Top 10 Restaurants In Anderson, Indiana

Offering guests a journey into the rich flavors of the Mediterranean in the heart of Indiana, The Nile is one of Anderson’s most popular. Owners Angele and Samir Naby have created an authentically Mediterranean oasis serving a mix of Egyptian, Lebanese and Greek fare with small bites and appetizers such as baba ghanoush, falafel and spanakopita alongside heartier entrees including shish kabobs, Egyptian meat pie and gyro plates. Belly dancers provide additional entertainment on Friday evenings and guests can even sample The Nile’s hookah pipes available in flavors like jasmine, pomegranate and honey.

Something of a local landmark, Good’s Candy Shopis owned by a family whose history of candy and chocolate-making dates back as far as the 1940s. Today, run by fourth and fifth generation members of the family, Randy Good and his son Jason, Good’s Candy Shop is the perfect place to indulge a sweet tooth comprising of a shop, café and on-site chocolate-making facility that guests can take tours of. Try one of Good’s famous homemade ice creams available in flavors like cherry cheesecake, cookie dough and coconut almond fudge and be sure to pick up some of its legendary candies to take home, chocolate bourbon cherries, white chocolate toffee and peanut butter fudge are just a few popular examples. Strawberries and cream cheesecake pie | Courtesy The Cabbage Rose Eatery & Gift Shop

Originally opened in the small neighboring town of Pendleton in 1997 by owners Gary and Beth Yeary, The Cabbage Rose Eatery & Gift Shop relocated to Anderson in 2012, bringing with it the small town charm of its former location. Famous for its homemade soups and irresistible sweet treats, The Cabbage Rose Eatery has a rustic-chic café space where dishes like its popular dill chicken sandwich and chicken velvet soup are eaten while its gift shop sells handmade items like clothing, ornaments and other knick-knacks. Fresh desserts made daily often include options like red velvet cupcakes, butterscotch pie and chocolate devils.

Widely regarded as serving the best pizzas in all of Anderson, Tommy J’s Pizza is a locally owned and operated Italian café serving delicious pizza and calzone alongside a whole host of other much-loved dishes. The restaurant resides in a hip, little shack-like building with a lively, casual vibe and guests are able to craft their perfect pizza with a huge range of toppings that include sausage, sun-dried tomatoes and banana peppers. Other classic options include portobello mushrooms and spinach topped with melted mozzarella cheese, spaghetti and meatballs with house-made marinara sauce and six cheese ravioli.

Located in the lovely, leafy suburbs of north Anderson, Grace Place is a charming neighborhood café perfect for grabbing a quick bite to eat or a cup of coffee. The popular local restaurant serves its own specially roasted coffees alongside tasty pastries from Concannon’s Bakery in neighboring Muncie. Its healthy, berry-pecan salad packed with dried cranberries, cherries and blueberries with chopped pecans, blue cheese crumbles, sunflower seeds, garlic croutons and mixed spring greens or its fresh chicken salad croissant are must-try dishes.

Serving local diners since it first opened its doors back in 1954 and often hailed as serving some of the best ice cream in all of Madison County, Frazier’s Dairy Maid is a charming 1950s-style ice cream shop bringing a touch of nostalgic dining to Anderson. Ice cream comes in flavors like its popular blue moon cone and the seasonal pumpkin option while sundaes include choices like caramel apple or honey crunch. A number of milkshakes and malts are also served alongside a range of savory eats such as sandwiches, hot dogs and BBQ pork wings.

Based at Hoosier Park, one of central Indiana’s premier horse racing tracks and casinos, Homestretch Steakhouse is a classic American steakhouse providing its guests with delicious, hand-trimmed and charbroiled steaks and exceptional views over Hoosier’s racetrack. In its spacious, airy terrace-style dining room, guests are invited to taste tempting steaks and chops like the 28 ounce dry-aged tomahawk long-bone rib eye or the porterhouse pork chop with merlot sauce and spiced apple, and a number of stunning seafood dishes like the miso-rubbed, pan-seared Chilean sea bass with shiitake mushrooms, scallions and ponzu are offered alongside handcrafted cocktails and individual wines.

A lively bar perfect for an evening of fun, ice cold beers and casual eats with friends, Jimbo’s Pub & Club is a centrally located Anderson neighborhood pub just a few steps from the city’s Denny Field park and a popular destination for watching sports games. Draft beers like Honey Brown and Newcastle Brown Ale are served alongside pitchers and domestic bottles and eats include the likes of tacos and quesadillas, chicken wings, pizza and sandwiches. Live music acts and DJs provide extra entertainment alongside screened sports and a free pool table.

Located a short drive from Anderson in the small riverside hamlet of Perkinsville, Bonge’s Tavern is a legendary local restaurant residing in a former hardware store built in the 1840s, converted into a bar and restaurant by namesake Charles ‘Chuck’ Bonge in 1934. Today run by owner and chef Tony Huestler, Bonge’s Tavern has become a destination restaurant known for its charmingly casual roadhouse-style space and their no-nonsense, delicious America food. Bonge’s Tavern’s seasonal menus are updated frequently though guests can expect fare along the lines of its signature dish, Perkinsville pork, tender pork coated in breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese and pan-fried, or the Applewood-smoked prime rib.