St. Elmo Steak House: Dining Guide

What makes it different

The cocktail sauce. St. Elmo's house recipe is built around a serious amount of fresh horseradish — far more than any standard cocktail sauce you've encountered. The heat doesn't hit your tongue first. It rises into your sinuses about two seconds after swallowing. The first-timers at every table inevitably get watery eyes. That reaction is partly the point.

The shrimp itself

Large, chilled, with a firm texture. Four shrimp in the standard order. The shrimp are good — but they're largely a delivery vehicle for the sauce. Order it. Don't dip cautiously. Commit.

Fair warning for the heat-sensitive

This is a genuine challenge for people sensitive to sinus heat, not just spice. Even seasoned hot-sauce fans are often caught off guard. The heat is very brief — 10-15 seconds — but intense. Worth experiencing either way.

The steaks

The prime rib and ribeye are the signature cuts and what most tables order. The filet is excellent for those who prefer a leaner, more tender cut. All steaks are USDA prime, dry-aged, and cooked to order. Medium-rare is the standard recommendation — trust the kitchen on this.

Sides — order them separately

Steaks are à la carte at St. Elmo. Sides are shared and ordered for the table. The hash browns (a restaurant signature), creamed spinach, and au gratin potatoes are the standouts. Budget for at least two sides for a party of two; three for four people.

The bar program

St. Elmo has one of the best wine cellars in Indiana — the list runs deep into Napa, Bordeaux, and Burgundy. Old Fashioneds are excellent and appropriate. If you're on a budget, the wine-by-the-glass selection is solid and the pour is generous.

Dessert

The menu rotates slightly, but the signature desserts — a proper crème brûlée and a chocolate cake — are reliably good. Budget for dessert if it's a special occasion dinner. After a full prime rib and sides, most tables split one.

Normal weekends — Book at least 1-2 weeks in advance for a Friday or Saturday reservation. Earlier is better.

Gen Con (late July/August) — The restaurant is packed for 4 nights solid. Book 4-6 weeks out minimum. If you missed the window, check OpenTable the morning of your target date for cancellation slots — they do open up.

Indianapolis 500 / Memorial Day weekend — One of the busiest weeks of the year. Reserve the same day you book your hotel — months out if possible.

Colts home games / Big Ten Championship — Heavy demand. Book 2-3 weeks out.

If you can't get a reservation — Call the restaurant directly. Sometimes a call yields availability that OpenTable doesn't show. Also try: an early dinner (4:30–5 PM), a late dinner (9 PM+), or dining at the bar without a reservation.

Atmosphere — Dark wood, white tablecloths, low lighting, leather booths. This is the quintessential American steakhouse interior — not updated or reimagined. The dining room has barely changed in decades and that's entirely intentional. It feels like you're eating somewhere historically significant, because you are.

Service — Formal and highly attentive without being stuffy. Servers know the menu thoroughly and will guide first-timers. Expect the shrimp cocktail speech delivered to anyone who appears to be visiting for the first time.

Dress code — Smart casual at minimum. Business casual is appropriate and common. A jacket is not required but fits the room. Shorts and athletic wear are out of place. Convention badge around your neck is fine — plenty of business dinners happen here during event weeks.

Noise level — Moderate to lively. Not a quiet intimate dinner — the dining room fills and the energy is celebratory. Conversation is easy; it's not a shout-across-the-table environment.

Price range — Budget $80-120 per person with drinks. Steaks run $50-80 each; sides are $12-18; cocktails and wine add up quickly. Worth every dollar for a special evening — not an every-night restaurant.

Order the shrimp cocktail
Don't skip it. Even if you're not a shrimp person, the shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo is the experience. Order one for the table and try it.

Arrive on time
St. Elmo respects reservations and you should too. Being 15+ minutes late during a busy night risks losing your table. They're running a tight ship.

Buy a bottle of the shrimp cocktail sauce to take home
They sell it at the restaurant and the gift shop. It ships well and is a practical Indianapolis souvenir for people who actually cook.

Consider Harry & Izzy's if St. Elmo is fully booked
Harry & Izzy's is the sister restaurant, also on Illinois Street, one block away. Same ownership, same kitchen standards, the same shrimp cocktail — and often easier to get into. The vibe is slightly more casual but the food is the same quality.

Walk over from the Convention Center
St. Elmo is a 3-minute walk from the Convention Center's main entrance. No cab required — just walk south on Capitol Ave to Illinois Street, then turn left. You'll see it.

From the Convention Center — 3 minutes on foot. Walk east on Maryland Street to Illinois Street, then turn right (south). Or use the skywalk to Circle Centre Mall and exit onto Illinois Street.

From Monument Circle — 2-minute walk south down Illinois Street.

From Lucas Oil Stadium — 8-minute walk north on Capitol Ave then east on Georgia Street to Illinois.

Parking — The Circle Centre Garage is the closest and offers validated parking through some local merchants. The Union Station Garage is a few blocks south with better rates.