Another great experience at Vida! The waiter did a great job of making solid recommendations based on our dietary constraints. We started with the Scallop which was fantastic and perfectly cooked. Then we both had the fried chicken which was also excellent and very flavorful. For the entree I had the purple sweet potato tortelloni and my husband had the pork chop. The tortelloni was very pretty and reminiscent of spring lilies, an excellent dish for this season. The pork chop was excellent as well. Perfectly cooked and huge! My husband couldn't eat all of it. Then we wrapped up with the donuts. I highly highly highly recommend you get these if you come in. They are so good. Great experience again and definitely will be back! read more

Vida - Purple Sweet Potato Tortelloni - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I still cannot get over how good this dining experience was. We only had one night available for dinner during our quick trip to Indy so there was a lot of pressure to not fuck this up. We are basic dining bitches so popularity and hype is like half the battle. There was another well known place around here that I highly considered. I was sold on Vida the minute I saw that they have a vegetarian version of their menu. My the time I made a reservation there was only 5 and 8pm and while 8 would have been the obvious choice years ago, we are old now so 5 it is. We walked over there from near gainbridge fieldhouse which wasn't too bad. Every single detail of our experience at Vida was impeccable. Everyone was friendly and the service was absolutely exceptional. Not to brag but we have been to Michelin starred restaurants around the world and I have never felt like how I felt at Vida, like it was an experience they wanted to create FOR ME. I also overheard a similar sentiment from the servers at other tables for those patrons. We both went with the tasting menu. I am vegetarian which I did indicate in correspondence with them prior to the reservation but they somehow knew who I was vs GF. Like they have some mind reading shit going on. Every single course was a symphony of flavors, textures, and visuals. Plate after plate. Nothing short of exceptional. The cocktail menu is also along those same lines. Very creative and innovative concoctions. read more

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We tried the sampler tasting menu at Vida in Indianapolis with the wine pairings and had a great experience. It was a fun way to try several dishes, and everything was beautifully presented and thoughtfully prepared. The wine pairings really elevated the meal. Each one complemented the course well and added another layer to the overall experience. Now that I've tried it, I wouldn't go back to doing the tasting menu without the pairings -- it makes sense for the price, the experience, and how it enhances the flavors. Definitely a great spot in Indianapolis for a special dining experience. read more

Indy's best quality restaurant by far - everything from the food to the atmosphere and experience is so detail oriented. Parking isn't amazing. We ended up valeting for $15. If you do a lap and don't find any open spots in the back, it's worth the money vs roaming up and down side streets for parking. We were seated immediately. Our waiter was super knowledgeable and professional. He explained the dishes and taste profiles for everything - food and drinks. Our menus even said Happy Birthday and my name, which was a nice personal touch. The ambience inside was super warm and cozy, but sophisticated at the same time. I had the scallops, greens salad, Ballotine chicken, and ricotta donuts. Scallops were great. They tasted fresh and came with pork belly too. The salad was the only thing of the night I didn't think was anything spectacular. It was good - just missing a wow element. The chicken Ballotine was the best chicken dish I've ever had. The chicken is cooked so perfectly, anytime I have it now I'll always consider it dry. I can't even figure out they prepared it so it came out like that. Absolutely perfect! I had seen the ricotta donuts were mentioned in almost every review and for good reason - they were soooooo good and the perfect sweet to end the meal. They also brought out a complimentary appetizer and we have no clue what it was but loved it. Everything on the menu will be good, even if you've never heard of an ingredient, just trust it. 10/10 experience and food read more

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I just had the best meal of my life, and I am shocked to tell you that it was in Indianapolis...at Vida! We had reservations and were seated immediately. The service was impeccable. I've never felt so cared for in a restaurant! I got up to use the restroom in between courses and I came back to a new napkin. I mean, who does that?! Apparently, Vida does! The lighting was perfect. The decor was modern and chic. I hate Edison bulbs, but they somehow made theirs bearable. My partner and I ordered from the four course menu and sparkling water (we are fancy, after all). The vegetables are locally sourced from their own greenhouse as often as possible, and their menu changes regularly. That means I'll never get to have this meal again, and we all need to have a moment silence for that. read more

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Unquestionably a Michelin Star is incoming for Vida. Holy smokes easily the best restaurant I've ever been to in Indianapolis after growing up here for 22 years and then coming home for the holidays to see my parents. ORDER THE DOUGHNUTS! Thank me later! I had no idea this place even existed until Yelp sent out some best 100 restaurants in America list and Vida was on it. Yet, I grew up in Indianapolis and had never heard of it. Made a reservation online. The menu is a $95 price fix of 4 courses. I was the only person here not in a suit and tie. And all of the women were in cocktail dresses and super dressed up. I'm not one to usually underdress, but we were going to the Pacers game immediately after. Our server, Joshua K was awesome. Explained everything, and brought the food much faster like we requested as we had a game to get to. The atmosphere is so cozy with the fireplace. Up first was compliments of the chef. Some kind of potato ball. It was delicious. I had a $17 Espresso Martini and it was exactly as it should be. I like it when it comes out dark as well. The free bread here is crazy good. Definitely don't skip it. For my first course, I had beef tartare. Phenomenal. Up second, I had the buttermilk fried chicken. This is exactly how it should taste. No grease, just the great buttermilk. It seems only Midwest places get this right. Main entre I had the Black Angus Ribeye. Absolutely perfect, better than St. Elmo's, Sullivan's, Ruth's Chris or any other steakhouse around Indy. And to top it all off they have ricotta doughnuts here. OMG, I love warm melt in your mouth doughnuts. I would seriously come here just for the doughnuts. Will absolutely come back. This is the new best restaurant in Indy. read more

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I've been wanting to visit Vida for a while now and finally got the chance during Devour! It was a true 5-star experience. The service, food, and ambiance exceeded my expectations. I went with the four-course option and was amazed by every dish. The servings are small, but I surprisingly got full. Everything was cooked perfectly. My favorites were the ribeye, which was cooked perfectly medium, as requested, and had a nice seasoned crust on the outside, and the ricotta donuts. If you like to try new things, this restaurant is a must! read more

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Wow! One of the most incredible dining experiences I have ever had! From the personalized menu for my friend's birthday to the truly amazing ambience, everything about Vida feels intentional. The timing of the dishes was perfect (a lot of places don't consider that), the drink pairings were next level, the food will make you question every other experience you've had, and the staff are so knowledgeable and friendly. I've never heard anything negative about this place and there's a reason for that. The tasting menu was perfectly curated. Even food I don't normally eat, I found myself devouring here. While the price may give some of you pause, I can assure you there wasn't a single moment I felt the experience wasn't worth it. You'll find yourself talking about your Vida experience time and time again. I'm already dying to go back! read more

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We spent the night in the city driving through and this was our only dinner, which looking back I cannot imagine not having had dinner here as it really took us by surprise. It was start to finish such an incredibly delightful experience. The true highlight was the service. Everyone was so personable and friendly. Our waiter told us a personalized story each time he visited our table in a way that really seemed to be an effort to connect with us. The food itself was astounding. We opted for the 4 course menu and they split everything for us so that we could essentially order two of everything and eat it on our own plates. Despite this, the plating was phenomenal. It was all great. Started with the amuse bouche of chicken croquette which was one of the better versions of this I've had. Beef tartare was perfectly seasoned and the crispiness of the toast complemented it well. The grilled octopus truly made me wonder why no one else is using romesco sauce-this was one of the best sauces I've ever had. We were so full by the time the ricotta doughnuts came around but this is such an inspired and unique dish that I know would have been great by itself. Do not skip this place if you're in the area. read more

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REVIEW BY Avila.Eats: on TikTok, insta, and YouTube Service: incredible friendly and talkative staff. I can't begin to thank them for the phenomenal service and beautiful experience for my first time in Indianapolis. Ambiance/Atmosphere: inside is dimly lit with a beautiful decor and big windows. The bar is classic but up scale. Seating is well spaced and it is quiet and a beautiful setting for a special occasion. Food: Tuna bite was light and aromatic. A fresh fatty tuna layed on a crisp wonton chip with a hint of cucumber flavor. Crab croquette was rich and savory. Creamy with a subtle crunch on the outside. I enjoyed this more than the tuna. Foie grae is quite interesting. People say you love or hate it and although I can't say I hated it I definitely wouldn't try it again. Stringy, slimy, horrid smell. The French toast and orange marmalade was good and paired together was enjoyable. Simple alone foie grae isn't for me but I'm glad I experienced it here rather than a somewhere that may be sub par. Steak tartare was excellent. Tender beef that was beautiful seasoned. A vibrant flavor and paired with the crispy garlic baguette was perfect. I'd insist. Ribeye was great. Tender and juicy. Perfectly cooked ribeye that paired well with its accompanying bites. The steak itself I felt under seasoned and didn't hold much flavor on its own but that was its only flaw. The mash potato was creamy and rich. An indulgent mash potato was a buttery flavor. The mushroom were unreal. This quite possible may be the best mushrooms I've had. Mixing all together adds for quite an enjoyable plate. I'd highly recommend. Sourdough bread was soft and pillowy. Didn't have much sour flavor and was ok at best. The banana apple bread was incredible. Such a pleasant change from typical bread service and had an excellent balance of banana and apple flavor with its soft tender crumb. Mock expresso was great. I never drink my calories but this was quite enjoyable. A coffee flavor backed by a beautiful citrus and smooth chocolate feel. I'd recommend. Date cake was amazing. A tender and well balanced cake topped with a vanilla ice cream and a caramel topping. I am a big fan of date cakes and this one did not disappoint. The pecans added a nice crunch and buttery flavor to the sweet but not over done dish. I'd insist. Ricotta doughnuts were delicious. Soft and pillowy. The bacon was a genius addition and added a meaty salty flavor to the sweet doughnuts. The toffee crunch added a sweet salty flavor as well and paired excellently with both. The salted caramel ice adding another layer of salty sweet. This is one of the best executed savory sweet dessert I've had. I'd highly recommend. Chocolate cremeux was smooth and rich. The chocolate was decadent but not over done. Chilled and creamy with a butter flavor. The cranberries added a nice pop of freshness. I'd recommend read more

Vida is a Michelin restaurant that does not actually have any Michelin stars.... yet. But as other reviewers have written, it deserves at least one. The snobs at Michelin must not have made their way over to Indiana yet, otherwise, Vida would have gotten one by now! Nonetheless, Vida is the nicest restaurant in Indianapolis and is more than worthy of its many awards over the last decade in business. Here's my thoughts on the greatest restaurant I've been to in recent memory. My party of 6 were seated in a semi-private room for an incredible dinner planned by my future brother-in-law, who is local to Indy. Our main servers were Olivia and Isaiah. A few more would come by to assist over the 3 hour dinner. We were offered still or sparkling water (I chose sparkling) and then the six of us chose to order from the 4 course menu versus the tasting menu. The four course meal costs $95 a person (more if you want wine pairings). About 10 minutes later, a non-course amuse bouche of a zucchini fritter was delivered and we were told to eat it with our hands. It was an amazing first bite and great preview into what was to come. The actual first course and drinks took another 10 minutes to arrive, during which I checked out the restaurant itself. First of all, the bathroom looks and smells amazing. 10/10 for cleanliness! The interior is classy and expensive and I could watch the chefs work for hours. I think I grabbed a photo of the head chef of Vida... nice! Our private room was next to the red wine cellar - it was fascinating watching staff come in and out to grab a bottle of wine for another table. My drink was a seasonal cocktail with two types of gin and browned butter. The initial smell of my drink gave off whiskey vibes. I did not end up finishing my drink. I hated my boyfriends cocktail, which was incredibly smokey, but he liked it. At this time, we ordered a bottle of red wine for the table from a woman owned winery. It was very dry. VERY dry! Then the first course arrived. I chose the octopus. Very lemony. My favorite dish of the night and a top 10 first bite of all time experience. If you're curious (as all 6 people at my table were), the plates came from Robert Gordon pottery and the silverware was from Varick Moon. Classy! I went down a rabbit hole checking out their websites of products online. Unbelievably expensive! Imho, the time between courses was too long. I'm sure this is normal at fancy places but it could have just been a smidge quicker overall. Next, the bread came out at the same time as the 2nd course. The bread today was garlic foccacia and a peach apple bread with whipped butter. Both were unbelievably delicious and well baked and moist and buttery and omg, I wanna buy a dozen loaves! The peach apple bread reminded me to the fruit breads my grandma used to make. I took my sweet time eating these little carb-y delights. My second course was foie gras. I got a stinky shoe taste and smell but others said they got a mushroom umami taste. I only just liked it. It was my least favorite of the night. The brioche underneath it was salty but still yummy and fluffy and oh so buttery! The third course was a ribeye with turnip and mushrooms and mashed potato with leek. This was a good choice but I also enjoyed trying my boyfriend's lamb shanks. They were very fatty and buttery, in a good way! He said the lamb was his favorite dish of the night. We were full at that point but around the 2 and a half hour mark, the fourth and final course, the dessert, arrived. I chose the lemon cake and my boyfriends got the iconic ricotta donuts. His donuts were outstanding! My lemom cake reminded me of the sliced loaves you get at Starbucks. I should have ignored my plan to get completely different course choices than my boyfriend and gotten those amazing, life-changing donuts! So buttery and crisp but also pillow-y with maple syrup sugariness drenched throughout! I wish I could have ordered a dozen to go. My boyfriend and I will never forget our divine dinner at Vida last night and dream of coming back again soon. 9.5/10 experience! read more

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This was nothing particular just a January date night to start the year off right with a new place. What a great choice!!!! Rainy spring night but it's January and we arrived a little early because we weren't sure about the parking situation but luckily we found one just up the street not too bad. I imagine on a much busier time it's definitely a little more difficult. We don't like to be late. The moment we walked in we were greeted by staff and the ambiance of even just walking in we just knew this would be an amazing experience and we were very excited to get our date night started. We were sat down by Jillian (I hope I remembered her name) and she was very nice and even took my jacket to hang. We started off with whiskey on the rocks and an espresso martini but winter edition. Such beautiful presentation. Whiskey is whiskey to me and my bf enjoyed the cube and it had an etched V on it, very beautifully done. My martini was delicious and the secret ingredient gave it a little extra depth. I definitely am glad i chose that. Tim was our waiter. Such a lovely very polite human. I absolutely enjoyed that if we had a question or even a quick comment about how spectacular things were he was very pleasant to converse with. We decided on the tasting menu. We would have done the wine pairing but my love has to be at work at 4am so we will save it for our anniversary in October...we had already decided we were coming back even before our 7 course meal. I don't even know where to begin when it comes to the tasting but from beginning to end it was such a delicious delight. I love the presentation of everything. The sauces, the au jus, the purées, the garnishes, the variety of flavors and textures. I can't even begin to describe it all because we both just enjoyed each one in its own unique and beautiful way. (That's why I had to take pictures of it all) Last but not least, the dessert was such an array of sweet savory candy tasting donuts (slightly warm) just placed ever so lightly upon this delicious caramel ice cream, bacon bits, and crunchy candy like bits...I don't even know exactly but the flavors were very surprising and quite tasty. We definitely had a wonderful evening. This truly was a great kick off to our monthly date nights. I want to add that the entire staff was ever so genuinely kind, and very attentive. I wish I could have gotten their names everyone we talked to in between our tastings were so kind. Louis was the only name I got because we both spoke Spanish. As we left, the staff in the kitchen did thank us for coming in and I'm so glad it's so open because we were able to make sure they knew how much we really enjoyed our dining experience and I must say that kitchen is absolutely beautiful! The friendliness and beautiful smiling faces just added that extra warmth and touch to our already wonderful experience. Thank you again! I think everyone should take a look into dining at Vida. It's definitely spectacular. Cannot wait to celebrate our anniversary here later this year. read more

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I am familiar with many of the Cunningham restaurants but had not been to this one yet, however we were celebrating a graduation and this was the place that was picked and visited. They treated us so well! With personalized menus and well tailored small talk, hats off to them. I had a delicious tzatziki martini, that was surprisingly savory and drinkable! I had the maple duck for my main course that was Melt in your mouth savory and so so delicious! We had a great amuse booche, and great Bread that was both sweet and then savory, I loved having that choice, all around great time, and I would go back to try more awesome food! read more

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A one of a kind experience. I always wanted to do a tasting menu and this was everything I dreamed of. This restaurant is one of a kind, open kitchen, beautiful warm ambiance, a herb wall in the kitchen, everything was so awe inspiring. We did the chefs tasting menu for our anniversary dinner, and our server recommended doing the regular wine pairing and the reserve to get more wines to taste. Everything was explained in extreme detail from the wine, its history, why it was paired with the dish, and even the company's history. The service was top tier. The food was phenomenal. Honestly, no notes. This place was amazing. read more

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Incredible experience! Gotta go with the wine paired chef's sampler. One of the best culinary experiences I've had in recent memory. Very unique! read more

We went for an early valentines dinner and oh my goodness it was so good and unique. The ambience was warm and inviting but centered around you and your needs- if that makes sense. We ended up going with the 4 course meal, and everything was exquisite and tasted wonderful. Unfortunately, I forgot our waitresses name, but she was super attentive, nice and very helpful. While the food was amazing. I can only give it four stars because of the portions in relation to price, but that won't stop me from coming back. read more

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My friend and I stopped by Vida at 7:30 PM on a Thursday night. We had a reservation made already so we were seated as soon as we entered the restaurant. The seats were large and comfortable and all of our servers were very friendly. For the meal you can either choose a six course tasting menu or choose an item from each choice from their Four Course Menu. My friend and I decided on the four courses and both chose different things so we could try out a couple of different items. For the first course we tried: -BEEF TARTARE: Tartare was flavored very well and was perfectly minced. The toasted baguette it came with was also a great accompaniment. Highly recommend. -KANPACHI: Quite tasty and a nice choice as well. For the second course we got: -CHICKEN BALLOTINE: Perfectly cooked and juicy chicken. The skin was also nice and crispy. A great option. -SEARED FOIE GRAS: This was definitely the star of the meal. The foie gras was perfectly flavored and fatty and went so well with the brioche. For the third course: -ACORN SQUASH TORTELLONI: Tortelloni was cooked perfectly al dente and the sauce and filing were very tasty. The only thing I did not like was that even though the sauce and filling were hot, the edges of all of the tortellini were cold so the timing seems to have been off, would have been better if all parts of the tortellini including the edges were hot or at least warm. -PRIME BLACK ANGUS RIBEYE: Well cooked steak and great horseradish potatoes. Finally, for our fourth course we tried: -BANANA PANNA COTTA: The panna cotta was very tasty and I loved the peanut butter whip on the side. Great option for dessert! -CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI CAKE: A nice option but the Panna cotta was definitely better. The meal itself was a great experience the only thing I wish could have been changed would be that especially the wait before receiving the amuse bouche could have been shortened a little as well as the wait between each course. All in all, a nice and tasty dining experience in Indianapolis. read more

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The food was absolutely delicious. We did the 4 course menu with the wine pairing. The scallop dish was one of the best scallops I've eaten. The sommelier did a great job pairing the wines and explaining how they would complement the dishes. I will definitely be going back. read more

Birthday dinners are risky business. Expectations are high; disappointment is memorable. Vida delivered something rarer: a meal that felt quietly confident, deeply considered, and genuinely celebratory without ever trying too hard. Under the steady hand of Executive Chef Thomas Melvin, the evening unfolded like a well-edited essay--each course precise, balanced, and purposeful. An amuse-bouche set the tone, followed by a pristine kombu-cured kanpachi layered with cucumber, avocado, serrano, pickled onion, and white ponzu--clean, restrained, and bright. Vegetables were treated with the seriousness they deserve: romanesco paired with lacinato kale, pickled cauliflower, green tomato jam, and walnuts offered depth and contrast, while honeynut squash cappelletti with Swiss chard and candied pepita felt both comforting and quietly luxurious. Proteins arrived with confidence. Pekin duck breast with polenta, chanterelle mushrooms, and honey-glazed beets was rich without heaviness. Freedom Run Farm's lamb--anchored by tahini yogurt, persimmons, cashews, and Urfa chile--was exceptional, the kind of dish that rewards attention and lingers in memory. Dessert closed the evening on a high note: honeycrisp apple cake with green apple chutney, vanilla cream, pistachio crumble, and saffron honey--elegant, seasonal, and deeply satisfying without tipping into excess. Service throughout was polished, intuitive, and generous--present without hovering, knowledgeable without pretense. Vida doesn't chase trends or theatrics. It does something far more difficult: it executes beautifully, course after course, with restraint and intelligence. A birthday dinner worth remembering--and a restaurant that continues to justify its reputation. read more

This place never disappoints. We started with cocktails, I had a sazerac and my wife had one of their signature cocktails they were both delicious. We enjoyed the tasting menu and every dish was thoughtful, tasteful, visually pleasing and nothing was missing nor were there ingredients that were overshadowed or out of balance. Every piece mattered. The dining room was quiet and pleasing to the eye. The waitress was prompt and helped my wife decide on a cocktail. We have beeen enjoying this place since 2020 yearly and hopefully get to keep coming back as this place becomes more and more popular. read more

I can't believe I didn't write a review for Vida earlier. Hands down, one of the top restaurants in Indiana, which makes sense as Chef Thomas Melvin was James Beard nominated in 2024. I booked this restaurant as a surprise for my fiance's birthday dinner. The interior is beautiful - I especially love their vertical herb garden in their kitchen, viewable from the entryway. Reservations definitely recommended. There are two ways to enjoy your meal: (1) chef's tasting menu or (2) prix fixe four course meal. As a group of four, we opted for the four course meal as there were four choices per course so we would be able to try a little bit of everything. It's been some time since we dined in but I especially remember the foie gras - this is not something I typically eat for moral purposes but the waitress said that this was his specialty item - so we had to give it a try. Truly unbelievable - I think about it still. In any case, every single item was superb. The menu rotates with the season so I'm not sure the items we had will be on the menu, but rest assured, your taste buds are in good hands. I woudn't hesitate to come back here next time we're in Indy for a special occasion. What a treat! read more

Great food service and ambience. Went there on valentines night and had a wonderful experience! Highly recommend!

I love Indy and I had reviewed this spot highly years ago. I ventured back to town and chose Vida again for our line Indy dinner. The place is cozy and the service is fantastic. And more importantly, our four course meal was outstanding. Everything we ate got better as the night proceeded. Notable dishes were the lamb and tortellini and the ricotta doughnuts were exquisite. This meal really was top notch. Vida is still a top choice in the city. read more

My husband surprised me with my first time at Vida for my birthday. It was 5 stars from start to finish. The hostess helped me tie my dress while my husband parked, the server was awesome and he was super knowledgeable, and the food was Michelin quality. I can't wait to go back and try a different tasting menu! I loved the cocktails, small dishes, and desserts. An unforgettable birthday experience! read more

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The food at this restaurant was amazing. I am vegan and they had a whole tasting menu. Be aware that you have to choose a 4 course meal OR a tasting menu. You can only do the tasting menu as a whole table however. So I couldn't do the whole menu shown. The food was very delicious, especially the mushroom dish. The tofu (not pictured) was way too spicy for me. But delicious. My only comment is the service was a little slow. We had been sitting more than ten minutes before being asked if we wanted something to drink. Great wine menu. Cool vibes inside and location. read more

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A dinner at Vida is a transcendent experience. The quality of the food is elevated by the quality of the service. I ordered the tasting menu with the reserve wine pairing. I'll be honest; at home, I am perfectly happy with a Kirkland brand wine. But I could taste the difference tonight because of the excellent presentation by the sommeliers. Not only were the pairings on point, but I felt the weight of history with every sip I took. They truly made me feel like a rockstar. Just look at these pictures, and definitely make this a destination on your next trip to Indy. read more

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Vida is without a doubt the best restaurant in Indy. It is our go to for any special occasion. The service is top notch. I wanted one of the cocktails made into a mocktail and the bartender got a juicer out and made carrot ginger juice so that I could have a mocktail... superior service. Can't say enough good things. We went for Valentine's day and the atmosphere is so calm and inviting but not over the top. read more

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My partner and I made a reservation a few days before we went and somehow it gave us the reservation but glitched and didn't show it on the restaurant's side. However, they were still SO accommodating and gave us whatever options they could, and they were so gracious about it. The food was amazing, definitely worth the price. My partner is a foodie and he said this was his favorite restaurant in Indy. read more

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Every meal I've had here has been amazing. I genuinely love Vida. This last meal was in the top 5 I've ever had. The service is always perfect and I love the decor. None of this would matter to me when the food is as good as it is. read more

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Tonight's dinner can only be described as "exquisitely DELICATE" and utterly delicious! I've never described a meal as "delicate" Starting with Amuse Bouche and followed by Beef Tartare, Seared Foie Gras and Lamb Chop.... Service was superb and food was amazing. read more

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WOW! My Fiancé and I travelled in town from the Chicagoland area and knew right away we had to visit Vida. Vida is the only 4 Diamond restaurant in the Indianapolis area. They offer a few dining styles: Four Course Tasting, Chef Tasting (6 Courses), or A La Carte from their Four Course Menu. We decided to do the Four Courses for $95 a person (very comparable to a 1 Michelin star pricing & format). The entire restaurant was beautifully designed showing elements of rustic wood ceilings, accents of patterned tiles, industrial lighting, and seating that was nicely spaced out for privacy. When checking in, they had menus tagged per reservation group. We later found out that they had personalized ours to congratulate my fiancé on completing the Indy Mini. They later gave us a copy to go as a thank you souvenir. COCKTAILS We started off by ordering the Secret Garden & Raspberry Beret cocktails. We loved seeing that the menu listed ingredients and the overall vibe of the cocktails. This helps guests gage a good choice based on their dinner preference. I got the Secret Garden which was springy, earthy, bright, and light. This paired great with my mostly vegetarian dinner choices. My partner ordered the Raspberry Beret which was fruity, frothy, and spicy. We loved that they had garnishes with heavy smells to pull in one's scent every sip. DINNER -Our dinner started with the Amuse Bouche, a pea croquette. It was the perfect crunchy bite, garnished nicely, on top of a light sauce. -For the first course we got the Caramelized Cauliflower & Beef Tartare. The Cauliflower had a good char, loved the leafy greens and raisins under with the purée sauce. The Beef Tartare came with baguettes so one could almost build their own bite. There were many layers with the quail egg, caperberries, etc so each bite had a depth of flavor. -Bread Service was complimentary and offered (2) squares of their herbed focaccia and (2) squares of their "friendship" bread paired with freshly whipped butter. Our friendship bread had notes of apple in it but the chef loves to change the flavors daily. -For the second course we got the Baby Greens Salad and Seared Foie Gras. The salad was fresh and light with the notes of avocado, lemon breadcrumbs, and vinaigrette. The salad was also a larger portion than I expected! The Seared Foie Gras came with a Brioche square which paired well together. The brioche was dense and the foie gras was fatty and rich with flavor. -For the third course we got the Duck Breast and Tortellini. The tortellini came with about (6) tortellinis filled with cheese over a citrus cream sauce and pesto. I enjoyed the greens that came paired but some were a bit too charred for my liking. The Duck Breast came over a bed of carrot emulsion. The skin was crispy and almost candied and the duck was decadent, rich and full of flavor. -For the fourth course we got the Ricotta Doughnuts and Chocolate Torte. The Chocolate Torte was rich with dark chocolate, cherries, and a good crunch from the pistachio crumbs. The Ricotta Doughnuts are a MUST! The doughnuts were fluffy and warm paired with the creamy ice cream, rich brown butter crumbs, and bourbon maple glaze. If the description doesn't sold you... just trust me. -The last important aspect to our dining experience was our server Tim! He was absolutely wonderful with being personable, pacing our drinks and food, and describing the different options. He brought us new silverware with every course, checked in on how we liked each plate, and offered small tidbits on the menu and restaurant. Additionally, other servers were constantly refilling our waters. read more

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If you are looking for a truly special meal, Vida is your best option in Indianapolis. We've been for several celebratory meals and it never disappoints. We are not frequent drinkers, but we always get a cocktail to start and they are just such interesting taste combinations that we savor. The 4 course meal is just the right amount of food. It looks tiny, but with the amuse bouche and bread, it really does add up to make a satisfying meal. Each time, I try a food that is outside of my comfort zone. Last time it was a raw fish dish, one time it was the beef tartare and all are so thoughtfully prepared that after one delicious bite, I was ready to eat the whole plate. Just trust that whatever you choose it will be made in the best possible way. Service is top notch, and every ingredient is perfection. It's not cheap, but it is a tremendous value. The whole experience is amazing! read more

What an amazing dinner and experience. Every bite and every sip were delicious. The staff is terrific. It's about a 4.5 hour drive from my home to Indianapolis... I'd make that trip anytime just to have dinner at Vida. read more

I would give it 10 stars if i could. This was absolutely fantastic. It was an expensive birthday dinner. You could order a 4 course dinner or a 7 course dinner. The 4 course allows you to pick 1 of 4 items in each corse. In the 7 course, you can't change unless their is an allergy issue. My wife had a nut allergy, so her dessert was changed. The 7 course can come with a wine pairing for 60 dollars or the deluxe one for about doble. We did the 60 dollar one. Service was great. Full details were given on food and wine. Had a bread course in the middle. The restaurant made a special birthday menu with name and age.Valet was 10 dollars. My favorites were the lamb, rib eye, tuna, and scallops. Full pictures and menu i included. read more

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Wow, what an amazing fine dining experience at Vida. Went out tonight with my wife and our friends from out of town and could not have been more impressed with the drinks, the ambiance, and the service from Alexander (great guy!). Best Negroni I've had and a fantastic night overall. The doughnuts are a MUST read more

This is probably one of or the best fine dining restaurants in Indianapolis and on par with 1 Michelin star restaurants (unfortunately Michelin guide doesn't cover indy restaurants). We got the chef's tasting menu. All the items were very good and there nice complex but delicious flavors. I loved the lobster and the amuse bouche the most, and I typically I don't like Brussel sprouts but the way they were prepared and served with the lobster with this crunchy texture (and smoky flavor? Or that might have been another ingredient in the dish) was amazing!! The service was amazing and the waiters for kind but also very knowledgeable. They made us feel very comfortable. The ambiance of the place is very nice for a romantic date and I love the furniture and room decor! My girlfriend and I were celebrating our graduation there and they even had custom menus with our names on them which was very cute! And they really did make the experience feel personalized. Definitely a memorable experience! read more

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A friend of mine and I were finally able to align our calendars and grab a reservation at Vida. Seriously one of the best experiences I had in a while. We both decided to go with the chef's tasing menu (fair warning, the whole table has to do it as an option) but opted not to have the wine pairings and had cocktails instead. Our waiter was wonderful informing us of options and breaking down the cocktails when we had questions. We started off with 2 great amuse bouche that were fish based and was my 2nd favorite dish of the night. Then we had our 6 courses which consisted of hiramasa, scallop, chicken, a ragu, ribeye, and chocolate cake. Both my friend and I agreed the scallop was the favorite for us. I would also like to add the pacing the staff did for our dinner was great as well. We had plenty of time to catch up and the timing of the meal was excellent. We never felt rushed which was much appreciated. Can't wait to have another reason why to visit Vida! read more

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Absolutely amazing! wonderful experience! Every single detail about our experience was on point. The food, the wine, the service, the atmosphere, the timing. Such a wonderful way to celebrate special occasions. Definitely the best restaurant in Indianapolis! read more

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**Magic is Happening in Indianapolis** Vida Restaurant is crafting an experience usually reserved for large metropolitan dining scenes. It's unfortunate that restaurants like Vida can't achieve a Michelin star solely because of their location. If one were to apply Michelin's basic criteria, Vida would easily qualify for one star--meaning it's worth a detour. Personally, I'd consider a diversion from any journey to Chicago just to dine at this exceptional restaurant. In my view, Vida is the best value restaurant in the U.S. right now. While other countries like Brazil might offer excellent value as well, it's almost surreal to experience such high quality at the price Vida charges. Chef Tom Melvin is a self-taught master. If he were in places like California or NYC, people would be writing books about him. Yet, in Indianapolis, a city that doesn't often steal the spotlight, this talented chef hasn't received the recognition he truly deserves. "Humble" is the word that comes to mind; Chef Melvin quietly lets his culinary artistry shine in Indianapolis. The restaurant's ambiance is modern and elegant, featuring high ceilings and a clean, minimalist look. Our server, Bill, shared that Chef Melvin had a significant hand in creating the space--even down to the restrooms, which are striking in their own right with half-exposed copper piping. The cuisine itself defies easy classification. It feels global with farm-to-table influences, and Chef Melvin's focus seems to be on ingredients--crafting flavors that showcase their essence. Now, let's talk about the food. The menu is constantly changing, so be sure to check out the photos online. For us, the stars of the night were the trout, handmade tortellini, and scallops accompanied by gnocchi so delicious they bordered on magical. Most tasting menus end with petit fours and handmade chocolates, but it not the case on Vida and we took a different route and requested all three of their desserts. We unanimously agreed: the ricotta doughnuts were outstanding. Taste may be subjective, but execution is not--every dish was prepared to perfection. As an amateur cook myself, I recognize the incredible amount of work it takes to reach this level. I opted for the regular wine pairing, which primarily features European wines. My only critique is that it would be nice to see a pairing option that offers more local flavors, such as ciders, kombucha, or other non-alcoholic beverages--especially as many restaurants now aim to accommodate non-drinkers. One last point to address: Chef Melvin adopts a modern approach to the kitchen. It's open, and unlike many professional kitchens, there are no screams or emotional outbursts. What stands out is the genuine love and support his staff show for him; from the valet to our server, everyone spoke highly of this remarkable man. I even found myself half-jokingly contemplating a career change to work at Vida--though in truth, it's much more fun to be a guest. read more

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Apologies for no photos. I was so into enjoying this experience and meal that I did not want to get out my phone. My husband and I visit Vida once a year. We always look forward to it, and they never disappoint. It has a great vibe from the moment you walk in the door. The tables are nice and spaced out so you don't feel crammed in close to other diners. Staff are friendly, courteous, and knowledgeable. They truly make me feel like we are VIPs. They even accommodated my request for a table by the window, even though it was a 4 top and there were only 2 of us. We each got a seasonal cocktail and they were great. I've never been to a restaurant with a Michelin star, but I think Vida should be a top contender. Hands down the absolute BEST restaurant in Indianapolis. We always do the chef's tasting menu, and it is always incredible. The tasting is well planned, appropriately sized, and wonderfully timed. I'm sure everything on the menu is great, but I highly recommend the tasting experience. If you are at all considering this restaurant you MUST GO!! read more