Live the Local: SoBro

SoBro, South Broad Ripple, whatever you call it, the area of south of the neighborhood of Broad Ripple is brimming with activity. There are tons of local restaurants to eat at, shops to buy from, and all in close proximity to downtown and the northside like Carmel.

History

The Broad Ripple Village itself was founded by Jacob Coil in 1863 along the White River. In 1922, the village of Broad Ripple was annexed into the city of Indianapolis and now is a prime location for dining, night life, and active living with the Monon Trail in close proximity.

Breakfast

Gallery Pastry Shop

Gallery Pastry Shop

  • Cafe Patachou - An Indy classic; Cafe Patachou brings fine cuisine to brunch and is practically a Hoosier household name. Be sure to try the Cuban breakfast.

  • Hubbard and Cravens Coffee - Brewing coffees and teas in unique flavors and notes. They’re seasonal lattes are great!

  • Foundation Coffee Company - Located next to the Patachou Foundation providing stellar lunches you can grab and espresso based drinks that have lots of thought put into them.

  • GoldLeaf Savory Sweet - A great spot to grab a quick breakfast and coffee. The breakfast burrito is tasty and filling.

  • Prufrock Coffee Company - An eclectic coffee shop where you can sip inside a shipping container and browse books to flip through.

  • Good Morning Mama’s - Who knew brunch in a renovated gas station could look so good? The large menu will leave you wanting more.

  • Gallery Pastry Shop - An elevated brunch dining experience! Be sure to pick up some macarons or their elegant pastries for dessert.

Lunch

Half Liter BBQ/Liter House

Half Liter BBQ/Liter House

  • Upland Tasting Room - Upland is a great spot to stop for lunch and enjoy one of their Seitan-derloin Sandwiches and wash it down with an Oak and Rose sour.

  • Pots and Pans Pie Co. - Selling sweet and savory kinds of pies, so you can have your pie and eat it, too.

  • Little Cairo Cafe - Serving Mediterranean style food with some vegan options like Falafel.

  • Half Liter BBQ - Half Liter is very popular for very good reason! Their patio seating is ample and it’s right off the Monon so you can enjoy time on the trail and walk off all that BBQ.

  • Diavola - Tons of options for you to choose from to create a personal sized pizza.

  • Fat Dan’s Deli - Chicago style sandwiches brought to Indy, including burgers and hot dogs as well.

  • Illinois Street Food Emporium - A perfect place for lunch with lots of soup, sandwich, and salad options.

Dinner

Mama Carolla’s

Mama Carolla’s

  • Root & Bone - Bringing quality Southern cuisine to the heart of the Midwest. Their meatloaf is actually great!

  • The Little India - Hands down my favorite Indian restaurant in the city. The food is authentic and they have an ample vegetarian section on their menu.

  • Delicia - Offering food from a combination of cultures like Spain, the Caribbean, and the Americas. The use of local ingredients and personal ancestry flavors the meals and the experience.

  • Cornerstone - Cornerstone is a great spot to get a quick bite to eat and they also have a large coffee menu.

  • Meridian - Upscale American dining nestled in a quaint home along one of the most beautiful parts of Meridian St.

  • Ambrosia - A large menu of quality Italian cuisine and a sophisticated atmosphere.

  • Blu Point Oyster House - Serving up quality oysters and aesthetically pleasing cocktails. They also just opened a new location downtown at the Garage!

  • Mama Carolla’s - One of Indy’s oldest Italian spots, located in a cozy once residential home, perfect for anniversaries and other special occasions.

The Little India

The Little India

Night Out

  • Scarlet Lane Brewing - A woman owned brewery with Asian food fare and quality brews.

  • Aristocrat Pub - One of the older pubs in the city serving up classic pub style food since 1933.

  • Red Key Tavern - The Red Key Tavern has also been around since 1933, opening up right after Prohibition.

  • Twenty Tap - Offering local beers on tap, as the name suggests, and great pub style food and games.

  • Jazz Kitchen - One of Indy’s best jazz clubs with a cozy atmosphere. They have events going on all the time so be sure to check out their socials to stay up to date.

  • The Wine Shop - Offering samples everyday of some of the best wines out there, pick up a bottle for yourself to go with dinner or for a gift for a friend.

Things to Do

Vintage 54 Collective

Vintage 54 Collective

  • Urban Hippie - A super cute store with all things boho but also includes a modern vibe.

  • Luna Music Store - While the physical building hasn’t opened back up yet, you can still order vinyl records and other music supplies online.

  • Thrifting at the Corner Bazaar, Rebel Vintage, Vintage 54 Collective and Naptown Thrift - SoBro has some amazing thrifty places, and some awesome women and Black owned businesses.

  • The Speak Easy - One of Indy’s great coworking spaces that provides offices for entrepreneurs, students, or those working from home a space to work on a membership basis.

What’s your favorite place in SoBro?