Its an office quick service cafe. But the ladies who open up each morning are so awesome. I grabbed breakfast from there 3 times during my week long stay in indy. One tole ingot there 1/2 hours early not knowing they werent open yet. She still hooked me up. THANK YOU DOR AWESOME SERVICE. And those delicious croissant egg,ham, and cheese sammies. read more

Understaffed in front of restaurant! Staff can act not mature, rude, and dishonest. Definitely need more help on understanding better customer service within the front staff. The customer comes first!!! Staff purposely withheld my food to rush to the cashier about my order. I was the only person in line at the time that got treated this way. This is the third time it's happened!!! Could've been the manager or supervisor on staff!!!!! Felt discriminated against!!!! read more

I've been here a few times and the food never disappoints. Location is great but gets busy of course being in an office building in the center of downtown. Thry have a great variety and you can also order ahead online and skip the wait. I always get the Applewood salad. Definitely worth it and I love that they offer to toss the salad so everything is mixed together. It does get a bit noisy during their busy time but not so you can't hear and the multiple windows create a bright fresh ambiance. read more

Cafe 251 - Applewood salad - small - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

5 stars. Solid breakfast spot. Cunningham does everything well and this quick service concept is no exception. read more

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I've eaten at Cafe 251 many times. Recently came here again for lunch with colleagues. Very pleasant experience as always. Customer service is amazing. The cafe had ran out of quite a few soups at that time, but great experience overall. I ordered a potato and cup of chili. Both were delicious and were of great portions. I will continue to give Cafe 251 my patronage and recommend to others. read more

The food was delicious I had a Italian beef with the sandwich dip . My girl loves it she said she wouldn't mind coming back she was so excited when she saw it cooked in front of her and she telling all of our family about it read more

Cafe 251 - The other half of a delicious sandwich - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

This place is tucked away in an office building on New York Street. The staff here is very friendly. They even know the regulars by name. They have a wide election of food from soups to subs to salads to wraps. They also have some sides available such as chips, broccoli salad, and yogurt. There is ample street parking if you drive here, but most people come here from nearby office buildings. read more

I usually enjoy the salads here but quality seems to be declining while price increases. Today I paid $15 for a small salad that was inedible due to the obscene amount of dressing. I guess make sure you watch how much they're adding if ordering it tossed. read more

Cafe 251 - a salad in a plastic container - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Very much enjoy this cafeteria-esque selection process. I go in and head straight for the wraps section and customize my wrap! So far I've tried the chicken bacon ranch wrap and the buffalo chicken wrap. Both were very filling and exactly what I wanted and nothing else. The staff had no problem omitting or adding certain items. The portion sizes were generous. Also, I tried their cookies and they bless my soul every time I eat one. They are like the Chic-Fil-A cookies - the chocolate chip, for example, is perfectly sandwich in between the cookie and if it's warm is just lets you know exactly what dreams are made of! Things to know: 1. Get there before noon otherwise there will be a line. It moves quickly, but still early is best. 2. Get the chocolate chip cookie and put a little heat on it (no more that 5 seconds) and enjoy the greatness. Or in my case just let it sit next to your wrap and it will warm itself up. read more

I was downtown and decided to check out this unique Cunningham Dining Group cafe. Located inside the high rise at 251 N Illinois St, there is a parking garage under the building, but unfortunately there is not a discount or validation option available. So, you are either limited to street parking (metered) or walking from some other lot you may favor. (I parked in Circle Centre Mall and walked over here.) So, most of the customers are folks who are already downtown and are within easy walking distance. A lot of the customers get their orders to go. However, there are more tables than I expected available for those who may want to dine in like I did. The line for placing your order (sorry, no wait staff here) starts on the east side where you grab a tray, napkins, and use the plastic ware dispensers. There is a conveniently placed menu on the wall. The line is laid out with "stations" for salads, sandwiches, soups, and for me, ordering a Ham and Cheddar Quesadilla. At that area, I was able to select the items I wanted to add to the basic ham and cheese. After adding things like tomatoes, pico de gallo, and onions, I asked for recommendations from my server and he suggested trying the black bean salsa (great choice!) He folded the oversize shell in half and took it to the grill, telling me that he would bring it out as soon as it was heated. I grabbed a fruit cup as a side order and was told I could help myself to a sour cream cup and a salsa cup before paying. They have a self serve beverage counter near the west entrance to the cafe. Note: Although this is a Cunningham restaurant, the computer system is not compatible with the Cunningham points system. But never fear! If you show your dining card, you get a 10% discount on your order! That works for me! After a five to ten minute wait, the server who was making my quesadilla brought it out (he had given me a heads up when it was about 2 minutes out.) When he delivered the plate, I asked how he kept track of orders since they didn't ask for names or have numbers on the receipts. He said he had to learn to pay attention to customers when they came through so that he could recognize them. That could be challenging, but seemed to work. Finally, the food was really good! The giant quesadilla shell was cut into four manageable pieces. I added the sour cream and salsa to mine, so I used the plastics to eat, but could have picked the pieces up by hand since they held together well. The quality was what you would expect from the Cunningham group. Fresh ingredients, clean restaurant in front and behind the service lines, and friendly service. If you are downtown for lunch, check out this place for a nice change of pace! Review #438 read more

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Not your typical Cunningham quality. (Nor do they accept Cunningham gift cards - which is interesting.) The food quality is cafeteria and the price is WAY too high. I got a half chicken salad sandwich and chicken noodle soup cup. Neither we're good. The bread on the sandwich was sooo thick and dry it was hard to eat. The chicken salad itself was pretty tasteless. The chicken noodle soup was the saltiest soup I've ever had We also got a full club sandwich and another cup of soup. Again, sandwich was not good and soup was too salty. All in all we paid almost $35 for a deli sandwich, half sandwich, 2 cups of soup and a drink. I will never go back. read more

I didn't know this place existed until I started working in the building... and I LOVE it! They have 10-12 soups per day, all homemade, and I've yet to order one that hasn't been delicious. I usually get the soup/salad/soft drink combo which comes to about $10. Not a bad deal for high quality food. OH! And, if you ever splurge on a chocolate chip cookie? It's one of the best I've had... the middle is little less cooked than the edges and tastes like chewy, cookie dough-y goodness. While I almost always get the same delicious items, I have to say my favorite part is the staff. They are the friendliest, most welcoming, gracious people I've encountered at a place where you order at the counter, i.e. not a sit-down restaurant. Kudos to management for fostering such a wonderful, positive environment. I always leave with a smile on my face because interacting with everyone there makes me happy. :) Whenever I don't have a business meeting taking up my lunch spot, I will continue patronizing this hidden gem. read more

I love this cafe. And Fridays are my favorite. It's taco salad day! Also they make a salsa ranch combo that's very good with my taco salad. They are always fast and friendly. And although I don't go super often the staff still remember me. It's a nice atmosphere for lunch time and a short walk from my office. Win. Win. read more

Cafe 251 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I frequently visit Cafe 251 for a fast, convenient, and enjoyable lunch throughout my work week. Today while visiting, I knocked my salad off the counter, spilling it very much so in the way. The team working not only rushed to clean the mess, but also immediately moved me to the salad bar to quickly replace my meal at no additional cost. Everyone working here is always incredibly pleasant and helpful - will always recommend! read more

Just had the most nostalgic soup ever-- stuffed pepper! Just like my mom makes, but in soup form. Lines were super quick, and had a wide variety of soups, salads, wraps and even a breakfast menu. Will definitely come back for breakfast. This would be a great spot on a colder day to grab a bowl of soup and people watch in downtown Indy. read more

This place has the best salads and everything is fresh and made to order. The staff is extremely friendly and will remember you if you frequent this restaurant. It's kind of a fast casual restaurant where you can eat in or get food to go. They have daily specials and really good soups too! Only open during the day fyi. read more

This place truly is a lunchtime gem. Quick yet delicious. When you walk in, it's a bit like a cafeteria line. You grab a plastic tray and walk along glass cases, picking what you want. There's the soup section up front. They have some pretty great soups: the only comparable Downtown soup places are Au Bon Pain and Cafe Zuppa for also having a wide range of options. One of my favorites is the stuffed bell pepper and their tomato soup. They used to have a great cheesy beer bratwurst soup, but I haven't seen that one in a very long time. Then there's the salad aisle. I have to admit, I've been obsessed with one specific salad here, the penne pasta salad, and so I haven't even tried any of their other salads. The penne pasta salad mixes up spinach, penne pasta, onions, sunflower seeds, Parmesan cheese, and a salad dressing--it's full of flavor, filling, and yet healthy! Then there's the sandwich and wrap section. They have a delicious chicken salad croissant sandwich, some really great paninis, and some fun wraps. My favorite panini, a mushroom and ham panini is no longer on the menu, but I've liked every other panini I've tried, including the Cuban I bought a few weeks ago. One amazing option: their cheesesticks. They're absolutely amazing. They're covered with a thick layer of cheese and perfect for dipping into their tomato soup. I've often come here for nothing more than a cup of soup and two cheesesticks for my lunch. Get the cheesesticks with a salad as one of their daily lunch specials. This place is the perfect lunch-on-the-go place. Add it to your bookmarks, and if you happen to have a meeting Downtown right before or after lunch, make this a stopping place for a little grub. read more

This restaurant is on the first floor of Fifth Third Tower, so it's definitely got a sort of "business cafeteria" vibe, but don't let that scare you away from the amazing food, wicked fast service, and reasonable prices. I don't know how many people eat here in a day, but I'd guess the lunch crowd is probably north of 400 people. That's a huge lunch service, and the staff keeps the line moving rapidly. The food is served cafeteria style, but it's way on the high end of cafeteria quality. There were at least a dozen unique soup selections, a huge salad selection, sandwiches, and accompaniments. The line flies, the servers are awesome, and the prices are spot on. Definitely would recommend for lunch when in downtown Indianapolis. read more

Stellar food and a very fast and friendly staff. I just barely beat the lunch crowd, and watched them handle a line of about 20 with no problem. The food was great (I had the club with broccoli cheddar soup), and the staff made great recommendations. Prices are good, and the atmosphere is pretty low key, at least at the time of writing (11:45am). As this is my first time in town, I was feeling pretty underwhelmed about the downtown Indianapolis food scene. Mostly chain restaurants, not much on Yelp to get excited about, and even the locals were recommending Subway and Steak and Shake. On my last day, I came across this place and Indy, you have redeemed yourself! read more

My Friday go-to lunch spot. I always get one of their delicious salads. My friend gets their sandwiches a lot & really likes those too. The ingredients are always fresh & the staff is friendly & helpful. The line process & skipping around sometimes gets confusing & a little jumbled when it's busy. & if it's busy the sandwiches take a while. But they definitely have great lunch food & it's in a good central location that's easy to get to from all directions of downtown Indy. read more

I had a chef salad and it was delicious. Everytime we are here it never disappoints. They have great soups, salads and sandwiches. It's the perfect spot for a quick lunch. read more

Ever since the long time manager left in 2020, he white bean chicken chili recipe changed. The color of the chili is darker now )it used to be beige) and the flavor isn't the same and there is hardly any chicken in it. Please make the old recipe. It was much better. Thanks read more

The absolute best lunch process downtown. They just get it...best description is, always a line at lunch time but never a wait! And the food is really good...chicken velvet soup!! read more

Go here for lunch at least 2x a week (only when I am in the area). I always get a small salad (tossed) and for the 1st this past week I tried the Chicken Velvet soup. I must say that I really enjoyed this soup! Now that it is getting cooler I will be getting their soups for lunch. Staff is ABSOLUTELY pleasant! Can't go wrong with great service and great food!... can NOT! read more

I frequent Cafe 251 because it's close to my job which is across the street. The food is pretty good. It's your typical cafe style food, made to order salads, sandwiches, baked potatoes, soups, etc. Friday's are my favorite because they do taco salads on Friday's with all the fixings. If you work close by, give it a try. It isn't the best food I've had but it's descent. read more

Cafe 251 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Bbq chicken salad is top notch. My 12 year old had the sandwich box special (chips and cookie included) and loved it. Everything looks really good and fresh. Busy place at lunchtime which is a good sign. Fast and friendly service. Would definitely go to again! read more

Great soup selection, fantastic sandwiches, and I have yet to try everything. I go a few times a week, the staff is courteous, and the prices are affordable. They also serve breakfast in terms of bagels, breakfast croissant sandwiches and have awesome baked goods. My go to is 1/2 a club sandwich, soup and drink all for less than $10. read more

This is a great little gem!! I walked past this place on my way into work for about six months before giving it a try. Why did I wait so long?? This is so much more than a typical cafe. Their soup assortment is great (recommend chicken velvet when available). They also offer a great variety of sandwiches, salads, wraps and baked potatoes. They even steam the baked potato to makes sure everything is hot and yummy!! It is definitely my go-to spot, especially on cold winter days when soup and potato will warm you up! read more

This is a great cafe offering soups, sandwiches, salads and much more. Wide variety of soups and sandwiches, plus the combo deals allow to sample a few items on the same visit. Highly recommend the White Bean and Chicken Chili, perfect for a cold day in Indy. Definitely worth a visit if your downtown and looking for something quick, easy and satisfying for lunch. read more

This place is wonderful for lunch. Many soup, salad, and sandwich options. I love that I can create my own salad. I'm interning downtown from out of state, and have not been very impressed by the customer service in the food sector here in Indiana. However, at Cafe 251, I am always greeted with a sincere smile and am never made to feel like I am inconveniencing anyone by asking for my food the way I want it, which is what I am used to getting at similar establishments. The staff is always communicating with each other in a respectful manner, which I also appreciate. Just feels like a positive environment! The staff is great, the food is delicious. I highly recommend it! read more

Tasteful and delicious salads, soups and salads. A quiet place, spacious, friendly staff and quick service. Highly recommend it!

Great spot to grab lunch while at work downtown. Fast, good quality, affordable and nice staff.

This is a perfect quick stop and go for lunch! You can get any wrap, sandwich, or salad in a quick manner- and they were so friendly! My personal favorite was in my hot wrap, they waited to add the cold ingredients after the heating was done (ie: lettuce). Will definitely be back! read more

I have been dining at Cafe 251 for many years and it's just meh. I am over finding bits of other salads in my salad bowl that I didn't request. Today, I had a piece of pasta in my tomato basil soup. I am glad I don't have any food allergies. read more

Cafe 251 is a great option for lunch downtown. Huge menu, daily specials, everything is fresh... you can't lose eating here.