Food Scene
Cafe Pearl is new (not yet listed on Google local) is the museums cafe. Excellent Coffee and Espresso provided by local roasters Bolt Coffee. It is accessible right off Benefit St. Near the corner of Benefit and Waterman on the SW side of the intersection. (Note the address and pin provided by Google is not exactly accurate for this place) Look for the small sign on the sidewalk. You do not need to go through the museum. Note that except for Mondays their hours are 7:30 AM to 4pm. Great place to sit and chill regardless of your plans to attend the museum. Very friendly service. Highly recommend
256 locals recommend
RISD Museum
20 N Main StCafe Pearl is new (not yet listed on Google local) is the museums cafe. Excellent Coffee and Espresso provided by local roasters Bolt Coffee. It is accessible right off Benefit St. Near the corner of Benefit and Waterman on the SW side of the intersection. (Note the address and pin provided by Google is not exactly accurate for this place) Look for the small sign on the sidewalk. You do not need to go through the museum. Note that except for Mondays their hours are 7:30 AM to 4pm. Great place to sit and chill regardless of your plans to attend the museum. Very friendly service. Highly recommend
Korean/Japanese cuisine. Not expensive but authentic, delicious and a classy decor. And, it's literally steps away. Beer on tap. Great place for lunch or dinner. My favorite dishes are the tofu Kimchee, the Ebi Donburi and the Korean Ramen. Vegetarian friendly.
39 locals recommend
Den Den Café Asiana
161 Benefit StKorean/Japanese cuisine. Not expensive but authentic, delicious and a classy decor. And, it's literally steps away. Beer on tap. Great place for lunch or dinner. My favorite dishes are the tofu Kimchee, the Ebi Donburi and the Korean Ramen. Vegetarian friendly.
Louis Family Restaurant
286 Brook StStandard diner breakfast (and I mean that in the best way)
Another good breakfast/brunch/lunch place. Slightly more unique and varied options than Luis Family Restaurant.
15 locals recommend
Brickway On Wickenden
234 Wickenden StAnother good breakfast/brunch/lunch place. Slightly more unique and varied options than Luis Family Restaurant.
Beer/wine/liquor store of choice. Some amazing less than $20 bottles of wine. They know their stuff. The kind of place you can get artisanal tonic water. Free tastings most Thursday evenings, Another one close by (on Benefit) is to be avoided.
6 locals recommend
Bin 312 Wine Cellar
312 S Main StBeer/wine/liquor store of choice. Some amazing less than $20 bottles of wine. They know their stuff. The kind of place you can get artisanal tonic water. Free tastings most Thursday evenings, Another one close by (on Benefit) is to be avoided.
Tallulah's Taqueria
10 Ives StTacos.
Ken's Ramen, Red Fin Crudo & Kitchen, and Figidini Wood Fire Eatery are next to each other on Washington St. downtown. All three are great for dinner. All three don't take reservations. All three closed Mondays. I recommend walking over and seeing which one has room for you. Ken's is the cheapest, fastest and most popular of them. Red Fin as a dollar oyster happy hour during the week during the summer and Figidini has the best wood fired pizza in town.
19 locals recommend
Ken's Ramen
Ken's Ramen, Red Fin Crudo & Kitchen, and Figidini Wood Fire Eatery are next to each other on Washington St. downtown. All three are great for dinner. All three don't take reservations. All three closed Mondays. I recommend walking over and seeing which one has room for you. Ken's is the cheapest, fastest and most popular of them. Red Fin as a dollar oyster happy hour during the week during the summer and Figidini has the best wood fired pizza in town.
Ken's Ramen, Red Fin Crudo & Kitchen, and Figidini Wood Fire Eatery are next to each other on Washington St. downtown. All three are great for dinner. All three don't take reservations. All three closed Mondays. I recommend walking over and seeing which one has room for you. Ken's is the cheapest, fastest and most popular of them. Red Fin as a dollar oyster happy hour during the week during the summer and Figidini has the best wood fired pizza in town.
14 locals recommend
figidini
67 Washington StKen's Ramen, Red Fin Crudo & Kitchen, and Figidini Wood Fire Eatery are next to each other on Washington St. downtown. All three are great for dinner. All three don't take reservations. All three closed Mondays. I recommend walking over and seeing which one has room for you. Ken's is the cheapest, fastest and most popular of them. Red Fin as a dollar oyster happy hour during the week during the summer and Figidini has the best wood fired pizza in town.
Ken's Ramen, Red Fin Crudo & Kitchen, and Figidini Wood Fire Eatery are next to each other on Washington St. downtown. All three are great for dinner. All three don't take reservations. All three closed Mondays. I recommend walking over and seeing which one has room for you. Ken's is the cheapest, fastest and most popular of them. Red Fin as a dollar oyster happy hour during the week during the summer and Figidini has the best wood fired pizza in town.
RED FIN Crudo + Kitchen
71 Washington StKen's Ramen, Red Fin Crudo & Kitchen, and Figidini Wood Fire Eatery are next to each other on Washington St. downtown. All three are great for dinner. All three don't take reservations. All three closed Mondays. I recommend walking over and seeing which one has room for you. Ken's is the cheapest, fastest and most popular of them. Red Fin as a dollar oyster happy hour during the week during the summer and Figidini has the best wood fired pizza in town.
Drinks & Nightlife
Dive bar of choice. Pool, darts, and RISD people. Some outdoor seating. Right along the river.
9 locals recommend
Wild Colonial Tavern
250 S Water StDive bar of choice. Pool, darts, and RISD people. Some outdoor seating. Right along the river.
The Eddy
95 Eddy StFancy artisanal cocktail bar of choice
Essentials
like every other Whole Foods. Nothing special. I just figure you should know where it is.
186 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
601 N Main Stlike every other Whole Foods. Nothing special. I just figure you should know where it is.
Arts & Culture
Indy movie theater. Single theater. Serves beer. Old school popcorn machine with free refills. Locally owned and operated by a lovely couple. Wide ranging lineup all year.
30 locals recommend
Cable Car Cinema & Cafe
204 S Main StIndy movie theater. Single theater. Serves beer. Old school popcorn machine with free refills. Locally owned and operated by a lovely couple. Wide ranging lineup all year.