Room Service Not Required: Best In-Hotel Dining in Greater Indianapolis

Visitors headed to the Greater Indianapolis area for the holidays don’t need to brave the chilly air to find a memorable meal. Some of the region’s best restaurants sit just off the hotel lobby, pairing Hoosier hospitality with inventive menus and serious cocktail programs. These four earned their spots for atmosphere, food, service, accommodations, and what’s poured at the bar.

Plat 99 at The Alexander

Downtown, steps from Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Lucas Oil Stadium

Plat 99 has long been a favorite downtown bar, and somehow it’s never crowded. It offers an intimate atmosphere beneath colorful hand-blown glass pendant lamps and floor-to-ceiling skyline views. Beyond creative cocktails and thoughtfully crafted mocktails, their globally influenced small plates are as unique as the space itself. Highlights include plantain-accented hummus with mojo verde, gyro pork belly bites, and a rich chocolate malt cake with pistachio cream. When visiting, take time to explore the hotel’s $3 million contemporary art collection, or pop into the attached restaurant Nesso for coastal Italian fare.

Modita at The Bottleworks Hotel

Bottleworks District, northeast end of Mass Ave

Dimly lit and effortlessly chic, Modita pairs industrial Art Deco design with an Asian-inspired menu that shines from start to finish. Begin with warm, pillowy house naan served alongside flavorful chutney and whipped feta. Follow with bursting pork pho soup dumplings and fluffy bao buns (you can ask for a fourth if sharing). For the main course, the tender Mongolian beef noodles are some of the all-time best in the city, and the mango lassi cake provides a perfectly balanced sweet finish. 

For a nightcap, head across The Bottleworks Hotel lobby to Sundry and Vice, a pre-Prohibition apothecary-style bar with velvet seating, hidden nooks, and a revolving menu of house-made cocktails and zero-proof options.

Vivante Restaurant & Bar at Hotel Carmichael

Carmel City Center, along the Monon Trail

Vivante serves French-inspired cooking without the stuffiness, putting a contemporary spin on the classics. Slide into a brushed-velvet booth overlooking Carter Green or, starting in mid-November, reserve one of the cozy, heated outdoor winter chalets. Live music, creative cocktails, and an extensive wine list set the tone, and the rotating menu spotlights seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Beyond the restaurant, the hotel exudes classic luxury, with Feinstein’s cabaret under the same roof and the Palladium’s world-class concerts and the Christkindlmarkt just steps away.