The Omni Severin Hotel is a historic gem in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, seamlessly blending timeless elegance with modern luxury. Originally opened in 1913, this landmark hotel has long been a cornerstone of the city’s hospitality scene, offering guests a refined experience steeped in history. The grand architecture, featuring Beaux-Arts design elements, exudes old-world charm, while recent renovations have ensured that the hotel meets contemporary expectations for comfort and sophistication.
Located just steps from Lucas Oil Stadium, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and the Indiana Convention Center, the Omni Severin is a prime choice for visitors looking to explore the city’s bustling entertainment and business districts. Guests can enjoy upscale accommodations, a 24-hour fitness center, and a variety of on-site dining options, including Bar Cardinale, which pays homage to the hotel’s historic connection to the Cardinal train line. Whether staying for business, a weekend getaway, or a special event, the Omni Severin Hotel offers a luxurious and memorable stay in one of Indianapolis’ most iconic properties.
Bar Cardinale is located just off the lobby and is a cozy yet elegant space perfect for a happy hour cocktail or a romantic dinner. My guest and I decided to begin our dining experience with a cocktail. I opted for the 1913, an homage to the opening date of the property, made with Johnnie Walker Black Label scotch, sweet vermouth, angostura bitters, and demerara syrup. Dylan chose the Midnight Train to Severin a vodka-based cocktail prepared with Ketel One, St. George Nola coffee liqueur, and baileys. Both were smooth and delicious. The 1913 was a step above a traditional old fashion and contained a bit of a smokiness that was very pleasing.
The food menu at Bar Cardinale contains mostly sharable small plates. We started our meal with Salmon Crudo, a ceviche-style dish which came with a green chili crunch, radish, onion, caper berry, citrus, and pickled Fresno pepper. The salmon was fresh and delicious and paired perfectly with the accompanying ingredients.
Next up was the Cheese + Charcuterie, a selection of cheeses and meats from Smoking Goose. While one of the meats was a bit fattier than we prefer, the other selections paired beautifully with the cheeses and olives on the board.
One of my favorite hard to find items is Oysters Rockefeller so when I saw this on the menu, I knew I had to give it a try. The oysters were baked with Tuscan kale, applewood-smoked bacon, Pernod, mornay, and topped with a cracker crumb. My partner, who had never tried this dish, absolutely loved them. The bacon added the perfect amount of smokiness to the oysters.
Finally, we ended our meal with Sugar Cream Pie, a recommendation from our server. The dessert came served with a Bourbon caramel and seasonal fruit. Even as someone who rarely orders dessert, I found this selection to be an excellent finish to our meal—light, balanced, and not overly sweet. As someone who typically doesn’t order dessert, I can say this selection is a great choice.
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