Best Farm/Restaurant in Indy

Luckily for me, I live only a five minute drive from Traders Point Creamery, an artisan dairy farm, just north of the Indianapolis city limits. And their Loft Restaurant is often my first choice for lunch with a friend, not only because it is close, but because of its ambiance and local, organic food.

The Loft Restaurant at Traders Point Creamery is just that - a loft. On the second floor of the main building, above where their award-winning cheeses are made, is a rustic little restaurant and dairy bar, where you can see the mounds of cheese drying through a window. And cheese usually plays a prominent part in the menu choices, which change seasonally. A recent summer dinner menu included an appetizer cheese plate, mixed berry salad, and a bacon-stuffed chicken breast.

The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday for lunch, with brunch on Sunday. Dinner is available Tuesday through Sunday. And the Dairy Bar is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. After lunch or the dairy bar, take a self-guided tour of the farm or take some dairy products home from their store.

After lunch, why not pick up some dairy products to bring home?

Cheeses - Traders Point Creamery produces a very good white, spreadable cheese called appropriately, "Fromage Blanc,", but they are best known for their Fleur de la Terre, meaning "blossom from the land" and it is truly a work of art. One of my favorite cheeses, it is mild and creamy, with a nutty and herbal flavor.

Milk - Certified organic, 100% grass-fed, and non-homogenized.

Yogurt - They make whole milk yogurt from their milk and live active cultures. My husband loves their lowfat vanilla, but they also have fruit flavors, such as Banana & Mango, Raspberry, Wildberry, and seasonally Peach and Cherry. I like to make smoothies with these.

Ice Cream - A premium, whole milk and cream ice cream that is more than delicious. Try a cone, cup, or milkshake in their dairy bar at the loft. Flavors include: Dutch Chocolate, Raspberry, Vanilla and seasonally Caramel, Coffee, Strawberry, Raspberry, and Blackberry.

A farmers' market is held year-round at Traders Point Creamery and is known for emphasizing products created using sustainable practices.

In the wintertime, the market is held in their barn on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon. With fresh produce less available, you will find more meats, breads, and products such as Endangered Species Chocolate and Peace Leaf Tea. We often order our Thanksgiving turkey there, and buy gorgeous Christmas wreaths in December.

The market switches to Friday evenings from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the summertime, and is held outside on the lawn, with dinner served on the deck. Many more vendors are on hand in the summer and besides the abundance of fresh produce, you will find natural skin care products, and delicious pies.

Guided and self-guided tours are available every day.

What a great place to take kids. For more information, visit the Traders Point Creamery website.