Eating Along the Monon Greenway

The Monon Trail is a tribute to the city’s industrial railway history and a testament to its natural beauty— and also a channel of culinary delights. Just steps off the Monon are some of the best bites Indianapolis has to offer, so get out there this summer and get a taste of community with this handy gourmand’s guide.

LEVIATHAN BAKEHOUSE

Baking may be science but Leviathan Bakehouse refines it to art. At the south end of the Monon, owner Jesse Blythe has brought continental tradition to the northern corridor of Mass Ave.

“We do some real Old-World-style baking, so it’s a little bit more technically driven. Our croissants are our specialty, and our sourdough bread is probably some of the best,” said Blythe. In addition to the enriched viennoiserie pastry, trail blazers stop in just for their popular breakfast sandwich: locally sourced ham, bacon, and gooey Gruyere on a pillowy egg soufflé topped with salsa verde and tucked in a warm Leviathan croissant.

Blythe believes the secret of their success lies within the holistic approach Leviathan brings to the trail. “We’re like a hybrid shop, where we are a bakery but we also have a pretty excellent coffee program, as well as breakfast and lunch options. Plus, [we have] a big dining room and a patio where everyone can hang out.”

HALF LITER BBQ

In conjunction with Big Lug Brewery, Half Liter BBQ brings a little taste of Texas to SoBro with a heaping side of comfort. Taste buds attend a rodeo of flavors from the smoker—brisket, pulled pork, turkey, chicken wings, hot links—just about anything that can be smothered in tangy sauce and served on a bun. Triple-A snacks and handhelds round out the food menu with surprising compositions, like the honey jalapeño tilapia or the pastrami kimchi melt. Big Lug Brewery’s selection of lagers, hops, and stouts are the perfect companions for game-day gatherings inside or on the sunny patio.

GOOD MORNING MAMA’S

The early bird gets the table at Good Morning Mama’s, Mama Carolla’s sister restaurant. This foodie listicle regular has locals lining up every weekend for hearty, delicious dishes and a quirky atmosphere fit for a Gilmore Girl. Robust classics like eggs benedict, fried bologna, and French toast share real estate with some more eclectic dishes like the Hawaiian Loco Moco—a layered bowl of rice, beef patty, and fried egg served with a biscuit for sopping up savory brown gravy. The dramatic appearance of eggs simmered in housemade Pomodoro sauce with fresh sweet basil over toast earn it the moniker “Eggs in Purgatory.” And when the early birds have flown

back to the nest, there is also a selection of house specialty burgers, hot and cold sandwiches, and fresh salads for the lounging luncher.

BRICS

Located in the original Broad Ripple Station, BRICS has been a longtime tradition of Broad Ripple life. This whimsical ice cream shop offers a mosaic of flavors from classic vanilla to amaretto cherry. Ice cream is available in every conceivable configuration and perfect for a stroll down the Monon with friends or family. If dairy isn’t doable, there are vegan flavors like birthday cake and mint chocolate chip, as well as a selection of frozen lemonades and rotating flavors of nondairy sorbet.

RENE’S

Continuing the legacy of the late, beloved Indianapolis baker Albert “Rene” Trevino, Rene’s Bakery keeps the taste of Paris alive in Broad Ripple. Glossy golden-brown pastries lovingly laminated by hand repose next to beautifully baked bread and a cornucopia of sweets that rotate each week. Every visit to Rene’s has something fresh and new to offer, and a small shop like this supports the level of quality control one can expect from the most polished French pâtisseries. Drop in off the trail next time for one of their plush loaves of bread or a macaron perfect for the cover of Taste France magazine.

FIRE BY THE MONON

A cozy spot where diners can gather round and warm up any time of year, Fire by the Monon’s locally sourced fare elevates casual dining to Michelin precision disguised as ease. Perfectly seared salmon, decadent mac & cheese, and artisanal flatbreads are just some of the standouts. Their Dirty Mac & Cheese composed of cavatappi pasta, house-smoked pulled pork, and aged cheddar cheese sauce was featured in Indianapolis Monthly, where they were also named a “Top Ten Outdoor Dining & Drinking Spot.”

THE ROOST

Just a hop and a skip off the trail, Naptown residents hit The Roost for the kind of organic, easy-going atmosphere that feels like brunch in a friend’s back garden. Umbrellas and abundant greenery provide relaxing shade where diners can enjoy customizable breakfast platters and omelets, vibrant salads, and crispy, crumbly sandwiches made with homemade Sahm’s bread. There’s also an inventive list of specials including shrimp étouffée benedict and the luxurious lox bagel topped with cream cheese, smoked salmon, and everything seasoning. If you’re looking to wet your whistle, there’s also a chorus line of mimosas, bloody marys, and specialty cocktails like their demure espresso martini or effervescent Aperol spritz.

GRINDSTONE ON THE MONON

Boasting a farm-to-fork approach to contemporary American dining, Grindstone on the Monon aims to bring Westfield a third place where diners can decompress from the hustle and relax with a handcrafted cocktail and a view of the sunset.

There are also rustic yet sharp takes on American classics like prime beef Manhattan, Indiana pork tenderloin, shrimp po’ boy, and naturally raised cuts of Angus beef grilled to perfection and topped with herb butter. It’s the type of delectable fare that beckons with every open door, “Come on in and have a seat. You deserve it.”

BUB’S BURGERS & ICE CREAM

Mayberry curb appeal and the aroma of classic American cuisine have enticed many a trailblazer off the paved path and into Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream. “When the trail is busy, Bub’s is busy!” said President Jill Iles. There are bites for every appetite, from frozen treats for little hands to the Big Ugly One Pound burger challenge: Diners who devour this beef behemoth are memorialized with their picture on the wall.

The patio itself is a fabled destination for people-watching, accommodating bikes, dogs, strollers, and turning brief respites from the trail into long- term regulars. “It’s one of the most organic marketing channels we could ask for,” according to Iles. “We hear all the time that Bub’s aroma made them hungry and they couldn’t help themselves. It never gets old!”