The chic folks at Yelp Indy are chatting us up on IndysChild.com again! We love them for keeping us in the loop on all-things-happening-in-Indianapolis-for-Yelpers. Remember when they scooped the Top 5 Kid-Friendly Ways To Get Active In The Circle City? Or the Top Picks For Indoor Winter Fun? We do. They’ve become some of our go-to lists. This month they dish on their top picks for indoor winter fun – i.e. important notes for every parent. So take it away Yelp!
Does your child have an adventurous palette and is up for trying new cuisine? Move over, chicken fingers and hamburgers – it’s time to give the kiddos a world tour of foreign foods in the Circle City. No passport needed for this global eating adventure!
Here are the Top 5 ethnic eateries for kids, thanks to the Yelp Indianapolis community!
1. St. Yared
Cuisine: Ethiopian
Location: Geist Reservoir area
Eating with your hands is not only encouraged at St. Yared – it’s required! Food is served in traditional Ethiopian style, sans utensils. This is the real deal – the owner’s wife only uses authentic spices and family recipes. Customers can expect an educational lesson along with their unique food experience. Yelper Rich G. says the staff did a great job explaining Ethiopian culture and menu options to kids, telling personal stories and sharing history. Expect vegetarian and meat combo platters, stewed beef, and the famous Ambasha bread served with cottage cheese and honey.
2. Santorini Greek Kitchen
Cuisine: Greek
Location: Fountain Square
Opaaaa! Pretend you’re an extra in My Big Fat Greek Wedding at Taki and Jeanette Sawi’s Greek restaurant. Get your gyro and kabob fix amidst an atmosphere that is great for groups. Yelper Sarah D. loves taking her son here because of the free bread while you wait (no cranky hungry kids!), the Saganaki flaming cheese spectacle, and family-friendly belly dancer performances on the weekends. Not to mention there are plenty of high chairs for little ones!
3. 3 in 1 Restaurant
Cuisine: El Salvadorian
Location: West Side
Family-owned 3 in 1 restaurant honors the three nationalities of its owners: United States, El Salvador, and Mexico. Expect a budget-friendly dining experience – all tamales and pupusas are around $3. The restaurant also serves classic tacos and burritos for those less adventurous palettes. Don’t miss the rigua appetizer – organic sweet corn grilled between a banana leaf, creating a pancake-like consistency. Wash it all down with a Jarritos soda!
RELATED POST: “Ew, gross, I’m not eating that!” by A Dad Influence
4. Jamaican Reggae Grill
Cuisine: Jamaican
Location: Carmel
Jamaican me crazy with those authentic patties! Owner Chuck is a native of Jamaica and happily explains the cuisine of his country to new patrons. Located on the Monon Trail next to Union Brewing Company, Jamaican Reggae Grill is no-frills: all meals are served in paper bowls. Menu highlights include jerk chicken, beef stew, rice and beans, fried plantains, and the classic coco bread made with coconut milk. Can’t forget the rum bread pudding! Bonus: Jamaican Reggae Grill boasts a large outdoor patio to enjoy in the summer months. I can just hear the calypso music now . . .
5. La Parada
Cuisine: Mexican
Location: Holy Cross neighborhood
There’s nothing worse than dining out in a restaurant with a quiet ambiance…and then the youngster decides it’s a perfect time for a tantrum. Fear not: La Parada is “SUPER kid friendly” according to Yelper Erik J! He says the noise level is just right to cover the sounds of kiddos, and there are plenty of options for them to enjoy. Yelper Damie A. and her kids particularly loved the high-quality kids’ steak tacos and couldn’t get enough. Ole!
To find more ethnic eateries and kid-friendly joints in your neck of the woods, visit yelp.com or download the app!
Yelp is a website and mobile application that connects people with great local businesses – anything from restaurants, bars and spas to dog groomers, mechanics, even dentists!
Indy’s Child is thrilled to host content from our partner Yelp Indy. These monthly posts aim to connect the parents and families of the city to the local businesses around them. Stay tuned for lots of great input from Yelp Community Leaders Brittany Smith + Katie Utken. Then, start exploring your neck of the woods!
