South Bend is a vibrant Midwestern metropolis with a cosmopolitan vibe, historic structure, pure magnificence, and culinary excellence.

Situated on the winding St. Joseph River, town is greatest often known as the house of Notre Dame College, the mighty Preventing Irish athletic groups, and a world-famous golden dome crowning its primary administration constructing.

Indiana’s 4th largest metropolis, South Bend can be notable for 4 Winds Subject, the Class Excessive-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs main league baseball workforce, and Potawatomi Zoo, the place 4 new giraffes are studying to like the limelight.

South Bend’s sister metropolis Mishawaka has its personal distinctive charms. The brand new Mishawaka Riverwalk is a 3.5-mile paved path that loops by means of parkland and gardens on each side.

Collectively, South Bend and Mishawaka are identified amongst locals as “The Bend.”

Throughout a current media go to sponsored partially by Go to Indiana, I discovered eating decisions to be in depth and principally domestically owned. The Bend beckons with white tablecloth eating, effective worldwide fare, farm-fresh fixings, and oh-so-divine chocolate. I share with you my favourite culinary experiences, in no explicit order.

Getting There

South Bend and Mikawasha are situated in north-central Indiana, bordering the Michigan state line. The Bend is about 100 miles east of Chicago and 150 miles north of Indianapolis. The Interstate 80/90 toll highway offers straightforward driving entry, and South Bend Worldwide Airport gives nonstop flights to and from a few dozen cities. There’s additionally an Amtrak station on the west aspect of South Bend about two miles from downtown.

1. The Lauber

South Bend

Common from a century-old sheet metallic firm, The Lauber is a hip neighborhood eatery that enhances its wealthy heritage. The constructing’s unique occupant, J.C. Lauber Sheet Steel Firm, produced metallic constructing merchandise and specialty architectural parts from 1890 till 2015. The constructing was added to the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations in 1999.

After an in depth inside renovation, The Lauber opened with enticements of artistic informal food and drinks, a pup-friendly patio, and an industrial vibe. Most of the constructing’s unique options, similar to overhead storage doorways and signage, stay in place as reminders of yesteryear.

What To Order At The Lauber

On the menu are an assortment of sunshine bites, sandwiches, salads, and artisan pizzas. The bar serves two dozen beers on faucet, a pair hundred distilled spirits, and signature and traditional cocktails.

Considered one of my companions raved about his mac and cheese grilled cheese sandwich, a gooey mix of melted cheese and a heap of macaroni and cheese on sourdough bread — and fries. I handed on the carb overload and selected the Neapolitan-style Present Stopper pizza with candy tomato jam, contemporary mozzarella, and a heaping mound of contemporary arugula.

Professional Tip: Tin Can Nachos, layered with house-made salsa verde, smoked ancho chili cheese sauce, beef and beans, pickled jalapenos, and plenty of different goodies, is a neighborhood custom.

2. Café Navarre

South Bend

Housed in a historic financial institution constructing from the Twenties, Café Navarre melds classical structure with fashionable American delicacies and seasonal elements from native producers. Hovering radius home windows, a barrel-vaulted ceiling rimmed with rosettes, and a sea of white tablecloths affirm the restaurant’s upscale, elegant nature. Dine on the primary stage, the mezzanine that overlooks the bustle under, or the sidewalk patio, climate allowing.

What To Order At Café Navarre

The menu options steaks and seafood trimmed with the bounties of seasonal harvest. For my primary course, I chosen the barramundi, which was fantastically introduced on a mattress of couscous and English pea puree, and surrounded by garden-fresh veggies. I additionally had the tomato salad with mozzarella, basil, and aged balsamic — it tasted like an explosion of summer time.

Professional Tip: The in depth worldwide wine listing consists of prestigious bubblies and unique cabernet sauvignons in addition to wallet-friendly varietals.

3. Jesús Latin Grill And Tequila Bar

Mishawaka

After meticulous restoration, a former Carnegie Library inbuilt 1916 and listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations is among the hottest eateries in The Bend. Jesús Latin Grill and Tequila Bar serves up an infusion of flavors from the worldwide pan-Latin universe, from Mexico to the Caribbean to South America. On the bar roster are greater than 250 tequila and mezcal spirits.

The restaurant entrance and out of doors patio are on the decrease stage in the back of the constructing, whereas the occasion and assembly areas are at road stage. The eclectic inside decor juxtaposes the constructing’s brick partitions and different historic options with up to date Latin artwork and fashionable lighting fixtures.

What To Order At Jesús Latin Grill And Tequila Bar

Menu choices run the gamut from street-style tacos to fire-grilled steaks and seafood. We started our night with a number of shareable appetizers, together with a vigorous elote and candy corn tamale combo, and yuca fries slathered in chimichurri pesto. For my entree, I ordered the Ahi Tuna Nikei, a colourful and not-too-spicy association of seared tuna discs, avocado, cucumber, spiced peanuts, and a few sauces over a mattress of jasmine rice.

In fact, I needed to have a margarita, so I selected the Jesús Classico, concocted with a contact of orange liqueur and a salt rim. You’ll be able to order a margarita flight if you happen to please.

Professional Tip: Canned cake, made in-house, is a dessert specialty. Mama’s Blueberry Bitter Cream Cake is made with domestically sourced natural blueberries. Sure, it actually is available in a can.

4. South Bend Farmer’s Market Café

South Bend

Greater than a century outdated, the indoor South Bend Farmer’s Market is among the largest and most various emporiums within the Midwest. 50-plus farmers, producers, and artisans purvey their produce, meats, dairy merchandise, baked items, flowers, handicrafts, and extra. The market is open 3 days per week year-round, and 4 days in the course of the summer time and fall. One of many mainstays is the Farmer’s Market Café.

What To Order At Farmer’s Market Café

The restaurant serves up farm-to-fork breakfasts and lunches utilizing contemporary elements from market distributors. How contemporary? Nicely, when certainly one of my companions ordered rooster and waffles, the restaurant supervisor ran right down to one of many stalls to purchase rooster breasts to deep fry. My decide was breakfast standard: a ham and cheese omelet.

Professional Tip: The Cinnamon Roll French Toast, drizzled with frosting, is totally decadent.

5. South Bend Brew Werks

South Bend

South Bend Brew Werks is an intimate nanobrewery and brewpub with a group conscience. The institution donates to space nonprofits and invitations native musicians and artists to showcase their skills. The country decor is basically common with reclaimed wooden.

The bar has 16 faucets with a rotating choice, all brewed onsite. The lineup consists of an eclectic array of IPAs, stouts, porters, and ales, a few of that are concocted with ingenious elements like fruit, oatmeal, or chocolate.

What To Order At South Bend Brew Werks

The meals menu options upscale consolation meals served indoors or on the out of doors patio. Grilled cheese sandwiches are a specialty, so I ordered a scrumptious roasted tomato BLT with smoked gouda, roasted tomatoes, bacon, and greens.

I used to be impressed by the choices to accommodate a diner’s dietary preferences or wants. Pasta dishes might be ordered with zucchini noodles or shell pasta, for instance, and lots of dishes are vegan.

Professional Tip: If beer isn’t your factor, strive the refreshing on-tap cocktail Gin Basil Lemonade.

6. Chocolate Café

South Bend

For 3 a long time, South Bend Chocolate Firm has been crafting effective candies offered the world over. The chocolatier makes over 500 completely different candies, sweets, and crunches, and roasts its personal espresso beans as properly.

Throughout our go to to the manufacturing unit headquarters and retail outlet, a former toy firm, we toured the manufacturing strains and museum of chocolate memorabilia and artifacts. We additionally lingered on the informal Chocolate Café for a chunk and sip.

Further Chocolate Café areas are downtown South Bend and the South Bend Worldwide Airport.

What To Order At South Bend Chocolate Manufacturing unit

The menu consists of bagels and baked items, sandwiches and wraps, ice cream, and specialty espresso drinks. Order the recent chocolate, which is wealthy and velvety and topped with a swirl of whipped cream.

Professional Tip: Did I point out the recent chocolate?

7. Alternate Whiskey Bar

South Bend

After a number of days of tasting South Bend, it was time for an grownup beverage. A congenial concierge at our Marriott Aloft lodge advisable Alternate Whiskey Bar a number of blocks away. Harking back to a glamorous Prohibition-era speakeasy, the softly lit lounge is thought for its menu of greater than 450 worldwide whiskeys and distilled spirits. Artfully crafted cocktails and charcuterie plates are additionally served. A second Whiskey Alternate Bar is in Indianapolis.

Alternate Whiskey Bar occupies the primary flooring of a six-story former financial institution constructing that was constructed in 1913 and is listed on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations. Authentic architectural options similar to marble partitions and iron railings are complemented by Asian-style rugs, velvet- and leather-upholstered seating, luxe pillows, and romantic candlelight.

What To Order At Alternate Whiskey Bar

I capped the night with a BRB, a fruit-forward vodka cocktail with flavors of blackberry, raspberry, and blueberry. Considered one of my companions ordered an Upland beer, a made-in-Indiana brew. He’s the identical man who ate the mac and cheese grilled cheese at The Lauber.

Professional Tip: The cocktail menu adjustments seasonally, so ask what’s new.