We Tested six Fishers Restaurants for Wheelchair Access (how it went)
Accessible dining in Fishers: myth or reality? My daughter and I tried 6 spots to find out. Spoiler: it's complicated.
Fishers has a pretty good reputation when it comes to accessibility. Our city even received KultureCity's Sensory Inclusion Certification in 2021. With tons of inclusive parks and playgrounds, and an abundance of necessary features like ramps and grab bars, we are continuously improving. Sounds great, right?
Well, we decided to put that to the test. Except with restaurants. As a mom of a daughter who rolls rather than walks, I have firsthand experience in finding accessible dining spots. So I've been on a mission to find truly wheelchair-friendly restaurants in Fishers. And spoiler alert: it's not as easy as you'd think.
Building codes mandate accessibility in restaurants, but wheelchair users and their companions often face challenges that these regulations don't fully address. Issues like inadequate parking, cobblestone streets, and cluttered tables can turn a pleasant dining experience into a frustrating ordeal.
Although, so far, no single restaurant in Fishers meets all our standards, here are six wheelchair accessible restaurants that come close to nailing accessibility (and serve pretty good food too):
Four Day Ray
We all know they have delicious sandwiches and beer, and Four Day Ray has a lot going for them in terms of accessibility too! Accessible parking is available at the front of the restaurant, and there’s plenty of room to navigate between tables.
We are told the city’s disability committee even had the elevator relocated (from inside the kitchen, by the way), to a more accommodating space. But my favorite feature is the wheelchair-level counter of sinks between the men and women’s bathrooms, which are also door-free. The attention to accessible detail is not lost here.
Fishers Test Kitchen
Chicken, burgers, tacos & tortas? The whole family will be happy ordering here. We love the wide space between tables and ample table access to wheel up. There’s plenty of room for anyone needing a stretch break without having to make friends with another table.
One negative here is that accessible parking was located a bit too far from the entry, unless you are picking up from the pickup window – which is a feature we can appreciate too.
Niyyah Coffee
“Niyyah” means “intention” in Arabic, and we value this coffee shop’s intent for inclusion. The café is located inside Hub & Spoke, which offers java junkies a chance to peruse the indoor community space while enjoying their brew. This building seems just shy of the International Building Code requirement mandating an automatic door, but it would be a nice upgrade!
We do like how the coffee shop itself keeps its door open. There is also easy access to the super wheelchair-friendly Nickel Plate Trail. Huge win!
Parlor Doughnuts
We’re big fans of the layered doughnuts at Parlor, a doughnut shop that celebrates small batch donuts and a comfortable setting. Even more, we love the wheelchair usability even within a small space.
The tables sit tightly along one wall, which makes wheeling up a little congested if it’s busy. Their large bathroom makes assisted changes easy, and we love that they have a drive-thru window if the tempo just isn’t right upon arrival.
Mornings Breakfast and Brunch
Breakfast and lattes with a side of accessible perks, here. Parking is favorable -- we appreciate how the spaces are located directly across from the ramp. A single-door entry is also a plus, and the establishment has a roomy eating area when piloting a wheelchair.
The bathrooms and server/kitchen passthrough share a space, which has potential to complicate things if someone isn’t paying attention below their eyeline.
Agave
Mexican is my favorite, but unfortunately, this was our least preferred spot in terms of accessibility. Designated accessible parking and the ramp are located on opposite ends of the block. You also have to navigate up an inclined sidewalk to the restaurant’s entrance where the door swings out into an outdoor table.
A big plus here? Their HUGE family-style bathroom. It’s definitely their most accessible feature.
Final Thoughts
Every Fishers resident deserves to enjoy dining out in our wonderful city. There are plenty of places where my daughter's wheelchair wasn't an obstacle, but just another seat at the table.
We found that there’s still work to be done for handicap accessible restaurants in Fishers, but our city is ahead of many places. And we really appreciate the steps that restaurant owners, businesses, and the City of Fishers are taking to bridge the gap for those with physical limitations.
Additional Resources
Here are local and regional resources compiled by the Fishers Advisory Committee on Disability
Nominate a Fishers person, business, or organization for outstanding efforts in exclusion and accessibility
Request accommodations in the community, or learn more about accessible housing and transportation
A helpful individual dedicated to ranking restaurants for accessibility
Phone apps to check out – users can rate the accessible features of their community:
iAccessLife
Roll Mobility