Where to eat at GenCon is always a question and honestly, an important part of the fun for myself. We are by no means restaurant connoisseurs and more importantly, our taste buds run fairly simple with an even simpler budget so while I will list many popular restaurants that are recommended by many Gen Con veterans but we most likely won’t have personal impressions to add on those that are on the pricier side.
Indianapolis City Market (0.6 miles/14 min)- A market that houses about 10+ restaurants and a few stores. A farmers market runs every Wednesday from 10am -1:30 pm. We make it a tradition to come to eat lunch here on Wednesday and wander the farmers market to stock up on some fruits and bake goods for the rest of the week. Since the market closes by 4pm every day, Wednesday is usually the only day we can visit it. If your hotel is close to it though, then this is a good place to pick up breakfast since they are open at 7am and have a few good breakfast options.
Indiana Convention Center Concessions: Despite hearing a lot of negative reviews, I personally thought the food at ICC was just fine if you judge it as what it is- concession food. We will usually choose food trucks over ICC concessions but I think they are a fine and maybe even wise choice when you just need to fill your belly so you can get back to the fun. The lines are generally decent with the coffee shop being the one exception, especially in the mornings.
Food Trucks: The trucks line up right outside of the convention center on Capitol and Georgia Street. There are three shifts: 8am-10am (usually only a few trucks for breakfast), 11am-4pm, 5pm-10pm. The food truck schedule is published usually mid-July. All the food trucks we have been to take credit cards although it is nice to keep some cash on hand in case the credit card machine breaks down and the trucks are forced to only take cash. The lines for the food trucks could get depressingly long during the usual meal times. The one exception is Island Noodle which moves incredibly fast (thanks to its super simple menu and huge woks) despite its scary-looking long lines.
St. Elmo’s Stake House (0.1 miles/3min)This one is a classic and is a name you will hear every time someone asks for a restaurant recommendation for Gen Con. As their name suggests, St. Elmo specializes in steak, and judging by the overwhelming reviews, they have earned their fame. Reservation is recommended. Not open for lunch. Open til 10pm Mon-Thur, til 11pm Fri & Sat. ($40-$100/pp)
Steak’n Shake (0.1 miles/2min)- What’s a game con convention without a burger and a shake? Another classic for Gencon goers and probably the most budget-friendly with an unbeatable location. This location is often very busy though, especially at meal times and late-night snack times. Open every day until midnight. ($5-$9)
Five Guys (0.4 miles/9min)- A burger chain restaurant that is another good place to go if you are looking for some budget eats. This one is a bit further from the convention so it doesn’t get nearly as crowded as Steak’n Shake. Open every day from 11am-10pm. ($5-$7)
Harry & Izzy’s (0.1 miles/3min)- This one is also very popular among Gen Con goers. The menu is quite varied from pizza, sandwiches, and pasta to the more expensive steaks. A nice place to go to fit all budgets and taste buds. ($15-$70/pp) Mon-Thur 11-10, till 11 pm Fri & Sat.
The Old Spaghetti Factory (0.2 miles/5min) Despite its great location, we didn’t find this place to be overcrowded when we came in on a day when the lines at the food trucks looked daunting. It was nice to have a chance to sit down and have a meal in an air-conditioned room. ($15-$20)
Circle Centre Mall Food Court (0.2 miles/4min)- Typical mall food court meals but nice when you want something fast and cheap.
Pizza Di Tito
Pizza Di Tito (inside Hyatt Regency Hotel 0.1 miles/3min)-This Italian eatery is one of our favorites for its great location, fast service, and good prices. Their hours during Gen Con are different from the usual hours of 7am-3pm M-F so check their sign in front of their store. ($6-$9)
Wei Ramen (0.4 miles/8min)- Other than ramen, they also have rice dishes and a variety of appetizers. There is also a small sweet crepe shop in the same location. ($11-$14) Mon-Thur close at 9pm, till 10 pm Fri & Sat.
Kilroy’s Bar & Grill (0.2 miles/5min) This is another one of our favorites, especially for their stuffed breadsticks. The other dish we like here is their Tachos which are nachos but with tater tots. It is only for 21 and older so be sure to take your ID to show at the door. Mon-Thur close at 1 am, Fri & Sat close at 2 am
Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse (0.4 miles/10min)- Brazilian all-you-can-eat meat carved at tableside. Dinner reservation is recommended. ($45/lunch all you can eat, $62/dinner all you can eat)
Weber Grill (0.3 miles/6min)- Steak, burger, and ribs cooked on giant Weber grills. ($17-$28)
Shaprio’s
Shapiro’s Delicatessen (0.7 miles/14min)- This one is closer to the side of the Lucas Stadium Building (0.4 miles/ 9 min.) so it will save some time if you are coming from that area. Cafeteria-style dinner where you will go through and pick up your own food. Breakfasts are on the cheaper side of about $3-$7, lunch & dinner entrees are about $8-18. Other than the dinner, there is also a marketplace where you can buy baked goods and some prepared foods to go. After seeing their dessert selections, I have put this one on my “to try” list for this year.
Chatham Tap Mass Ave (1.6miles/ 8min by car) British-style pub popular with soccer fans and has a good variety of menu items. We are putting this one on our to-try list due to all the glowing online reviews of their hot wings. ($10-$16)
Kuma’s Corner (1.8miles/ 8min by car)- Rock and metal music-themed restaurant with a wide selection on their menu. Based on the reviews, when we can make it out there we will be trying their mac & cheese and burgers. ($18-$23)
Copyright © Consaves.com. All Rights Reserved
