Root & Bone - Indianapolis
Trendy Southern eatery with an industrial vibe, serving farm-fresh mains and sides. Chef-owners are Top Chef alumni.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Root & Bone - Indianapolis
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Trendy Southern eatery with an industrial vibe, serving farm-fresh mains and sides. Chef-owners are Top Chef alumni.
"Outstanding Southern fare with a focus on incredible fried chicken and heavenly biscuits."
Must-Try Biscuits
The biscuits are heavenly and a must-get appetizer, served with a delicious honey chicken jus.
Brunch Highlight
Shrimp and grits are a fantastic brunch option, featuring great flavor and texture.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Southern
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Award-Winning Fried Chicken
Juicy, perfectly brined fried chicken that's a standout dish, often served with waffles and a spicy honey drizzle.
Heavenly Biscuits
Pillowy soft biscuits served with honey chicken jus, sea salt, and toasted benne seeds are a must-try.
Unique Southern Appetizers
Don't miss the pickled deviled eggs with pimento cheese, a flavorful and unique start to your meal.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Must-Try Biscuits
The biscuits are heavenly and a must-get appetizer, served with a delicious honey chicken jus.
Brunch Highlight
Shrimp and grits are a fantastic brunch option, featuring great flavor and texture.
Parking Challenges
The small parking lot can be tricky during peak times like Sunday brunch. Plan accordingly.
Service Excellence
Attentive and friendly staff, with some servers like Jessica and Imani receiving specific praise.
Tips
from all over the internet
Must-Try Biscuits
The biscuits are heavenly and a must-get appetizer, served with a delicious honey chicken jus.
Brunch Highlight
Shrimp and grits are a fantastic brunch option, featuring great flavor and texture.
Parking Challenges
The small parking lot can be tricky during peak times like Sunday brunch. Plan accordingly.
Service Excellence
Attentive and friendly staff, with some servers like Jessica and Imani receiving specific praise.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Root & Bone in Indianapolis is praised for its authentic Southern fare, particularly its exceptional fried chicken and melt-in-your-mouth biscuits. Diners rave about the flavorful appetizers like pickled deviled eggs and the cozy, industrial-chic ambiance. While service is generally excellent, a rare instance of undercooked salmon was noted, and parking can be challenging during busy brunch hours.
"Had such a lovely brunch here with my cousin. The food was wonderful and I can not say enough about their biscuits! So soft but thick, but they melt in your mouth. These biscuits are perfection. I had to keep some home with me. The breakfast I had was amazing. The bacon was perfectly crisp, grits were well made and seasoned. The mimosas were just right. I told my other family members about this place, and I will definitely be back from breakfast again!"
Lauren B
"Root and Bone is a delightful dining experience that truly stands out in the neighborhood. While the small parking lot behind the building can be a bit of a challenge, the ambiance inside makes it well worth the effort. The warm and inviting decor creates a cozy atmosphere, perfect for a casual meal or a special occasion.
The food is simply outstanding! I had the pickled deviled eggs, and they were unique and bursting with flavor—definitely a must-try. The highlight of the meal was the fried chicken, which was cooked to perfection. It struck the right balance, not overly crispy but incredibly juicy, making each bite a pleasure.
Additionally, the service was fantastic. The staff was attentive and friendly, ensuring we had everything we needed without being intrusive. Overall, Root and Bone offers a wonderful combination of great food, excellent service, and a charming atmosphere that makes it a place I can't wait to return to!"
Molly S
"Our server, Jessica was excellent. Helped us make some great selections. Biscuits were heavenly. Must get. The red shrimp with grits was delicious. Also, the schnitzel with brown butter spaetzel was perfectly balanced and just the perfect bite. Food with bursts of unique flavor. Key lime pie dessert was spot on. Don’t sleep on this place. Worth trying."
Jay Swidler
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The fried chicken and biscuits are consistently highlighted as must-try items. Pickled deviled eggs are also a popular starter.
Yes, brunch is a highlight with popular dishes like shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, and a fantastic take on biscuits and gravy.
Yes, Root & Bone has a wonderful gluten-free menu available.
The restaurant has a trendy, industrial vibe with a cozy and inviting atmosphere, making it suitable for casual meals or special occasions.
Parking can be challenging, especially during peak times like Sunday brunch, due to a small lot. Planning ahead is recommended.
While not explicitly stated, given its popularity, especially for brunch, making reservations is advisable.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
Winner, Winner! Fried Chicken Dinners!
THIS POPULAR SoBro eatery whose ownership hails from Florida and Australia shows proper respect for the hallowed place fried chicken holds within the greater diaspora of Southern cuisine. Chef-owners and former Top Chef contestants Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth tweaked their recipe at the original Root & Bone spot in New York City before bringing their wares to Indy in 2020. With quality top of mind, the team sampled birds from six different purveyors before finally settling on Miller’s Amish Chicken for its tenderness and flavor.
8+ Delicious Places to Eat on the Northside of Indianapolis
At the southern-most end of our list is one of the absolute highlights of our time in Meridian Kessler, Root & Bone. I haven't traditionally been a comfort food girl, so the lure of sweet tea and fried chicken (for which Root & Bone is known) wasn't really calling my name. Thankfully I took the plunge and I've been in love with Root & Bone ever since.
Where to eat - Indianapolis
This is a beautiful area to drive around in, especially Meridian, Pennsylvania, Guilford, and Winthrop, South of the canal and North of 45th. Gorgeous old homes in an area that is mostly residential with pockets of commercial, where you will find restaurant gems. An eclectic blend of Tudor, colonial, cape cod and craftsman houses.
101 Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Indianapolis
Root and Bone serves up Southern-inspired cuisine in a family-friendly environment, with dishes that appeal to all ages, ensuring a satisfying dining experience. You won’t find a kids menu here but the shareable entrees and small plates are a favorite for local foodie kids. (Gluten Free/Friendly choices available)
Need to Grab Carry-Out? Here Are Indy’s Top Spots
When you want a restaurant-style meal without having to wait for a table, Root & Bone could be the perfect solution. They specialize in traditional American fare, like braised short ribs and honey chicken with root vegetables – with a distinctly upscale twist, like fried chicken brined in sweet tea before frying.
5 Great Spots for Delivery and Takeout in Indianapolis, IN
For the ultimate in farm to table cuisine, grab delivery or take-out from Root and Bone. They use locally sourced ingredients and seasonal produce to produce the authentic flavors of the American Midwest and South. For starters, we love the drunken deviled eggs which use local eggs and pickled beets.
Best Brunch in Indianapolis
Root & Bone brings rustic charm and seriously comforting food to this cozy corner of the city. It’s one of my go-tos for dinner, but their brunch is just as memorable. Everything I’ve tried here has been fantastic for dinner so I decided to spend one Easter brunch here, and it did not disappoint.
Best spots for chicken and waffles
College Ave., Indianapolis, 317-602-8672, rootandboneindy.com. Served with a honey hot sauce and a bourbon maple syrup are three pieces of sweet-tea- brined bone-in fried chicken on top of a large, crispy waffle. It’s only available during Saturday and Sunday brunch.
Places to Brunch in Indianapolis and Around the City
This southern-style restaurant opened in January 2020 and has taken the community by storm. A very cool story, Root & Bone was originally opened by two Top Chef contestants in New York City in 2013. Their fan favorites are the fried chicken or deviled eggs.
Best Restaurants in Indianapolis | Top 37 in 2025
If you’re looking to take a trip down South without leaving the city, Root & Bone has got you covered. This is one of the best restaurants in Indianapolis for fresh farm-to-table Southern fare, served in a cozy exposed-brick setting.
27 Best Restaurants in Indianapolis in
4601 N College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46205Phone: 317-602-8672 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Root & Bone Indy (@rootnboneindy)
Highest-rated Fine Dining Restaurants in Indianapolis by Diners
- Rating: 4.4/5 (678 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 4601 North College Ave. Indianapolis, Indiana - Categories: American- Read more on Yelp
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit