buggs Tavern, Indianapolis Restaurant, Downtown Lunch RestaurantBuggs Temple
337 W 11th Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
317.955.2389

So how do I evaluate a downtown Indianapolis restaurant? Especially for Lunch?  Ambiance, convenience and food.   To me, to get a designation as one of the best lunch restaurants in Indianapolis you have to start with how it feels.   Most of the time you want a place you can have a conversation, a restaurant that’s attractive and friendly….a place that’s cool so you glow in how cool it is to your guest.

Buggs Temple at the north end of the Downtown Indy Canal meets that criteria.  I never even heard of Buggs Temple before 11am this morning, but Kyle Saylers of Clarian Health Ventures treated me today and it was fantastic.  It’s a great old church located right on the tip of the Canal.  It was a little bit of a hike from my office on the downtown Indianapolis Circle and I saw there was plenty of parking. Inside were huge windows looking over the canal…it was a little chilly for the outside deck, but it looked beautiful.  The waiters were fantastic, fun, knew the menu and were wearing June Cleaver aprons,  Our guy knew the menu, was friendly and attentive while giving us plenty of space to have our conversation.

I've not been to this Indianapolis downtown restaurant  at night, but imagine it's a great place for a date.   Supposedly there is an upstairs that has terrific views and is one of the top spots for Indianapolis fine dining.  The menu did include Steak and Seafood along with great grilled sandwiches.  I had a Cuban, which came with a fresh mixed salad.  I'm not sure about breakfast, and their website is one of the worst I've ever seen.