Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis-area restaurants where you can make Thanksgiving Day reservations

Published

5 months ago

November 12, 2025

Indianapolis-area restaurants where you can make Thanksgiving Day reservations

For all the joy a Thanksgiving meal can bring, there are plenty of reasons why you personally may not want to host one. Fortunately, several restaurants in the Indianapolis area are open Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, serving traditional turkey day fare.

Below are several Indy-area chains that still have open reservations for Thanksgiving feasts or accept walk-in guests.But first here’s one local spot to try:

Rick’s Café Boatyard

4050 Dandy Trail, (317) 290-9300, ricksboatyard.com. Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The waterside eatery will serve a Thanksgiving dinner that includes turkey breast with gravy, Yukon gold mashed potatoes, green beans, dressing, cranberry sauce, bread and butter and pumpkin pie. Adults dine for $33 while kids 10 and under eat for $16. Parties can also add sides that serve four, including collard greens ($12), sweet potato purée ($14) and macaroni and cheese ($14). Call (317) 290-9300 to make your reservation.

Chain restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner

Bob Evans

Multiple Central Indiana locations, bobevans.com. Hours vary by location

The farmhouse-inspired breakfast chain will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Thanksgiving, serving its typical breakfast menu as well as holiday offerings like turkey, dressing and mashed potatoes.

Buca di Beppo

35 N. Illinois St., (317) 632-2822 and 659 US 31 S. Greenwood, (317) 884-2822, dineatbuca.com. Both open 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The Minneapolis-based chain will serve Thanksgiving meals that include turkey, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, spicy Italian sausage stuffing, seasonal vegetables and desserts. Reservations can be made at dineatbuca.com/reservations/.

The Capital Grille

40 W. Washington St., (317) 423-8790, thecapitalgrille.com. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In addition to its standard dinner menu, Capital Grille will serve a Thanksgiving spread that includes turkey, brioche stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, French green beans, sweet potatoes, cranberry and pear chutney, rolls and pumpkin cheesecake. Place your reservation at thecapitalgrille.com/events/thanksgiving-dinner-menu or over the phone.

Cracker Barrel

Multiple Central Indiana locations, crackerbarrel.com. Normal hours, which vary by location.

Cracker Barrel locations will operate on normal hours Thanksgiving, serving their standard menus as well as holiday favorites like turkey, mashed potatoes and dressing.

Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant

3815 E. 96^th St., (317) 574-9463 and 8696 E. U.S. Hwy 36, Avon, (317) 806-1234, chwinery.com. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In addition to its regular menu, this Illinois-based winery will offer a Thanksgiving menu at its restaurants that includes turkey, stuffing, butternut squash soup, mashed potatoes, green beans and carrots, cranberry sauce and pumpkin praline cheesecake. Adults dine for $37 each, while children 12 and under eat for $16. You can reserve your spot at chwinery.com/thanksgiving-2025.

Eddie Merlot’s

3645 E. 96^th St., (317) 846-8303 eddiemerlots.com. Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The seafood and steak chain will offer a mix of traditional Thanksgiving dishes and steakhouse fare Thanksgiving Day. Dine-in meals ($50 per adult, $25 per child) include a choice of salad or soup, turkey with stuffing, gravy and cranberry relish, a choice of two starchy sides or vegetables and a choice of one dessert. Reservations can be made over the phone or at eddiemerlots.com/promotions/thanksgiving/.

Maggiano’s Little Italy

3550 E. 86^th St., (317) 814-0700, maggianos.com. Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

An upscale take on the classic Thanksgiving feast will be available for dine-in guests at Maggiano’s. The family-style menu includes two salads, two entrees (choice of roasted turkey with gravy and stuffing, smoked ham with whipped sweet potatoes or grilled salmon with sautéed spinach), choice of two pastas and two traditional sides and a choice of dessert (pumpkin praline cheesecake, apple crostada or chocolate layered cake). Place your reservation by phone or at maggianos.com/reservations/.

McCormick and Schmick’s

110 N. Illinois St., (317) 631-9500, mccormickandschmicks.com. Open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

On top of its regular dinner menu, McCormick and Schmick’s will serve a classic Thanksgiving meal with a choice of mixed greens salad or butternut squash soup, turkey with cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce and vegetables, with the option to add pumpkin pie for $5. Adults dine for $39, children for $15. You can find more information and make reservations at mccormickandschmicks.com/event/thanksgiving/.

The Oceanaire Seafood Room

30 S. Meridian St., (317) 955-2277, theoceanaire.com. Open noon to 8 p.m.

This upscale seafood spot’s basic Thanksgiving meal is $59 per guest and includes a 12-ounce turkey breast with gravy, stuffing, cranberry chutney, green beans almondine, creamed corn and mashed potatoes. You can make your reservation over the phone or at theoceanaire.com/event/thanksgiving-2025/.

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse

45 S. Illinois St., (317) 633-1313 and 2727 E. 86th St., (317) 844-1155, ruthschris.com. Both open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

This steakhouse’s Thanksgiving spread includes a choice of soup or salad, turkey with sausage stuffing, turkey and cranberry relish, a choice of side (garlic mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, creamed spinach, green beans) and pumpkin cheesecake with vanilla ice cream. Adult meals start at $48 per diner; children’s meals start at $20. You can reserve your table over the phone or at ruthschris.com/promotions/thanksgiving.

Seasons 52

8650 Keystone Crossing, (317) 846-5252, seasons52.com, open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Seasons 52’s dine-in Thanksgiving menu ($40 per adult, $19 per child) includes turkey, gravy, Yukon gold mashed potatoes, brioche stuffing, green beans, mashed sweet potatoes, cranberry relish and a miniature layered pumpkin dessert. Place your reservation over the phone or at seasons52.com/events/traditional-thanksgiving-dinner.

Sullivan’s Steakhouse

3316 E. 86th St., (317) 580-1280, sullivanssteakhouse.com, open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sullivan’s will serve a traditional three-course dinner including a choice of soup or salad, roasted turkey with stuffing and cranberry relish, a choice of two classic sides and a choice of dessert. Adults dine for $52, kids for $25. See the full menu and place your reservation at sullivanssteakhouse.com/promotions/thanksgiving/.

Weber Grill

10 N. Illinois St., (317) 636-7600, webergrillrestaurant.com, open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Weber’s three-course spread includes a choice of salad or butternut squash soup, smoked turkey with grilled sausage stuffing, gravy, roasted vegetables, cranberry sauce and a choice of whipped sweet potatoes or mashed potatoes and pumpkin Bundt cake for dessert. Each adult meal costs $42.95, while children 12 and under eat for $19.95 each. Reservations are encouraged by phone or at webergrillrestaurant.com/reservations/.

Contact dining reporter Bradley Hohulin at bhohulin@indystar.com. You can follow him on Twitter/X @BradleyHohulin and stay up to date with Indy dining news by signing up for the Indylicious newsletter.

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Indianapolis, IN

9-year veteran defensive back, Colts agree to seek trade. How it impacts Colts’ future

Published

10 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

9-year veteran defensive back, Colts agree to seek trade. How it impacts Colts’ future

The Colts and veteran slot cornerback Kenny Moore II, one of the franchise’s longest-tenured active players, have mutually agreed to pursue a trade this offseason, a league source confirmed to IndyStar on Friday

Moore, who has spent nine of his NFL seasons in Indianapolis after emerging from the 2017 draft an undrafted free agent and landing with the Colts following a training camp spent in New England, would be the second team captain dealt this offseason (along with linebacker Zaire Franklin) — should a trade partner be found before the 2026 season ramps up — and second bonafide team leader, along with former No. 1 wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Coming off a start to a season where the Colts sprinted out to an 8-2 start to hold the top spot in the AFC, only to finish on a seven-game slide that often featured a crumbling defense in high-pressure moments, longtime Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard pledged early this offseason to get “younger and faster” on defense.

The notion has often been associated, in particular, with the team’s front seven, but in the Colts’ secondary, which one could argue is almost bursting at the seams with starting-caliber talent, Moore is far and away the most veteran member at the nickel corner position — a spot on the field that future second-year corner Justin Walley may be primed to slide into in order to get the rehabbing former third-round pick on the field with the outside corner spots spoken for by All-Pros Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward.

Given the Colts’ lack of a clear-cut starting strong safety alongside free safety Camryn Bynum, there was reason to wonder, too, if Moore could be asked — or even challenged in camp alongside other challengers for the role — to look at moving to safety, in order to both allow Walley a spot in the starting lineup while maintaining Moore’s veteran leadership, experience and tenacity.

In 14 games in 2025, Moore logged a single interception in an early season road game against the Titans — one he returned for a 32-yard touchdown. The veteran corner also forced two fumbles, registered 1.5 sacks, recorded 55 tackles (three for a loss) and had three quarterback hits. Though some of his numbers didn’t show it — his tackle numbers marked a career-low since his rookie season, and his single interception marked just his third campaign in nine seasons without at least two picks — Moore’s 2025 season was among his best while targeted in coverage, even if he at times looked to have lost half a step while working his way back from an Achilles strain that cost him three games in the early half of the season.

In a way, Moore’s toughness as a blitzer and capabilities in the run game seemed like a solid fit for the veteran nickel corner in first-year defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s system in 2025 — particularly for a team that also lost starting strong safety Nick Cross to free agency last month. But in seeking a deal that could net the Colts a mid-round pick, Indianapolis’ crowded secondary room is likely now to have easier avenues for a 2025 camp standout in Walley or new young additions in cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt or safety Juanyeh Thomas to find their way onto the field this fall.

In 2026, Moore enters the final year of a three-year, $30 million deal signed in the 2024 offseason that again (for the second time) made the now-30-year-old the highest-paid nickel corner in NFL history. Including a base salary of $9.49 million, Moore is set to count $13.11 million against the cap this next season, including a $3.2 million prorated signing bonus the Colts paid as part of his deal two years ago. In October, the Colts and Moore mutually agreed to restructure his contract, converting $4.75 million into more bonus money while adding three void years onto the end of his deal of $950,000 each. At the time, the move created $3.8 million in cap space for the Colts over the rest of the 2025 season.

Already with roughly $26 million in cap space open a month into free agency, trading Moore would save the Colts more than $7 million against the cap for this season while saddling them with just over $6 million in dead cap in accounting for Moore’s previous signing bonus money.

Trading Moore would mean the Colts’ sixth lost starter from its 2025 roster (and fourth on defense), a class that also includes Franklin, Cross, Pittman, offensive tackle Braden Smith and defensive end Kwity Paye. Indianapolis is also presently involved in seeking out, or listening to, offers for one-time starting quarterback and 2023 fourth-overall pick Anthony Richardson Sr.

Off the field, the Colts would lose in Moore the team’s three-time Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nominee — including each of the past two seasons, along with 2021.

Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.

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Indianapolis, IN

Man arrested for gun and drug possession in downtown Indianapolis

Published

23 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Man arrested for gun and drug possession in downtown Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officers arrested a man Tuesday for possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon and possession of marijuana according to an Thursday IMPD Downtown District Facebook post.

Police pulled over 33-year-old Malcolm Murray at the intersection if East Ohio Street and North Delaware Street because Murray did not have a license.

Police asked Murray if he had any weapons in his car and he told the officers no.

Police asked Murray to leave the car and Murray put down a crossbody bag that he was wearing.

Narcotics detection K-9 Bruce identified narcotics odor in the car. Police searched the car and found a handgun and marijuana inside the crossbody bag.

Police say that Murray tried to blame the female passenger saying, “Ain’t that your gun.”

Police arrested Murray for possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon and possession of marijuana.

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Indianapolis, IN

Downtown fitness center 4th annual ‘Pump it for Parkinson’s’ fundraiser

Published

1 day ago

April 9, 2026

Press Room

Downtown fitness center 4th annual ‘Pump it for Parkinson’s’ fundraiser

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The National Institute for Fitness and Sport hosted its fourth “Pump it for Parkinson’s” on Thursday. It’s a step-a-thon style event with more than 500 locations participating.

Organizers set a goal of hitting 50 million nationally this year. Last year, the fundraiser hit 33 million steps. Locally, NIFS hopes to reach 2 million steps.

The annual fundraiser is part of the nonprofit’s efforts for Parkinson’s Awareness Month, which falls in April.

This year, the group partnered with White River State Park and put up signage for people to track their steps to submit.

President Emily Davenport says exercise has proven to be key in managing Parkinson’s symptoms.

“When we started this initiative four years ago, our goal was to raise awareness on the benefits,” Davenport said. “It’s amazing what we’ve learned of how many people are touched by this disease, whether it’s the diagnosis for themself or a family member, a friend who has that diagnosis.”

Steps were completed on the track in the gym or on exercise machines. NIFS has worked with exercise equipment company NuStep since the event’s inception.

Sales Manager Shane Lehto says his coworkers make a day of the event every year at their Michigan headquarters.

“We also invite the public to come in,” Lehto said. “We’ve got several of our machines set up. We’ve got a big screen TV that’s got a track that they can race on.”

Pump it for Parkinson’s complements the organization’s work in fitness for aging populations. It also runs “Bold Moves,” an exercise regimen for people living with the disease.

Alex Carpenter is an instructor at NIFS who leads some of those classes. He says it’s rewarding to see someone’s progress.

“Honestly, (it’s) the best part of my day,” Carpenter said. “Just seeing that positive interaction and hearing those things that they’re actually benefiting from this — I found through this that this is definitely my passion in life.”

Also new this year, the event includes a vendor fair featuring local resources.

“Hoop it for Parkinson’s” returns on Thursday alongside the step-a-thon portion of the event. It’s a special basketball game at 2 p.m. with people who have the disease.

To submit steps to this year’s Pump it for Parkinson’s, visit the event’s website. Donations can also be made on the Parkinson’s Foundation website.

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