Updated: April 18, 2024 
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8 min
9 Best Restaurants in Valparaiso Indiana
Some of the best restaurants in Indiana can be found in Valparaiso. More importantly, if you are moving to a new city you want to know where the best places to get a great meal. This post will help you get familiar with some of the best restaurants in Valparaiso. Fun fact, the founder of Quadwalls.com family owned one of Valparaiso’s most famous eateries for over 30 years.
Chuck Vander Stelt, the founder of Quadwalls.com and Northwest Indiana real estate agent is named after his grandfather who started Chuck’s Bakery in Valparaiso in 1981. This bakery was a Valparaiso legend for 32 years. Chuck of Quadwalls.com worked there six days a week for 10 years.
Chuck Vander Stelt working at his bakery, Chuck’s Bakery, Valparaiso, Indiana circa 1985
So, in honor of the many great restaurant owners in Valparaiso, Indiana let’s look take a look at some of the best restaurants in Northwest Indiana.
List Of 10 Best Restaurants In Valparaiso Indiana
- Stacks Bar & Grill
- Pesto’s Italian Restaurant
- The Franklin House
- Henze’s Bakery
- Parea Restaurant & Lounge
- Tomato Bar Pizza Bakery
- The Abbey
- Ricochet Tacos
- Blue Point Oysters & Sushi Bar
Stacks Bar & Grill
Stacks Bar & Grill is located at 175 W Lincolnway, Suite #C Valparaiso, IN 46383. This restaurant surprises its guests with its library theme. Who would have thought a library-themed restaurant would be so cool? These restaurant owners definitely got it right though.
The food is fantastic. The menu is smaller with gastropub-style spins on American classics. What is special is the specials. Stacks Bar & Grill always has some over-the-top specials where they take an old favorite to new levels. Recently, they have expanded more into larger dinner plates.
Also, you can get your Stacks library card. This requires trying one of every beer they carry. There are over 100 brews available at this restaurant. Wine and cocktails are available, too. Don’t forget to check out the upper deck dining room they opened in 2020.
Stacks Bar & Grill is open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Fridays and Saturdays from 4 PM to 10 PM. Reservations are required, but you can often get in the same day you make the call. For reservations call Stacks Bar & Grill at (219) 462-0553.
Pesto’s Italian Restaurant
Pesto’s Italian Restaurant is located at 3123 Calumet Ave. Valparaiso, IN 46383. This restaurant has the classic American-Italian restaurant feeling. On Pesto’s menu, you will find many pasta dishes, some pizzas, and some Italian dinner staples. Pesto’s is most highly regarded for its vodka chicken pasta dish. Many diners say their vodka sauce is the best.
This restaurant also has a full bar. Pesto’s often has a lineup of creative martinis to enjoy with your food. Pesto’s Italian Restaurant is open every day of the week starting at 11:00 AM and closes at 8:00 PM all days except Friday and Saturday when it closes at 8:30. Contact free online ordering is available by clicking here.
The Franklin House
The Franklin House is a bit more of a bar than a restaurant, but the great food being pushed out of the kitchen is not to be ignored. Wings, sandwiches, tacos, and burgers line their menu. The signature menu item is The House Burger. This burger is topped with Swiss cheese, a fried egg, bacon, peanut butter, and mayo served on a pretzel bun. Sounds a little wild, right? But people love it.
The Franklin House has a full bar and a tremendous amount of beers including many microbrewery IPAs. Food is available for dining or take-out. This longtime Valparaiso favorite is located at 58 S Campbell St. Valparaiso, IN 46385. They are open seven days a week from 11:00 AM to 3:00 AM.
Henze’s Bakery
Henze’s Bakery is located at 2105 Calumet Ave. Valparaiso, IN 46383. Formerly Chuck’s Bakery, Henze’s came to Valparaiso in 2013. Henze’s is a full-line bakery making donuts, Danish, coffee cakes, cookies, cakes, and other sweet bakery treats. There are a few tables here. Most of the bakery’s business is carried out. You can call Henze’s and place an order by calling (219) 464-1511. Henze’s is open Tuesday through Sunday from 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Parea Restaurant & Lounge
If you are looking for something a little more upscale take a seat a Parea. This well-appointed restaurant has a full lounge bar and diners enjoy the brick-lined walls, good lighting and, and contemporary art. This is the best dinner spot in town.
The menu features an extensive list of starters including crab cakes, mussels, truffle fries, and saganaki which is flambeed tableside. Dinners plates include chicken schnitzel, some fish items, lamb or pork chops, and steaks. There are several pasta dishes. If you are looking for a little liter there are salads and pub fare including burgers and fish & chips.
Parea Restaurant & Lounge is located at 69 S Franklin St. Valparaiso, IN 46383. Parea is open Tuesday through Thursday from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM and Fridays and Saturdays from 3:00 PM to 12:00 AM. Call (219) 510-5428 to make a reservation. Parea can host private party events, too.
Tomato Bar Pizza Bakery
Are you looking for a different spin on pizza? If so, go to Tomato Pizza Bakery located at 2310 LaPorte Ave. Valparaiso, IN 46383. This restaurant is a popular family-friendly pizza restaurant with a hipster kind of vibe. This is a great spot for lunch or dinner, too. Let’s look at their menu.
Tomato Bar has specialty craft pizza recipes. It’s amazing how the right combination of toppings and sauces makes such delicious pizza. The ingredients are fresh and the variety is fantastic. Also available are calzones, sandwiches, and salads. Beer is available, too.
Tomato Bar is available for dine-in, carry-out, or delivery. Contact the Tomato Bar Pizza Bakery Valparaiso location by calling (219) 462-7499 or click here to order online. This great restaurant is open from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM seven days a week.
Ricochet Tacos
Ricochet Tacos is located at 55 Franklin St. Valparaiso, IN 46383. This vibrant destination owned by the same people behind Tomato Bar Pizza Bakery has waved a magic wand over tacos. These unique taco recipes are fantastic. Don’t worry, there is nothing too out of the ordinary. The menu features tacos, nachos, and other similar Mexican eats and craft cocktails from their full bar.
Ricochet Tacos is available for dine-in or carry out. Open seven days a week but Ricochet Tacos hours vary. Monday through Friday opens at 11:00 AM and closes at 10:00 PM except for Fridays when they close at 11:00 PM. Saturdays they are open from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Sundays they are open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
The Abbey
The Abbey is a finer dining dinner spot located at 3158 IN-2 Valparaiso, IN 46385. Offered here are classic meals one would expect at a finer dining establishment. Starters include many seafood options like shrimp or lobster cocktails, oysters, or mussels. Dinners include steaks, fish, and chicken. The atmosphere is smaller but nice. If you are seeking a quieter more intimate dining experience take a look at The Abbey. The Abbey also serves brunch on Sundays.
The Abbey is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Fridays and Saturdays from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and Sundays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Blue Point Oysters & Sushi Bar
Located in Downtown Valparaiso at 13 E Lincolnway Valparaiso, IN 46383 Blue Point Oyster Bar offers more seafood options than most other Valparaiso restaurants. There are many different types of sushi rolls. Seafood pastas and other fish, shrimp, and oyster meals are available, too. A nice spot with a relaxed atmosphere.
Blue Point is open Mondays through Wednesdays from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Thursdays through Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and Sundays from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Conclusion
People living in Valparaiso are lucky to have some of the best restaurants in Indiana right in their hometown. Check out some of these great Valparaiso restaurants when you have a chance.
If you are thinking about buying a home in Valparaiso, Indiana contact us. We are Valparaiso real estate agents. We are here to help you buy a home for sale in Valparaiso. Get started today by using our site to search for houses for sale in Valparaiso.
