Exceptional tasting menu experience at Vida, one of the top fine dining restaurants in Indianapolis.
Vida has built a reputation for delivering one of the most refined chef driven tasting menus in the city, and after experiencing the full progression of courses, it is easy to understand why.
I began the evening with a beautifully crafted mocktail called “I Drink It All Up.” Made with Ritual whiskey alternative, Lyre’s Italian Orange, beet, and lemon, it delivered impressive complexity with bright citrus and a subtle earthy depth. A fantastic alcohol free option and a great way to begin the evening.
The tasting menu progressed with excellent balance, thoughtful pacing, and precise execution.
Highlights from the evening included the New Zealand hiramasa with purple daikon and yuzu kosho which was vibrant and refreshing. The Hokkaido scallop with shimeji mushrooms, pork belly, celery root, and gochujang brown butter was one of the standout dishes of the night, perfectly cooked and layered with deep umami flavor.
The beet salad with Hidden Springs feta, chicory, herbs, walnut, and honey vinaigrette added brightness and contrast before the comforting richness of the tagliatelle with oyster mushrooms, rapini pesto, Parmigiano Reggiano, hazelnut, and aged balsamic.
The main course featured Freedom Run Farm lamb paired with tahini yogurt, persimmon, cashew, and urfa chile. The dish was beautifully balanced with the lamb as the clear centerpiece.
Dessert finished the experience with chocolate and passionfruit paired with namelaka, honey graham, passionfruit ice cream, and brown butter, creating a bright and elegant ending to the tasting menu.
Executive Chef Thomas Melvin, an Indiana native and two time James Beard semifinalist, leads the kitchen with a philosophy rooted in Midwestern ingredients and global technique. After rising through the ranks of Indianapolis kitchens and leading Union 50 to national recognition, Chef Melvin now crafts one of the most thoughtful seasonal tasting menu experiences in Indianapolis.
It was an honor to meet Chef Thomas Melvin and personally thank him for the experience.
Vida represents the type of restaurant that elevates a city’s culinary reputation. If you appreciate chef driven tasting menus and refined dining experiences, Vida is absolutely worth visiting in Indianapolis.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ben Walsh
Amazing service and food. Can't say enough about this place. What a great experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rudy Hermosillo
Our favorite place for to eat. If I could give 6 stars I would. Alyvia our server was very attentive and outstanding service. If you’re looking to have an exquisite experience it’s. Must to try this place in Indy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steve B
We come to Indianapolis several times a year. Vida is our favorite. The chef changes the tasting menu frequently and the wine pairings are always excellent. I always look forward to going to Vida when in Indy. The tasting menu experience will be two to three hours and will be memorable. Service is outstanding!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
taylor stutesman
We've gone to Vida 2-3x a year for the last 4 years, and Everytime it is the best meal to date. The food is exquisite and surprising in enjoying previously disliked elements, the service is top notch, and the wine selection is beyond impressive. As long as I live in Indiana, special occasions will be spent here. Thanks for always making the experience incredible! Pictures from tonight's visit:
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nancy
We visited on Valentine's Day and had their tasting menu. For such a busy night, we were seated on time, our server was present and engaging, the pace of service was spot on and the food was beautiful and delicious! Every dish was beautifully presented and explained. We would definitely dine here again and would highly recommend this restaurant. The wine pairing elevated the experience.
Kurtis
We had a wonderful Valentine's Day tasting menu. Everything was amazing (as usual) especially the scallop, sashimi, and wagyu. No trip to Vida is complete without ricotta donuts for dessert. 🤤
Christy
It's always a great experience here at Vida. Food and service was excellent. We will be back 🩷
Jordan
Vida is our absolute favorite restaurant! The food is incredible, ambiance amazing and the waiters are fantastic!
Crisco Jesus
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.
My husband and I had a wonderful dinner at Vida. The four-course menu was beautifully curated, with each course offering its own standout moment. The pescatarian options were thoughtful and well executed, and the famous ricotta doughnuts were a delightful finish to the meal. Service was excellent throughout the evening. Our server, Joshua K., was attentive, engaging, and genuinely welcoming. The entire team showed great attention to detail, addressing us by name and kindly acknowledging my recent achievement, which made the experience feel truly special. A refined yet warm dining experience—we will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Poonam Khatri
Came here for an early Valentine’s Day dinner and the food and service did not disappoint! Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Samuel
Truly one of the best dining experiences I have ever enjoyed. The food was impeccable and the service outstanding. So much care and joy went into the food and the creativity shone through.
Darin
Always the best experience at Vida. Jared May (Sommelier) and Thomas Melvin (Chef) are the best. Worthy of a Michelin star. Always the best hostess and servers every time we go. By far the best restaurant in Indy and Indiana as a whole.
Kelsey
This is by far the best restaurant in indianapolis. Its farm to table meets michelin. Amazing.
Exceptional tasting menu experience at Vida, one of the top fine dining restaurants in Indianapolis.
Vida has built a reputation for delivering one of the most refined chef driven tasting menus in the city, and after experiencing the full progression of courses, it is easy to understand why.
I began the evening with a beautifully crafted mocktail called “I Drink It All Up.” Made with Ritual whiskey alternative, Lyre’s Italian Orange, beet, and lemon, it delivered impressive complexity with bright citrus and a subtle earthy depth. A fantastic alcohol free option and a great way to begin the evening.
The tasting menu progressed with excellent balance, thoughtful pacing, and precise execution.
Highlights from the evening included the New Zealand hiramasa with purple daikon and yuzu kosho which was vibrant and refreshing. The Hokkaido scallop with shimeji mushrooms, pork belly, celery root, and gochujang brown butter was one of the standout dishes of the night, perfectly cooked and layered with deep umami flavor.
The beet salad with Hidden Springs feta, chicory, herbs, walnut, and honey vinaigrette added brightness and contrast before the comforting richness of the tagliatelle with oyster mushrooms, rapini pesto, Parmigiano Reggiano, hazelnut, and aged balsamic.
The main course featured Freedom Run Farm lamb paired with tahini yogurt, persimmon, cashew, and urfa chile. The dish was beautifully balanced with the lamb as the clear centerpiece.
Dessert finished the experience with chocolate and passionfruit paired with namelaka, honey graham, passionfruit ice cream, and brown butter, creating a bright and elegant ending to the tasting menu.
Executive Chef Thomas Melvin, an Indiana native and two time James Beard semifinalist, leads the kitchen with a philosophy rooted in Midwestern ingredients and global technique. After rising through the ranks of Indianapolis kitchens and leading Union 50 to national recognition, Chef Melvin now crafts one of the most thoughtful seasonal tasting menu experiences in Indianapolis.
It was an honor to meet Chef Thomas Melvin and personally thank him for the experience.
Vida represents the type of restaurant that elevates a city’s culinary reputation. If you appreciate chef driven tasting menus and refined dining experiences, Vida is absolutely worth visiting in Indianapolis.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing service and food. Can't say enough about this place. What a great experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our favorite place for to eat. If I could give 6 stars I would. Alyvia our server was very attentive and outstanding service. If you’re looking to have an exquisite experience it’s. Must to try this place in Indy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We come to Indianapolis several times a year. Vida is our favorite. The chef changes the tasting menu frequently and the wine pairings are always excellent. I always look forward to going to Vida when in Indy. The tasting menu experience will be two to three hours and will be memorable. Service is outstanding!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We've gone to Vida 2-3x a year for the last 4 years, and Everytime it is the best meal to date. The food is exquisite and surprising in enjoying previously disliked elements, the service is top notch, and the wine selection is beyond impressive. As long as I live in Indiana, special occasions will be spent here. Thanks for always making the experience incredible! Pictures from tonight's visit:
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We visited on Valentine's Day and had their tasting menu. For such a busy night, we were seated on time, our server was present and engaging, the pace of service was spot on and the food was beautiful and delicious! Every dish was beautifully presented and explained. We would definitely dine here again and would highly recommend this restaurant. The wine pairing elevated the experience.
We had a wonderful Valentine's Day tasting menu. Everything was amazing (as usual) especially the scallop, sashimi, and wagyu. No trip to Vida is complete without ricotta donuts for dessert. 🤤
It's always a great experience here at Vida. Food and service was excellent. We will be back 🩷
Vida is our absolute favorite restaurant! The food is incredible, ambiance amazing and the waiters are fantastic!
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.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
My husband and I had a wonderful dinner at Vida. The four-course menu was beautifully curated, with each course offering its own standout moment. The pescatarian options were thoughtful and well executed, and the famous ricotta doughnuts were a delightful finish to the meal.
Service was excellent throughout the evening. Our server, Joshua K., was attentive, engaging, and genuinely welcoming. The entire team showed great attention to detail, addressing us by name and kindly acknowledging my recent achievement, which made the experience feel truly special.
A refined yet warm dining experience—we will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Came here for an early Valentine’s Day dinner and the food and service did not disappoint! Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Truly one of the best dining experiences I have ever enjoyed. The food was impeccable and the service outstanding. So much care and joy went into the food and the creativity shone through.
Always the best experience at Vida. Jared May (Sommelier) and Thomas Melvin (Chef) are the best. Worthy of a Michelin star. Always the best hostess and servers every time we go. By far the best restaurant in Indy and Indiana as a whole.
This is by far the best restaurant in indianapolis. Its farm to table meets michelin. Amazing.
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