I am always searching for the best places outside of Indy to plan a weekend getaway, and Fort Wayne is definitely one of those spots! It’s only about two hours from Indianapolis, which makes it the perfect destination for a quick trip if you are looking to try something new and mix things up. I recently teamed up with Visit Fort Wayne to experience the ultimate foodie adventure, and I was so impressed with how many fantastic and unique spots they have!
I’m sharing our entire foodie weekend getaway itinerary in Fort Wayne, including where we stayed, what we did, and of course, where we ate and drank below.
Where Is Fort Wayne?
Fort Wayne is located in northeast Indiana, about two hours north of Indianapolis and just a short drive from Ohio and Michigan. That makes it an easy and ideal destination for a weekend getaway, especially if you’re coming from Indy and want something different without committing to a long drive.
Its location makes Fort Wayne super accessible, which is one of the reasons it works so well for a quick foodie-focused trip. You can leave after work on a Friday and be settled in with a drink in hand before you know it.
What Is Fort Wayne, Indiana Known For?
Fort Wayne is known for its growing food scene, vibrant arts and culture, and surprisingly fun downtown area. In recent years, the city has really leaned into revitalizing historic areas, supporting local restaurants and breweries, and creating spaces that feel lively and welcoming.
It’s also known for festivals, public art, museums, and events that bring the community together. From creative dining concepts to places like Electric Works and The Landing, Fort Wayne has done a great job of blending history with new energy, which makes it especially appealing for weekend travelers and food lovers.
Is Fort Wayne Safe?
Yes, Fort Wayne is generally considered a safe city to visit, especially in the areas most travelers spend their time. Downtown, The Landing, Electric Works, and surrounding dining and cultural districts felt comfortable, walkable, and well-populated during our visit.
As with any city, it’s always smart to stay aware of your surroundings, stick to well-lit areas at night, and use common sense when exploring. But overall, Fort Wayne felt welcoming and easy to navigate, which made it even more enjoyable as a weekend getaway destination.
Foodie Getaway in Fort Wayne
Places to Visit in For Wayne
The Bradley Hotel
This first step in planning your weekend getaway to Fort Wayne is to choose a place to stay, and you can look no further because The Bradley is the PERFECT spot! This luxury boutique hotel opened up in 2021, and it is centrally located near a ton of popular attractions such as The Landing, Art Museum, and much more. I fell in love with the ambience and decor immediately upon walking into the lobby, and couldn’t get over how stunning the rooms, restaurant, and rooftop bar (more details below) were.
We loved our stay at The Bradley, and I definitely recommend booking a room for your visit to Fort Wayne. You can learn more and book a room here.
Birdie’s Rooftop Bar
Birdie’s Rooftop Bar is such a fantastic spot to visit while in Fort Wayne! It is located on the rooftop of The Bradley Hotel, and has the best views of the city. We immediately stopped here upon checking in to enjoy some drinks and appetizers before heading to dinner.
Recommendations:
- Skewered Pork Belly (guava glaze, coconut-yogurt sauce, candied macadamia, scallion, tobiko caviar)
- Hurricane Fries (charred pineapple barbecue sauce, cilantro aioli, togarashi)
- Aperol Sunset (blanco tequila, aperol, lime, orange, agave)
- Orange Flower Fizz (malfy blood orange gin, st-germain elderflower, brut)
You can learn more and make a reservation here.
Mercado
Next up on our Fort Wayne foodie adventure we headed to Mercado on the Landing for dinner. The Landing is a historic street that was one of the first major hubs of activity in the 1800s. The area has now become a buzzing dining destination with over a dozen restaurants all located within a one block radius. There is also public art, shopping and more.
Mercado did NOT disappoint. This was one of our favorite meals of the entire trip, and we were so impressed with the space, service, food and drinks. They feature a Cali-Mexican menu consisting of signature tacos, pachola burgers, seafood options and more. Their Elote Street Corn appetizer dip is a must-try.
Recommendations:
- Chamoy-Rita (blano tequila, apricot chamoy, lime, passionfruit, tajin rim)
- Elote “Street Corn” + Chips (street corn, cotija, cilantro)
- Night Market Noodles (pan-fried ramen, gochujang butter, shrimp & pork picadillo, veggies, nutty salsa macha, fried egg)
- Tacos
You can learn more and make a reservation here.
Art Crawl Alley Bash
We ended the evening at the Art Crawl Alley Bash hosted by Art This Way. We happened to be in town the weekend that this event was going on, and we are so glad that we were! And we really enjoyed walking through all the art, listening to the live music, and even took advantage of the silent disco.
Learn more about Art This Way, upcoming events, and see the public art map here.
Proximo
We kicked off day two in Fort Wayne with brunch, of course! Proximo’s scratch kitchen offers a variety of options that pull inspiration from Spain, Cuba, Colombia, and several different Latin countries. I started off with a mimosa flight, and I am completely serious when I say these were some of the best mimosas I’ve ever had! They offered a large variety of out-of-the-box juice options, and my favorite was definitely the guava. Those paired with my Lemon Blueberry pancakes were definitely the perfect way to start the day.
Recommendations:
- Lemon Blueberry Pancakes
- Chile Rellenos
- Nitro Cold Brew
- Mimosa Flight
Learn more and make a reservation here.
Ft. Wayne Farmers Market
After brunch we headed over to the Farmers Market that was taking place at Electric Works. Electric Works is a lively district full of dining and workspaces right in the middle of Fort Wayne. It was the perfect spot for a Saturday morning visit to the Farmers Market, and we were able to check out tons of goodies such as unique homemade caramel apples (I got a French Toast Crunch one!), produce, handmade jewelry, and much more.
You can learn more about the Fort Wayne Farmer’s Market here.
Union Street Market
Union Street Market is also located at Electric Works, and it was the next stop on our foodie adventure through Fort Wayne. This food hall and public market offers a wide range of regionally sourced food and drinks, and we enjoyed grabbing some coffee and other goodies while here. It would be the perfect spot to meet up for lunch or coffee during the workday or in between errands!
Learn more about Union Street Market here.
Fort Wayne Museum of Art
Our next stop was a visit to the Fort Wayne Museum of Art! I really enjoyed browsing the Indiana Artists Club 2023 Annual Members Exhibition, which featured a variety of works by Indiana artists.
Learn more and see the list of current exhibitions here.
Kekionga Craft Company
Our next stop was to Kekionga Craft Company to enjoy a tour and cider tasting, and this was the perfect way to welcome fall. We tried their fall harvest cider flight, and each one was delicious! These were definitely some of the best hard ciders I’ve ever had, and we ended up taking home a pack of the Candied Apple which was my favorite of the four.
Kekionga Craft Company found its home in a historic apple mill located on the northeast side of Fort Wayne, IN in the fall of 2016 and opened its doors in June 2017. Since then they have went from just four taps in the tasting room to now fourteen and an ever expanding menu including wine, mead, and beer. (kekiongacraftco.com)
Nawa
We ventured back over to The Landing to enjoy drinks and appetizers at Nawa, and we are so glad that we did! If this place’s cocktails and appetizers were THIS good, I can only imagine that their dinner entrees are probably perfection! I would definitely head back here again. Nawa offers a menu full of inspired Thai cuisine in an upscale setting, and I absolutely adored their entire aesthetic.
Learn more and make a reservation here.
Junk Ditch Brewing
We ended the night with the most delicious dinner at Junk Ditch Brewing! They are located old Korte Paper Company warehouse, and I absolutely loved the interior design of this space. I ordered a beer flight so that I could try a few different ones, and they were all fantastic. The food was absolutely delicious, and I highly recommend an order of their brussels sprouts as an appetizer.
Recommendations:
- Fried Brussels Sprout
- JDBC Burger
- Nashville Hot Duck
Learn more and make a reservation here.
Ophelia’s
We kicked off our final day in Fort Wayne with brunch at Ophelia’s, and it is easy to see why this place is so popular! From the aesthetic interior to the tasty food and drinks, this spot is a brunch-lovers paradise. Since we stopped in during the fall they were able to make me a Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini, which was SO good and just was I had been in the mood for.
Recommendations:
- Sweet Potato Pancakes
- Steak benedict or biscuits & gravy benedict
- Espresso Martini
- Cold Brew
Learn more and make a reservation here.
DeBrand Fine Chocolates
The next stop on our Fort Wayne foodie adventure was to DeBrand Fine Chocolates! They are headquartered here, and we were able to do a tour and chocolate tasting. It was so cool to get a behind-the-scenes look at how their famous chocolate, truffles, caramel apples, and other goodies are made.
Utopian Coffee
Another great spot we got to visit was Utopian Coffee! They are headquartered in Fort Wayne as well and while they do not offer public tours, you can find their coffee at their cafe + kitchen and at many other spots. We absolutely loved learning all about how their many brews are made from start to finish, and even got to taste a wide variety of them!
Learn more and order coffee here.
Vinland Reserve Winery
We ended our Fort Wayne foodie adventure with a visit to Vinland Reserve Winery. This stunning spot provides an elevated experience with exceptional wine and food in a serene setting. It was a beautiful day, so we enjoyed wine flights, slushies, and charcuterie outside in their massive patio space. I was really impressed by their entire indoor and outdoor setup, and it was such a lovely spot for a relaxing lunch.
Learn more and make a reservation here.
Fort Wayne’s Famous Coney Island
Coney Island Wiener Stand is a Fort Wayne staple, serving classic coney-style hot dogs since 1914. It’s a no-frills, nostalgic spot known for chili-topped dogs on steamed buns and a menu that keeps things simple.
This is an easy, casual stop for lunch or a quick bite between activities and a fun way to experience a piece of Fort Wayne’s food history during a foodie weekend.
What Food Is Indiana Known For?
Indiana may not always get the spotlight for food, but it honestly should. The state is known for comforting, hearty dishes, classic Midwestern favorites, and a few regional staples you’ll see pop up again and again, especially when you’re traveling around places like Fort Wayne and Indy.
Here are some of the foods Indiana is best known for and absolutely worth trying while you’re here:
Breaded Pork Tenderloin
This one is iconic. Indiana pork tenderloins are famously huge, breaded, and crispy, often hanging way over the edge of the bun. You’ll find them at diners, pubs, and local restaurants all over the state, and every place swears theirs is the best. It’s simple, satisfying, and very Indiana.
Sugar Cream Pie
Often called Indiana’s state pie, sugar cream pie is rich, creamy, and surprisingly addictive. It’s made with a custard-style filling and topped with a hint of cinnamon or nutmeg. If you see this on a dessert menu, it’s worth ordering, even just to share.
Corn-Based Dishes
Corn is a big deal in Indiana, so it’s no surprise it shows up everywhere. From sweet corn in the summer to cornbread, corn chowder, and creative takes on classic sides, you’ll see corn featured in a lot of local menus. It’s especially good when it’s fresh and in season.
Hoosier-Style Comfort Food
Think hearty, comforting meals that feel homemade. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, biscuits, and casseroles all fall into this comfort food category. Indiana food tends to lean comforting and familiar, which makes it perfect for casual dining and cozy spots.
Craft Beer and Cider
Indiana has a strong craft beverage scene, and Fort Wayne is no exception. Local breweries and cideries are known for creative seasonal releases, fall flavors, and really solid staples. If you enjoy trying local drinks when you travel, this is an easy win.
Overall, we had an absolute blast during our weekend getaway to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and it really is the perfect destination for foodies traveling from Indy. I was so impressed with all they had to offer, and will definitely be heading back that way soon!
Start planning your Fort Wayne getaway by visiting www.visitfortwayne.com
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