Indianapolis is officially on the country’s menu of culinary hot spots.
With new restaurants opening every day, a burgeoning craft beer scene and plenty of interactive experiences, including foodie tours and cooking classes, planners are wise to include a delicious outing somewhere in the meeting itinerary.
Following are only eight of the city’s many tempting food and/or beverage opportunities.
Taste Indy Food Tours
Taste Indy Food Tours offers walking foodie tours, pub crawls, brewery tours and various culinary challenges, including an Iron Chef-type experience during which the group breaks into teams and chooses ingredients to create a dish to be judged.
“Each challenge has a theme that can be just for fun or tie into the group’s goals for their event,” says Molly Moore, operations director for Taste Indy Food Tours.
The walking tour features three to five stops at culinary gems such as Rathskeller, the city’s oldest restaurant still in operation.
“Participants will taste locally crafted food and drink, always ending in dessert,” Moore says. “It’s also a great way to get a closer look at the neighborhoods that have been integral to making Indy the great city that it is today.”
Indy Brew Bus
Another terrific way to experience the neighborhoods that make Indianapolis unique is via the Indy Brew Bus, which explores the city’s growing craft beer scene.
According to owner Megan Bulla, each tour visits four local breweries where attendees can sample beer, use a scorecard to rate beers and order a pint or a growler to go.
“The environment allows for mingling on the bus in between tour stops,” she says, adding Indy Brew Bus guides will share their beer knowledge with the group. “Our guests leave the tour knowing more about the craft beer-making process and why they like the beers they do.”
Among the possible stops on the tour are Sun King Brewery, Flat12 Bierwerks and Fountain Square Brewery.
Chef JJ’s Downtown
Chef JJ’s Downtown isn’t a restaurant, rather, it’s a place where groups can have an interactive culinary experience and learn new grilling techniques on a ceramic grill/smoker called the Big Green Egg.
According to JJ Boston, executive chef and owner, it’s a great place for a teambuilding event during which everyone will work together to create a bountiful meal.
“Each team will be given the same utensils and same ingredients,” he says. “The teams will be directed by our chefs, through several different challenges that encourage teamwork, creativity, cooperation and organization.”
At Chef JJ’s Downtown, which is located steps from the Indiana Convention Center, groups prepare dishes featuring fresh locally sourced meat, poultry, fish and vegetables.
The venue also accommodates private meal functions and receptions for up to 200 people.
Plat 99: Mixology Lounge
The Jorge Pardo-designed Plat 99, located at downtown’s Alexander Hotel, is a popular craft cocktail lounge where groups can experience a mixology competition called Pour & Play.
“Participants are challenged to create an original cocktail with a wide selection of ingredients that our bartenders use on a daily basis,” says William Mohring, the lounge’s manager. “We also host private receptions for groups of all sizes.”
Mohring adds the lounge features seasonal small plates that are great for sharing, complemented by international wines, regional draft beer and cocktails that feature modern culinary techniques such as foams, cold smoking and the application of dry ice.
“We welcome groups of all sizes, and we have community tables and lounge sofa seating to mingle over a bite and a sip,” he says.
Indianapolis City Market
The Indianapolis City Market, home to more than 30 eateries and retail shops, has been the agricultural, culinary and cultural heart of the city since 1821, according to its executive director, Stevi Stoesz.
“It is the destination to shop, eat and buy all things local,” she says.
City Market can also easily facilitate a cooking demo or class in its demonstration kitchen for groups interested in learning how to make macaroons and various other desserts, appetizers and entrees.
“Foodie tours offer four to six stops at City Market merchants to taste their offerings, and can end with a beer flight tasting in Tomlinson Tap Room, City Market’s all-Indiana craft beer bar,” Stoesz says, adding the tap room can accommodate private functions and tastings for up to 75 people, and the large mezzanine level can accommodate private dinners.
Traders Point Creamery
“Traders Point Creamery and the Loft Restaurant offer Indiana’s most authentic farmstead experience,” says Gail Alden, director of marketing and events for the venue, located northwest of Indianapolis.
Dishes on the farm-to-table, season-inspired Midwestern heritage menu include artisan cheese, grass-fed beef, pastured pork and chicken, and fresh produce from the on-site farm, garden and creamery.
“Groups can enjoy the organic fare on customized party menus, with a variety of serving options like family-style, shared sides or food stations,” Alden says, adding sustainable wines and local craft beers can be paired with event menus.
Alden adds that a variety of venues are available for groups, including the outdoor garden, lawn and deck; the Roost, a private event space with large windows and a wraparound balcony; and the authentic and spacious, circa-1800s Red Barn.
Easley Winery
Easley Winery, located in the historic Cole-Noble Commercial Arts District, is a staple to the city’s wine scene.
“Easley, a top-ranked urban winery, welcomes its visitors with beautiful gardens, festive seasonal decor and engaging wine stewards,” says Kaylee Lewis, the winery’s communications coordinator. “Being in the heart of downtown allows for some great city views while sipping wine by the flowing waterfall in the wine garden.”
Visitors usually walk away with more wine knowledge than when they first stepped into the winery, Lewis adds, explaining knowledgeable wine stewards guide guests through a tour and tasting that helps them discover a wine they’ll love.
In addition to wine tastings, during which attendees can sample from more than 25 different award-winning wines ranging from dry to sweet, the group can check out the free live concert series, Groovin’ in the Garden, which occurs at the winery on Saturday afternoons from May through September.
L.S. Ayres Tea Room
Groups are also able to combine a visit to the Indiana State Museum with a meal function at the museum’s on-site L.S. Ayres Tea Room.
The menu in this room, which is an elegant re-creation of the L.S. Ayres Department Store’s original tearoom, features traditional tea sandwiches and pastries, including cucumber on white bread, fruit tarts and English shortbread, as well as a variety of sandwiches, soups and entrees, such as chicken pot pie and beef Wellington.
