Have you ever driven or walked by a dining establishment and decided not to eat there because of the way the exterior looks? We’ve all done it. But as the saying goes, you can’t judge a book (or restaurant) by its cover, and the following list of unassuming restaurants in Indiana proves just that. Put these 10 hidden gem restaurants in Indiana on your foodie bucket list, and bring your appetite because some of these restaurants truly have some of the best food in the state.

1. The Vine - Elkhart
hidden gem restaurants in indiana
The Vine, 214 S Main St, Elkhart, IN 46516, USA
The Vine
The Vine is described by customers as a casual, yet upscale dining experience. Pizza, lots of wine choices, and steak are just a few options waiting for you at this historic bistro. As for the best items on the menu, their "Garbage Salad" is absolutely a must-try.
2. Willie's Sports Café - Lawrenceburg
Willie's Sports Cafe Hidden Valley, 19325 Schmarr Dr, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025, USA
Willie's Sports Cafe' / Hidden Valley Lake/Facebook
Willie’s Sports Café claims to have the best happy hour in the entire tristate area, and we don't disagree. Daily specials, delicious food, and spectacular views Hidden Valley Lake are waiting for you here.
3. Pho Saigon - Indianapolis
Pho Saigon, 4706 W 38th St, Indianapolis, IN 46254, USA
Mark Petrison/Google
This is a very popular Vietnamese restaurant in the Indianapolis area. From the outside of the restaurant, it really doesn’t look like they have much to offer. In my opinion, even the design of their sign is a little on the basic side, but what they lack in exterior pizzazz they make up for with their incredible food.
4. The Beef House Restaurant & Dinner Theatre - Covington
The Beef House Restaurant & Dinner Theatre, 16501 N, IN-63, Covington, IN 47932, USA
Beef House Restaurant
Premium choice aged beef at prices any Hoosier can afford. This is why they are called the Beef House -- they are proud of the meat they sell to their customers. Located in Covington, this is actually one of many hidden gems I included in this list. This restaurant is great, but it isn’t one you really know about unless you live in the area.
5. Bonge's Tavern - Perkinsville
Bonge's Tavern, 9830 W 280 N, Perkinsville, IN 46011
Bonge's Tavern
Customers agree that Bonge's Tavern is one of the best and most unique places to eat in the central part of the state. Again, this is a restaurant a lot of people don't know about or just tend to overlook. It's well-worth going inside and having a meal because their food is incredible.

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6. Das Dutchman Essenhaus - Middlebury
Das Dutchman Essenhaus, 240 US-20, Middlebury, IN 46540, USA
Essenhaus/Facebook
Das Dutchman Essenhaus is an Amish style restaurant that's known for its folky setting. From the food to the environment, there isn’t anything you aren’t going to enjoy about this place! Everyone has to try eating here at least once.
7. Joseph Decuis - Roanoke
Joseph Decuis, 191 N Main St, Roanoke, IN 46783, USA
Joseph Decuis
Joseph Decuis is an upscale American restaurant that serves Wagyu steaks along with seasonal entrees that are made fresh using ingredients from their very own farm. If you're in the mood for a fresh and locally grown meal, you can get that at this place. It certainly doesn’t hurt that the cooks are also incredible.
8. Joe Huber's Family Farm & Restaurant - Borden
Joe Huber's Family Farm & Restaurant, 2421 Engle Rd, Borden, IN 47106, USA
Joe Huber's
Joe Huber's is a family-friendly farm with a cozy, country-style restaurant. Their home-cooked fare is basically a hug on a plate. With fresh produce from the farm, it's fine to eat your feelings here. They even have a pick your own produce farm, so you can take some of the delicious fruits and veggies home with you.
9. Sara's Harmony Way - New Harmony
Sara's Harmony Way
Sara's is recognized as the coziest spot in New Harmony for you to eat, grab a coffee, and/or a drink. They have comfy leather chairs and delicious wine you can sample.

Editor's Note: Unfortunately, Sara's Harmony Way closed its doors. But here's another iconic diner in Indiana that you will love.
10. The Schnitzelbank Restaurant - Jasper
Schnitzelbank, 393 Third Ave, Jasper, IN 47546, USA
American Marketing & Publishing/Google Local
For authentic German cuisine in The Hoosier State, look no further than Schnitzelbank Restaurant. This restaurant is *the* place to go when you need a German food fix! Their German Sampler platter features brats, sauerkraut balls, potato pancakes, and house-made pretzels, and is basically Germany on a plate.

Have you ever eaten at any of these unassuming restaurants in the Hoosier State? What hidden gem restaurants in Indiana would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments below!

And if you’re hungry for more, be sure to check out these bucket-list-worthy restaurants in Indiana.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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HIDDEN GEM RESTAURANTS IN INDIANA & RELATED INFO

Sarah | March 12, 2021

Where are the best places to eat in Indiana?

There are no shortages of delicious restaurants in the Hoosier State and here are some of the best places to eat in Indiana:

  • The Overlook Restaurant & Lounge, Leavenworth
  • The Rathskeller, Indianapolis
  • The Channel Marker, Syracuse
  • Bridges Waterside Grille, Michigan City
  • Das Dutchman Essenhaus, Middlebury
  • Mountain Jacks Steakhouse, Lafayette
  • Lighthouse Restaurant, Cedar Lake
  • Batar, Seymour
  • The Exchange Pub + Kitchen, New Albany
  • Boathouse Restaurant, Winona Lake


Here’s a previous article to read more about some of the best places to eat in Indiana.   

What are some of the best restaurants in Indiana?

Foodies in the Hoosier State are a very happy group -- when it comes to unique and amazing dining opportunities in Indiana, there are almost certainly way too many to mention in one sitting. Indiana just seems like a hub of bucket-list-worthy restaurants and cafés just waiting to be discovered. Here are 2 of the best restaurants in Indiana:

  • Jefferson Street BBQ in Converse, Indiana, is easily one of the best little smokehouses in Indiana. Sure, you might wait a bit on Fridays or Saturdays, but you'll be so glad you did. Try their famous pulled pork nachos, jalapeño cornbread, brisket, or any number of their famous sandwiches -- just don't forget the napkins.
  • Joseph Decuis in Roanoke is next level; it's one of the few places serving 100% genuine Waygu beef in the Midwest. It's a farm-to-fork operation through and through; the majority of food on the menu is straight from the Decuis Farm, just six miles away from the restaurant.


What are some unique restaurants in Indiana?

For a totally unique, only-in-Indiana dining experience, check out:

  • Chubby's: a little local steakhouse that has many Hoosier favorites on the menu that make it a classic. Enjoy fried fish, country-fried steak, biscuits and gravy, tenderloins, and so much more at this restaurant that has been around since 1990. Get more details from previous coverage of this steakhouse in Indiana.
  • Ray's Drive-In: a 1950s-style drive-in that's totally unique and known for being a fried food paradise. The place is best known for its face-sized tenderloins, which are bigger and juicier than any other in the state. Learn more about this iconic drive-in restaurant in Indiana.


Where are some hidden gems in Indiana?

Indiana is full of places that will surprise you, and our Hidden Gem Road Trip will take you to some of the coolest treasures in the Hoosier State. One of our favorite hidden gems in Indiana is in Kokomo, Indiana: a 17-foot-tall, 220-foot-long sculpture of a praying mantis. It's made of World War II fuel pontoons and metal traffic poles. It is, very literally, one of a kind. The monolith supposedly took 220 hours to create (one for every foot of length!), and the sculpture has a very colorful presence on social media! The Providence Home Geode Grotto is another of our favorite hidden gems; this stunningly beautiful and super-unique grotto was constructed over a period of one decade. It's made of locally-found geodes, as well as limestone, marble, and found objects. The entire display is absolutely beautiful, and we strongly suggest you bring a camera! The statues present on the grounds were imported all the way from Italy, and visitors are able to admire them throughout the park. It's located in Jasper, so while you're there, be sure to get your German food fix at #10 on our above list of unassuming restaurants in Indiana, Schnitzelbank Restaurant.

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