Guidebook for South Bend
Food Scene
The General Deli & Cafe
609 E Jefferson Blvd Good for coffee and sandwiches.
Good food and drinks, also have wine and beer. Often live music or events in the evening.
55 locals recommend
Chicory Cafe
105 E Jefferson BlvdGood food and drinks, also have wine and beer. Often live music or events in the evening.
This is a popular spot any day of the week, arrive early to avoid a wait - pizza, meatballs, cold beer, pastas. Expect long waits at peak times on game weekends.
50 locals recommend
Javier's Bistro
2007 Miami StThis is a popular spot any day of the week, arrive early to avoid a wait - pizza, meatballs, cold beer, pastas. Expect long waits at peak times on game weekends.
Pizza, sandwiches, salads, beer on tap; good place to eat in or carry-out.
30 locals recommend
Barnaby's South Bend
713 E Jefferson BlvdPizza, sandwiches, salads, beer on tap; good place to eat in or carry-out.
Low-key with good salad bar, pizzas, pastas; huge portions. Average decor and ambiance. Good and dependable carry out.
Polito's Pizza
401 N Hickory RdLow-key with good salad bar, pizzas, pastas; huge portions. Average decor and ambiance. Good and dependable carry out.
Of all the pancake houses you'll see around town, this is the one and only real deal!
20 locals recommend
The Original Pancake House
1430 N Ironwood DrOf all the pancake houses you'll see around town, this is the one and only real deal!
Nom Nom Pho
213 N Main StGood carry out; average eat in, decor and ambiance isn't super.
Great mixed drinks at the dining room bar and excellent dining experience. The space itself is our favorite in town.
52 locals recommend
Cafe Navarre
101 N Michigan StGreat mixed drinks at the dining room bar and excellent dining experience. The space itself is our favorite in town.
The Skillet Restaurant and Catering
2212 McKinley AveJust down the road, good for morning breakfast.
Where you'd want to go to for sushi or for ordering sushi out.
33 locals recommend
WOOCHI JAPANESE FUSION & BAR
119 N Michigan StWhere you'd want to go to for sushi or for ordering sushi out.
Chain restaurant, nice for groups, etc. Eat at the bar or inside, can get crowded!
13 locals recommend
Bonefish Grill
620 W Edison RdChain restaurant, nice for groups, etc. Eat at the bar or inside, can get crowded!
Bowl of Pho
5626 Grape RdReal deal! Delicious Vietnamese.
We love the chips and salsa (ask for their diablo salsa if you dare!), mexican style tacos and fajitas. Excellent house margaritas. They also serve Thai food, and it's good! The bar area has a nice aesthetic.
9 locals recommend
Cinco 5 International
112 W Colfax AveWe love the chips and salsa (ask for their diablo salsa if you dare!), mexican style tacos and fajitas. Excellent house margaritas. They also serve Thai food, and it's good! The bar area has a nice aesthetic.
Breakfast spot, very crowded on weekends, try Chicory across the street if you don't want to wait.
25 locals recommend
PEGGS
127 S Michigan StBreakfast spot, very crowded on weekends, try Chicory across the street if you don't want to wait.
Great beer, nice food menu. In Indiana, you can't have kids in a pub unless there's a separate entrance, SBBW has this, plus board games! They have a Sunday brunch.
35 locals recommend
South Bend Brew Werks
321 S Main StGreat beer, nice food menu. In Indiana, you can't have kids in a pub unless there's a separate entrance, SBBW has this, plus board games! They have a Sunday brunch.
Opened September, 2018 - nice for families or couples - Latin-american cuisine.
49 locals recommend
Brothers Bar & Grill South Bend
1234 N Eddy StOpened September, 2018 - nice for families or couples - Latin-american cuisine.
The latest addition to the East Bank dining scene just west of the house. Large outdoor family friend patio with games for all ages. Indoor seating as well and long bar with tons of beer on tap. Salads are great, pizza is good, appetizers are OK.
35 locals recommend
The Lauber
504 E Lasalle AveThe latest addition to the East Bank dining scene just west of the house. Large outdoor family friend patio with games for all ages. Indoor seating as well and long bar with tons of beer on tap. Salads are great, pizza is good, appetizers are OK.
Rocco's Restaurant
Drinks & Nightlife
Club LaSalle, upstairs and owned by the LaSalle Grille, has a bar, tables, often live music, food service, and drinks.
62 locals recommend
LaSalle Grill
115 W Colfax AveClub LaSalle, upstairs and owned by the LaSalle Grille, has a bar, tables, often live music, food service, and drinks.
Linebacker Lounge
1631 S Bend AveCrazy after a game...
CJ's Pub
236 S Michigan StGreat burgers, a bit on the dive side; popular though.
Upscale, nice place, great drinks; some light appetizers.
53 locals recommend
The Exchange Whiskey Bar
112 W Jefferson BlvdUpscale, nice place, great drinks; some light appetizers.
Taphouse On The Edge
1803 S Bend AveAlso have food! Low key spot.
Always has music, interesting place; beers plus great irish style food; picture wooden tables, a stage, some common tables... try the Scotch Eggs appetizer
97 locals recommend
Fiddler's Hearth
127 N Main StAlways has music, interesting place; beers plus great irish style food; picture wooden tables, a stage, some common tables... try the Scotch Eggs appetizer
Great local brewery with delicious food. They smoke their own meats and all of their beers are gluten "reduced" (safe for most people with gluten sensitivities). Also much of their food is gluten free and they offer plenty of vegan options as well.
85 locals recommend
Crooked Ewe Brewery & Ale House
1047 Lincoln Way EGreat local brewery with delicious food. They smoke their own meats and all of their beers are gluten "reduced" (safe for most people with gluten sensitivities). Also much of their food is gluten free and they offer plenty of vegan options as well.
Spirited
105 E Jefferson BlvdNice specialty drinks. Good atmosphere.
The Hammer & Quill
613 E Jefferson BlvdProbably the best and closest place to home.
Essentials
Martin's Super Market
314 N Ironwood DrMore of a specialty shop, good for European items; has pre-made foods, wine, beer, snacks, meats, fish, etc.
7 locals recommend
Bamber Superette Food Market
1145 E Mishawaka AveMore of a specialty shop, good for European items; has pre-made foods, wine, beer, snacks, meats, fish, etc.
A bit of everything, check the hours online and enjoy walking around, this is an indoor space. They do have a dinner inside you can have breakfast at.
68 locals recommend
South Bend Farmer's Market
1105 Northside BlvdA bit of everything, check the hours online and enjoy walking around, this is an indoor space. They do have a dinner inside you can have breakfast at.
Trader Joe's
1140 Howard StClose
Whole Foods Market
4230 Grape RdPurple Porch Co-op
123 N Hill StOpens at 8am except for Sundays which is at 11am.
Parks & Nature
St. Patrick's County Park
50651 Laurel RdX-country skiing, hiking, playground
A bit far, but this is good for bike riding, renting kayaks, beach with food stand on the lake, hiking, etc.
Potato Creek State Park
Potato Creek State ParkA bit far, but this is good for bike riding, renting kayaks, beach with food stand on the lake, hiking, etc.
This has a fee to get in, well curated and excellent layout to view flowers, trees, and outdoor exhibits -- great for walking around, prepare to spend a few hours exploring
64 locals recommend
Fernwood Botanical Garden
13988 Range Line RdThis has a fee to get in, well curated and excellent layout to view flowers, trees, and outdoor exhibits -- great for walking around, prepare to spend a few hours exploring
Walking around the lakes at ND is nice. You can usually drive right to them if you tell the guard shack you are heading in to see the ducks/walk around for a bit.
Saint Marys Lake
Walking around the lakes at ND is nice. You can usually drive right to them if you tell the guard shack you are heading in to see the ducks/walk around for a bit.
Sightseeing
Main Building
the Golden Dome
Arts & Culture
Lots and lots of Studebaker cars and information to look at; fun for kids too.
101 locals recommend
Studebaker National Museum
201 Chapin StLots and lots of Studebaker cars and information to look at; fun for kids too.
Free museum across from ND stadium (north end); great exhibits, friendly staff.
31 locals recommend
Snite Museum of Art
100 Moose Krause CirFree museum across from ND stadium (north end); great exhibits, friendly staff.
Shopping
University Park Mall
6501 Grape Rd