Indiana has its own cuisine, and these 12 local restaurants know how to celebrate it. From fried meats to burgers to a special style of pizza, the Hoosier State is known for a plethora of amazing eats you’ve got to try.
Make this your bucket list of all the most iconic diners in Indiana. Check it out:
- Turkey Lake Tavern
Google Maps
Google/Ben Snow This little lakeside restaurant in remote Indiana is so popular it doesn’t even have to advertise. Everyone comes here for the fried fish, tarter sauce, and house dressing on the salad. Get more details about what all makes this place special here.
- The Mug
Facebook/The Mug
Facebook/The Mug Nothing says Indiana like a giant breaded tenderloin sandwich. The ones sold at this little local joint are so big they just about fall off the plate. This diner proves that no one does comfort food quite like the Midwest. Learn more about this wonderful spot here.
- Pizza King
Facebook/Pizza King Indiana
Facebook/Pizza King Indiana You’re not a true Hoosier if you haven’t eaten at this classic pizza joint. Featuring Hoosier-style pizza, the chain has been around since the 1950s and is still going strong. It is known for its crumbly toppings, thin crust, and ingredients that stretch to the edges of the pie. Learn more about this local pizza chain here.
- Stoll’s Lakeview Restaurant
Facebook/Stoll’s Lakeview Restaurant
Google/Tim Sayers Indiana is home to many Amish communities, and it is a blessing when they share their food with the modern world through their local restaurants. Enjoy non-stop helpings of homemade fried chicken, mashed potatoes, roast beef, baked ham, and many other Old World comfort foods. Check out this place that’s been in business since 1983 here.
- Triple XXX Family Restaurant
Facebook/Triple XXX Family Restaurant
Facebook/Triple XXX Family Restaurant Indiana’s oldest drive-in has been in business since 1929. It is one of our local restaurants that has been featured on the Food Network, previously, and is known for it burgers and homemade root beer. This place is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and you can learn more about it here.
- Cindy’s Diner
Facebook/Cindys Diner
Facebook/Cindys Diner In business since 1952, this classic restaurant is known for all sorts of Midwest-American fare, but the best thing you’ll find to eat is the donuts. Home to a Murphy’s Dime Store Donut Machine, this place makes the best old-fashioned treats in the state. Learn more about this Fort Wayne favorite here.
- Payne’s Restaurant
Facebook/Payne’s Restaurant
Facebook/Payne’s Restaurant Some of our local restaurants borrow from other cultures. Britain may be the originator of the classic fish n’ chips, but Hoosiers are huge fans. This rustic yet elegant eatery in Gas City makes a perfect version of this iconic dish. Learn more about it here.
- Hog Rock Cafe
Google/Anthony Popp
Facebook/Hog Rock Cafe Situated in an old hotel, this locally-owned joint is perfect for any meal. If you enjoy the tastes of barbecue, this Hoosier favorite will be right up your alley. It is most famous for its wings that come in a variety of different flavors. Learn more here.
- Powers Hamburgers
Google/Kirk fitzgerald
Facebook/Powers Hamburgers Known for their sliders cooked in onion, this iconic Fort Wayne restaurant has been in business since 1940. It is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and is known for other iconic Hoosier eats as well, such cony dogs, chili, and omelets. Click here for more information.
- Teibel’s Family Restaurant
Facebook/Teibel’s Family Restaurant
Facebook/Teibel’s Family Restaurant Hoosiers certainly love their fried food. Be it of land or sea, we don’t care as long as it is golden brown. Since 1929, this fabulous restaurant has been putting out the best surf n’ turf this side of the Mississippi. Your whole family will find something delicious at this Schererville eatery. Learn more about it here.
- Auburn Town Tavern
Google/Peter Carney
Google/Cameron Weikart This tiny watering hole in northern Indiana is the place to be for some down-home eats. Everything is made to order, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served here. The tenderloins at this place are bigger than your head and will give you an authentic Hoosier dining experience. Learn more about it here.
- Dan’s Variety Bakery
Google Maps
Facebook/Dan’s Variety Bakery This famous Kokomo hot spot is less of a restaurant and more of a bake shop, but it still represents the flavors of Indiana. It opens at 1 a.m., drawing customers who are up late. Locals line up around the block for these delicious pastries, so stop by early. Click here for more details.
For more like this, check out the eight foods every Hoosier misses when they leave Indiana.
Google Maps
Google/Ben Snow
This little lakeside restaurant in remote Indiana is so popular it doesn’t even have to advertise. Everyone comes here for the fried fish, tarter sauce, and house dressing on the salad. Get more details about what all makes this place special here.
Facebook/The Mug
Nothing says Indiana like a giant breaded tenderloin sandwich. The ones sold at this little local joint are so big they just about fall off the plate. This diner proves that no one does comfort food quite like the Midwest. Learn more about this wonderful spot here.
Facebook/Pizza King Indiana
You’re not a true Hoosier if you haven’t eaten at this classic pizza joint. Featuring Hoosier-style pizza, the chain has been around since the 1950s and is still going strong. It is known for its crumbly toppings, thin crust, and ingredients that stretch to the edges of the pie. Learn more about this local pizza chain here.
Facebook/Stoll’s Lakeview Restaurant
Google/Tim Sayers
Indiana is home to many Amish communities, and it is a blessing when they share their food with the modern world through their local restaurants. Enjoy non-stop helpings of homemade fried chicken, mashed potatoes, roast beef, baked ham, and many other Old World comfort foods. Check out this place that’s been in business since 1983 here.
Facebook/Triple XXX Family Restaurant
Indiana’s oldest drive-in has been in business since 1929. It is one of our local restaurants that has been featured on the Food Network, previously, and is known for it burgers and homemade root beer. This place is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and you can learn more about it here.
Facebook/Cindys Diner
In business since 1952, this classic restaurant is known for all sorts of Midwest-American fare, but the best thing you’ll find to eat is the donuts. Home to a Murphy’s Dime Store Donut Machine, this place makes the best old-fashioned treats in the state. Learn more about this Fort Wayne favorite here.
Facebook/Payne’s Restaurant
Some of our local restaurants borrow from other cultures. Britain may be the originator of the classic fish n’ chips, but Hoosiers are huge fans. This rustic yet elegant eatery in Gas City makes a perfect version of this iconic dish. Learn more about it here.
Google/Anthony Popp
Facebook/Hog Rock Cafe
Situated in an old hotel, this locally-owned joint is perfect for any meal. If you enjoy the tastes of barbecue, this Hoosier favorite will be right up your alley. It is most famous for its wings that come in a variety of different flavors. Learn more here.
Google/Kirk fitzgerald
Facebook/Powers Hamburgers
Known for their sliders cooked in onion, this iconic Fort Wayne restaurant has been in business since 1940. It is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and is known for other iconic Hoosier eats as well, such cony dogs, chili, and omelets. Click here for more information.
Facebook/Teibel’s Family Restaurant
Hoosiers certainly love their fried food. Be it of land or sea, we don’t care as long as it is golden brown. Since 1929, this fabulous restaurant has been putting out the best surf n’ turf this side of the Mississippi. Your whole family will find something delicious at this Schererville eatery. Learn more about it here.
Google/Peter Carney
Google/Cameron Weikart
This tiny watering hole in northern Indiana is the place to be for some down-home eats. Everything is made to order, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served here. The tenderloins at this place are bigger than your head and will give you an authentic Hoosier dining experience. Learn more about it here.
Facebook/Dan’s Variety Bakery
This famous Kokomo hot spot is less of a restaurant and more of a bake shop, but it still represents the flavors of Indiana. It opens at 1 a.m., drawing customers who are up late. Locals line up around the block for these delicious pastries, so stop by early. Click here for more details.
What other local restaurants give you the taste of Indiana? Share your favorites with us below in the comments.
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