26 Essential Restaurants in Southern Indiana You Should’ve Tried by Now

The Exchange Pub + Kitchen

118 W. Main St., New Albany, Indiana
The Exchange is one of the restaurants that kicked off the foodie revolution in downtown New Albany back in 2011. The gastropub’s digs are a historic, restored building. Its menu is seasonal, chef-driven and good.
Photo via Google Maps

Pints & Union

114 E. Market St., New Albany, Indiana
Southern Indiana feels a world away for some Louisvillians, but you’ll feel like you’re really in a different country when you enter Pints & Union, an English-style pub in downtown New Albany. The menu is inspired by the different cultures you’ll see infused in British cuisine, with tikka masala as prominent a feature as fish and chips.
Photo by Robin Garr

Aladdin’s Mediterranean & Middle Eastern Cuisine

37 Bank St., New Albany, Indiana
Mike Sajaja and his family acquainted New Albanians with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine when they first opened Aladdin's in 2013, delighting with shawarma, kibbeh, labneh and more.
Photo by Robin Garr

La Lupita Mexican Restaurant

827 Eastern Blvd., Clarksville, Indiana
There are several Mexican restaurants along Eastern Boulevard in Clarksville, but La Lupita is special: This strip mall taqueria praised for its authenticity serves food from Mexico’s culinarily famous Oaxaca region.
Photo by Robin Garr

Williams Bakery

1051 N. Clark Blvd., Clarksville, Indiana
See why Southern Indiana has been loving Williams Bakery for over 110 years. Stop by the long (long, long)-time staple for a grab-and-go donut or to order a specialty cake.
Photo via facebook.com/WilliamsBakery

Orange Clover

590 Missouri Ave., Jeffersonville, Indiana
Orange Clover, started by Rachel Smallwood, is known for its catering business, but it’s also a hidden gem of a cafe in Jeffersonville, Indiana, serving the best lunch on the sunny side of the river.
Photo via facebook.com/OrangeCloverKitchen

Amoré Fine Italian Ristorante

730 Highlander Point Drive, Floyds Knobs, Indiana
You’ll fall in love with Amoré’s Italian dishes, cooked up by Alberto “Al” Papsodero, who has owned several Southern Indiana restaurants but none so long lasting and beloved as this one.
Photo via facebook.com/AmoreFineItalianCuisine

Israels Delicias De Mexico Gourmet

604 E. Spring St., New Albany, Indiana
Experienced Mexican chef Israel Landin settled on a winner with his gourmet New Albany restaurant, where he creates Mayan-inspired dishes with quality ingredients.
Photo via facebook.com/Israels-Delicias-De-Mexico-gourmet

The Red Yeti

256 Spring St., Jeffersonville, Indiana
As the downtowns of Jeffersonville and New Albany have flourished, there are some restaurants that have been key to that resurgence. The Red Yeti is one of them, serving up Southern comfort food with locally-grown ingredients and a solid tap list. Don’t forget to take a picture with the Yeti.
Photo via facebook.com/RedYetiJeff

New Albanian Brewing Co. - Pizzeria & Public House

3312 Plaza Drive, New Albany, Indiana
The New Albanian was at the forefront of the craft brewery scene in the Louisville area. Brewing since 2002, they’re still making their own beer, as well as carrying a long-list of others. In its dimly lit dining room, you’ll also find some of the best Detroit-esque style pizza in the area.
Photo via LEO archives

Geraldine’s Kitchen

402 Wall St., Jeffersonville, Indiana
Geraldine’s Kitchen is a classic, neighborhood restaurant serving breakfast and lunch. It may feel like it’s been around for years — even though it only opened in 2018 — because it took over from the longtime Wall Street Café. Geraldine’s Kitchen has done the Jeffersonville mainstay proud, with dishes and decor inspired by owner Bob Hoyland’s mother.
Photo via facebook.com/GeraldinesKitchenJeff

Taylor’s Cajun Meat Co.

3306 Plaza Drive, New Albany, Indiana
Get a taste of Louisiana Cajun cooking in New Albany from southern native Ellis Taylor. This is a premium butcher shop, but, on the weekdays, you can also stop in for specialty lunch specials for, which change each day and are deliciously priced at $9.99 or less.
Photo via Taylor’s Cajun Meat Co./Yelp

Lady Tron’s

147 E. Market St., New Albany, Indiana
Lady Tron’s is a snug, 1950s-style diner transported into the space age, with funky decorations and a menu featuring delectable sandwiches and soups.
Photo via facebook.com/ladytrons

Common Haus Hall

134 Spring St., Jeffersonville, Indiana
One of the newer restaurants on the list, Common Haus Hall serves Bavarian-style German food in an Old World-inspired atmosphere. You’ll find schnitzel sandwiches, German potato salad, leberkäse (fried bologna sandwiches) and Berliners (jelly doughnuts) on the menu. It’s all from the team behind Pints & Union in New Albany, so you know it’s good.
Photo by Carolyn Brown

Rice Bowl Korean Restaurant

3114 Grant Line Road, New Albany, Indiana
Despite the name, the Rice Bowl serves both Korean and Japanese food. Which is good to know, because their ramen is equally as good as their bibimbap. Choosing what to get is a battle each time.
Photo via facebook.com/RiceBowlKoreanNewAlbanyIn

Pearl Street Taphouse

407 Pearl St., Jeffersonville, Indiana
Located in a cozy converted home just down the street from the Big Four pedestrian bridge is Pearl Street Taphouse, where you’ll find plenty of craft beers and a menu that changes often with the seasons. One thing that stays constant, though, are their four overloaded, Powder Keg Burgers.
Photo via facebook.com/pearlstreettaphouse

Harley’s Hardwoodz BBQ

1611 Charlestown New Albany Road, Jeffersonville, Indiana
Google describes Harley’s Hardwoodz BBQ as no-nonsense, and that’s accurate. About the fanciest thing you’ll find on their menu is the Big-N-Tasty (BBQ pork, chili, cheese and two bags of Fritos.) The rest is exactly what you’d want at a barbecue spot: smoked meats, sandwiches with smoked meats, and classic sides, like potato salad and mac ’n cheese.
Photo via facebook.com/Harleys-Hardwoodz-BBQ

Chicago City Pizza

757 E. Market St., Clarksville Indiana
Many have attempted to do Chicago-style pizza outside of Chi-town, only some have gotten it right. Chicago City Pizza is one of those places. You can find this hidden gem tucked away in Clarksville’s Green Tree Mall.
Photo via facebook.com/chicagocitypizza.org

Union Restaurant & GameYard

115 W. Chestnut St., Jeffersonville, Indiana
At Union Restaurant & GameYard, fun trumps all. The restaurant — located only a few hundred feet in front of you once you step off of the Big Four pedestrian bridge — features a large patio with futpool, giant “beer pong,” basketball bowling, ping pong and cornhole. To complete your (semi)regression back into childhood, the bar serves cocktails in “party pouches,” which are basically adult Capri Suns.
Photo via facebook.com/uniongameyard

Mai’s Thai

1411 E. 10 St., Jeffersonville, Indiana
Most Louisvillians swear by Simply Thai, but there’s an equally great Thai restaurant across the river in Jeffersonville, started by Mai Kungkran (now Meyers), who learned traditional “home style” Thai cooking from her father while living in a suburb of Bangkok. You’ll eat your pad thai and curry surrounded by scenes of Thailand, making you feel far away from the H&R Block next door.
Photo via facebook.com/Mais-Thai-Restaurant