Al Fresco and From Scratch: Patio Season at the Emporium

There is a short, perfect window on a June morning in Indianapolis. The sun is up, the air is still cool, and the heavy midday humidity has not rolled in yet. That is the golden hour for outdoor seating in Indianapolis, and it happens to be our favorite time to set tables on the patio at 56th and Illinois.

Cooking in a hot kitchen all summer is nobody's idea of a good time. So let us do the baking. We have been a scratch kitchen in Indianapolis since 1979, right here in Butler-Tarkington, and the patio is open for the season. Grab a shaded table, order something made this morning, and let the breeze do the rest.

Flaky pastries and shaded tables

Mornings are what we do best. Everything in the case is scratch-made, baked here before the doors open. Pair a pastry with a cold drink, find a seat outside, and watch the neighborhood wake up. Neighbors walking their dogs, Butler students fueling up, regulars catching up over breakfast. It is the easiest good morning on the north side. And yes, the patio is dog friendly, so bring your pup along to lounge in the shade while you eat.

If you are looking for breakfast on the northside of Indy, start here:

• Scratch-made croissants in plain, chocolate, and almond

• Danishes and the daily quiche selection

• Muffins, scones, and cinnamon rolls straight from the oven

And when the morning warms up, the coffee cools down. We pour hot coffee early, then switch to iced lattes and cold brew. It is the easy upgrade for anyone chasing good iced coffee in Midtown Indy.

Ditch the desk, meet us for lunch

By late morning the patio turns into the best lunch table in the neighborhood. The signature Chicken Salad Croissant is the one regulars come back for, alongside fresh seasonal salads and a rotating lineup of fruit teas and lemonades to keep things cool.

It is the right spot for a casual out-of-office business lunch, or a mental-health break when working from home stops working. Pull up a chair under the umbrellas and let lunch feel like a small vacation. See the full lunch menu and order ahead if you are short on time.

Taking the Emporium to your backyard

Love eating on our patio? We will bring those same summer flavors to yours. The platters and box lunches that fill our tables travel just as well to a park picnic, a graduation party, or a neighborhood block party.

Box lunches are an easy call for a picnic at Holliday Park or an afternoon by the water. For bigger crowds, our catering platters do the heavy lifting. Think sandwiches, fresh fruit and vegetable trays, and dessert trays that close out the night. Browse the catering options and we will handle the food so you can handle the guests.

Come claim a table

In a rush? Order online and grab your food to-go for a park picnic or a quick lunch back at the desk.

Want to stay a while? Come sit on the patio. We will save you a spot in the shade.

Illinois Street Food Emporium is at 5550 N. Illinois Street, at 56th and Illinois in Butler-Tarkington. We are open Monday 7 to 3, Tuesday through Friday 7 to 5, and Saturday 7 to 2. Call us at 317-253-9513. Your neighborhood scratch kitchen, feeding Indianapolis since 1979.