We’ve received a fantastic response from our local Things To Do survey, gaining some great insight into what we like about our community, as well as what we’d like to see more of in our community.
Rising to the very top of our response list was "Local Cuisine." (Yeah, we like to eat!)
As the late great Matt Luecking observed and virtually trademarked, we are a #cityofrestaurants. As a regional hub, Terre Haute has a wide selection of both chain restaurants and local establishments.
What are you in the mood for? Barbecue? Ethnic? Seafood? Sushi? Steak? Vegan? Pizza? It’s all here. Inexpensive or upscale. Fast food or sit-down, sit-back & relax. Breakfast to late-night. We’ve got diners, drive-ins, dives, delis and desserts.
Want a unique dining experience? Check out The Fly-IN Cafe and watch the planes take off and land at Terre Haute Regional Airport, sit in a one-time stall at Stables or in a one-time church at The Meeting Grounds. Concoct something at Sweet Science or take in Sunday brunch at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods’ O’Shaughnessy Hall - there's no larger dining room in the area.
Feeling adventurous? Dare to sample unique fare. Down Fifi’s famous Donut Burger, sample Crawfish Étouffée at J. Gumbos or nosh Twisted Fry’s Total Chaos (twisted fries with pulled pork, barbecue sauce, melted cheese & ranch). Don’t let the name of Taco Casita’s Wet Plate scare you. And if you just want to reshape convention without straying too far from your comfort zone, get a Square Donut.
Want a unique experience AND unique fare? There's Harry & Bud’s; just know it’s hard to get in, but so worth the wait.
Feeling REALLY adventurous? Go for the gusto at Eastern House with Jelly Fish, Pig Ear or Szechaun Beef Stomach.
Fancy someplace cosmopolitan? Take in Umi, Zeng Sushi, Magdi’s or J. Ford’s Black Angus.
Craving coffee? Sip a cup at Corner Grind, Clabber Girl Bake Shop, Gingersnaps or Java Haute (and so many other java hot spots).
Want a place with a little history? The Saratoga, M. Moggers, Boo’s Crossroads Cafe, Sonka Irish Pub or The Bush fit the bill.
Take-out only? Take home something from The Butler’s Pantry or Edibles Food-to-Go.
Just want a good place to hang out? There’s too many to name.
Local cuisine? Yeah, we’ve got it.
If you’re bored of all your usual haunts, work up the nerve to try something new; use the terrehaute.com Restaurants page to spark inspiration for places you haven’t visited before and expand your menu on Terre Haute's local cuisine scene.
Mark Gibson is Executive Director of The Haute Initiative, a grassroots non-profit dedicated to promoting and celebrating the greater Terre Haute/Vigo County community.