Eat & Drink
Dining
A food scene that surprises, from local pizzerias to international flavors
A Pleasant Surprise
For a small college town, Indiana has a dining scene that consistently impresses. The combination of a permanent local population, a revolving student body, and a growing food culture means there's more variety here than you might expect. Philadelphia Street and Oakland Avenue are the main corridors, with restaurants ranging from quick deli counters to full-service Italian and Thai.
The prices are reasonable, the portions are generous, and many of the restaurants are locally owned, which means your dining dollars stay in the community.
Local Favorites
9th Street Deli
901 Philadelphia St · $
A beloved Indiana institution. Fresh sandwiches, deli favorites, and a casual atmosphere that's been keeping locals fueled for years.
Toms Pizza & Restaurant
11 S 7th St · $
Classic local pizzeria with a full menu. A go-to for families and a staple of the Indiana dining scene.
Cannella Cafe
660 Philadelphia St
A downtown coffee shop and cafe on Philadelphia Street. Perfect for a morning espresso or an afternoon break while exploring the borough.
Cuban Corner Cafe
701 Philadelphia St, Indiana PA 15701 (downtown Indiana, near IRMC Park) · (724) 315-3600
Tuesday-Sunday 7am-7pm, closed Mondays
A family-owned Cuban restaurant in downtown Indiana serving authentic Cuban cuisine made from family recipes passed down through generations. Opened in 2026 with a chamber ribbon cutting, it brings the flavors of Havana right to Philadelphia Street. The Havana Bowl is a standout, and the welcoming, family-style atmosphere has locals coming back for more.
Danny's Tacos
500 Philadelphia Street, Indiana PA 15701 (corner of Philadelphia & 5th Streets, downtown Indiana)
Wednesday-Saturday 11am-9pm (open on select days)
Danny's Tacos is wonderful, and everything they make is homemade. They started as a taco truck and recently moved into a storefront at the corner of Philadelphia and 5th Streets in downtown Indiana, and everything I've tried has been amazing. I love the lobster rolls, and I've also had the gyro taco and the shrimp tacos, both so good. Ordering is simple and works in two steps: first pick your filling, from the meat choices to the vegetarian options, then pick your topping: street style, chimichurri, or slaw. If you're nervous about trying something new, take my advice: order one you know you like, then branch out and try one more. You'll leave with a new favorite taco. There's seating both inside and outside, so outdoor dining is available when the weather's nice. And there's free parking off 5th Street, which is a nice bonus downtown.
Sit-Down Dining
Donatello's Restaurant
791 Philadelphia St · $$ - $$$
Italian cuisine in an elegant setting. One of the top-rated restaurants in Indiana, popular for date nights and special occasions.
Visit websiteJosephine's Pizzeria & Enoteca
1037 Philadelphia St · $$ - $$$
Wood-fired pizzas, Italian plates, and a curated wine list in a stylish downtown setting. A newer addition that's quickly become a favorite.
Visit websiteTeerak Thai Restaurant
895 Wayne Ave · $$ - $$$
Authentic Thai flavors that consistently earn top ratings. A hidden gem that draws diners from across the county.
Visit websiteHoss's Steak & Sea House
1198 Wayne Ave · $$ - $$$
A regional steakhouse chain with a solid salad bar and hearty portions. A reliable choice for family dinners and celebrations.
Visit websiteCasual Eats
Romeo's Pizzeria & Mediterranean Kitchen
1112 Oakland Ave · $$ - $$$
Pizza meets Mediterranean in this popular Oakland Avenue spot. Gyros, stromboli, and a wide menu that keeps students and locals coming back.
Visit websiteTres Amigos Mexican Restaurant
1540 Oakland Ave · $$ - $$$
Colorful, lively Mexican restaurant with generous portions and a full bar. A popular gathering spot on weekend evenings.
Visit websiteBruno's Italian Restaurant
1108 Philadelphia St · $$ - $$$
A long-standing Italian restaurant and bar in the heart of downtown. Classic Italian-American dishes in a casual atmosphere.
Visit websiteThe Coney
642 Philadelphia St · $$ - $$$
A downtown bar and grill with a loyal following. Burgers, wings, and a welcoming vibe for casual meals and evening drinks.
Visit websiteCoffee & Bakery Stops
Sit 'N Stay Cafe
285 Philadelphia St, Indiana PA 15701 · (724) 234-9423
Full coffee and espresso bar, daily baked treats, specialty bagels, and a breakfast and lunch menu. Hosts events and parties; dine-in or take out. Pet-friendly coffee shop with a mission: every cup helps save a pup.
Visit websiteRiziki Cafe
398 Airport Rd, Indiana PA 15701 (inside the Jimmy Stewart Airport) · (724) 465-6350
Handcrafted coffee, fresh baked goods, and a full breakfast and lunch menu in a light, welcoming space inside the terminal. Open Monday through Saturday 8am-2pm; catering available.
Visit websiteMarket Street Pastries
44 E Market St, Blairsville PA 15717 · (724) 459-5511
Family-owned bakery-cafe in historic downtown Blairsville, celebrating 15 years. House-made sweet and savory pastries, made-to-order breakfast, sandwiches, salads, and soups, artisan gelato, and premium coffee and tea with locally roasted beans.
Visit websiteOak's Brew
936 Oakland Ave, Indiana PA 15701 (across from the IUP campus and a short walk from downtown Indiana) · (724) 471-2151
Monday-Friday 7am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday 7am-4pm
A bright, comfortable neighborhood coffee shop right across from the IUP campus. Expertly crafted coffee and specialty lattes, plus smoothies, teas, and a food menu that includes crepes. Quiet, relaxed, with mellow music in the background. The kind of place to grab a coffee, meet a friend, get some work done, or just sit and stay awhile.
Ice Cream
The 2026 Indiana County Ice Cream Trail has come to a close. It ran July 1 through September 5 and finished at the Indiana County Fair. While we wait for next summer, here's how the trail works: pick up a trail card at any participating stop, get it verified as you go, and turn it in at your last stop to enter the prize drawing. Joining next summer's trail is the perfect excuse to eat your way across the county.
Sponsored by Indiana County Farm Bureau, Indiana County Tourist Bureau, and Indiana Dairy Promotion. After completing the trail, here are the stops worth going back for, straight from someone who hit them all.
The Wise Owl
6000 PA-240, Cherry Tree, PA 15724 · (724) 717-3238
Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Sunday 6am-8:30pm, closed Wednesdays
Established in 2025 by Jason Wise with fresh local products and breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. Check their Facebook page for updates.
Wells Sweet Treats
482 Indiana Rd, Creekside, PA 15732 · (724) 840-8302
Evenings and weekend afternoons: roughly Monday-Saturday from 5:30pm, Sundays from 1pm
Hours shift seasonally, check their Instagram @wellstreats.
Close to home with generous servings and specials that are always changing.
Homemade Ice Cream
5820 Route 119 Hwy N, Home, PA 15747 · (724) 397-0103
A long-time seasonal favorite in Home.
The blueberry cheesecake flavor comes with an actual slice of blueberry cheesecake on top.
Visit websiteTwist of Country
57 Eileen Dr, Smicksburg, PA 16256 · (814) 257-8280
Open most days with hours that vary by season, closed Sundays and major holidays
Call ahead in winter. See the Visit Smicksburg site for current hours.
Try the Dirty Doles, and the peanut butter chocolate is loaded with mix-ins. A must-return stop.
The Meadows
1994 Oakland Ave, Indiana, PA 15701 · (724) 463-1117
Open daily 11am-10pm
The Lemon Raspberry Ripple is a standout.
Frozen custard and yogurt made fresh daily with a rotating monthly flavor calendar, plus sundaes, shakes, Italian ice and waffle cone nachos.
Visit websiteLone Oak Farms
1606 Georgeville Rd, Marion Center, PA 15759 · (724) 397-0101
Everything here is good, and they sell ice cream to take home and enjoy later.
A working dairy farm where the ice cream is made with the farm's own milk and homegrown produce. Farm store also carries scratch-made baked goods, milk, eggs, cheese and beef. Watch the cows graze while you enjoy a cone; also on the PA Scooped Ice Cream Trail.
Visit website4 C's
8488 Route 422 Hwy E, Penn Run, PA 15765 · (724) 349-0717
A summer favorite, open seasonally.
A classic summer soft-serve stop with 100% beef burgers and homemade fries. Cash only.
Coy's Pizza Shop
2845 PA-56, Homer City, PA 15748 · (724) 479-3831
Monday-Thursday 8am-9pm, Friday 8am-10pm, Saturday 10am-10pm, Sunday 10am-9pm
Pizza, hoagies and strombolis, plus ice cream.
Visit websiteDeliberately skipping her go-to chocolate chip mint led to trying favorites she never would have picked, and now she can't wait to go back for that chocolate chip mint at Twist of Country.
Want More Recommendations?
Sheri knows the local dining scene inside and out. Whether you're looking for a specific cuisine or just want to know where to go on a Tuesday night, she's happy to share.