Review Oakley's Bistro - Indianapolis

This is a late review, as I forgot to do one when we dined here several months ago. Some item menus may have changed as it's a seasonal-ingredient kibda restaurant. Despite the restaurant seating being a little tight, it actually felt cozy after a few minutes of sitting down. Maybe it's also because that reminded me of my trip to Quebec City; where cozy, small-spaced restaurants are plenty. The food is fantastic! It's a place you don't just eat with your mouth, but with your eyes. Artistic, lovely plating, and delectable flavors. Our service was a little slow, but our server was informative and kind. We did dine during a busy time, and we're gracious they got us in pretty quickly. Everything was great, and they even gave us an extra dessert. It's definitely another place added to our list of eats.

We just experienced the kitchen table tasting menu. We were impressed with the beautiful presentations and delicious flavors. The chef described each dish and the service was great. We were left feeling we were special and had an amazing experience. Although it was a tasting, we had 7 courses and had left overs to take home. We had a delightful evening. Thank you to chefs and all the staff.

The service is top notch and very knowledgeable about the menu. What a great find, I did not know that this restaurant experience existed, but it is NOW on my radar. Very delicious food.

An Elevated Evening at Oakleys Bistro Casual diners and food enthusiasts navigating through Indianapolis might find themselves at Oakleys Bistro, particularly on a Saturday night when the atmosphere gently hums with soft chatter and clinking tableware. It comes recommended by TimeOut, and with due reason. Tucked unassumingly into a strip mall, your first impressions might waver, yet upon entry, Oakleys refutes any doubts. The interior strikes a meticulous balance, possessing an effortless elegance that doesn’t encroach upon its welcoming demeanor. It's subtle, with an intentionally understated design that quietly elevates above its physical locale. An available terrace, which we opted to forego, seemed like a pleasant option under more conducive climatic circumstances. A mental note was made for future reference. Exceptional service isn’t exuberant; it’s consistent, attentive, and anticipatory. Our waiter, Grace, navigated through the evening with a commendable handle on these traits, maneuvering through service and upsells with equal tact. The food leans into elevated cuisine, aesthetically considered and notably palatable. It’s a sensory experience that aligns with visual allure and flavorful depth, each dish presented with an apparent respect for the ingredients and the diner. Our highlight was the pork chop - well rendered and tasty side vegetables. Complementing the meal, the cocktails, balanced and aptly crafted, not only paired well but stood impressively on their own. For those charting a course through Indianapolis’ dining scene, Oakleys Bistro not only deserves a visit but commands a position on your culinary itinerary. It doesn’t demand your attention with audacity but earns it with a quiet, consistent excellence in food, service, and atmosphere.

Great dining experience at Oakleys Bistro. Our server was amazing and very helpful with suggestions. We had the prime rib dumplings as starter and the trout for entrée. Both dishes were outstanding: well seasoned and cooked to perfection, can’t wait to be back.

Always great service and some of the most flavorful food ever

We had the tasting menu and it was, by far, the best food I've ever had. I can't wait to go back and order from the menu

Hadn’t been here in many years. We ordered a couple times via takeout over the last couple years and during the pandemic. Everything was always fantastic - even via takeout. My husband had never been so we went recently and he was head over heels impressed. The appetizers and small plates are all so good. We had a few of those and split one meal. The wine recommendation made by the sommelier was a hit. Highly recommend if you enjoy thoughtful and elevated dining.

This place is a 5/5, the food is always delicious and the cocktail list is wonderful and the service is top notch. I always recommend this place as one of the best spots in Indy.

Excellent food. This is easily one of the finest meals I have had ever. The Duck n Duck was amazing. The heirloom tomato salad was amazing. The Old Fashioned and Long Island Iced Tea were expertly made. Lastly, Dan’s Chocolate Bar. Get it, you’ll love it. You can tell the ingredients are fresh and premium. No corners seemed to be cut on prep or presentation. Just amazing. Shout out to our server, Samantha. She was so warm and pleasant. I had questions, she had answers. She kept our cups full and paced our meal very well. Owners, give her a raise. Thank you and we hope to be back next time we are in town.

This place, in my opinion, is a small, tiny step below that of a Michelin star restaurant. And they are certainly some of the best food you can get in Indy. I had just finished a huge exam and this was the place to asked to be taken in celebration. We arrived at 8:30 and, even though they close at 9, their service was not rushed at all. I ordered their Venetian Aperol spritz to start. It was very good but make sure to mix it up because it was quite strong at the bottom. For the starter we ordered the tulip tree trillium and the brisket dumplings. The cheese was so good but piping hot. I loved the texture of almonds in it along with the sweetness of the jam. The dumplings were also very good, the brisket inside was melt in your mouth good! For mains we ordered the duck and duck and the mushroom paella. If you read the menu, the paella is not actually made of rice but mushroom rice so it has a different texture. But I love it! I almost exclusively order this dish when I come here because I truly believe it’s the mark of a good chef if they can take vegetables taste good! The paella is a journey of textures, color, and flavors as you devour all the differently prepared veggies. The duck was a little disappointing based on all the rave reviews. It was still cooked perfectly but just not the flavor I was expecting, my fiancée seemed to enjoy it though. We also ordered the tomato/Parmesan risotto as a side which was a surprising show stopper. It was really good and was finished entirely! Sadly, I had no room left for dessert! I highly recommend Oakleys for a date night or celebration. They have phenomenal food and service and have never disappointed!

My wife and I come to Oakley’s for every special occasion. Every time we have been in the restaurant, Chef Oakley has been in the kitchen, scrutinizing every dish that goes out for service. His passion for his restaurant and for his food has shown through in every meal. Every dish is maximalist. It is not a restaurant that intends to celebrate the purity of a few ingredients. Instead, it is lush and complex. Every dish we have had has been a complex weaving of flavors and textures. It is intended to be and succeeds in being complex and whimsical. And yet it is not a mishmash…each component is well thought out and consistently executed, and intended to work in harmony with every other component. The staff seems to understand this passion, and carries the same precision and love and attention to detail to the table. It is a whole restaurant that appears to understand the vision, and is unified in it’s desire to execute it. Even during the pandemic when we could only order carry out, they would still lovingly plate our tin carry-out containers with the same eye for perfection. Also the bartender, whoever it is, is outstanding and deserves an award. I love Oakley’s. It is the only restaurant I have ever been to that I would elevate to the status of art. It is worth every penny.

We dined at Oakley's on two occasions. The cuisine was astonishingly refined and delightful, displaying a level of sophistication that impressed us. However, the service left something to be desired. The waiter seemed disinterested in his role, distant, and inappropriately dressed, not adhering to the expected standards. Nonetheless, this did not detract from the excellence of the dishes themselves, although it did impact the overall dining experience. Despite this, we would definitely consider returning solely for the exceptional food.

Over the past four years, we make it a point to dine at Oakley's Bistro every time we come to Indianapolis. The food is always outstanding and the service has always been exceptional. We recently dined and did the chef's tasting menu, which is available by contacting the restaurant ahead of time. Chef Steven J. Oakley created a beautifully memorable meal for my boyfriend and I - from his famous shrimp corndogs and foie gras two ways to ricotta gnocchi with octopus in a Calabrian chili butter sauce and a Thai carrot cake terrine. If you are looking for Indy dining at its finest, Oakley's is a must.

Service was amazing. Waiter "Wes" very courteous, highly knowledgeable, great recommendations, he was great to conversate with. Our meal was absolutely delicious. Service was great. The cook knows what he's doing. The owner knows what they are doing and more restaurants need to take notes and be ran like this! 10/10 highly recommend

Awesome food. Great service. We ordered a lot of food here and everything tasted good. A little heavy on the salt but overall taste and flavor profile was amazing. If you go there you must order shrimp corn dogs. This restaurant's chef beat Bobby flay with this dish.