Best Restaurants Of 2026
Every September, our list of Indy’s top dining spots changes, shifts, and introduces some fun surprises—which is the whole point of our annual Best Restaurants feature. It’s also why we love doing it. Indianapolis never stops cooking and creating. Neither should we. This year’s collection welcomes a fresh batch of newcomers that earned a place alongside so many beloved institutions, as well as a salute to a handful of dedicated people—The Innovators—who work behind the scenes to promote and support a local food culture that is vibrant enough to require an extensive update every year. We hope this list inspires you to add some new restaurants to your rotation and, of course, continue to show your love to some of our city’s well-deserved favorites.
Written by Julia Spalding and Terry Kirts
|Photos by Tony Valainis
9th Street Bistro-Borage
From 9th Street Bistro to Borage near the IMS, we kick off part one of the 2026 Best Restaurants with five delectable choices.
Commission Row-His Place Eatery
Whether it’s Commission Row, Corridor, or more, there’s plenty of can’t-miss locales in our second installment of the 2026 Best Restaurants.
Freeland’s-Macizo
Late Harvest Kitchen, Lone Pine, and more are listed as some of the Best Restaurants this year.
Magdalena-Serliana
Italian cuisine and an Indy favorite make the list of Indianapolis Monthly’s 2026 Best Restaurants.
St. Elmo Steak House-Wisanggeni Pawon
From a staple of downtown Indianapolis to a tropical hideaway tucked away on a corner in Irvington, these final five locales round out our Best Restaurants of 2026.
The Innovators Of The Indy Food Scene
Meet five trailblazers who help Indy’s restaurant community connect and get more exciting with every meal.