Photograph by Tony Valainis
THE U-SHAPED dining room of this all-day cafe positively drips with cool, from its sweeping bar to its light-wood banquette seating and booths. Executive chef Cris Dougan’s menu lives up to the daring decor, with influences from Italy, Korea, Vietnam, and beyond, such as a bacon banh mi and kimchi ranch–dressed sausage.
Byrne’s grilled pizzas are unexpected mainstays—the same gas-grilled, thin crust pies sold at the northside restaurant owned by the parents of Gather 22 co-owner Adam Reinstrom. The restaurant’s coastal vibes are likely thanks to his partner in business and life Pablo Gonzalez, a California kid who relocated to Indy around the time of the pandemic. Together, they’ve built a place that lives up to its name, where the aesthetics match the food in a way that inspires folks to … yes, gather.
22 E. 22nd St., 317-258-2222, gather22.com
