Posted in Indiana May 12, 2018 by Catherine Armstrong

The Scenery At This Outdoor Restaurant In Indiana Is Downright Magical

We’re looking forward to summertime dining on patios around Indiana, how about you? There are tons of great outdoor dining options all over the state, but we’ve found one that’s so charming that we just had to share it. Check out this patio that offers a downright magical dining experience.

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Do you wish you could spend the summer in Venice, dining on the patios of little bistros along the canals? Well, Indiana is several thousand miles from Italy, but if you visit Fresco Italian Cafe On The Canal, you might feel as though you're there — without the expensive airfare!

This charming little cafe is a casual spot with a patio right out front, in the style of a little European bistro. It's located right on the Canal Walk in Indianapolis, on the canal level of the Cosmopolitan Apartment Building. The address is 340, Canal Level, W Michigan St., Indianapolis, IN 46202.

Find your spot under one of the umbrella tables, and enjoy the shade while you enjoy a snack or meal.

You'll enjoy excellent views of the canal while you dine. You might catch a little breeze off the water, and you can spend an hour or so people-watching.

The patio is surrounded by greenery, giving it a secluded feel, even though it's right on the sidewalk.

Fresco Italian Cafe On The Canal is also the boarding spot for Old World Gondoliers, which offers a fun, romantic experience touring the canal with a singing gondolier.

There's nothing like a gondola sitting right outside your patio to give you that Italian vibe!

If you're stopping by for lunch or dinner, you must try the Italian beef sandwich. The owners hail from Chicago and missed the Italian beef sandwiches of their home city, so they brought an authentic version to Indianapolis. The perfectly-seasoned beef comes from a 50-year-old Italian recipe.

You'll also find an array of flatbread pizzas, salads, and other sandwiches. Everything on the menu is fresh and delicious.

It goes without saying that this place offers some of the most creamy gelato in the state. If you want to feel like a true Italian, get yourself a gelato and sit on the patio for the afternoon, enjoying that canal view.

There's one item on the menu that's definitely not Italian, but it is a whole lot of fun. Get the tableside s'mores, and make your own dessert.

When the sun sets, the patio is even more magical. Dine at Fresco Italian Cafe On The Canal seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information about this adorable cafe, visit its website and follow it on Facebook. Get more information about gondola rides here. Have you dined at Fresco on the Canal? We’d love to hear about your experience there!

We’re of the opinion that dining should be a blast. If you agree, you might want to check out these five wacky restaurants around the state.