You’re driving down Lake Michigan, passing through Chicago’s frigid yet satisfyingly crisp breeze. Thirty-five minutes south of the Windy City, come across Miller Beach, Indiana.
Our take? This is one of the cutest beach towns on Lake Michigan. Miller Beach has a great outdoor community with gorgeous topography, situated right on the Indiana Dunes National Park. If you appreciate nature, you’ll relish the town’s miles of pristine hiking and biking trails for visitors and locals to enjoy.
On top of its natural beauty, Miller Beach also has a thriving, walkable downtown. Explore the art and the shops. There are plenty of fun opportunities to even take selfies in front of the beautiful, colorful street murals!
Grrrrrrrowwwwl. Was that your stomach? All that activity has worked up your appetite. Of course, your gorgeous vacation rental has a full kitchen for you to cook to your heart’s delight. But you’re on vacation and want to enjoy someone else’s cooking.
It’s time to find some chow, but where to?
Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with our top recommendations for the best food in Miller Beach. So tuck into your tables, people! We’re here to whet your appetite.
1. Flamingo Pizza of Miller
- Address: 8341 Locust Ave, Gary, IN
- Favorite menu item: Spicy Beef Pizza made with beef, giardiniera, onions, and green pepper.
- Price point: $$
A pub at heart, Flamingo Pizza of Miller has a knack for stone-baked pizzas. Of course, you might as well start with an appetizer. What about crispy-on-the-outside, hot-and-soft-on-the-inside corn nuggets? A classic jalapeno popper, anyone? How about some fresh-fried onion rings?
Whatever delicious appetizer you choose, it will pair well with a refreshing selection of craft beers! But the main event? Flamingo’s pizzas are the talk of the town.
Try a classic supreme with sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, and peppers. Or maybe something a little more adventurous, like the Buffalo Chicken Pizza.
If you aren’t in the mood for pizza, relish a Swiss and Shroom Burger with sauteed onions and melted swiss. You’ll also feel satisfied with a budget deal on the joint’s Thursday to Saturday fresh fish special.
Lastly, the outdoor patio also gives Flaminigo’s a breezy ambiance. This spot is sure to please with its delicious offerings and laid-back pub feel. Takeout is available!
2. The Miller Beach Cafe
- Address: 903 N Shelby St Gary, IN
- Favorite menu item: Boned and Buttered Lake Perch, fried or sauteed!
- Price point: $$
You must stop by the Miller Beach Cafe when you visit Miller Beach.
Are you a cheese lover? Try some flame-soaked saganaki. This is Greek fried cheese, and they grill it for you tableside! And if you want to lean even more out of your comfort zone? Enjoy cevapi, a small Serbian snack similar to meatballs made with love by the restaurant’s owners, Marash and Aga Nikolaj.
The eatery is also known for its delicious seafood offerings. The Surf and Turf feature a 16-ounce prime rib and lobster tail. For the sides, we suggest their double-baked potato. And to top it all off, pamper your tastebuds with a creamy cheesecake dessert or ice cream sundae.
Enjoy the mild summer nights with outdoor seating on the patio.
3. Tequila and Tacos
- Address: 642 S. Lake Street, Gary, IN
- Favorite menu item: Indulgent barbacoa tacos with pulled, braised beef, cheese, lettuce, chipotle aioli, and lime.
- Price point: $$
In the mood for Mexican? Tequila and Tacos is a must-visit in Miller Beach. So hang on, Northwest Indiana for Mexican food? We understand your trepidation, but trust us on this one. While this may not be the traditional taco joint, Tequila and Tacos bring a hip new look to Taco Tuesday.
Specialty, hand-crafted tacos range from the classic and delicious steak tacos (cilantro chimichurri, tomato, grilled onion, cheese, and spinach) to non-traditional tacos like the Pizza Taco (sausage, pepperoni, bacon, onion, mozzarella, marinara, peppers, and spinach).
A Mexican fiesta wouldn’t be complete without a margarita cocktail. Enjoy T&T’s fabulous drink selection, including the Miller Beach Sunset made with Patron, grenadine, orange juice, and cherry, or the rotating house margarita, with flavors like blueberry, peach, and pomegranate.
Taco and party enthusiasts, unite! Tequila and Tacos has just under 20 signature cocktails, plus wines and domestic and craft beers.
4. Miller Pizza
- Address: 622 1/2 S Lake St, Gary, IN
- Favorite menu item: Zesty Italian Pizza with pepperoni, sausage, and giardiniera.
- Price point: $$
Missing Chicago’s signature pizza? Miller Beach is only a half-hour away, so you can still enjoy a deep dish nearby. A block away from the South Shore Train, Miller Pizza was opened in 1985 by a father-and-son duo, Scott and Gary Goldberg.
Now, Gary and Elsie Goldberg proudly run the original shop and still crank out mouth-watering pizzas Monday through Saturday. At Miller Pizza, expect handmade dough and pizza sauce made from scratch. But if someone in your crowd is a (GASP!) thin-crust lover, don’t worry; Miller Pizza has thin-crust pizza as well.
5. Arman’s Restaurant
- Address: 5875 Melton Rd Gary, IN
- Favorite menu item: Juicy Italian beef sandwich with Dr. Brown’s Cream soda.
- Price point: $
This one is for the kids and the kids-at-heart. People have been coming to Arman’s Restaurant for about 50 years now, and the place is full of good food and great memories. Patrons love Bill, the owner, who is a conversationalist and a connoisseur of delicious, quick food.
Arman’s carries your favorite soul-feeding, guilty-pleasure foods, like grilled hotdogs in thick poppyseed buns, juicy burgers, and crisp, hot fries. So bring yourself back to a simpler time and grab a classic hot dog and chili cheese fries.
Are burgers, dogs, and fries not your thing? Instead, you might enjoy fish and chips, a classic corned beef Reuben sandwich, or golden brown and crispy chicken nuggets. All of these are affordable and delicious over at Arman’s.
Eat and Stay at Miller Beach
So, are you drooling yet? Miller Beach has a vast array of delicious options, whether you’re looking for fine dining or casual eats.
Looking for a place to stay? Miller Beach Vacation Rentals has something for the honeymooning couple, corporate retreat, family reunion, or friendship getaway. Pick from cozy cottages to total vacationing compounds when you plan your next getaway to Miller Beach!