Some families in Indiana skip the big kitchen cleanup and head out for holiday dinner instead. The best places for that kind of meal are not flashy or new.
They are old-fashioned spots with fried chicken, warm rolls, family-style platters, and pie cases that make choosing dessert a real job. This list covers six of them, from a log cabin stagecoach stop to the largest restaurant in the state, so you can find a table that fits your crew.
1. The Beef House | Restaurant & Dinner Theatre, Covington, IN
Ask anyone in west-central Indiana about The Beef House, and the first word out of their mouth will probably be rolls. The baskets of homemade bread come with apple butter, and they show up next to just about every steak, burger, and seafood plate on the table.
The steakhouse sits on IN-63 in Covington, a small town near the Wabash River. It doubles as a banquet hall and dinner theatre, which makes it an easy pick when the whole extended family wants to go out together.
Steak is the main event here. The signature ribeye is cooked to order and served with rolls, zucchini fries, and a chunky bleu cheese dressing for the salad bar greens.
Families get plenty of help on the practical side. There is a kids’ menu, high chairs, a private dining room, and a fireplace for chilly winter evenings.
Reservations are accepted, and that is smart planning for a holiday visit. Sunday afternoons and Saturday evenings are the busiest stretches, and the restaurant is closed on Mondays.
2. Das Dutchman Essenhaus, Middlebury, IN
Indiana’s largest restaurant is in a small town of fewer than 3,500 people. That alone makes Das Dutchman Essenhaus a fun stop, but the food is what keeps families coming back to Middlebury.
The menu leans into Amish country cooking. You can go family-style with shared platters, order off the menu, or fill a plate at the hot buffet.
Fried chicken is a big draw, and the Amish-style baked steak gives the table something a little different. Chicken noodle soup is another favorite on the menu.
Save room, because pies are what this place is known for. Custard pie and Amish peanut butter are two specialties to try.
The restaurant opens at 6:30 AM Monday through Saturday, so a holiday breakfast is also an option. It is closed on Sundays, and Saturday afternoon into evening tends to be the busiest time.
3. The Log Inn, Haubstadt, IN
Abraham Lincoln once stopped at this old stagecoach stop. Today, The Log Inn in Haubstadt serves family-style dinners inside a real log cabin, and the history is part of the experience.
The menu sticks with down-home American cooking passed around the table. It is simple, filling, and made for big groups who like to share.
Prices are friendly for a holiday outing, usually around $10 to $20 per person. That matters when you are feeding grandparents, cousins, and kids all at once.
Plan ahead before you go. The Log Inn is open for dinner only, Tuesday through Saturday starting at 4 PM, and there is often a wait.
Dinner reservations are recommended, especially on Saturdays. A fireplace, high chairs, and a kids’ menu round out the family-friendly setup in this small Gibson County community.
4. Kopper Kettle Inn Restaurant, Morristown, IN
Copper kettles line the shelves, antiques fill the rooms, and dinner arrives on platters meant for passing. Kopper Kettle Inn in Morristown turns a regular meal into something that looks like a holiday every day of the week.
The restaurant is set in a historic building on Main Street in a town of about 1,200 people. Its dining rooms are decorated with vintage pieces, which gives the place an elegant but relaxed feel.
Family-style chicken is the classic order here. Ribeye steak is also on the menu, and portions are generous.
For dessert, go with the sugar cream pie. It is a true Indiana specialty, and it fits a holiday table nicely.
Live piano music adds to the old-fashioned charm. Dinner reservations are recommended, and Sunday hours run 11:30 AM to 6 PM, which works well for an early holiday meal.
5. HollyHock Hill, Indianapolis, IN
HollyHock Hill has been serving dinners since 1928. That kind of staying power is rare, and some Indianapolis families have made it their go-to spot for special occasions for decades.
The restaurant is in a converted house on North College Avenue. The vintage setting makes it feel more like a family gathering than a night out in a big city.
Fried chicken is the famous dish. The menu also includes steak, fish, pork chops, pasta dishes, chicken livers, and cedar-plank salmon, all with plenty of sides served family-style.
I would save this one for the relative who claims they are not hungry. The portions tend to change that.
The restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday. Dinner reservations are recommended, and Saturday afternoons and Sunday evenings fill up fast.
6. Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery, Shipshewana, IN
Pie lovers, this is your stop. Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery in Shipshewana is known for a big pie selection, and the bakery makes leaving without a box pretty tough.
The family-owned country kitchen sits next to an Amish crafts marketplace in a town of about 850 people. You can pair dinner with some shopping and make an afternoon out of it.
The buffet is loaded with classics like fried chicken, meatloaf, stuffing, Amish noodles, chicken and beef noodles, corn, green beans, and mac and cheese. Two soups and fried shrimp usually join the lineup.
Mashed potatoes with noodles and chicken gravy is a local favorite. Pot roast and cookies also stand out on the menu.
Expect a wait during busy times, especially Saturday afternoons and evenings. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 AM to 7 PM.
Each of these six spots offers a different way to celebrate. Pick the one that fits your family, call ahead, and let someone else handle the dishes this year.
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