Keeping Up In Indy's Kitchens: Favorite Historic Restaurants Around Indianapolis

NORTH INDY

Written by Chelsea Kopleman | @keepingupincarmel

Indianapolis’s northern suburbs have cultivated a dining culture where history and hospitality intersect.

HISTORIC RESTAURANTS ON INDY’S NORTH SIDE

The dining scene has been foundational to the growth of the northern suburbs of Indianapolis. Woody’s Library Restaurant in Carmel is one great example. The building was originally built as a Carnegie Library in 1913. Woody’s Library Restaurant opened in 1998 and has continued to serve the community ever since. They’re locally owned, serving lunch and dinner in the unique bi-level building with dining upstairs and a neighborhood pub + outdoor seating downstairs. The environment is family friendly and the balsamic chicken Florentine, deconstructed pot pie, and handheld burgers and wraps make dining out all the more delicious.

A few other historic eateries on the north side include Juniper on Main in Carmel, a locally owned restaurant dedicated to serving up southern comfort food in a restored bungalow built in 1907. Matteo’s Ristorante Italiano has been a staple authentic Italian restaurant in the historic Noblesville square since 2003. You will find the best homemade authentic pasta dishes here and when you visit, be sure to ask for the housemade bread and dipping oil! Cobblestone Zionsville celebrated 25 years on Main Street in Zionsville and serves lunch and dinner daily with brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Last but not least, another long-running neighborhood staple, Roselli’s Pizza in Carmel, recently celebrated 30 years of serving up the best Chicago-style pizza in the area! If you are looking for a meal out with some historic value, these spots north of Indianapolis would be a great pick.

EAST INDY

Written by Mikahla Seymour | @keepingupinfishers

Set along one of Fishers’ most historic corridors, Derailed at Hotel Nickel Plate is where modern dining meets hometown heritage. From craft cocktails and elevated comfort food to a setting rooted in the story of the Nickel Plate Railroad, this downtown favorite captures the spirit of Fishers past and present.

FISHERS’ RICH PAST

Derailed at Hotel Nickel Plate in Fishers offers more than just a restaurant, it’s a connection to the Fishers’ rich past. Located inside the newly built Hotel Nickel Plate, which opened in 2024, the restaurant brings contemporary American cuisine and craft cocktails to the heart of the Nickel Plate District. Though modern in design, the hotel and restaurant honor the legacy of the community and the people who shaped it.

The name “Nickel Plate” comes from the Nickel Plate Railroad, established in the late 1800s, which played a major role in the development of Fishers and surrounding communities. The rail line brought business, travelers, and growth, and its corridor now forms the Nickel Plate Trail, a popular path for walking and biking that preserves the historic footprint of the railroad. Derailed and the hotel sit along this historic path, blending the story of Fishers’ growth with today’s dining and hospitality experiences.

Some favorite dishes are the apple grilled cheese, with apple butter and gouda on grilled sourdough, and the Tuscan pasta, with penne, mushroom, sundried tomato, spinach, and parmesan cream topped with chicken. The outdoor area and bar opens to the heart of downtown Fishers, where it’s easy to enjoy the atmosphere along the trail and the vibrant energy of the community.

It’s a place where history, great food, and the spirit of Fishers come together making it one of my personal favorite spots in town. Some other honorable mentions in the Fishers area include 1933 Lounge, a cozy spot inspired by local history offering craft cocktails and a nod to classic 1930s speakeasies; Wolfies on Geist, neighborhood favorite for hearty American classics, featuring The Broken Barrel, an upstairs speakeasy-style lounge serving craft cocktails in a warm, exclusive atmosphere; and Ale Emporium, a Fishers mainstay for craft beers and pub fare. Ale Emporium celebrates the town’s sports culture, with walls adorned with memorabilia honoring local teams.

CENTRAL INDY

Written by Amanda Sadowski  @keepingupindowntownindy

Some restaurants occupy space. Others inhabit it—transforming dining into something closer to tradition.

MAMA CAROLLA’S

Food has a way of feeling timeless—carrying stories, families, and traditions across generations. Mama Carolla’s is a perfect example of that continuity. While its charming Meridian-Kessler location opened in 1997, the family behind it had already spent 20 years prior serving Indianapolis in a previous space. And the restaurant’s namesake, Mama Carolla herself, began gathering inspiration for recipes and approach to hospitality more than 50 years before that.

Today, Mama Carolla’s remains one of Indianapolis’ most beloved dining experiences. Housed in a cozy, Italian villa–style home, the restaurant blends a warm, intimate atmosphere with the feeling of being welcomed into someone’s family kitchen. It’s no surprise that reservations are often a must. Their menu highlights classic dishes executed with consistency and heart— Italian favorites like chicken piccata and shrimp scampi are some of the best dishes on their menu.

WEST INDY

Written by Carly Schafer | @keepingupinbrownsburg

The west side of Indy is full of hidden gems, and these spots prove you don’t have to go far for great food and drinks. From cult-favorite wings and roadside barbecue to tacos and cookie skillets, here are some west side favorites worth checking out.

MAYBERRY CAFE: A HENDRICKS COUNTY CLASSIC

A meal at Mayberry Cafe feels like stepping back in time, in the best possible way. Sitting right on the historic square in Danville, this small, family-run cafe has been a staple in Hendricks County since 1992, drawing locals and visitors in with its charm, comfort food, and attention to detail.

You’ll know you’ve arrived when you spot the old police car parked out front. Andy Griffith plays across the TVs inside, and the menu is packed with classic comfort food favorites. Mayberry Cafe is especially known for Aunt Bee’s Fried Chicken and Andy’s Tenderloin sandwich, true Indiana staples done right. The Huckleberry Lemonade is so refreshing and packed with flavor, along with the fried biscuits served with apple butter, fried chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy, and green beans, a full meal of comfort classics awaits. Simple, nostalgic, and absolutely delicious.

SOUTH INDY

Written by Madison Sterba | @keepingupingreenwood 

Looking for your next great meal south of Indy? These local favorites serve everything from scratch-made comfort food to elegant date-night dinners— making them true standouts in the community.

ANN’S RESTAURANT: A TASTE OF FRANKLIN’S PAST

When you want a meal that feels comforting, familiar, and full of history, Ann’s Restaurant in Franklin is always high on the list. Since 1952, Ann’s has been a staple in the Franklin community. What started as a tiny 13-seat diner—once open 24 hours a day—quickly became a gathering place for locals, Franklin College students, factory workers, and Camp Atterbury servicemen. Originally known as Alta’s Place, the restaurant later became Ann’s Restaurant, named after owner Ann Daugherty.

Over the decades, Ann’s has grown alongside Franklin while still holding onto that small-town charm. Even after a devastating fire in 1987, the restaurant was rebuilt and reopened the same year, proving just how much it means to this community.

Today, Ann’s continues to serve the kind of classic comfort food families love. My go-to order is the breakfast scrambler, and my kids never leave without asking for the French toast. The menu is full of familiar favorites that make it easy for everyone at the table to find something they love!

Ann’s is an amazing family friendly restaurant—a place where generations gather, traditions begin, and Franklin’s story continues, one meal at a time.