INDIANA
Fort Wayne Restaurant Guide: 12 Standout Spots in Indiana’s Summit City
By Jamie Dutton | July 1, 2025
Arbor
AUTHOR BIO: With family spread across the Midwest and a job that has her in airports regularly, Jamie Dutton finds herself across the center of the U.S. regularly. She’s partial to BPTs a Bell's.
Lately, Fort Wayne has been quietly assembling the kind of dining scene that makes you forget, for a moment, you’re surrounded by flat farmland and minor-league baseball. There’s a modern Midwestern bistro in a former bank, a high-design cocktail spot doing things with mezcal that border on sorcery, and the kind of creative Latin American kitchen you expect in a city twice the size. If you’re searching for the best places to eat in Fort Wayne—or just wondering what restaurants near me are actually worth a detour—this list is where to start.
1. Spoke + Ivy
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Part of Johnny Perez’s growing restaurant group, Spoke + Ivy opened in February with a sophisticated feel and, to match, the kind of technique of a big-city restaurant. Among the standouts already: tandoori chicken skewers over herbed rice, deeply flavorful tom yum mussels, and a surprisingly excellent margherita pizza. There’s not a theme per-se, just a kitchen putting out dishes that just never seem to miss.
2. Arbor
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Arbor has taken root in Fort Wayne as a go-to for seasonal, ingredient-driven dishes with global influences. Tucked away in The Bradley Hotel but still inviting, this place brings a polished but not stuffy vibe that’s perfect for a slow dinner. The chefs here are dedicated to sourcing the best local ingredients, making the menu a celebration of Indiana’s agricultural richness.
3. Mercado
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Mercado keeps things authentically Mexican with small plates and inventive margaritas that go beyond the usual lime-on-the-rocks. If you’re here to graze, the tacos and tamales are must-tries. In the warmer months, the patio seating gives the perfect excuse to stay longer and order another round of the house cocktails.
4. Rune Restaurant
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Under chef Sean Richardson’s direction, Rune is Fort Wayne’s playground for curious eaters—each course feels like a dinner and a performance. The menu is always changing, but a few standout dishes I’ve had include chicken thighs drenched in a mint chutney, pork tenderloin with pickled green strawberries, and a bone-in pork chop with a dijon glaze. It’s the kind of place where you surrender control and leave happy you did.
5. Proximo
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The Latin-inspired Proximo brought Fort Wayne’s food scene up a notch when it opened seven years ago. Their breakfast—churros with caramel sauce—is borderline indulgent, while dinner means plantains and creative cocktails with just the right amount of flair. This downtown spot is a place that feels surprisingly hip for this city, but in a warm, welcoming way.
6. Birdie’s
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Located atop The Bradley Hotel, Birdie’s channels Southern charm with inventive twists on classics. You can’t miss the fried chicken, but the shrimp and grits are the real deal—think creamy with a hint of spice. The skyline views and modern vibe feel stylish without the pretense, making it an easy choice for a sunset cocktail that just might become dinner.
7. Marquee at The Landing
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This sleek addition to The Landing feels big-city without losing its Midwestern roots. Known for steaks and cocktails, Marquee has some serious options for people who like a good char and strong drink. But don’t skip the smaller plates—like the Nashville hot chicken sandwich—because the flavors are bold enough to stand on their own.
8. Bistro Nota
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Bistro Nota is a locally beloved spot that’s all about comfort food with a touch of elegance. The rotating menu leans on local produce, with house-made pasta and inventive salads. The bistro’s unpretentious, intimate vibe gives it a welcoming feel, for a relaxed meal that still delivers on quality and flavor.
9. Copper Spoon
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Copper Spoon, next to Parkview Field, is all about craft. Their drinks are masterful, and the menu takes you through locally inspired dishes that pair perfectly with the cocktails. This is where you go for an evening that feels like Fort Wayne has finally arrived as a food town, and the view of the field is just a bonus.
10. Black Canyon Restaurant
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Black Canyon focuses on steak and seafood without getting too fancy about it. The atmosphere is classy but cozy, and the chefs clearly know how to handle a piece of meat. For a city that isn’t right on the ocean, the seafood is surprisingly fresh. Their truffle fries and garlic mashed potatoes are popular sides that nearly steal the show.
11. Cork ‘N Cleaver
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Owned by Josh Seward, who’s been here since he was a teenager, Cork ’N Cleaver is the kind of old-school steakhouse that still insists on hand-cut meat, linen napkins, and a salad bar that deserves its own ZIP code. The ribeye and slow-roasted prime rib are classics, but it’s the endless salad bar that’s been bringing back locals since they were coming with their grandparents. It’s a steakhouse that hasn’t aged so much as doubled down.
12. The Hoppy Gnome
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Part pub, part inventive kitchen, The Hoppy Gnome makes Fort Wayne feel like it’s got a little West Coast vibe. With local brews and gourmet tacos, this spot is a crowd-pleaser. I’d suggest the Brussels sprout taco—it’s a wild card on the menu that somehow works.
