Really special spot in Indy! Unassuming location in a strip mall, but the food is top notch! We had: - White sangria and blackberry tequila cocktail = amazing! - Brussel sprouts and beet salads were awesome standouts - I had the trout & risotto, super delicious and creative risotto presentation w a cool potato outer shell - Everyone was raving about the prime rib dumplings, duck on duck, tennesse egg rolls, and other meat items Thanks Oakleys!! read more

The food was amazing! It was an experience worth the price. Service was excellent, it made the foods taste even better. The atmosphere is welcoming and patio seating cozy. As you can see from the pictures - we tried a lot of things on the menu. They were all amazing. The Shrimp Corndog came highly recommended. Prices are fair and there's of parking right in front of the restaurant. read more

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One of the best restaurants in Indy. I went for lunch and it was soo good I went back that night for dinner. I can't give recommendations because everything I had was amazing read more

It was really yummy. All the flavors came together nicely. I do wish that there was an even number of them since this is a shareable instead of odd but altogether it was a great deviled egg. read more

Oakleys Bistro - Nashville chicken deviled eggs - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Went here for a birthday dinner with a friend. This was my second visit here and the meal did not disappoint. We tried the famous shrimp corn dogs, prime rib dumplings, and I had the fettuccine. The pasta was fresh and cooked perfectly. I love the ambiance and the staff is great. They offer great insight into the menu and suggestions. read more

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When it comes to foodie dining in Indy, much has changed since its 2015 heyday. My shortlist of foodie spots has become shorter, but luckily, Oakleys Bistro remains on the list. Most recently, my mom and I came for dinner, and we had a most wonderful experience from start to finish. Oakleys is a worthy splurge, whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply want to go all out. read more

Love the space and ambiance. Staff was attentive and efficient. Food..... We spent over $350 between 5 adults and 1 child and I swear we ordered dang near everything on the menu. We tried nearly every starter and several entrees. We collectively agreed the starters were "just ok". My brother loved the lobster waffle. My mom loved the butternut squash soup. I thought it was tepid. The entrees were much better than the starters. Meatloaf and salmon were enjoyed. Mashed potatoes were ridiculously salty. Piccata was nice. My drink (recommended by the server) alchemy something or other was meh too. Ultimately what would keep me from going back is the auto gratuity. I never tip below 20% and don't typically have an issue with auto gratuity. However, Oakleys system is allegedly antiquated and they must hand write the gratuity into your check. Now.... If I could verify this happens to everyone, I would be ok with it. However, my party felt uncomfortable with it. I felt targeted. I certainly recommended to the manager on staff that they update their software. It was off putting. read more

I saw the Beat Bobby Flay episode a few weeks ago and immediately looked up Oakleys Bistro. Still going strong during a pandemic! My husband and I moved to Bloomington on the day everything shut down. We're from the NY metro area. We've hardly been anywhere here. But it was so wonderful that we came to Oakleys tonight because everything about it is terrific. Flavorful food that reveals more of its ingredients with each bite, a masterful Tequila Old-Fashioned. We had the Tennessee egg rolls, brussels sprouts salad, prime rib dumplings, the bacon-wrapped apricots, and a special chocolate mousse with raspberries for dessert. Every dish was delicious. Service is friendly and very professional, the ambiance is lovely. We had the best meal we've eaten in more than two years, and ironically, our last great dinner was in NYC in 2019 -- at Bobby Flay's restaurant, Gatto. Thank you Chef Oakley and the staff at Oakleys Bistro. We have to look for things to do in Indy so we can come back to your restaurant often. read more

I have heard amazing things about Oakleys so I went there this week and loved it! We started with shrimp corndogs which are delicious and really high quality (also the dish that the chef beat Bobby Flay with on tv). I also got the fish tacos that were filling, fresh and had amazing flavors. I went with a big group and we all really enjoyed our food and are already talking about going back! The staff is very nice and professional too. I highly recommend! read more

Oakleys Bistro - Shrimp Corndogs - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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The service was great but the food terrible. It was very dry and I couldn't eat it. Tried eating just the toppings but the chicken was so dried out it was impossible. Husband enjoyed their meatloaf. It was lunchtime so maybe mine was leftover prep from night before. Maybe the food is better at dinner? read more

Oakleys Bistro - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Continuing my quarantine catch up... spent a delightful February evening with customers/friends enjoying what might be my most memorable dining experience of the year. We started with bacon wrapped apricots soaked in tequila, the famous shrimp corn dogs and an order of trillium cheese. All of these are exceptional though if you are going to skip one, make it the bacon wrapped apricots. Do not miss the other two. Speaking of do not miss, that is the lobster waffle. I will dream of this and I'm so glad that I ordered this myself. Even though I had to share, I got to eat most of it. I also enjoyed the scallops and short ribs immensely, but I may never order anything other than the lobster waffle when I return here. Somehow we saved room for dessert and shared a chocolate bar kind of dessert as well as crème brûlée. Both exceptional as was everything we ate. read more

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Great food and Service. Enjoyable experience and I like the small atmosphere. Went w/ a party of 8 the last time and no issues being taken care of. Good place for Anniversaries and special occasions as well. read more

I have heard such great things about this place, that I was so excited to finally come and try it out. I don't know if they had an off day, or if this is a downward trend showing, but I was less than impressed I am sorry to say. I do know restaurants are currently quite understaffed and I do take that into consideration and I do not fault them for the long wait times and the horrible service. However, it can be a bit pricey and for that I expect good to great food. Start with the Elder Cocktail, kudos, that was very good. A nice refreshing drink and a nice pour. Not too strong, not too weak, just right. I ordered 2 of the famous Bobby Flay Shrimp Corn dogs that everybody raves about and I was thoroughly disappointed. While the presentation was very visually pleasing, the corn dog was not. The batter was mushy and tasteless, separating from the shrimp. The shrimp on the other hand were overdone and extremely chewy. Not a Bobby Flay, but a Bobby Fail. He would hate to have his name attached to this. Onward to the onion soup. Again, beautiful presentation. The onion soup is served in a beautiful kettle-like bowl with a grilled cheese perched on top across the bowl instead of the bread and cheese floating within the soup. The broth was excellent with a nice amount of Onions. the grilled cheese was delicious and even contained sauteed onions inside. Well done. On to the Lobster Waffle... that is a hard no from me. I ate it because I was very hungry. It would have been another hour or so before I could get a replacement, even if I could have managed to get anybody's attention. As I stated: horribly understaffed. So I object to soggy waffles and rubbery lobster. the presentation and the flavors were good. The amount of lobster chunks would have been good, but the lobster was chewy beyond belief. That just takes away the joy of lobster. I am sorry to say that one out of 3 dishes being good just doesn't work for me. My guest weren't overly impressed by their dishes either unfortunately. I truly hope they recover soon and turn this trend around. read more

My wife and came here for Devour Indy. Oh my was it so so good. Donni, our server had the perfect amount of attentiveness. From the special event menu, we started with the pork and beans and lobster rolls, then we had the beef stew and the meatloaf and both finished with the olive oil cake. Check out my pIctures - the meals here are absolutely beautiful. It is almost a shame to break into the food artwork. But when you do, wham! an explosion of flavor hits your mouth. Oh my goodness. Love this place! read more

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A pleasant surprise in a neighborhood that I don't frequent often! I've heard about this place from my friend and she raves about it! Then I read all the reviews and articles so I was pumped to try it out! We came here for lunch and realized that the shrimp corn dogs were a must! I only got one but honestly, I could've been content ordering 5 and eating them as a meal. A yummy honey drizzle on sweet corn bread battered shrimp. They're adorable and delicious! Then I did a soup and salad combination with the butternut squash soup and Brussels sprouts arugula caesar salad. The soup was creamy and rich and they pour it into your bowl at the table! The Brussels sprouts salad had these plump golden raisins that complimented the salad so well in combination with butternut squash and manchego cheese. Can't wait to come back for dinner! read more

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Steve Oakley never disappoints! We finally tried something other than the shrimp corn. Dogs - The Rosemary Beef boulle was amazing as was the Tennessee egg role. I highly recommend going with whatever chef is offering as a special. Husband had venison with delicious red currents and a friend had brisket. Olive oil poached salmon was perfectly cooked. Desserts are beautiful and complex with flavors complimenting each other. Worth every penny! Servers and staff are knowledgeable and attentive. read more

If you can spare the money, just do it. Nothing is wrong with this place other than the fact that you feel so right. read more

Wife and I dined at Oakley's on November 9 to celebrate our wedding anniversary. I'll second all the five-star reviews of Oakley's cuisine--expensive but worth it! Service was also prompt and attentive. Here are a few points the owners might want to address: * Dining room can get very noisy when the restaurant is busy (as it was the evening we went). Hard to sustain a quiet conversation at our table. * Online menu doesn't always get updated promptly. The Coq au Vin listed online (which I had been hoping to try) turned out to be not on the menu that evening. * Extensive wine selection but very few were available by the glass (a common annoyance for many of us light drinkers). * I'd like to see Oakley's offer some of the simpler traditional bistro dishes (steak frites, mussels in cream, etc.) Not every entree needs to showcase the chef's virtuosity! read more

How can I not have been here before now? I. Am. Ashamed. Of. Myself. My friend and I were ladies who lunch here yesterday, and it was a perfect spot. Elegant. Classy. European continental vibe. Perfect. Chef Oakley "Beat Bobby Flay" back in May with his signature shrimp corndog. Clearly, we had to sample this item. Fortunately, they're available as a small bite for $2.50 a pop. Seriously. I could have ordered three of these babies and some sort of side with a glass of wine and been totally happy. Served piping hot with a heavenly crispy corn dog coating and skewered shrimp in the middle with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkling of chives. This has to be the most upscale riff on State Fair food I've ever seen. We also tried the rosemary chicken tart with a peach relish and some smoky almonds (DELECTABLE), and a pair of fab short rib tacos, each with a fresh little side salad. I MUST get back soon on a Tuesday night for wine tasting. That's all there is to it. Rock on, Chef Steve. read more

We went to Oakley's Bistro to celebrate a birthday, and left counting down to when we can return! The tasting menu was phenomenal - each dish was fresh, flavorful, and thoughtful. Our service was all-around fantastic. I highly recommend experiencing the tasting menu option, but we'll definitely be back to try the regular dining options. read more

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Possibly the best meal in Indy! Wow, wow, and wow is all I can say. Every single thing we had was outstanding. From cocktails to dessert. For appetizers we got the foie gras and the chicken chorizo dates. I was a little questionable about the dates until I took a bite. Seriously another level. Both were incredible. I then had the lobster waffle which was the perfect flavor and ingredients. My fiancé loved his duck entree. We then finished with espresso martinis and the ice cream/sorbet sampler. Strawberry banana, peach, and chocolate cheesecake. All were so so tasty. Loved the ambiance and being able to see into the kitchen. You would never think this gem would be hidden in a strip mall. Seriously to die for. Oh and I almost forgot the Mac and goat cheese.. OMG!!!! Heaven read more

Oakleys Bistro - Foie Gras Mousse and Chicken Chorizo Dates - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Three of us went to Oakleys Bistro following a performance of the ISO. We arrived a little after 8:15 which turned out to be propitious. The heavy duty dinner crowd was just braking up. Two of us had not been there in a while, principally due to geography, and a mistaken impression that the menu rarely changed. We had a very helpful server who, when advised of my peculiar allergy, conferred with the kitchen to see what might be safe or could be made safe for me. Thankfully, there were several options. I settled on a 6 oz preparation of Wagu beef and it was outstanding. My tablemates shared the Duck & Duck dish and when served, our server reminded me that I was not to touch it because of my allergy. They raved about their dish. Before our mains, we had shared the foie gras dish as an appetizer and a Brussels sprout "Caesar" for our salad. Because of my wife's heritage, we also ordered the roasted garlic potato puree for the table. Every dish we had was delicious. And we noted that the chef/owner, Steve Oakley, was in the kitchen until we were done, a fact we appreciated. Clearly, we will be back and since our geography is about to change, perhaps much more often. read more

We drive 3 hours once a year to treat ourselves to the most amazing food. Totally worth every mile!!!!

So I ate hear years ago for lunch but it was kind of a set up date and I just wasn't feeling it so I didn't have a good feeling about this place in my mind. Boy was I stupid. We stopped in for dinner awhile ago and it just blew our minds. We had the Lobster waffle and the soup of the day to start and they were both off the chain. For dinner I had the duck duck and Jill had the honey smoked short ribs. We also had a couple of desserts and everything was spot on and I can be a bit critical according to Jill. We also did Covid19 Take out last night and got the bacon wrapped apricots, Brussels sprout Cesar and the Duck Duck which came with a different side that the first time. All super delish! We also grabbed a gift card for when this all blows over and to help this local institution with cash flow. read more

Oakleys Bistro - Lobster waffle. - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Now this place makes flavorful duck! It was delicious. Every dish I've had at Oakleys is well seasoned and the flavors are often complex. They clearly put a lot of thought and effort in their dishes. This is the only place I have found in Indiana that layers their flavors in their dishes causing a dance of flavor in your palate. I've recommended this place to multiple people. Keep up the great work! read more

Oakleys Bistro - Duck & Duck - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

The food is delicious. I've eaten there numerous times. My favs are the shrimp corn dog and the crème burlee. You go Chef Steve, Patsy read more

3.5 stars here. Everything we ordered was beautifully prepared and served on piping hot vessels. Although the menu was diverse, it just offered foods that I'm not particularly fond of. Their beloved meatloaf was a mix off mostly pork, chicken and beef. It had an odd bite and mouthfeel which i wasn't crazy about but that's just me. The meatloaf featured spicy Indian-like flavors and i suppose i was hoping for a sweeter and less savory barbecue sauce. I enjoyed the corn poblano soup. It was served in a smoking hot bowl which was a nice touch. I'd recommend this place if you enjoy new American with lots, maybe too much, going on in the plate. 7/19 update. Had a great wedge salad with a nearly perfect dressing. The menu is still a bit busy but I really enjoyed my salad. read more

Oakleys Bistro - Lobster pot pie - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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How have I never been to this local star before? I had just watched the episode of "Beat Bobby Flay" on the FoodNetwork channel where Chef Oakley beat Bobbly Flay with his shrimp corndogs. After watching, I just knew I'd have to come in. The atmosphere is nice and calming and intimate. Although it was nearly empty on a weekday afternoon, the service and food was unparalleled. We started with the shrimp corn dogs, $2.75 a piece, and plated beautifully. They were incredibly delicious, I'm still dreaming of having another. Then we had the squash soup and the plating of it was just beautiful, not to mention that it was very tasty as well. I got the shrimp risotto dish and I'm so glad I did. Each bite seemed to get better and it was the perfect proportions. I didn't feel heavy after eating it and nothing was oily. My mom got the meatloaf which was also very good, and I would recommend that dish as well. The value of the meals too was great-we did get 2 appetizers which increased the price but overall, the prices weren't bad and I felt like we had a great experience too! They have lots of cool experiences like wine-tasting and many course meals or opportunities to sit at the chef's table, etc. This would be a great place for a date night, to catch up with a friend or just to enjoy a wonderful meal and support an awesome local restaurant! I'll be back soon! read more

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I came here today with an old friend of mine that came to visit Indy. It's been 6 years since she moved out of the state. She insisted that she dimes here and this was one of her favorite spots. She says it's hands down one of the best restaurants in the United States! I also had a gift card to spend from another friend so it all worked out! The food was delicious as always and our waitress Madison was fantastic! The fall flavors made it to the menu and that's great! read more

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We went to this place for lunch. The lunch menu is very different from the dinner menu but we were very happy with the price of the lunch menu. The only thing that we thought were a bit over-priced were the chocolate cake which was $7, and wine ($10.5 and $9). We had shrimp corndogs (which were amazing), and chicken tart for appetizer, and mushroom risotto and lobster pot pie for entree. Breads that comes out for tart and lobster pot pie were both very fresh and crisp. The risotto was a bit salty to my liking but overally the food were amazing. We spent $90 including tips and we left very full and happy. read more

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We are in town for a wedding, so we were looking for a good dinner place after a long drive. OAKLEYS is in a basic strip mall, but is very nice, very busy, though we were able to get the time we needed and I had to adjust it due to traffic--no problem. When I first went to Open Table to book, I couldn't get a good time, but through the OAKLEYS site, there were additional times available. Prime Rib Dumplings and Lobster Waffles were heavy with flavorful sauce. If there is a criticism there, the drinks were not to us until over halfway through the appetizers, which were ordered at the same time. Not a real biggie, but it was the same thing on a second glass of wine. Really, really slow bar service, for a 'pour & go' drink. Not cool. Seriously, 15 minutes? I was 3/4 of the way through my 'main ' dish. My dinner companions were done, I was eating slowly. Beware that it is truly a 'small plate' place. Good flavors, though. We all had dessert. Mine was chocolate cakes, with small ice creams (sorry, no picture!). Great presentation, but, honestly it wasn't great. Crime brûlée was really tasty and the Dan's Chocolate Bar was good. Our check was delivered before the dessert got to us...oops! So overall, it was good, but there were some mid-steps that are keeping it from 'great'. read more

Oakleys Bistro - The corn dog that 'Beat Bobby Flay' - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Fantastic lunch spot. Cocktail list may be the best in Indy. The side salad that came with the mushroom tart was as good as the entree itself. Wait staff also prepare the drinks and do a great job. Definitely coming back. read more

I'm so sad it's taken me this long to write a review for Oakley's. We celebrated my parents' wedding anniversary here last June, and it could not have been a more flawless experience. Seriously, no wonder people love this place. While our waitress was quite young (college aged), she was very knowledgeable about the menu - in fact, her family owns the restaurant. Everything we ate, from the red pepper hummus appetizer to the Tennessee "eggrolls" to the celebratory dessert was impeccable. But the standout in my mind was my entree: a vegetable Wellington. Let's just say this meal was a (sophisticated) party in my mouth. Oakleys is an upscale, intimate and elegant (but not stuffy) place to dine next time you have something worth celebrating. read more

Wow! This is a gem!!! Don't let the strip mall location fool you. Every part of the meal was on point! Delectable!!

Overall: Nice little spot, overall, solid food, we'll be back. A bit on the expensive side. My bride started with a Sidecar. While it was pricey at a $12 cocktail, and was Very different than my preparation, but a nice change of pace. The Corn Fritter came out. It was definitely NOT my cup of tea. It was very sweet, reminding us more of a cake donut than a corn fritter. The sauce was sweet as well, so the dish needed some acid or seasoning to balance the sweetness. The Brussels Sprout salad was legit. We both enjoyed it, I would eat one by myself. The entrees were very good. She enjoyed the Trout Special very much. The short rib portion was very large and satisfied. It was earthy and extremely tender. A solid dish, recommended. We finished with the Whiskey Chocolate Cake, which did not disappoint. I'd consider it the highlight of the evening. It was perfect to share. The cake was still warm, slightly above room temp, so it's was truly fresh. The highlight was the "cookie monster" ice cream. I asked if it was blue, it was not, ha. The combination of crunch and cream was terrific. Definitely will be back, I'd recommend it. read more

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I am not going to lie, if you were to drive into the strip mall that Oakleys Bistro resides in, you wouldn't think much of it but very happy that we gave it the chance it deserves. After all, you can't judge a book by its cover and boy does this place have all the surprises inside. The space is super warm and inviting inside and plenty of Covid protocols in place which made for a more enjoyable night knowing we were dining out safely. Owned by the famous Chef Steven Oakley. He wanted to create an experience that shows you don't need a special occasion to enjoy good affordable food. The creativity with their menu and plating was a fun journey on its own. Candied Bacon hanging from clothes pins? Prime rib dumplings? Shrimp corndogs? Meatloaf from a secret family recipe? This place literally had it all. There were so many starters and sharables, we ended up just doing a "tapas" style night because there were so many things we wanted to try. It is a great place to do this as well because the portions are the perfect size for multiple courses. We for sure want to go back though to obviously try our favorites again, but also try one of the entrees because we hear the meatloaf and beef short ribs are not to be missed! Would recommend reservations because they did fill up pretty quickly. They also have a cool chefs table I'd be curious about reserving with a group. I am going to be on the look out for the wine dinners they host as well because their February one looks pretty epic :) read more

Really top notch experience here. It's small and situated in a sleepy looking strip but very much a must try. We got the brisket, a French onion soup, wedge and the shrimp corn dog. He beat Bobby Flay with the shrimp corn dog. Soups and salads are a home run. read more

This is a wonderful, unique dining experience. It is quaint and I love the ambience. The food is extraordinary as is the service. Highly recommend. read more

I had a truly amazing meal here today. I have dined here many times and loved every experience, but the mushroom stroganoff at lunch was exceptional, even for Oakley's. My boyfriend had the brisket gyro and also raved about it. But I say get the stroganoff. Truly an amazing dish. read more

Excellent. Attentive service to go along with the outstanding food. Stopped for lunch, had the Shrimp Corn Dog (what he beat Bobby Flay with), Wild Boar Sloppy Joe, Fish Tacos and Salmon Tart. All were delicious. Will definitely be back to try the rest of the menu! read more