Indianapolis has such a variety of cuisines available that we decided to explore just one type today, Italian. We have the spot for you whether you want an intimate date night restaurant, a kid-friendly option, or the perfect place to celebrate a Colts victory.
These are locally-owned restaurants offering a taste of the various regions of Italy. This is a small sample of what reviewers say are the best Italian restaurants in Indianapolis. Check out the websites for more information on Old World cuisines available to you without an airline ticket.
OP Italian
$$ | (317) 860-5777 | WEBSITE
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Located in the downtown JW Marriot, OP Italian offers breakfast, Sunday or gameday brunch, and dinner with communal and lounge seating and a lively wine bar. Choose a 4-course dinner of authentic Italian dishes on date night, or bring a crowd and use the private dining rooms.
Open daily from 6:30-11 AM for breakfast and 6 – 10 PM for dinner, except on Sundays. It offers Neapolitan pizza and fresh-made pasta dishes with vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian options. Parking is free in the JW Marriot parking garage for the first three hours.
Mama Carolla’s Old Italian Restaurant
$$ | (317) 259-9412 | WEBSITE
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Mama Carolla’s is a woman-owned upscale Italian restaurant in a 1920s Mediterranean-style villa.
Touted as one of the most romantic restaurants by USA Today, it offers a full bar and a garden with heated outdoor seating. Choose from an extensive wine list and varied menu offering seafood and meat, with vegetarian and vegan options. ‘The food was like taking a Time Machine back to my grandparents’ kitchen.’
Mama Carolla’s is open for dinner Tuesday-Saturday from 5-9:30 PM with online ordering, curbside pickup, delivery, and private lot parking.
Iozzo’s Garden of Italy
$$ | (317) 974-1100 | WEBSITE
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If you’re looking for Italian classics paired with heritage wine, Iozzo’s Garden of Italy is the place for you. Enjoy this storied eatery with a sophisticated dining room and quaint courtyard with heated outdoor seating.
Iozzo’s offers weekday lunches (11 AM – 2:30 PM) and dinners nightly (4 to 9 or 10 PM). ‘It’s a super cozy atmosphere with jazzy music, white tablecloths, and the aroma of homemade pasta.’
Suitable for kids, it has vegan options and takeout. Reservations are recommended.
Bazbeaux Pizza
$$ | (317) 255-5711 | WEBSITE
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Bazbeaux Pizza is a small, unassuming restaurant that is great for any date night or family get-together.
It has a nice cozy feel on the inside and a covered patio area for warmer weather. Come for creative thin-or-thick-crust pizza along with beer or wine. It offers the ‘most interesting pizzas in the area with the best gluten-free crust in town.’
Open from 11 AM – 9 PM Sunday-Thursday, till 10 PM on weekends; it is suitable for kids and has a ‘first come, first serve’ policy along with takeout and delivery.
Iaria’s Italian restaurant
$$ | (317) 638-7706 | WEBSITE
The Iaria family has owned and operated this Italian restaurant for four generations. Since 1933, they have served pizza, pasta, and traditional Italian recipes with their sweet Sicilian sauce.
You will discover an ‘old-school’ charm as you walk into a very comfortable dining room. With ‘great service, reasonable prices, and large portions,’ this restaurant is worth a visit.
Open for dinner Tuesday-Thursday: 4:30-9:00 PM, Friday & Saturday 4:30-9:45 PM with many vegetarian options, outdoor seating, and take-out. It is suitable for groups and kids, has catering with family-style platters, and has a large parking lot and curbside pickup.
Bocca
$$$ | (317) 426-2045 | WEBSITE
Bocca is a trendy, classy, intimate restaurant offering modern Italian cuisine. It has ‘upscale pricing with the taste, service, and ambiance to match.’ After dinner, head downstairs to the speakeasy for a nightcap or out to the patio for some live music—a great spot for dates, birthdays, or any special occasion.
It’s open Monday-Thursday 5-10 PM; weekends, 5-11 PM; and Sundays, 5-9 PM, and has take-out, delivery, and online ordering. It is suitable for kids and groups and available for private events.
Sangiovese Ristorante
$$ | (317) 757-5913 | WEBSITE
Located in the Ironworks at Keystone, Sangiovese Ristorante is perfect for a romantic dinner. This upscale, romantic Italian restaurant has a waterfront patio, fireplace & jazz piano music. ‘The service at Sangiovese is excellent. If you dine here on a special occasion, be prepared for the royal treatment.’
Dinner is served Monday-Thursday from 5 to 9, weekends from 5-9:30 PM, and Sundays 5-8:30 PM. Sangiovese has a full bar, vegan and vegetarian options, private dining, casual dress, and gender-neutral restrooms.
Nesso
$$$ | (317) 643-7400 | WEBSITE
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Located in The Alexander Hotel, Nesso provides an intimate and relaxing dining experience with its natural light, high ceilings, and coastal Italian-inspired décor.
It is a perfect stop for Italian seafood, locally sourced meats & fresh pasta. With the full bar offering wine and cocktails, this is a classy spot for groups. ‘The dinner menu is short, focused, and each dish is well thought out and executed.’
Nesso is open Tuesday-Saturday from 5-10 PM with vegan options, takeout, online ordering, and an outdoor patio with shade. Reservations are recommended, and valet parking is an option.
Ambrosia
$$ | (317) 255-3096 | WEBSITE
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Established in 1979, Ambrosia is owned and operated by the Pizzi family, whose mission has been to provide high-quality, traditional, yet innovative Italian cuisine.
The warm and intimate atmosphere is perfect for a date night, girls’ night, or celebratory family outing. ‘The flavors are so fresh, beautiful plate presentation and great service. ‘
Ambrosia is open Monday-Thursday 5-10 PM, Friday-Saturday 5-11 PM, and Sunday, 5-9 PM. It offers takeout, delivery, a covered outdoor patio, private lot parking,- and catering with some vegetarian options.
Byrne’s Grilled Pizza
$$ | (317) 737-2056 | WEBSITE
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If you’re hungry for pizza and want to try something different, go to Byrne’s Grilled Pizza.
‘The grilled crust is thin, crispy, and perfectly holds their delicious toppings!’ The restaurant is in the middle of an old neighborhood with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. ‘The vibe is casual, fun, and cozy’ with parking in the back. They have pizza and stromboli lunch specials Tuesday -Friday.
LGBTQ-owned, Byrne’s has a full bar, takeout, delivery, and vegan options and is suitable for groups and kids with heated outdoor seating. It is open Tuesday-Thursday 11 AM -9 PM, weekends 11 AM-10 PM, and Sundays 11 AM -9PM. Reservations are recommended.
Maialina
$$ | (317) 982-7676 | WEBSITE
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Maialina is located in Fountain Square and offers traditional Italian cuisine complemented with wine in an industrial-style haunt.
Come here for ‘Old World Italian for the next generation.’ A favorite spot with candlelight for romantic date nights, the inside is spacious yet still feels cozy. Also suitable for groups, Maialina offers catering with many vegetarian and gluten-free options, pickup, and delivery.
Open Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday 5-9 PM, weekends 5-10 PM with a vibe that is ‘relaxed and slightly upscale.’
Capri
$$$ | (317) 259-4122 | WEBSITE
Capri is one of Indy’s finest and oldest locally-owned restaurants. It provides a classy atmosphere with white linen tablecloths, soft music, dim lighting inside, and a greenery-laden outside patio.
They make all of their pasta by hand daily and offer takeout, a full bar with an extensive wine list, private dining, catering, and many vegetarian options.
They are open daily from 4-9 PM, with lunch from 11 AM -2 PM on Monday and Friday. ‘The food was delicious and high-end. Capri is perfect for any celebration, or even for a fancier date night! ‘ Reservations recommended.
Summary
Be it Neapolitan, Sicilian, Tuscan, or something non-traditional, the perfect pasta is waiting for you in one of these best Italian restaurants in Indianapolis.
Loosen your belt and come hungry as you discover all this metropolitan area offers in Italian fare. Reviewed by your peers, see if you agree, and let us know your thoughts. Buon Appetito!
