Porter Books and Bread seems to be a staple of the Lawrence area, so I'm glad I managed to get in before they close. I find the space to be a little cramped, where one misstep might make you knock something over. I like all the books for sale through both stories of the restaurant. The spiral staircase may throw some for a loop, which it can for me. The overall tightness of the space would be my only complaint, just because I can get claustrophobic. I got The Awakening ($10) and a drip coffee ($2.50). Their menu is primarily all named through literature references, which is pretty nifty. The Awakening is an egg sandwich with cheese and andouille sausage and really quite delectable. It comes with a small greens cup on the side. The drip coffee is just regular degular coffee, but I like the nice touch of the mugs being all unique. read more

Porter Books & Bread - Drip Coffee - Sandwiches Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Hidden gem of a place with delicious breads and cookies and coffee. Before we attended the Taylor Swift concert, we stopped off for brunch. We tried The Awakening sandwich and the Mr Darcy wrap. Both were very generous portions and hearty ingredients. The pickled onions were a delicious addition in both. The coffee beans were exceptional in their roast i had an iced Americano which really showed off their not-bitter-but-smooth goodness. The ginger scone was very tasty and the chocolate chip cookie was everything you'd want in a traditional choc chip cookie. read more

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Solid 5 I'm so glad I finally made it to Porter Books & Bread! Easy to get to and situated in a beautiful old building, you will feel at home as soon as you walk in. So many books and cozy seats or tables to sit at upstairs. Down the spiral staircase, you will find a small seating area and the kitchen area. We decided on lunch sandwiches and they were delicious! The bread A++. The iced matcha is also top notch. Definitely worth stopping in! read more

Porter Books & Bread - Sandwiches Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I had a dentist appointment across the hall and always smell the bread from this place. Today after my appointment I decided to stop on and grab something to have for lunch later. The staff was friendly, interior had a cool vibe with the decor and music, and the food was delicious! The greens in my salad were so fresh. I got a balsamic dressing to go with it. A grilled cheese because I was feeling a no frills sandwich today, but I'll definitely return to try another item on the menu! I grabbed my food to go because I had another appointment to run to, but I'd love to come back and hang out in the upstairs area when I have more time. Definitely recommend! read more

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Such a cute cozy coffee shop in Lawrence, right in the heart of the former Fort Benjamin Harrison military base. The coffee shop is located in a building with other businesses and the only sign I could see was on the door that sits further from the road. You probably won't find this place unless you are seeking it out. This is a 2 story coffee shop with entrances on both floors. Ordering takes place on the first floor. There are several cozy places to lounge and hang out. Also several books you can choose from to read. I did find some areas to be cluttered with random things. I ordered a plain coffee and it was delicious. They're also breakfast and lunch items as well as pastries and other coffee drinks to choose from. I would definitely come back. read more

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Came here for a bookclub meeting and it is a great location for book clubs! They actually have a parking lot unlike many other Indy coffee shops which I appreciate. Some days parallel parking is just too hard! I got their tarragon chicken salad sandwich and it was pretty good but next time I'm planning on trying something else off their menu. The coffee was great and while they don't have a huge selection of books it's still a really cute place and a great location to meet friends and hangout. They also have board game nights so definitely will be returning. read more

This is my new favorite restaurant in Indianapolis. Let it be known. Porter Books & Bread is perfect, for these reasons: They have amazing food, they have a variety of bakery items that are made in-house, they are open every day (even both days of the weekend!), they play amazing music (I heard IDLES while I was there!), and the restaurant is two stories with a winding staircase and book-lined walls. They also serve alcohol, like wine and beer, as well as cocktails with names like "Who Do You Think You Are I Am?!" Like, what? I don't even know what means, but that particular cocktail comes with a Tajin rim and a tamarind candy straw, so I'm ordering the next time I'm there. I popped into Porter for lunch when I was in the area, and I got a half Tolstoy sandwich (tarragon chicken salad sandwich with greens) and a cup of the soup of the day, which was creamy tomato basil. My lunch was perfect: The chicken sandwich was chunky and not too overly dressed, and the soup was redolent of SpaghettiOhs, but minus the Os and made with fresh ingredients. I enjoyed every bite. We also got the Vonnegut sandwich, which is ham, turkey, Swiss cheese, Dijon, pickles, coleslaw and mayo. After taking a bite, it was clear that THIS was the sandwich to get, because it was a clear winner: soft and crunchy and sweet and tangy. It had all of the things going on in one sandwich. If you're undecided, go with the Vonnegut. Porter Books & Bread also sell a variety of baked goods. I ordered a cinnamon roll, a chocolate chip cookie and a chocolate scone for the table. Ask for the cinnamon roll and scone to be warmed up -- that takes them to the next level! You can tell that they make their baked goods (or source them from a quality place), because these taste homemade. There's nothing worse than wasting calories on a subpar, mass-produced pastry. That's not happening here. As for the restaurant itself. It's kind of difficult to spot Porter from the street, because it's located inside of a brick building without signage out front. There is small sign near the door, though, which says Porter Bread, so you need to look sharp. But it's not like they're getting a lot of drive-by traffic anyway, because Porter Books & Bread is located inside Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park, so you need to drive a tiny bit inside the park to get to it. You do not need to pay park admission to visit Porter, though! So no worries about that. Parking is abundant in the back of the building. read more

When you order, keep on mind their name: Books and BREAD. Get something that features the amazing, delicious bread! I went for the Basic Becky (avocado toast) and was not disappointed. A generous slice of tasty, soft bread with avocado, sesame seeds, and micro greens. I would have loved a little flaky salt on top. I went with a latte, and asked to have a honey flavor one. It was fantastic. The service was wonderful; they're so polite and friendly. I had never been in the area and they filled me in on the history. Indoor, outdoor, lots of options. Grab any of the various seats and settle in, they'll bring your order to you! read more

Porter Books & Bread - Upstairs area, so welcoming - door to parking - Sandwiches Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Porter Books & Bread continues to be my Indy favorite coffee shop + WFCH (work from coffee house) spot and the customer service has remained consistent throughout! This is especially true being a locally owned business without any major changes for the last year or two! They are known for their freshly baked breads and house made salads and dressings which are always to die for! With summer here, it's a great point to stop at before or after hikes at Fort Harrison state park. A gem, they need a 2nd branch!!! read more

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Wow what a find! Live less than 2 miles away and just stumbled in to this yummy place! The portions are massive and the food is divine! We got the Sun also rises, Basic Becky with an egg and Lemon Blueberry scone. Everyone was full and happy! read more

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Located on Lawton Loop. It can be tricky to find but once you get to the back of the place, there is a huge parking lot. You can see the sign from the lot but you really have to look for it. My friends love this place for their sandwiches and macaroons. Molasses cookies and coconut macaroons shown. I've never had their coffee or sandwiches but my friend had an oat milk mocha with this order of sweets and said it was very good. read more

Porter Books & Bread - Macaroons - Sandwiches Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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I really enjoyed this place! Service was good, and the coffee and food were even better. I got the shakerato - shaken espresso with condensed milk. So yummy!! Very good and fresh food too. read more

Porter Books & Bread - Dante sandwich - Sandwiches Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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When parking in the lot, it could be confusing where to go as there are two doors you can go into. One downstairs, which leads to the counter you order your food at and the upstairs leads to the dining area and book shelves. The stairs to get downstairs are a spiral staircase just in case that would make you nervous. The staff are all super friendly and very knowledgeable about their coffees and food. I ordered a banana peanut butter chocolate scone to eat while waiting for a friend and it was so delicious. I ordered a breakfast sandwich I forget the name but it has egg, shredded bacon and herbs it was very good and well put together. My friends split two separate lunch sandwiches and let me try the veggie one. I still think about it, it was on focaccia and had jicama which added a nice crunch. The veggies were very fresh. read more

Porter is an interesting shop! The two levels make for a unique set up. You order on the lower floor, which has an outer entrance as well as a spiral staircase that leads to the upper level. There was a table downstairs, but most of the seating is on the upper level. That bathroom is a the hallway off the lower level, so you'd have to leave the shop to go there. But it's close enough that it's not inconvenient as long as you know where it is. I had a cup of green tea with a splash of oat milk (the only dairy free milk offered). It was really good! And the price point was, too. (Just under $2.50 for a medium/grande size.) I'd gladly go back to Porter! With the bookish vibes and natural light upstairs, it would be a great spot to write. read more

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Porter Books & Bread is a hidden gem! Everything was fresh and local. Delicious and different sandwich options served with broad ripple chips! Beer, wine, coffee, and kombucha options to drink. Funky interior and with a spiral staircase brings the vibes! read more

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I have heard about Porter Books & Bread for years and finally had a chance to visit when I met a coworker here for coffee. I'm glad I looked up the Yelp listing before visiting, because I'm not sure I would've found it otherwise. It's near Ft. Harrison State Park, and it's within one of the buildings that (I think) is supposed to resemble the old army barracks. It's two stories, and you can enter from the ground level (where the counter is) or upstairs (via external stairs/ramp or internal stairs) for additional seating. There is a windy staircase inside, too. I'm not a coffee drinker, so my options were hot tea or chai tea. It looks like they have a phenomenal food menu that I'll try next time I'm here. I appreciate the variety of seating arrangements - my friend and I opted for the comfy couches in the upstairs corner. However, I imagine this place could fill up quickly. I brought my laptop to do some work, and unfortunately I had issues with the WiFi - I was able to connect to the WiFi via the password on my receipt, but it wasn't working well, so I opted for my personal hotspot, which even struggled. Plus, the music is more loud/upbeat than I anticipated. Great place for food and conversation, but I might opt elsewhere if I intend to get serious work done. Just my opinion! read more

I really like Porter. It's chill and doesn't try too hard. The staff are always helpful and I like their lattes. The seating feels limited depending on the time of day, but what I really love is the split level layout. Upstairs is quieter and has more natural light. Downstairs you're by the coffee bar and the music is louder, so it's fun to meet hang out with people down there. If accessibility is a factor for you keep in mind that outside there are ramps to get to the upstairs or downstairs entrance, but once inside there's only a spiral staircase to get to either level. I'll admit I haven't tried their pastries, but friends have said they enjoy them and they look delicious. Definitely give this place a shot if you're looking for someplace new! read more

Hands down the coolest coffee shop in Indianapolis. Great ambiance inside and out... Plenty of parking on the park... Amazing staff... Great Music... Solid menu! read more

Porter Books & Bread - Sandwiches Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I have lived in Lawrence, walking distance from Porter since before they opened, yet somehow I did not discover them until browsing Yelp for local coffee houses last week. I have been missing out! Located in the old fort, surrounded by green space, I almost felts like I was back home in England. There were even some people outside on the lawn flying kites! My husband and I both ordered sandwiches, we didn't have coffee as we had been running around town all day and its HOT, so we had ice water and my hubs had a humble bumble hard seltzer. Nice to have the option of an alcoholic beverage with lunch on a hot spring weekend! I had the Vonnegut and my hubs had the Austin, they were out of focaccia so we both had our sandwiches on their herb bread. These sandwiches were overflowing with fillings, and the deli meats were substantial - it had the hand carved feel, I'm not sure if they cook and carve their own meats but it felt that way. The chips also tasted homemade, everything was delicious! The ambiance was fun and upbeat with energetic music playing. All of the staff were friendly and seemed happy to be there, some of them were singing along to the music! I am very sad I only just visited Porter, but I know we will become regulars now we've been! read more

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I stopped in here on my way to Lawrence this morning. Google Maps led me right to the door. The shop is part of a larger building. From the exterior I walked up the steps but really should have walked down the steps. The bottom floor is where you order. There is seating on the bottom floor and the top floor. It is a cute little place and yes there are books to read! I ordered a Chai tea and a grilled bagel sandwich called The Sun Also Rises. Pickles on an egg sandwich? Guess what? It works. I had to wait about 20 minutes to get my sandwich and tea but the sandwich was excellently grilled and was very tasty. That chai tea was not to my liking but everybody seems to make chai tea a little differently and this one seem to have a little bit too much of one spice that really hit a too spicy level in the back of my throat. I will definitely make my way back around at this place. read more

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This spot loses one star just from me since it is NOT friendly for someone with arthritis or who might be unstable on stairs. Otherwise it would be a solid 5 stars. The staff is very friendly and extremely helpful. For instance, they stopped by my table 3 times during my leisurely lunch to see if I needed anything. Not obtrusive. I got a half ham, turkey and cheese sandwich on focaccia (i forget the name) and a house salad. The sandwich was out of this worldand the salad was good as well although with ro much cheese for me. Good cheese though and they chopped the salad greens a bit instead of putting them in the bowl in whole pieces. Much appreciated! Ooooooh, and the cappuccino came in a china cup, the espresso was perfect and the oat milk was beautifully foamed. Kudos. (darned stairs.) read more

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I love to grab a quick coffee in the morning, and sometimes I come back for lunch in the afternoon. Everything is good, but I recommend the Austen (focaccia, smoked turkey, pickled onion, garlic black pepper mayo, greens, and fromage frais) with sweet and spicy chips. They have great breakfast, too! It's located in historic Fort Ben inside an old army barrack. The building is very cool, but you could miss it from the outside if you don't know what you are looking for. read more

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Great food and great ambience!! Be sure to check out the upstairs Library/Lounge! The staff is amazing and very easy to work with! Your satisfaction is their goal! read more

Great customer service and atmosphere! Treated myself to an iced coffee and bagel after a hike at Fy. Ben. Love that they make their own syrups. And the Fall Spice syrup is yum! Their bagels are from Scholars Inn and so good. The hummus spread is probably the best hummus I've had in a while. Definite made there. 10 for 10 recommend read more

The coffee, food, barista, and everyone that worked there was excellent. Plus a really cool layout and environment in the old Fort Benjamin Harrison area. read more

Sandwiches on house-made bread, coffee, used books, indoor and outdoor seating - what's not to love? I love the vegetarian Poe sandwich and appreciate that you can order half sandwiches. My favorite bakery treat is their coconut macaroons. It's a nice place for lunch or to curl up with a book and some coffee. My spouse and I had our very first date here, and now we're married so it's gotta be good! Pro-tip #1: On a nice day, get your sandwiches to go and have a picnic at nearby Fort Harrison State Park. Pro-tip #2: Get a loaf of their cinnamon brioche (you have to order it a day ahead), and make French toast with it. You can thank me later. read more

Stopped in here to do some work and so glad I did. Great atmosphere and I was pleasantly surprised how amazing the food was!! One of the best breakfast sandwiches I've ever had. Coffee was really great too. Will definitely visit again if I'm in the area. read more

Porter Books & Bread - Sandwiches Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Don't sleep on Porter! Consistently delicious food, great coffee, and very friendly staff. We have never had a bad meal. The breakfast sandwich's are perfect and their biscuits and gravy are some of the best around. One of the best local spots in Ft. Ben! read more

Porter Books & Bread - Sandwiches Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I'll be honest, I didn't expect anything this hipster in this part of town. That's good thing. It feels like a cool local place and not a generic corporate suburban coffee shop. The service was super friendly. I ordered in the lower level, went upstairs, and they brought my drink out to me. I do want to focus on finding the place, cause it's a little weird. There's barely any signage from the road so it's easy to miss, especially because all the buildings look the same in the area. If you look closely there is a small sign from the road and you can enter from that side. You enter the upper floor from that side. But the "main" entrance is probably from the back. If you go in the lower level you'll end up right where the ordering counter is. I however went in on the upper level. This is where most of the tables are and the cool looking roaster . From there you take a spiral staircase to get to the ordering area. However you get inside it's worth checking out! read more

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Amazing spot to study, read, or have a conversation with someone while having some coffee. The sandwiches are top-tier, if I'm not mistaken their bread is freshly baked every morning. Also, I enjoy the background music that they usually play (alternative rock for the most part) and very friendly staff members that bring you your food to where you're seated. read more

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This place is a true treasure! It looks super-cool tucked inside one of the old Ft Ben barracks buildings. We are there about twice a month now. The spicy DFW wrap will change your life--simply divine. The Antony salad is terrific. Get some coffee and stay awhile! read more

It's a solid five-stars for a reason. It's a book-lover, coffee-connoisseur, foodie, history-buff's idea of heaven on earth. It's built in the old Fort Harrison site, and has been restored beautifully in the inside. Book pages are glued on the walls, shellacked on the tables and line the hundreds of books that this place sells as well. Take the spiral staircase downstairs to order your cold brew (or any type of delicious coffee/tea drink) and food. I ordered a small house salad thinking it'd be how any normal house salad is - just fine. BUT NO - it went way above and beyond. The croutons were huge, yummy pieces of baked bread and the salad came with an amazing piece of French bread. The lettuce and cherry tomatoes were fresh and huge and I was blown away. By a SALAD. Like...I'll be back for this salad alone. I also tried the biscotti and it was divineeee. Not too hard, not too chewy. They have great baked goods as well. The atmosphere is trendy, relaxed and there's tables where you can camp out and get work done. The owner is beyond kind and tried to sneak us a discount when we insisted that we owed more. Nice guy! read more

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Wow what a great place! So glad to find something so close to home that feels local, eclectic, and tastes fab! Loved the sticker tables, the puzzles, the coloring, the delicious coffee... I'm pushing 40 but my inner child was living her best life. Also- I love a helpful barista and this place was full of 'em! Setting a goal now to be a regular! read more

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Pretty cute on the inside ! Staff was super nice the food is super delicious! Deff will be coming back here !

Delicious food. Cute resturant environment! Employees kind and helpful!! A little hard to find. Well worth the effort to go to.

The best coffee in the Midwest the staff is always friendly, and the food is always delicious. Seriously do yourself a favor and eat here. read more

Porter Books & Bread - Sandwiches Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Stopped here for lunch on Friday! Very cute place hidden in Lawrence. If you are needing a quiet shop to get some work done for a few hours, this is a great option. Breakfast, lunch, and drinks, to go along with a friendly staff will make a trip worth it. Unfortunately, the sandwich I had was drenched in black pepper Mayo and Dijon. I don't mind these toppings but it's all I could taste when I ordered the Vonnegut. I will come back here for breakfast when I get a chance! read more

I treat myself by going to Porters for lunch since it's near where I work. It's a nice treat but I haven't found my go to sandwich yet. I love the local feel and the coffee is tasty. There's a spiral staircase to get downstairs to order so it's not very handicap friendly. However I was informed by the owner that there's handicap parking out back! It's a cute vibe but I wish there was more seating somehow too but it's never too crowded inside so you can usually find a seat. It's a little confusing when you pull up because it's in another building but once you've been there once you'll be able to find it easily again. Just follow the signs. All my coworkers love this place too! read more

Porter Books & Bread - Breakfast of Champions Sandwich with herb bread - Sandwiches Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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This coffee house and sandwich is a hidden gem of Lawrence. Their sandwiches are FIRE. The Vonnegut, Dante, Sun Also Rises, The Awakening, and Poe are favorites but seriously all their food has been stellar. Plus, you can buy their focaccia bread for four dollars if you see it out on the counter when you go to pick up your food. They also have regular and the sweet and spicy Broad Ripple chips - make sure to ask if they still have the sweet and spicy chips left if you've never had them before. Amazing. They also have a great selection of craft beers, delicious breakfast pastries including amazing biscotti and scones. I had the Apple chai-der last weekend and it was a delicious fall drink. Not too sweet and heavy on the chai spices. *chef's kiss* The inside is like an exposed brick coffeehouse and the 90s which speaks to my soul. Do not sleep on this place. read more

I was looking for a coffeehouse close to him and found this cute coffeehouse at Fort Harrison. Tucked away but worth the trip. I had the bagel,cheese,ham and egg sandwich. I was surprised that it came with the freshest piece of pineapple! The coffee was both good and HOT! I hate when I get warm coffee from a Coffee Shop. There is plenty of seating, tons of books and WiFi! Perfect spot to get away or to get some work done. read more

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