South Bend Guidebook
Casual Dining
Great food, drinks, and atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating near the river downtown.
35 locals recommend
The Lauber
504 E Lasalle AveGreat food, drinks, and atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating near the river downtown.
A family-friendly Irish pub which often has live music and always has good food and a fun atmosphere.
97 locals recommend
Fiddler's Hearth
127 N Main StA family-friendly Irish pub which often has live music and always has good food and a fun atmosphere.
Fatbird
103 West Colfax AvenueHip new restaurant downtown
Located right on the St. Joseph river, the Crooked Ewe is a local favorite for craft beer. Rated #4 on Trip Advisor in South Bend!
85 locals recommend
Crooked Ewe Brewery & Ale House
1047 Lincoln Way ELocated right on the St. Joseph river, the Crooked Ewe is a local favorite for craft beer. Rated #4 on Trip Advisor in South Bend!
Fun atmosphere, amazing food, and a wide selection of craft beers make this place our go-to favorite!
79 locals recommend
Evil Czech Brewery and Public House
3703 N Main StFun atmosphere, amazing food, and a wide selection of craft beers make this place our go-to favorite!
This is a great new addition to South Bend: fun food and drinks at a family-friendly park on the river.
49 locals recommend
Howard Park
219 S St Louis BlvdThis is a great new addition to South Bend: fun food and drinks at a family-friendly park on the river.
Great food! Select your preferred heat level (on a scale of 1-10) for each dish. But be warned! As it says on the menu, "Thai hot is NOT the same as the usual American hot."
32 locals recommend
Cambodian Thai
235 S Michigan StGreat food! Select your preferred heat level (on a scale of 1-10) for each dish. But be warned! As it says on the menu, "Thai hot is NOT the same as the usual American hot."
South Bend Brew Werks
321 S Main StA great place downtown with patio seating and craft beer.
La Rosita's ice cream treats are so good that the line is usually out the door! Indoor and outdoor seating, Mexican- and American-style ice cream treats that are oh-so-good.
Paleteria Y Neveria La Rosita
2909 W Western AveLa Rosita's ice cream treats are so good that the line is usually out the door! Indoor and outdoor seating, Mexican- and American-style ice cream treats that are oh-so-good.
Venezuelan street food! Excellent arepas, meat platters, and astounding milkshakes.
6 locals recommend
Caracas Bistro
236 W Edison RdVenezuelan street food! Excellent arepas, meat platters, and astounding milkshakes.
Located on the Notre Dame campus, Legends is a favorite of ND fans.
13 locals recommend
Legends of Notre Dame
100 LegendsLocated on the Notre Dame campus, Legends is a favorite of ND fans.
Sightseeing
Check out our newly renovated local park! Soak in the view of the stately fountain along the beautiful St. Joseph river and let the kids enjoy the brand new playground equipment located behind the tennis courts. Easy walking distance from house.
11 locals recommend
Leeper Park
907 Riverside DrCheck out our newly renovated local park! Soak in the view of the stately fountain along the beautiful St. Joseph river and let the kids enjoy the brand new playground equipment located behind the tennis courts. Easy walking distance from house.
Local favorite! In the winter, come skate on Howard Park's ice trails! In the summer, bring your kids to the splashpad and the best playground in South Bend! You can also wine and dine at the Howard Park Public House.
49 locals recommend
Howard Park
219 S St Louis BlvdLocal favorite! In the winter, come skate on Howard Park's ice trails! In the summer, bring your kids to the splashpad and the best playground in South Bend! You can also wine and dine at the Howard Park Public House.
University of Notre Dame
Holy Cross DriveTake a free tour of Notre Dame's beautiful campus!
Notre Dame's beautiful basilica is a must-see for any visit to the area.
31 locals recommend
Basilica of the Sacred Heart
101 Basilica DrNotre Dame's beautiful basilica is a must-see for any visit to the area.
River Lights Plaza
340 E Colfax AveEnjoy a leisurely stroll along the beautiful St. Joseph river!
Oldest zoo in Indiana! Features 450 animals, with fun for all ages.
90 locals recommend
Potawatomi Zoo
500 S Greenlawn AveOldest zoo in Indiana! Features 450 animals, with fun for all ages.
A local favorite for hiking, picnics, and enjoying the great outdoors.
37 locals recommend
Potato Creek State Park
25601 IN-4A local favorite for hiking, picnics, and enjoying the great outdoors.
A great park for its high ropes course, playground, dog park, nature center, and ancient shade trees.
10 locals recommend
Rum Village Nature Center
2626 S Gertrude StA great park for its high ropes course, playground, dog park, nature center, and ancient shade trees.
Silver Beach
We're only 43 minutes from the dunes of Lake Michigan!
Silver Beach is great for swimming and only 46 minutes away!
289 locals recommend
Warren Dunes State Park
12032 Red Arrow HwySilver Beach is great for swimming and only 46 minutes away!
Coffee Shops and Cafes
While you're here, we highly recommend checking out our neighborhood coffee shop! Staffed by neighborhood high school interns, it operates on a pay-it-forward model: your drink has already been paid for by someone else. You get to pay for for someone else's drink!
Current hours:
Tuesday: 7am-10am
Friday: 9am-1pm
Saturday: 9am-1pm
Sunday: 1pm-5pm
Hours sometimes change seasonally, so you might want to check Facebook to confirm: facebook.com/TheLocalCupSB
18 locals recommend
The Local Cup
1009 Portage AveWhile you're here, we highly recommend checking out our neighborhood coffee shop! Staffed by neighborhood high school interns, it operates on a pay-it-forward model: your drink has already been paid for by someone else. You get to pay for for someone else's drink!
Current hours:
Tuesday: 7am-10am
Friday: 9am-1pm
Saturday: 9am-1pm
Sunday: 1pm-5pm
Hours sometimes change seasonally, so you might want to check Facebook to confirm: facebook.com/TheLocalCupSB
A funky, creative space hidden in the back of what looks like an abandoned warehouse (but is actually LangLab). All coffee is ethically sourced and roasted in house. South Bend's best coffee.
22 locals recommend
Zen Cafe Coffee Roasters LLC
520 E Lasalle AveA funky, creative space hidden in the back of what looks like an abandoned warehouse (but is actually LangLab). All coffee is ethically sourced and roasted in house. South Bend's best coffee.
The General Deli & Cafe
609 E Jefferson BlvdGreat place for coffee and sandwiches.
Handmade chocolates, hand-scooped ice cream, a variety of hot drinks, a cozy atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating, and a variety of board games make this a great place to spend a lazy afternoon, early morning, or relaxed evening.
56 locals recommend
South Bend Chocolate Cafe
615 N Michigan StHandmade chocolates, hand-scooped ice cream, a variety of hot drinks, a cozy atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating, and a variety of board games make this a great place to spend a lazy afternoon, early morning, or relaxed evening.
Beer and Wine
The Hammer & Quill
613 E Jefferson BlvdIRONHAND Wine Bar
1025 Northside BlvdWine bar on the river with indoor and outdoor seating
Evil Czech Brewery and Public House
3703 N Main StCrooked Ewe Brewery & Ale House
1047 Lincoln Way ESouth Bend Brew Werks
321 S Main StFine Dining
Roselily
701 South Main StreetHip new restaurant downtown.
Fine dining and refined entertainment! #1 restaurant in South Bend on Trip Advisor.
62 locals recommend
LaSalle Grill
115 W Colfax AveFine dining and refined entertainment! #1 restaurant in South Bend on Trip Advisor.
WOOCHI JAPANESE FUSION & BAR
119 N Michigan StSushi and other Japanese favorites
Classy Place. #3 restaurant in South Bend on Trip Advisor!
"The ambiance of Café Navarre is truly one of a kind. We found a home in a historic building in the heart of Downtown South Bend. Our interior is nothing short of breathtaking. The fusion of Old World style architecture, natural light, and the finest furnishings create a big city atmosphere. Join us for lunch, dinner or enjoy a cocktail in our bar or on our outdoor patio."
52 locals recommend
Cafe Navarre
101 N Michigan StClassy Place. #3 restaurant in South Bend on Trip Advisor!
"The ambiance of Café Navarre is truly one of a kind. We found a home in a historic building in the heart of Downtown South Bend. Our interior is nothing short of breathtaking. The fusion of Old World style architecture, natural light, and the finest furnishings create a big city atmosphere. Join us for lunch, dinner or enjoy a cocktail in our bar or on our outdoor patio."
Render Kitchen & Bar is sort of a hidden gem. Its food is amazing.
In their own words: "Render Kitchen & Bar, nestled in the heart of downtown South Bend’s vibrant East Bank Village, features Chef Eamonn McParland’s contemporary cooking in a modern urban atmosphere. Its ever-evolving, seasonal menu adds a creative touch to the local dining scene, showcasing a young fresh view through its kitchen and beverage program."
22 locals recommend
Render Kitchen & Bar
521 E Jefferson BlvdRender Kitchen & Bar is sort of a hidden gem. Its food is amazing.
In their own words: "Render Kitchen & Bar, nestled in the heart of downtown South Bend’s vibrant East Bank Village, features Chef Eamonn McParland’s contemporary cooking in a modern urban atmosphere. Its ever-evolving, seasonal menu adds a creative touch to the local dining scene, showcasing a young fresh view through its kitchen and beverage program."