Eat Like a Local in Hendricks County
You can't beat a trip centered around food! We're here to give you an insider view of the go-to places to satisfy every craving.
We also highly recommend checking out Indiana Foodways Culinary Trails for even more ideas. If you're looking more for inspiration instead of an itinerary, check out our themed trip ideas to find which one is best for you!
We hope you've brought your appetite for this foodie tour through Hendricks County!
Bread Basket
Why not start this culinary tour to tickle your taste buds with a location and dish featured on The Today Show?
That's right...the Cinnamon Roll French Toast at Bread Basket Cafe & Bakery in Danville received national recognition back in 2018 as the best breakfast item in Indiana. This decadent dish pairs the restaurant's made-from-scratch cinnamon rolls with French toast using their signature bread creating a meal so good it will blow your mind.
Oasis Diner
Another can't-miss foodie destination anytime, but especially for breakfast, can be found in Plainfield at Oasis Diner.
Named for cities along the National Road, you will salivate just reading about these hearty meals that include loaded biscuits and gravy (The Kansas City) or their award-winning tenderloin smothered in gravy (The Indianapolis).
You might even think about sampling their popular handcrafted butterscotch root beer.
Brews
Our next stops on this culinary voyage can be found at two great lunch destinations.
If you love great craft beer, you must check out Brew Link Brewpub in Plainfield for their innovative selections made on site.
Why not enjoy their outdoor patio by ordering a pretzel sticks appetizer and a flight of their distinctive beers with fun names such as Just One Smore and Nuttercup. Browse their beer menu here.
Opa!
If you prefer Greek cuisine, prepare to be transported to Santorini with a visit to Opa! in Avon. We highly recommend their signature flaming saganaki appetizer. You will love the presentation almost as much as the food.
Lauded for their amazing atmosphere that customers say transforms you to a different county, other popular dishes include their gyros, pastas and lamb.
But save room for dessert! Their authentic creations include baklava, bougatsa and galaktoboureko.
BBQ
There is no better authentic BBQ experience in the central Indiana region than Rusted Silo Southern BBQ & Brewhouse. This shack by the tracks screams BBQ. If for no other reason, you must step inside for the smells and to watch the rotating Ferris wheel of meat over an open flame.
Whether it's BBQ chicken, brisket or ribs, you'll find yourself salivating before the food even arrives. Pair that with cheesy grits or colored greens and you have a meal fit for a king. And don't leave without trying a piece of their homemade bourbon pecan pie or Mama June's Nanner Puddin.
Fine Dining
If you are a true foodie and love a little history on the side, we highly recommend dinner and drinks at The Prewitt Restaurant & Lounge. This upscale dining experience transformed an old theater into a restaurant with so many experiences just waiting for you in the same space including a rooftop deck that is very popular in the summer.
You might start with a beer flight that comes to your table in a repurposed old movie reel. Their menu changes by season but it includes upscale seafood and steak options and much more. For dessert, the Sticky Foot provides an amazing array of flavors and textures.
An Original
You can also visit the original Boulder Creek Dining Company in Brownsburg, the first eatery for the Cunningham Restaurant Group (CRG) empire that now includes more than 30 restaurants spanning three states.
This casual, family-friendly eatery features traditional American fare with a focus on hearty, satisfying meals and a welcoming atmosphere. Find out why CRG restaurants have become so popular by experiencing the location that started it all.
Sweets
We have two more foodie favorites you must try, especially for those sweet tooths. The first involves dessert at Danny's Mexican Ice Cream where their distinct ice cream flavors such as queso and mango chili set them apart as does their unique dessert offerings you can't find anywhere else including mangonadas and churro sundaes.
Another foodie experience that can't be missed is scheduling a class at Sweet Minis Cakes and Bakes in Plainfield. They offer hands-on cupcake, cookie and cake classes.
Beasley's Orchard
So, after all that food, we figure you need a place to walk it off. Beasley's Orchard provides the perfect place for that. Explore the acres of orchard trees and a Civil War-era barn turned market offering plenty of fresh produce and other goodies at this family-owned farm in Danville.
Beasley's also has the best apple cider in the state many years running and has begun offering hard cider by the can.