Sometimes, you crave something a little different. Sometimes, the standard western-themed steakhouse or Asian-fusion joint just isn’t enough to tickle our sense of adventure – and that’s fine! Luckily for those of us in the Hoosier State, there are plentiful unique or otherwise unusual places to sit down and grab a bite. Here is a small handful of some of the coolest restaurants in Indiana right now:
- Das Dutchman Essenhaus, Middlebury
Essenhaus/Facebook
Essenhaus/Facebook Das Dutchman Essenhaus, otherwise lovingly known as simply Essenhaus, is the real deal. Employing a staff of Amish and Mennonite chefs and cooks, Essenhaus delivers a traditional Amish dining experience with incredible, authentic German cuisine. The recipes here are legitimately old-school. Your tastebuds are going to love you. Get the most up-to-date hours, specials, and menu on the official website. 240 US-20, Middlebury, IN 46540, USA
- Blue Gate Restaurant & Theatre, Shipshewana
Blue Gate Restaurant & Theatre/Facebook
Blue Gate Restaurant & Theatre/Facebook
Blue Gate Restaurant is so much more than just a restaurant; as the name implies, it’s also an entertainment venue and concert hall. It’s enormous - we’re talking six dining rooms, a full bakery, and a theater! Come for the delicious food, stay for the awesome shows! Visit the official website for the most up-to-date hours, menu, showtimes, and entertainment schedules.
195 N Van Buren St, Shipshewana, IN 46565, USA
- Oasis Diner, Plainfield
Oasis Diner/Facebook
Oasis Diner/Facebook Oasis Diner is good ol’ fashioned Americana in restaurant form. The building itself was originally fabricated in New Jersey and then moved to Plainfield in 1954. In November of 2014, it was relocated again. There are less than five diners of its kind remaining on the I-40 from Maryland to Illinois. This one is definitely one you don’t find every day or in every place! Click here to learn more about the restaurant on its official website. 405 W Main St, Plainfield, IN 46168, USA
- Triple XXX Family Restaurant, West Lafayette
Triple XXX Family Restaurant/Facebook
Triple XXX Family Restaurant/Facebook The name seems kind of redundant, sure, but never fear - Triple XXX is here (to feed your family). It’s West Lafayette’s favorite place for American goodies like chicken fingers, boneless wings, chili, potato salad, shakes, malts, steaks, burgers, and more! Seriously – the menu here is massive. Learn more about this Hoosier State pastime on its official website. 2 N Salisbury St, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
- Zydeco’s Cajun, Mooresville
Zydeco’s Cajun/Facebook
Zydeco’s Cajun/Facebook Zydeco’s is a rare breed in the Midwest: an amazing, authentic Cajun restaurant. Literaly every menu item is an explosion of flavor, and you’ll find yourself traveling to Mooresville a lot more often once you get your tastebuds in on this one. Get the most up-to-date hours, specials, and menu on the official website. 11 E Main St, Mooresville, IN 46158, USA
- Cerulean, Winona Lake
Cerulean Restaurant Winona Lake/Facebook
Cerulean Restaurant Winona Lake/Facebook Last – but certainly not least – on this list is this amazing lakeside restaurant in Winona Lake. It’s not often you find a restaurant with waterfront views in a land-locked state, but here we are! Cerulean offers delectable dishes paired with views to die for. After you’re full, make sure to check out the local shops, too. Get the most up-to-date hours, specials, and more photos on the website. 1101 E Canal St, Winona Lake, IN 46590, USA
One thing is for sure: no matter what you’re looking for, you’re sure to find something for your palate in Indiana. You just need to know where to look (and honestly, the answer is “everywhere”). What do you think? Do you have a favorite place we didn’t mention? Tell us about your favorite unique restaurants in Indiana using this form, and you might see your pick featured or mentioned someday.
Essenhaus/Facebook
Das Dutchman Essenhaus, otherwise lovingly known as simply Essenhaus, is the real deal. Employing a staff of Amish and Mennonite chefs and cooks, Essenhaus delivers a traditional Amish dining experience with incredible, authentic German cuisine. The recipes here are legitimately old-school. Your tastebuds are going to love you. Get the most up-to-date hours, specials, and menu on the official website.
240 US-20, Middlebury, IN 46540, USA
Blue Gate Restaurant & Theatre/Facebook
Blue Gate Restaurant is so much more than just a restaurant; as the name implies, it’s also an entertainment venue and concert hall. It’s enormous - we’re talking six dining rooms, a full bakery, and a theater! Come for the delicious food, stay for the awesome shows! Visit the official website for the most up-to-date hours, menu, showtimes, and entertainment schedules.
195 N Van Buren St, Shipshewana, IN 46565, USA
Oasis Diner/Facebook
Oasis Diner is good ol’ fashioned Americana in restaurant form. The building itself was originally fabricated in New Jersey and then moved to Plainfield in 1954. In November of 2014, it was relocated again. There are less than five diners of its kind remaining on the I-40 from Maryland to Illinois. This one is definitely one you don’t find every day or in every place! Click here to learn more about the restaurant on its official website.
405 W Main St, Plainfield, IN 46168, USA
Triple XXX Family Restaurant/Facebook
The name seems kind of redundant, sure, but never fear - Triple XXX is here (to feed your family). It’s West Lafayette’s favorite place for American goodies like chicken fingers, boneless wings, chili, potato salad, shakes, malts, steaks, burgers, and more! Seriously – the menu here is massive. Learn more about this Hoosier State pastime on its official website.
2 N Salisbury St, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
Zydeco’s Cajun/Facebook
Zydeco’s is a rare breed in the Midwest: an amazing, authentic Cajun restaurant. Literaly every menu item is an explosion of flavor, and you’ll find yourself traveling to Mooresville a lot more often once you get your tastebuds in on this one. Get the most up-to-date hours, specials, and menu on the official website.
11 E Main St, Mooresville, IN 46158, USA
Cerulean Restaurant Winona Lake/Facebook
Last – but certainly not least – on this list is this amazing lakeside restaurant in Winona Lake. It’s not often you find a restaurant with waterfront views in a land-locked state, but here we are! Cerulean offers delectable dishes paired with views to die for. After you’re full, make sure to check out the local shops, too. Get the most up-to-date hours, specials, and more photos on the website.
1101 E Canal St, Winona Lake, IN 46590, USA
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