 Downtown Franklin, Indiana is a thriving, growing area with several restaurants, bars, breweries, as well as unique shops where you'll find everything from ice cream, specialty sweets and donuts, popcorn, and so much more. It was difficult limiting the list to just five places to eat in historic Downtown Franklin, Indiana, but these are five places I've been to at least twice, so I feel I can give a good representation of my visits, and experience.  Court Street Cafe 39 E Court St, Franklin, IN 46131 https://www.courtstcafe.com 317-739-0208 Old fashioned home cooking in a contemporary environment on the square. I was in early on a Saturday morning and had the pancakes, which were delicious and filling. My guest had the biscuits and gravy and was very satisfied. While the menu isn't wide, most of the breakfast basics are covered, and done quite well. Afternoon favorites include the stuffed mushrooms and even the not-so-common elk burger, which are fantastic, and if you are gluten free, their bread will hit the spot. Looking for a quick brunch (or of course even if you're not in a rush), try one of the three different quiches, or perhaps the fresh banana nut bread, or gorgeous salad with fruit? The grilled cheeses come highly recommended, including the Buffalo Chicken grilled cheese on sourdough. Add in a side salad with their homemade croutons and dressings, and you've got an incredible lunch!  Ann's Restaurant 77 W Monroe St., Franklin, IN 46131 https://www.annsrestaurant.com 317-736-5421 Ann’s is a great local spot for all-day breakfast and lunch, and is billed Franklin's oldest restaurant. The service is exellent, prompt, and always ready with a suggestion to not only get the most of your meal, but the most economic way as well, which was appreciated as opposed to an upsell. And all with smiling faces, key to a great meal. I was a little surprised to find Ann's already busy when I pulled up at 6am, but quickly found out why. The hot cakes were delicious, along with the eggs and bacon. Quick and hot and a very nice, small town envirnoment. I came came a couple days later for a second round, and again, was not disappointed. The cinnamon roll French toast has become one of my favorites, along with the biscuits and gravy, which are excellent. The cinnamon rolls are also quite good, with a scoop of whipped butter on top, melting into the roll. Also had the spicy breakfast wrap, which was toasted, adding a little something extra to the crispness of the wrap that was great. Proceeds from Ann's go to benefit a local alcohol & drug addiction center, so not only are you getting great food and service, but you're helping a good cause as well. Be sure to add Ann's Restaurant to your list of must-try locations on your IndianaRoadTrips.com itinerary.  The Grill Bar 138 E Jefferson St, Franklin, IN 46131 317-738-9936 Cold beer and good pub food including burgers, tenderloins, buffalo wings and much more! Outdoor patio in summer months, and an occasional live band on select nights. Known for their excellent tenderloins, many reviewers from all platforms recognize The Grill Bar as having one of the best burgers in Johnson County, with meat fresh from the slaughterhouse down the road (from what I'm told!). I was immediately struck by the cleanliness of The Grill Bar. Lots of neon, and no cobwebs or dingy corner booths. It was well lite, the staff was welcoming, and atmosphere was old school but warm. Nothing to fear here, other than possibly finding a place to sit when it's busy. It's a small place so that can be an issue, but not when I went in for a late afternoon lunch. Yes, I got the burger. And as all the reviews echo, it has something about it, a seasoning or something that really makes it stand out and unique. Everything was made to order, hot and delicious. Add a cold beer it made for a great meal.  The Twisted Sicilian Market & Eatery 175 N Morton St, Franklin, IN 46131 https://www.thetwistedsicilian.com 317-494-6235 The Twisted Sicilian Market & Eatery was a new find for me, and I'm very glad I did. It's a family owned and operated eatery, and you can taste the pride they put into the food. Very popular on the menu seems to be the grilled cheese, with the vodka sauce dip. Pair that with one of their fresh salads, or go the other direction with one of their tasty desserts, and you've got a great meal for a reasonable price, served by smiling faces and friendly service. The Fig Pig sandwich is another hit, and the Lemon Basil Penne, were both fantastic! Portion size is nice, but enough to take home and enjoy later as well. The environment at the Twisted Sicilian Market & Eatery is relaxed and quickly became one of my favorite spots. If you're looking for low carb/keto options, this is the place, as there are multiple options. Other nice options on the menu include their Zuppa toscana and meatball sandwich, or how about the Eggplant Parm, or Italian Beef with Caesar salad, then a side of Arancini and also Polenta Fries? Maybe you'd prefer the meaty meatballs, fried ravioli, or risotto balls? Regardless of your choice, you can't go wrong at this little gem of an eatery tucked away in Franklin's downtown.  Richard's Brick Oven Pizza 229 S Main St, Franklin, IN 46131 https://richardskitchen.com 317-738-3300 The pizza is the reason for the visit, but there's so much more on the menu at Richard's Brick Oven Pizza, you'll need to make a few visits to sample all the great tasting dishes they have to offer. You can create your own 10" personal pizzas, or pick from their list. If you're looking for something different than pizza, try the smoked mozzarella ravioli with prosciutto, or perhaps the cesar salad, or maybe the garlic bread knotts, which were delicious. Either way, you can't go wrong at this highly reputable local establishment. It fills up quick, so my suggestion is get there early. Good beer selection and some wine as well. It's a family-friendly environment, and in general, I've found the servers to be knowledgeable and friendly, and the atmosphere always comfortable and cozy. Check their schedule for live music, always a nice touch! Written by Jason Dozier for IndianaRoadTrips.com Find us on FACEBOOK @ www.facebook.com/indianaroadtrips Go to our HOMEPAGE to read more articles like this on Indiana Roadtrip locations and destinations.
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