Akropolis
If you have a hankering for some Greek and other Mediterranean delights, then you must add Akropolis to your dining list for Lafayette. Run by a family who pours their heart and soul into every dish, this restaurant offers many tantalizing choices. The egg lemon rice soup, also known as avgolemono, is a huge fan favorite. Other high-quality Greek delicacies you’ll find on the menu include the pastitsio, a Greek-style lasagna; the papoutsaka, or zucchini stuffed with meat sauce, covered with béchamel sauce and served with rice, green beans, and pita; and the gyros dinner, with thinly sliced beef and lamb atop onions, rice pilaf and gyros sauce. Be sure to leave room for some baklava – you’ll be happy you did. Visit Akropolis for lunch or dinner Monday to Saturday.
Akropolis, 3311 South St, Lafayette, IN, USA, +1 765 447 0001
Bistro 501
Located downtown in the historic Lahr building, Bistro 501 is a lovely bistro that exudes charm. The interior is just lovely with plenty of light and decorated in sunny yellow and country blue. It’s a great spot to sample delicious fare with a French flair. Focusing on seasonal ingredients, the culinary crew whips up tantalizing options. Pommes frites served with garlic aioli are perfect as a starter. The vegetable Napoleon with eggplant, spinach, artichokes, olives, herbed cheese, asparagus, tomato-caper salsa, and balsamic vinegar reduction is a veggie lover’s delight. The pepper-crusted New York strip steak with pommes frites and brandy-shallot sauce is delectable. Bistro 501 also serves house-made desserts and features a full bar. You can visit for lunch weekdays and dinner nightly except for Monday.
Bistro 501, 501 Main St, Lafayette, IN, USA, +1 765 423 4501
The Black Sparrow
Open seven days a week, The Black Sparrow is a laid-back pub located in the heart of downtown, nestled inside an historic building. An eclectic, stylish space greets guests looking for a guaranteed fun night out with their friends, complete with great drinks and tasty eats. The menu has a combination of mainstay items plus specials, with something to suit a variety of tastes. Delicious plates you might find on the menu include the short ribs with horseradish mashed potatoes and herb gremolata; the pizza topped with figs, caramelized onions, blue cheese and mozzarella; and fish and chips. They also have a rotating selection of wines and beer.
The Black Sparrow, 223 Main St, Lafayette, IN, USA, +1 765 429 0405
Heirloom Restaurant
Offering guests a true taste of the Midwest, Heirloom prides itself on procuring the freshest seasonal ingredients from local farmers. Supporting these farmers, the team at Heirloom is guaranteed to receive the best products in the area, providing their diners with some of the tastiest dishes around. If you’re curious where your meal came from, just ask. The New American menu, which changes often, is brimming with flavorful options from meat to fish to veggie options. Current highlights include the comforting chicken pot pie with a buttery crust and the harvest vegetable galette with a butter crust, seasonal veggies and gooey cheese. You can visit the welcoming farm-to-table establishment for dinner Wednesday to Saturday, brunch on Sunday and seasonal lunches.
Heirloom Restaurant, 102 N 3rd St, Lafayette, IN, USA, +1 765 807 0422
La Scala
Chef-owned and operated, La Scala is a family affair with Chef Francisco Serrano, his wife Kirsten, and daughter Lillian all part of the friendly Italian restaurant. Founded in 2000, when the husband-and-wife team sold everything that they could in order to buy a struggling little place, La Scala has became a true favorite that specializes in farm-to-fork cuisine. Procuring seasonal ingredients from local purveyors, the chef and his team create options like the artichoke stuffed with goat cheese, the baked ravioli Bolognese, the gnocchi del mare with shrimp and crab all in a creamy parmesan sauce and the vegetable risotto. La Scala serves lunch weekdays and dinner Monday to Saturday.
La Scala, 312 Main St, Lafayette, IN, USA, +1 765 420 8171
Mountain Jack’s Steakhouse
Mountain Jack’s Steakhouse has been a Lafayette favorite for more than 30 years, welcoming visitors time and time again. A warm, inviting ambiance – complete with three fireplaces – combined with the outstanding service provide a restaurant that is perfect for a casual night out with friends and family, or for a special celebration. The menu features a variety of hand-cut steaks, along with pork, lamb, chicken, seafood, and fish for those wanting something besides beef. If you choose a steak, complement the flavor with a special topping (for an extra charge) like the whiskey peppercorn sauce and two sides of your choosing, such as garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed green beans. Open every day, Mountain Jack’s also features a full bar.
Mountain Jack’s Steakhouse, 4211 IN-26, Lafayette, IN, USA, +1 765 448 1521
O’Bryan’s Nine Irish Brothers
For a good time at an award-winning Irish pub, then O’Bryan’s Nine Irish Brothers should be on your list of places to visit in Lafayette. Winning awards like the ‘2016 Best Irish Pub’ within the state by Yelp and Buzzfeed, you know this family-owned operation is a great choice for a fun night out. Within a vibrant atmosphere, complete with traditional Irish pub decor, you can sample an array of authentic Irish pub grub, Guinness (of course) and listen to the lively tunes of live musicians. The menu features favorites such as corned beef and cabbage, fish and chips, and the Guinness stew, to name but a few. Nine Irish Brothers is open daily for lunch and dinner.
O’Bryan’s Nine Irish Brothers, 3520 St. Rd. 38 E, Lafayette, IN, USA, +1 765 447 0999
Parkside Seafood House
Tucked inside a 1896 Parkside delicatessen building, Parkside Seafood House is the latest incarnation of a long line of venues located in this building. There has been everything from a deli and grocery, to a place that possibly sold alcohol (albeit secretly) during prohibition, to a restaurant serving steaks and catfish. Today, it is a fine-dining gem with a casual feel specializing in, as the name suggests, seafood and fish plus something to offer for the meat lover. Changing their menu to highlight the freshest items, the restaurants has offered past recipes such as diver scallops with mushroom cream, whipped potatoes, and asparagus; the lobster roll with chips and vinegar slaw; and the sweet and sour shrimp with stir-fried vegetables and jasmine rice. Visit Parkside for dinner Tuesday to Saturday.
Parkside Seafood House, 1902 Scott St, Lafayette, IN, USA, +1 765 464 6531
Restauration
The brainchild of the folks behind La Scala, Restauration places on an emphasis on seasonal, whole ingredients for its made-from-scratch cuisine. Sourcing their ingredients from local purveyors, including their own farm, this restaurant really does offer up a local taste rich in flavor and good for you to boot. They also offer recipes suitable for those with special diets. As can be expected with any restaurant offering seasonal fare, Restauration changes their menu frequently. However, they may offer tasty options such as the chicken salad sandwich featuring an incredible combination of chicken, grapes, apple, spiced pecans, dried cranberries, celery, Greek yogurt, and honey mustard; the sweet potato, black bean, and quinoa bowl brimming with deliciousness; and chorizo mac ‘n’ cheese. A family-friendly place, they also offer a kid’s menu with smaller portions of the adult recipes. They are open daily except for Sunday.
Restauration, 731 Main St, Lafayette, IN, USA, +1 765 250 3970
South Street Smokehouse
South Street Smokehouse is a rustic joint serving up mouthwatering BBQ that people constantly rave about. Open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, this BBQ joint serves an array of melt-in-your-mouth meaty goodness, such as the Carolina brisket sandwich, rib tips, pulled pork sandwich, and ribs, of course. The side dishes available are equally impressive with options such as mac ‘n’ cheese, onion rings, fried pickles, coleslaw and potato salad, to name a few. Be sure to bring your ravenous appetite, as the portions are generous.
South Street Smokehouse, 3305 S St, Lafayette, IN, USA, +1 765 446 0559