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    St. Elmo Steak House

    4.2 (3k reviews)
    Ultra High-EndSteakhouses, Seafood, Cocktail Bars
    Open • 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago
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    ST. ELMO STEAK HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Good for kids
    Happy hour specials

    Recommended Reviews - St. Elmo Steak House

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    RYAN L.

    We couldn't visit Indianapolis without trying St. Elmo Steak House, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. From the historic, old-school steakhouse atmosphere to the service and perfectly cooked steaks, this was one of our favorite dinners of the trip. I highly recommend making reservations ahead of time. We had a reservation and were seated immediately when we arrived, which made the whole experience start off seamlessly. We obviously had to start with the famous St. Elmo Shrimp Cocktail, and it was easily the best shrimp cocktail I've ever had. The shrimp were huge and the cocktail sauce is unlike any other I've tried. Fair warning: the horseradish is NO JOKE. Take a small bite first because it will absolutely clear your sinuses! That intense kick is part of what makes it so memorable. We upgraded to the lobster bisque (+$9) and were really happy we did. It was creamy and rich with actual chunks of lobster throughout. It paired perfectly with their complimentary bread--and, of course, we added plenty of butter. We loved the bread basket in general, especially the "everything" style bread, which was our favorite. For our entrées, we both ordered the 8 oz filet mignon. Mine came with the green beans and my partner chose the fries. Both steaks were cooked perfectly, with a beautifully charred exterior while remaining tender inside. The seasoning was excellent too. Filet can sometimes sacrifice flavor for tenderness, but these had both. We also had wine with dinner. I ordered the ROW 503 Pinot Noir, which was about a 3/5 for me. It was good, but probably not something I'd order again. My partner had the ALH Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon, which was easily a 5/5. The Cabernet was excellent and paired beautifully with the filet. Between the two, we would definitely go with the Cabernet next time. We finished with the bourbon butter cake, which was probably the weakest part of the meal for us at around a 3/5. It was still good, but I wish the cake itself had been served warmer and had a little more buttery richness. A huge shoutout to our server, Jennifer, who was amazing! She was attentive throughout the entire meal, gave us great recommendations and made us feel genuinely taken care of. Even though our conversations with her were brief, she was incredibly personable and added a lot to the experience. Overall, St. Elmo manages to feel like a piece of Indianapolis history without relying solely on its reputation. The shrimp cocktail alone is worth experiencing at least once, but the perfectly cooked filets and wonderful service are what would bring us back. Definitely a must-visit when you're in Indianapolis. Make a reservation, come hungry, and prepare your sinuses for that shrimp cocktail.

    Kim N.

    If you are in Indy, this place is a must!!! Amazing steaks , great service from Chris, awesome desserts! Do not pass this place up if you are in town. The shrimp cocktail is phenomenal with the horse radish. You cannot skip this as your appetizer! We sat in the bar side which is more lively , had a bunch of TVs with games on as well. You can also sit in the dining room if you want a more intimate setting.

    Shrimp cocktail!  Love this!
    Kamron A.

    Always a great experience! Phillip is amazing if you are fortunate to get him as your server/expertise! If you have never gone the shrimp cocktail is a must! Like a must! Steaks are great and the cheesecake is to die for! Great atmosphere and amazing history of the place! Service is absolutely top shelf and great for a large group or just for two!

    Lobster Bisque
    Dee L.

    My husband and I decided to go on an impromptu dinner date, and we ended up at St. Elmo Steak House. We were able to make reservations right away, which was a great start! I'd been craving a chopped steak ever since H & I stopped serving them, so I was excited to finally satisfy that craving. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly greeted, and after only about a five-minute wait, we were seated. I really appreciated how organized and attentive the staff was. On the way to our table, the hostess even pointed out where the restrooms were, and that was just a small detail that made us feel well taken care of. Our original table was a little too cold, but our server immediately noticed and kindly offered us other seating options. She was fantastic throughout the entire evening. The ambiance was warm and slightly romantic, with dim lighting that made for a perfect date night. We started with cocktails, fresh bread, and the famous shrimp cocktail. The horseradish sauce definitely packed some heat, but it was absolutely delicious! For dinner, I ordered the chopped steak with the lobster bisque, while my husband chose the flat iron steak with the bean soup. Every bite was flavorful and perfectly prepared. We both agreed the food was outstanding. I actually filled up on the appetizers, so I wasn't able to finish my chopped steak, but our server graciously boxed it up for me to enjoy later. Overall, we had a wonderful experience. The service was exceptional, the staff was welcoming, the atmosphere was perfect for a date night, and the food exceeded our expectations. We can't wait to come back!

    Katie P.

    Our server Will has been there over 35 years! He made recommendations to make our experience amazing. Of course we had their famous shrimp cocktail (so spicy & good), lobster bisque (in place of navy bean), steaks, and a giant bottle of Caymus.

    Michelle I.

    A lot of time slots were booked for this place, and I can see why. It's a historical place, the oldest restaurant in Indianapolis that has been well-kept and looks marvelous inside. We got there 30min early before our reservation time, and to our delight were seated within minutes. We walked past the bar, kitchen window, through some halls, and down to the bottom level. It was a busy Thursday night! We had a wonderful server who was pleasant and attentive. I tried their refreshing lemony cocktail to start and Pinot noir thst paired well with the best ribeye steak which was tender, juicy, and perfectly charred, mashed potatoes, and creamed spinach. They also gave us a basket of warm bread and crackers that were addictive. For dessert, we had the bread pudding and butter cake--both so, so delicious! Such a memorable dinner! This will be our go-to spot next time we 're in Indianapolis. Next time I'll get their famous shrimp cocktail!

    Partial view of the main entrance
    Emmett T.

    I was in town briefly last month and learned that this popular historic steakhouse would be open for lunch. Normally, they operate only during dinner time, however whenever Indianapolis is hosting a major event, St. Elmo Steak House extends their business hours to take advantage of the influx of visitors like me. There are plenty of restaurants in downtown, but not many are designated as a National Register of Historic Place like this spot which opened in 1902. I made a reservation on OpenTable to guarantee a seat during the mid-afternoon. There was no line that extended outside to the sidewalk, but when you entered the premises, the bar area was completely packed with sports fans. I walked to the main hostess stand to let the staff know that I was present. Within a few moments, I was instructed to proceed to a flashing blue light near the back of the room where a secondary hostess stand existed. There must have been at least three separate dining areas, and I was escorted to a two-top table in the one farthest from the bar. The ambiance was certainly old school with dim lighting, dark colored wood, and white tablecloths at each setting. A basket of complimentary bread of various types and herbed butter were provided while I looked at the menu. I'm accustomed to multi-page offerings at upscale steakhouses, but here the choices were condensed to one page across the categories of Starter, Salads, Sides, Chops & Chicken, Seafood, and Steaks. The only starter listed was their world-famous Shrimp Cocktail so I chose that item to begin my meal. There were four jumbo shrimp served with a signature cocktail sauce. I should have read the reviews before visiting because the sauce was extremely spicy. I have never tasted that much horseradish in a cocktail sauce. Kudos to anyone who can finish all of the sauce with the shrimp as the taste was harsh to my sinuses. I wasn't impressed by the presentation as the shrimp were covered by the sauce inside a metal vessel that could have doubled as an ice cream dish. For an entree, I selected the 8 oz Filet Mignon cooked medium rare as my preference. The tender, center-cut was grilled perfectly and served with navy bean soup (my pick) or tomato juice and a choice of baked potato, fresh-cut fries, redskin mashed potatoes (my pick), or sautéed French green beans. The soup was hearty and not too salty while the mashed potatoes were ordinary. I honestly enjoyed the soup and bread more so than the steak and shrimp cocktail. While the service was great, what kept me from rating my dining experience at St. Elmo Steak House higher was the disappointment with the shrimp cocktail. At a price of $21.95, it was overly pricey even for the standards in my West Coast hometown. I believe they used to offer five shrimp in a serving, but that was reduced by one which made the value even less appealing.

    Anthony G.

    I realize most reviews are about the steaks and well known shrimp cocktail. However, I had the opportunity to sit at the bar for an evening night cap. My observations were focused on the serving staff. Not only does this group function as a well oiled machine, but they truly focus on making it the best customer experience. Five start professionals in the service industry and a clear factor in the success of this establish. By the way, excellent bourbon menu and my old fashion was spectacular.

    Jonathan O.

    St. Elmo's Shrimp Cocktail Shrimp swim in red fire St. Elmo's sauce burns bright Tears taste like heaven

    Prime Rib
    William T.

    They sell they shrimp cocktail reputation hard, but the best prime rib we've ever had is at St Elmo's in Indianapolis (sorry Texas, Arizona, New York, Australia, Ireland -- it's true). Not sure just how the raspberry sorbet is better than all the sorbet in Italy, but there's that, too. Also, try the bourbon butter cake. Despite how massive this place is, it's easy to see why tables are still hard to come by. Maybe it's how experienced the staff is? Some have been there 20, 30, 40 years. I don't think it's possible to overrate this place. Don't miss it.

    Classic Shrimp Cocktail
    Cameron M.

    I have heard about St. Elmo Steakhouse for years all the way in Texas so I figured I better give it a try. Each year during the NFL draft you hear all about the shrimp cocktail and I was excited to give one a go. When I arrived I was seated straight away and from the start to the end of my meal, the service I received from Daniel was absolutely fantastic. He is an incredible professional. The restaurant itself is beautiful and full of old school charm. I started with the Shrimp and kick you say? You are darn right there is a kick! The flavor is great but that burn doesn't play. I followed that up with the 8oz filet and Mashed Potatoes paired with the Brussels Sprouts. The steak was tender and cooked to the exact desired temp but I felt it could have used more seasoning. The potatoes were super tasty as were the Sprouts. Overall it is hard to beat a classic steakhouse with amazing service. I am sure I am not telling you anything you couldn't learn from the other thousands of reviews, but you can count me as a fan. Great restaurant!

    Scott D.

    It's a must go when your in downtown Indianapolis. It's the oldest steak house in the city. We went for Sunday dinner, they have happy hour on Sundays if you want to get the famous St. Elmo's cola; which we did and it's great with regular coke or Diet Coke. The service is top notch and the dinning space is warm and comfortable, we were seated by the front window so we could watch the city. The famous shrimp cocktail, gotta get it. We had ribeyes they were wonderful. My opinion is the food, service, and history are worth the price. My tip is: This is a nice place, so treat it as such, dress up a little it will make the whole experience feel special.

    Shrimp Cocktail
    Andy F.

    A very nice steakhouse oozing with history and charm. The dining room is geoegous. Service was spot on (Mark). Cocktails were innovative spins on classics. Shrimp Cocktail was the best I have ever had, particularly the cocktail sauce; but beware of the kick. Steaks were cooked and seasoned perfectly. I split a charred medium-rare dry aged ribeye and another guest had the flat iron. Mushrooms and creamed spinach were steakhouse examples and delicious. A few issues dinged them a star: Food temperature needs to be hotter on the soup and sides. I'm not a fan of the 1/2 carafe of room temp water left on the table rather than our waiter refilling glasses. Steak knives were not sharp. Light cardstock paper menu with no cover. Using a Toast handheld POS to take orders at the table. One last thing, the restaurant does not have a dress code and I understand that this may be necessary in today's casual environment. However, several patrons dining at the restaurant were in t-shirts, sweats, and baseball caps. I must be from a different era as I find this disrespectful to this classic establishment.

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    17 days ago

    Thank you for a perfect dinner. Food was so delicious and our waitress Sidney was perfect. Above and beyond service!

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    3 days ago

    go there if someone else is picking up tab. Food was good and amplye portions, a bit over the top but it is a downtown fine dining place.

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    St. Elmo Steak House Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - St. Elmo Steak House

    Is it kid friendly? Children's menu available?

    Not many kids there… More of a high end adult establishment. I highly doubt there’s a kids menu, but I could be wrong (you may need to ask for one specifically).

    Do I need to book a place in advance on Christmas Eve?

    Absolutely. This is a great steak house and a go-to spot for special events. I would highly recommend reservations any time that you want to dine there. They can accommodate small, medium, and large parties. For Christmas Eve make your reservation… 

    What is the Dress code?

    While many will be in suits or dresses, some even formal for a prom, I also saw people in polo shirts and nice jeans.

    Is splitting a meal allowed? Plate charge?

    Yes, it's allowed. I wasn't charged so I assume not!

    Visiting from out of state, this is one of my husband's favorite restaurants but it's been so long since he's been. We have a very well behaved 13 month old. Is this a family friendly restaurant? Also, is there a dress code?

    I would not recommend bringing your infant. This establishment is more upscale and may not be suitable. However there is no rule against it. Think of it as more of a Mortons or Ruth Chris. High end steak houses. No dress code but most of the patrons… 

    What is the dress code?

    When I was there it was quite varied from formal to casual. Most people seemed to be business casual or relaxed casual. I saw quite a few people is business suits but also quite many in jeans and a sweater. It's probably exactly as your would expect… 

    Does they have a tasting menu or not?

    I've never seen or been offer a tasting menu at St. Elmo's. It's very traditional steakhouse. Oldest in Indy.

    Has anyone ever done the Sunday $40 dinner? (3-courses) And if so, is it just as good as the regular steak entrees there? (the filet mignon option)

    This is a great value. The filet is a slightly smaller version (I believe it is 6oz vs 8oz) and I believe the shrimp cocktail is a 3piece vs the normal 5 piece. You can upgrade to the 8oz and/or 5 piece shrimp cocktail for an upcharge - but the 3… 

    What steak would you recommend?

    Dry Aged Ribeye

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    Strange Bird - Jiro-kei ramen

    Strange Bird

    4.5(410 reviews)
    4.7 mi•Irvington
    •$$

    First time coming and when you enter it feels cute and quaint. We were seated and got the wings and…read moreI'm dumplings or something like that. A little disappointed that just about everything had pork in it BUT the waitress explained that we could totally get vegetarian or vegan options. She was great! Above all it was delicious. Keep it Strange!

    I had very high hopes coming here after all of the awesome reviews on this place, and I left a…read morelittle bit disappointed, because I personally don't think my experience lived up to the hype. We came in on a Friday night at 6:30 with no reservation, and had to wait ~5 minutes for a table of two. We were sat at a high top at the bar, which we appreciated. Our server greeted us quickly, and checked in a few times throughout the night. Service was average, nothing spectacular but nothing to complain about. I had a hurricane to start off. Packed full of the good stuff, and one was definitely enough for the night. Appropriate price for what you get. This drink is what brought my review from a 2 for the food to a 3 in total. We started off with pork Bao buns. The bun was spongy, but somewhat dry. The pork lacked any sort of flavor, and the sauce on it didn't do much for me. The next part of the meal was the most disappointing for me: the curry chicken wings. Let me tell you- I was excited for these. These lacked any sort of flavor at all, and the only thing saving it was the ranch. The wings had a good crisp, but the sauce was lacking taste. I had the Shoyu ramen for my main. It was a pretty average bowl of ramen, but for the price, I expected more. The pork in it was flavorful, but the chicken in it was odd in my opinion with an unexpected herby flavor. Overall, service was average (but we appreciated getting sat fast), drinks were strong (and saved the meal) and the food was average. Would go if invited by a friend, but probably would not return on my own.

    Photos
    Strange Bird - The ceilings and lighting are so fun here!

    The ceilings and lighting are so fun here!

    Strange Bird - GF Gomae Salad - The Star of the Show

    GF Gomae Salad - The Star of the Show

    Strange Bird - GF Teriyaki Twice Fried Wings

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    Wiseguy Lounge - Dirty Smash....its like a minty spin on an Old Fashioned

    Wiseguy Lounge

    4.5(153 reviews)
    0.9 mi•Mass Ave, Renaissance Place, Mile Square
    •$$

    This is a nod to speakeasies of the past. It's not as difficult to get in, though. No password…read morerequired. Just walk into the Goodfellas Pizza and go to the left. Or walk in through the patio doors on the outside to the left. Once inside you're greeted by dark wood and leather everywhere. And whiskey. Lots of whiskey. They have several whiskey flights available at different price points. Come on Fridays when all the whiskey flights are on sale.

    One of the best speakeasies in Indianapolis! They recently completed a renovation, and the expanded…read morespace is a huge improvement. The lounge is much larger now, with additional seating and a cozy lounge area in the back featuring comfortable couches. It feels much more open while still keeping the intimate speakeasy atmosphere. This is one of my favorite places for craft cocktails because there's always something new to try. Their menu changes seasonally, so even if you've been before, you'll usually find new creations alongside their signature cocktails. The drinks are true works of art, both in flavor and presentation. On my most recent visit, I tried a cocktail off the Pride menu called the Stonewall, and it was absolutely delicious. It had a beautiful pink color, and I loved the glass it was served in. The presentation is always top notch. Service was good. The drink was also only $10, which is pretty cheap for the quality compared to other places. We didn't stay long this visit, but it's always one of my go to spots to relax, catch up with friends, and enjoy expertly crafted cocktails. An added bonus is that you can order food from Goodfellas Pizza and enjoy it while you're in the lounge, making it an even better experience.

    Photos
    Wiseguy Lounge - Frosted pear (on a older seasonal menu) to the left and sun kissed sweetheart - both are delicious

    Frosted pear (on a older seasonal menu) to the left and sun kissed sweetheart - both are delicious

    Wiseguy Lounge
    Wiseguy Lounge - Mother's love

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    Mother's love

    St. Elmo Steak House - steak - Updated October 2026

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