Here's the scoop!
Dining in Evansville
Café Arazu
Cafe Arazu is where we went on our first date, so of course it's one of favorites! If dining on Fourth Street in Bloomington is your thing, then you'll love this little Middle Eastern restaurant on the river front in downtown Newburgh, which is just a short drive from Evansville.
Commonwealth Kitchen + Bar
For our guests who have never been to Kentucky and feel like taking a little drive, head south to Commonwealth Kitchen and Bar (or CKB, as we locals call it) to the restaurant where we at the night we got engaged. You MUST try the brussels sprouts as an appetizer (trust us on this, even if you think brussels sprouts are gross). We also recommend the buffalo chicken mac and cheese and the gourmet meatloaf.
Pangea Kitchen
This is our favorite restaurant in Evansville. It's part Italian-style pizzeria and gelateria, part Thai restaurant, yet the combo works deliciously together! We've tried almost everything on the menu and have never been disappointed!!
Turoni's Forget Me Not, Inc.
Evansville has an unnatural obsession with thin, cracker-crust pizza. You'll have a hard time finding any other style of pizza here, and Turoni's is the granddaddy of them all and one of the best-known restaurants in town.
Haynies Corner
Near downtown Evansville, Haynie's Corner has recently become the hotspot for foodies in Evansville. This neighborhood has several restaurants to choose from, including Sauced (Italian), The Dapper Pig (farm-to-table), and Walton's (which describes itself as "international comfort food"). All are a great places to go for dinner and a drink!
Bru Burger Bar - Evansville
Those of you who live in or frequently travel to Indianapolis are already familiar with this Indianapolis favorite, but the Evansville location, which was converted from a historic Greyhound bus station to a restaurant, offers a unique atmosphere that's worth the visit. Vegetarians, fear not--Bru Burger offers the best vegan burger that Heather has ever had on their menu (and their black bean burger is pretty good, too)!
Azzip Pizza
With several locations in the Evansville area, Azzip is a great place to go if you like pizza and are looking for a quick bite to eat. You choose your toppings (all the veggies are free), and they build your pizza before putting it through a conveyor belt-style oven.
La Campirana
Yes, you can get authentic Mexican food in small-town Southern Indiana! This fast-casual restaurant is no frills, but everything on the menu is fresh and delicious!
Donut Bank
If you're looking for a quick pit-stop for breakfast, then Donut Bank is your place to go! This old-school donut shop is an Evansville institution. It is also known for employing Heather's mom (you might even find a few Donut Bank products on the dessert menu at the wedding reception).
Cleavers Prime Sandwiches and Salads
Cleaver's is the best spot in town for a sit-down breakfast. Heather goes there for the large 3-D mural of the Chicago skyline on the side of the building! Despite not being a Cubs fan (go Reds), Brandon's go-to breakfast is the Wrigley skillet.
Honey Moon Coffee Co.
If you need a caffeine fix while you're in town, then Honey Moon is the place to go! Brandon swears by their Nitro cold brew. Heather likes to mix it up, but she recommends getting a white chocolate, blackberry latte (which is surprisingly not overly sweet) or their special honey infused cold brew with a shot of lavender flavoring. Honey Moon also cooks up some delicious Hong Kong style waffles if you want a sweet treat with your coffee.
The Refinery
The Refinery provided us with one of the locations for our engagement photo session, as well as the ice cream. Inside this local goods shop, you'll find Lucid coffee and Bliss ice cream (which is locally made), as well as plenty of seating to relax and hang out.
Milk & Sugar Scoop Shoppe
Heather's friends from Chicago might remember that one of her favorite spots to study was George's ice cream, which serves the most delicious, small batch ice cream from the Chocolate Shoppe in Wisconsin. This same ice cream is served at Milk & Sugar. Insider tip: if you order a single scoop "half and half," you can get two flavors for the price of one, and the homemade waffle cone is always free!