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Hours
Sun
4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Mon
4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Tue
4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Wed
4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Thu
4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Fri
4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat
3:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Reserve a table

What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
Travelers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, Steakhouse, Seafood, Gluten free options
Special occasions, Romantic, Large groups, Bar scene, Business meetings
Is this an Asian restaurant?
Details
About
St. Elmo Steak House has been a landmark in downtown Indianapolis since 1902. It is the oldest Indianapolis steakhouse in its original location, and has earned a national reputation for its excellent steaks, seafood, chops and professional service.
PRICE RANGE
$31.00 – $80.00
CUISINES
Steakhouse, Seafood
Special Diets
Gluten free options
Meals
Dinner, Late Night, Drinks
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Valet Parking, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music, Gift Cards Available
Contribute
4.5
3,796 reviews
Excellent
2,560
Very good
744
Average
305
Poor
114
Terrible
73
Cuda2013
Atlanta390 contributions
Jan 2024 • friends
The restaurant is an icon of downtown Indianapolis, and for those wondering has nothing to do with the movie Saint Elmo fire. This restaurant been around since 1902 and the inside certainly has an old world feel. There are many levels we actually ate and what is apparently the basement/wine cellar. I’m not really into wine but a couple of buddies I was with said it’s a phenomenal seller and great selection. I got a 14 ounce ribeye and it was a very good cut of meat though the taste had no special to it just flavor. I guess if I was looking for a while with flavor, I should’ve upgraded to the dry aged ribeye, but it double the price it didn’t convince me. I got the upgrade to the lobster bisque, which was well worth it , tasty and lots of lobster and every bite. I also got it with the French green beans and they were below average. The spinach salad was large and tasty, though possibly a little heavy on the dressing for some people. The server was phenomenal and happy to talk about the history of the restaurant and very proud of the place. If you’re downtown for a convention and want a steak, it’s only a block and a half from the convention center, so has easy access local hotels. I highly recommend making reservations as it was a large group of people waiting for seating when we arrived but fortunately we had reservations.
Written January 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pfiz
Carmel2 contributions
Dec 2023 • family
Spectacular, no disappointments, simply the finest. Our waiter for our table of nine was exceptional: friendly, funny, attentive, festive, even, and clearly a seasoned professional. The filet was perfect and tasty, for both the medium and the medium well versions. The chicken was my wife's choice, which she loved, as it was tender and moist. The lobster mac 'n' cheese was worth the splurge for the table, with velvety cheese and plenty of lobster. The wine list is very extensive, and the cab and pinot that we enjoyed were superb, even though they were not the most costly! The Old Fashioned's were deluxe, just right. The service was amazing, as six servers descended on our table simultaneously to deliver all of our meals at once, tasty and hot, hot, hot. We were in the Tiffany Room, which has large historic photos on the walls, some thirty feet to the ceiling, and covered in oak, with, no surprise, Tiffany lampshaded lights abounding throughout. THIS is the place. The Pinnacle.
Written December 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan
Bloomington2 contributions
Nov 2024 • couples
Wonderful anniversary dinner!
My husband and I visited for the first and not the last time for our first anniversary. We had reservations on a very busy Colts game day. But, the service was impeccable and the atmosphere was relaxed and upscale. Our server was Richard Webster, and he was excellent, knowledgeable about proper service, the characteristics of the food and its preparation and gave excellent recommendations about wine as well. And then the food: aged beef steaks were delicious and prepared perfectly. Also recommend the creamed spinach as a side. It’s expensive, but worth the price for excellence.
Written November 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HonestB4o
United States84 contributions
Sep 2024 • couples
Dined here Friday, Septemer 27th with a 7:15 reservation made on Open Table.
We live in D.C. with a plethora of steakhouses, so perhaps my review is biased, but the quality of the meat at St. Elmos was on par with that of Outback or worse. We had the porterhouse and the filet. The porterhouse was riddled with fat, gristle, and connective tissue. Multiple bites of my porterhouse had to be spit out as it was inedible. I'd say 1/4 or more of my steak was connective tissue and unable to consume. The filet obviously had less fat, but both steaks lacked flavor and tenderness. They must use choice meat and not prime. We were staying at the Conrad downtown and immeditely regretting not eatining in the Capital Grille located in the same building.
Also, they rush you in and out of this place so fast it will make your head spin. The server asked us what we wanted to drink as soon as we sat down without handing us a wine list. I'm baffled how a steak house wants you to order wine/drinks without providing a drink menu. Thankfully, I had perused the wine list in the lobby prior to being seated so I was able to order the Patz and Hall Pinot Noir, I think the wine was probably the best part of the meal.
My advice is get the shrimp cocktail, skip the steaks, and have a few drinks. I will say the bread in the bread basket was delicious. The lobster bisque (for a 9 dollar up charge) was also actually quite good.
To recap, the wine, bread, and lobster bisque were the only thing worth returning for. 72 dollars for an inedible porterhouse is highway robbery. Next time we will go to the Capital Grille.
Written October 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tm212
Grimes332 contributions
Sep 2023 • family
First of all, I don't mind spending $500 for fine dining. This experience had nothing that I would describe as such. We were seating in the third room from the entrance. It was so loud that the waiter had difficulty hearing us and us each other. It was so cramped that waiters were bumping into me. The shrimp cocktail is served in a blob and is ridiculously hot. It seems like they switched the amounts of ketchup and horseradish. The dry-aged Tomahawk steak was lacking in flavor and marbling. Perhaps that's why they keep it so dark that you can't actually see your steak. They seem to be resting on the accolades for 10 years ago. On the Forbes list of best steakhouses they were in the 10 best, 20 best and 100 best in 2012, 2013 and 2016, respectively. It seem obvious what direction they're going!
Written September 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marty K
Springfield20 contributions
Sep 2023 • couples
I’ve been to StE within the past 6-9 months and this visit was less than stellar. It could be the location of the table or the server but pretty disappointed after close to $300 with tip. The tables were so close together that it made it less than a classy restaurant. The tables were so close that you definitely were involved in the other tables conversation to the point that they even were not shy to include us. The servers did not have enough room to serve the tables which meant your seat was hit, feet stepped on, and the unfortunate backsides of the servers in your face or definitely too close for comfort. I’ll venture out to other places based on this experience and I doubt I’ll go back. The steaks were just so so and not worth the filet price of $67. The person I was with even mentioned more room at Outback.
Written September 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chicag0andy
Magnolia72 contributions
Dec 2024 • couples
This restaurant is okay and super overpriced. Nice building but 2 of our party of 4 got seats that had them staring into a corner 8' away. Server was very nice and very busy. The assistants kept removing plates with food and then asking afterwards if we were done. Twice we shouted for our food to be returned by the embarrassed assistant. Clearly management trains their staff to get you to vacate as fast as possible. The filets were good but no better that what you can buy at Kroger. The server actually flung desert menus at us as she ran by.
Written December 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg W
Grapeland854 contributions
Aug 2024 • business
What hasn’t been said about this restaurant? The steaks are simply irresistible. I would even suggest getting the dry aged steaks whether you stick with a fillet or go for the New York strip, they are all seasoned to perfection and cooked impeccably. It also goes without saying that you have to try the shrimp cocktail. It will be an experience itself. I personally like the crème brûlée for the dessert, but you will have many options and each one is equally fantastic. The restaurant has a bar side as well as a restaurant side, and there are pictures of the longest tenured waiters and waitresses painted on the walls. It’s a must try restaurant whenever you come to Indianapolis.
Written August 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MyRev1ew
The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield48 contributions
Nov 2022 • business
Having heard a lot about this place and having ate at Harry & Izzy’s next door (which apparently share the same kitchen (?)), I was looking forward to the experience but found a tired experience. The staff, though friendly, are trading too much on the past - we kept being told how the place is over 100 years old, but the experience is not modern. The signature shrimp cocktail is ok - a few shrimps with overpowering horseradish sauce that burns the nostrils. The steak was good to be fair but the value for money was poor - wines were significantly overpriced …$170 for a wine that retails for less than $50! There are so many other steak places with equally as good food for less and in an environment that is way less dated. If I had to, I’d dine next door and save money and the pretence of nostalgia
Written November 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lake MI Fan
3 contributions
Dec 2023 • friends
St Elmo always has excellent steak selections. The three of us agreed our steaks were cooked to our preference - medium & medium rare. Side sides of red skinned mashed potatoes & navy been soup were excellent. Green beans had by one of our party were a bit bland. Cocktails were excellent. Ambiance was traditional wood paneled rooms with local photos for art. Service was attentive & timely.
Written December 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
George Keiser
Sedona36 contributions
Jul 2024 • solo
I wanted a small flavorful steak and noted St Elmo near the hotel where I was staying. This “steak house” is an institution with a highly experienced staff. Dining alone, I was satisfied to sit at the bar for an early dinner. My waiter and bartender has been behind that bar for 28 years. He was a real pro from setting up my place for dining, insuring the cocktail was to my liking, insuring my order met my expectations and following on any additional requests. The atmosphere reflects the history of the establishment. All the way around, ambiance, food, beverages and service there was nothing lacking!
Written July 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
donniee581
Denver3 contributions
Oct 2023 • business
Worst dining experience ever. I have visited St. Elmo's many times in the past, but this was my last. Our reservation was for 7 p.m. and we were sat approximately 10 minutes early. The waitress, Paige, was very nice and professional. We ordered our food and waited for over two hours and no meal was served to our table. We had drinks, bread, shrimp cocktail and one salad. After being promised our meal was coming out in five (5) minutes and waiting another 20 minutes, we asked for our check and decided it was time to leave. We paid over $250.00 and left hungry. There is no excuse for this type of service in a professional establishment.
Written October 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard Edwards
Thank you for taking the time to leave us your feedback. While feedback such as this is not what we hope to hear, it is a critical tool for us to improve our service. For giving us this opportunity, we thank you. I have taken note of your comments and will be sure to follow up with our service and culinary management teams. Please contact me if you'd like to discuss this further, General Manager Richard Edwards at redwards@huseculinary.com.
Written October 23, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jerwanda B
South Bend3 contributions
Apr 2024 • couples
I had the best prime rib of my life at this restaurant!! The au jus had a great flavor, the prime rib had a melt in your mouth quality. The bread basket had a variety tasty items in it. The Elmo cola hit the spot. The Navy bean soup was a delicious surprise. We were able to get a table on a Saturday evening at 6pm without a reservation. Andre was wonderful and insightful!! Our first visit of many to come. My new favorite restaurant in downtown Indianapolis.
Written May 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris M
324 contributions
Nov 2022 • business
Visited after hearing good things.
Ordered a ribeye and it was stunning. Excellently cooked / seasoned. The peppercorn sauce that accompanied it was delicious.
The restaurant is a classic old place and a rabbit warren if tables and waiters who appear to equal the number of tables in the place.
Downsides are it ain't exactly cheap and the steak is literally steak and chips... But guessing they know their customer base as it's still going after 100 years.
Written November 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sue570
77 contributions
Oct 2023 • business
We were all looking forward to returning to St Elmos with great excitement. In saying that often times it can be disappointing to return and meet expectations. Steaks were great, caesar and chopped salads were wonderful, and the soups included in the dinner were tasty. All of us thought the shrimp cocktails with their signature cocktail sauce needed a much better and more professional presentation. The four shrimp were at the bottom of the stainless serving dish with a mound of cocktail sauce thrown on top. Really looked amateurish. Lastly, the bread basket lacked quality. None of knew what exactly the cheese / bread was. One roll in the assortment was good not great.
Written October 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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