Hidden Gem!! Places like Oakleys are vanishing as more and more fusion restaurants open, I love the classic menu items and the unique flare that elevates the menu. I love a great meatloaf and that is truly what you get here. Love the gravy garnish over ketchup on most meatloafs. Also the shrimp corn dog is worth the "winning" description. The honey drizzle was the winning edge for me. Great spot don't let the strip mall location fool you. read more

Oakleys Bistro - Shrimp Corndog "Beat Bobby Flay" Winner - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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the food was excellent but moderate amount. The meatloaf by my estimate was a little over 3 ounces. The service was fair but confrontational when I asked if I could take a birthday cake in for my wife from my car. "No" was the response. That management wants you to buy their desserts. I said okay we'll buy but do you do anything for birthdays. A cake? "Well I think I can find a candle or two." There were 7 of us and the bill was close to $400. I said then I will not return. We did get a paid dessert with a candle. Not sure who they think they are. Very pretentious for my liking. I can find food just as good for less money and a100% more friendly. read more

Great little restaurant. Good location, lots of parking. They have cute out door seating as well but it was cold outside so we got seated indoors. The decor is very nice and I also really enjoyed the music selection (very Yat Rockish). We didn't RAVP but we were able to get a table in the back. It was a Friday night around 5:30. The crowd came in a little bit later. We ordered appetizers only because we had other dinner plans but wow, it was delicious. We ordered the shrimp corn dogs (so good), prime rib, Wong tongs (delicious) and the king crab deviled eggs which were sooo good . We also tried some of their drinks. I got the ruby red Martin and my husband tried a delicious tangerine flavored beer that he really enjoyed. I didn't get our waiters name because he didn't offer it but the service was good and he was a very delightful young man. I highly recommend this restaurant. The food is elevated and delicious. The price is very reasonable for the experience menu options. The location is great. We really enjoyed ourselves. read more

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This is my go to for my birthday and anniversary, so every February and October, I'm back to "try it". I just had my birthday dinner here and , yes, once again it was perfect from beginning to end. It was a Thursday and we requested (and got) the Chef's Table. It is an absolute treat to sit so close to Chef Oakley and crew as they work. They are all in sync and it's actually calming to watch them. I love it. Service was perfect. Friendly and consistent. The food was beautifully made and beautiful to look at. We ordered a number of different things. The menu changes and we typically order whatever special there is. I highly recommend just "going for it" with one of the specials, even if unfamiliar flavors. So- another great visit. I'll be back in October! read more

Oakleys Bistro - Beer can chicken spring rolls. - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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We had the waffle lobster, the Brussel sprouts and the salmon. The food came out really quickly and it was really well made, the flavors were amazing! I loved the Brussel sprouts The salmon was rated at a 4.5 - it was good but not amazing. read more

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Very disappointed. Extremely cold inside: we couldn't take off our coats. We decided on French onion soup: the bowls were hot, and the handles were dangerously hot. Our waitress didn't warn us about it, and my hand was burned. There was Very little cheese on top, nothing special about the soup. The main course we ordered was called wild mushroom quiche, but it was just plain piece of dough with mushrooms thrown on the top. It didn't look elegant nor did it taste all that good. We enjoyed the chocolate dessert with pineapple relish. In conclusion the restaurant was very disappointing. Definitely below our expectations. read more

Oakleys Bistro is one of our favorite restaurants. Not only is the food consistently good, but the service is always outstanding. On a gluten free diet certain restaurants can be tricky, but Oakleys always has options for me and the servers aren't frustrated with me asking questions. read more

Oakleys Bistro - Meatloaf featured for Devour Indy, February 2024 - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

This place has very delicious and unique foods. Presentation is beautiful. However the service is very slow and the restaurant is very loud. The food is worth the price but the overall experience was not. read more

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I had a very positive experience here. The food was amazing, I got the shrimp risotto. The servers were attentive and friendly. It is a small quaint restaurant with a family feel. Very beautiful wines to choose from, I left with a bottle to go! read more

Oakleys Bistro - Risotto - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Heard great things about this restaurant. They have an exciting menu. I liked but didn't love the food as much I would have liked to. The dishes had a lot going on. Will try again. read more

All delicious - and very pricey but worth it. The food is tasty and bitsize for sharing. The lighting was great and the atmosphere was relaxed. The servers are the best. read more

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Subtle twists to favorite standards elevated every dish we tried, making this fairly pricey restaurant worth every penny. For example, the French onion soup was hailed as the best my husband ever tasted. The main dishes (we sampled the salmon, pork chop, and meatloaf) were expertly plated and contained so many delectable flavors. Service was was friendly and helpful, being very gracious about redoing the beet salad when I forgot to ask for no walnuts (nut allergy). Seating was cozy without feeling cramped despite the small interior. Reservations are a must here, so do call ahead or go online before go. read more

Usually we head downtown for the finest eats in Indy but don't shy away from this place because it's in a strip mall on 86th! It's top notch! The food is prepared with care and brings great flavor to each dish. You can see the hearty Indiana influence in the dishes chef Oakley creates like his signature meatloaf or the pork chop (which I ordered on our most recent visit). These staple dishes with many creative touches bring texture flavor and overall experience to each dish. The service has always been professional and friendly and overall a great experience. read more

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Been back a few times since initial review. Always blows us away. Took my brother and his wife (newbies) and they were astounded by the food, service and presentation. What a great experience to share with family! We had the salmon (rave reviews at the table) and the the special which was lamb tenderloin over forbidden rice. Astounding! Thank you Chef for making it such an incredible experience (again). We are lucky that Steve calls northern Indy home. Don't miss out. Go now. read more

What a pleasant surprise!!!!! Tucked away in the west Nora area is this little hidden gem is an intimate and incredibly full experience. Amazing staff, incredible flavors. I will come here many many more times. Highly recommend this place!! #flavor-layers read more

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Visiting for the weekend and this piqued our interest with the shrimp corn dog. After my husband tried it (I'm a no seafood person), he declared "every corn dog should be a shrimp corn dog." The service was great, wine list solid, Manhattan on point. Kids menu options made it enjoyable for our girls, too. Only knock is perhaps the location itself needs a refresh? I always prefer substance over style so this is a minor point for me, overall, great visit. read more

Oakleys Bistro - Shrimp Corndog "Beat Bobby Flay" Winner - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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So so so good, I seriously can't wait to go back! They have an extensive list of classic cocktails. I got the gold rush and I would highly recommend it, especially if you like sours. Our waiter was great and knowledgeable about the specials. They had a crab cake appetizer special that we ordered and I forgot to take a picture of it. We couldn't wait to eat it, it was so good! We ordered Stanley's meatloaf and the sweet corn ravioli. The food here is very high quality and clearly very fresh, and it feels like a high class dining experience without being too pretentious (or expensive!). All in all, I'm really glad this guy beat Bobby Flay and I'll definitely be back. read more

Oakleys Bistro - Gold Rush - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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First time here, stopped in for lunch. In shopping plaza so easy to miss. Parking is not a challenge. will return for an evening meal. I started with a special soup, shrimp bisque, it taste great but was lacking chunks of shrimp. I think that would have made it more enjoyable. Next was Brussel sprout salad, I loved it with its lemon Caesar salad dressing. It also had apples and pecans. Finally was the crème brûlée, you can never go wrong here. read more

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Wow. Great food and great presentation. The trout, seasonal veggies and risotto was so beautiful and tasty. Not to mention flavorful, yet so fresh and light. The soup of the day was carrot ginger and it was also one of the best soups I've ever eaten. They also have a great cocktail list. read more

Oakleys Bistro - Trout and veggies with risotto in an edible potato cup. - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Great food, cocktails and service! The lobster waffle was our favorite starter, and I really enjoyed the beef brisket. read more

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This may be one of my favorite Indianapolis restaurants! Outdoor and indoor sitting with an elegant atmosphere and modern decor. We started with the Brussels sprouts and for main dishes had the mushroom paella and chicken and pork belly piccata. Every dish was outstanding. The paella hands down was the favorite dish of the evening. The flavors were unbelievable. We cannot wait to go back. read more

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Food and drinks was good but service was poor and the owner did not care. Will not be coming back.

As all other reviews say, do not knock this place because of location. I've been very excited to try Oakleys and it did not disappoint. It was absolutely packed on a Tuesday night, so ensure you make a reservation before you go. Everything on the menu is unique and I don't think you could go wrong with your selection. For appetizers, we had the infamous shrimp corn dogs that were incredible. They had a light, sweet drizzle of something and were so fluffy, but crisp on the outside. We also had bacon wrapped apricots, smoked salmon deviled eggs, and prime rib dumplings. The prime rib dumplings were my second favorite appetizer and are unique, but a must try. I got the trout, while others at the table got salmon and walleye. All plates were clean which is a great sign. The trout was cooked and seasoned very well. The risotto on the side was rich and was served in a 'crispy potato cup' that added a nice crunchy texture. Dessert was great and we decided on the sorbet flight. It came with pineapple, strawberry, and blueberry. I was shocked to say that the blueberry was incredible. They each had a graham cracker-like crust on the bottom and it was so flavorful. This place is a must try! read more

Number one experience in Indpls. Cozy ambiance . Tables nicely spaced. Incredible, inventive menue. The squash soup alone is worth a return visit for lunch. Wine list excellent. Although I didn't have a drink, the description of suggested drinks made a fun and intriguing read. Our server was a delight. She further enhanced a terrific mid day meal. read more

A hidden gem in the middle of a strip mall! We came here for a nice date night and loved the food! It felt very safe with COVID. We had our own little booth at the back of the restaurant. We started off with some wine. They have a great wine list. Mostly are by the bottle with a handful by the glass or quartino. For our appetizer there was no questions about getting the shrimp corn dogs. The batter was sweet like a mix of cornbread and pancakes. The honey drizzle on top was the best part! For entrees my husband got the meatloaf and I got the mushroom paella. Both had amazing seasonal ingredients with so much flavor. My mushroom paella was filled with fresh veggies topped with an egg and some crunchy salty potato chips. There were so many flavors all in one dish. My husband loved his meatloaf with all the earthy root vegetables. To end the night we got the sticky toffee cake with buttered popcorn ice cream....need I say more?! The dessert was to die for! read more

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great restaurant! a little on the pricey side but great for the food and service you get. Everyone in the kitchen is so friendly and all the servers are very attentive! Definitely go on a week they have a tasting menu!! read more

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This is my second time to Oakley's this month and I must say this is going to be a lunch staple spot for me. The resturant is cute with a rustic farmhouse chic vibe. My server the first time was a little green, but my most recent time my server was very knowledgeable, attentive, and relatable. I had recommended this spot to my coworkers and they loved it!! This time I tried the shrimp corn dog along with my coworkers and that batter is damn good, we all ordered 1 and was ready for more on the last bite. I went for the fish tacos this time which came with a small dressed salad...I almost licked the plate clean everything was PHENOMENAL! The tacos were a great size and seasoned very well. My coworkers are total foodies so they got a kick out of the corn dogs winning "Beat Bobby Flay". I can't wait to come back for dinner or a girls lunch so I can indulge in a cocktail (their cocktail list is to die for!). read more

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There is a good reason Oakley's Bistro has been in business twice as long as most fine dining restaurants survive in Indianapolis; it is consistently excellent. Innovative but comforting menu, spectacular service, and memorable meals. Chef Steven Oakley is a legend and his restaurant is perfect for any occasion. Pro tip: wear a dress or flip flops- dress code is relaxed. I've gone on fancy date night, but I've also gone post-gardening. read more

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What a gem!! I made reservations for a Thursday evening, but I'm not sure I needed them. We started with the shrimp corndogs, then moved onto the pulled pork special, which was a starter plate. Both were delicious, but two days later and I can't recall anything specific about either. We shared the lamb entree, but this one was something to write home about! All the flavors and textures you could ever want with lamb tenderloin were there. This dish was ethereal. The warm banana Ricotta dessert was the only thing I snapped a picture of. Fail! Dessert was delicious. We each had a Paloma, but I wouldn't order this there again. I love a paloma, but I didn't love this one. Excellent service with good music and nice date night ambiance. Creative dishes, small portions, big prices. read more

Oakleys Bistro - Warm Banana Ricotta Heaven - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

My wife and I are foodies and I decided it would be a good spot for her birthday. We decided on a single shrimp corn dog and prime rib dumplings (pot stickers) for starters. Neither disappointed but I seriously could've had a dozen of the shrimp corn dogs. We both had the specials for the evening. My wife had a filet with lump crab meat on top and veggies. I had the panko crusted Sole. Don't let me forget that my wife's filet came with polenta cakes. I had the luxury to try her steak and it was outstanding. She's not a crab person so I helped out. The Sole fish was sneaky good and it came with veggies and an Asian inspired sauce. We shared dessert of course. I missed out on risotto but won't forget it on our next visit. read more

Oakley is killin it! This was such a memorable meal with such unique and tasty flavor combinations. My personal favorite were the prime rib dumplings. They were melt in your mouth good. I dream about them still. I went for the salmon for the main course and it was a beautiful experience of texture and flavor. read more

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I've been wanting to go to Oakley's for a long time and finally got the chance! Really cute place but the highlight was the service and the menu. It's always refreshing to find new things on the menu and this place had it all. For starters we tried the shrimp corndog, which apparently beat Bobby Flay! We also tried to special which was a lobster schnitzel both delicious. For dinner it was a tossup for me between the halibut and the lamb but I chose the halibut because you just don't get that very often and it's delicious. The preparation was amazing with quinoa and a sweet potato/squash purée. My date followed suit so I didn't get to try a second dish...boo. And because we weren't overly stuffed, we decided to indulge in dessert. Honestly, this may be the best dessert I've ever had in my life. I had a blueberry dream. I'm not even sure what all was in it, but it was amazing and my date had the caramel apple pie deliciousness. Grace was our server and she was knowledgeable, honest and thoroughly enjoyable. A good night was had by all. read more

Wow, where do I begin. While reading the menu for this restaurant I knew I had to try it! I am so glad I did. My old fashioned cocktail had a Korean twist to it, delicious. My apricot appetizer was sweet and savory. My cream corn ravioli was like nothing I've had before. My closure to the wonderful meal was a very tasty and unusual toffee pudding. I enjoyed it with an espresso. Our waiter was very helpful in helping me decide what to pick as it was always a toss up between two items in each category. I saw other items on the menu I would love to try. I will be back. read more

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For my birthday gift from my partner, I prefer a special meal at a unique local restaurant, something experiential rather than something I'll never use or something that will collect dust. This year, I was excited to visit Oakley's Bistro for the first time, as its menu looked creative and inviting. We made a reservation, but found it wasn't needed for our early weekday night visit. The space was warmly lit and we were also greeted warmly. Plexiglas barriers had been erected between tables and booths, due to COVID. I ordered a "Vieux Carre" cocktail, whose profile sounded similar to my favorite bitter bourbony boulevardier. We wanted to order the entire menu, but tried to strategize and selected a few small plates and main entree apiece. First off, we were pleasantly surprised by the flavors from the creamy, mustardy chicken cordon bleu deviled eggs. The eggs were topped with a golden-browned aged cheese crisp, with almost an essence of smoked ham mixed into the yolk filling. We then shared Oakley's version of a "wedge" salad, with potato chips, shaved fennel, gorgonzola, sun-dried tomato, smoked ranch dressing, and a drizzle of complexly sweet fig glaze; it definitely was superior to the common wedge you find everywhere else. Our last starter was flawlessly cooked scallops with a maple-chipotle glaze, over a squash puree. The scallop starter had little chip flecks scattered across it, made out of dehydrated mole sauce. It was cool to see a South American twist on scallops, rather than the same ole lemon or other typical scallop flavor pairings I've experienced in the past. When we finally got to the main entree portion of the meal, I was approaching a full stomach and thought the starters would be hard to beat. I was wrong. I ordered the short rib...it melted in the mouth and was one of the best, most flavorful entrees I've ever had. The short rib was accompanied by this dichotomous-sounding list of ingredients: potato puree, roasted mushrooms, funky blue cheese, fried potato latke, pickled mustard seeds, rhubarb escabeche, red pepper coulis...are you still with me? Who would have thought to pair tart rhubarb relish with blue cheese, with dots of bright red pepper sauce? It was amazing. My partner ordered Stanley's meatloaf and commented on how good it was also, but I saw him repeatedly staring at my short rib with jealousy in his eyes...deep jealousy. Too stuffed for dessert, we still looked over the menu and oooed and aahed over the flavor combinations; chocolate-hazelnut-cherries, pineapple-rum-chocolate-macadamia-whiskey....drool. This birthday dinner was all-time top 5 meal for me. Oakley's is a master of combining flavors and textures that you imagine would never work, but instead compliment and magnify each other perfectly...a beautiful balance of acid, seasoning, sweetness, fat, etc. Service was friendly and impeccable, but not snobbish. Oakley's also offers a more affordable lunch time menu; no need to save a visit for special occasions only. I can't wait to visit again....I may even break my own birthday dinner rule and venture back to the same restaurant twice. read more

Oakleys Bistro - Beef Short Ribs entree (10/20/20); best short ribs ever! - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Picked up a to go order of beef short ribs - I was not aware that the mashed potatoes were not included but they were delicious - actually better than the short ribs. Will try a different dish next time! read more

Oakleys Bistro - Beef Short Ribs - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

We discovered Oakleys Bistro on a whim a few years back, and it has become a regular favorite for gourmet meals in a low-key environment. I'll be the first to admit that its location is not indicative of its quality. So, our first meal was laden with a little hesitancy over how good a meal could be when it shared a parking lot with Applebee's. However, we were extremely surprised and delighted by the Michelin quality meal. read more

The food was ok. The shrimp corn dogs were great. I did take out, so no service was done.

Enjoyable local date night. Country club casual relaxing and romantic environment. Never would have imagined the interior or the quality the restaurant judging from the exteriors, which it is in an older shopping center. To be honest I had no clue it was a restaurant and have passed it almost daily. Only really saw OAKLEYS sign on name and never saw the smaller print "bistro" under it. Wait staff very courteous, prompt to refill beverages, and knowledgeable about different dishes even for our waiter that was his 1st night to wait tables. We were pleased with all our dishes and thought the best we tried was the nightly special of venison. The honey short ribs were also very good and tender, almost as tender as a roast. Wish the King Pao Brussel Sprouts had some spicy kick to them. They were tasty but kind of on the bland side. All items were also plated nicely. We were a little disappointed in shrimp corn dogs as which he's famous for Beating Bobby Flay. On the show he made a shrimp sausage like corndog. Ours last night were a large shrimp in corn dog batter and were okay. Glad we tried it but didn't leave us wanting to try it again. Overall we were pleased with everything. However, we both felt there were better restaurants of same quality we could enjoy for same if not lower price. The benefit that will have us return is proximity to our home making for easy date nights. read more

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Oakley's might be in an unassuming location but the food and the service are anything but! Everything about Oakleys is elevated. The food inspires and tastes incredible! The ambience is amazing for a date night but also for a friends' night out! The service was top notch and everyone provided great recommendations! This a must go restaurant! read more

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Lived near this place for years now. Finally checked them out. Pretty sure it will be a new favorite/ regular goto. We've been there twice now, once for dinner & again for lunch. Both times we were very pleased with all of the inventive food and the excellent service. Can't wait to go again. They were very well organized & taking precautions for social distancing & cleaning. read more

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