Dinner by candlelight and sumptuous wines followed by decadent desserts all provide the perfect ingredients for a romantic meal. In Indianapolis, visitors can enjoy international cuisine with authentic flavors from across Latin America, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. For a night cap, the city of Indianapolis hosts bars serving handcrafted cocktails, draft beers, and world-class wines.
Meridian Restaurant & Bar
Located inside an 1880s log home, the Meridian Restaurant & Bar sits between Meridian Street and the Indiana Canal in Indianapolis. Locals and tourists come to enjoy a romantic meal while peering outside to enjoy views of neighboring historic homes and the lush green Alice Carter Park.
The kitchen serves lunch and dinner. Couples can enjoy a delectable dinner beside the crackling fireplace. The award-winning restaurant specializes in fine dining American fare. The bar also invites guests to sip specialty cocktails and martini on date night. The private room hosts special events with in-house catering for parties up to 20.
Meridian Restaurant & Bar, 5694 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN, Phone: 317-466-1111
Capri Restaurant
Capri Restaurant brings traditional Italian cuisine to the heart of America. The restaurant first opened in 1951 on the northside of Indianapolis. Today, the kitchen continues to serve up authentic dishes from Italy. The antipasti selection contains salads, soups, and other starters. Onto the primi piatti (first courses) featuring mouth-watering homemade pastas.
Diners should save room for the meat course, too, with different styles of veal, chicken, beef, and fresh fish. Capri takes reservations online or by phone. The restaurant also hosts private events like small family parties and even weddings. The catering service provides an extensive menu and experienced staff for events.
Capri Restaurant, 2602 Ruth Drive, Indianapolis, IN, Phone: 317-259-4122
St. Elmo Steak House
St. Elmo Steak House has become an icon of downtown Indianapolis. The restaurant first opened in 1902 and represents the oldest steakhouse in the city. Its founder, Joe Stahr, named his business after St. Elmo, the patron saint of sailors. Much of the tavern still has its original classic Chicago-style saloon decor, although it has undergone a multi-million dollar renovation that added two private dining rooms, a wine cellar, bar, and foyer. On a romantic evening out, couples can indulge themselves in delicious steaks, seafood, and chops. The 1933 Lounge provides a place to sip cocktails in an intimate setting.
St. Elmo Steak House, 127 South Illinois Street, Indianapolis, IN, Phone: 317-635-0636
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant
Foodies and wine enthusiasts can indulge the senses at the Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant. The winery has locations in various parts of the country. The Indianapolis restaurant sits at 3815 E 96th St and contains a dining room, tasting room, and bar. Visitors can tour the barrel room before enjoying handcrafted wines. Varietals include everything from sparkling wines and whites to robust reds and international bottles. The bar menu also has sangrias and specialty cocktails. Cooper’s Hawk hosts private events with pricing available online. Wine lovers can also join the various membership options to earn rewards and try new wines.
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, 3815 East 96th Street, Indianapolis, IN, Phone: 317-574-9463
Delicia
Delicia takes a modern approach to traditional Latin cuisine. Their menu features a fusion of dishes from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain. The restaurant’s passion for bringing new twists to classic dishes comes through in their menu selection. Diners can choose from a range of appetizers like crab and shrimp terrine, guacamole, or baked chihuahua and panela cheese with chorizo. Entrees include Latin American favorites like empanadas, enchiladas, and fish tacos. Patrons can also try sweet treats like churros, flan, and tres leches. Cocktail lovers can enjoy delicious mixed drinks mostly made with rum and tequila. Delicia also hosts a Sunday brunch as well private events.
Delicia, 5215 North College Avenue, Indianapolis, IN, Phone: 317-925-0677
Eddie Merlot’s Indianapolis
Meat-lovers looking for the perfectly cooked steak can enjoy a night of wining and dining at Eddie Merlot’s Indianapolis. Although on the pricier side, this high-end steakhouse chain has locations across the United States. A specialty cocktail menu features a range of handcrafted libations.
The kitchen serves up prime aged beef along with seafood and king crab. The restaurant also has vegetarian-friendly options. The stylish ambiance makes Eddie Merlot’s a great venue for a special occasion. The establishment also hosts a Platinum Club offering rewards like loyalty points, birthday gift cards, and exclusive wine tastings for frequent customers.
Eddie Merlot’s Indianapolis, 3645 East 96th Street, Indianapolis, IN, Phone: 317-846-8303
Iozzo’s Garden of Italy
A trip to downtown Indianapolis feels more like a visit to Iozzo’s Garden of Italy. Hailed as one of the city’s best Italian eateries, Iozzo’s Garden of Italy offers a romantic atmosphere for lunch, dinner, cocktail hour, or a night cap. The facility dates back to 1930, and the interior exposed brick with hanging historical photographs create a classic feeling. Diners can also enjoy a meal outdoors in the courtyard. The bar has an extensive wine list as well as a speciality cocktails menu with recipes passed down through the generations all the way from Calabria, Italy. The kitchen cooks Italian fare like pizza, salads, pastas, and meats.
Iozzo’s Garden of Italy, 946 South Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN, Phone: 317-974-1100
Livery
Living in Indianapolis doesn’t mean giving up the opportunity to try flavors from around the world. Livery brings the tastes of Latin America to the Midwest. With two locations (one in Southbend and the other in Indianapolis), Livery serves up tasty traditional cuisine from South America. The restaurant’s modern, earthy design features elements of wood and stone. Couples looking for a romantic meal in a stylish restaurant/bar can snack on everything from oysters and ceviche to tacos and empanadas. The bar makes a mean margarita with other specialty cocktails from the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Livery, 720 North College Avenue, Indianapolis, IN, Phone: 317-383-0330
Mama Carolla’s Old Italian Restaurant
Mama Carolla’s Old Italian Restaurant brings the taste of the old country to the Midwest. This highly rated eatery serves up traditional Mediterranean cuisine. The charming restaurant, reminiscent of an Italian villa, conjures up images of Tuscany, although the founder, Mama Corolla, comes from Omaha, Nebraska, herself. Mama brought her dream to life of revisiting her roots at the Old Italian Restaurant. Mama keeps a house wine list in half carafes, carafes, and bottles. Diners can delight in all kinds of pasta, meat, and seafood plates as well as Mama’s speciality dishes. USA Today Travel has listed Mama Carolla’s in its 10 Best Restaurants Indianapolis.
Mama Carolla’s Old Italian Restaurant, 1031 East 54th Street, Indianapolis, IN, Phone: 317-259-9412
Mesh Restaurant
Mesh Restaurant serves up contemporary cuisine in a casual setting. Nicknamed Mesh on Mass for its location Mass Avenue, Hoosiers and tourists alike come to enjoy a romantic dinner. Mesh also opens for brunch and lunch and hosts special holiday events with pre-fixed menus. The dinner menu has something for everyone and breaks down each section into shared plates, salads, soups, sandwiches, land, sea, and garden. The kitchen also cooks vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals like spaghetti squash, risotto, and mushroom strudel. Highly recommended across different review sites, Mesh offers friendly service and consistently good food, perfect for date night or a special occasion.
Mesh Restaurant, 725 Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, IN, Phone: 317-955-9600
Ocean Prime
Ocean Prime prepares contemporary American cuisine at this popular Indianapolis restaurant in the Keystone Crossing Corridor. Couples can share a romantic dinner of seafood and steaks washed down by handcrafted cocktails. With decades of experience, Executive Chef Branden Pegg brings his passion for food to the menu. His favorite dish: the Prime Roll. The dining room and bar open in the evenings only serving sushi, a raw bar, soups, salads, seafood, chicken, steak, and lamb. Wine Spectator Magazine recognized Ocean Prime’s wine list. In addition to its Indianapolis location, Ocean Prime has establishments across the country with its flagship restaurant in Columbus, Ohio.
Ocean Prime, 8555 North River Road 100, Indianapolis, IN, Phone: 317-569-0975
