Great service. Very clean. The Day of the Dead Menu was good. The sugar skull sugar cookie was very good. Tables and floor all clean. Could have used some ambient music playing. read more

The Eiteljorg Museum Cafe - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Lovely museum with some fabulous exhibits. Friendly and helpful staff. Menu looked good in the cafe but we didn't order any food. Facility was spotless and they had a nice gift shop. Parking was validated by museum, otherwise $10. Highly recommend this art museum if you are a lover of Indians and southwestern art. read more

The Eiteljorg Museum Cafe - Wonderful Indian and southwestern art! - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I continue to be impressed with the cafes located inside Indianapolis-area museums. I had the "Quesadilla of the Day", and it was shockingly delicious. Most people probably don't expect much at an embedded cafe inside a museum, but trust me, this quesadilla was superior. The ambiance is terrific as well, with a great view of the canal just outside the museum. It was too cold to sit outside on the day of our visit, but I'm sure that outside view would have been splendid. The service was great. We were greeted with a smile, and we received our food at our table very promptly. I realize this cafe is more of a convenience for museum patrons and not a restaurant destination by itself, but I honestly think you could transplant this cafe into a standalone location, and it would do very well. read more

The Eiteljorg Museum Cafe - Chicken and Cheese Quesadilla - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

The Cafe at the Eiteljorg is a real treat when down at the museum or canal. The patio overlooking the canal and downtown is a beautiful and relaxing spot to eat and discuss the latest exhibits at the museum. The menu is simple with a couple salads, soup or sandwiches and kids menu too. They offer daily featured quesadilla and soup. In addition you can get a craft beer or glass of wine. The staff is 5 star friendly and efficient. Food comes out about 10 minutes after ordering. For lunch, my husband had a bowl of the Buffalo chili which he said was excellent and came with a corn muffin. I had the chicken Caesar which was good and filling. Our granddaughter had the chicken tender with fruit salad which she ate it all. The tenders are real chicken breast tenders in a flavorful breading. The fruit was seasonal fresh mix fruit. Prices are good with additional 10% off for museum members. read more

A true hidden gem right in the heart of downtown Indianapolis! First off, I had no idea the cafe is FREE admission meaning you don't have to pay for the museum (though it is totally worth it!) in order to go to the cafe. I didn't know what to expect when I went for the first time and now this place in one of my favorites! The patio looks over the canal and is a wonderful place to unwind outside while you wait for and enjoy your meal. The museum's water feature below adds to the peaceful ambiance. There is also air-conditioned seating if it gets too hot. The service is quick and the food is delicious. The Southwest Chicken and any of the quesadillas are my favorite but you really can't have a bad thing here. I love how the food options connect to exhibits around the museum. It is an extra touch that helps it stand out from other dining options around the city. This really is a place you have to try! read more

Great food options for a museum cafe! The Mole Rojo Tofu wrap is a delicious healthy option to the usual burgers and fries. Great spot to dine al fresco along the canal during warm weather. Lots of beverage choices too. read more

We were impressed by this cafe! I liked that they had food items that were themed around the museum, and not just your standard options. For example, I ordered a buffalo meat chili and it was delicious. My mom had a quesadilla that looked great too. Their staff were actively helping clear the tables, greeting guests, and moving people through the line. Good job, y'all! read more

The food selection was great here. Everything tasted so fresh. Quick service! We ate outside on the patio and it was a relaxing environment. read more

The Eiteljorg Museum Cafe - Chicken Sandwich - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

We visited The Eiteljorg 4th of July weekend and stopped in the cafe for lunch. They have a great selection of hot and cold items as well as snacks and drinks. The prices are also not too inflated for a museum restaurant. Also all plates, silverware, cups and straws were reusable or biodegradable which was nice to see. read more

See all

I'm usually the kind of person who packs a lunch, but one day the yogurt and random assortment of granola bars just wasn't going to cut it. So, I went out for a walk over lunch and ventured along the canal toward the Eiteljorg. Great life choice all around! I walked through the gate/entrance and up the stairs to the museum entrance closest to the cafe, enjoying the multiple sculptures, changing leaves (autumn in the midwest is my fave!), and flowers/plants along the way. I forgot how beautiful the grounds of this museum are! I stopped at the cafe entrance to peruse the menu which was on display and noted how many yummy options there were! Since I'd already eaten what I had packed I opted for a cup of soup. I was greeted at the counter by a friendly and welcoming server and I ordered a cup of bison chili - the soup of the day. I also asked for a cup for water and was directed to the self serve beverage area. I found a table in the back room near the window overlooking some trees and noticed how peaceful it was in the cafeteria during the lunch hour. It was about 3/4 full, but you wouldn't know it. What a nice vibe! Within about 2 minutes my soup was delivered to my table and was served alongside a homemade cornbread muffin with specks of jalapenos. The soup was delicious, and the muffin was as well. Its a rare treat to enjoy lunch made with quality ingredients and served in such a serene setting on REAL dinnerware for less than $5. I'll be back for lunch again soon. :) read more

I've never had a bad meal here. This is hands down my favorite place to eat in this area of downtown.

The turkey club sandwich is legit. Completely worth the $10 it costs (the price includes a bag of chips). The California BLTA sandwich (bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado) was very good because of the excellent bacon. It was super crispy, like bacon in a sandwich should be. The avocado was kind of strange and sweet, as though they added something to it to preserve its color and texture (those wily avocados can turn on you within minutes). But other than the avocado, the sandwich was terrific. The menu is pretty large here, considering it's a cafe inside of a museum. That can be either a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you look at it. It's good because you have a lot of items to choose from, but it's bad because I think their large menu adds to their super slow service. (We had to wait about 15 minutes. For sandwiches, that's kind of absurd.) Speaking of their menu, keep in mind that they have an abbreviated menu between the hours of 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 2:30 to 5 p.m. on Sunday through Friday. They only sell snacks during those times (cookies, brownies, chips, beverages, etc.) I tried one of their cookies -- the oatmeal walnut cookie -- and it was just OK. It had sultanas in it, which aren't my favorite. They have a pretty decent tea selection -- lots of interesting flavors and blends. I got the lavender Earl Grey, which was amazing. read more

The Eiteljorg Museum Cafe - The entrance to the cafe at the Eiteljorg Museum. - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Food? So good. Was expecting normal, bleak museum food but was very surprisingly delicious. The staff was very nice and helpful! Patient with our ordering, kind when bringing the food out, and someone was always bussing tables and such. Cafe was cute and roomy. Highly recommend eating here. read more

This is a hidden gem! We go here usually every Saturday to get their walnut chicken salad sandwich on croissant. It is amazing!!!!!!!!

Yesterday was my second time dining at the Eiteljorg's recently updated cafe operated by Kahn's Catering. It seems that in the past few years museum cafes have been responding to the growing demand to offer interesting food that goes beyond your standard mushy wrap and iceburg salad. The Eiteljorg Cafe has done a great job of integrating the Native American vibe in their extensive (yet, not too extensive to grasp) menu. For example, you'll find fried avocado wedges, salads with ingredients ranging from beets and nuts to goat cheese and grilled corn. Any given day you'll find at least three soup options like chorizon and turkey chili or roasted red pepper soup. Price point: $8-12/meal. The interior of the cafe itself is nothing to write home about, but if the weather is right you have one of the best patios/views of Downtown off the backside of the museum along the canal. read more

Pro: Amazing patio views of the canal Con: Expensive, mediocre food. I usually enjoy salads from the Eiteljorg... meaning the food tastes alright and I'd be happy if it cost 30% less. But on my visit today (first one in awhile), I had to wait over 20 minutes after my coworker received his food. I eventually went and asked about my order, which was sitting behind the counter without a warmer. The sandwich was fine, but I'd upgraded ($2) for a side of mixed greens instead of chips. The greens were wilted and inedible. No one checked on the food or apologized for the wait. I can't say I'll be back for a $15 lunch. read more

I would love to meet the chef here. I can see and taste the love he/she puts into every dish. I've never been disappointed and always impressed by this museum cafe. Everything is made from scratch, is absolutely amazing in flavor, the menu is inspired and presentation mouthwatering. I also love the ease of service here. It's not complicated in any way and I enjoy the peaceful outside patio especially in downtown Indy!! If you've never been I definitely recommend this hidden gem. Many are unaware of this place and you do not have to pay a museum admission to eat in the restaurant/cafe. I work across the street, but sure wish I could grab my laptop and work right here from this relaxing setting. read more

See all

Absolutely fabulous food here. Not only is it fun to come here and see the Jingle Rails display but also to eat lunch at the cafe. We've been to other museums like the Field Museum in Chicago and they had crappy chain options. So nice to see a real restaurant serving real food in a museum. And you can even take a vegan with you! In fact, the museum cafe is something I look forward to anytime anyone says they want to go to a museum. The staff is friendly and helpful too. You start out by ordering as the cashier. The menu is on the wall (and you can see it online before coming). Then you sit down with your number and they carry it out. The tables are nice big hardwood tables so nothing feels flimsy. Food portions are big. We are never able to finish everything we get. So just get one order of fries if there are two of you. read more

I went to the Eiteljorg Cafe for lunch with colleagues. It is very close to my office so I frequent the location. There is easy entrance access from the canal. They have a large which is great if your with a group. I decided to order the Smoked Chicken and Pineapple Salad. The salad was just okay. I expected hot chicken and it was cold. I actually enjoyed the cornbread muffin more than the salad. Additionally the customer service was lacking. The cashier wasn't really friendly. In the bright side, you do have the option to eat inside or outside with views of downtown or the canal. Overall it wouldn't be my first choice to eat again but it conveniently located to the IUPUI campus. read more

See all

Met my sister and brother here for lunch while working in Indy for the day. Great location and we all walked from our offices (IU, Salesforce, and Simon) as an in between. Sat on the patio for a nice day. This is a simple museum cafe with better food than the museum cafes I remember growing up. Meal for three was $39th and we all had plenty of food. Soups and salads came with a yummy corn bread muffin. I had the walnut cherry salad with cinnamon chicken. It was hives and fresh and delicious with real cherries and awesome toppings. Since I am not in Indy often I won't be back soon, too much to explore and although yummy it wasn't note worthy. A nice lunch stop for a busy day. read more

I am pleasantly surprised with the food of the Eiteljorg Museum Cafe after last year's change. I should admit that my standard for museum food is incredibly low. I expect fried nonsense that has been contracted out to a megacorporation, overpriced and underthought. But the Eiteljorg takes its southwest focus to heart, and extends that focus to its cafe in an appetizing way. Daily quesadillas, solid tacos, southwest salads, and new world nibbles form the backbone of this menu, which already invites visitors to find some of these ingredients in the art found in the exhibitions. Under Kahn's, the quality is much improved from the food of yesteryear, with better ingredient sourcing and more thoughtful choices around presentation. The drink selection is good, though I'd love to see a more assertively southwest spicing on some of the beverages. I'd also love to see a menu that attempts to exclusively use ingredients native to the western hemisphere, and be up front about why, as a way of inviting a conversation about where we really think our food comes from. The new standard I will be holding against the Eiteljorg is the cafeteria of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., which hires native chefs and features regional foods from many different first nations. The more the Eiteljorg intentionally incorporates education and cultural literacy into its cafeteria, the more of a destination it will be. read more

I haven't had my food yet, though I will say that the service from the cashier put a sour taste in my mouth from the start. Ordering a sandwich and asking for an extra pickle would result in a charge, even though I removed an item from my sandwich. I would think that saving them money by removing my cilantro mayonnaise would more than make up for an extra pickle, though the cashier felt the need to make me feel like I was an inconvenience by asking for it. My food arrived as ordered, no extra pickle, and it was passable. A simple BLT with Avocado. Nothing really to mess up, and it's a little upsetting that after the treatment by the associate I didn't actually get what she specified. read more

So this place is technically the Sky City Cafe, but since people may find it under this name I'll post the same review: You would never know this place existed unless someone told you about it. As Derrick T. puts it "a little gem tucked away in the back of the Eiteljorg Museum." The food is solid but not amazing but decently priced given the size and the fact that it's at a museum. I went with the quesadilla of the day which had ham, bacon, corn, cheese and I think ranch? It was quite good and I would recommend it. I also went for the brownie since it's half price when you order a meal, so for $2 it was a great addition to my meal. $15 total for a nice lunch while sitting on a patio enjoying the view... this is a great casual spot for lunch. However, I imagine it could easily get crowded on the weekend. read more

A little bit tucked away, but a great place for lunch on a summer day. The Eiteljorg Cafe is at the back of the museum building in White River State Park, but you don't need to pay admission to eat there. In bad weather, it's a quiet room with a healthy menu of appetizers, salads, soups and sandwiches. On weekdays, not a busy place, fine for a good conversation. My lunch was a fresh, filling Chicken Avocado Caesar Salad with fresh-brewed iced tea. Typical lunch with tea or soft drink about $12-$14. In good weather, you can sit on the terrace above the canal and enjoy a break from the downtown traffic noise just a couple of blocks away. On summer Wednesdays, you can listen to live music at lunchtime from the museum's Sails program along the canal. That's what we did. And it was great. read more

Fast food in 45 minutes, serve it cold and "burnt" or at least over cooked and you have our Lunch. Good luck eating there. I hope it is better when you eat there. read more

The Eiteljorg Museum Cafe - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I was pleasantly surprised with my lunch as the Eiteljorg. We were planning a conference at the J.W. Marriott and an off-site reception at the museum. As part of our planning we decided to see what the museum offered for lunch. They have a great "tex-mex-western" menu. The items were very reasonably priced and great portions. They have soups, salads, sandwhiches, burritos, quesadillas, and homemade sweets. Stop in for a quick bite on your lunch break and opt for a half salad, soup, or sandwich and you won't be disappointed! read more

Food was actually a pleasant surprise. They serve real restaurant quality food here compared to fast food in other museums we have been to. Kids menu comes with healthy and fresh side. My buffalo burger was cooked right. Hubby's fajita had good taste and presentation. When it gets warmer and we are back for boat and bicycle rides, we will come again to sit on the patio. read more

We went here for the first time yesterday and I have to say for a museum cafe it is pretty upscale. (The prices reflect that too). Kids meals are around $6.00 and adult meals will run you $9.50. The focus is on healthy but the food really is good. And you will leave there full. read more

Delicious, inventive and traditional lunch fare. Mind you, I'm giving this 5 stars as a museum café. We had a really good lunch as we toured this wonderful museum. read more