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Best places to eat in Carmel, IN

top view of restaurant dining area with people

As one of Livability.com’s best places to live, Carmel is known for its award-winning schools, safe communities, and strong job market. But one perk home buyers shouldn’t overlook is the city’s top-notch culinary scene.

Indeed, one of the best things about living in this affluent Indiana city is the many fascinating flavors it offers. When you come to visit, be sure to book a table at these lauded restaurants:

Eggshell Bistro
51 West City Center Drive

Conveniently located at Carmel City Center, Eggshell Bistro serves elevated comfort food, making it the perfect brunch spot. The cuisine is driven by Chef Larry Hanes’ “twistorical” approach, in which world-famous dishes are given a creative spin to make them brand new again. This is readily apparent in signature dishes like Moulard Rouge, Pined Salsify Verde, and Truffled Egg Brioche. For elevating brunch to an artform, Eggshell Bistro has earned plaudits from publications like Indianapolis Monthly Magazine and Livingly Magazine.

Café Patachou
14390 Clay Terrace Boulevard

Chef Martha Hoover couldn’t help but wonder why so few restaurants served farm-fresh food in Indiana, a Corn Belt state. This simple but fateful question would impel her to establish Café Patachou in 1989, the restaurant that kick-started farm-to-table dining in the state. The theme of freshness is evident throughout the menu, as exemplified by offerings like savory vegetable pancakes, tomato artichoke soup, and assorted breakfast bowls. Three decades later, Café Patachou is still reaping praise, earning Hoover an Outstanding Restaurateur nomination from the James Beard Awards in 2019.

Bub’s
220 2nd Street Southwest

As regulars of Bub’s will tell you, ugly never looked so good. They are, of course, referring to the popular burger joint’s signature offering: the Big Ugly. Weighing one pound, this hefty hamburger’s star ingredient is the 100% ground chuck patty that’s flame-grilled and seasoned to perfection. And if you can finish this mammoth, you’ll get your picture on the wall. For those with smaller appetites, the restaurant also offers smaller burgers ranging from one-eighth to half a pound. It also serves elk variants of all burgers, a gourmet treat that’s lower in fat and cholesterol than beef.

Kona Grill
14395 Clay Terrace Boulevard

Kona Grill is a place where you can savor the best of Western and Eastern cuisine. Fans of American comfort food will surely enjoy classics like sliders, clam chowder, cheeseburgers, and ribeye steaks. If you’re big on Asian cuisine, this restaurant also serves best-sellers such as poke bowls, pad thai, sushi rolls, and sashimi. With such a wide selection of food available, this popular restaurant truly offers something for everyone.

The vibrant culinary scene is just one of the many reasons to fall in love with Carmel. If you’d like to move here, work with a trusted Carmel, IN real estate broker like the Albrecht Team.

Whether you’re looking for cozy condos or spacious single-family homes for sale in Carmel, IN, our team can help you find the ideal property. Contact us at 317.580.9955 or send an email to keith(at)keithshomes(dotted)com to learn more about available listings.