Boasting a burgeoning brunch scene, the beloved city of Kurt Vonnegut has always been home to some of the best spots for a breakfast of champions and now offers more than just a regular plate of bacon and eggs. Mainstay breakfast burritos, three-egg omelets, and multi-stacked pancakes are joined by huevos rancheros, tacos, enchiladas, and quesadillas along with Bloody Marys and mimosas to create mouthwatering and heart-stopping selections to start the day. Follow the list below for some of the best breakfast and brunch places in Indianapolis to awaken your taste buds.
Metro Diner
Located in a historic building dating back to 1938, the Metro Diner is a family-owned and operated restaurant that has been Jacksonville’s favorite place for breakfast for more than 25 years. Owned by Chef Mark Davoli and family, the charming eatery offers more than just great food – it provides a warm and welcoming place for people to gather and enjoy imaginative twists on old classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With over 80 years of combined restaurant experience, the Davoli family transformed the regular menu to include innovative new dishes created from fresh, locally sourced ingredients like the crab cake Benedict, Frisco breakfast sandwich with grilled deli ham, scrambled eggs, and cheddar cheese on grilled sourdough bread as well as the ever-popular 12-inch Metro Pancake with sweet or savory toppings.
7225 US 31, Indianapolis, IN 46277, Phone: 317-285-0149
Cafe Patachou
Cafe Patachou is hailed as being a “student union for adults,” where customers can gather and socialize over delicious food and freshly brewed house-roasted coffee. One of several locations around the city, this favorite breakfast nook sits in a friendly neighborhood on the corner of 49th and Pennsylvania Street and whips up a hearty brunch worth writing home about. Its menu provides an array of warm farm-to-table fare such as savory omelets, thick breakfast sandwiches, hot-off-the-griddle pancakes, waffles, and French toast, and fresh salads along with a self-serve coffee with daily rotating flavors. Try the perfectly prepared omelet stuffed with brie, spinach, and mushrooms, served with thickly sliced homemade bread, or take your pick from warm bagels, scones, and cinnamon toast to have with your coffee.
4901 North Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, IN 46205, Phone: 317-925-2823
A2Z Cafe
The A2Z Cafe is a family-owned and operated café that serves a menu of classic comfort food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Named after owners Ashraf and Zulma, the friendly café boasts comfortable seating and a light and airy atmosphere in which to enjoy a variety of breakfast fare. The menu offers healthy options like old-fashioned oatmeal and fresh fruit, thick smoothies with honey and yogurt, and Greek yogurt parfait along with favorite morning munchies like multi-egg omelets with various fillings, biscuits, sausage and gravy, corned beef hash, breakfast sandwiches, cinnamon swirl pancakes, Belgian waffles, and French toast.
4705 E 96th Street, #35, Indianapolis, IN 46240, Phone: 317-569-9349
Art's Skillet
Serving plain and simple food in a casual and relaxed setting in two locations in Indianapolis, Art's Skillet is a great place to go for a delicious breakfast and brunch. Named after the owner, Arturo, who prides himself on serving fresh, made-to-order fare prepared with only the highest quality locally sourced ingredients, the café serves a menu of traditional breakfast items, such as a variety of full egg and egg white omelets with different fillings, skillets layered with potatoes, and signature Benedicts. Also on the cards are French toast, pancakes, and waffles hot off the grill with sweet and savory toppings, egg scramblers, and healthy options like oatmeal bowls, fruit plates, and croissants. Items can be customized to diners’ tastes and are served with a selection of hot and cold beverages, including freshly brewed coffee and tea.
8255 Pendleton Pike, Indianapolis, IN 46226, Phone: 317-672-2367
Wild Eggs
Wild Eggs is a family-friendly restaurant chain that serves breakfast, sandwiches, salads, and homemade soups in a warm, contemporary setting. The charming eatery features comfortable tables and chairs with cloth linens, water pitchers and a pot of coffee on each table, and freshly cracked pepper offered with every meal by friendly staff and serves imaginative and inventive twists on classic breakfast fare. Menu favorites include bananas Foster waffles topped with banana rum caramel sauce and toasted sourdough bread topped with applewood smoked bacon, roasted turkey, fried egg, white cheddar cheese, and smoked paprika. Kalamity Katie’s Border Benedict is a winner with two poached eggs, green onions, avocado, chorizo, and queso fundido on top of two green chili cheddar corn cakes. The cuisine is paired with house-roasted and custom-blended coffee, in-house espressos, spirited coffees, Bloody Marys and mimosas.
314 N Delaware St, Indianapolis, IN 46204, Phone: 317-744-8283
Charlie Browns Pancake & Steak House
Charlie Browns Pancake & Steak House is a classic down-home diner with leatherette booths, banquettes, and tables that are decorated with racing memorabilia and other eccentric décor that serves a traditional menu of breakfast and lunch favorites. Early bird breakfast begins at 6:00 am and offers all the usual dishes of filling-packed omelets made with multiple eggs, hearty breakfast sandwiches, plates of bacon, eggs, sausages and hash browns, and griddle specials like pancakes and waffles with sweet and savory toppings, plain or stuffed French toast, and freshly baked muffins. Freshly brewed coffee and tea can be enjoyed in or on the go.
1038 N Main St, Indianapolis, IN 46224, Phone: 317-243-2502
Chef D’s Breakfast Restaurant
If it’s simple, unpretentious, and freshly prepared belly-filling food you are looking for, then Chef D’s Breakfast Restaurant is the place to go. Situated on Michigan Road and open for breakfast and lunch daily, Chef D’s menu features all the traditional breakfast favorites such as plates of bacon, eggs, sausages, and hash browns, and hearty breakfast sandwiches. Tuck into burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, omelets made with multiple eggs, and pancakes with sweet and savory toppings as well as plain or stuffed French toast. Chef D’s Breakfast Restaurant offers in-house and take-away dining with online ordering and delivery services.
8347 Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46268, Phone: 317-991-4982
Delicia
Located in the hip “SoBro” area just south of Broad Ripple, Delicia is a stylish eatery that serves innovative New Latin cuisine and signature cocktails in a lively, light, and industrial-chic space. Boasting high ceilings with knotty exposed wood beams and a color palette of gold, white, and steel gray, the sophisticated area features a poured concrete and mirrored-back bar that serves some of the city’s finest cocktails, elegant Club Med-style seating, and a laidback beach club vibe ambiance. The menu features creative fare with Latin-American, Caribbean, and Spanish influences with dishes such as smoked salmon frittatas, Cuban toast with cinnamon, nutmeg, and walnuts, and dripping in condensed milk, syrup, served with heirloom breakfast potatoes, and chilaquiles rojos with mole oaxaqueño, guajillo chile sauce, fried eggs, Chihuahua cheese, and queso fresco. Sip caipirinhas or sangria or enjoy a samba with the little sister to Delicia, La Mulita, next door.
5215 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220, Phone: 317-925-0677
Hotcakes Emporium Pancake House & Restaurant
Hotcakes Emporium Pancake House & Restaurant is a family-owned and operated restaurant on Bluff Road that serves breakfast and lunch every day in a casual, relaxed setting. The breakfast menu boasts traditional and creative dishes, such as country-fried steak and eggs, Mexican skillet, farmer’s omelets, and crepes Suzette, along with a variety of hotcakes, waffles, French toast, and country eggs done in several ways. A selection of meat and vegetarian skillets are on offer for hungry diners, while stuffed croissants, cinnamon apple oatmeal, biscuits and gravy, and ham and beans are available for those wanting lighter bites. Freshly brewed coffee and tea along with fresh fruit juices and sodas are available all day.
6845 Bluff Road, Indianapolis, IN 46217, Phone: 317-889-2253
Indy's Famous Pancake House & Grill
Serving simple, delicious, and freshly prepared fare with hot coffee every morning, Indy's Famous Pancake House & Grill has long been a staple on Emerson Avenue for hearty breakfasts. Open for breakfast and lunch daily, Indy's menu features a variety of griddled pancakes with sweet and savory toppings along with all the traditional breakfast favorites such as plates of bacon, eggs, sausages and hash browns,and hearty breakfast sandwiches. Belly-busters include burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and fluffy omelets made with multiple eggs as well as stuffed French toast. Indy's Famous Pancake House & Grill offers in-house and take-away dining with online ordering and delivery services.
8028 S Emerson Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46237, Phone: 317-497-8592
Lincoln Square Pancake House Meridian
The Lincoln Square Pancake House Meridian is one of a mini-chain of pancake restaurants owned by the Katris family that serve hearty American fare for breakfast and lunch, seven days a week. Established in 1989, the family-friendly restaurant chain grew from humble beginnings into over 10 locations around the city, each with their own character and charm but all serving the same delicious diner food and bottomless coffee. The menu boasts all the traditional diner favorites from eggs and omelets to sandwiches, scramblers, biscuits and gravy, skillets, pancakes, waffles, and French toast as well as several Greek classics like gyros, pitas, and Greek salads.
2330 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46208, Phone: 317-602-5040
Mesh
Blending contemporary elegance and style with innovative cuisine and impeccable service, Mesh promises a dining experience like no other. Typically known for dinner, the brunch at Mesh is a winner with creative dishes like a breakfast burger topped off with a fried egg and Dijon-maple syrup, a short rib brioche grilled cheese, and Ora King salmon paired with tomato confit on a toasted bagel. Tuck into starters of house-made biscuits, lemon mascarpone and seasonal jams, deviled eggs with Applewood bacon and avocado, or kung pao calamari with ginger-soy slaw. Pair the perfect cuisine with a perfect cocktail like a Bloody Mary Queen of Scots, Mesh Bellini, or a Sunday special half-price bottle of wine and sip them out on the gorgeous back patio on sunny weekends.
725 Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46204, Phone: 317-955-9600
Milktooth
Hailed as one of the best restaurants in the world, Milktooth is an award-winning fine dining restaurant in downtown Indianapolis that serves a to-die-for brunch. Set in Fletcher Place in the heart of Indy’s historic neighborhoods, Milktooth serves a rotating menu of globally inspired seasonal fare and childhood breakfast favorites that highlight Chef Jonathan Brooks’ knack for quirk and playfulness. Brunchers tuck into everything from Cap'n Crunch and Pop-Tarts, Dutch baby pancakes with vanilla-rum parsnip puree, and Belgian waffles to Chinese black rice pudding, sweet tea-fried chicken, oysters and beet salad, and bacon and doughnuts. The inventiveness doesn’t stop with the cuisine – try the coffee with Crunchberry cereal powder and fig and Amaro syrup.
534 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203, Phone: 317-986-5131
Northside Kitchenette
Located on the north end of trendy Broad Ripple Village, next door to its sophisticated evening sister restaurant The Northside Social, Northside Kitchenette has been serving a loyal following for breakfast and brunch for the past 8 years. Boasting year-round indoor and seasonal outdoor seating on the greenery-infused portico and patio, the laidback American café serves an all-day breakfast of cheese and bacon omelets, brioche French toast, bowls of oatmeal with honey and fruit, breakfast burritos and sandwiches, biscuits and gravy, and eggs Benedict. Lunch plates range from fresh salads, homemade soups, and sandwiches to meat and vegetable entrees, a selection of sides, and mouthwatering desserts.
6515 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220, Phone: 317-253-1022
Ruth's Cafe
Located in the Keystone Shoppes mall, Ruth's Cafe is a cozy café with bright, eclectic décor, quirky art pieces, and comfy tables and chairs that serves delicious breakfasts and lunches in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Ruth’s all-day breakfast menu features a variety of classic and unique variations of Benedicts, which are topped with two poached eggs and made-from-scratch hollandaise sauce and served with a side salad. The griddle goodies offer such delights as stacks of pancakes with sweet or savory toppings, French Toast, and Belgian waffles. Also offered are biscuits and gravy, Norwegian potato cakes served with sour chive cream and fresh fruit, Norwegian lefse – potato flatbread rolled with butter and cinnamon sugar – homemade granola and oatmeal with honey and yogurt, and fruit ramekins.
3443 E 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46240, Phone: 317-757-8006
Steer-In
The Steer-In is a long-standing down-home fixture on 10th Street on the East Side that has been serving classic all-American and Irish cuisine for nearly 60 years. The comprehensive menu has everything from salads, soups, and steak to pasta dishes, signature burgers, and breakfast bites along with mouthwatering desserts, daily specials, a special kids’ menu, and a range of non-alcoholic beverages. The breakfast menu is built to satisfy with a variety of eggs done several ways, omelets, scrambles and skillets, griddle plates like pancakes, waffles, and French toast, and specialties such as biscuits and gravy, bacon, sausage and egg dishes, and the signature Manhandler, which features three eggs done any way, savory sausage, crispy bacon, a half order of biscuits and gravy, and a choice of potatoes or toast.
5130 E 10th St, Indianapolis, IN 46219, Phone: 317-356-0996
The Garden Table
The Garden Table is a local eatery and fresh juicery that take farm-to-table dining to the next level. Boasting two Indianapolis locations with modern rustic interiors bathed in natural light, The Garden Table serves creative menus of seasonally influenced and locally sourced food and cold-pressed juice, all of which is prepared from natural ingredients that are grown and harvested by local farmers. Open for both brunch and dinner, the Garden Table is the perfect spot for healthy brunches of raw pad thai poke bowls, healthified Reuben sandwiches, and quinoa breakfast bowls topped with two poached eggs, house-made pesto, and hemp seeds. Pair the cuisine with one of the herbescent libations such as a Neon Nectar (orange, carrot, apple, lemon, turmeric, ginger), or a Cashew Concoction of filtered water, coconut water, cashew, spirulina, maple, vanilla bean, and Himalayan pink sea salt.
908 East Westfield Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46220, Phone: 317-737-2531
