Vida

We had a great dinner experience at Vida. First, we were pleased to find that they had both a tasting and four course vegetarian menu for us to select from. We decided on the Four Course Menu with Sommelier Curated Pairing ($150/each), and we had an extra desert😋. You have to try the ricotta donuts. From the first course to the fourth, both the presentation and tastes were wonderful. I would highly recommend the vegetarian menu. Especially loved the roasted carrots, caramelized cauliflower, grilled tofu and zucchetta cappelletti. And since we were sharing each dish, we also got to taste eight different wines that our Sommelier, Jarrod paired for us. Gabriel, our server and Jarrod both help to make this an incredible evening. Great food, great conversation, and almost 4-hours later…we’ll be talking about Vida’s for some time to come. Oh yeah, ask for some banana bread, it was incredible.

One of the most spectacular dinning experiences of my life. Everything from the food to the etiquette of the staff is simply phenomenal. Everyone i bring here is truly astonished that a dinning experience can be so exquisite.

a phenomenal experience if you’re into food and looking for an elevated night out. beautifully coursed out meal and enjoyed everything on the 4-course menu. throughly enjoyed the knowledge of our server talking us through our choices — will definitly be back!

Came here to celebrate a birthday. Birthday celebration was handled festively, but not excessively. Got the six course tasting menu and wine pairing, it was incredible. This was a long expensive meal but worth it (3.5 hrs, $500+). Every dish was beautifully balanced and interesting with a great blend of flavour, texture, and presentation. The wines were well presented and Jared the sommelier did an excellent job! Some dishes were not to my pallet, for example there was a few dishes with a lot of dill which I’m not a fan of and the tagliatelle was too almost too al dente (borderline crunchy). Tagliatelle was also very vinegar/ pickly but the dish was still very enjoyable - a testament to the overall quality of the food. Alex our server also did a great job of presenting our dishes and taking care of us. Big thank you to the staff! Only got the names of Alex and Jared but the other serves were great.

Alex was a great server. Rachel was a great sommelier. If you're looking for a great night out this is it. They don't disappoint. Ohh and the coffee is delicious too.

We had a wonderful dining experience at Vida. Amazing food, impeccable service, beautiful setting They went above and beyond to accommodate our 2 years old daughter (we were traveling and didn’t have anyone to watch her) and made us feel welcomed. We will be back for more!

Absolutely phenomenal meal both times that I went, and well worth the very high price tag. So many unique flavors that worked together perfectly. Service is impeccable and they are clearly a well coordinated team. Even when the kitchen was experiencing significant slowdowns, they still made sure that we had bread and were very kind.

I've longed to try Vida, and they didn't disappoint. We opted for their four-course menu, with my husband adding the wine pairing. We love everything except for the duck breast. I should have picked Cod in my 3rd course, but it didn't detract from our experience; it shows how good the service and the food are. Food highlights are the bluefin Tuna (2nd course), the ribeye (3rd course), and the desserts 😋

This by far has been our best fine dining experience in Indianapolis. (15+ visits). We loved the four course menu however you have the option of Ala cart to pick and choose. Course One and Two were 1,2 bites each (think more of a tasting) while Course 3 was alittle hardier and Course four, the amazing desserts left us full but not over indulged for the evening. Course One, the Octopus had a fresno chile romesco, fingerling potato, baby broccoli and lemon it was cooked to perfection and who knew I loved carrots ?!!! We really loved the flavor profile with the carrots prepared with fermented honey, humboldt fog goat cheese, salsa macha and candied walnuts. Second Course Scallops and Chicken Ballotine were delicious. I have not had Chicken Ballotine before, it was tender and wonderful flavors of chanterelle, mustard cream and toasted hazelnut. Third Course Duck (delicious) and Rib Eye. The Rib Eye had chanterelle mushrooms that were exceptional with the Rib Eye. Big YUM!! Finally the Fourth Course, we chose Doughnuts .. warm, bourbon Mable glaze with ice cream. Who wouldn’t love that combination??? Did I mention the bread service??? One bread tasted like carrot cake another YUM factor!!! We dined in the bar area which was understated luxury and charm. The overall ambiance of the restaurant was 5*. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the exceptional level of service from the moment we walked in to our server to the timing of the coursing to the valet. Next time we’re in town we’ll be back!

This is a true culinary experience and every time I come here, I am just amazed by how good the food and service is! Jocelyn and Kiaya are both phenomenal servers and have made our experience here even better - not to mention how amazing all of the other staff is that is taking care of clearing any extra dishes, bringing out food, or making sure our drinks are never empty! The food is just phenomenal and the presentation is exquisite. There is quite the spread of options with the tasting menu, some food included that I generally would never like or eat anywhere else, but Vida just knows how to make it all taste amazing! I mean it when I say there has never been a bad bite of food here. The portions aren’t large, but I always leave feeling satisfied and the price point seems accurate for the quality of service, taste of food, and artistic presentation of everything. This is now my favorite place to go and treat myself, husband, and family members! What an excellent experience every time! 10/10

Comfortable, excellent service, and the food was beautiful, but not fussy, and delicious. The table service was really personal and comfortable, attentive but not intrusive. Cocktails were good, the bourbon menu is a bit odd (some special bottles of off brand bourbons), but a few gems. We ordered the 7 course chef menu, and everything was terrific. Fish plates were well seasoned, but delicate and you could taste the seafood. Beef was well seasoned and seared. Some bites with all ingredients were genius, others you could pick and choose the flavor profile you preferred. Portions are perfect, from single bites to small plates, we were certainly full but not uncomfortable.

Just a fantastic experience all around. Did the 7 course tasting menu with pairing. Vida has a somewhat modern/contemporary feel but gives a very cozy and welcoming vibe. Highly recommend, especially for those that enjoy comforting and warming flavors that lead to an amazing venture.

I recently had the pleasure of indulging in Vida’s exquisite six-course tasting menu, and I was absolutely blown away by every single dish. Each course was a masterpiece, perfectly crafted with an incredible balance of flavors, textures, and presentation. The attention to detail was remarkable — from the creative use of seasonal ingredients to the seamless flow between courses. The service was impeccable, with the staff providing thoughtful explanations of each dish and pairing. They made me feel truly cared for throughout the evening. The ambiance at Vida is elegant yet welcoming, making it the perfect setting for an unforgettable dining experience. This was more than just a meal — it was a culinary journey that I will remember for years to come. If you’re in Indianapolis, Vida is an absolute must-visit!

Wonderful 9 course meal with the family. The experience was a pleasure for all of us.

2nd Visit AUG 2025 - back in town and off to Vida. While I recall my first dinner there as being very, very good, last night’s tasting menu was sublime. Every dish hit the mark in terms of presentation and execution. A great mix of ingredients and flavors. Wine list and service spectacular. Is a no-brainer for at least one Michelin star, though several of us agreed the food was at 2* level as it was comparable to 2* Michelin peers in Europe. On the James Beard scale, clearly should be a nominee and is likely worthy of capturing the Midwest regional crown. Bravo to all at Vida, one of the best restaurants in the country! Wonderful dinner (4-course variant) Nice selection of choices within each of the four courses Preparation/execution was top-notch. Aromas vibrant and distinctive on every course. Quite generous portions Tartare was flavorful and tender Fried chicken thigh was crispy and juicy Ribeye slices were tender, wonderfully seasoned and perfectly cooked Doughnuts were light, fluffy and wonderfully sauced Bottled wine selection is extensive but pricey - hard to find bottles under $120. Wines by the glass, however, are very nice and much more affordable. The seasonal cocktail specials were outstanding Server was friendly, efficient and informed. Lovely atmosphere Overall, an outstanding experience. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

A restaurant in Michelin quality! If you want a true fine dining experience in Indianapolis, you have to try this restaurant. Their service is excellent. The ingredients and cooking skills shown in every dish is top notch. I tried many Michelin restaurants before and I am sure this restaurant is up to the Michelin standard. I recommend scallops and duck breast as the main course. The favor and texture is amazing. Will definitely revisit again in the future! :)

Unbelievable experience that everyone should experience if you have the money. My wife and I did the chef’s tasting menu with the wine pairings. Every dish was uniquely crafted with amazing flavor and artistic presentation. I’m not really a wine drinker myself, but holy cow the wine pairings were 100% worth it!! The intricate details in the service make you feel like royalty when dining as well. 11/10 and we cant wait to go back soon!

This restaurant is a wonderful experience I would definitely recommend (though with the price tag I wouldn't do this often) The staff were absolutely wonderful and genuinely enjoyed their jobs and what they do. My table even asked a few of them how they enjoyed the jobs, and they all gave honest answers that they truly liked it. Our servers name was Thomas and he was great! We even asked him for other recommendations in the area and he put a lot of thought into them and was very attentive as a whole. The food itself was delicious, and I had the best banana bread of my life at this restaurant! My table did the tasting experience and it was terrific, I would recommend it even with the high price tag. Truly a great experience

1st time at Vida but I plan on bringing my wife the next time. 1st time with Duck Breasts! Delicious! A great change of pace for me! Sometimes it's just cool to take yourself out to dinner!

Recently moved to Indiana. Had the Chefs tasting menu last night for my birthday and it was some of the best food I have ever had. The staff was also excellent and exactly what you want from a fine dining restaurant! We will definitely be back.

Quite an experience! My friends and family gathered for my graduation and we had a wonderful time. The food, the presentation and the service were top notch. The drinks were amazing. Loved the synchronized movements of the servers when serving the food. They also had printed a personalized menu for us with a note on it congratulating me which was a very cute touch!

Since it’s Devour Indy, we thought we’d visit Vida for the first time. Everyone working there was great, attentive, and friendly. It was a four course meal for $75/person. The amuse bouche was a crispy corn ball that I would order if it were on the menu. Just delicious! I had the beef tartare and heirloom tomato. My husband had the foie gras, which he couldn’t stop raving about. For the main dish, we shared the duck breast and wagyu ribeye. Both were fantastic and full of flavor. I forgot to take a photo of the dessert but the ricotta doughnuts were a nice sweet with a bit of savory touch. The chocolate torte was very rich and dense. We can’t wait to come back!

Where to start? From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by warm, welcoming faces. The space was very clean and wonderfully designed. You get a very real sense of community by the way the tables and seating are arranged. My wife and I were celebrating our 25th anniversary, which they were aware of, and literally every staff member who we came in contact with congratulated us on our day. To that end, even the menu was personalized with our names on the…very nice touch. Our server, Josh, was very welcoming and genuine from his first visit to our table. He was well versed in the menu and guided us through our meal with helpful suggestions and answered all our questions. To the food…. We had two dining options, either a 4 course meal with roughly 4 options within each course or a chef’s tasting menu. We elected the 4 course option. There was also a wine pairing option if you’re a wine lover. Each course was very well thought out and the flavors all worked together in the most delicious way. I steeped out of my comfort zone and tried several dishes I have never had prior to this meal. Josh was quick to tell me that if there was any selection I didn’t like, they were more than happy to replace it with another option. Again, very unexpected, but appreciated offer. The beef tartare was very good and definitely a new experience for me. Same with the foie gras, as this was another dish I had never previously ordered. The main course was a grass fed ribeye that was cooked perfectly and again, was accompanied by ingredients that coupled nicely with the steak. Lastly, the lemon mascarpone cake was heavenly and just the right amount to finish off an excellent meal. My wife enjoyed her jerk carrots, fried chicken course and the rack of lamb. I got to sample each of her courses as well and would have been happy with all those choices myself. She ended her meal with the ricotta doughnuts and they don’t miss with those. All in all, easily a 10/10. You’re missing out if you don’t visit Vida for a truly magnificent meal and dining experience. Thank you again, Josh and the rest of the crew at Vida for helping to make our anniversary a very memorable experience. We’ll definitely be back soon! Greg and Beth - from Cincinnati

Fantastic meal and excellent service. Each course was prepared to perfection and expertly presented. Will definitely return for the tasting menu. Be prepared to just pay the $10+tip to valet park as it's the best option. Highly recommend if you're downtown and are looking for a quiet, upscale dinner.

**Magic is Happening in Indianapolis** Vida Restaurant is crafting an experience usually reserved for large metropolitan dining scenes. It’s unfortunate that restaurants like Vida can’t achieve a Michelin star solely because of their location. If one were to apply Michelin’s basic criteria, Vida would easily qualify for one star—meaning it’s worth a detour. Personally, I’d consider a diversion from any journey to Chicago just to dine at this exceptional restaurant. In my view, Vida is the best value restaurant in the U.S. right now. While other countries like Brazil might offer excellent value as well, it’s almost surreal to experience such high quality at the price Vida charges. Chef Tom Melvin is a self-taught master. If he were in places like California or NYC, people would be writing books about him. Yet, in Indianapolis, a city that doesn't often steal the spotlight, this talented chef hasn’t received the recognition he truly deserves. "Humble" is the word that comes to mind; Chef Melvin quietly lets his culinary artistry shine in Indianapolis. The restaurant's ambiance is modern and elegant, featuring high ceilings and a clean, minimalist look. Our server, Bill, shared that Chef Melvin had a significant hand in creating the space—even down to the restrooms, which are striking in their own right with half-exposed copper piping. The cuisine itself defies easy classification. It feels global with farm-to-table influences, and Chef Melvin’s focus seems to be on ingredients—crafting flavors that showcase their essence. Now, let’s talk about the food. The menu is constantly changing, so be sure to check out the photos online. For us, the stars of the night were the trout, handmade tortellini, and scallops accompanied by gnocchi so delicious they bordered on magical. Most tasting menus end with petit fours and handmade chocolates, but it not the case on Vida and we took a different route and requested all three of their desserts. We unanimously agreed: the ricotta doughnuts were outstanding. Taste may be subjective, but execution is not—every dish was prepared to perfection. As an amateur cook myself, I recognize the incredible amount of work it takes to reach this level. I opted for the regular wine pairing, which primarily features European wines. My only critique is that it would be nice to see a pairing option that offers more local flavors, such as ciders, kombucha, or other non-alcoholic beverages—especially as many restaurants now aim to accommodate non-drinkers. One last point to address: Chef Melvin adopts a modern approach to the kitchen. It’s open, and unlike many professional kitchens, there are no screams or emotional outbursts. What stands out is the genuine love and support his staff show for him; from the valet to our server, everyone spoke highly of this remarkable man. I even found myself half-jokingly contemplating a career change to work at Vida—though in truth, it’s much more fun to be a guest.

My son surprised me with the most wonderful birthday gift- He took me to Vida in Indianapolis for the Chef's Tasting. It was the most incredible dining experience I've ever had! The kitchen is front and center when you enter so you can watch the action while you wait.We were greated warmly by everyone we came in contact with I was wished "Happy birthday " several times. I had the most wonderful cocktail called Secret Garden and it was a delicious experience in itself. We started our tastings with an Amuse Bouche of Bluefin tuna. Two tiny servings that exploded with so many flavors. We were off to a great start! Next was the best scallop I've had in my life. It was a Maine scallop with English peas,Iberico ham, ramp, fennel and citrus chlle before blanc.Ohmygosh! Next was morel and maitke (wow!) followed by Columbia River salmon. The salmon came with creamed ramps,kumquat,mustard seed,marigold and cress. Absolutely amazing! My favorite was the Strube Ranch wagon ribeye. It was so tender and perfect. We just kept saying "oh my gosh!" Although the tastings are small portions every single bite is a culinary adventure! The dessert was a delectable chocolate torte which we enjoyed with French press coffee. The service was impressive and impeccable but not pretentious. Everyone was so knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and made us feel so special. The restaurant is beautiful but not stuffy. The ambience is warm, unhurried and relaxing. This was such a fun experience for me as I'm a big fan of shows like Top Chef and any shows about chefs. The Bear is my favorite. I was one happy mama!! VIDA is located at 601 E New York St and they are open. Tuesday-Saturday 5-10 pm. Reservations are needed

The food here is delicious. Reservations are definitely recommended. It is a very busy place. Most restaurants just have 1-2 vegetarian dishes, so I was pleasantly surprised that they had an entire vegetarian tasting menu. That is so rare to find. The 6 course tasting takes about a couple hours and the dishes are very inventive. The service is pretty good as well. The experience could be so much better if there was a vegetarian protein source and the portion sizes were larger to better match the price of the tasting menu. You could alternatively include the wines in the base price to elevate the experience. Overall a good place to go for a special occasion. EDIT: Updating to 5 Stars. We visited the restaurant again after a year and loved the fact that Vida incorporated all my suggestions. The dishes did not repeat any vegetables, they included a vegan protein source in Tofu and the portion sizes were also larger. 100% recommended for a special occasion especially for Vegetarians.

I have visited many restaurants in Indianapolis but this one definitely makes the difference, rich in its gastronomy it takes the dishes and flavors to another level, I did the 4 course experience, we started with the grilled octopus and beef tartare which were exceptional, then moved on to the beet and watermelon salad and chicken ballotine, the most tender chicken I have ever tasted in Indiana! And a ribeye and branzino which were perfect, to finish the dessert the best was the ricotta doughdonuts, don't miss this! The drinks were great, the mezcal and the tequila were worth it! I would go back to this restaurant, the service and the place is really nice, I think it is the best in Indy!

The food was so so good. Very unique menu with very pretty plating. We loved every dish! We went for a special occasion -- we enjoyed the way they printed the occasion on the menu and gave us a ribbon-tied copy to take home.

If I could give 10 stars, I would. everything was perfect the fine dining, taste, presentation was superb excellent. Every taste of food was delicious. Never have this kind of delicious food before even in the 5 ⭐️ restaurants.

We came to Vida to celebrate our anniversary; the reservation times available were 9:00 and later, so we almost opted out, but I am so glad we didn’t. It was one of the absolute best dining experiences of our lives. From amuse bouché to dessert, each course kept getting more and more delicious, and our cocktails were amazing. Our server, Thomas, was extremely knowledgeable about the menu, guided us expertly and his excitement about the food he was serving elevated our own. He made it feel like we were dining with a friend. We already can’t wait to come back!

My wife and I visited from out of town on 10-11-2025. We are what you would call a “foodie family.” We make a point to visit the highest rated restaurants in whatever town we’re traveling to. Vida was incredible. The food was outstanding, but let me tell you, the service was the best part of the experience. Everyone involved in our dining experience was as close to perfect as possible. Our server Josh was the shining star, he really made the entire experience 5 star worthy from the moment he came to our table. The sommelier, Gabriel, was one of the best we have ever experienced, so knowledge and personable. To Josh, Gabriel, and the entire Vida Staff… Thank you so much for such a wonderful experience. We hope to come back again soon!!

Our dinner at Vida was absolutely incredible from start to finish. The dinner courses were beautifully plated and full of flavor, the service was outstanding, and the ambiance in their downtown-Indy location was both elegant and warm. We opted for a four (or six) course meal and each dish felt thoughtfully crafted. With every course, the staff described ingredients and wine pairings with confidence and charm. Highly recommend Vida when you’re looking for a special night out in Indianapolis!

I brought my husband here for the first time (I have been here before), and they made his birthday beyond perfect. He also has Celiac and they not only accommodated gluten free but he wouldn’t even know the difference bc each taste was so vibrant and pure. They are excellent on a regular basis but if you are narrowing down Devour choices, the menu is beyond worth it. And I highly recommend trusting the wine director Jared’s pairings. We have discovered some new wines that were so surprising, and really enhanced the experience. I will bring any CA or NY friend here when they visit. Definitely our new go-to moving forward. Every person that works here is excellent! My husband’s direct quote: “I grew up here my whole life and this is the best dinner I have had in Indy ever. I could have eaten two tasting menus on my own, it was so good.” Thank you for a perfect night out, Vida!

Excellent service in a beautiful place. The staff took great care of us, paying attention to every detail—from valet service to our food preferences. We really appreciated the personalized menu and the thoughtful service. Special mention to our waiter, Tim, for making our experience even better.

A great restaurant that’s perfect for a special occasion. The staff were warm and genuinely enthusiastic our server was attentive and gave thoughtful local recommendations. The tasting menu was excellent and the banana bread was easily the best I’ve ever had.

Absolutely incredible experience at Vida! I don't know how anyone gives this restaurant less than a 5 star review. The food was incredible and the service was top notch. We enjoyed the 4-course meal and every plate that came out was not only delicious but beautiful. The portions start off smaller but, with the combination of the main course and then dessert, we were beyond satisfied. We cannot recommend this restaurant enough! We look forward to our next visit.

Overall, Vida did an exceptional job. It was my first time trying many of these foods in general, and while some of it wasn't my cup of tea, there's no denying that they were the best representations of these dishes. Just a matter of personal taste. The ricotta doughnuts were definitely my favorite dish. Service was second to none. My partner LOVED her food, so we will definitely be returning in the future. At the end of the day, if you want an upscale restaurant experience in Indy, Vida is the place to go.

Food: It was very good. Definitely worthy of 4.5 stars, but the portions were very small. Service: It was excellent, however the Sommelier just gave us whatever she wanted to and asked for no input from us on what we like to pair with certain flavors. Atmosphere: Elegant and poise.

This review is for a tasting on 12/27/25. As an initial matter, the Vida website that morning did not reflect the menu we experienced that evening. The prior menu included, for example, a wagyu ribeye course and an apple crisp dessert. Turning to the menu we did experience, it was overall tasty with the lamb course being most memorable. Still, two courses failed to deliver. First, the amuse bouche was underwhelming and best summarized as a simple, starchy cube paired with bite-sized tuna in a folded wafer. Individually, the two items lacked taste and did not complement each other well. Second, the duck breast, too, fell bland. I know duck is challenging to season, but I expected Vida to deliver a superior duck dish than the one I was presented with. The wine pairing, too, had a couple hiccups. The champagne and dessert wine were a miss - at least in how they were paired to their respective course. They did not elevate one another. The beets cocktail, however, was exceptional. I would return to Vida for this cocktail alone. Coffee is an additional charge and not included with dessert as most comparable establishments offer. Our experience ran for nearly 3 hours which is a bit lengthy compared to other 6-course tastings I've experienced. Overall, Vida earns a solid 4/5 in my book.