Eat & Drink
Lawrence’s food scene has been quietly growing, and people are starting to notice. Within a few blocks, you’ll find gourmet sandwiches, Thai cuisine, breakfast favorites, quality coffee, and fresh crafted beer. And that’s just the beginning of what Lawrence has to offer.
AJ's Bar & Grill
AJ's Bar & Grill is a gastropub known for their live music and great food. Their best sellers are the Cajun Meatloaf, Italian Beef, and (classic Hoosier favorite) Pork Tenderloin Sandwich!
Amore! Italian Kitchen
Enjoy a nice glass of wine with friends and family surrounded by the rustic feel of Italy at Amore! Italian Kitchen. This restaurant offers some of the best Italian food in the Indianapolis area.
Art's Skillet
Arts Skillet is one of the best brunch spots in Lawrence! They have unique, delicious creations like Cinnamon Roll Pancakes and Biscuits & Chorizo Gravy. If you aren't feeling adventurous, they also have traditional breakfast items like scrambled eggs, bacon, and hash browns.
Bando Korean Restaurant
317.897.8277
Bando Korean Restaurant is another hidden gem in Lawrence. The friendly staff serve up some of the best, most authentic Korean BBQ in the city! They have affordable lunch specials, or if you are feeling extra hungry, you can go for the all-you-can-eat BBQ. Cooking at your table is surprisingly fun, and kids love it.
La Blanca Nieves
La Blanca Nieves offers unique flavors of ice cream (guanábana, mango, corn, tequila), fresh fruit, smoothies, milk shakes, and some savory options, too. They are located at 8015 Pendleton Pike.
Da Blue Lagoon
Da Blue Lagoon, a popular former Broadripple Jamaican restuarant, reopened in 2017 at a new location in Lawrence! The owner uses recipes he learned from his family to create authentic jerk dishes.
Brickhouse Coffee
This specialty coffee shop focuses on direct trade coffee beans from farmers in South America that are roasted locally. They also offer a classic Italian-style menu, as well as some signature drinks like the Triple B Caramel Latte.
Cafe Audrey
Breakfast is served all day in this cozy cafe that was once part of an active military base. Come enjoy cooked from scratch meals in this unique atmosphere.
Caplinger's Fresh Catch
Caplinger's Fresh Catch is a family-owned business that made a name for itself in Indianapolis. Now there's a carry out location in Lawrence on Pendleton Pike!
Cugino's Pizza
Cugino's Pizza is home of the largest pizza you can buy in the City of Lawrence, coming in at whopping 30 inches. Recently, they moved to 5124 N. Franklin Road and are open for lunch daily.
Delicia Monarca
Elote from Delicia Monarca is a tasty hot snack where they combine fresh corn, lime juice, Mexican crema, cotija cheese, and spices in a convenient to go cup. They also serve up some unique treats like Cheetos con queso, milanesa (fried chicken) tortas, coffee ice cream, and homemade strawberry popsicles.
Fitzgerald's Lunch House
Fitzgerald's Lunch House's best seller is the "Rooster" Sandwich (Chili Lime Chicken, Smoked Bacon, Avocado, Pickled Onions, White Cheddar, Chipotle Cream Cheese on a Baguette.) But don't forget the rest of their menu or daily specials. Baked Potato Casserole. Mac & Cheese. It's hard to go wrong here.
Fort Ben Pub
The Fort Ben Pub is an awesome place to sit down and relax with friends, enjoy some local beers, and eat great food!
Foster's Catering and Cafe
Foster's Cafe & Catering has developed a loyal customer base and become one of the best lunch spots in Lawrence. They are located inside of the Ivy Tech Fort Ben campus. Check out their Facebook page to see their daily menu.
The Garrison
The Garrison Restaurant at The Fort Golf Resort is known for their fried chicken and Sunday brunch buffet. They serve fresh home-style meals featuring Indiana favorites like BBQ pork, biscuits & gravy, smoked salmon, carved roast beef, and more.
Graham's Pizza
Graham’s Pizza is located in the same strip mall on Pendleton Pike that used to house Gramboli’s Pizza. New name and owners, but the pizza is still great!
Groovy Cat Cafe
The Groovy Cat Cafe offers awesome coffee drinks, breakfast, lunch, desserts, and best of all, free vibes. The owner/head chef Lisa Sweeney said that one of their best sellers is the blood orange, olive oil infused cake with cream cheese frosting.
La Hacienda
La Hacienda on 38th St was one of the first Mexican restaurants to open in Indianapolis. There are three Lawrence locations, Geist at 11677 Fox Road (La Hacienda #12) and Fort Ben at 5625 Lawton Loop E Dr (La Hacienda #11), and Lawrence at 9920 Pendleton Pike (La Hacienda #13.)
Heidelberg Haus
This café, grocery, bakery, and gift shop is must-visit Lawrence destination. It is filled to the brim with gnomes, sausages, beer steins, and everything German.
Hotcakes Emporium
Oreo cheesecake pancakes, apple cinnamon French toast, and country fried steak skillets are just a few of the wonderful things you can order at the Hotcakes Emporium.
Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza
Named the Best Pizza in the State of Indiana by Food Insider, Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza is known for their Slaughterhouse Five pizza that comes with sausage, pepperoni, Italian beef, bacon, and ham.
Juicy Seafood
Looking for a Cajun seafood boil in Indiana? Juicy Seafood Indy opened this restaurant in 2022 in a former Bob Evans building. They did a great job renovating and decorating their new space! The seafood boils come with corn on the cob & red potatoes. You pick the seasoning (lemon pepper, cajun, garlic butter, or all three) and spice level.
Lord Ashley’s Pub & Eatery
Lord Ashley's Pub & Eatery has been serving up food in the Lawrence/Oaklandon area for nearly 20 years! They have a large menu filled with Hoosier favorites like the pork tenderloin sandwiches and bbq ribs.
Mama’s Korean Restaurant
317.897.0808
Mama’s has been serving authentic Korean cuisine in Lawrence for over 30 years. They have great lunch specials and also offer house specialty BBQ dinners, a unique culinary experience where your food is prepared on an open flame at your table!
Margarita Factory
Margarita Factory Mexican Cuisine is located at 11135 Pendleton Pike, and they are open for lunch and dinner every day.
Mar y Sol Mexican Restaurant
Mar y Sol is a Mexican restaurant with an extensive menu that includes many seafood dishes like fried tilapia, camarones al mojo de ajo, molcajetes and more.
Moo & Lou Frozen Treats
Our favorite dessert food truck officially has a brick-and-mortar location in Lawrence! The Moo & Lou Frozen Treats storefront is located at 5645 N. Post Rd. They are known for their flavor ice and Sundaes ice cream!
Murphy's Crafthouse
Murphys Craft House is an atmospheric pub on the north side of Lawrence. Their delicious food can be enjoyed inside the cozy dining area or outside on the shaded patio. They are known for their hand cut steaks, half pound burgers, salads, chicken wings, and special sauces.
Phaya Thai Street Food
Phaya Thai Street Food has delicious lunch specials that offer an opportunity for you to try new dishes (vegetarian or meaty) and explore flavors you have never tried before. Mild, medium, hot or Thai hot? The spice level is up to you.
The Pittt BBQ
The Pittt BBQ serves two Indiana communities (Lawrence and Anderson) top of the line BBQ through dine-in, carry out and catering services. The Pittt BBQ was founded by William Watson in Anderson, IN.
Polleria los 2 Hermanos
317.6723832
Polleria Los 2 Hermanos is located at 8990 Pendleton Pike. They have a simple menu with items like grilled chicken, ribs, and tacos. They also offer sides of beans, rice, veggies, and corn tortillas. Cash only.
Porter Books & Bread
Porter Books & Bread uses locally sourced ingredients as much as possible. They roast their own coffee and bake their own bread. Even the potato chips that come with your sandwich are made locally. Visitors can also purchase used books that line the walls of this cozy shop.
Puccini’s Pizza & Pasta
The friendly staff at Puccini's Pizza & Pasta serve freshly made pizza, calzones, pasta, and salads at 7829 Sunnyside Road. They are known for the “Sweet Lil’ Razorback” pizza, which comes with pepperoni, smoked sausage, bacon, basil, and garlic.
El Sabor Catracho
317.492.9298
The staff at El Sabor Catracho (roughly translated "The Honduran Flavor") have been cooking authentic Honduran cuisine in Lawrence for over 7 years. Honduran fried chicken is one of the most popular and delicious dishes at this Lawrence restaurant. It is served on a bed of fries or plantains and comes with pickled veggies. Another fan favorite is Carne Asada, marinated steak grilled on a BBQ, served with lime wedges, rice, beans, tortillas, avocado, tofu, and mixed veggies.
Sandra Rice & Noodles
317.823.8323
Sandra Rice & Noodles is a traditional Vietnamese noodle house run by Ha Nguyen and her brother Sang. Their most popular dish is pho, a flavorful soup that simmers for over 4 hours. They have been serving the Lawrence community for over 15 years!
Spanglish Factory
317.400.4577
This food truck is owned and operated by a husband-and-wife duo who immigrated from Puerto Rico and Peru respectively. They both wanted to share the foods they grew up loving, so they serve both Puerto Rican AND Peruvian cuisine!
Sundae’s Homemade Ice Cream
Sundaes Homemade Ice Cream is a small, family-owned and operated business that has been serving the Lawrence and Geist area for over 25 years! They make their ice cream the old-fashioned way, by hand in small batches and their coffee on site at their 9922 East 79th Street location.
Sushi House
317.823.0878
Sushi and Sake – the perfect pairing. Sushi House is a full-service Japanese restaurant with a beer, wine, and sake menu, as well as carry out options.
Taco Express
317.895.5455
According to Taco Express owner Alejandro, his main goal has always been to share his culture through food. “Our food is authentic and from home,” he says. In 2022, Taco Express celebrated 17 years in Lawrence!
El Tacotorro
317.542.0834
If you are looking for authentic Mexican tacos with fresh cilantro, finely diced onions, corn tortillas, all kinds of delicious meats, and a squirt of lime juice, check out El Tacotorro. Top them off with salsa roja, verde, or both!
Tam’s Sweet & Savory Café
Owner Tammy Cunningham says that she wants you to feel like you’re having a bite to eat at a friend’s house. Tam's Sweet & Savory Café offers breakfast and lunch in a cute, little old house turned restaurant located on Oaklandon Rd.
Triton Brewing Company & Bistro
Triton Brewing Company has a reputation for quality beer, but did you know they have amazing food, too? Menu highlights include the Deadeye Stout Beef Chili, BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, and soft pretzels with Hometown Hero Ale beer cheese dip.
Watami Sushi
317.855.3635
Check out Watami Sushi at 10625 Pendleton Pike. This restaurant is a Lawrence hidden gem with wonderful all-you-can-eat sushi and reasonable prices!
Whiskey Business
Looking for a local place with great smashed burgers? Check out Whiskey Business Lawrence on Pendleton Pike and Oaklandon Road. They also have great lunch specials and a giant menu, so even picky eaters will find something they like to eat here.
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