Live the Local: Old Northside

Indy

Jul 30

I may be biased since I call it home, but the Old Northside is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Indianapolis. The area is rich in history and the buildings and residential homes look like they are full of stories of Victorian Indy and I love going for long walks in this area. Recently, the Old Northside has had lots of new restaurants establish themselves in the neighborhood and it’s exciting to see things move up a little from downtown. Use this guide next time you find yourself in the Old Northside and need somewhere to eat or something to do!

History

The Old Northside is located right above Mile Square, with the boundaries of the 65/70 Highway split at the edge and includes neighborhoods like Herron-Morton Place and a little bit of Kennedy King, but generally is enclosed by 16th St. and Broadway or College Ave. Camp Morton was established here as a training site for soldiers during the Civil War and housed confederate prisoners afterwards. Post-war, the very wealthy of Indianapolis made their homes here at the end of the 19th century and built lavish and stately Victorian homes that gives this neighborhood it’s charm and character today. Larger apartment complexes were built during World War I as a response to housing shortages which caused the more affluent residents to move more north towards the Fall Creek Place neighborhood. Unfortunately, many of the beautiful homes in this area were demolished until the neighborhood was placed on the National Register for Historic Places in 1978 after a preservation movement called for action. Surprisingly, the area was rife with prostitution in the 1980s but now has seen quite the turn around with idyllic tree-lined streets and a few restaurants popping up on major streets.

Breakfast

Provider - Provider is hands down my favorite coffee place in the city, especially since it’s in walking distance from me! Born out of the same people who created Coat Check Coffee on Mass Ave, Provider is a bit more of an intimate space and uses bartending tricks to make incredible cups of coffee, as well as adult beverages in the evenings. My recommendation will always be the pistachio latte and you can get it with their curbside pickup right now!
Tea’s Me - If coffee isn’t really your thing, look no further than Tea’s Me Cafe! Created by Fever player Tamika Catchings, Tea’s Me is a great place to sit down and chat with friends over a hot cup of tea, and you can even have the pot warming right next to you.
Lincoln Square Pancake House - This is the place for you if you love classic breakfast food and a dinner environment. There are many locations around the city for you to enjoy and I love going here when I just want some hash browns, eggs, and toast, especially after a night out when greasy food just hits the spot.

Lunch

Baby’s - A diner with a twist, Baby’s gives you all the greasy food goodness you want like burgers and fries, but also has unique cocktails and their notorious boozy milkshakes. I don’t normally like sweets but I’ve heard the milkshakes are thick and definitely don’t skimp on the liquor. Pre-COVID, they even had drag queen story hours which pays homage to what the building was originally used for in the past!
Foundry Provisions - This is one of my favorite places to go for a quick panini or sandwich or if I’m just wanting some Circle Kombucha while on the go. I love the relaxed vibe of Foundry and their food is perfect to pick up for a picnic.
Goose the Market - While it is located more north of the Old Northside, Goose the Market is a near downtown staple. I love getting a box of charcuterie cheeses and some bread to munch on for a lunchtime snack but they also have incredible local meats, sandwiches and even gelato you can grab and go with, as well as wine and beer for dinner later.

Dinner

Loco - Loco has classic Mexican food as well as some of the tastiest margaritas I’ve had in the city. My mom thoroughly enjoyed the massive bowl of guacamole, so be sure to bring room in your belly or be prepared for leftovers.
Shoefly Public House - Shoefly is a great place for a low key but intimate dinner. While I’m not the biggest fan, their yucca fries are a staple on the menu and their fresh and whole food ingredients make for a satisfying meal.
Tinker Street - While it may be temporarily closed, when Tinker Street opens back up be sure to make a reservation for a romantic dinner at this small but intriguing restaurant. Tinker Street uses interesting ingredient combinations for a high end dining experience.
Festiva - Authentic Mexican food and many vegan and vegetarian options can be found at Festiva! They even have a great brunch menu so you can enjoy these meals any time of day, along with margarita packs you can get to go through curbside pickup.

Night Out

Scarlet Lane Gastropub (formerly Cannonball Brewing) - This place recently reopened with a new vision from Scarlet Lane Brewing with small plates to share but also vegetarian options like a jackfruit burger, as well as beer from Scarlet Lane.
West Fork Whiskey - If you enjoy local spirits, especially whiskey, West Fork Whiskey is a great spot for a casual night out. You definitely have to try their very popular B-Street Blues bourbon and they are canning cocktails during COVID19 like the Mint Condition whiskey smash.
Mashcraft - Mashcraft is a great spot for local beer, and I especially like going in the fall time when they have their incredible Oktoberfest on draught! It was also a really fun place to play UNO or Jenga pre-COVID, I love hanging out with my friends here.

Things to Do

Monon Trail on Pacer Bikes - The Monon is a rails-to-trails gem that travels from the Old Northside all the way up to Carmel. No matter if you’re walking or biking, the Monon is a great way to see a lot of the city while getting some much needed fresh air. I love renting a Pacer Bikeshare bike and hitting the trail.
Harrison Center - The Harrison Center is an institution displaying works from local artists and touches on cultural and social issues in our community. They focus on raising awareness of these issues through art and sparking conversations around them.
Talbot Street Art Fair - Unfortunately due to COVID the Talbot Street Art Fair is cancelled, but check it out in 2021 to see local and national artists exhibit their work and maybe even take some home for yourself. It is one of the oldest art fairs in the country and always takes place between 16th and 20th St along Talbot St.
IndyGo Red Line - the Red Line is a recent city development from IndyGo that provides a rapid transit electric bus line going from Broad Ripple to Fountain Square. Hop on at one of the many stops in the Old Northside and get to work, go out to eat, or just explore the city from its seats.
Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site - Benjamin Harrison’s home in the Old Northside is a Victorian beauty, and you can reserve a spot to tour the rooms and learn more about one of the only presidents that came from Indiana.