Indiana Dunes Dining Itinerary for Foodies

A 3-Day Culinary Adventure Around Porter County

Foodies, look no further. Dining in the Indiana Dunes just got a whole lot easier to plan with this handy culinary adventure around Porter County! From artisan breads and local coffee to upscale restaurants, craft breweries, and sweet treats, this culinary adventure will take you through Chesterton, Valparaiso, and Portage, one delicious stop at a time.

Day 1: Chesterton

Chow down on the delicious options Chesterton has to offer! Begin with a mighty breakfast (...it is the most important meal of the day, after all). On the northeast side of town, Third Coast Spice Café cooks up cage-free egg dishes, plus a selection of vegan, vegetarian, and health-conscious options. Craving something homemade? Joe’s Bread serves up artisan loaves and pastries so good, you’ll want to grab an extra for the road.

From May through October, swing by the Chesterton European Market for fresh finds and locally made treats. Grab a picnic table at nearby Thomas Centennial Park to dig into homemade breads, artisan cheeses, and farm produce—or head over to (219) Taproom for flatbreads, sandwiches, and a rotating selection of regional beers on tap.

End the evening with dinner and a show! For a more casual meal, go for grass-fed beef burgers and a couple of craft cocktails at Octave Grill. Or, class it up with award-winning Italian dishes, like made-from-scratch sacchetti at Lucrezia Café. For a flavorful twist, stop by Namaste India, where authentic Indian dishes like butter chicken, curries, and fresh naan bring global tastes to Chesterton.After seeing a show at 4th Street Theater, pile some scoops onto a crunchy cone at Dog Days Ice Cream Parlor!

Day 2: Valparaiso

Breakfast at the Blackbird Café will make your heart sing! Pair a hot plate of ham, an eggy omelet sandwich, or a refreshing yogurt parfait with a warm cappuccino, chai, or fruit smoothie. Or, stop by FLUID Coffee Roasters for a quick cup of coffee and a slice of avocado toast. Before you hit the Dunes

For mid-day grub, pick up some Greek food at Parea Restaurant & Lounge. Think Mediterranean salads and seafood pastas. Or, order a wood-fired pizza from The Rolling Stonebaker for classic pizza (and also, keep an eye out for their fire-engine-turned-food-truck that moves around the county.)

Between meals, spend some time at  Central Park Plaza (complete with a summertime splash pad, an outdoor amphitheater, and a colorful ice-skating rink), then head out for a steak dinner at Kelsey’s Steakhouse. They make everything from ender ribs drenched in spicy sauce to mouthwatering filet mignon that’s as soft as butter. 

For dinner, head to some of the area’s most foodie-friendly establishments. Figs & Fables is perfect for artfully plated dishes and seasonal ingredients, while Blockhead Beerworks serves inventive small plates and locally made beer and cider. Blue Point Oysters delivers East Coast seafood vibes with an Asian flair, while Furin is all about elevated Japanese street food. At Main + Lincoln, you’ll find a refined, chef-driven menu housed in a restored 1920s building, while Parea serves up modern Greek cuisine with family-style plates. 

Top off the night with a gourmet cupcake from Designer Desserts, where you can pick from over 100 unique flavors! Or right around the corner, you can transport yourself to France with a visit to Bao's Pastry.

Day 3: Portage 

Perk up on your tour around Portage with a cup of coffee or a fresh-brewed tea from Teatery! Want a more filling breakfast? Just around the corner is Blueberry Hill Pancake House, where a towering stack of pancakes is calling your name.

Once you’ve paddled along the Little Calumet River putted to greatness at the Fairway Indoor Golf Club, or painted away at The Painted Apple, you’ll have worked up quite the appetite! Try tracking down one of Portage’s most popular food trucks: Tocayos Express Mexican Food for street tacos and cheesy chicken quesadillas. For handcrafted burgers and a rotating list of local brews, stop by Big Time Burgers & Brews, a Portage favorite that pairs comfort food with a laid-back vibe.

Since you’re so close to the coast, you’re not far from top-tier fishing opportunities! Before the sun sets, try reeling in a big one with Brother Nature Charter Fishing. Then, kick back with a signature “grazin’ board” and a beer at Social Goat. And for dessert, set sail to sweet dreams at Super Scoops Ice Cream Shop. Banana splits, brownie sundaes, and ice cream tacos, this might as well be a dessert buffet!