Flatwater

Flatwater is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Indianapolis! 💯 The food is always delicious with fresh flavors and generous portions, and the menu has something for everyone. My personal favorites are the burgers, pork nachos (massive), and blackened mahi. The service is consistently warm and attentive, and you can tell the staff genuinely care about making every guest feel welcome. 🥰 The atmosphere is fantastic, relaxed yet vibrant, with a beautiful view of the canal that makes it perfect for both casual outings and special occasions. And did I mention that there is live music during the summertime?!?! Who doesn't like live music? No friend of mine, that's for sure. 💃🕺 What really sets Flatwater apart is the owners’ sincere interest in every customer’s experience, which shines through in the little details and personal touches. Plus, it’s dog friendly, which makes it even more inviting for anyone who enjoys dining with their four-legged friends. 🐕🐩🦮🐕‍🦺 Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for amazing food, friendly service, and a great spot to enjoy in Broad Ripple! PS: I'm a little ashamed I haven't left a review of this place sooner. Been coming here for years and have met some of my very best friends here.

5 stars across the board! The best service, from the most friendly people who remember your name and treat you like family. That plus the stellar atmosphere, live music, and outstanding food/drinks (I dream about the nachos) make it one of my favorite places in town year after year! What more can you ask for?

A staple in broad ripple. Bree was wonderful & had a great energy. We love sitting on their outdoor patio & food always slaps. The tuna tar-tar is my go to & I had a wedge salad with blackened shrimp on our last visit. Everything I've ever had from here has been great, I stay coming back here.

Cute little place with some pretty good eats! The service was outstanding and the staff was very accommodating for our party of 4 with two children. We were seated immediately during the lunch hour and had our food within 30 minutes. My wife and I tried the brisket and fish tacos. The brisket tacos were better, but had a strange taste sort of like that red throat spray you use on a sore throat. The fish tacos were just OK. My wife got the cod style and couldn't finish them. We got the nachos and those were 10/10 good. I could of just got that for my main dish and been very satisfied. I got my children the tenders to share and they only really liked the side mac and cheese. Tenders could have done with more seasoning. I recommend for a casual lunch date!

Amazing restaurant with an ever better view! Having an indoor and outdoor bar was a definite plus. The food was exceptional and service top notch. Peri was an excellent host and it was so refreshing to see and hear about the excellent leadership of the management at this restaurant.

Just had dinner at Flatwater and it was great. Started with the bang bang cauliflower and it was awesome. I had the blackened mahi mahi for dinner and I really liked it. The coconut rice, black beans, and mango salsa were the perfect complement to a very well prepared piece of fish. Service was great and so was the ambience.

Great service! Surprised the owner Mike was friendly, helpful and worked hard to hustle. He bussed tables, cleaned menus, sat people. He offered to help while waiting and got a great table. He's a winner to make this place successful! Our server Hannah was on it! Very attentive, friendly and fun! I'd recommend this place with great music vibes. The chicken rice bowl was on point with flavor! The Calamari was delish! Recommend recommend recommend!! Cheers!

My friends and I had an amazing night last night. While we patiently waited for a table one of the owners - Mike - came and talked with us before treating us to an order of nachos. Then when we got seated by the water Hannah was the best waitress we could have asked for. We will be back for sure.

One of the best places in Broadripple for food and drink selections. Attentive wait staff, serving a great selection of cocktails and beers, wine etc. Perfect ambience for small groups.

Everytime I've wanted to eat here, the restautant with it's huge waterfront patio have had a farily significant wait. So I was thrilled on a random Tuesday night where we went in and were seated immediately. Both the first time here for me & the hubs. It was a HOT day, so we sat inside & were seated in the bar area. But really the patio looks gorgeous. Hubs had the pasta arrbiata with shrimp. It definitely had a spicy kick! I had the bbq brisket grilled cheese with a side of brussels. Both were extremely tasty. It's been a week or two since we ate there, and honestly I can't remember our service - nothing sticks out in my memory. There were several different staff that passed throug hand checked on us (it's not a big bar seating area). We were seated at a bar high top but we were not drinking alcohol. I think that sometimes "disappoints" the staff - yes, our bill won't have those extra charges, but don't worry, we won't be cheap on tips, we just aren't big drinkers. (Especially on a Tuesday work night.) I would love to go back on a beautiful fall weekend, sit on the patio, watch teh canal, and have a cocktail. #yum #ReviewsByRL

Went here during a spring weekend. The inside is very nice and cozy, and I could imagine it being soooooo nice during the winter. The patio was open which appeared spacious and enjoyable during the nice weather. We got a Moscow mule which was good for a mule. I got the brisket grilled cheese with fries which was great! Would get that again, Waitress was super nice as well and very attentive to our wants

What attracts me to this place is the ambiance. On a nice day, sitting out on the deck by the water is the play. I came here with my husband to kill time, maybe grab a drink or two and enjoy the scene. We were seated immediately, they have indoor seating, but of course the day was nice so I wanted to sit outside. I didn't get a friendly vibe from our server. My husband ordered a beer quickly and I just asked for a water and a minute to look over the menu. I saw some drinks being brought to other tables so I asked our server what were they and she seemed like she didn't want to answer me or was annoyed. I decided to pass on a drink and just sip my water. My husband finished his beer and I was ready to go. I had to use the restroom before leaving, which is inside. The women's restroom has pictures of dogs all over, it was cute. This establishment is truly dog friendly.

Pretty good Reuben sandwich! Flavorful with great thousand island and sauerkraut. A little pricey for it all, especially to upgrade a side, but very filling. Slam packed for music night on the patio, but we were able to be seated immediately indoors. Service was friendly and quick!

Food was quick and good! Service was pleasant and loved enjoying the outside deck along the canal at the end of summer! First time we will be back again!

Incredible brisket grilled cheese and fish tacos. Will be back and would recommend! Great water view as well.

This is a restaurant on the canal with a covered patio (dog-friendly). The menu is gastropubby so expect some elevated bar food favorites. They have a nice selection of rotating beers too.

Arrived here for a late lunch. We wanted to sit outside and enjoy the view along the water but the staff discouraged us as there was rain expected. The staff allowed us to sit outside with the option of moving indoors. Sure enough, the rain started and we moved inside. The interior space is small but cozy. We were looking for something fresh and more unique to eat after having BBQ and fast food the last few days and this was the perfect place for that. A good variety of dishes are offered. I ordered the korean tacos and they were perfect for the type of meal I was looking to have. Delicious flavors. Staff came by to check in on how everything was a few times. This place is super dog friendly .

Great service! Surprised the owner Mike was friendly, helpful and worked hard to hustle. He bussed tables, cleaned menus, sat people. He offered to help while waiting and got a great table. He's a winner to make this place successful! Our server Hannah was on it! Very attentive, friendly and fun! I'd recommend this place with great music vibes. The chicken rice bowl was on point with flavor! The Calamari was delish! Recommend recommend recommend!! Cheers!

I got to dine in at Flatwater Restaurant almost two weeks ago. It was a date with myself for some quiet time ! I told a friend how it was just warm enough to sit and enjoy outside, and I almost chose another nearby restaurant that didn't have outside dining...and something told me to leave. That was my instinct and I'm so happy I listened to myself. I walked up and was seated immediately. The weather was perfect. The server was nice and quick. The food was AMAZING. I love a good wedge salad, and theirs was great...and I just so happened to see other plates to out to tables and the snapper ruben caught my eye. The salad and ruben were DELICIOUS. It has been a while since I was able to patron this restaurant and I am so upset it took me so long to come back. I cannot wait to bring my parents here. They love trying new places. Thank you to Flatwater for making my "me date" so enjoyable.

Started with a great old fashion and nachos. From there it was salads Mac and cheese flat iron steak rice and beer! Great heavyweight from Bier On canal if only weather was better for outside dining. Around the bar was hoping and cool to hang. Great spot!

Great service and a perfect location. I only ordered the Cobb salad but everyone cleaned their plates - no complaints! Will defiantly be returning, we loved sitting next to the water as we ate!

Great food people and vibes. It's a great place for outdoor eating, live music and friends. Service is always on point and food is terrific!

Nice spot in brip, this isn't our first time here but I wanted to make note of this visit! Staff was friendly and food came out hot and delicious. We started with the Thai chili wings which were pretty good, for entrees we got the flatwater nachos and the mahi coconut rice bowl. The mahi wasn't my favorite but the nachos were pretty good!

Wow! So, last minute decide to get some dinner before our travels to Newfields for the Harvest Night display! My son recommended this place and we got here early for a party of 8 to find seats. You walk up to the host stand (which is outside) and you are greeted with the warmest smile. She takes down the information and tells us there will be a small wait since we want to enjoy one of the last nice nights on the deck. We are shown to the bar and we decide to get a drink while waiting. An Old Fashion hit the spot and was made exceptionally well! There is a great little bar area that you can find a seat and enjoy the outdoors while waiting for your table. As we are waiting, the rest of the party shows up and gets drinks. We are kept informed by the hostess that she has a single table and is waiting for another customer who has already paid to be done so the tables can go together. No worries we tell her, we are enjoying the outdoors and the drinks. They continue to update us as the couple still sitting is definitely have a great time and talking! I just want to say that the staff were so kind in letting us know what was happening but also noting time. They were very good at checking on the table as well and eventually the tables were ready. Our server was excellent! Knew all about drinks and food items and we ordered some appetizers and got ready for meals! The view was great, sitting next to water was wonderful and the weather was nice. A perfect trifecta! PROS: Seating area/view/ambience Food Appetizers: Flatwater Nachos, yum yum, bang bang cauliflower Entree: Grilled salmon with the blueberry (so unsure of this, but it was great) Drinks amazing Staff wonderful CONS: Parking, not a ton Calamari- just not good, not sure if it was an off night, least favorite item of the night GUNNER- I believe that was his name, was everywhere and so nice to talk with. We connected with some baseball talk and he was very helpful with our table. Great place, give it a try!

This restaurant was recommended by a worker at a nearby store. I was intrigued by the $14 Korean BBQ brisket tacos so I tried the sauces before placing my order. I really like the smoked brisket with the Korean BBQ but held off on the sweet heat (Frank hot sauce) vinaigrette on the slaw. The takeout order was 2 tacos with 2 corn tortillas each with chips and salsa. For dinner, the outdoor patio with bar was quite full. The inside bar was just as full with people and has two TVs. One dining room was empty.

Love this pet friendly patio in BRipp! We love to walk the dogs on the Monon, but there aren't a whole lot of places to sit and eat outside with the dogs afterwards. We really enjoy coming here and Fire By the Monon for that reason. We ordered a couple of kolsch beers and they were the perfect pairing to the warm, almost summery day while we sat and watched the sun set on the patio. I ordered the nachos with pulled pork because I can never resist nachos. The chips were the perfect thickness and seasoned really well and of the toppings were great, but I still think the best nachos I've ever had are from Upland. Flatwater's nachos are a great contender, but had significantly less pulled pork. My other half ordered the Reuben sandwich (his usual) and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Such a great spot to eat in Broad Ripple -- good food & good vibes right on the river. All the servers we've had have been great & it also gets really busy during prime times! Sometimes on a Friday or Saturday in the weekend when they have live music playing in the summer, you can't get in for many hours (if at all). My favorite thing on the menu is the bang bang cauliflower tacos - they're delish! It's a local go-to, you really cannot go wrong coming here.

Up until 7years ago I lived in walkable distance to Flatwater and would frequently go there for their great patio. I hadn't been in a really long time. Heads up, They don't take reservations. 6:15pm on a Friday for a party of 5 was a 30-45 min wait for a patio table, but immediate seating inside. The patio is delightful and live music is always nice. Staff was very friendly. I really want to give it a 4, but I just can't. This place is not up to speed on craft cocktails. I'd recommend sticking with beer or wine. Some improvement in choices, level of the cocktail menu, and quality would be a nice upgrade. Maybe their bar food is spot on, but my food was really terrible. I regret not just going for a burger. I was debating between the grilled salmon and blackened mahi dish. I went with the mahi based on the servers recommendation. The fish was really terrible. It was either a terrible quality piece of fish or poorly prepared/overcooked. It was very dry and very fishy. It honestly did not taste like Mahi. The rice was not cooked very well either. It had a hint of coconut flavor, but seemed a bit mushy/watery, like it did not absorb enough of the coconut milk. I could not even finish it. I think this is a place you go for a sandwich or other bar food. One friend had the bang bang cauliflower tacos and said they were really good. I tried another friend's nachos. They were pretty good. Another friend ordered the Korean bbq brisket tacos and said they weren't very good. The side of brussel sprouts were delicious though. Location and patio are great, but food and drinks were so so.

I loved this place! You know it's going to be good when everything on the menu looks amazing! I opted for the Korean BBQ tacos which came with a side of chips and salsa. We also ordered the tuna tartare with wonton chips for the table as an app and it was outstanding!! Our waitress was amazing- super attentive and had us in and out. We sat outside right next to the water and it was such a beautiful night. Can't wait to go back and try everything else!

We went over to Flatwater on Friday Summer night and it was exactly what we were looking for. We had a great night listening to the love music. The food was great and as someone who genuinely misses the days of homemade veggie burgers, I was so pumped to see a homemade veggie burger on the menu and it delivered! The wait time for inside was about an hour and outside with the music about two, so plan accordingly if you're going on a weekend.

Our server was great. The food not so much. I had the open faced snapper. I barely got off two bites of it. It was grilled, but when I tasted it the fish it tasted like I took a bite of charcoal. Other people I was with had the special today the snapper Reuben. Most of the people around me did not finish the sandwich because it was not good.

Had a business meeting here. Oddly enough I have been to so many places around this place but never here. Not sure why. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the food was and how many options there are on the menu. I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich with a side of Brussels spouts both amazing, especially the sprouts. Our service was very nice and attentive. I also like that there is outdoor seating, some covered some not. There is also plenty of parking, but you do have to pay for parking but that's the case anywhere you go in Broadripple pretty much. Will be back!

We loved this cute little restaurant/bar! The food was delicious and affordable, the service was great, and the location on the canal cannot be beat! Very excited to spend summer nights on the outdoor patio!

Very cute restaurant next to the canal. The service was friendly and the prices moderate. Since we went on a winter's day we ate inside. However the outside eating area looks like it would be a great place to have a drink or eat since it has a waterfront view. We got the nachos which were very, very good. The service was quick and friendly.

Flatwater is our new fav! We came here last night for dinner and drinks and we're not disappointed. We were given a 55 min wait so we went to the bar and got a drink, only to get a text that our table was ready ten mins later! We got a prime spot on the patio overlooking the river and near the live music. The food was delicious. We started with the nachos and adding brisket. So glad we did. I ordered the salmon which was cooked perfectly and the rice and asparagus were also great. My boyfriend got the fish and chips, and as a fish and chips snob, he loved these. The staff was also super polite and lovely. It was a great experience! Highly recommend.

You go for one of the best outdoor patios on the broad ripple canal but you also find good service and great food n drinks Tried the cuban sandwich and fries - wow yum

I came here during my visit to Indianapolis. My friend and I started with the nachos to share and those were delicious. I then ordered the mahi bowl that came over a bed of coconut rice. The flavors of the bowl blended together very well. We sat on the patio and really enjoyed the views. Beware that parking can be cumbersome.

We went the Flatwater for the first time during a torrential downpour and the folks went out of their way to help us get comfy and stay dry during our hour long wait which was really nice! It's pretty tight and small inside but that have a nice size patio! The food was pretty good, my only complaint is that a lot of the menu items boasted being smoked in house and I wasn't getting any real smoke flavor from them. The service was great and I'd probably return.

Great atmosphere with an outdoor walk up bar and patio seating! Kind and helpful staff! Sitting out on the patio with live music with good food is an all around great experience.

reat place for seafood The tuna salad was good, tuna tartar So was the MahiMahi Everyone here were super friendly Highly recommend

Had a yummy lunch today with friends. The service was quick and very friendly. Anything on the menu is great, I've been there many times. In warm weather we love sitting on the patio, but indoors is still fun. I had the best Cuban sandwich I've ever had. It had smoked pork, ham, Swiss and a delicious dijonaise. I asked for some to take home with the last few bites. The smoked pork was delicious and raised the bar to other Cubans I've had. Everyone had something different and rave reviews about each meal.

Second time coming here. Got a patio table this time with an awesome view of the canal. Perfect weather out in late September for a patio meal! Started with a Tequila Mule, I forget the name of it but it was good! Would have preferred mezcal but it was still good. Ordered the Blackened Mahi and was absolutely blown away by it. The coconut rice...great. The Mahi....great. The mango chutney...great. Tony the Tiger would have been all over this. I think it was either $22 or $24. I will be back again soon just to get the Mahi again.

Visited late to celebrate a college graduation. We were a small group. Drinks were good and the food was fantastic. Prices were reasonable. Service was super.

It has been a while since I visited Flatwater restaurant on the Canal. I came to Flatwater for the annual Winter Warmer event sponsored by Sun King Brewery. They always put on a wonderful event and the selection of beers was amazing. It was a clear and beautiful evening and the bartenders were excellent and demonstrated excellent customer service and professionalism. This is a very small restaurant, so if you want a guaranteed seat inside, you will have to get to the restaurant early for dinner. However, the outdoor patio and bar is wonderful and very spacious, so if it is a nice evening, you can enjoy seating outside. The food is wonderful from the last time I was here, and I'm sure it is still wonderful, so I would recommend anything on the menu for dinner. The Sun King beers were pure quality, and tasted like heaven. The apricot sour beer was my favorite, along with the Girl scout cookie beer. Overall, Flatwater does have a nice beer list and a selection of alcohol, so you will not be disappointed. This is a wonderful restaurant in the heart of Broad Ripple, so if you are looking for a wonderful meal one night or just cocktails with friends, this is definitely the place to go. It is very casual and relaxed, and you will leave the restaurant with a smile on your face. Come check it out!

I'm part of a foodie group based out of the Indianapolis area that visits 1 new restaurant every month and this restaurant was #109. If you'd like to see where else we visit we'd love to have you join our Facebook page "Party of 3!" We started our meal with a variety of appetizers. Our personal favorite, the Flatwater Nachos, were great and had a perfect topping-to-chip ratio. The Thai Chili House Smoked Wings, while they could have been spicier and crispier, had a very good flavor. Our last appetizer was the Smoked Salmon Dip with Crostinis, which was tasty; we only wished that it had larger salmon chunks. The two entrees that stood out the most to us were the fish and chips and the Hoosier tenderloin. The Hoosier Tenderloin, despite not being a traditional Hoosier tenderloin, was very good and had a fantastic breading. The fish and chips also had a wonderful breading and tasted great. We also enjoyed the BBQ Brisket Grilled Cheese, but would note that it has a very smoky flavor and is better when more BBQ sauce is added! We finished off the meal with the chocolate cake and the hummingbird cake. Both cakes were very moist and had a good ratio of cake to icing.

This is a great place on the canal in Broadripple and we enjoy the live music. My wife enjoyed her salmon and my steak sandwich was delicious. While we ate at the bar and had to go get our drinks, the bartender was super nice and had great service skills. Food came out and was delivered fast and hot. It started to rain, and they were kind to immediately bring to-go containers- two for our food and two for our heads. They also suggested and helped us to a covered porch when it started raining harder. Super great service, good live bands, nice view. This is my wife's favorite places in Broadripple.

Super friendly staff and Dog friendly. Cute outside seating area and a walk up bar. The Nacho appetizers is Huge, very shareable and great with pulled pork. We will be back!

Listen, the bang bang cauliflower tacos were a 10/10. It was so flavorful, and the cauliflower was fried perfectly. They have indoor and outdoor seating. They also have a covered outdoor area. In the middle of Broad Ripple. Parking was on the street with the meters. Our waitress was nice. We didn't have to wait long at all for the food to come out. The chips were a little stale. But other than that, please try this place if you're in the area.

Mediocre experience. Staff was the best part - our server Lindsay rocked, she needs a raise. The mule I got was great, would order again. The spicy marg... wasn't spicy? At all? Can't say as I'd order that again. I got the Korean BBQ tacos with chips and salsa. The meat was dry, the salsa didn't have a ton of flavor, and while I was full after eating the meal, there wasn't any leftovers. $14 for two tacos... I'd go elsewhere next time. Overall, I'd go for a drink or two with friends. Can't say I'd go for a meal.

I've heard so much about Flatwater and the ambiance did not disappoint! The covered patio makes for a peaceful lunch/dinner spot with a great view of the canal. Service was speedy and I enjoyed the mocktail selection on the drink menu and a fair amount of vegetarian options to choose from on the food menu. The nachos were very tasty (good flavor and crispiness to the chips!) and the perfect size for two to share as an appetizer. Flatwater has never been my first choice for dining in the neighborhood because it's somewhat hidden from the main drag but it's a lovely little restaurant. I'll definitely make be making thjs place a part of my Broad Rip rotation.

This place has a wide variety of different food, we have yet to try something we didn't like. We are partial to the fish tacos and the wings but o can say a thug bad about the food. The restaurant sits on the canal so the patio is where we always choose to sit, you can see ducks and it feels relaxing watching the water. On the weekends they have a lot of live music we have managed to catch several live shows on Friday night, fantastic! The service is good and the staff seems to really care if you are having a good time and enjoying the food.

I cannot believe I have never heard of Flatwater Restaurant. I have to be honest, I texted all my friends about coming here again with them before I even left the place! The atmosphere walking in feels homey, I was greeted instantly by smiling faces at the host stand. The patio tables were 100% full, so I decided to sit at the "bar top" outside. What a beautiful patio, perfectly overlooking the Canal in Broad Ripple. Many guests had rode their bike to the restaurant, as it is conveniently located right off of the Monon Trail. Brittany, my server took excellent care of me while I was dining. I could probably say it was the best, most prompt service I've had in a while. She knew the menu inside and out, and made sure to let me know the specials before I made up my mind on what to eat. To drink I had a Spicy Margarita, I was told that their house made margarita mix is infused with fresh jalapenos... if you come here, you NEED to try this! To eat I had the Tuna TarTare, nice serving of fresh Tuna, on top of a bed of sweet asian slaw, and the cucumber avocado puree in there was phenomenal! I used the wonton crisps to scoop up the goodness. Their menu is straightforward and simple to read, and service staff is sure to be able to help you find something you'll like. While dining I noticed 2 guys from the team coming up to every single table to ensure we were all having a good dining experience, I am seriously still so in awe with the service I witnessed. You can tell how much pride the staff has for their restaurant. Flatwater will also start up their live music again! On the patio you can enjoy a variety of different bands/local artists Thursday-Saturday, 7p-10p. I will definitely be back for this!

Great atmosphere! Arrived around 6 o'clock on Friday night the place was packed. Live music was playing outside starting at 7. Pro tip, with two people go straight to the bar. We got a dining room table for two. Ordered drinks not hungry but ended ordering the smoked wings with Wasabi glaze. Enjoyed the wings however, with the glaze they come out a little on the burnt side. Still very enjoyable, just would recommend getting a different flavor. Enjoyed the music and had great service for how busy the place was. Highly recommend going and trying the tacos next time.

Friday nights at flatwater are a vibe! The place was packed and there was live music. Be prepared to have a long wait! We were told a two hour wait but it was probably an hour max. We ended up just grabbing a drink somewhere else while we waited. I got the nachos with pulled pork. So delicious and every chip had some toppings. Not the huge pile where chips on bottom have nothing. If you're not a pork fan you can also get them with chicken like my friend did but it is an up charge of $8.

Flatware continues to be a Broad Ripple staple. I hadn't been in since the pandemic for whatever reason, and I think I should start coming back more often. We had delicious food that had a certain healthful vibe to it. There was live music playing and a beautiful view of the canal. Service was congenial and swift. For a great summer experience, you can't beat Flatwater.

This is my dad's favorite place to go when he comes to visit me! We had dinner on the patio, it was really buggy outside, but I'm not sure if there's a way to fix that. The service was amazing as usual, our server was incredibly helpful, she even showed me her technique for boxing the nachos! The steak sandwich was amazing, and my dad really liked his shrimp tacos. The server told us when he ordered that she would have the kitchen put the sauce on the side so he could choose how spicy he wanted it, such a good idea. Note: do NOT order the Pulled Pork nachos unless you have like 4 people we didn't even finish half of them!

Terrific lunch spot. Ate at the bar. Bartender was very friendly, and the food was excellent.