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Tag: indiana

  • Best Places for Solo Dates in Central Indiana

    Best Places for Solo Dates in Central Indiana

    Searching for things to do alone in Indianapolis? Well, put away the box of chocolates you got on clearance at CVS (or just save it for later) because you are going out, my friend! Here are some of the best places to take yourself on a solo date in Central Indiana.

    I have personally dined at or visited these Indiana establishments alone, and I am a self-proclaimed introvert who used to break out in hives at the idea of going to a restaurant by herself. So, I promise it’s only awkward if you make it that way. These are places in Indiana that are welcoming, comfortable, and relaxed, so you can sit in peace with a good book or just with your own company. Because if you’re here, reading this, I know you are cool and you should want to hang out with yourself!

    The key to going on a solo date is knowing that everyone else is so wrapped up in their own world and insecurities that they don’t really pay attention to you. It sounds harsh, but I promise that thought will break down the Spotlight Effect we all wrestle with and give you so much mental freedom. In fact, if you are worried about looking lame or lonely to onlookers, I’m here to personally tell you that the opposite is true. The reason I started getting out of my own way and going to places alone was because I once saw a girl reading a book at the bar of a restaurant I was at and thought, “Wow, she is so cool and confident. I want to do that one day.” Alas, here we are! Just a couple cool, confident Indiana baddies who want to enjoy their own company.

    Hint: Click the locations below for video guides to each place!

    Relax + Unwind at Something Splendid

    📍 217 Mill St, Westfield, Indiana 46074

    This Westfield, Indiana hidden gem is a wine bar and gift shop all in one! I brought my Kindle, sat in their heated patio, and had myself a wonderful evening! They have some yummy food options as well, so you can grab a snack and possibly catch some live music while you’re here.

    Make it a You-Day in Zionsville, IN

    Order an Extra Sushi Roll at Noah Grant’s 📍 91 S Main St, Zionsville, Indiana 46077

    Relax on the patio or bar area at this Zionsville seafood spot with a yummy cocktail, sushi roll, oysters (if that’s your thing), and more! They have an amazing happy hour menu, so if you have the whole day to yourself, as you should, Queen, visit from 4-5pm between Tuesday-Friday for $10 drinks, sushi rolls, and oyster specials!

    Get some Retail Therapy at these Zionsville Shops 📍 N Main St, Zionsville, IN 46077

    My Shopping Recommendations in Zionsville (though I obviously encourage you to explore the whole Main Street!) Southern Fancy, Vintage Charm, Zionsville Olive Oil, Black Dog Books, FiveThirty Home

    Buy Yourself Flowers at Blooms by Dragonfly 📍 176 S Main St, Zionsville, IN 46077

    Grab a vase before you leave the house, and Blooms by Dragonfly will fill it with fresh cut blooms that are sure to impress your date (yourself, obvi). They also have the cutest gifts for brides, babies, and more inside their shop!

    Stay a While at a Local Coffee Shop

    Tried, true, and solo date approved! These coffee shops in Indy have all the right vibes to get some work done, enjoy a good book, or just soak in the adorable decor while enjoying a seasonal latte. There’s plenty of seating, so you can pull up a chair, enjoy your own company, and grab a pastry (you deserve it!).

    Milk & Honey Coffeehouse 📍 8505 Southeastern Ave, Indianapolis, Indiana 46239

    Bovaconti 📍 2 W Main St, Carmel, Indiana 46032 (P.S. they also have a Fountain Square location!)

    Parlor Public House 📍 600 E Ohio St Suite B, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202

    Need other ideas for coffee shops in Indianapolis? Click here for a blog post on every local coffee shop I tried in 2025.

    Treat Yourself to a Little Self-Care Day on Indy’s Northside

    PUR Nail Spa 📍 350 Monon Blvd SUITE 14, Carmel, Indiana 46032 (P.S. They also have a Keystone location!)

    If you’re looking for manicures, pedicures, and head spas in Indianapolis, let me introduce you to PUR Nail Spa. I also love that they give a welcome beverage while getting your treatment done. A little luxury never hurt anybody 😉

    Le Nid Esthetics 📍 10992 Allisonville Office Dr, Fishers, Indiana 46038

    Your skin called. It said it wants a facial with the best esthetician in Central Indiana. Wendy at Le Nid Esthetics is in Fishers, IN. If you’re looking to experience a little slice of heaven during your solo date day, then I cannot recommend Le Nid enough!

    Create a Scent that’s all Yours at The Aroma Labs

    📍 850 Massachusetts Ave Suite 120, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

    Scents are sooooo personal. That’s why taking your time creating a candle, hand soap, or room spray at The Aroma Labs in the Bottleworks District would make the perfect solo date activity in Indianapolis. I created a signature perfume while I was here and I still wear it every day!

    Take an Adult Dance Class at Dance Fam

    📍 468 Gradle Dr Suite 110, Carmel, Indiana 46032

    Now, this one might seem intimidating, but it was seriously the most empowering thing I did for myself in 2025. I took Dance Fam’s Heels class where we brought our own pair of high heels and learned a burlesque-style dance to a Sabrina Carpenter song. I had a blast! Plus, I believe everyone in my class showed up alone, so it does make for a wonderful solo date night out in Carmel, IN. If heels aren’t your thing, they also have hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, and more!

    Eat + Learn with a Charcuterie Tour at Smoking Goose

    📍 407 Dorman St, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202

    This Indianapolis tour + tasting is a MUST-TRY! I linked the video I did for this in the title above, but I’m going to go ahead and put the link for tickets HERE too. Tickets are only $20 and include the tour, a charcuterie tasting, AND a package of meat to take home! They do this tour every Saturday (yes, including Valentine’s Day). I did this tour by myself a while back, and had such a great time!

    I hope you enjoy this list of things to do alone in Central Indiana! If you are considering a solo date in Indianapolis this season, I would love to hear about it! Leave me a comment letting me know which Indy date you tried.

    For those of us who have significant others and are looking for date night spots in Indy and Central Indiana, click here for my Indiana Valentine’s Day round-up.

    And for my gal pals looking for things to do with your friends for Galentine’s Day or an Indianapolis Girls Trip, click here.

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  • Best Burgers in Indianapolis + Central Indiana

    Best Burgers in Indianapolis + Central Indiana

    When a burger craving hits, it HITS. Trust me, I get it. And, this year, I satisfied that craving at several of our Central Indiana burger establishments. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic American smash patty or a creative concept like my personal favorite, a peanut butter burger (shh, don’t fight me on this one), Indianapolis is home to some amazing burger restaurants you have to add to your list to try this year!

    Here are just a few burgers I’ve tried recently in Indy and the surrounding areas:

    Prefer a video visual? Click here for a round up of the Indiana burgers I have tried recently.

    Roots Burger Bar

    Technically, I am already cheating with this first one because I visited the Muncie, Indiana location of Roots Burger Bar while visiting my little brother at college (Ball up! Er… Chirp down? You know what I mean). Thankfully, my Indy friends are still in luck because they also have a Carmel, Indiana location which is why it is included on this Central Indiana burger round up.

    I tried the PB & J Burger which comes with bacon, peanut butter, jalapeño, cheddar cheese, and grape jam. Do you guys remember Scotty’s Brewhouse in downtown Indy? Well, I’ve been on the hunt for a peanut butter burger that rivals theirs ever since they closed down, and I am happy to report my search is over! This one HITS!!!

    Last thing about Roots: I really appreciate that they have different pricing based on the amount of patties you choose to put on your burger. For example, The PB & J was $13.99 for a single, $16.49 for double, and $18.99 for a triple.

    Future Sondra here, and I LIED! There’s one more thing: They give you popcorn for the table upon being seated so naturally, I’m obsessed.

    317 Burger

    Ok, you knew this was coming. What’s an Indianapolis burger round up without our beloved 317 Burger? 317 Burger is known for their old school atmosphere and creative burger concepts, like the Strawberry Hill, which I ordered on this visit. The Strawberry Hill came with spicy strawberry compote, peanut butter, bacon, and habanero-ghost pepper cheese. I, once again, opted for the peanut butter style burger, but can you blame me?

    I also learned a lot of fun history and Easter eggs from our server, like the fact that all the clocks on the wall are set to 3:17, and that the owls found all over the restaurant move occasionally and patrons try to find them all.

    One thing I will warn you about, Dear Reader, is that because this is in Broad Ripple, you have to pay for parking. Womp, womp. But still worth the visit. Especially if you are exploring some of the other fun shops/restaurants in Broad Ripple!

    The Courthouse Club

    Are you sick of me talking about The Courthouse Club in Noblesville yet? I truly can’t help it, so bear with me a little longer. While this isn’t a “burger restaurant” (in fact, there’s only one burger on the entire menu), I wanted to include it since it’s one of the best I’ve had in recent memory. My husband got “The Burger” (yes, that is exactly what it’s called on the menu), and gave me a little taste before literally devouring it whole.

    The Burger comes with truffle spread, tempura mushroom, and white cheddar. It does come with a slightly higher price tag at $24, but have no fear! This one actually comes with fries you don’t have to order and pay for separately (I’m looking at you, Every Burger Restaurant In Indianapolis).

    Curious what else is on the menu at The Courthouse Club? Check out our video review here.

    Kick Starrt

    One of the most unique burgers I’ve had recently, or perhaps ever, was at Cafe Kick Starrt in Carmel, IN. I got to try basically their entire menu when I visited, but the main standouts were the two burgers I got to try. SPOILER ALERT! If you are on the hunt for a breakfast burger, or just a place you can get a burger AND coffee any time of day, this is your spot!

    They had a classic smash burger that was insanely good, but I also loved their Spicy Beef Burger with Omelette which features a juicy halal beef patty topped with a fluffy omelette, fresh crisp salad, and ketchup. Pictured above.

    BONUS: This Indiana cafe is HMS Zabiha Halal.

    Curious what else is on the menu at Kick Starrt? Click here for my full video review.

    Wayback Burgers

    I know this is a chain, but it was too juicy not to include! Wayback Burgers in Fishers, Indiana had by far the juiciest cheeseburger I tried all year. Plus, I am a sucker for sides and they truly had it all. I’m talking cheese curds, fried pickles, onion rings, and of course fries (including those of the chili cheese variety).

    Want to see the full video of our visit to Wayback Burgers? Click here.

    BRU Burger Bar

    I know I’m so basic for saying this, but this is absolutely my go-to burger in Indy. To know me is to know my love for BRU Burger. I literally just get the regular “Burger Snack” (which I remember being $5 back in the good ol’ days, but now we are at $10). I believe you can now get almost all of the burgers in a “snack” size which is honestly plenty because—and listen to me carefully—you have to get the nachos as an appetizer.

    I know this is a burger round up, so I’ll shut up after this, but my favorite meal of all time is the BRU Burger BBQ Chicken Nachos. In college, my best friend and I would get the nachos and the BRU Fries about twice a month. We actually still do this to this day BTW! Shout out to the Lexington, KY location for real.

    Pro Tip: The best fries are at the Plainfield location. IYKYK.

    Indy Burgers on my 2026 List

    Now, I know what you’re thinking: Sondra, why the HECK have you not tried my favorite burger place ABC, XYZ, FITB?!? And to that I say, drop a comment here and tell me who has your favorite burger spot in Indy, Central Indiana, or beyond. I am looking for new places to try in 2026 and would love your suggestions!

    I have absolutely had my fair share of burgers in Indianapolis, but I know I am missing some. A few on my list for this year are:

    The Workingman’s Friend – Unofficially coined as Indy’s Best Burger. It is cash only and 21+!

    Kuma’s Corner – Fountain Square area. I have also heard they have amazing salads.

    Bub’s Burgers & Ice Cream – I have been to this one, but it has been a WHILE. I think I’m due for a revisit.

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