Where to Find the Best Breakfast in Indianapolis in 2024
Indianapolis might be known as Circle City but it’s home to plenty of square meals, especially when it comes to the best breakfasts in Indianapolis. Perhaps you’re seeking a pre-work breakfast to get your day off to a great start? Or maybe you’re looking for a chilled venue for a leisurely weekend brunch with friends? Either way, Circle City has all of the breakfast choices you could ever want.
Indianapolis is famous for fresh local ingredients and farm-to-table cooking available right in the heart of the city. From deliciously sweet French toast topped with crispy bacon to savory skillets and let’s not forget the freshly brewed coffee, this list has all of the very top spots for breakfast in Indianapolis.
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The 16 Best Breakfast Places in Indianapolis
1. Café Patachou
Café Patachou has been a mainstay of breakfast in Indianapolis since 1989 so you better believe they know a thing or two about starting the day off right.
The Vibe
There are three Café Patachou locations spread across the city, all with a vibrant but cozy vibe inside.
What to Order
Those with a sweet tooth will love the croissant French toast served with powdered sugar and pecans but if you fancy something savory, then choose the ‘Overachiever’ omelette with bacon, sour cream and horseradish.
Café Patachou | Multiple locations | $-$$
2. Lincoln Square Pancake House
Whether it’s early morning or early evening, those looking for breakfast in Indianapolis can find it any time at Lincoln Square Pancake House.
The Vibe
Each Lincoln Square location is full of comfortable booths and offers efficient but friendly service.
What to Order
To set you up for the day, you can’t beat a true Indianapolis breakfast staple of a skillet, served with eggs, hash browns and your choice of toast, pancakes, biscuits or French toast.
Lincoln Square Pancake House | Multiple locations | $-$$
3. Good Morning Mama’s Café
The best days get off to a great start with a big breakfast in Indianapolis from Good Morning Mama’s Café.
The Vibe
If the sun is shining, you’ll want to take advantage of the plentiful outdoor seating shaded by colorful parasols. If it’s not, grab a comfortable table inside and watch the rain.
What to Order
Kick your divine breakfast in Indianapolis off with a heavenly fruity mimosa and then head straight for ‘Eggs in Purgatory’, eggs cooked in a rich, tomatoey Pomodoro sauce.
Good Morning Mama’s Café | 1001 E. 54th St., Indianapolis, IN 46220 | $$
4. Long’s Bakery
Grab something sweet and sticky to start the day at Long’s Bakery, a well-established pastry shop that’s one of the most popular breakfast places in Indianapolis, so much so that the line often stretches onto the sidewalk.
The Vibe
Seating is not available at Long’s Bakery, so you will need to enjoy your breakfast as a takeaway. Be aware that Long’s is cash only — you’ll definitely want to have a little extra money in your wallet to buy treats to have later too.
What to Order
You can’t beat a Bavarian cream donut or if you’re sharing with pals, grab a box of donut holes and a cup of coffee to have on the go in one of Indianapolis’ many parks.
Long’s Bakery | Multiple locations | $
5. Le Peep
Le Peep have been part of the Indy scene for over 30 years and are a first-rate choice for a fresh, locally sourced breakfast in Indianapolis.
The Vibe
There are six Le Peep outlets across the city and all of them are neat and tidy, with lots of seating.
What to Order
You’ll find a broad menu of Indianapolis breakfast dishes at Le Peep. If you're hungry, try 'Southern Love,' which consists of two buttermilk biscuits smothered with pork sausage gravy and topped with two eggs. Alternatively, go for a hint of spice with the huevos con chorizo burrito.
Le Peep | Multiple locations | $$
6. Ruth’s Café
Found near the Keystone mall district, Ruth’s Café serves up hearty breakfasts for Indianapolis locals that focus on farm-fresh ingredients.
The Vibe
Ruth’s gets busy so be prepared for a wait but, once you’re in, you’ll find a laid-back interior with lots of cool artwork on the walls.
What to Order
The menu includes lots of classics but for a completely personal breakfast in Indianapolis you can build your own skillet with your choice of cheeses, meats and vegetables.
Ruth’s Café | 3443 E. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN 46240 | $$
7. First Watch
Seekers of a healthy and nutritious breakfast in Indianapolis look no further than First Watch, a chain of cafés offering field-fresh ingredients.
The Vibe
There are four First Watch cafés serving up breakfast across Indianapolis. They all share a modern décor, with wooden accents and a good mixture of tables and bench seating.
What to Order
A good breakfast in Indianapolis is all about balance. Start your meal with the kale tonic for a shot of healthy goodness and then head straight for the Hawaiian French toast topped with caramelized pineapple and coconut cream.
First Watch | Multiple locations | $$
8. Milktooth
Milktooth turns a traditional breakfast in Indianapolis on its head with inventive flavors and fresh ideas.
The Vibe
Milktooth is a brilliant place to hang out with friends for a weekend brunch, with lots of seating and a chilled out atmosphere.
What to Order
Go for the sourdough waffle for a new twist on a classic breakfast in Indianapolis or opt for the breakfast burger if you want something that will see you through to lunch.
Milktooth | 534 Virginia Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46203 | $$
9. Mesh
Breakfast can come in all shapes and sizes at Mesh, a contemporary and hip eatery serving up breakfast in downtown Indianapolis.
The Vibe
Mesh has a modern, upmarket vibe that makes it perfect for a brunch date or a celebratory breakfast for Indianapolis residents.
What to Order
If you are celebrating, then go all out with the fried chicken and waffles. Or opt for a new twist on a favorite with eggs Benedict smothered in Tabasco hollandaise.
Mesh | 725 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46204 | $$
10. Yolk
No list of the best breakfast places in Indianapolis would be complete without Yolk and we’re not yoking.
The Vibe
There are several Yolks across Indy but they all share a similar bright and colorful interior tied together with a soothing blue and yellow palette.
What to Order
Looking for an Indianapolis breakfast that will really fuel you up? Go for homemade buttermilk biscuits with sausage gravy. Looking for something sweeter? Choose the pancakes filled with banana and chocolate chips, layered with peanut butter.
Yolk | Multiple locations | $-$$
11. Blueberry Hill Pancake House
Pancake lovers flock to Blueberry Hill Pancake House for one of the flipping best breakfasts in Indianapolis.
The Vibe
Blueberry Hill has a straightforward look and feel, with no frills but plenty of pleasant seating areas.
What to Order
What else could you have for breakfast in Indianapolis but a stack of delicious pancakes? There are lots of options to choose from. Hawaiian-style offers a zesty tropical twist, while apple cinnamon warms you up on a cold day.
Blueberry Pancake House | 10289 Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46229 | $$
12. The Garden Table
If you’re after a nourishing breakfast in Indianapolis that’s packed full of local ingredients then The Garden Table is calling your name.
The Vibe
This chic eatery has a modern feel with decorative rustic details. It’s a peaceful setting for a weekend breakfast and ideal if you’re looking for inspiration for date ideas in Indianapolis.
What to Order
The Garden Table specializes in farm-to-table fare that’s big on flavor. Check out one of their brunch items, such as the açaí bowl topped with coconut and chia seeds and pair it with a flight of freshly pressed fruit juices.
The Garden Table | Multiple locations | $$
13. Love Handle
Love Handle don’t take themselves too seriously but what they are serious about is serving up a proper breakfast for Indianapolis locals.
The Vibe
Love Handle has a fun and kooky atmosphere inside, where t-shirt-wearing skeletons rub scapulas with pictures of sad clowns and arcade games add to the vibe. This combination creates a buzzing locale for a weekend brunch with friends.
What to Order
The menu changes often but you can always find the waffle, egg and meat combo in some form. The country catfish breakfast is also a popular favorite and not something you'll find on too many other breakfast menus in Indianapolis.
Love Handle | 877 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46204 | $-$$
14. Another Broken Egg Café
Another Broken Egg Café serves up a breakfast in Indianapolis that’s full of southern flavors and innovative combinations.
The Vibe
Another Broken Egg has a laid-back, unhurried vibe inside with a mixture of booth and table seating to suit any occasion.
What to Order
For a one-of-a-kind breakfast in Indianapolis, you can’t top the Creole shrimp Benedict – poached eggs served on grit cakes with green onions and spicy shrimp. There are several gluten-free options too.
Another Broken Egg Café | Multiple locations | $-$$
15. Northside Kitchenette
Offering breakfast for Indianapolis residents any time of day, Northside Kitchenette is one of North Broad Ripple’s favorites.
The Vibe
This stylish diner is perfect for a weekend brunch. If it’s sunny, you can head to the patio to enjoy breakfast al fresco.
What to Order
Northside Kitchenette has a varied menu based on local, artisanal ingredients. Highlights include the delicately fragranced hibiscus mimosa and the ‘Kitchenette Sink’ – biscuits and gravy topped with potatoes, crumbly bacon, eggs and cheese.
Northside Kitchenette | 6515 N. College Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46220 | $$
16. Wild Eggs
If you are looking for a truly fresh breakfast in Indianapolis, Wild Eggs is a cracking option.
The Vibe
There are several Wild Eggs locations across the city, including one of the prime spots for breakfast in Downtown Indianapolis. They all have a similar warm and comfortable vibe inside, with friendly service and plentiful tables.
What to Order
Regulars at Wild Eggs rave about the wild mushroom and garlic scramble but if you fancy something sweeter, the blueberry muffin is a winner too.
Wild Eggs | Multiple locations | $-$$
Try Cooking Indianapolis Foods
Going out for breakfast in Indianapolis is always a treat but if you don’t fancy stepping out, then cooking at home is an excellent way to get the same fresh flavors without having to take off your pajamas! Whether you’re looking to learn new dishes or master the classics, cooking classes in Indianapolis can teach you the secrets to making the food that makes Indy a top foodie destination. From comforting chicken and waffles to the perfect Dutch baby pancake, there are cooking sessions for all levels of experience on Cozymeal.
Join 200,000+ Culinary Enthusiasts
There are hundreds of choices for breakfast in Indianapolis but this list is an awesome place to start. Deciding on your top breakfast spot might not be easy but working your way through a few of these menus is a lot of fun. For even more ways to explore Indianapolis and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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