MOTW name, including three in Indianapolis. Dozens more in several states are in the works.

“As alcohol is forbidden in Islamic culture, the coffeehouses are a

substitute for nighttime socializing and bars. The atmosphere can get pretty lively, especially late.”

It’s a similar scene at other cafes with Middle Eastern influences.

“We opened just before Ramadan last March,” says Shaylin Arwani, manager of the two local locations of Mariam Coffee, a Turkish-style roaster and cafe franchise founded by Palestinians living in Istanbul. The company has spots in seven countries, and each bag of their coffee beans includes a little story that can be used as a bookmark. “We stayed open until 3 or 4 a.m., and we had so many customers we had to pull chairs out onto the sidewalk.”

Arwani, whose father and uncles

own the Mariam spots in Fishers and Broad Ripple, is a pharmacy student who hopes to specialize in operating coffee carts for private events, which Mariam already sponsors. “Every place in the Middle East has dozens of spots for sharing a cup of Turkish coffee,” she says.

“It’s the preferred place for having a chat or talking about the past.”

“Coffee holds a special place in Yemeni and Arabic culture,” says the affable Ali Ali, manager of Yafa Golden Coffee. The owners directly trace their roots to Yafa, a small tribal community in South Yemen.

“Yemen is often referred to as the birthplace of coffee culture, with the first coffee beans cultivated in

BY

PHOTOS

TONY VALAINIS

ALL THE BUZZ

Clockwise from far left: A barista at MOTW; Mariam manager Shaylin Arwan (l) and her parents; MOTW founder Sajjad Shah; Yaffa Golden co-founder Yasser Ali (r) and son/manager Ali Ali.

MARIAM COFFEE

Real-deal Turkish coffee, seasonal lattes, chai, and house-made sweets such as a many-layered honey cake. 6280 N. College Ave., 260-221-5236; 11809 Allisonville Rd., Fishers, 317-997-0994, mariamcoffee.com

the region of Yafa and Mocha centuries ago. Beyond being a beverage, coffee represents hospitality, tradition, and community—a symbol of the warm, welcoming nature of our culture.” With its cardamom-laced Yafa Special, its light roast blend with added sesame seeds, and its peach cascara made from coffee shells flavored with peach, not to mention the excellent cream cheese–stuffed honeycomb bread in its pastry case, Yafa’s menu seeks to give a true experience of coffeehouses on the Arabic peninsula—though Western-style cortados, cappuccinos, and Belgian chocolate cookies are offered as well.

YAFA GOLDEN COFFEE

This Noblesville spot offers singleorigin Yemeni beans, cardamom-scented coffee drinks, and bakery goods.14160 Mundy Dr., Noblesville, 317-400-5959, yafagoldencoffee usa.com

Other new spots such as Niyyah Coffee, with two locations in Fishers and Glendale, lean more toward the typical drinks found in American coffeehouses, such as a zebra latte or a Pumpkin Suga’ Shook with pumpkin spice and a white chocolate base. The decor at Niyyah’s location in the Fishers Hub & Spoke building is particularly modern and European, though a logo on the wall reminds customers that “Niyyah” translates to “intention” in Arabic.

“I want to show that Americanos, lattes, and cappuccinos can be served by counter clerks in headscarves who are just as American as anyone else,” says Shah, a proud Butler University grad and Indy native. “The overwhelming majority of our customers are non-Muslim,” he is quick to point out. “We wanted to counter misinformation about Muslims while serving a great cup of coffee. We want to be open for everyone.”

—TERRY KIRTS

MOTW COFFEE & PASTRIES

Soothing digs with a global vibe and lattes, tea, baklava, and empanadas. 4873 W. 38th St., 317-602-8259; 12761 Old Meridian St., Carmel, 317-3432187; 8235 E. 116th St., Fishers, 317-588-9031; motw.coffee

NIYYAH COFFEE

Stylishly appointed coffeehouses featuring colorful seasonal coffee drinks, Dubai chocolates, pistachio and Biscoff milk cakes. 6160 N. Rural St.; 8100 E. 106th St., Fishers; 317-379-6038, niyyahcoffee.com

LABOR PAINS

THE STARBUCKS ON MASS AVE IS THE ONLY UNIONIZED LOCATION OF THE COFFEE SHOP IN INDIANAPOLIS. THAT MIGHT CHANGE IN 2025.

There’s

a line out the door every morning at the Starbucks at 430 Massachusetts Ave., and even more people queue up every day at its to-go window. These customers, whether they know it or not, are part of the latest chapter in Indiana’s rich history of organized labor, a movement spanning three centuries that seeks to protect workers from exploitation (or worse). The employees of the coffee shop on the ground floor of the Davlan are the first in Indianapolis to join Starbucks Workers United, a three-year-old effort to organize staffers of the company around the globe. They’re hoping that the region’s 50-plus locations will follow.

Starbucks launched in 1971 in Seattle, the project of three friends who met at the University of San Francisco. Since then, it’s grown to a $9.1 billion company, and last August, it hired a new CEO, Brian Niccol, with a first year pay package of $113 million.

STANDING TALL

By comparison, Starbucks says that the average pay of its employees is $18.50 an hour. In Indianapolis, workers make less, says barista Saturn Adair. “Most of us were hired at a rate at least $3 behind that,” says the 28-year-old, one

PHOTOS BY JAY GOLDZ

Mass Ave Starbucks shift supervisor Morgan Wilson (l) and barista Saturn Adair (r) led the shop organization effort.

of the leading voices of the local unionization effort.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly pay in the greater Indianapolis area is $29.11, placing Starbucks workers at just above half of that. The pay rate, combined with a policy of scheduling workers for fewer than 32 hours per week, means that Starbucks is a side hustle, at best.

“I love being a barista,” Adair says. “If that could be my only job, that would be ideal. But I can’t afford to only work at Starbucks, which means I have to have a whole other job outside of this job to just be able to make ends meet.”

Morgan Wilson (age 24), a shift supervisor at the shop, says most staffers aren’t offered enough hours to be eligible for benefits such as health care or sick days. When most workers fall ill, they either skip work and lose that day of pay, or they work while unwell.

“I know I definitely have had to work while sick,” Adair says, “because I gotta make ends meet.”

“And potentially put others in harm’s way,” Wilson adds.

That the folks who prevent our caffeine headaches must struggle for such basic protections might surprise Hoosiers of the early 1900s, when Indianapolis was known

as the “labor capital of America.” Back then, unions for professions as varied as laundry workers, hairdressers, and food service chose Indy for their headquarters.

“The heartland of America was highly industrialized and highly unionized,” says Hamilton Nolan, a journalist and author of The Hammer: Power, Inequality, and the Struggle for the Soul of Labor Then in 1981, President Reagan “started the undermining of union power by firing the air traffic controllers,” a reaction to a strike of 11,000 airport employees. NAFTA, a bipartisan agreement to ease trade between Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., was signed into law by then-President Bill Clinton in 1992, further weakening Indiana’s industrial strongholds and decreasing the local unions’ numbers by the thousands.

have a really, really low presence.”

In 2020 the combination of the pandemic and social justice movement fomented by the police slaying of George Floyd reignited interest in organized labor. By 2021, workers at multiple Starbucks stores in Buffalo, New York, banded together to form Starbucks Workers United. It’s now the fastest-growing labor movement in the U.S., with 535 stores across 45 states and Washington, D.C., joining the effort, including eight in Indiana.

Nolan notes that while many Hoosiers’ “grandparents or parents can remember when unions were a big thing around town, now they

Wilson and Adair say that their colleagues needed some convincing at first. “People were afraid of retaliation,” Wilson says, “because there was a lot of union busting when the union first started.” (Representatives for Starbucks did not respond to requests for comment on this story but have previously denied those allegations. As recently as November 2024, the National Labor Relations Board asserts that the company engaged in anti-union activities.)

“But earlier this year, corporate and the union made a neutrality agreement, where they can’t retaliate against us. That made it a lot safer for us to organize when we did,” says Wilson.

As you read this, Starbucks and Workers United continue to negotiate for a contract to cover workers at all the company’s unionized shops. Both Wilson and Adair have high hopes that by the time an agreement is reached, many more Indy Starbucks will join them in the union tent.

Speaking with baristas at other local shops, Adair says interest is growing. “[I] can see the gears start turning, like, ‘Oh, is that an option for us?’”

“Right now, we’re just trying to show Starbucks our power,” Wilson says of the ongoing effort. “We’re telling them that they can’t ignore us. We know they have the money. It’s time to pay up.” —EVE BATEY

PIECES OF FLAIR

Wilson and Adair pose across the street from the coffee shop at which they work (left); both wear buttons in support of the global unionization effort (above).

Against the Tide

INDIANAPOLIS HAS ALWAYS RESISTED EFFORTS TO CURTAIL WASTE. A FLETCHER PLACE COFFEE SHOP IS FIGHTING BACK AGAINST OUR TRASHY HABITS.

Theironythat his sustainability-focused business Amberson Coffee & Grocer operates from inside a former gas station isn’t lost on founder Hugo Cano. On a list of environmentally unfriendly industries, the fossil fuel business ranks near the top. But the coffee business is also a big ecological offender, so from his small corner of Fletcher Place, Cano’s attempting to dial back some of the damage with compost and recycling programs, as well as complete abstinence from single-use to-go cups. Unfortunately, not everyone in Indy is on board. Born in California, Cano was raised by his family in Mexico City, where they owned and operated restaurants. After returning to California for college, he bounced between Mexico and the U.S., moving here in 2020 to open Amberson. Long before he opened up shop, he knew he wanted to build a low-waste business. “All my life, I’ve known that the world was changing because we’re not being responsible with how we’re

using our resources. So I started from a place of how we could create consciousness around how we consume products.”

One of the industry’s biggest offenders are single-use coffee cups, which are rarely recyclable. Even paper cups are lined with a film that thwarts composting, leaching dangerous microplastics back into the environment. Over 50 billion of those cups get used once then tossed in a year, according to a 2024 study from the Cornell College of Business.

None of those cups came from Amberson. “We’ve been doing this for four-and-a-half years now, and we’ve never used a single paper or plastic cup,” Cano says. Instead, to-go drinks are served in a lidded glass jar, similar to one you’d see holding gourmet pickles or artisanal fruit. Patrons pay a $1 deposit for the vessel, which they can return with on subsequent visits.

It’s a program common in many other cities, but Cano says Indy can be a uniquely tough crowd. “I

try to make peace with everyone and everything, but it’s not part of the culture of the city, so some customers have been more than a little bit challenging.” Angry patrons have even taken to Google or Yelp, turning an effort to mitigate waste into another front on the culture war.

Another coffee shop that followed Amberson’s glass jar lead, two-yearold Helm Coffee, recently stopped using jars for to-go orders. “People didn’t love the program,” Helm co-owner Jillion Potter says. “It created more issues than positive responses from the community.”

Cano knows his business is pushing back against deeply ingrained behaviors. “There’s going to be a lot of people who oppose it, but if we just keep at it, it’s going to inspire people and make them think, too. When people come up to me and say, ‘One of the reasons why we come and support Amberson is because of your sustainability practices,’ that’s what makes me feel truly fulfilled.” —EVE BATEY

PHOTO BY TONY VALAINIS

MAKING SPACE

THE WEST SIDE’S GAIA CAFE AND BOTANICAL ISN’T JUST A JAVA SHOP. IT’S A PATH TO HUMAN CONNECTION.

“I’ve

always wanted to run a shop that was considered a third space,” Skyler Balta says. All her life, the 26-year-old says, she had obsessed over creating an informal social space where people can gather, one separate from the arenas of home or work.

The Pike High School grad wasn’t sure how to make that dream happen until she took a job at Bee Coffee Roasters, a longstanding java spot at 5510 Lafayette Rd. owned by Indy coffee groundbreaker Bj Davis. After two decades running retail shops, Davis was ready to dial her business back to wholesale bean sales, and at the same time, Balta says, “I realized that the back of the whole shop was storage. I started thinking, ‘Maybe we could do something here and make a space that people could come and spend time in.”

By the time Davis was ready to put the business up for sale, Balta says she had understood “how many people came, how long people had been coming, and how much it meant to them. And I realized that if I could just keep it open, I’d be doing something for the community.”

“I knew it was a gamble,” Balta

says, “but I knew that if I put my full time and effort into the cafe, then maybe we could make it work.”

In 2022, she changed the business name to Gaia Cafe and Botanical and, with wife and coworker Allison Gauck, started to remake the shop to fit her vision.

That means many things, like coffee drinks made with beans prepared in Bee’s 1953-vintage roaster, remain. “I’m so glad we could buy from the original roaster so we could keep the flavor the same,” Balta says. Other things,

“Smaller minded people are always the loudest ones, but the community we’re building here can be loud, too.”

like a vast selection of house-mixed teas, are new. “I believe in a lot of Eastern and herbal medicine,” Balta says. “So I tried to bring in stuff that I felt like would give health to the community,” such as brews designed to ease digestion.

“If people find a variety that works for them, they can mix and match it, and we’ll make their tea to take home. I want people to benefit from us, not just have something to buy.”

This year, Balta hopes to add gluten-free baked goods to the mix and to take over a nearby space to make a small collective farm. “We have one community-funded garden project out here,” Balta says, “but it’s not for the people.”

“Coffee is just the touchpoint,” Balta says, a spark bringing people together in our divided world. Still, she’s worried about a future in a state headed increasingly to the right—but Gaia might be the way through that, too. “Smaller minded people are always the loudest ones, but the community we’re building here can be loud, too. I like it here. Those people, with their weird or scary opinions, aren’t going to scare us away. Eagle Creek has our backs.” —EVE BATEY

“The experience of Black Midwestern girlhood is so specific. Then, to add queerness into that mix, it’s like a very hyper-specific experience that I very rarely saw reflected in the stories that I read.”

PHOTO

Mark Her Words

Indiana author and bookstore owner Leah Johnson has built a career telling the stories of people who often go unheard. Her latest work, Black Girl Power, is a spirited anthology of voices that resonate now more than ever. By Julia Spalding

LLEAH JOHNSON is in New York City the day after the last stop on her November 2024 book tour to promote Black Girl Power, an anthology of stories and poems celebrating Black girlhood, and the day before she will attend the National Book Awards, for which she served as one of last year’s judges. At 31 years old, Johnson is an accomplished author in the Young Adult fiction genre who understands the importance of self-promotion.

She’s good at it, too.

This book tour, not her first rodeo, has covered Los Angeles; Washington, D.C.; and Brooklyn. In every city, she included visits to schools in predominantly Black and brown communities, a nod to her young readership. Kids are a tough audience, though. “They keep you real,” says Johnson, whose newest work is described in its marketing material as “a vibrant, heartwarming collection,” an instant USA Today bestseller, and one of Kirkus Reviews’ Best of 2024. But two weeks after the 2024 presidential election, Johnson says this is not the Black Girl Power book tour she thought

she would be making. “The world that I thought I was going to release a book called Black Girl Power into was a world where a Black girl had been elected president,” she says. “And so part of the job at that point is not just to promote the book, but to proliferate some sense of hope.”

Black Girl Power was published in November by Freedom Fire, an imprint under Disney Books focused on stories about the Black diaspora, primarily for middle-grade readers. The book features works by Amerie, Kalynn Bayron, Roseanne A. Brown, Elise Bryant, Dhonielle Clayton, Natasha Diaz, Sharon M. Draper, Sharon G. Flake, Kekla Magoon, Janae Marks, Tolá Okogwu, Karen Strong, Renée Watson, and Ibi Zoboi. It’s a follow-up to Johnson’s previous Middle School and Young Adult titles, including Ellie Engle Saves Herself, part of a series; 2021’s wildly popular Rise to the Sun; and the multiple awardwinning You Should See Me in a Crown, whose main character, a Black bisexual high school student in a small Midwestern town, runs for prom queen to secure

a scholarship for her dream college.

Writing about young people in the LGBTQ community is another way Johnson, who describes herself as a queer woman, connects with her readership and introduces them to strong, beautiful queer characters. It would have been nice if she had known a few of her own storylines when she was growing up on Indy’s west side, a Ben Davis High School student who was editor of the school newspaper and a member of the show choir and tennis team. “The experience of Black Midwestern girlhood is so specific,” she says. “Then, to add queerness into that mix, it’s like a very hyper-specific experience that I very rarely saw reflected in the stories that I read. Even now, there are so few of us writing from that position that it feels important for me to assert over and over that my relationship to my Blackness, to my queerness, is also in direct correlation to my life as a Hoosier.”

In 2023, Johnson turned her love for telling stories into a new chapter with Loudmouth Books, a 1,400-square-foot shop in Herron-Morton Place dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices. (She has a soft spot for banned books in particular, one of her titles having once been labeled as “obscene content” and challenged by the Oklahoma Attorney General.) The place, bathed in sun and bright swaths of paint, is as colorful and vibrant as its owner—even though Johnson admits she knew little about running a bookstore when she took on the business. But two years in, Loudmouth has become more than a retail space. It’s a community hub, with shelves of curated titles and a calendar of events focused on diversity and creativity, and a place where everyone— especially folks like the ones Johnson writes about in her books—can see themselves on the shelves.

SEPTEMBER 12–21, 2025

All About This Bucket List Adventure

The Nordic countries are so fascinating and unique. They have a mystique that pulls you in, and the island nation of Iceland is one of the most captivating destinations. Indianapolis Monthly is partnering with Collette Travel to host a 10-day, all-inclusive tour of Iceland that covers a wide swath of the amazing territory—and we’re inviting anyone who is also enthralled by this magical place to join our features editor, Julia Spalding, on the trip.

Iceland’s dramatic geography is called the Land of Fire & Ice—describing the contrast between its geothermal hot springs, lava fields, and black volcanic sand beaches with its icy landscape, blue glaciers, and mountains, valleys, and waterfalls sculpted by slow-moving rivers of ice. The Iceland: Land of Fire & Ice trip itinerary includes a mix of tours to take in the spectacle of the landscape and slower moments for learning about the culture and traditions.

We’ll explore the Golden Circle route that includes famous geysers and the spectacular double-cascade Gullfoss waterfall. Along the way, we’ll stop to visit a family-run dairy and an Icelandic show horse farm. We’ll spend some time in the capital city Reykjavík, as well as fishing villages and a historic harbor, where we’ll hear cool folktales. We’ll drift across Breiðafjörður Bay on a nature cruise as we sample fresh scallops and sea urchin roe straight from the ocean—North Atlantic sushi. We might spot puffins, cormorants, and white-tailed eagles. An amphibious boat will transport us into the ice strewn Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Finally, we’ll visit the famous Sky Lagoon and experience the Icelandic tradition of geothermal bathing in warm, mineral-rich waters with sweeping views of the ocean.

The trip departs September 12, 2025. Book by March 13, the reservation deadline—space is limited. Visit indianapolismonthly.com/discover-iceland for tour details and access to discounted pricing.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: OVERNIGHT FLIGHT

Set out on a journey full of dramatic contrasts in Iceland, where steaming lava fields reflect a volcanic nature and massive glaciers sculpt mountains and valleys, leaving behind thundering waterfalls and plunging fjords.

DAY 2: REYKJAVÍK, ICELAND

Explore Iceland’s capital city and get to know your fellow travelers during lunch. Afterward, join a local expert for a walking tour of The Old City featuring city hall, the harbor, the Parliament building, and the nearby cathedral.

DAY 3: REYKJAVÍK > GOLDEN CIRCLE > REYKJAVÍK

Experience renowned natural wonders of the Golden Circle. Marvel at the double-cascade Gullfoss waterfall, the explosive Geysir thermal area, and the famous Thingvellir National Park, where you’ll stand upon the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Stop at a family-run dairy farm to enjoy various cheeses and ice cream during a light lunch. Your day ends with a visit to Friðheimar’s horse farm and greenhouse cultivation center.

DAY 4: REYKJAVÍK > AKRANES > REYKHOLT

Explore the western side of Iceland’s coastline and visit Akranes, an old fishing town at the base of Akrafjall Mountain. Capture a photo of one of the most picturesque

lighthouses in the world. Listen to mysterious stories about this area, or take a leisurely walk along the historical harbor. Continue to Deildartunguhver, the highest-flowing hot spring in Europe. Stroll along wooden walkways and observation points to explore the hot springs safely, then visit Barnafoss (the Children’s Falls). Your day comes to an end in Reykholt.

DAY 5: REYKHOLT > STYKKISHÓLMUR > GRUDARFJÖRÐUR > REYKHOLT

Begin your day with stunning views on your way to Stykkishólmur, in the northern part of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Search for marine birds before joining a nature cruise of Breiðafjördur Bay. As you drift across the water, sample fresh scallops and sea urchin roe straight from the ocean. You might spot puffins, cormorants, and the white-tailed eagle soaring as you look toward the shoreline. Afterward, enjoy lunch on your own before continuing your journey to Grudarfjörður. Take in views of Mount Kirkjufell with its iconic shape and freestanding form and witness Kirkjufellsfoss, a beautiful series of waterfalls, before returning to Reykholt.

DAY 6: REYKHOLT > VÍK

Learn about geothermal renewable energy at Hellisheiðavirkjun, the largest power station in Iceland and second-largest in the world. Visit the Lava Exhibition Center

Learn more about this trip and book your tour at indianapolismonthly.com/discover-iceland.

Come travel with us!

and delve into Iceland’s past and present volcanic eruptions. Afterward, witness Seljalandsfoss, a rushing waterfall where you may walk behind the water. Arrive in Vík, Iceland’s southernmost village at the end of the day.

DAY 7: VÍK > REYNISFJARA > VÍK

Drive along the scenic south shore to the Skógar Museum. Discover its turf-built houses and collection of farm and domestic artifacts. Nearby, find the impressive Skógafoss waterfall, one of the tallest in Iceland. Behold Reynisfjara, a black volcanic sand beach scattered with caves and surrounded by basalt columns and cliffs. The beach is rich with bird life, such as the fulmar, black guillemot, razorbill, and gannet. You might also spot some nesting puffins along the unique natural rock formations at Dyrhólaey, a volcanic peninsula towering over the ocean. Cap off your day with a visit to Sólheimajökull Glacier, part of Iceland’s fourth largest ice cap.

DAY 8: VÍK > JÖKULSÁRLÓN GLACIAL LAGOON > VÍK

This morning, travel through the area of Vatnajökull, Iceland’s largest national park. On your way to Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon, marvel at the vistas and snowy mountain peaks as you board a cruise on an amphibian boat along the huge icebergs. Explore this extraordinary landscape as you search for seals swimming in cold waters.

DAY 9: VÍK > REYKJAVÍK

Make your way back to Reykjavík while taking in stunning backdrops as you approach the Reykjanes Peninsula. Visit a local studio and learn about Icelandic traditions of wool dyeing using natural ingredients and traditional techniques. Later, visit the scenic Sky Lagoon and experience geothermal bathing. Take a dip in the warm, mineral-rich waters and enjoy sweeping ocean views. Later, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant and reflect on your adventures.

DAY 10: REYKJAVÍK

Depart for home with memories of your Icelandic adventure.

Call the reservation line at 1-800-581-8942 and reference group booking code 1296925.

S C H O O L SCHOOL G U I D E GUIDE

Are you weighing education options? We did some homework for you. Here are the stats on Central Indiana public, private, and charter schools.

S C H O O L SCHOOL L I S T LIST

All school information, except private school tuition, is from the Indiana Department of Education. Enrollment fi gures, ILEARN profi ciency rates for grades 3–8 (English/ language arts and Math), and SAT benchmark rates for grade 11 (Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing) are from 2024, unless otherwise noted. Graduation rates are from 2024. For more info, visit doe.in.gov or, for more school data, visit inview.doe.in.gov

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MARION COUNTY

BEECH GROVE CITY SCHOOLS

ENROLLMENT: 2,790. ILEARN: 16.2%. 5334 Hornet Ave., Beech Grove, 317-788-4481

Beech Grove High School

ENROLLMENT: 914. SAT: 5.4%. GRAD. RATE: 86.5%. 5330 Hornet Ave., Beech Grove, 317-786-1447

MSD DECATUR TOWNSHIP

ENROLLMENT: 6,485. ILEARN: 14.9%. 5275 Kentucky Ave., 317-856-5265

Decatur Central High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,974. SAT: 7.5%. GRAD. RATE: 95.7%. 5251 Kentucky Ave., 317-856-5288

Decatur Township School for Excellence (7–12)

ENROLLMENT, ILEARN, SAT & GRAD. RATE: n/a. 5106 S. High School Rd., 317-856-0900

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP CSC

ENROLLMENT: 11,413. ILEARN: 34.4%. 6141 S. Franklin Rd., 317-862-2411

Franklin Central High School

ENROLLMENT: 3,438. SAT: 24.1%. GRAD. RATE: 98.1%. 6215 S. Franklin Rd., 317-862-6646

INDIANA SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 93. ILEARN,SAT & GRAD. RATE: n/a. 7725 N. College Ave., 317-253-1481

INDIANA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF (PK-12)

ENROLLMENT: 311. ILEARN: 4.6%. SAT: n/a. GRAD. RATE: n/a. 1200 E. 42nd St., 317-550-4800

INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ENROLLMENT: 21,055. ILEARN: 13.5%. SAT: 4.1%. 120 E. Walnut St., 317-226-4411

Arsenal Technical High School

ENROLLMENT: 2,360. SAT: 3.1%. GRAD. RATE: 80.2%. 1500 E. Michigan St., 317-693-5300

Crispus Attucks High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,269. SAT: 2.7%. GRAD. RATE: 95.6%. 1140 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St., 317-226-2800

George Washington High School

ENROLLMENT: 729. SAT: 3%. GRAD. RATE: 87.3%. 2215 W. Washington St., 317-693-5555

Shortridge High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,206. SAT: 9.2%. GRAD. RATE: 90.2%. 3401 N. Meridian St., 317-226-2810

MSD LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP

ENROLLMENT: 16,747. ILEARN: 17.1%; SAT: 14.1%. 6501 Sunnyside Rd., 317-423-8200

Lawrence Central High School

ENROLLMENT: 2,517. SAT: 6.4%. GRAD. RATE: 86.9%. 7300 E. 56th St., 317-964-7400

Lawrence North High School

ENROLLMENT: 2,799. SAT: 11.3%. GRAD. RATE: 89.5%. 7802 N. Hague Rd., 317-964-7700

PERRY TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS

ENROLLMENT: 16,243. ILEARN: 28.8%. 6548 Orinoco Ave., 317-789-3700

Perry Meridian High School

ENROLLMENT: 2,455. SAT: 17.9%. GRAD. RATE: 94.9%. 401 W. Meridian School Rd., 317-789-4400

Southport High School

ENROLLMENT: 2,431. SAT: 15.5%. GRAD. RATE: 90.1%. 971 E. Banta Rd., 317-789-4800

MSD PIKE TOWNSHIP

ENROLLMENT: 10,674. ILEARN: 12.9%. 6901 Zionsville Rd., 317-293-0393

Pike High School

ENROLLMENT: 3,188. SAT: 11.5%. GRAD. RATE: 94.8%. 5401 W. 71st St., 317-291-5250

SPEEDWAY SCHOOLS

ENROLLMENT: 1,776. ILEARN: 46.3%. 5300 Crawfordsville Rd., Speedway, 317-244-0236

Speedway Senior High School

ENROLLMENT: 602. SAT: 39.2%. GRAD. RATE: 98.3%. 5357 W. 25th St., Speedway, 317-244-7238

MSD WARREN TOWNSHIP

ENROLLMENT: 11,915. ILEARN: 9.9%. SAT: 9.4%. 975 N. Post Rd., 317-869-4300

Warren Central High School

ENROLLMENT: 3,391. SAT: 8.4%. GRAD. RATE: 88.3%. 9500 E. 16th St., 317-532-6200

MSD WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP

ENROLLMENT: 11,391. ILEARN: 26%. 8550 Woodfield Crossing Blvd., 317-845-9400

North Central High School

ENROLLMENT: 3,682. SAT: 23.3%. GRAD. RATE: 88.6%. 1801 E. 86th St., 317-259-5301

MSD WAYNE TOWNSHIP

ENROLLMENT: 16,146. ILEARN: 12.6%. SAT: 8.4%. 1220 S. High School Rd., 317-988-8600

Ben Davis High School (10–12)

ENROLLMENT: 3,315. SAT: 6.5%. GRAD. RATE: 78.4%. 1200 N. Girls School Rd., 317-988-7000

Ben Davis University High School (10–12)

ENROLLMENT: 375. SAT: 20.4%. GRAD. RATE: 100%. 1155 S. High School Rd., 317-988-7800

BOONE COUNTY

Lebanon Senior High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,070. SAT: 27.8%. GRAD. RATE: 94.2%. 510 Essex Dr., Lebanon, 765-482-0400

Western Boone Junior-Senior High School

ENROLLMENT: 756. SAT: 23%. GRAD. RATE: 99.2%. 1205 N. State Rd. 75, Thorntown, 765-482-6143

Zionsville Community High School

ENROLLMENT: 2,338. SAT: 57.2%. GRAD. RATE: 94.7%. 1000 Mulberry St., Zionsville, 317-873-3355

HAMILTON COUNTY

Carmel High School

ENROLLMENT: 5,239. SAT: 63.4%. GRAD. RATE: 96.5%. 520 E. Main St., Carmel, 317-846-7721

Fishers High School

ENROLLMENT: 3,590. SAT: 56.2%. GRAD. RATE: 98.8%. 13000 Promise Rd., Fishers, 317-915-4290

Hamilton Heights High School

ENROLLMENT: 710. SAT: 22.6%. GRAD. RATE: 94.7%. 25802 State Rd. 19, Arcadia, 317-984-3551

Hamilton Southeastern High School

ENROLLMENT: 3,504. SAT: 47.6%. GRAD. RATE: 95.7%. 12499 Olio Rd., Fishers, 317-594-4190

Noblesville High School

ENROLLMENT: 3,291. SAT: 45.3%. GRAD. RATE: 97%. 18111 Cumberland Rd., Noblesville, 317-733-4680

Sheridan High School

ENROLLMENT: 344. SAT: 26.7%. GRAD. RATE: 96.3%. 24185 N. Hinesley Rd., Sheridan, 317-758-4431

Westfi eld High School

ENROLLMENT: 2,948. SAT: 46%. GRAD. RATE: 91.8%. 18250 N. Union St., Westfield, 317-867-6800

HANCOCK COUNTY

Eastern Hancock High School

ENROLLMENT: 371. SAT: 22.5%. GRAD. RATE: 77.5%. 10320 E. 250 N, Charlottesville, 317-936-5595

Greenfield-Central High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,413. SAT: 20.9%. GRAD. RATE: 81%. 810 N. Broadway St., Greenfield, 317-462-9211

Mt. Vernon High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,470. SAT: 24.9%. GRAD. RATE: 94.2%. 8112 N. 200 W, Fortville, 317-485-3131

New Palestine High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,254. SAT: 38.1%. GRAD. RATE: 92.9%. 4485 S. Victory Dr., New Palestine, 317-861-4417

HENDRICKS COUNTY

Avon High School

ENROLLMENT: 3,523. SAT: 38.8%. GRAD. RATE: 96.5%. 7575 E. County Rd. 150 S, Avon, 317-544-5000

Brownsburg High School

ENROLLMENT: 3,355. SAT: 40.4%. GRAD. RATE: 99.5%. 1000 S. Odell St., Brownsburg, 317-852-2258

Cascade Senior High School

ENROLLMENT: 537. SAT: 30.9%. GRAD. RATE: 94.6%. 6565 S. County Rd. 200 W, Clayton, 317-539-9315

Danville Community High School

ENROLLMENT: 853. SAT: 35.1%. GRAD. RATE: 92.8%. 100 Warrior Way, Danville, 317-745-6431

Plainfield High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,856. SAT: 42.5%. GRAD. RATE: 93%.

1 Red Pride Dr., Plainfield, 317-839-7711

Tri-West Senior High School

ENROLLMENT: 613. SAT: 42.3%. GRAD. RATE: 90.7%. 7883 N. State Rd. 39, Lizton, 317-994-4000

JOHNSON COUNTY

Center Grove High School

ENROLLMENT: 2,956. SAT: 39.1%. GRAD. RATE: 94.3%. 2717 S. Morgantown Rd., Greenwood, 317-881-0581

Edinburgh Community High School

ENROLLMENT: 232. SAT: 11.1%. GRAD. RATE: 81.8%. 300 S. Keeley St., Edinburgh, 812-526-5501

Franklin Community High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,531. SAT: 19.9%. GRAD. RATE: 76.5%. 2600 Cumberland Dr., Franklin, 317-738-5700

Greenwood Community High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,229. SAT: 26.1%. GRAD. RATE: 95.9%. 615 W. Smith Valley Rd., Greenwood, 317-889-4000

Indian Creek Senior High School

ENROLLMENT: 652. SAT: 19.7%. GRAD. RATE: 98.8%. 803 W. Indian Creek Dr., Trafalgar, 317-878-2110

Whiteland Community High School

ENROLLMENT: 2,144. SAT: 19%. GRAD. RATE: 87%. 300 Main St., Whiteland, 317-535-7562

MORGAN COUNTY

Eminence Junior-Senior High School (6–12)

ENROLLMENT: 148. ILEARN: 7.9%. SAT: 4.2%. GRAD. RATE: 92.9%. 6760 N. State Rd. 42, Eminence, 765-528-2221

Martinsville High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,284. SAT: 9.6%. GRAD. RATE: 86.5%. 1360 E. Gray St., Martinsville, 765-342-5571

Monrovia High School

ENROLLMENT: 489. SAT: 13.7%. GRAD. RATE: 74.2%. 205 S. Chestnut St., Monrovia, 317-996-2258

Mooresville High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,372. SAT: 17%. GRAD. RATE: 95%. 550 N. Indiana St., Mooresville, 317-831-9203

SHELBY COUNTY

Morristown Junior-Senior High School (6–12)

ENROLLMENT: 333. ILEARN: 33.3%. SAT: 22%. GRAD. RATE: 100%. 223 S. Patterson St., Morristown, 765-763-1221

Shelbyville Senior High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,068. SAT: 25.5%. GRAD. RATE: 94.8%. 2003 S. Miller St., Shelbyville, 317-398-9731

Southwestern High School (7–12)

ENROLLMENT: 264. ILEARN: 8.3%. SAT: 13%. GRAD. RATE: 87.2%. 3406 W. 600 S, Shelbyville, 317-729-5122

Triton Central High School

ENROLLMENT: 472. SAT: 22.7%. GRAD. RATE: 87.1%. 4774 W. 600 N, Fairland, 317-835-3000

Waldron Junior-Senior High School (6–12)

ENROLLMENT: 323. ILEARN: 18.1%. SAT: 18.6%. GRAD. RATE: 90.7%. 102 N. East St., Waldron, 765-525-6822

CHARTER SCHOOLS

Charter schools are public schools that are granted control of their own curricula by the state, under an agreement that they will meet certain performance standards. Many are aimed toward specific educational purposes, and all are tuition-free. This is not a comprehensive collection; for a full list of institutions authorized by the Indiana Charter School Board, visit in.gov/icsb/icsb-schools

MARION COUNTY

Andrew J. Brown Academy (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 435. ILEARN: 14%.

3600 N. German Church Rd., 317-891-0730

Avondale Meadows Academy (K–5)

ENROLLMENT: 332. ILEARN: 4.1%.

3980 Meadows Dr., 317-803-3182

Avondale Meadows Middle School (6–8)

ENROLLMENT: 192. ILEARN: 4.6%.

3980 Meadows Dr., 317-550-3363

Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School (7–12)

ENROLLMENT: 309. ILEARN: 1.4%. SAT: n/a. GRAD. RATE: 81%. 3960 Meadows Dr., 317-545-1745

Christel House Academy South (K–12)

ENROLLMENT: 513. ILEARN: 8%. SAT: 11.1%. GRAD. RATE: 95.5%. 2405 Madison Ave., 317-783-4690

Christel House Academy West (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 485. ILEARN: 4.7%.

55 N. Tibbs Ave., 317-783-4901

Christel House DORS (9–12)

ENROLLMENT: 1,062. SAT: n/a. GRAD. RATE: 36.8%.

Three locations: South, 317-783-4686; West, 317-783-4722; and Ivy Tech, 317-916-7544

Enlace Academy (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 686. ILEARN: 4.6%.

3725 Kiel Ave., 317-383-0607

Herron High School (9–12)

ENROLLMENT: 981. SAT: 39.8%. GRAD. RATE: 94.1%.

110 E. 16th St., 317-231-0010

Herron Preparatory Academy (K–3)

ENROLLMENT: 428. ILEARN: 40.2%. 3100 N. Meridian St., 317-231-0010

Herron–Riverside High School (9–12)

ENROLLMENT: 388. SAT: 21.6%. GRAD. RATE: 82.4%. 3010 N. White River Pkwy. E. Dr., 317-231-0010

Hope Academy (9–12)

ENROLLMENT: 31. SAT & GRAD. RATE: n/a. 3919 Madison Ave., 317-572-9356

Indianapolis Metropolitan High School (9–12)

ENROLLMENT: 194. SAT: 1.7%. GRAD. RATE: 44.6%. 1635 W. Michigan St., 317-524-4000

Irvington Community School Inc. (K–12)

ENROLLMENT: 966. ILEARN: 16.8%. SAT: 7.3%. GRAD. RATE: 75.3%. 6705 E. Julian Ave., 317-357-3770

James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy Middle School (7–8)

ENROLLMENT: 587. ILEARN: 4.9%. 4352 Mitthoeffer Rd., 317-552-1600

KIPP Indy College Prep Middle (6–8)

ENROLLMENT: 372. ILEARN: 2.7%. 1740 E. 30th St., 317-547-5477

KIPP Indy Legacy High School (9–11)

ENROLLMENT: 349. SAT: n/a. GRAD. RATE: 78%. 2255 N. Ralston Ave., 317-547-5499

KIPP Indy Unite Elementary (K–5)

ENROLLMENT: 721. ILEARN: 8.5%. 1740 E. 30th St., 317-547-5477

Paramount School of Excellence Brookside (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 843. ILEARN: 47%.

3020 Nowland Ave., 317-775-6660

Paramount School of Excellence Cottage Home (K–4)

ENROLLMENT: 381. ILEARN: 43.9%.

1203 E. St. Clair St., 463-231-2880

Paramount School of Excellence Englewood (5–8)

ENROLLMENT: 270. ILEARN: 25.8%. 3029 E. Washington St., 463-231-2830

Purdue Polytechnic High School North (9–12)

ENROLLMENT: 229. SAT: 20.6%. GRAD. RATE: 96.7%. 1115 Broad Ripple Ave., 317-832-4800

Purdue Polytechnic High School Schweitzer Center at Englewood (9–12)

ENROLLMENT, SAT & GRAD. RATE: n/a. 3029 E. Washington St., 317-832-1200

Tindley Genesis Academy (K–6) ENROLLMENT: 368. ILEARN: 4.6%. 4020 Meadows Pkwy., 317-777-6832

Tindley Summit Academy (K–6) ENROLLMENT: 312 ILEARN: 8.5%.

3698 Dubarry Rd., 317-777-6830

HAMILTON COUNTY

Options Charter School—Noblesville (6–12)

ENROLLMENT: 183. ILEARN: n/a. SAT: 7.3%.

GRAD. RATE: 67.6%. 9945 Cumberland Pointe Blvd., Noblesville, 317-773-8659

Options Charter School—Westfield (6–12)

ENROLLMENT: 248. ILEARN: 6.7%. SAT: 3.1%.

GRAD. RATE: 70.8%. 17721 Gunther Blvd., Westfield, 317-815-2098

HANCOCK COUNTY

Geist Montessori Academy (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 291. ILEARN: 29.5%. 6058 W. 900 N, McCordsville, 317-813-4626

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Graduation rates, ILEARN proficiency rates for grades 3–8 (English/language arts and Math), and SAT benchmark rates for grade 11 (Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing) are listed if provided by the Indiana Department of Education. Enrollment figures are from 2025, and graduation rates are from 2024. Tuition rates are for 2024–25 (for one full-time student in grades K-8), unless otherwise noted. Many schools offer discounts for multiple students from the same family, as well as several types of financial aid (including vouchers and scholarships). Regardless of their financial situation, all parents are encouraged to apply.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS (NORTH)

Bishop Chatard High School

ENROLLMENT: 762. SAT: 50.9%. GRAD. RATE: 93%.

TUITION: $12,075 archdiocesan rate, $14,875 non-archdiocesan rate. 5885 N. Crittenden Ave., 317-251-1451

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School

ENROLLMENT: 829. SAT: 65.9% GRAD. RATE: 94.7%.

TUITION: $22,580 (2025–26). 2801 W. 86th St., 317-524-7050

Cathedral High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,136. SAT: 50%. GRAD. RATE: 96.3%.

TUITION: $18,480 (2025–26). 5225 E. 56th St., 317-542-1481

Christ the King Catholic School (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 382. ILEARN: 77.7%. TUITION: contact school. 5858 N. Crittenden Ave., 317-257-9366

Guerin Catholic High School

ENROLLMENT: 794. SAT: 76.7%. GRAD. RATE: 98.4%. TUITION: $16,475. 15300 N. Gray Rd., Noblesville, 317-582-0120

Immaculate Heart of Mary School (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 431. ILEARN: 68.7%. TUITION: $6,677 parishioners, $10, 936 non-parishioners. 317 E. 57th St., 317-255-5468

Our Lady of Grace Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 414. ILEARN: 41.8%. TUITION: $8,400. 9900 E. 191st St., Noblesville, 317-770-5660

Our Lady of Mount Carmel School (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 665. ILEARN: 68.4%. TUITION: K, $5,000; grades 1-8, tithing through the parish (must be a church member). 14596 Oak Ridge Rd., Carmel, 317-846-1118

St. Joan of Arc School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 228. ILEARN: 36.1%. TUITION: $7,540 parishioners, $7,750 non-parishioners. 500 E. 42nd St., 317-283-1518

St. Lawrence Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 216. ILEARN: 7.3%. TUITION: contact school. 6950 E. 46th St., 317-543-4923

St. Louis de Montfort Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 567. ILEARN: 70.5%. TUITION: $6,700 active parishioners, $7,700 non-active parishioners, $9,300 non-Catholics. 11441 Hague Rd., Fishers, 317-842-1125

St. Luke Catholic School (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 584. ILEARN: 56.8%. TUITION: $6,282 active parishioner, $9,559 inactive and nonparishioner. 7650 N. Illinois St., 317-255-3912

St. Maria Goretti Catholic School (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 476. ILEARN: 58.7%. TUITION: $8,670 Catholics, $9,670 non-Catholics. 17104 Spring Mill Rd., Westfield, 317-896-5582

St. Matthew Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 374. ILEARN: 33.6%. TUITION: $6,750 active parishioners, $8,350 Catholics, $10,300 non-Catholics. 4100 E. 56th St., 317-251-3997

St. Monica Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 366. ILEARN: 13.6%. TUITION: $5,830 parishioners, $6,330 Catholics, $7,200 nonparishioners. 6131 N. Michigan Rd., 317-255-7153

St. Pius X Catholic School (K–8)

ENROLLMENT: 504. ILEARN: 64.8%. TUITION: $6,550 parishioners, $9,000 inactive and nonparishioners. 7200 Sarto Dr., 317-466-3361

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 230. ILEARN: 64.7%. TUITION: $5,993 parishioners, $9,574 non-parishioners. 4600 N. Illinois St., 317-255-6244

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS (EAST)

Holy Spirit Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 434. ILEARN: 25.5%. TUITION: contact school. 7241 E. 10th St., 317-352-1243

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 213. ILEARN: 34.5%. TUITION: $7,250 parishioners, $8,100 non-parishioners. 30 S. Downey Ave., 317-357-3316

St. Michael Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 174. ILEARN: 40.9%. TUITION: $6,500. 515 Jefferson Blvd., Greenfield, 317-462-6380

St. Philip Neri Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 279. ILEARN: 3%. TUITION: $7,950. 545 N. Eastern Ave., 317-636-0134

St. Simon the Apostle Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 722. ILEARN: 70.4%. TUITION: $6,654 parishioners, $11,875 non-parishioners. 8155 Oaklandon Rd., 317-826-6000

St. Therese/Little Flower Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 328. ILEARN: 14.2%. TUITION: contact school. 1401 N. Bosart Ave., 317-353-2282

Scecina Memorial High School

ENROLLMENT: 455. SAT: 15.1%. GRAD. RATE: 88.2%. TUITION: $12,090 Catholics, $14,740 nonCatholics yet Catholic-educated, $15,605 nonCatholics. 5000 Nowland Ave., 317-356-6377

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS (SOUTH)

Central Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 248. ILEARN: 10.6%. TUITION: contact school. 1155 E. Cameron St., 317-783-7759

Holy Name Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 269. ILEARN: 36.6%. TUITION: contact school. 21 N. 17th Ave., Beech Grove, 317-784-9078

Lumen Christi Catholic School (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT, ILEARN, SAT & GRAD. RATE: n/a. TUITION: K, $3,425 Holy Rosary parishioners, $3,950 non-parishioners; grades 1–8, $6,325 parishioners, $6,850 non-parishioners; grades 9–12,

$8,625 parishioners, $9,150 non-parishioners. 580 Stevens St., 317-632-3174

Nativity Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 373. ILEARN: 32.5%. TUITION: contact school. 3310 S. Meadow Dr., 317-357-1459

Our Lady of the Greenwood Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 309. ILEARN: 36.5%. TUITION: $6,127 parishioners, $6 ,961 non-parishioners. 399 S. Meridian St., Greenwood, 317-881-1300

Roncalli High School

ENROLLMENT: 1,119. SAT: 51%. GRAD. RATE: 83.9%. TUITION: $11,585 parishioners, $15,035 nonparishioners. 3300 Prague Rd., 317-787-8277

St. Barnabas School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 474. ILEARN: 52.1%. TUITION: contact school. 8300 Rahke Rd., 317-881-7422

Sts. Francis & Clare of Assisi Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 426. ILEARN: 71.5%. TUITION: $6,500 (2025–26). 5901 Olive Branch Rd., Greenwood, 317-859-4673

St. Jude Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 515. ILEARN: 48.3%. TUITION: $5,900 parishioners, $8,825 non-parishioners. 5375 McFarland Rd., 317-784-6828

St. Mark Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 513. ILEARN: 45.6%. TUITION: contact school. 541 E. Edgewood Ave., 317-786-4013

St. Roch Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 269. ILEARN: 55.7%. TUITION: $5,755 parishioners, $7,355 non-parishioners. 3603 S. Meridian St., 317-784-9144

St. Rose of Lima School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 121. ILEARN: 32.8%. TUITION: contact school. 114 Lancelot Dr., Franklin, 317-738-3451

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS (WEST)

Cardinal Ritter High School (7–12)

ENROLLMENT: 608. ILEARN: 14.9%. SAT: 23.3%. GRAD. RATE: 96.3%. TUITION: junior high, $6,685 Catholics, $7,685 non-Catholics; high school, $14,120 Catholics, $11,420 non-Catholics. 3360 W. 30th St., 317-924-4333

Holy Angels Catholic School (PK–6)

ENROLLMENT: 70. ILEARN: 10%. TUITION: contact school. 2822 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St., 317-926-5211

Providence Cristo Rey High School

ENROLLMENT: 266. SAT: 5%. GRAD. RATE: 84.8%. TUITION: $300-500 (average family contribution). 75 N. Belleview Pl., 317-860-1000

St. Christopher School (PK–6)

ENROLLMENT: 206. ILEARN: 33.3%. TUITION: $6,600 parishioners, $7,200 Catholics, $7,700 nonparishioners. 5335 W. 16th St., 317-241-6314

St. Malachy Catholic School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 511. ILEARN: 60.6%. TUITION: $6,289 parishioners, $7,167 non-parishioner. 7410 N. County Rd. 1000 E, Brownsburg, 317-852-2242

St. Michael–St. Gabriel Elementary School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 291. ILEARN: 11.3%. TUITION: $7,685. 3352 W. 30th St., 317-926-0516

St. Susanna School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 300. ILEARN: 55.4%. TUITION: $6,835 Catholic, $7,880 non-Catholic. 1212 E. Main St., Plainfield, 317-839-3713

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CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS/ NONDENOMINATIONAL

Covenant Christian High School

ENROLLMENT: 396. SAT: 62.9%. GRAD. RATE: 94.7%.

TUITION: $15,950 (2025–26). 7525 W. 21st St., 317-390-0202

Gray Road Christian School (PK–6)

ENROLLMENT & ILEARN: n/a. TUITION: $4,500. 5500 S. Gray Rd., 317-786-3559

Greenwood Christian Academy (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 589. ILEARN: 57.1%. TUITION: K–grade 4, $8,750; grades 5–6, $9,875; grades 7–8, $10,975. 835 W. Worthsville Rd., Greenwood, 317-215-5300

Greenwood Christian Academy High School

ENROLLMENT: 233. SAT: 52.9%. GRAD. RATE: 92%. TUITION: $12,975. 1495 W. Main St., Greenwood, 317-215-5300

Heritage Christian School (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 1,605. ILEARN: 63.4%. SAT: 55.8%.

GRAD. RATE: n/a. TUITION: K, $11,440; grades 1–4, $12,540; grades 5–6, $14,322; grades 7–8, $15,136; grades 9–12, $16,698. 6401 E. 75th St., 317-849-3441

Horizon Christian School (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 367. ILEARN: 21.6%. SAT: 12.1%.

GRAD. RATE: 4.8%. TUITION: K–grade 6, $9,365; grades 7–8, $9,900; grades 9–12, $10,590. 7702 Indian Lake Rd., 317-823-4538

Indy West Christian School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 429. ILEARN: 52.6%. TUITION: K, $10,250; grades 1–3, $11,000; grades 4-6,

$11,750; grades 7–8, $12,500. 8610 W. 10th St., 317-272-2227

Legacy Christian School (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 290. ILEARN: 40.8%. SAT: 33.3%.

GRAD RATE: 100%. TUITION: K–5, $9,950; grades 6–8, $10,700; grades 9–12, $11,200. 470 N. Lakeview Dr., Noblesville, 317-776-4186 Mooresville Christian Academy (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 646. ILEARN: 39.3%. SAT: 33.3%.

GRAD RATE: 90%. TUITION: K–grade 4, $7,130; grades 5–8, $7,539; high school, $8,311. 4271 E. State Rd. 144, Mooresville, 317-831-0799

Traders Point Christian Schools (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 692. ILEARN: 52.6%. SAT: 27.8%.

GRAD. RATE: 100%. TUITION: K–grade 4, $11,526; grades 4–5, $12,545; grades 6–12, $13,475. Lower school: 5770 Whitestown Pkwy., Whitestown, 317-769-2450; upper school: 5608 Whitestown Pkwy., Whitestown, 317-360-0468

CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS/BAPTIST

Bethesda Christian Schools (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 631. ILEARN: 51.3%. SAT: 22.6%.

GRAD. RATE: 96.7%. TUITION: K, $8,900; grades 1–4, $9,700; grades 5–6, $10,000; grades 7–8, $11,000; grades 9–12, $12,300. 7858 N. County Rd. 650 E, Brownsburg, 317-858-2823

Central Christian Academy (K–12)

ENROLLMENT: 242. ILEARN: 15.2%. SAT: n/a. GRAD. RATE: n/a. TUITION: K–grade 6, $8,000; grades 7–12, $8,600. 2565 Villa Ave., 317-788-1587

Colonial Christian School (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 271. ILEARN: 51.3%; SAT: 60%.

GRAD. RATE: 93.8%. TUITION: $6,950. 8140 Union Chapel Rd., 317-253-0649

Fishers Christian Academy (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 91. ILEARN: 56.3%. SAT: 20%.

GRAD. RATE: n/a. TUITION: $7,000. 9587 E. 131st St., Fishers, 317-577-1777

Suburban Christian School (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 653. ILEARN: 22.8%. SAT: 6.3%.

GRAD. RATE: 84.6%. TUITION: $7,000. 722 E. County Line Rd., 317-888-3366

CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS/ EPISCOPALIAN

St. Richard’s Episcopal School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT & ILEARN: n/a. TUITION: K, $19,920; grades 1–4, $20,370; grades 5–7, $21,160, grade 8, $22,580. 33 E. 33rd St., 317-926-0425

CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS/ LUTHERAN

Calvary Lutheran School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 290. ILEARN: 42.5%. TUITION: contact school. 6111 Shelby St., 317-783-2305

Emmaus Lutheran School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT &ILEARN: n/a. TUITION: $6,700. 1224 Laurel St., 317-632-1486

Lutheran High School

ENROLLMENT: 274. SAT: 33.3%.

GRAD. RATE: 100%. TUITION (2024–25): $12,200. 5555 S. Arlington Ave., 317-787-5474

Our Shepherd Lutheran School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 229. ILEARN: 41.7%.

TUITION: $8,200. 9201 E. County Rd. 100 N, Avon, 317-271-9103

St. John Lutheran School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 222. ILEARN: 27.6%. TUITION: $8,500 (2025–26). 6630 Southeastern Ave., 317-352-9196

Trinity Lutheran School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 152. ILEARN: 28.8%. TUITION: contact school. 8540 E. 16th St., 317-897-0243

Zion Lutheran School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 230. ILEARN: 37.5%.

TUITION: contact school. 6513 W. 300 S, New Palestine, 317-861-4210

CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS/ SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST

Indiana Academy (9–12)

ENROLLMENT: 97. SAT: n/a. GRAD. RATE: 15.4%.

TUITION: contact school. 24815 State Rd. 19 N, Cicero, 317-984-3575

Indianapolis Junior Academy (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 70. ILEARN: 13.5%. TUITION: $7,200. 2910 E. 62nd St., 317-251-0560

CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS/UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH

Calvary Christian School (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 229. ILEARN: 34.7%. SAT: 18.8%.

GRAD. RATE: 93.8%. TUITION: $6,800 members, $7,300 non-members. 3639 S. Keystone Ave., 317-789-8710

JEWISH SCHOOLS

Hasten Hebrew Academy of Indianapolis (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 92. ILEARN: 55.3%. TUITION: K, $14,000; grades 1–5, $16,020; grades 6–8, $16,620 (if enrolled after March 15). 6602 Hoover Rd., 317-251-1261

NON-CHURCH-AFFILIATED

Curtis Wilson Primary School & Academy (PK–6)

ENROLLMENT: 93. ILEARN: 64.5%. TUITION: $210–240 per week. 7850 S. Emerson Ave., 317-882-8636

International School of Indiana (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT: 470. ILEARN: 41.6%. SAT: 69%.

GRAD. RATE: 100%. TUITION (2024–25): K, $23,033; grades 1–5, $23,529; grades 6–8, $23,927; grades 9–12, $25,675. Preschool and elementary: 200 W. 49th St.; middle and high school: 4330 N. Michigan Rd., 317-923-1951

Marian University Preparatory School (6–9)

ENROLLMENT: 40. ILEARN: n/a. TUITION: $6,500. 2916 W. 30th St., 855-777-0679

Midwest Academy of Indiana (3–12)

ENROLLMENT, ILEARN, SAT & GRAD. RATE: n/a. TUITION: contact school. 1420 Chase Ct., Carmel, 317-843-9500

The Oaks Academy (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT: 1,100. ILEARN: Fall Creek, 45.9%; Brookside, 50.4%; Middle School, 56.4%. TUITION (2024–25): K–grade 5, $13,510; grades

6–8, $13,790. Fall Creek: 2301 N. Park Ave., 317-931-3043; Brookside: 3092 Brookside Pkwy. N. Dr., 317-822-4900; Middle School: 1301 E. 16th St., 317-969-8500

The Orchard School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT & ILEARN: n/a. TUITION (2024–25): K–grade 4, $21,716; grade 5, $21,991; grade 6, $22,126; grade 7, $22,171; grade 8, $23,456. 615 W. 64th St., 317-251-9253

Park Tudor School (PK–12)

ENROLLMENT, ILEARN, SAT & GRAD. RATE: n/a. TUITION (2024–25): K–grade 5, $25,560; grades 6–8, $27,230; grades 9–12, $27,350. 7200 N. College Ave., 317-415-2700

Sycamore School (PK–8)

ENROLLMENT & ILEARN: n/a. TUITION: $21,735. 1750 W. 64th St., 317-202-2500

University High School of Indiana

ENROLLMENT: 348. SAT: 59.5%. GRAD. RATE: n/a. TUITION: $25,990. 2825 W. 116th St., Carmel, 317-733-4475

INDIANA COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

Costs listed are approximate for Indiana resident full-time undergraduates for the 2024–25 school year, unless otherwise noted. Those figures may vary based on majors and other factors; federal financial aid, grants, and scholarships are available. Enrollment figures include both undergraduate and graduate students.

Anderson University

ENROLLMENT: 1,228. TUITION: $37,600. ROOM AND BOARD: $13,320. DEGREES OFFERED: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. 1100 E. Fifth St., Anderson, 800-428-6414, anderson.edu

Ball State University

ENROLLMENT: 19,337. TUITION: $8,948. DEGREES OFFERED: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. 2000 W. University Ave., Muncie, 800-382-8540, bsu.edu

Butler University

ENROLLMENT: 5,763. TUITION: $46,570. ROOM AND BOARD: $16,430. DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s, master’s, Pharm.D. 4600 Sunset Ave., Indianapolis, 800-368-6852, butler.edu

Christian Theological Seminary

ENROLLMENT: 164. TUITION: $710 per credit hour. DEGREES OFFERED: certifi cate, master’s, doctoral. 1000 W. 42nd St., Indianapolis, 317-924-1331, cts.edu

DePauw University

ENROLLMENT: 1,917. TUITION: $57,990. ROOM AND BOARD: $15,330. DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s. 204 E. Seminary St., Greencastle, 765-658-4800, depauw.edu

Earlham College

ENROLLMENT: 612 (undergraduate). TUITION: $54,864 (2025–26). ROOM AND BOARD: $14,824 (2025–26). DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s, master’s. 801 National Rd. W., Richmond, 765-983-1200, earlham.edu

Franklin College

ENROLLMENT: 865 (2023–24). TUITION: $39,060. ROOM AND BOARD: $12,294. DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s, master’s. 101 Branigin Blvd., Franklin, 800-852-0232, franklincollege.edu

Goshen College

ENROLLMENT: 718. TUITION: $38,890. ROOM AND BOARD: $11,770. DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. 1700 S. Main St., Goshen, 574-535-7000, goshen.edu

Hanover College

ENROLLMENT: 1,157 (fall 2023). TUITION: $44,777 (2025–26). ROOM AND BOARD: $14,503. DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s, doctorate. 517 Ball Dr., Hanover, 812-866-7000, hanover.edu

Huntington University

ENROLLMENT: 1,428. TUITION: $33,144 (2025–26). ROOM AND BOARD: $11,074 (2025–26). DEGREES OFFERED: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. 2303 College Ave., Huntington, 260-356-6000, huntington.edu

Indiana State University

ENROLLMENT: 7,660. TUITION: $9,978. ROOM AND BOARD: $11,794. DEGREES OFFERED: certifi cate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. 200 N. Seventh St., Terre Haute, 812-237-3773, indstate.edu

Indiana Tech

ENROLLMENT: 1,500 on-campus undergraduate, 6,500 online undergraduate and graduate. TUITION: $29,936. ROOM AND BOARD: $11,268. DEGREES OFFERED: certifi cate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. Main campus: 1600 E. Washington Blvd., Fort Wayne,

260-422-5561. Satellite campuses in Elkhart, Fishers, Greenwood, Hammond, Indianapolis, Jeffersonville, Kendallville, Lafayette, Mishawaka, and Warsaw; indianatech.edu

Indiana University

ENROLLMENT: 47,527 (Bloomington). TUITION: $12,142. ROOM AND BOARD: $13,984. DEGREES OFFERED: certifi cate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. Main campus: 107 S. Indiana Ave., Bloomington, 812-855-4848. Satellite campuses in Fort Wayne, Gary, Indianapolis, Kokomo, New Albany, Richmond, and South Bend; indiana.edu

Indiana Wesleyan University

ENROLLMENT: 14,500. TUITION: $32,284. ROOM AND BOARD: $10,868. DEGREES OFFERED: certifi cate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. 4201 S. Washington St., Marion, 866-468-6498. Six educational centers throughout Indiana; indwes.edu

Ivy Tech Community College

ENROLLMENT: 177,115 statewide (2022–23). TUITION: $5,154. DEGREES OFFERED: certifi cate, technical certifi cate, workforce certifi cations, associate. Main campus: 50 W. Fall Creek Pkwy. N. Dr., Indianapolis, 888-489-5463. 44 additional campuses throughout Indiana; ivytech.edu

Manchester University

ENROLLMENT: 1,300. TUITION: $37,232. DEGREES OFFERED: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, Pharm.D. 604 E. College Ave., North Manchester, 260-982-5055, manchester.edu

Marian University

ENROLLMENT: 5,174. TUITION: $40,664. ROOM AND BOARD: $13,850. DEGREES OFFERED: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. 3200 Cold Spring Rd., Indianapolis, 317-955-6000, marian.edu

Martin University

ENROLLMENT: n/a. TUITION: $10,584. DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s, master’s. 2186 N. Sherman Dr., Indianapolis, 317-543-3235, martin.edu

Oakland City University

ENROLLMENT: n/a. TUITION (2024–25): $27,900 (2025–26). DEGREES OFFERED: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. 138 N. Lucretia St., Oakland City, 800-737-5125, oak.edu

Purdue University

ENROLLMENT: 58,009. TUITION: $9,718. ROOM AND BOARD: $12,820. DEGREES OFFERED: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. 610 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, 765-494-4600. Satellite campuses in Fort Wayne, Hammond, Indianapolis, and Westville; purdue.edu

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

ENROLLMENT: 2,334. TUITION: $54,720. ROOM AND BOARD: $17,727. DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s, master’s. 5500 Wabash Ave., Terre Haute, 812-877-1511, rose-hulman.edu

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

ENROLLMENT: 1,300. TUITION: $33,590. DEGREES OFFERED: associate, bachelor’s, master’s. 1 Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, 812-535-5151, smwc.edu

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Saint Mary’s College

ENROLLMENT: 1,571. TUITION: $52,110. ROOM AND BOARD: $14,260. DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. Notre Dame, 574-284-4000, saintmarys.edu

Taylor University

ENROLLMENT: 2,098. TUITION: $40,300 (2025–26). ROOM AND BOARD: $11,284 (2025–26). DEGREES OFFERED: associate, bachelor’s, master’s. 236 W. Reade Ave., Upland, 765-998-2751, taylor.edu

Trine University

ENROLLMENT: 12,711 (fall 2023). TUITION: $35,950. DEGREES OFFERED: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. 1 University Ave., Angola, 260-665-4100, trine.edu

University of Evansville

ENROLLMENT (2021): 2,000. TUITION: $44,470 (2025–26). DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. 1800 Lincoln Ave., Evansville, 812-488-2000, evansville.edu

University of Indianapolis

ENROLLMENT: 5,000. TUITION: $35,448. ROOM AND BOARD: $12,724. DEGREES OFFERED: certifi cate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. 1400 E. Hanna Ave., Indianapolis, 317-788-3368, uindy.edu

University of Notre Dame

ENROLLMENT: 13,174. TUITION: $65,025. ROOM AND BOARD: $17,900. DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. Notre Dame, 574-631-5000, nd.edu

University of Saint Francis ENROLLMENT: 1,763. TUITION: $36,260. ROOM AND BOARD: $11,930. DEGREES OFFERED: certifi cate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. 2701 Spring St., Fort Wayne, 260-399-7700. Additional education center in Crown Point; sf.edu

University of Southern Indiana

ENROLLMENT: 9,489. TUITION: $299 per credit hour. DEGREES OFFERED: certifi cate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. 8600 University Blvd., Evansville, 812-464-8600, usi.edu

Valparaiso University

ENROLLMENT: 2,598. TUITION: $48,820. DEGREES OFFERED: certifi cate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral. 1700 Chapel Dr., Valparaiso, 219-464-5000, valpo.edu

Vincennes University

ENROLLMENT: 16,390 systemwide. TUITION: $7,126. ROOM AND BOARD: $13,118. DEGREES OFFERED: certifi cate, associate, bachelor’s. 1002 N. First St., Vincennes, 800-742-9198. Additional campus in Jasper and an aviation tech facility in Indianapolis; vinu.edu

Wabash College

ENROLLMENT: 822. TUITION: $49,800. ROOM AND BOARD: $14,400. DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s. 301 W. Wabash Ave., Crawfordsville, 765-361-6100, wabash.edu

WGU Indiana

ENROLLMENT: 169,379 systemwide (2023). TUITION: $8,300 (average for bachelor’s). DEGREES OFFERED: bachelor’s, master’s. 877-214-7014, wgu.edu/indiana

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Photo

TONY VALAINIS

Peach cobbler topped with ice cream at Shadow Lounge (p. 79).

Brunch Outdoor seating Reservations

V Vegetarian friendly

BR 2024

Named one of IM’s Best Restaurants in 2024 New addition to the guide

$$$$ $50 and up

$$$ $30–$40

$$ $20–$30

$ Under $20

Restaurants included in this guide are selected at the discretion of the Indianapolis Monthly editorial staff based on food quality, innovation, atmosphere, service, value, and consistency. IM does not accept advertising or other compensation in exchange for dining coverage. Price symbols indicate the average cost of a meal per person (without tax, tip, or alcohol). Due to limited space, this list does not cover every evaluated restaurant. For a more comprehensive guide to Indianapolis dining, visit IndianapolisMonthly.com/Dining Feedback? Please email ebatey@IndianapolisMonthly.com

9th Street Bistro

BR 2024 SEASONAL Co-owners Samir and Rachel Firestone Mohammad’s tiny innovator is almost always packed by fans eager for the duo’s globally inspired Midwestern dishes. In response, the pair has created a community dinner series to allow even more patrons to sample their takes on the local farmstead ingredients that inspire their dishes. Mussels in aromatic broth, house-made burrata with of-the-moment garnishes, and pasta with shrimp and lemony cream sauce still anchor the menu, but it’s better to let the creative duo keep you guessing. 56 S. 9th St., Noblesville, 317-7745065, 9thstbistro.com V $$$

10th Street Diner

VEGAN Surprisingly familiar and hearty plant-based takes on diner classics occupy the entire menu at this rehab of a former pawn shop, a comfy backdrop for enjoying such tasty fakeouts as a gooey seitan Reuben, a “chicken” pot pie, and chili that rivals your favorite con carne version. 3301 E. 10th St., 463-221-1255 V$$

Abyssinia

ETHIOPIAN This spot—where diners use a spongy sour flatbread known as injera in lieu of utensils—provides a thorough introduction to Ethiopian cuisine. Aficionados of East African food will be impressed by the seasoning of the stewed lamb, beef, and spicy chicken; vegans and vegetarians will appreciate their greens, lentils, and chickpeas. 352 W. 38th St., 299-0608, abyssiniaindy.com V $$

Ali’i Poke

POKE Follow the IU and Purdue students to this delightfully fresh fast-food spot just off the now-separate schools’ Indianapolis campuses. The scooped-to-order poke bowls have a rice base (sticky or brown) over which customers layer their protein of choice (chicken or tofu are also on offer) and a rainbow of add-ons. Fresh mango, edamame, avocado, pickled ginger, seaweed salad, and unagi sauce are just a few of the available toppings. Go wild ladling them on, or get the Hawaiian Style with just rice and fish. Multiple locations, aliipoke.com V $$

Anthony’s Chophouse

STEAKHOUSE The interior of this swanky heavy hitter along Carmel’s Main Street has the polished gleam of a new Vegas hotel, with an upper-level lounge containing the salvaged mahogany bar from The Glass Chimney, another fine dining legend. The food has equal flourish. Lobster bisque with a hunk of tempura-fried meat begins a meal that might include a cowgirl ribeye, a flight of filets, or a domestic wagyu burger. Take note—the steak menu also lists a spinalis. You may never eat another steak this perfect. Black-suited and professional servers, an impressive wine list, and well-composed cocktails keep the high-dollar meal running smoothly. 201 W. Main St., Carmel, 317740-0900, anthonyschophouse.com $$$$

Aroma Experience

INDIAN Vinita Singh’s portfolio of restaurants expanded in March 2024, when she brought a new location of her Aroma mini-chain of restaurants to Carmel City Center. Those who enjoy her Aroma Indian Cuisine and Bar spots in Fountain Square and SoBro will find plenty to like in this glitzy, date-night venue. The other locations’ daily dinner menus of Northern Indian dishes such as tikka masala and Kerala-style curry are on offer, as are ambitious entrees including a lehsuni prawn dish that plays notably with Aroma’s coconut and cashew naan. (There’s also a chili garlic naan so engaging that one could enjoy it unaccompanied.) Lunch, which is served daily, is a more concise affair of bowls, rolls, and wraps. There’s also a full bar and some standout, homemade ice cream–based desserts. Multiple locations, aromaindy.com V$$$

Ash & Elm Cider Co.

CIDERY Ash & Elm’s array of complex and quaffable ciders gets broader all the time, with funky cocktails demonstrating a flavor profile well beyond sweet apples in the vibrant tasting room at the former Ford Assembly Plant on Washington Street. The food pairs beautifully with the drinks, from the now legendary elote fritters made with Indiana corn and cilantro crema to the crispy fried Brussels sprouts flavored with cider vinaigrette. A thick-cut Cuban and an Italian hoagie with all the meats are great choices among sandwiches, though the pimento cheeseburger with pickled green tomato is hard to beat. But more uptown offerings, such as ricotta gnocchi with seasonal garnishes or a lunchtime bulgogi noodle bowl, showcase how cider brings out the flavors in world cuisines as deliciously as fine wines. 1301 E. Washington St., 317-600-3164; 525 North End Dr., Carmel, 317-740-1991; ashandelmcider.com V $$$

Athens on 86th

GREEK Whether you select a large chicken gyro or the kota psiti—a roasted chicken with green beans and Greek potatoes—add an order of the fries, served here with feta, Mediterranean spices, and Greek dressing. Their gyro pizza is a fun marriage of the craveable classics, and it’s hard to argue with their multiple takes on the classic Greek salad. For the hungry, indecisive, or just plain adventurous, the sampler platter gathers nearly everything in the expansive menu onto one plate. 2284 W. 86th St., 317-879-8644, athenson86th.com V $$

Auberge

FRENCH Brick Street Inn’s classic French bistro installed talented chef Toby Moreno (of The Loft at Traders Point Creamery and Plow & Anchor) in early 2022 and immediately sent him to Paris, where he trained in the kitchens of famed chef Alain Ducasse. Moreno has added that continental know-how to the vintage dishes he makes fresh with as much local produce, meats, and cheeses as he can. That translates to an impressive plate of buttery escargot topped with croutons, seasonal salads, and a deeply flavorful French onion soup with a rich broth. Seafood shines among the entrees, especially crispy-skinned roasted cod, though diver scallops with asparagus puree showered with herbs and toasted almonds also impress. 175 S. Main St., Zionsville, 317733-8755, auberge-restaurant.com $$$$

Baan Thai Bistro

THAI Roxanna Williams’ cozy Thai eatery, which she opened in a former house and hair salon in late spring of 2023, is a welcome addition to Wanamaker’s dining offerings, bringing aromatic flavors and artful presentations to dishes like the lightly breaded and fried Son-in-Law Eggs (Kai Look Keuy), which is drizzled with earthy-sweet tamarind sauce, and generous summer rolls that come with a trio of tangy dipping sauces. Less expected starters to split include rich and flavorful Isan Thai Sausage with just the right amount of spice, served with a not-too-hot dipping sauce and a darling bamboo basket of sticky rice; a Crispy Rice Salad that crackles and pops; and airy steamed dumplings. Hearty Boat Noodle Soup and Crispy Pork Belly Ramen with a light mushroom-scented broth are good bets for main dishes, as are the kicky Crying Tiger Steak and more typical curries and noodle dishes. Adventurous diners will want to try one of three fish dishes redolent of ginger and basil, and a sumptuous mix of whole chicken drumsticks and sweet curry noodles makes for a comforting supper. 8705 Southeastern Ave., 317-759-8424, baanthaibistro .com V $$

Baby’s

BURGERS This playful, family-friendly joint limits its menu to smashburgers, chicken, milkshakes (spiked or not), and cocktails. Housed in a former drag show bar, it also has fun with the building’s artsy legacy—the house burger is called a Strut Burger, and all the cocktail names come straight from the RuPaul meme factory. Sip a Tongue Pop or a Sashay Away as you polish off the last of the Talbott Street Style fries dressed with bacon, cheese sauce, white barbecue sauce, and pickled jalapeño. 2147 N. Talbott St., 317-600-3559, babysindy.com V $$

Bearded Bagel

DELI Food truck veteran Tom Race opened this brick-and-mortar bagel deli on Indy’s northeast side in late 2021, featuring his signature steamed bagel sandwiches with dozens of topping combinations. Breakfast versions, such as the Slammin Sammy with bacon, egg, and American cheese or the Hangover Helper with spicy cream cheese, bacon, egg, and three slices of cheese are a no-brainer. But whimsical tributes to fast-food favorites, such as the

R-Bee’s with roast beef and extra cheddar, are great lunch choices. Vegetarians can opt for the Urban Farmer with “all the veggies,” avocado, and cheese, and traditionalists can sink into a cream cheese–schmeared bagel with lox, tomato, capers, onions, and cucumbers. Puffy cinnamon rolls, biscuits and gravy, and loaded tater tots complete the menu, along with a short list of cookies and brownies. 7305 E. 96th St., 317-516-5938, beardedbagel.com V $$

Beholder

BR

2024

CONTEMPORARY You never know what to expect from restaurateur Jonathan Brooks’ Windsor Park kitchen, aside from one of the most innovative and wellexecuted meals in town. The menu is difficult to track, mainly because Brooks builds his dishes around seasonal ingredients that are fresh and of-the-moment. Impeccable servers will guide you through the evening’s offerings, which start small at the top of the menu (fresh oysters, perhaps, or pork rinds with kimchi and chicken liver mousse) and bulk up toward the bottom (think wild boar Bolognese or a massive pork Wellington portioned for two). Finish with the most exotic flavor of house-made ice cream. 1844 E. 10th St., 317-419-3471, beholderindy.com V $$$$

Bluebeard

BR 2024

CONTEMPORARY Tom and Ed Battista’s charming little restaurant has led the charge in getting Indy’s dining scene on the national radar. A perennial nominee for the James Beard Awards with mentions in outlets such as The New York Times and Bon Appétit, Bluebeard—which takes its name from one of native son Kurt Vonnegut’s novels—still delivers on the hype. The menu has settled into a comfortable groove, starting with shareable small plates such as house-frizzled chips and French onion dip, gourmet bar nuts, and grilled bread from sibling bakery Amelia’s served with a flight of slatherings. A plate-spanning Faroe Island salmon, beef-and-pork Bolognese, and other larger entrees make for a nice, lingering dinner accompanied by ambitious cocktails in a dining room decorated with shelves of books and Vonnegut-era typewriters. 653 Virginia Ave., 317-686-1580, bluebeardindy .com V $$$

Bob’s Indian Kitchen

INDIAN A surprisingly spacious and airy counter-service restaurant located in a new mini-strip in Hendricks County houses Bhavesh “Bob” Patel’s ode to home-cooked Indian cuisine. Irresistible entry-level cream cheese bhajia and dreamy butter chicken get just as much respect as the crispy pani puri filled with tamarind water, the goat biryani, and a nice list of hearty and abundantly flavorful Indian pizzas. For a sweet finish, try the mango lassi. 618 E. Main St., Brownsburg, 317-983-0225, bobsindian.square.site V $$

Bodhi Craft Bar + Thai Bistro

BR 2024 THAI This Mass Ave restaurant serves a small, focused menu of Thai dishes like massaman curry with braised beef and Bodhi’s own version of pad thai. Cocktails get a lot of attention on a drinks list designed by beverage director Dalton Lineback. 922 Massachusetts Ave., 317-941-6595, bodhi-indy .com V $$$

Bonge’s Tavern

AMERICAN Opened in the 1930s near the rush of the White River and purchased by Charles Bonge a little over 10 years later, Bonge’s Tavern has been a part of Indiana dining history for more than 90 years. In the fall of 2023, Burgess Restaurant Group purchased it and installed Dean Sample as executive chef. The centerpiece of the menu is still the signature tenderloin, appropriately named the Perkinsville Pork. Other favorites include a stuffed duck breast and a fresh fish entree. Chef Sample inflects his own ideas into the menu, with a Southern influence. It’s worth the risk to order whatever delightful special he adds to the menu. Make sure to grab a reservation long before you plan to go—they go quick—and arrive early enough to tailgate in the parking lot with other diners, a Bonge’s tradition worth keeping. 9830 W. 280 N, Perkinsville, 765-734-1625, bongestavern.com $$$

Borage

ALL-DAY CAFE Josh Kline and Zoë Taylor’s long-awaited all-day cafe, dinner spot, and market took years longer to open than they expected when they chose its Speedway site. Some even despaired that the couple in business and life—who met while toiling in the kitchen at Milktooth— might never see their dream realized. But suddenly this summer, Borage threw its doors open, and all worries vanished. Every menu lineup, from breakfast to dinner and everything in between, is a collage of standby ingredients, such as polenta or milk bread, reimagined into well-portioned small plates that will fill your table. Mussels float in kimchi-flecked coconut broth alongside a meatloaf sandwich made with brisket and bacon. Every aspect of the restaurant, its bakery, and the attached retail space feels thought-through and intentional. Borage was worth the wait. 1609 N. Lynhurst Dr., 317-734-3958, borageeats.com V $$

The Burger Joint

to complete your morning pick-me-up. But house-baked cinnamon rolls and generous chocolate chip cookies with flakes of sea salt are worth the visit alone. Colorful murals paying homage to the Greek mathematician Euclid, repurposed wood accents, and plenty of patio seating make this a soothing daytime sitting spot before heading for adult beverages next door. 357 Euclid Ave., Greenwood, 317-360-9887, cafe-euclid.com $

Che Chori

ARGENTINEAN The focus of the menu at this colorful drive-thru is a selection of traditional butterflied-sausage sandwiches and warm empanadas filled with seasoned meats. Make sure to pick up the house-made dulce de leche, which is sold by the jar, as well as their churros and specialty Argentinian shortbread cookies. And don’t overlook the cook-at-home sausages, from Spanish-style chorizo to Argentinean black sausage. 3124 W. 16th St., 317-737-2012, chechori.com $$

Cheeky Bastards

BR 2024

ENGLISH Co-owners Michael Rypel and chef Robert Carmack fell in love with British culture and cuisine during travels abroad. Their Geist restaurant is a true tribute to the food, serving not only a classic full English breakfast and sausage rolls made with imported meat but also a very convincing fish and chips featuring crispy planks and hand-cut potatoes. Don’t forget to ask for the malt vinegar or the HP Sauce for the full UK experience. 11210 Fall Creek Rd., 317-288-9739, cbindy.com $$

Chin Brothers

ROUND & ROUND

Revolving sushi bars might be Indy’s hottest trend. The Kura Sushi chain rolled into Fishers last fall, with diners plucking maki and nigiri from an open-air conveyor belt. Illinois-based company Sushi Station followed suit in Westfield in December, only this time some dishes are delivered via an adorable little train.

AMERICAN Tucked away in a strip mall off Emerson Way and 56th Street, The Burger Joint is a true hidden gem waiting to be discovered. They don’t take hamburgers lightly; the menu is full of specialty patties topped with savory and tender brisket, grilled pineapple, or spicy chorizo. They all pair well with hand-battered onion rings, fries, or loaded tater tots. If the burgers are what bring you in, it’s the milkshakes that make you stay— hand-dipped and served in an old-fashioned glass, piled high with whipped cream, and, of course, garnished with a cherry on top. 5450 E. Fall Creek Pkwy. N Dr., 317-991-4995, indysburgerjoint.com $$

Cafe Euclid

COFFEEHOUSE Lattes and espresso drink specials top the caffeinated offerings, and bagels sourced from Bloomington’s Scholars Inn Bakehouse get dressed up with Italian meats, smoked salmon, or avocado and veggies

BURMESE One of the oldest Burmese restaurants in town, this brightly lit and friendly spot attached to a large, well-stocked market serves as a cultural center for immigrants from the Chin state of Myanmar. Invigorating refreshers such as sweet tea with condensed milk and a cane syrup beverage with puffed rice offer a colorful taste of Burmese culture. Fried rice and soups are solid standards here, as well as luscious and tender curried goat. Their Lahpet Thohk salad, made with fermented tea leaves, greens, and spices, may be one of the best in the region. 2320 E. Stop 11 Rd., 317-8881850, chinbrothers.com V $$

Chopped Cheese Boys

DELI New York’s beloved bodega snack is the eponymous specialty at this no-frills Irvington convenience store and takeout deli. True to form, well-seasoned ground beef gets chopped on a sizzling flattop, then pressed into a sub sandwich roll, and finally topped with plenty of gooey cheese and mayo, which makes for a rich and flavorful mashup of the smashburger and a Philly cheesesteak. But be sure to dip into the eye-popping menu of wings, chicken tenders, fried fish, and—another Big Apple food cart favorite—chicken over rice (tender

SMALL BITE

grilled chicken breast meat with a signature white sauce slathered over rice). Try it with lamb, as well, or go meatless with falafel. 1520 N. Arlington Ave., 317-377-4951 V $$$

Commission Row

BR

2024

FINE DINING This glossy spot from Indy’s near-ubiquitous Cunningham Restaurant Group is just steps from Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and it reflects its neighbor’s baller vibes with a three-figure seafood tower, caviar service, and an eight-steak menu (which offers add-ons such as foie gras and lobster tail). Sure, you can play small with its excellent burger or sizable salads, but if you do, you’ll be missing the point. Appropriately, its wine list leads with bubbles by the glass or bottle, while its cocktail list boasts eight takes on a classic martini. 110 S. Delaware St., 317-550-2500, commissionrow.com $$$$

Convivio

ITALIAN With a menu that traces the geographical regions in Italy, this is not your average red-sauce joint. The pasta, including curled nests of black squid ink spaghetti and purple beet-infused fettuccine, are all made in-house. The torchietti pasta, tossed with dried figs, black olives, basil, goat cheese, and parmesan, has been known to induce deep cravings in the weeks after eating, and the frutti di mare packs a generous serving of mussels, clams, shrimp, scallops, and calamari with tonnarelli pasta in a spicy and bright tomato sauce. Beyond pasta, the menu offers Neapolitan-style pizzas served blistered and hot from the imported Italian pizza oven, rotating regional specials, and an easy-to-navigate, Italian-heavy wine list that makes picking a bottle for the table a pleasure. 11529 Spring Mill Rd., Carmel, 317-564-4670, convivioindy.com $$$

Cooper & Cow

STEAKHOUSE Louisville-based Endeavor Restaurant Group’s swashbuckling steakhouse in downtown Fishers is perhaps distinguished most by its intimacy and calm, where diners can actually hear their dinner companions across the table. The 4,200-square-foot space, which was last an outpost of LouVino, has been transformed with well-appointed decor that recalls the swankier saloons of preProhibition days. It makes a great backdrop for surprisingly fresh, well-prepared seafood offerings alongside prime aged filets, ribeyes, and wagyu flank steak. A house wagyu burger is more than dinner-worthy, and sides such as fried Brussels sprouts with roasted garlic and bresaola are excellent for sharing. Save room for a towering wedge of bourbon-enriched chocolate cake with both dark chocolate ganache and milk chocolate buttercream. 8626 E. 116th St., Fishers, 317-288-2801, cooperandcow.com $$$

A Cup of Chai

TEAHOUSE Punjab native Pravy Nijjar’s cozy, funky teahouse, which opened in July of 2023 on a secluded section of Shelby Street in Fountain Square, offers a true taste of Indianstyle chai with several different spice profiles. For the genuine article, go for the masala chai, a dairy-forward drink that features ginger, cardamom, fennel, and cloves, equally good hot or iced. Pair that with one of Nijjar’s street

food–inspired snacks, such as golden, aromatic samosas or tasty kati rolls (tender paratha stuffed with spiced chicken, paneer, or potatoes). Coffee drinkers can get an espresso or cappuccino, and those avoiding caffeine can go for a spiceinfused golden latte, mango lassi, or minty pineapple lemonade. 1028 Shelby St., 317-998-4463, acupofchai.us $

Fernando’s

Mexican & Brazilian Cuisine

MAIN COURSE

If all has gone to plan, Tinker Street owner Tom Main has opened a restaurant in a historic Carmel home. Freeland’s focuses on “heritage Indiana cuisine” and is located inside The Maples, an 1845-built structure occupied by the Freeland family (hence the name) for decades. As of this writing, opening was tentatively planned for late January.

BR 2024 LATIN AMERICAN A subtle name change in the last year, owing to a legal request from the international fast-food chain Nando’s, has done nothing to diminish the spirit and vibrant flavors of this Broad Ripple restaurant featuring the cuisines of Mexico and Brazil. Enjoying a flight of fruit-infused caipirinhas and a plate of crisp, savory chicken croquettes on Fernando’s spacious sheltered patio is still a warm-weather delight, and dishes like feijoada with fall-apart-tender pork and rich stewed black beans, as well as chicken stroganoff and a delectable Brazilian take on the homey pot pie, remain hearty staples that are hard to find elsewhere. Fare such as queso fundido and arroz con pollo more than hold their own against the best, and refreshing desserts such as an ultra-creamy flan and Brazilian-style guava cheesecake are worth saving a few bites of your entrees to make room for. 834 E. 64th St., 317-377-4779, fernandosindy.com $$$

Field Brewing

BREWPUB This Westfield addition to the local craft brewery scene would be dazzling enough for its mod fixtures and bocce ball court that spans the family-friendly outdoor space, but the menu is as daring as it is easy to pair with the house brews. The kitchen skillfully prepares standout dishes, such as tender lamb ribs with chimichurri and deeply caramelized Brussels sprouts, served with hunks of bacon, that are some of the best in town. Their event space is simple-chic and full of natural light, available (with reservations) for special receptions and birthdays—or just for big family and friend gatherings. 303 E. Main St., Westfield, 317-8049780, fieldbrewing.com V $$$

Field to Fork

SANDWICHES This gourmet market and local meat counter that set up shop along downtown Franklin’s quaint main drag puts its inventory center stage in a compact menu of sandwiches. Top picks are the Well-Dressed Italian, which is built around thin-sliced salami, provolone, and banana peppers, and the fig-forward Franklin Jam that puts thick-sliced Fischer Farms ham and Gruyere to delicious use. 90 W. Jefferson St., Franklin, 463-710-6170, fieldtofork .shop $$

Gather 22

BR 2024 CONTEMPORARY This colorfully cozy all-day hangout and cocktail spot in Fall Creek Place from Byrne’s Grilled Pizza owners Adam Reinstrom and Pablo

Gonzalez draws on Reinstrom’s love of interior design and Gonzalez’s background in innovative mixology. Vibrant wall fixtures by creators such as Bootleg Signs & Murals and revolving works by locals from the LGBTQ art community provide a funky backdrop for sipping seasonal elixirs, such as the bracing but balanced Bourbon Renewal. Salads include a wedge with smoked blue cheese and roasted-poblano ranch. Byrne’s original pizzas, cracker-thin and charred, are on offer, as are thicker-crusted Roman-style oval pies with well-chosen toppings. Fresh takes on shareable plates include crispy-skinned salmon with kale and quinoa and intriguing scallop sliders with Asian-style slaw. On Sundays, the brunch menu features classics such as egg dishes and French toast. There are also breakfast pizzas such as the Chilaquiles, a thin crust topped with chorizo, salsa, eggs, and fried tortillas. Coffee drinks and a solid sandwich list anchor the daytime menu, and desserts feature a luxe take on the Hoosier classic sugar cream pie. 22 E. 22nd St., 317-258-2222, gather22.com $$

The HC Tavern + Kitchen

CONTEMPORARY The term “tavern” hardly captures this swank addition to the Huse Culinary Group/St. Elmo family. A hit among starters is the Lobster “Cargot” with lumps of lobster meat in garlic butter and melted Havarti. Chops include the supper club darling steak Diane with mushroom cream sauce and horseradish mashed potatoes, though equally regal is the wagyu meatloaf enriched with pork and veal, sauced with a truffle mushroom demi-glace. For dessert, choose the salted honey cream pie. The Yard at Fishers District, 317-530-4242, atthehc.com $$$

Hoosier Roots

COMFORT Don’t miss this gem serving familystyle mains and side dishes in a roadhouse setting. Owner Greg Steller runs the tiny kitchen, preparing house-smoked salmon, herb-crusted roast beef, beer can chicken, and other classics. Buttermilk fried chicken is the signature dish, and a generous eight pieces is served family style with hot sauce and local honey. Desserts are meant to be shared, but you won’t want to—there’s a honey lavender cake with bauchant icing that’s worth keeping for yourself. 26 E. Main St., Pittsboro, 317-892-0071, hoosierrootscatering.com $$

Julieta Taco Shop

BR 2024 MEXICAN Gabriel Sañudo and Esteban Rosas’ taco shop in the Stutz Building shows the pair’s skill and fine dining experience in little details such as the marinades for meats, tortillas handcrafted from heirloom corn varieties, and surprisingly flavorful vegetarian options. Their tender grilled or braised meats are excellent but the signature taco al pastor is the star. 1060 N. Capitol Ave. $$

SMALL BITE

King Dough

BR 2024 PIZZA This industrial-feeling pizza spot began as a student-friendly Bloomington destination in 2014; now it’s a local mini-chain with three locations. The huge wood-burning pizza oven (it’s named Thunder Dome) is the first thing diners see when they enter the space, and the open kitchen feels like a grown-up version of the exhibition pizzerias so popular in the 1980s. But this is present-day pizza, bubbly and charred, with seasonal toppings such as truffles and imported Taleggio cheese. Multiple locations, kingdoughpizzas.com V $$

Love Handle

SANDWICHES Daily lunch and brunch features such as schnitzel and waffles and a pulledchicken Hot Brown are the main draw at Chris and Ally Benedyk’s cheeky sandwich shop. The chalkboard menu (which is also updated online) also offers side options in the form of braised greens and potato salad with roasted tomatoes. Fridays often see a fish special, and weekends are a chef’s playground of eggy experiments, satisfying hashes, and sweet sides. 877 Massachusetts Ave., 317-384-1102 $$

Maialina Italian Kitchen + Bar

ITALIAN Straw-wrapped chianti bottles, wooden cross-back chairs, and family photos give a throwback trattoria feel to this addition to the city’s Italian scene. Meatballs from a family recipe with a solid house marinara are always a good choice. Pastas range from a straightforward toss of rigatoni with sausage and broccoli rabe to a rich, three-meat Bolognese lavished atop plump gnocchi. 1103 Prospect St., 317-982-7676, maialinaindy.com V $$$$

Main & Madison Market Cafe

BAKERY Franklin’s first hospital was reborn as a breakfast and lunch hot spot in 2018, when co-owners and cousins Amy Richardson and Stephanie Northern opened their bakery and cafe just steps from the city’s historic courthouse. With its combination of Brooklyn-cool baristas (many are students at nearby Franklin College) and Midwestern friendliness and prices, it attracts long lines for its list of coffee drinks as well as its rotating menu of sandwiches, soups, salads, and baked goods. The roasted pepper and gouda soup is especially satisfying; that it’s served with one of their caramelized onion and goat cheese scones turns it into a special treat. Pastries like a shareable-sized pecan sticky bun or a stuffed peanut butter cookie are a sugar crash waiting to happen but are more than worth the ride. 100 N. Main St., Franklin, 317-736-6246, mainandmadison.cafe V $$

Milktooth

whims of its chef. The early morning counter service featuring pastries and coffee gives way to a full-service brunch and lunch menu—if they’re serving a Dutch baby pancake, get it. Daytime craft cocktails are also on offer, pairing well with a rotating selection of substantial savory offerings such as latkes, sandwiches, and salads. 534 Virginia Ave., 317-986-5131, milktoothindy.com V $$

Mr. Patakon

COLOMBIAN The name of Diana Moreno and Brenda Sánchez’s cheerful, authentic southside Colombian eatery comes from the popular Latin and South American dish patacones— flattened, fried plantains filled with everything from shredded barbecue chicken criollo to cheese, corn, and shredded beef. Or try the Super Perro hot dog, which is topped with every meat in the kitchen, quail eggs, and a special house sauce. Mazorcada (heaps of sweet corn topped with meats, cheeses, and potato sticks) is a delectable side dish. Fruit drinks and desserts, especially obleas (wafer cookies filled with dulce de leche and cheese), are worth the extra calories for a flavor experience like no other in the city. 7415 U.S. 31, 317-6929829, mrpatakon.com $$

Natural State Provisions

CASUAL Customers order at the counter and find a table inside this former microbrewery. The food is rooted in homestyle cooking, heavy on the deep-frying and sweet tea–brining, with a rotating menu and regular daily specials. Save room for a cup or cone of their soft serve, a regularly-changing housemade ice cream. If the weather is warm, take a seat at one of the picnic tables outside and watch the neighborhood pups frolic in the adjacent dog park. 414 Dorman St., 317492-9887, naturalstateprovisions.com $$

Negrill Jamaican Restaurant

and Bar

ALOHA KA’A

Drive-thru meets dawdle at Milk & Honey Coffeehouse, which will soon open in Wanamaker. Owner Taylor Hummel says Indy java hounds typically visit separate spots when they’re in a hurry and when ready to linger, but her new shop marries both, with a Hawaii-style beachside bar inside and car service outside.

BR 2024 BRUNCH This airy diner-style cafe has a playfully gritty vibe and a menu that changes with both the seasons and the

JAMAICAN You’ll need to come early to this spirited island spot if you want to score some of the day’s tender, rich oxtail stew or aromatic curried goat, served up in “lickle” (little) or larger portions dressed with rice and peas, steamed cabbage, and sweet fried plantains. Jerk chicken has just the right heat. Beef patties, fried or “escovitch” fish garnished with tangy veggies, and soups, depending on the day, round out the menu. 3701 W. 10th St., 317-602-8553, negrillrestaurant.com $$

Nesso

ITALIAN Highly stylized seafood and meats paired with small pasta courses and shared a la carte sides add up to a sumptuous dining experience inside The Alexander hotel. Take a seat in a cushiony booth and pass around a plate of prosciutto-wrapped prunes or crab arancini, but keep the tortelloni and sea bass all to yourself. No reservation? No problem, walk-ins are swiftly seated at the bar. 339 S. Delaware St., 317-643-7400, nesso-italia.com V $$$

Nowhere Special

COCKTAIL BITES Dan Cage’s funky cocktail lounge and small bites spot is far from its all-too-modest name. Sleek banquettes in earthy greens and brushed brass tabletops provide an elegant backdrop to classic pours and a host of new elixirs created by the talented bar staff. Try the light and fruity Love Island with passion fruit liqueur, tangy citrus cordial, and bubbles. 608 Massachusetts Ave., nowhereindy.com $$

Oakleys Bistro

CONTEMPORARY The meticulously plated fare at Steven Oakley’s eatery hails from a culinary era when sprigs of herbs and puddles of purees provided the flavor, and every single element on the plate served a purpose. The presentations are wild, with menu descriptions giving little more than clues as to what might arrive at the table. Heads-up on anything that appears in quotes, such as a creative “Coq au Vin.” 1464 W. 86th St., 317-824-1231, oakleysbistro.com V $$$

Our Table

CONTEMPORARY The location is suitably cozy and out of the way for Bargersville’s newest fine dining destination. Chef and owner Joe Miller focuses on gorgeous, rustic plates of steak, seafood, and Old World lasagna made with fresh pasta and generous layers of beef Bolognese, mozzarella, and creamy ricotta. The brioche sliders (containing buttermilk fried chicken or beef tenderloin with crispy onions and horseradish creme fraiche) are little bites of heaven. 5080 State Rd. 135, Bargersville, 317-847-4920, ourtablerestaurant.com V $$$

Revery

CONTEMPORARY This Old Greenwood bistro inside an 1800s-era drugstore offers approachable fine dining, with a more casual bar on the historic building’s back end. Small plates have included beets with whipped goat cheese and wasabi, while entrees are seasonal and skew toward seafood, with lobster, halibut, and mussels on recent menus. Whiskey drinks get priority on the cocktail menu, and their old fashioned feels fresh and new. 299 W. Main St., Greenwood, 317-2154164, reveryrestaurantgroup.com V $$$

Richard’s

Brick Oven Pizza

PIZZA When husband-and-wife team Richard Goss and Meg Jones first fired up their restaurant’s massive brick oven in 2009, chain pizza ruled the Central Indiana landscape, either delivered within 30 minutes or served in a cavernous room with a singing, mechanical rodent. Franklin was a risky place to launch their vision of high-quality Neapolitan pizza made with fresh, often local ingredients— but the gamble paid off, and 15 years later, it’s become a destination for diners. Pastas, custom calzoni, and lasagna round out the menu. 229 S. Main St., Franklin, 317-738-3300, richardskitchen.com V $$$

Rusted Silo

BARBECUE Nestled between I-74 and the railroad tracks in Lizton, you’ll find this barbecue joint with only six indoor tables and a line out the door. Pitmaster Robert Ecker smokes, cooks, and even bakes some of the best Southern-style pit barbecue, sides, and desserts

SMALL BITE

in Indiana. Grab a beer from one of the floorto-ceiling coolers just inside the door and get ready to make your way down the menu. If you can’t decide between the perfectly seasoned, pink-tinged shredded pork butt or a slice of the fork-tender brisket, go ahead and get both and try them with one (or all) of the four housemade sauces on deck. On the side? The ranch beans are creamy and well-seasoned, and the three-cheese mac is made from scratch. The cheese grits may be the star, though; sourced in Kentucky and ground at Weisenberger Mill, it leaves other restaurants’ grits in the dust. Where other barbecue joints might phone in their desserts with frozen pies and canned fruit, Rusted Silo dishes up homemade bourbon pecan pie, peach cobbler, and a notably rich banana pudding. 411 N. State St., Lizton, 317-994-6145, rustedsilobrewhouse.com $$

St. Elmo Steak House

BR 2024

STEAKHOUSE Since 1902, this stately house of red meat has served as the unofficial ambassador of downtown Indianapolis—the walls carry decades’ worth of celebrity photos, the burnished bar hearkens to an earlier era, and the servers remain starched and bow-tied. The drill remains the same, as well: a generous martini or bottle from its vast and lauded wine list, a shrimp cocktail with that notoriously hot cocktail sauce, the bean soup or tomato juice, the wedge, and one of the well-aged, gorgeously marbled and completely legendary steaks. 127 S. Illinois St., 317-635-0636, stelmos.com

$$$

Sam’s Square Pie

kitchen, serving Southern and soul-infused dishes such as lamb lollipops, Cajun penne, and garlic-parmesan wings. The cocktails are strong, the music is loud, and while dinner is delightful, brunch is the real scene. 2380 E. 54th St., 317-974-9288, shadowloungeindy.com.

$$$

Shapiro’s Delicatessen

DELI Slide your tray along and take your pick of kosher comfort foods at this familyowned downtown institution. Hot pastrami and corned beef sandwiches on rye have drawn long lines for more than a century. The Reuben is a contender for the city’s best, and heartier fare such as potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, and matzo ball soup are perennially satisfying standbys. If you don’t load up on a massive slice of cheesecake or pie, you haven’t really had the proper Shapiro’s experience. 808 S. Meridian St., 317-631-4041, shapiros.com $$

Shiba Pho

LOVE CONNECTION

Buzz for Traders Point Mexican-Peruvian spot Macizo has been growing since its December opening, with diners lining up for its comforting fusion dishes. Owners Luz Gonza and Omar Ramirez say the menu reflects their marriage (she’s Peruvian; he’s Mexican), as well as the distinctions and overlaps of their respective cultures.

BR 2024 PIZZA Detroit-style pizza obsessive Jeff Miner’s pop-up pie shop now has a permanent home on Indy’s near east side, giving followers and newcomers easy access to his square-cut pizzas. Just don’t expect a long list of available toppings or side options like salads and wings. This spot is a single-minded homage to pan-baked pizzas with a signature crown of well-browned cheese around the edges of the chewy, sturdy crust. Topping combos include the signature El Jefe with two styles of pepperoni, kicky Italian sausage, dollops of ricotta, and a drizzle of spicy honey. Slightly thinner and larger Sicilian pies occasionally appear on the menu, so snag one if you can, especially the sausage-topped High Plains Drifter that garnered second place at Las Vegas’ Pizza Expo. Cheesy garlic bread made with Miner’s pizza dough and garlic knots slathered in butter are also available, but it’s best to save room for the main attraction. Carryout is available, but dining in is always a good time. 2829 E. 10th St., samssquarepie.com

V $$$

Shadow Lounge

NEW SOUL FOOD After a major renovation, the former Marco’s Restaurant and Lounge has been transformed into a rollicking dining destination. Chef Tia Wilson, late of wing spot Chicken Scratch, is in the

VIETNAMESE Deep bowls of the namesake aromatic noodle soup get top billing at this no-frills Brownsburg spot, which also makes a special vegetarian broth for the plant-based. Starters such as spring rolls and dumplings set the tone, while deep-fried wings (served with three sauces) are standouts even in our chickenrich region. Don’t miss the Chef’s Specials or the sensibly stuffed banh mi sandwiches, served on fresh baguettes. 578 W. Northfield Dr., Brownsburg, 317-286-7018, shibapho.net $$

Siam Square

THAI Soothing red and green curries—redolent of coconut milk, Thai chili paste, and fresh veggies—play strictly by the book. The same goes for the fresh shrimp-and-chicken spring rolls packed inside a filament of rice paper, as well as the refreshing Som Tum salad, which is big enough for two. Made with crisp papaya and peanuts, then funkified with a generous pour of fish sauce, it’s the ideal start to any meal. 936 Virginia Ave., 317-636-8424, siamsquareindy.com V $$

Sidedoor Bagel

BRUNCH Appropriately dense and chewy with that required crackly sheen, the hand-rolled sourdough rings at Josh and Emily Greeson’s walk-up bagel shop are the stars of the show. Flaky salt, everything, sesame, and poppy are all solid standbys. Order yours sliced and schmeared at the counter, then score an outdoor table or head back home (it’s carryout only). Don’t miss the daily sandwiches, which range from the open-faced Lox & Loaded to the Turkey Bacon Club with Fischer Farms turkey and Old Major Market bacon. 1103 E. 10th St., sidedoorbagel.com V $$

Theo’s Italian

ITALIAN Hearty pastas and puffy, pizza-like Roman-style pinsa flatbreads top the menu at Cunningham Restaurant Group’s Italian spot. It’s named for restaurateur Mike

Cunningham’s grandson, but the cocktail and wine list are quite adult. 2498 Perry Crossing Way, Plainfield, 317-203-9107, theositalian.com

$$$

Tinker Street

BR 2024

NEW AMERICAN Diners are in for a delightful treat at this cozy, detailoriented restaurant where the open kitchen almost feels like part of the dining room. The menu changes with the seasons, but the soup is always something lush and vegan, the Duck & Dumplings (featuring duck confit and truffled dumplings) sells out fast, and the person who orders the pork chop will be the most envied diner at the table. The cocktails are delicate, the wine list well-curated, and its bar staff ready to offer mocktails. Don’t skip dessert, especially if it involves a scoop of ice cream. While Tinker Street sets aside some tables for walk-in diners, reservations are available online and are a good idea Thursday through Sunday. 402 E. 16th St., 317-925-5000, tinkerstreetrestaurant.com V $$$

Vicino

BR 2024 ITALIAN More than filling Mass Ave’s pasta needs, this modern, colorful trattoria from the owners of The Oakmont measures up to some of the best Italian spots anywhere in the city. New seating and light fixtures add a brighter palette to the sleek former Hedge Row location, and a nicely edited menu offers familiar classics with a few twists for the more daring. Pastas are rotating and seasonal, as is a menu of substantial mains. 350 Massachusetts Ave., 317-798-2492, vicinoindy.com V $$

Wisanggeni Pawon

BR 2024 INDONESIAN The talents of chefs Bambang Wisanggeni and Putri Pratiwi make dining at Wisanggeni Pawon a superb experience. The husband-andwife duo presents the complex, spice-forward dishes of their homeland, as well as some hibachi favorites drawn from their experience at nearby Japanese restaurants. Split a platter of martabak telor, a hearty beef omelet encased in crispy wonton skin, or share some steamed Indonesian dumplings with a rich peanut sauce. The signature beef rendang, with tender meat simmered in coconut milk, also stands out. Lighter fare includes nicely blackened grilled chicken with rice. Save room for ube spring rolls or sweet pancakes stuffed with peanuts, gooey cheese, and condensed milk, all sprinkled with chocolate. 2450 E. 71st St., 317-756-9477, wpawon.com V $$

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SMALL BITE

Shinn Horse

A GIANT EQUINE SCULPTURE HAS BEEN INTRIGUING PASSERSBY ON THE SOUTHERN STRETCH OF I-465 FOR NEARLY THREE DECADES.

BY CAMILLE GRAVES

IF YOU’VE ever driven westbound on 465 where it begins to curve north past the Kentucky Avenue exit, you may have been startled by the stallion to your right that looks like it’s about to gallop right onto the highway. That’s understandable, given its enormity: roughly 17 feet long by 13 feet high (not counting the base, which adds another 5 feet). For comparison, that’s bigger than the average sedan. But a glance as you speed by can’t do it justice. Known colloquially as the Shinn Horse, it sits on the grounds of Horizons Apartments just next to the playground and was commissioned by the complex’s owner around 1998. “It was a tribute to the Colts,” says property manager Tammy, adding that “it’s great advertising.” Also, appropriately for Indianapolis, it’s constructed from old car parts, the body from metal and the mane and tail from tires, a fact that belies the smooth, graceful craftsmanship. The original (traveling) artist, Robert Shinn, is a bit elusive. “He’s just one of those guys who is extremely talented … and he just moves around,” says Tammy. In 2024, the horse was repainted from brown to a more realistic, dimensional black and white by local artist and teacher Lauren Fennelly, who goes by Rosie the Artist. Fennelly’s delicate, painstaking work adds dynamism. All are welcome to stop by Horizons Apartments to take a closer look at the Shinn Horse.

PHOTO BY TONY VALAINIS