Fresco Italian Cafe On The Canal

Great food and the service was great! Didn’t get to try the table side smores, but will definitely come back the next time we are back in town!

A decent sandwich shop. The prices are pretty good for the quality but probably the best thing about this place is the outdoor seating right on the canal. It’s a nice place to grab lunch and people watch. Can be a bit hard to find if you are coming in from street level, have to remember to walk down the stairs.

Roasted red pepper and feta dip was so addictive, we actually ordered a 2^nd one mid-​meal. Very strong feta, almost olive-​y taste that perfectly complemented the cheese sprinkled pita sticks.
Margherita flatbread was super simple but top-​notch as well. Portion size was a little smaller than I had hoped, but to be fair, I have a big appetite.
We will absolutely return to Fresco. The only reason why it doesn’t get 5 stars is that for the somewhat high prices, you get somewhat smaller portions. I’d say that most of us «big appetite folks» would need to get an appetizer AND an entrée in order to squash hunger. And that, that would be a bit spendy.
Toddler factor: No high chairs or booster seats that I saw. May have some available if you ask, but I don’t know. Also, it is pretty tight quarters inside so it would be difficult to have a high chair at the end of a table anyway. Kids menu is great but a bit pricey like the rest of the options.

Stopped in with several colleagues for an evening meal, and it was lovely. Situated directly on the canal, complete with gondolier, if you desire a $ 25 ride.
Got one of the flatbread pizzas and a salad, both of which were delicious and portioned just right. Also got a glass of wine, which seemed a little small portion-​wise, but was a good pairing with my pizza.
They also have tableside s’mores on the menu, which we got. Very cool.
Great spot for lunch or a first date type of experience. My only gripe is the café style service – order at the counter, they give you a number and bring you your food.

The canal is a great spot to bring friends not familiar with Indy, and while I think it deserves more food options, Fresco is a great meal.
I’ve had the Canale flatbread and the Stromboli. While both are good, I favor the Stromboli. Cheesy goodness with a side of chips! Carbs for days.
Enjoy the patio while the weather is still nice, the view is great and the music adds some fun to the atmosphere.
I’ve tried some of lime Italian ice with tequila and definitely recommend, but I also would opt for a glass of wine. They have a great selection to pair with your meal.
The reason for 4 stars out of 5 is because the price point is a bit higher than I expected. Drop it down a dollar or two and not only would this be 5-​stars, but they would have my business much more often.

Good food, fast service, great atmosphere. A little pricey but at least they use quality ingredients. Highly recommend.

… sind spontan eingekehrt und hatten sehr leckeres, frisch zubereitetes Essen: gute Tomatensuppe, Sandwich Italian Turkey mit viel Fleisch und knackigem Salat. Besonders lecker war meine Flatbread Pizza. Dünner, knuspriger Teig, üppig belegt mit Hackfleisch, Champignons, Paprika, Zwiebeln, gerade richtig dosiert die Tomatensoße und reichlich mit Mozzarella belegt. Hier gehe ich bestimmt wieder hin.

Came here a couple months ago and was really disappointed. The website at the time (not sure about it now) was so inaccurate about the hours — I went to the actual restaurant at least 3 times before I just started calling instead, and it was still probably another two weeks of trying before I caught them at a time they were actually open. From my understanding, the hours become more reliable as the summer continues so maybe this was only a problem in the spring (which is still kind of inexcusable to me).
I ordered the chicken Parmesan sandwich and it was just bad… no way around it. The chicken tasted like cheap frozen chicken strips with unidentifiable pieces of chicken insides and way too much breading. The sauce did not taste good to me either… it was oddly sweet almost like ketchup. And it’s probably my fault for getting it to go, but the whole thing was just a soggy mess, although I’m pretty positive it wouldn’t have tasted much better if I had eaten in the restaurant. The chips were good… but they’re from the Amazing Chip Company so they don’t improve my review of this place.
I’m giving two stars because some of the other items look like they could be good and the s’mores at the table are a cool idea, but I definitely would not get the chicken Parmesan again.

Nice little place on the canal. Great place to sit outside and enjoy their good sandwiches, drinks and desserts.

Fresco’s on the canal is the perfect location to stop in on your lunch break or to grab drinks from with your friends. The outdoor seating is great for people watching and a cool breeze, while the inside has it’s own italian character. My favorite on the menu is their BBLT (bacon, basil, lettuce, tomato) and it is the perfect portion served right along with some locally made potato chips. The service was friendly and fast and I will be returning in the near future!

A fresh, new treat for canal cruisers! This is definitely my new lunch crush, and it’s too darn good for downtowners to ignore. This friendly café offers passers-​by some light fare, a lovely view of the canal and passes for the canal gondola rides.
The major reason I can’t get enough of this adorable café comes down to two words: Italian ice. When ice cream is too heavy, Italian ice is the perfectly light, sweet retreat! Lemon or lime. One scoop or two. This tart treat will tickle your taste buds and leave you wishing for more. Along with dessert, I’ll also opt for one of their healthier menu items. With a variety of salad options, there really is no wrong choice. They’re all good. Even if you don’t like something in them, you probably won’t notice it anyway. They stock their salads with some lovely, fresh ingredients and homemade salad dressings.
Grabbing a bite here is a breeze because you can walk here from anywhere near the canal or the cultural trail. And if you have a few minutes to spare, pop a squat in the petite outdoor seating and enjoy a beautiful day on the canal!

This place is great! A perfect spot to relax on the canal. You can even get drinks to go for your walk. They have a great selection of beers for a café and we loved the s’more plate for 2. They give you a small burning pot to roast your own s’mores on the canal. My daughter loved it. We also had great service. They were late bringing our order out due to some issues in the kitchen and the server automatically added on some extras for us for the inconvenience. Definitely one of my new favorites.

Fresco pairs perfectly with a stroll down the canal, whether stopping in for lunch, dinner, or a spiked Italian Ice.
The parmesan chicken salad was a healthy option that didn’t make me feel like I was missing out, and my vodka lemon ice was on point.
I spent five months in Italy and this friendly, local eatery takes me back. Fabulous, fresh flavors near a beautiful, pedestrian-​friendly promenade? Yes, please. The dog-​friendly outdoor seating means I’m likely to become a regular. This is as good as it gets.

I love the canal and I miss spending time downtown taking in the sites and walking by the water. This was my first time to Fresco Italian Café on the Canal and hopefully won’t be my last. I really enjoyed lunch sitting by the canal and people watching. It wasn’t too busy since it was a Wednesday afternoon, but it was the perfect day. We were welcomed by the staff of Fresco Italian Café on the Canal as we walked in the door. This is seriously the cutest place ever! In the nicer months I love sitting outside and being by the water is a huge plus. I loved how cute it all was. I got the Italian Beef which is their specialty. I had the half sandwich and it was filling. I added the cheese and it came with chips. I got it wet so it was perfect and not messy. I added the Lemon Italian ice with Skyy Vodka and it was quiet refreshing!
For dessert we got the s’more’s. It was fun that we could make them right at our table. I love using the Pizzelle as the base to my s’more. I actually liked it better than graham crackers. It was soft and not crumbly. We also had some nice quality chocolate bars. It was a nice treat!
After lunch we were able to take a walk by the canal. I really enjoyed lunch and recommend stopping for lunch or even just an Italian ice!

My family and I stumbled into Fresco because it looked like the only place to eat in the Canal zone. What a find!
As visitors from California, my first thought was that this place looked practically brand new and seemed to be populated with locals instead of catering to tourists. Normally a good thing, I was a bit nervous when paying with my 49ers credit card, but it was all good. The tuna sandwich tasted great as it had a surprisingly fresh taste. I never would have thought about fresh tuna in Indianapolis. I had the specialty Italian beef sandwich. Very nice sandwich that dripped of very tasty juices.
No wonder there are no other places to eat along the canal… Fresco’s great meal drove the competition away!

Alert alert: you can add vodka to the lemonade or Italian Ices!
If you’re looking for the perfect place to have a great meal outdoors in downtown Indy, look no further than this Fresco location on the canal. Great location off Indiana Avenue near the Cosmopolitan, go down the steps to the canal and here you are in food heaven. With good people watching and a relaxing atmosphere to boot, I’m not sure how you go wrong!
Fresco is Italian food with a twist. I can’t say enough good things about the caprese salad and the Stromboli sandwiches are equally as good.
This review seems short for how much I love this place, but sometimes simple is best. And Fresco is simply excellent. Not to be missed!

Nestled on the canal walk next to the Cosmopolitan, Fresco is the perfect pit stop during a walk, a great casual meet up spot for a light meal, and has a great outdoor seating area and patio space.
If you are just passing through, stop in for an italian ice. They are the perfect treat on a warm day and taste so fresh!
I am a big fan of sitting on their patio in the summer and people watching while enjoying their parmesan chicken salad — try it with their housemade basil dressing. D-​e-​l-​i-​c-​i-​o-​u-​s!

Truly one of the best food experiences we had in Indy! The Stromboli was FABULOUS! The drinks were amazing! We people– watched on the canal as the sun set. A terrific overall experience.
If you’re in Indy, check this place out!

Best place to sit and people watch on the canal! Great for meetings, or just grabbing a quick lunch. The food is amazing! The owners are usually there and ensure the best! They serve beer and wine. Did I mention the food is Amazing!
Great place to grab a bite with your kids too. They serve Italian ice and have table side smore makers as well! Just a great place, can’t say enough about it!

Solid spot. And kind of incredible that no one else has taken advantage of the canal! Great lemon ice and relatively affordable drinking prices make this worthy of a stop if you choose to do a roundabout of the canal on foot.
Indy should try to get more of these types of establishments, whether it be bar, coffeeshop, or whatever. That canal needs more bustle!

Found this wonderful spot on the Canal in Indy. A great spot with a simple but yet very solid menu. I had a killer Italian Beef, wonderful flatbread
, Stromboli was delicious and the beer selection is great. The key to a good restaurant is the amount of pride the owner takes and it is evident here for sure, in their food, service and décor. They nail it here. I love going to places where it is obvious the owner cares. Go down anytime but hang out around 5 or 6 for good people watching with some good food and excellent italian ice beverages with a touch of vodka or tequila… I am going back, it is great!