Broad Ripple

Broad Ripple has distinct areas. Stretching north of downtown Indianapolis, Broad Ripple is a walkable neighborhood with corner bistros and local businesses, as well as a strip of trendy shops and restaurants, as well as a place to hang out, see live Jazz, and catch live music at The Vogue. Broad Ripple Village is where most of the action is, from live music to restaurants and nightlife, and is the focus of the entries here. South Broad Ripple, or SoBro, has its own entry on this blog, and offers a number of distinct neighborhood crossroads.

Broad Ripple Village is not really walkable from the Convention Center, but it’s a short bus ride or drive from Downtown Indy.  Parking near Brugge (and throughout the neighborhood) can be nutty, and spots are limited.  But the restaurant has plenty of seating, especially when the patio is open.

The Vogue      6259 N College Ave     317-259-7029
Broad Ripple itself is quite a nice neighborhood with boutiques, restaurants, clubs, and the Monon trail, a former railway turned walking and biking trail. Broad Ripple is also home to the Vogue, a venue that attracts internationally-renowned indie bands.  We’ve seen Johnny Marr, the Old 97s, They Might Be Giants, and the Joy Formidable here.  Ticket prices tend to be reasonable, and the Vogue has a good amount of space while retaining an intimate feel.  Expect to pay high prices for drinks, but craft beer is available.  The Vogue has recently been purchased by House of Blues, and we’re waiting anxiously to see what changes will take place as a result.

Brugge Brasserie     1011 E. Westfield Blvd.     317-255-0978
Brugge, located in hip Broad Ripple Village, is a Belgian-style pub offering several house-made beers and Belgian delicacies such as crepes, stews, and mussels with frites.  We’ve heard mixed reviews about the crepes, although the duck confit seems to be a popular choice, and it can be hit or miss with the Waterzoi (a creamy, seafood chowder) or the Flemish beef stew.  But the mussels and frites are quite good and come in a variety of flavors.  Tammy tends to prefer the classic preparations with herbs and white wine, while Michael will venture into some of the cheesier, spicier options.  The amply-portioned mussels are served in traditional steaming pots with a side of French bread and crispy frites with your choice of sauce.  We like the roasted garlic aioli and the dijon with poplar syrup.  Yes, poplar is a tree, and poplar syrup is made from sap, is lighter than maple syrup, and is incredibly delicious with the spicy kick from the Dijon.

Indy CD &Vinyl     806 Broad Ripple Ave     317-259-1012
Indy CD is a great place to shop for new and used music, and local bands will sometimes have special shows in the store.  It’s a shame that CCCC doesn’t coincide with Record Store Day.

Rene's Bakery     6524 Cornell Ave     317-251-2253
Rene’s Bakery is a hidden gem in Broad Ripple.  It’s a French bakery tucked away in a small house on the residential edge of the neighborhood, and we can’t get enough of their croissants—chocolate, almond, and ham and cheese.  The coconut macaroons are tremendous and pleasingly chewy, and the raisin wheels are buttery, crisp, and full of honey-sweet raisins.

Hubbard & Cravens     6229 Carrollton Ave     317-803-4155
If you’d like a good cup of coffee or tea, you can head to Starbucks or better yet, try Hubbard and Cravens.  They roast their own beans, and the coffee is rich and smooth.  The Broad Ripple location offers clover-pressed coffee guaranteed to provide a surprising amount of energy to even long-time caffeine addicts.  


Broad Ripple Brew Pub     840 E 65th Street     317-253-2739
Broad Ripple Brew Pub is inconsistent.  One day the food will be amazing, and another time, only ok.  But, they have a large menu with many vegetarian and vegan selections, and they open late on weekends.  Their brews are ... ok, and there’s enough variety to please different palates.  It remains a popular, family-friendly pub. It is one of the few places with a liverwurst and onion sandwich on the menu. And it is always good.

Broadripple offers its own official neighborhood guide.

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