Indiana Convention Center – Dining

Indianapolis is in the top 25 most visited cities in the United States, and with one of the largest venues, the Indiana Convention Center, the city fosters a food scene that can accommodate the millions of guests that visit annually.

Luckily, over the years, the city’s culinary offerings have improved and expanded as much as the convention center has. In fact, Condé Nast Traveler magazine actually stated that Indianapolis is the “most underrated food city in the U.S.,” so it is definitely worth exploring the food the city offers. If you’re visiting the Indiana Convention Center, try some of the vendors inside the venue and in the surrounding downtown area.

Indiana Convention Center

Outside food is not allowed in the Indiana Convention Center, but there are three food courts in the convention center for those who are attending events. The first of the food courts, The Landing on Maryland Food Court, can be found centrally outside exhibit halls A through D. Restaurants in this food court are the Espresso Caffé, Indiana Grille, Pizza, and American Delicatessen. Guests can find these same vendors at the Capitol Food Court at the Georgia Street entrance. The last food court is adjacent to exhibit halls D and E, which includes the Crossroads Bistro, Espresso Caffé, and Pizza Express.

Throughout the Indiana Convention Center, you’ll find other various vendors, such as the Hoosier Corridor Refreshment Stand. At all of these various vendors, you will find gourmet stacked sandwiches, snacks, beverages, local specialties, such as jumbo tenderloin and Indiana barbecue pulled pork sandwiches, as well as salads, burgers, and hot dogs.

Bee Coffee Roasters

Just steps away from the Indiana Convention Center is Bee Coffee Roasters. They are dedicated to learning all there is to know about coffee and how to brew every bean to perfection.

At Bee Coffee Roasters, they believe espresso is an art form and the brewing method has merit, which is why Mental Floss lists them in the top 50 coffee shops in the United States. With its close proximity to the convention center, don’t pass up a chance to try their amazing small batch brew.

Napolese

Craving some artisanal pizza? Then just take a seven-minute walk from the Indiana Convention Center over to Napolese. This restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients to craft artfully delectable pizzas in their brick oven. They work with close to 20 local farms, including Smoking Goose, Growing Places Indy, Cue Farms at Butler University, and Big City Farms.

There are 17 available pizzas, such as Margherita, Broken Yolk, BLT, and Hamaker’s Corner, but they also allow guests to create a “freestyled” pizza.

Educated Sandwich

Educated Sandwich is a great option for a delicious sandwich at a fair price if you’re in the mood for a quick cheap bite. It’s only a six-minute walk from the Indiana Convention Center.

In addition to lunch sandwiches, such as BLTs, veggie wraps, Reubens, and turkey bacon wraps, Educated Sandwich also offers breakfast sandwiches and bagels and soups.

Bangkok Restaurant & Jazz Bar

For a wonderful dinner and live weekend shows, head over to Bangkok Restaurant & Jazz Bar, which is a 15-minute walk from the Indiana Convention Center.

The restaurant is a bit more casual during lunch. They set up a buffet for an all-you-can-eat style experience. The dinner menu has a lot to offer, from noodle dishes to fried rice and various curries. Desserts include typical Asian cuisines like sticky rice with custard or fruit with fried bananas.

Rook

Highly rated, Rook is on the outskirts of Downtown Indianapolis and is an 18-minute walk or a five-minute drive from the Indiana Convention Center. Street food inspires the dishes here, serving up contemporary Asian cuisine with a twist. The dishes have a Filipino twist, making them truly unique.

Here you will be able to choose from sandwiches like pork belly and fried avocado and plates like bok choy and Asian pot pie. Whether it is for lunch or dinner, stop in and watch the chefs create colorful and creative dishes.