Restaurants in Carmel You’ll Love

Located immediately north of Indianapolis, the suburban area of Carmel is popular with those who want to explore the Monon Trail on bike or foot, hang out in the Carmel Arts and Design District, or attend a show at The Center for Performing Arts. It’s also an excellent place for foodies who want to grab a casual lunch or plan a date night at one of Carmel's best restaurants. Whether you live in Carmel or are just visiting, here are some of the restaurants in Carmel you’ll be sure to love.

 

One of the area’s original farm-to-table restaurants, Café Patachou has grown so popular that owner Martha Hoover now has six locations in Indianapolis and two in Carmel. Open for breakfast and lunch, guests enjoy specialties like umami egg and rice, omelets like the California Dreamer (avocado, white cheddar, sour cream, and jalapeños), and Public Greens Power Bowls, all with a side of Native Bread sourdough. Make sure you order some Indiana sweet corn cakes since they’re a shining example of how this restaurant’s chefs use local ingredients in as many dishes as possible.

 

If you love pizza and pasta, you need to make plans at Convivio. Their professional chefs use only the best equipment from Italy to make their pasta and locally sourced ingredients inspire their seasonal menu. Begin your dining experience with antipasti like bruschetta or fritto misto (calamari) and enjoy one of the soups of the day, then dive into short ribs cannelloni or prosciutto arugula pizza for your main course.

There’s no better place to get a good steak in Carmel than Prime 47. The area’s only prime steakhouse, Prime 47 serves steaks from critically-acclaimed suppliers and fresh seafood flown into the restaurant each day. Treat yourself to a filet trio, savor a Roasted Seafood Tower, or go all out and order an Australian wagyu or Kobe filet. Select a wine from Prime’s extensive wine vault to accompany your meal, most of which are from award-winning vineyards. You can’t go wrong no matter which bottle you choose!

 

You won't want to miss stepping into Matt the Miller’s Tavern for an upscale American tavern experience. If you visit the eatery on a Tuesday, you can enjoy three courses for just $30 (including a mini dessert). Want something a little lighter? Choose a seared rare ahi tuna salad or California turkey club. Of course, the tavern has a full wine, cocktail, and draft beer menu to ensure you never get thirsty during your meal.

This list would not be complete without the best brunch in Carmel. Rosie’s Place is open from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the weekends and 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during the week. Rosie’s menu is seasonal, with fall favorites that include breakfast tacos, pork tenderloin benny, and turkey artichoke melt with a side of sweet potato fries or a cup of the soup of the day. At the end of your meal, make sure to check out the bakery, which features Rosie’s nationally famous cookies.

 

You may be in Middle America, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy an authentic taste of the Mediterranean when you’re in Carmel. If you want fresh tabouli, gyros, kebabs, or hummus in a bright, inviting atmosphere, Little Cairo is the place to go. This is the perfect spot for a light lunch while you’re exploring Carmel real estate for sale.

For a taste of coastal cuisine right here in Carmel, head to Monterey. With a dazzling array of sushi, seafood, and aged steaks, you’ll enjoy this sleek, sophisticated eatery. Start your meal by sharing a platter of Alaskan king crab legs or prosciutto flatbread, and then dig into their decadent surf-and-turf options. Sushi lovers will adore their extensive menu of fan favorites, chef creations, and poke bowls.

 

History lovers who own Carmel homes enjoy coming to Woody’s Library Restaurant, located in the former Carmel Public Library, originally constructed in 1914. Locally owned and operated by a husband and wife team, Woody’s offers a massive selection of cocktails, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks. Their menu features upscale bar fare like bison meatballs, broiled goat cheese, Cajun chicken pasta, and shredded beef Greek wraps.

Carmel is fantastic for craft beer, and you’ll experience a vast selection when you visit Sun King Brewing. In addition to unique brews like the Sunlight Cream Ale, Wee Mac Scottish Style Ale, and When the Lights Go Out Coffee Porter, Sun King also has a selection of hard seltzers and their own spirits like white whiskey, rum, and vodka. Need something to eat while you drink your way through their selections? No worries! Sun King offers plenty of food from their partners La Margarita and The Den by Foxgardin. Locals who own Carmel homes and visitors alike rave about the hip atmosphere at Sun King almost as much as they do their top-notch drinks.

Whether you’re in town for a visit, looking to relocate, or already live in Carmel, make plans to stop at several of these Carmel restaurants for a top-notch culinary experience. Want to make Carmel your home? Reach out to Carmel real estate agents at The Carrie Holle Group for expert service. She’ll help you find the perfect Carmel home for your family.