The hottest new restaurants in Indianapolis this spring

New restaurants are popping up like a bunch of blooming daffodils this spring in Indianapolis. Find new places in Carmel, Noblesville  and Zionsville, too.

These are the ones worth your time.

Sugarfire Smoke House

The Downtown neighborhood Mile Square is full of chain restaurants. When one more opens, locals usually just sigh, but many were excited when this Missouri-based company opened April 16 at 24 W. Washington St., across from Circle Centre. Founders push true barbecue smoked brisket, baby back ribs, pulled pork, house bacon and salmon. There’s even a smoked chocolate chip cookie. For vegetarians, there’s a double-decker smoked portobello mushroom sandwich.

Why you should visit a hotel restaurant:Indy's are getting better

Best brunch spots:Liz Biro's top 10 picks

Duke's

Dustin Boyer was sitting in Ice House the day before news broke in fall 2017 that the 2352 S. West St. place was for sale and would close in a few weeks if no one bought it. “I had a vision for the bar in my head for 12 years,” Boyer said. “It just has the perfect road house feel.” Boyer bought the place and turned it into a fried-chicken honky-tonk tribute to the traditional country his late grandfather, Hayes “Duke” Boyer, loved. Fried chicken is served after 5 p.m. The famous Ice House breaded tenderloin is back, too.

Mimi Blue Meatballs

Access meatballs two ways at The Fashion Mall location, 8702 Keystone Crossing, that opened April 3. Order via a window at the mall food court or pop inside through the restaurant’s dedicated entrance outside. In addition to menu favorites like classic beef meatballs and Buffalo turkey meatballs, find a new vegan meatball and other meatless options. This is Mimi Blue’s third location in Indianapolis. The original is on Mass Ave. Another is in Carmel.

Next Door

Opening May 1, Kimbal Musk’s second Indy restaurant, 4573 N. College Ave., is about affordable “honest food” served quickly in a casual setting. Pop in for snacks like crispy salt and pepper chicken bites. One of the creative bowls offers honey sriracha crispy shrimp with brown rice, charred broccolini, pickled daikon radish and cilantro-seasoned carrot slaw. Soups, burgers and sandwiches round out the menu. 

Hedge Row

Musk’s first Indy project nurtures farmers and diners in a bright, upscale-casual dining room that opened April 3 at 350 Massachusetts Ave. Local ingredients, lots of vegetables and sensible portions to hoard or share are prepared by top Indy chef Brad Gates. Sandouts include yellowfin tuna ceviche brightened with tart, diced Granny Smith apples and coconut-lime vinaigrette; wood-roasted carrots, sweet and just crunchy, with dill gremolata and ricotta cheese; and crispy skin salmon in bacon broth.

Review:Liz Biro tries Hedge Row

Conner’s Kitchen + Bar

Tucked inside Downtown Indianapolis Marriott, 350 W. Maryland St., this is not some dull hotel restaurant. High-ceilings, mid-century modern furnishings and art deco pendant lamps decorate the space. The gin-fresh Blackberry Bees Knees,  shaken with local honey and a splash of sparkling wine, is a semi-sweet accompaniment to hush puppies full of blue crab meat. Dip addictive cheesy monkey bread in tangy tomato soup. An almost delicate slivered kale salad includes pistachios, avocado and sugar snap peas, all tossed in green goddess dressing. Opened April 11, the restaurant serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.

World of Beer

This chain place, opening April 23 at 409 Massachusetts Ave., is more than its 300-plus beers, local and from around the world. Brunch brings beer batter pancakes and waffles with bourbon maple syrup. For lunch and dinner, there are beer-brined chicken tacos, brown ale beer cheese and pretzels and IPA-glazed salmon.

Black Eye

General American Donut Co. owners bring radical ramen and banh mi to Fountain Square May 1. The take-out only place, at 1006 Virgina Ave., next door to Peppy Grill, will serve cheese ramen, zoodles (zucchini) vegan ramen and a Swedish meatball banh mi. Don’t miss the sweet salty ground pork that you may add to ramen bowls. It’s pretty much Asian sloppy joe.

What you need to know about Black Eye:Cheese ramen, vegan ramen and ‘Asian sloppy joe’

Fat Dan’s, Carmel

What used to be Crust pizzeria, 840 W. Main St., is undergoing remodeling to become the Indianapolis deli famous for its Chicago Italian beef sandwich, smoked brisket and wings and over-the-top burgers like the Wake ’n’ Bake with smashed Tater Tots, a fried egg and smoked bacon and ham. Owner Dan Jarman said he hopes to open by the end of April.

Convivo

Homemade pasta landed in Zionsville Jan. 23 when this Italian restaurant opened at 40 S. Main St. Go for the traditional tagliatelle in Bolognese or sample the more challenging beet-infused tagliatelle tossed with figs prosciutto, goat cheese, caramelized onions, butter and red wine. Pizza and calzones are served, as well. This is Covivio’s second location. The first launched in late 2016 in Carmel.

Where Convivio began:The Italians behind the fresh past restaurant

Ukiyo

Consider chef Neal Brown’s latest effort three Japanese food experiences in one. Delectable ramen, various styles, is served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Sushi and Japanese small plates featuring local ingredients are 5 to 10 p.m. options in the restaurant’s three dining rooms. Chicken thigh yakitori and uni toast with trout roe, chervil and lava salt are recent selections. Make reservations at the bar for the breathtaking, multi-course sushi menu billed “omakase,” which changes regularly. The 4907 College Ave. spot opened Jan. 10.

Nook

Almond flour replaces wheat in wood-fired pizzas and Indian spices, including turmeric, season shrimp and cauliflower “grits” on a menu divided into Paleo, Whole 30 and Keto diet dishes, although “diet” is a misnomer. Nook’s high-protein, carb-free food is filling and flavorful. How could anyone feel denied by guacamole and bacon chips? Nook opened Feb. 16 at Downtown Indy’s former Mo’s steakhouse, 15 E. Maryland St.

Bru Burger Bar

Noblesville got its Bru on April 2 when the popular Indianapolis-based chain opened at 350 Westfield Road. Bru’s original Mass Ave location in Indianapolis is a hot spot thanks to its patio and extreme burgers like the honey chipotle barbecue stack with bacon, caramelized onions, white cheddar, onion rings, pulled pork and black pepper mayo. An article at Esquire magazine’s website billed it Indiana’s most over-the-top burger. Fire pits and lounge seating furnish the Noblesville patio.

Burgerhaus

This Indiana-based chain is growing quickly. The fourth location just opened in March at 89 First Avenue SW in Carmel. Father-and-son Jon and Evan Costas from Valparaiso give the American hamburger international flair. The Cozumel sports pineapple, guacamole and jalapenos. The Tuscan wears mozzarella, tomatoes, fresh basil and garlic mayonnaise.

Blue Sushi Sake Grill

Kick back with your crew under origami birds in flight. Godzilla is part of a Japanese pop culture mural. The 3 to 6:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday happy hour features nearly 50 food specials ($3-$10) from the sushi bar. Food and cocktail specials happen again noon to 9 p.m. Sundays. Hearty plates include beef tenderloin served on sizzling rocks and chicken teriyaki on a clay plate with wild mushrooms, crispy Brussels sprouts, asparagus and rice. Blue Sushi Sake Grill opened Feb. 5 at Ironworks Hotel, 2721 E. 86th St., at Keystone Avenue.