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A local’s guide on where to eat in Valparaiso, Indiana. This small city has a surprising lineup of great restaurants to choose from. A local’s guide on where to eat in Valpo.

While I haven’t lived in the US since 2010, I go back to Valpo at least once a year. I make it a point to visit some of my favorite restaurants whenever possible and try a new one every time I’m home.


 

Where to Eat in Downtown Valparaiso, Indiana

You’ll find almost all of the best restaurants in downtown Valparaiso within a few blocks of the square. I’ll start on Lincolnway west of the square and work my way east.

 

Lincoln Flats

Lincoln Flats is a great restaurant and bar. I visited for the first time on a trip home in December 2018 and have been back a few times since.

Lincoln Flats in Valparaiso, Indiana
Lincoln Flats

Lincoln Flats is located in the building once occupied by Buck’s Shoe Repair, a Valpo institution from 1926 to 2009. It was opened by the grandson of Buck’s founder. With generous portion sizes, tasty food, and great service, it became an instant favorite. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday.

Lincoln Flats in Valparaiso, Indiana
Lincoln Flats

 

Starters at Lincoln Flats

On our first visit, we had the Lincoln flatbread, which is a special that changes daily. Ours had chorizo and cheese on top. We also had an order of pig candy, which is a succulent thick-cut bacon cooked in brown sugar and sriracha.

Lincoln flatbread at Lincoln Flats in Valparaiso, Indiana
Lincoln flatbread
Pig candy at Lincoln Flats in Valparaiso, Indiana
Pig candy

 

Main Courses at Lincoln Flats

For our first visit, we shared a bowl of poutine and a Thai salad. The poutine was different than what I was used to ordering in Québec but still delicious. The salad was huge and we ended up taking it home for lunch the next day.

Poutine at Lincoln Flats in Valparaiso, Indiana
Poutine
Thai salad at Lincoln Flats in Valparaiso, Indiana
Thai salad

On our second visit in January 2022, I had the pork chop, which is a succulent double-bone 14-ounce pork chop in brown sugar brine and a bourbon glaze. It’s served with maple bacon brussels and smashed confit fingerlings. It was a great meal.

Pork chop at Lincoln Flats in Valparaiso, Indiana
Pork chop

 

Desserts at Lincoln Flats

We couldn’t leave either visit without being tempted to try some of the desserts. They all sounded amazing. On our first visit we ended up sharing an amazing bourbon walnut cake and a very good fruit cobbler. The walnut cake won hands down. On our second visit, we shared a lava cake and strawberry fritters. Both were excellent.

Bourbon walnut cake at Lincoln Flats in Valparaiso, Indiana
Bourbon walnut cake
Fruit cobbler at Lincoln Flats in Valparaiso, Indiana
Fruit cobbler
Lava cake at Lincoln Flats
Lava cake
Strawberry fritters at Lincoln Flats
Strawberry fritters

 

My Thoughts on Lincoln Flats

All of our meals were very reasonably priced considering the amount of food and drinks we ordered. Service was upbeat and friendly, and overall we enjoyed the experience. I’ll definitely make a stop every time I’m back in town from now on.


 

FLUID Coffeebar

A few steps further west down Lincolnway is FLUID Coffeebar, which has their roasting plant in Michigan City and another branch in Crown Point. This specialty coffee shop has a great vibe and friendly service.

FLUID Coffeebar in downtown Valparaiso, Indiana
FLUID Coffeebar

Fluid has some creative coffee drinks that are excellent any time of day. My favorites are the voodoo latte (peanut butter, chocolate, milk, and espresso) and the Doncaster (sea salt butterscotch, oat milk, and coffee). You can get these cold or hot. They also serve traditional coffee drinks as well as sandwiches. I haven’t tried the sandwiches yet.

FLUID Coffeebar in downtown Valparaiso, Indiana
FLUID Coffeebar

 

Ben’s Soft Pretzels

Next door at the corner of Lincolnway and Lafayette is Ben’s Soft Pretzels. This small franchise based out of Elkhart, Indiana, has locations all over the country. They offer Amish-inspired pretzels made fresh daily at each location. I normally don’t write about franchises, but this is much different than McDonald’s or Starbucks.

Ben's Soft Pretzels
Ben’s Soft Pretzels

 

The Rolling Stonebaker

If you’re looking for pizza, The Rolling Stonebaker, located across the street from Central Park Plaza, will have some of the best you’ll ever eat. They specialize in gourmet thin crust pizzas. We tried two different kinds and were blown away by the quality.

The Rolling Stonebaker
The Rolling Stonebaker
Prosciutto with arugula and a fried egg at The Rolling Stonebaker
Prosciutto with arugula and a fried egg
Mushroom, artichoke, and garlic at The Rolling Stonebaker
Mushroom, artichoke, and garlic


 

Designer Desserts

Just west of the square on Lincolnway is Designer Desserts, where you can find all kinds of delicious cupcakes and cookies. Walking in and not buying something is almost impossible.

Designer Desserts in Valparaiso, Indiana
Designer Desserts

 

Meditrina

A block north of the square on Washington Street is Meditrina, a small Mediterranean restaurant with delicious and healthy food. Everything I’ve ever eaten there is excellent, and it’s one of the most popular restaurants in Valpo.

Meditrina in Valparaiso, Indiana
Meditrina
Beets with potatoes and dates stuffed with feta cheese at Meditrina in Valparaiso, Indiana
Beets with potatoes and dates stuffed with feta cheese at Meditrina
Falafel at Meditrina in Valparaiso, Indiana
Falafel at Meditrina
Turkish coffee and baklava at Meditrina in Valparaiso, Indiana
Turkish coffee and baklava at Meditrina

 

Old World Market

Old World Market on the southwest corner of the square sells all kinds of high quality imported foods and a great selection of cheeses and wines. Their products make excellent gifts.

Old World Market in Valparaiso, Indiana
Old World Market


 

Blockhead Beerworks

Across the street from Old World Market on the opposite corner is Blockhead Beerworks. In addition to their craft beers, they serve a wide variety of Asian specialties.

Blockhead Beerworks
Blockhead Beerworks
Blockhead Beerworks
Blockhead Beerworks

For starters, we had the wings, Philly egg rolls, and edamame. Everything was amazing but the Philly egg rolls stole the show for me.

Wings, Philly egg rolls, and edamame at Blockhead Beerworks in Valparaiso, Indiana
Wings, Philly egg rolls, and edamame

For my main dish, I had the wok the line, which is noodles with teriyaki sauce, kalbi marinated ribeye, broccoli, scallions, and sesame. It was excellent and I’ll definitely be back to try more.

Wok the line at Blockhead Beerworks in Valparaiso, Indiana
Wok the line

 

Furin

Furin is a Japanese restaurant on the north side of the square that serves excellent sushi and other Japanese specialties. It offers friendly service in a casual setting. We’ve tried several different sushi rolls over our many visits and have always been satisfied.

Furin in Valparaiso, Indiana
Furin
Sushi at Furin in Valparaiso, Indiana
Sushi
Sushi at Furin in Valparaiso, Indiana
Sushi
Creative sushi rolls at Furin in Valparaiso, Indiana
Creative sushi rolls

 

Ricochet (Permanently Closed)

On the northeast corner of the square is Ricochet, which offers a good selection of delicious creative tacos as well as a few other Mexican-inspired dishes. The tacos are pretty filling, so two to three is enough for a full meal.

Ricochet
Ricochet
Ricochet
Ricochet

On our first visit, we tried the true romance, surf ninja, and crosshairs. For dessert, we split the churros with dulce de leche and cocoa pebbles. Everything was awesome and needless to say we’ll be back to try some more tacos.

Selection of tacos at Ricochet Tacos in Valparaiso, Indiana
Selection of tacos
Churros at Ricochet Tacos
Churros


 

Valpo Soup Company (Permanently Closed)

A few steps down the block is the Valpo Soup Company. They have a rotation of over 160 soups, with 6 different soups featured daily. There’s also a rotation of sandwiches and salads available, as well as fresh baked bread and cookies. You can check the website for the daily specials.

Valpo Soup Company
Valpo Soup Company
Valpo Soup Company in Valparaiso, Indiana
Valpo Soup Company

On our visit, we tried the cream of mushroom and the chicken noodle. Both hit the spot on a cold winter day. The cookie was a nice addition as well.

Chicken noodle (left) and cream of mushroom (right) at Valpo Soup Company
Chicken noodle (left) and cream of mushroom (right)

 

Chocolate Cafe (Permanently Closed)

Chocolate Cafe, run by the South Bend Chocolate Company, was on the east side of the square where Valpo Soup Company is now located. They claimed to offer the “world’s best hot chocolate” and an assortment of hand-made chocolates. Unfortunately, it was a casualty of the pandemic.

Chocolate Café in Valparaiso, Indiana
Chocolate Café

 

Blackbird Café

Back on Lincolnway east of the square is Blackbird Café, which serves good breakfast wraps, sandwiches, salads, chili, and coffee. It’s a great place to meet with friends or to sit and get some work done.

Blackbird Café
Blackbird Café

I’ve had breakfast wraps as well as soup and salad combos. Everything has been great. The coffees are decent as well.

Breakfast wrap at Blackbird Café in Valparaiso, Indiana
Breakfast wrap at Blackbird Café
Sandwich with chili at Blackbird Café in downtown Valpo
Sandwich with chili
Sandwich with lentils at Blackbird Café
Sandwich with lentils


 

Don Quijote

Across the street is Don Quijote, which is the one of the oldest restaurants in Valparaiso. They serve incredible Spanish food, and for several years it was only authentic Spanish restaurant in the state.

Don Quijote Restaurant in Valparaiso, Indiana
Don Quijote Restaurant
Dining room at Don Quijote in Valparaiso, Indiana
Dining room
Dining room at Don Quijote in Valparaiso, Indiana
Dining room

 

Tapas at Don Quijote

For the main course, the best things to eat at Don Quijote are the delicious tapas dishes. Get the mussels, octopus, and calamari if you like seafood. Don’t forget to give the jamón serrano and manchega cheese plate a try. Make sure to go with friends or family so you can share more plates!

Mussels at Don Quijote in Valparaiso, Indiana
Mussels
Jamón serrano and manchego cheese at Don Quijote in Valparaiso, Indiana
Jamón serrano and manchego cheese

Vegetarian dishes like cauliflower, mushrooms, artichokes, and more are great complements to the heavier dishes. The patatas bravas add a nice kick to the meal.

Patatas bravas at Don Quijote in Valparaiso, Indiana
Patatas bravas
Mushrooms and meatballs at Don Quijote in Valparaiso, Indiana
Mushrooms and meatballs

The gazpacho is a nice treat on a sweltering summer day. It’s a great way to start your meal when the weather is a little too hot to handle.

Gazpacho at Don Quijote in Valparaiso, Indiana
Gazpacho at Don Quijote

I’ve always been sucked in by the tapas so I haven’t tried the paella or any of the full main courses. I’ve also walked away too full to get a dessert. One day I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen!

 

Main + Lincoln

On the next block to the east is Main + Lincoln, which has a menu created by owner Chef George Djurovic. A Valpo native, Djurovic attended Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and apprenticed for Alain Senderens (1939-2017), one of the pioneers of Nouvelle Cuisine, at Michelin-starred restaurant Lucas Carton. After working at high-end restaurants in Chicago and New York City, he returned to Valparaiso in 2013 and opened Main + Lincoln.

Main + Lincoln in downtown Valpo
Main + Lincoln

For starters, the scallops and the dozen fresh oysters on the half shell are excellent. If you like soup, you’ll love the butternut squash.

Oysters on the half shell at Main + Lincoln in downtown Valparaiso, Indiana
Oysters on the half shell
Butternut squash soup at Main + Lincoln
Butternut squash soup

For our mains, I had the burger on one visit and the Faroe Island salmon on another. Marisol had the sakura pork chop on a bed of polenta and porcini mushrooms while my dad had a steak and his wife had the Amish chicken. Needless to say, there’s always been lots of sharing. Everything has been amazing and service is excellent.

Burger at Main + Lincoln in downtown Valparaiso, Indiana
Burger
Faroe Island salmon at Main + Lincoln in downtown Valparaiso, Indiana
Faroe Island salmon
Pork chop at Main + Lincoln in downtown Valparaiso, Indiana
Pork chop
Amish chicken at Main + Lincoln
Amish chicken


 

Round the Clock (Permanently Closed)

Across the street is old standby Round the Clock. They have good diner food and one of the best breakfasts you can find. It can get packed on Sunday mornings but it’s worth the wait.

Round the Clock in Valparaiso, Indiana
Round the Clock
Breakfast at Round the Clock in Valparaiso, Indiana
Breakfast
French toast breakfast at Round the Clock in Valparaiso, Indiana
French toast breakfast

 

Valpo Velvet

A trip to Valparaiso isn’t complete without a stop at the Valpo Velvet Shoppe. They serve the best locally made ice cream in Indiana.

Valpo Velvet Shoppe in Valparaiso, Indiana
Valpo Velvet Shoppe

Valpo Velvet has over 60 flavors to choose from and also serve milkshakes, sandwiches, soups, and salads. In addition to the ice cream shop, Valpo Velvet is sold in several stores and select restaurants throughout Northwest Indiana and northern Illinois. The shop is typically closed in January.

 

History of Valpo Velvet

Valpo’s favorite ice cream has an interesting history. The company was founded as the Valparaiso Home Ice Company in 1920 by Fred Bartz. It was primarily an ice delivery company but also offered ice cream and dairy products. A year later, a contest was held to name the ice cream and Valpo Velvet won. Bartz moved operations to the current location on Monroe Street in 1937. The building was constructed in 1900.

Valpo Velvet Shoppe in Valparaiso, Indiana
Valpo Velvet Shoppe

Herbert Brown purchased Valparaiso Home Ice Company in 1947 and kept the Valpo Velvet name. He created new flavors and ran the company until he sold it to his son, Gordon, in 1971. Gordon sold the majority of the dairy part of the business to Dixie Dairy in 1973, but held on to the ice cream equipment. In 1974, he opened Brown’s Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant and manufactured ice cream until his death in 1995.

Interior of the Valpo Velvet Shoppe
Interior of the shop

In 1997, Gordon’s sons, Mike and Mark, closed the restaurant and remodeled it into a sandwich shop, which allowed more room for ice cream production. The Valpo Velvet Shoppe opened on June 8 of that year and continues to put smiles on faces to this day.

Buckets of ice cream at the Valpo Velvet Shoppe
Buckets of ice cream

 

Map of Where to Eat in Downtown Valparaiso, Indiana


 

Where to Eat Outside Downtown Valparaiso, Indiana

Just because a restaurant isn’t in the trendy downtown area doesn’t mean it’s not worth visiting. Here are a few suggestions on where to eat outside downtown Valparaiso, Indiana.

 

Albano’s Pasta Shop

Albano’s Pasta Shop, which opened in November 2018, offers homemade pasta dishes, salads, and some great appetizers at reasonable prices. They’re located west of downtown on Lincolnway. (Note: all photos below are from Albano’s old downtown location next to Meditrina. I’ll update with new photos when I have a chance to visit the new location.)

Albano's Pasta Shop in Valparaiso, Indiana
Albano’s Pasta Shop
Albano's Pasta Shop in Valparaiso, Indiana
Albano’s Pasta Shop

We popped in one afternoon for lunch when we couldn’t get a table at Meditrina. We tried the chorizo wrapped in bacon and dates to start, and I had the butternut squash tortellini. Marisol had the mushroom tortellini. Portion sizes are filling and the food was excellent.

Chorizo wrapped in bacon and dates at Albano's Pasta Shop in Valparaiso, Indiana
Chorizo wrapped in bacon and dates
Butternut squash tortellini at Albano's Pasta Shop in Valparaiso, Indiana
Butternut squash tortellini

 

Suzie’s Cafe

Next, just off US 30 is Suzie’s Cafe. They serve great breakfasts, nice lunches, and have an amazing bakery. Service is friendly and very efficient. I had a delicious French toast combo, and I’d be happy to visit again.

French toast combo at Suzie's Cafe
French toast combo

 

Tommy B’s Clubhouse

Further south of downtown Valparaiso along Route 2 is Tommy B’s Clubhouse. It’s a bar and restaurant in the Aberdeen neighborhood. Some of the best dishes are the perch sliders and flatbreads, but they also have great burgers, wings, and pizzas. Service is friendly and prices are reasonable.

The clubhouse burger is a monster. It has an angus beef patty topped with caramelized onions, bacon, pepper jelly, fried pickles, and cheddar cheese. It definitely put me in a food coma.

Clubhouse burger at Tommy B's in Valparaiso, Indiana
Clubhouse burger

 

Tomato Bar

East of downtown between Valparaiso University and the city’s shopping district is Tomato Bar. They offer excellent craft pizzas, salads, sandwiches, and calzones in a fun setting. Service is great and prices are reasonable.

Tomato Bar
Tomato Bar
Soulchaser pizza at Tomato Bar in Valparaiso, Indiana
Soulchaser pizza


 

El Amigo

Along Calumet Avenue in north Valparaiso is El Amigo. This hole-in-the-wall has delicious authentic Mexican favorites. I always like the tacos and burritos, but they also have good tamales and tostadas. The combo plates are filling, and everything is priced reasonably. You can dine in, but I usually do take out orders.

Tamales at El Amigo in Valparaiso, Indiana
Tamales
Tostada at El Amigo
Tostada

 

Le Peep

A little further north along Calumet Avenue is Le Peep, which serves a variety of breakfast and lunch dishes. I wasn’t impressed at all with my breakfast on the morning I visited, and I probably won’t be back. I ordered the avocado toast with eggs and the avocado was not fresh at all. Marisol had a skillet and the vegetables weren’t fully cooked. Although service is friendly, it’s not worth eating there in my opinion.

Avocado toast and eggs at Le Peep
Avocado toast and eggs

 

Map of Where to Eat Outside Downtown Valparaiso, Indiana

 

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Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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