A Foodie's Guide To Evansville, Indiana

With its succulent steaks and award winning salad bar, Cork and Cleaver has maintained its popularity in Evansville for over 30 years. Open for lunch and dinner throughout the week (although just dinner on weekends), visitors can pop in to sample traditional Southwestern cuisine in a welcoming and inviting environment. For those not in the mood for the house steak, there are plenty of other delicious mains, including Alaskan king crab, pecan crusted chicken and teriyaki filet kebab. The Cork and Cleaver offers an early bird menu between 4:00-5:30pm daily, enabling diners to enjoy great dishes such as blackened tilapia, pork chop or Atlantic salmon at a reduced cost. Leave room for dessert; the red velvet cheesecake is exquisite.

The perfect setting for a romantic meal, the Red Geranium restaurant within the New Harmony Inn Resort oozes charm and character. Guests can choose between three distinctive dining rooms to suit the mood and occasion of their meal; the green room is the most casual of the rooms with bench seating and a cosy feel; the main dining room gets its romantic feel from its character and antique-style decor and the Tillich room (after philosopher Paul Tillich) affords diners panoramic views over the lake and a roaring fire. After their meal diners are welcome to retire to the grapevine bar for a nightcap of single malt scotch or top-end bourbon. Red Geranium is open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch; booking is advised.

Officially the oldest restaurant in Indiana, The Log Inn was built in 1825 as a Noon Day Stage Coach stop and Trading Post. The place is swathed in history: Abraham Lincoln was among the first to dine here in the 19th century. Today, The Log Inn is open for business daily except Sunday and Monday. Families can choose to have a homestyle meal served to their table on platters. Each person gets to choose half a chicken, ham or roast beef and plenty of mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, slaw and hot rolls will be placed on the table as accompaniments. For those after a less elaborate affair there is a varied a la carte menu featuring everything from cheeseburgers, to catfish fillets, as well as a seafood platter.

The menu at the Acropolis restaurant seems never-ending, with delicious authentic Greek and American dishes making it almost impossible to choose just one main course. To help out, Acropolis offers diners the chance to create their own buffet-style menu so that they can sample more than one entrée each time they visit the restaurant. Choose the house speciality buffet option and choose two appetizers, between two and five entrees, two sides and baklava to share with friends. For those who would prefer to have their own dishes, choose the dolmades stuffed grapevine leaves, mushrooms stuffed with feta cheese or saganakito start and follow with either the gyrosplatter, kebab or filet of flounder for main course.

Gerst Haus

Serving authentic German dishes in a relaxed, beer hall-type setting, Gerst Haus attracts those with a hungry belly and a love of good beer. Diners can pick between the 26 draught beers available, choose a bottle of imported beer, or order a giant frozen fishbowl of Gerst amber beer if they’re really serious about drinking. For a truly German dinner experience, start with the Gerst oyster rolls appetizer before tucking into the combination dinner. Consisting of a choice of three of the following dishes: bratwurst, kasseler rippchen, knackwurst, kielbase, beef stroganoff, schnitzel, goulash and sauerbraten, plus a choice of two sides and freshly baked rye bread, this is a meal only to be attempted by the considerably hungry.

Gerst Haus, 2100 W Franklin Street, Evansville, Indiana, USA, +1 812 424 1420

Located within one of the oldest buildings in the area, Jungle Restaurant features three bars; a dining room and a full coffee bar to tempt customers in at all times of the day. Relax on the sofas with a coffee or a craft beer, have a game of pool or experience a bit of fine dining in the full service restaurant. Open for lunch and dinner, diners can choose to create their own gourmet pizza, or awaken their senses with one of the chef’s special tasting menus. The chef is said to shop for his meat himself each day, which would explain why the steaks are so good, and the dessert menu is full of firm favourites to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Jimmy Jeng’s Szechwan

After turning up in Evansville some years ago with just $40 in his pocket but a whole heap of determination, Jimmy Jeng set up his now hugely popular restaurant Jimmy Jeng’s Szechwan. Open for lunch and dinner daily, the delicious dishes have got the crowds coming in their masses. Order a mix of appetizers to start, including spring rolls, spicy calamari and Szechwan dumplings and then tuck into Cantonese chow fun, egg foo-young and Szechwan style beef for a filling and delicious main course.

Jimmy Jeng’s Szechwan, 669 N Green River Road, Evansville, Indiana, USA, +1 812 479 7600

Although not the most appealing of restaurants on the eyes, the House of Como is a must-stop for lovers of home-style Lebanese cooking. The year round Christmas decorations and community centre dining room feel of House of Como add to the simplicity of this restaurant. Family run, the menu consists of a mix of Middle Eastern, Italian and American dishes but it is the Lebanese dishes that are at the heart of this place. Choose the shish kebab, eggplant casserole and lamb chops, and go with the right attitude to enjoy a beautiful meal.

A typically American restaurant hidden away in the middle of cornfields, Hornville Tavern is an unassuming, casual favourite with locals and visitors to the area alike. Open every day except Sundays, Hornville can get extremely busy so it’s always a good idea to book ahead to avoid disappointment or a long wait. Portions are big, and prices are cheap making it the perfect choice for a casual meal with the family, or a budget evening out with friends. Starters include the usual breaded onion rings, chicken strips and chilli cheese puffs and mains include double cheeseburger, BLT and catfish fillet.

For something a little fancy head to Madeleine’s Restaurant. Calling its dishes, ‘works of art’, this elegant haunt serves diners with top quality food and service. Boasting a show kitchen, wine cellar and pastry kitchen as well as a classic dining room, Madeleine’s can cater for events and special occasions as well as ordinary romantic dates and family meals. Starters on offer include blackened sea scallops, lobster and avocado cocktail, and a cheese plate. All of the main courses are more than worthy of a mention but some particular favourites are the charmoula-rubbed chicken, camp oven pork belly and beef wellington. Whichever dish diners go for, no meal is complete without a bottle of fine wine or a speciality cocktail from the extensive drinks menu.