By Alex Bradford Cobb | Published: September 28, 2026 | Last updated: September 28, 2026
Richmond, Indiana punches above its weight for food. A city of about 35,000 on the Indiana-Ohio state line — right on US-40, the Historic National Road — it has a dining scene that covers the bases well: a proper Italian spot, good barbecue, credible Indian food, a pizzeria worth driving for, the oldest continuously-operating bar in Wayne County, and a handful of local institutions that have been doing the same thing for decades and haven’t needed to change.
If you’re coming through on I-70 or stopping at Uranus, here’s where to eat.
Uranus Fudge Factory & General Store Richmond: 6400 National Road East, Richmond, IN 47374 | Open daily 9 AM – 8 PM
Best Restaurants in Richmond, Indiana
1. Galo’s Italian Grill
The top-rated restaurant in Richmond and the one locals cite first. Galo’s is an Italian place that doesn’t try to do too many things — pasta, proteins, the classics — and does them well. With 4.5 stars and 438 reviews on TripAdvisor, it’s earned consistent trust over time. The penne dishes are a particular standout. Reservations are worth making if you’re going on a weekend.
Cuisine: Italian | Price: –$ | Best for: Date nights, sit-down dinner, anyone who wants something a step above bar food
2. The Olde Richmond Inn
One of the longest-running restaurants in the city — over 26 years in operation — and still one of the best. The Olde Richmond Inn is the kind of place that survives that long by doing reliable work with good ingredients. American menu, classic atmosphere, pasta salad that reviewers specifically call out. 4.4 stars and 242 reviews on TripAdvisor.
Cuisine: American | Price: –$ | Best for: Sit-down dinner, anyone who wants a Richmond institution
3. Gulzar’s Indian Cuisine
The most distinctive restaurant in Richmond. Gulzar’s is a 4.6-star Indian restaurant with 81 reviews — a smaller count than some places on this list, but the rating is the highest in the city and the reviews consistently describe it as exceptional. Curries, naan, traditional appetizers. If you’re looking for something that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the area, this is it.
Cuisine: Indian | Price: –$ | Best for: Anyone who wants something genuinely different, Indian food enthusiasts
4. Firehouse BBQ and Blues
A barbecue and bar combination that earns its reputation — 4.3 stars and 260 reviews. The ribs are what most reviewers come for, and the blues angle gives it a livelier atmosphere than a straight BBQ joint. A good evening-out option if you want food and something to do in the same place.
Cuisine: American, BBQ | Price: –$ | Best for: Groups, casual dinner, anyone who wants live music with their food
5. Little Sheba’s
A Richmond fixture that’s been around long enough to be part of how locals think about the city. American menu, relaxed atmosphere, 4.4 stars and 211 reviews. The pasta and sides are well-reviewed. The kind of place that’s easy to underestimate from the outside and consistently delivers inside.
Cuisine: American | Price: –$ | Best for: Casual dinner, reliable local option
6. Bad Dad Pint & Slice
Wayne County’s newest pizzeria and taproom, and one that’s making a mark. Chef-driven artisan pizza is not what most people expect to find in a mid-size Indiana city, which makes Bad Dad worth seeking out. Good local beer selection. The Depot District location puts it in Richmond’s most walkable neighborhood.
Cuisine: Pizza, Craft Beer | Price: $$ | Best for: Casual lunch or dinner, craft beer fans, anyone exploring the Depot District
7. 5 Arch Brewing Company
Richmond’s local brewery, which means it’s also one of the few places in the city to get a craft beer on tap from someone who made it nearby. The food menu covers burgers, pizza, and salads — more than enough for a full meal. Good option if you want a local brewery atmosphere rather than a standard bar.
Cuisine: American, Craft Beer | Price: $$ | Best for: Craft beer fans, casual groups, anyone who wants local over chain
8. Clara’s Pizza King
A Richmond original. Clara’s Pizza King is a regional Indiana chain with deep local roots, and the Richmond location is one of the better ones. Finely ground sausage on the pizza is what regulars mention most. 4.2 stars and 151 reviews. The kind of pizza place that doesn’t need to be fancy because it’s been getting it right for years.
Cuisine: Pizza, American | Price: $$ | Best for: Families, casual dinner, anyone who wants honest pizza without a craft spin
9. Lulu’s Tacos
A local taco spot in Richmond with a strong following. Quick, casual, and a good lunch option if you want something fast without going to a chain. .
Cuisine: Mexican | Price: $ | Best for: Quick lunch, anyone who wants something other than American
10. Legends Southside Bar & Grill
The oldest continuously-operating bar in Wayne County — open since 1858. That alone makes it worth a stop, but the food holds up too: 4.8 stars on TripAdvisor (35 reviews), which is the highest rating of any place on this list. Burgers are the thing to order. The atmosphere is what you’d expect from a bar that’s been serving people for 168 years — well-worn, unpretentious, genuine.
Cuisine: American, Bar | Price: $ | Best for: A drink and a burger, history, anyone who wants the oldest bar in the county
Where Uranus Fits In
If you’re stopping at Uranus Fudge Factory & General Store at 6400 National Road East, you’re already right on US-40 — the same road most of these restaurants are on or near. Uranus is open daily 9 AM – 8 PM and makes a natural first or last stop on a Richmond eating day: come for fudge before dinner, or end with fudge after. We’re not a restaurant, but fresh fudge in 19 flavors is its own kind of meal.
People love coming by Uranus for desert, and we get a few families every week who swing by to put the perfect capstone on the perfect meal. Last week, a family went to dinner and then bought fudge and chocolate.
Practical Notes
Getting to Richmond: About 70 miles east of Indianapolis on I-70. From Dayton, Ohio, about 35 miles west — roughly 40 minutes.
When to go: The Depot District (where Bad Dad Pint & Slice is) is most active Thursday through Saturday evenings. The older institutions (Olde Richmond Inn, Legends) are reliable any night of the week.
Parking: Generally easy throughout Richmond. The Depot District has a surface lot near the main strip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best restaurant in Richmond Indiana? Galo’s Italian Grill is the highest-rated restaurant in Richmond with 4.5 stars and 438 reviews. For something with a higher per-review rating, Legends Southside Bar & Grill (4.8 stars, open since 1858) and Gulzar’s Indian Cuisine (4.6 stars) are both exceptional in their categories.
What is the oldest bar in Richmond Indiana? Legends Southside Bar & Grill, open since 1858 — the oldest continuously-operating bar in Wayne County.
Is there good Indian food in Richmond Indiana? Yes — Gulzar’s Indian Cuisine is one of the highest-rated restaurants in Richmond at 4.6 stars. Curries, naan, and traditional appetizers.
Where should I eat near I-70 in Richmond Indiana? Most of the restaurants on this list are within 10 minutes of I-70. Galo’s Italian Grill and The Olde Richmond Inn are both reliable full-service dinner options. For something faster, Clara’s Pizza King and Bad Dad Pint & Slice are both solid.
Is there craft beer in Richmond Indiana? Yes — 5 Arch Brewing Company is Richmond’s local brewery, with a full food menu. Bad Dad Pint & Slice also has a taproom with local and regional craft beer.
Where is Uranus in Richmond Indiana? Uranus Fudge Factory & General Store is at 6400 National Road East, Richmond, IN 47374 — right on US-40 (the Historic National Road), just off I-70 at Exit 156B. Open daily 9 AM – 8 PM.
For more on what to do in Richmond beyond eating, see Things to Do in Richmond Indiana.
Alex Bradford Cobb is a strapping young man who works for the Mayor in a semi-legal indentured servitude arrangement, similar to how Dubai was built, and possibly the pyramids. What works, works, and there’s no need to reinvent the wheel.