Massachusetts Avenue Indianapolis: Restaurant & Bar Guide
Updated March 7, 2026
Mass Ave is where Indianapolis actually eats. Not the steakhouses near the Convention Center — the neighborhood restaurants and bars that locals choose when they're not hosting out-of-towners.
Getting there from the Convention Center: Mass Ave is a 12-15 minute walk northeast from the Indiana Convention Center. Walk up Illinois Street to New York Street, then turn right — you'll hit Massachusetts Avenue and follow it northeast. Rideshare is 4 minutes. Totally worth leaving the convention bubble.
Restaurants
Mass Ave has Indianapolis's most interesting dining — less tourist-facing than the Convention Center area, more adventurous in cuisine and format.
Fine Dining & Upscale
Livery — $$$
Latin-inspired fine dining inside a beautifully restored 1890s horse livery. One of the most talked-about restaurants in Indianapolis right now. The mezcal cocktail program is exceptional. Make a reservation — this is the kind of place that fills up weeks out on weekends.
Latin-inspired fine dining inside a beautifully restored 1890s horse livery. One of the most talked-about restaurants in Indianapolis right now. The mezcal cocktail program is exceptional. Make a reservation — this is the kind of place that fills up weeks out on weekends.
Salt on Mass — $$$
A scratch kitchen with no freezers — everything made fresh daily. Focused on seafood and steak with a chef-driven approach. Excellent cocktails and a wine list that doesn't condescend. One of the best consistent mid-tier options on the street.
A scratch kitchen with no freezers — everything made fresh daily. Focused on seafood and steak with a chef-driven approach. Excellent cocktails and a wine list that doesn't condescend. One of the best consistent mid-tier options on the street.
The Rathskeller — $$
Indianapolis's oldest restaurant, inside the historic Athenaeum building since 1894. German food done properly — schnitzel, bratwurst, pretzels — and one of the best outdoor biergartens in the city. The courtyard is packed on warm evenings. A genuine piece of Indianapolis history that still earns its place.
Indianapolis's oldest restaurant, inside the historic Athenaeum building since 1894. German food done properly — schnitzel, bratwurst, pretzels — and one of the best outdoor biergartens in the city. The courtyard is packed on warm evenings. A genuine piece of Indianapolis history that still earns its place.
Tacos, Burgers & Casual
Bakersfield Mass Ave — $$
The most fun dinner on Mass Ave. Street tacos, 100+ tequilas, and a whiskey selection that will slow down your evening. The fish tacos and the queso are the standard order. Great for groups — the long tables and shared plates work well. Gets loud by 8 PM, which is either a feature or a bug depending on your night.
The most fun dinner on Mass Ave. Street tacos, 100+ tequilas, and a whiskey selection that will slow down your evening. The fish tacos and the queso are the standard order. Great for groups — the long tables and shared plates work well. Gets loud by 8 PM, which is either a feature or a bug depending on your night.
The Eagle Mass Ave — $$
The best fried chicken in downtown Indianapolis. Brined in-house, fried to order, crispy without being greasy. Simple menu — chicken, sides, biscuits. The honey hot sandwich is what everyone orders. Counter service keeps it efficient even on busy nights. Expect a short wait on weekends.
The best fried chicken in downtown Indianapolis. Brined in-house, fried to order, crispy without being greasy. Simple menu — chicken, sides, biscuits. The honey hot sandwich is what everyone orders. Counter service keeps it efficient even on busy nights. Expect a short wait on weekends.
BRU Burger Bar — $$
The original BRU location on Mass Ave since 2011. Creative gourmet burgers — the kind where brie and fig jam on a burger actually works. The duck fat fries are mandatory. Good for when you want a proper burger without the fast-casual vibe.
The original BRU location on Mass Ave since 2011. Creative gourmet burgers — the kind where brie and fig jam on a burger actually works. The duck fat fries are mandatory. Good for when you want a proper burger without the fast-casual vibe.
Almost Famous — $$
Elevated bar food with a focus on smash burgers and loaded fries. High energy, great for groups. The kind of spot where you came for a quick bite and stayed for two hours.
Elevated bar food with a focus on smash burgers and loaded fries. High energy, great for groups. The kind of spot where you came for a quick bite and stayed for two hours.
Pizza
Bazbeaux Pizza — $
An Indianapolis institution since 1988. Gourmet pizza with creative toppings that shouldn't work together but do — the Quatro Formaggio and the Cajun chicken pizza are the classics. By-the-slice or whole pies. The Mass Ave patio is a prime people-watching spot in summer. This is what people mean when they say "local pizza."
An Indianapolis institution since 1988. Gourmet pizza with creative toppings that shouldn't work together but do — the Quatro Formaggio and the Cajun chicken pizza are the classics. By-the-slice or whole pies. The Mass Ave patio is a prime people-watching spot in summer. This is what people mean when they say "local pizza."
Goodfellas Pizzeria — $
Giant New York-style slices — fold them, eat them standing at the counter, walk out. The breadsticks are legendary in a way that's hard to explain. Open late on weekends. The hidden Wiseguy Lounge speakeasy is in the back — great cocktails, open until 3 AM.
Giant New York-style slices — fold them, eat them standing at the counter, walk out. The breadsticks are legendary in a way that's hard to explain. Open late on weekends. The hidden Wiseguy Lounge speakeasy is in the back — great cocktails, open until 3 AM.
International & Specialty
Bodhi — $$
Vegetarian and vegan-forward Asian-inspired food that's genuinely good — not just good for the category. The banh mi and the rice bowls are excellent. Worth knowing about even if you're not vegetarian.
Vegetarian and vegan-forward Asian-inspired food that's genuinely good — not just good for the category. The banh mi and the rice bowls are excellent. Worth knowing about even if you're not vegetarian.
Thaitanium — $
Authentic, affordable Thai near the east end of Mass Ave. The lunch specials are a steal. Good option when you want something different from the burger-and-tacos options on the main stretch.
Authentic, affordable Thai near the east end of Mass Ave. The lunch specials are a steal. Good option when you want something different from the burger-and-tacos options on the main stretch.
Yats — $
Indianapolis's beloved Cajun-Creole counter spot. Cheap, fast, and the flavors are outsized. The daily specials are always the move. Order a side of the étouffée no matter what else you get. Counter service — point, pay, sit down. Lines move fast.
Indianapolis's beloved Cajun-Creole counter spot. Cheap, fast, and the flavors are outsized. The daily specials are always the move. Order a side of the étouffée no matter what else you get. Counter service — point, pay, sit down. Lines move fast.
Bars & Nightlife
Mass Ave's nightlife runs from craft cocktail lounges to loud bars — and everything in between. Unlike the convention district, this is where Indianapolis residents actually go out.
Blind Tiger — $$
A proper speakeasy-style cocktail bar with a moody, intimate atmosphere. The bartenders know what they're doing — order something off the menu or describe what you're in the mood for and let them improvise. Check their calendar for themed nights and events. Not a loud bar; good for conversation.
A proper speakeasy-style cocktail bar with a moody, intimate atmosphere. The bartenders know what they're doing — order something off the menu or describe what you're in the mood for and let them improvise. Check their calendar for themed nights and events. Not a loud bar; good for conversation.
Living Room Lounge — $$
Exactly what it sounds like — designed to feel like a comfortable living room, with couches, low lighting, and cocktails that don't require a PhD to order. Low-key, good for groups who want to actually talk. Live music some nights.
Exactly what it sounds like — designed to feel like a comfortable living room, with couches, low lighting, and cocktails that don't require a PhD to order. Low-key, good for groups who want to actually talk. Live music some nights.
Nowhere Special — $$
A neighborhood dive bar in the best sense — unpretentious, well-stocked, and genuinely fun without trying too hard. The regulars are friendly. Good jukebox. One of those places that's hard to leave once you're settled in.
A neighborhood dive bar in the best sense — unpretentious, well-stocked, and genuinely fun without trying too hard. The regulars are friendly. Good jukebox. One of those places that's hard to leave once you're settled in.
Craft Beer & Breweries
Sun King Brewing — $$
Indiana's most iconic craft brewery, and one of the most recognized craft brands in the Midwest. The massive taproom on College Avenue (just off Mass Ave) offers the full lineup, including beers only available at the taproom. Free tastings, knowledgeable staff, and a rotating food truck lineup outside. The Sunlight Cream Ale is the Indiana beer every visitor should try. If you're only going to one craft brewery in Indianapolis, make it this one.
Indiana's most iconic craft brewery, and one of the most recognized craft brands in the Midwest. The massive taproom on College Avenue (just off Mass Ave) offers the full lineup, including beers only available at the taproom. Free tastings, knowledgeable staff, and a rotating food truck lineup outside. The Sunlight Cream Ale is the Indiana beer every visitor should try. If you're only going to one craft brewery in Indianapolis, make it this one.
The Rathskeller Biergarten — $$
Not a brewery, but the biergarten at the Rathskeller deserves a mention here. German imports on tap, proper steins, and a courtyard setting that has no business being this good. On a warm Friday evening, the Rathskeller biergarten is one of the best spots in Indianapolis.
Not a brewery, but the biergarten at the Rathskeller deserves a mention here. German imports on tap, proper steins, and a courtyard setting that has no business being this good. On a warm Friday evening, the Rathskeller biergarten is one of the best spots in Indianapolis.
Bottleworks District
At the north end of Mass Ave sits the Bottleworks District — a converted 1930s Coca-Cola bottling plant that's now a food hall, entertainment complex, boutique hotel, cinema, and bowling alley. Worth a dedicated stop.
The Garage Food Hall — $-$$
A curated food hall inside the Bottleworks complex with multiple vendors under one roof. Great for groups with different tastes — everybody orders from wherever they want and meets back at the communal tables. The lineup rotates, but expect a mix of tacos, burgers, sandwiches, and dessert.
A curated food hall inside the Bottleworks complex with multiple vendors under one roof. Great for groups with different tastes — everybody orders from wherever they want and meets back at the communal tables. The lineup rotates, but expect a mix of tacos, burgers, sandwiches, and dessert.
Pins Mechanical Co. — $$
Duckpin bowling, pinball machines, foosball tables, and craft cocktails — the best entertainment bar in Indianapolis. The duckpin bowling is the main event (smaller balls, smaller pins, harder to get strikes — humbling but hilarious). Reserve a lane in advance if you're going on a weekend.
Duckpin bowling, pinball machines, foosball tables, and craft cocktails — the best entertainment bar in Indianapolis. The duckpin bowling is the main event (smaller balls, smaller pins, harder to get strikes — humbling but hilarious). Reserve a lane in advance if you're going on a weekend.
Bottleworks Hotel — $$$$
Rated the #1 boutique hotel in the US by Condé Nast. Worth seeing even if you're staying elsewhere — the lobby and bar alone are worth a drink stop to see the restored art deco architecture.
Rated the #1 boutique hotel in the US by Condé Nast. Worth seeing even if you're staying elsewhere — the lobby and bar alone are worth a drink stop to see the restored art deco architecture.
Budget Guide: Mass Ave Under $15
Mass Ave isn't as cheap as the strip by campus, but you can eat well for under $15 if you know where to go.
Yats — $6-10 · Cajun daily specials
Goodfellas — $5-10 · NY-style slices
Bazbeaux — $10-14 · Gourmet pizza by the slice
The Eagle — $10-14 · Fried chicken sandwich
Thaitanium — $9-13 · Thai lunch specials
Bodhi — $10-14 · Rice bowls and banh mi
Late Night on Mass Ave
Mass Ave winds down earlier than the convention district bars, but there are solid options past midnight.
Wiseguy Lounge — Hidden behind Goodfellas Pizza. Craft cocktails, speakeasy vibe, open until 3 AM. The best late-night bar on Mass Ave.
Goodfellas Pizzeria — Giant NY slices open late on weekends. The move after midnight when everything else has closed their kitchen.
Nowhere Special — Bar open late, no food kitchen, but the best place to have a last drink without the noise of a nightclub.
Insider Tips for Mass Ave
Walk the whole strip before committing. Mass Ave is dense enough that you can walk from one end to the other in 10 minutes. Walk it first on your way in, see what looks good, and then double back. Better than committing to the first thing you see.
The Rathskeller biergarten requires warm weather. The courtyard is incredible on a summer evening — genuinely magical. In cold months it's closed. Plan accordingly.
Bottleworks is at the far end of the strip. The Bottleworks District (Pins Mechanical, The Garage, Bottleworks Hotel) is at the northeast end of Mass Ave, about a 15-minute walk from the Convention Center. It's worth the full walk, or a rideshare drop-off if you're not in the mood to walk.
Mass Ave is where convention people escape to. During major events (Gen Con, FFA), Mass Ave is busy but not slammed the way the Convention Center restaurants are. If you're hit with a 45-minute wait somewhere on the convention floor, head to Mass Ave for normal wait times.
Parking is easier here than near the Convention Center. Street parking on the residential side streets off Mass Ave is free on evenings and weekends. If you're driving specifically to Mass Ave, skip the garages and look for street spots on College, Holloway, or the numbered streets running perpendicular.
Staying in the neighborhood?
The Bottleworks Hotel puts you at the heart of Mass Ave's best stretch. A short rideshare gets you to the Convention Center and back without giving up the neighborhood feel. Worth considering if a unique stay matters more than skywalk convenience.