Dining Out

The cafés at these member-owned organic groceries feature hot dishes, a salad bar, and eclectic deli and dessert selections. Local ingredients are emphasized, and vegan and vegetarian choices abound. All three locations offer a salad bar, soup, made-to-order sandwiches, and baked goods, while the West 6th Street and East 3rd Street locations also offer a hot bar with salad, lunch, and dinner items available every day from 10:30 am-9 pm. The East 3rd Street location also has smoothies. Prices: Salad/hot bar $7.99/lb, entrées $5-15, desserts $1 and up Hours:  East 3rd Street: Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm (breakfast until 10:30 am) Sat 8 am-9 pm (breakfast until 11 am) Sun 8 am-9 pm (brunch until 1 pm). West 6th Street: Mon-Sat 8 am-9 pm Sun brunch 9 am-2 pm. Kirkwood Avenue: Mon-Sat 8 am-7 pm Sun 10 am-5 pm Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc., Campus Access Outdoor Seating: No/Yes/Yes

This casual restaurant on East Kirkwood is all about good sandwiches. Chef and manager Mike Moy offers house-made Chicago-style corned beef and Italian beef, with Italian ices for dessert. Prices: Sandwiches $3-8, desserts $1-2 Hours: Mon-Fri 11 am-8 pm Sat 11:30 am-3:30 pm. Closed Sun Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc., Campus Access Outdoor Seating: Yes

Beautiful chocolates and cakes are handcrafted with local ingredients at BLU Boy Chocolate Café & Cakery. Cookies are excellent; choose from buttery oatmeal raisin, double chocolate mudslide, or the classic chocolate chunk, balanced by a touch of cinnamon and salt. BLU Boy may be the only place in Bloomington to buy macarons, delicate French sandwich cookies. Don’t forget luscious seasonal tarts and pies, the daily cupcake menu, or house-made gourmet ice cream. All make great gifts. Prices: Cookies and macarons $2-3, cake and pie slices $3-5, chocolates $2-12 Hours: Mon-Th 10 am-6 pm Fri-Sat 10 am-10 pm. Closed Sun. Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, Disc. Outdoor Seating: Yes
Read our review of BLU Boy Chocolate Café & Cakery here!

In business since 1953, Cafe Pizzaria was not only the first pizzeria in Bloomington but, according to store legend, the first restaurant to serve the Midwestern version of the Stromboli sandwich (with ground sausage, onion, cheese, and sauce on a sub bun). The original recipes are still in use, and owner Larry Webb purchases local Indiana beef from Fischer Farms. Daily specials, seating for 100. Prices: Appetizers $1.25-3.50, entrées $3.50-22.70 Hours: Mon-Th 11 am-11:30 pm Fri-Sat 11 am-midnight Sun 5-11:30 pm Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. Outdoor Seating: No

House specialties at this bright and airy restaurant at the back of Victoria Towers are based on family recipes. Try the Yum Khai, a spicy grilled chicken salad with shallots, cilantro, tomato, and lime juice, or the Moo Num Tok (grilled pork with onion, mint, and chilies). Noodle dishes and curries are also firstrate. Prices: Appetizers $6-10.95, lunch entrées $8.95-10.95, dinner entrées $9.95-15.95, desserts $3-6 Hours: Mon-Th 11:30 am-9 pm Fri-Sat 11:30 am-10 pm. Closed Sun. Reservations recommended on weekends. Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. Outdoor Seating: Limited

This small Dunkirk Square restaurant specializes in the sandwich that gives it its name, as well as in other Middle-Eastern delicacies like hummus, stuffed grape leaves, and baba ganoush. The menu also includes kebabs, salads, entrée platters, and very good fries. Prices: Appetizers $4.50-8.50, sandwiches $6-9.50, entrées $10.50-18, desserts $2-4.50 Hours: Mon-Sat 11:30 am-9:30 pm Sun noon-9 pm Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, Disc. Outdoor Seating: No

Chef Daniel Orr’s FARM is a cheerful, tongue-in-cheek salute to the best of Hoosier eating. In the old Oddfellows Building, revamped to look like a country farm store, FARM sells lunch, snacks, and locally made products in the market and delicious supper fare in the restaurant. Orr is a firstrate chef who brings his impressive resume of world travel and cooking to local Indiana ingredients. Menu changes seasonally, but try to catch the seared skirt steak with fabulous garlic and chili fries. Orr’s raw fish preparations are excellent, as are the pizzas in the bar. Prices: Breakfast biscuits, cereal, omelets $2-8.50; lunch soups, sandwiches, and burgers $5-15; dinner appetizers $6-8; entrées $14-35; tapas and pizzas in the bar $6.50-16; weekend brunch $1-23 Hours: Tu-Fri 7 am-10 pm Sat-Sun 10 am-9 pm. Closed Mon; Root Cellar drinks, snacks, music Tu-Th 8 pm-1 am Fri-Sat 8 pm-3 am. Closed Sun-Mon Bar: Full Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. Outdoor Seating: Yes, weather permitting

Read our review of FARMbloomington here!

Just a block off campus, Finch’s is a Bloomington treat. Chef/owner Jeff Finch (formerly of Trulli Flatbread) turns out wonderful food with a wide Mediterranean pedigree. Lots to love here—but don’t miss the crispy calamari appetizer, the wood-fired pizzettas, the seafood pasta, and steak frites. The menu changes seasonally and showcases meats, cheeses, and produce from Indiana. Extensive beer, wine selection. Prices: Lunch $7.50-16, dinner appetizers $3.50-12.50, dinner entrées $14-28 Hours: Mon-Sat lunch 11:30 am-5 pm, dinner 5-10 pm Bar: Beer, wine Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. Outdoor Seating: Yes
Read our review of Finches Brasserie here!

Just steps from Kirkwood, Hartzell’s has stepped up to fill ice cream cravings. Freshly made waffle cones and bowls are the way to go—fill yours with a scoop or two of creamy homemade ice cream. Unique flavors like the pleasantly herbal Chocolate & Sweet Basil and chocolate-coated Potato Chip are fun and tasty. Carbolite and frozen yogurt are lighter options. Prices: Ice cream $2-5, sundaes $4-5, yogurt and carbolite $1-5 Hours: Mon 3:30-11 pm Tu-Sat 11:30 am-11 pm Sun noon-11 pm Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, Disc., Campus Access Outdoor Seating: Yes

Popular with IU students, both Kilroy’s venues serve sandwiches, pizza, and appetizers such as stuffed breadsticks and nachos. More than 40 flavored Long Island iced teas are available, and drink specials are offered every night. Prices: Appetizers and entrées around $5.50 Hours: Mon-Sat 11 am-3 am Sun 11 am-12:30 am Bar: Full Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. Outdoor Seating: Yes

Both vegan- and omnivore-friendly, this charming, funky shop offers delicious salads, soups, veggie burgers, quesadillas, and baked goods. Hungarian Mushroom Soup and the Spinach Black Bean Burrito are specialties. The restaurant serves organic and local produce and composts back to suppliers. Prices: Appetizers $2.99-4.25, burritos from $4.59, desserts $1.50 Hours: Daily 11 am-9 pm. Delivery Mon-Fri 11 am-9 pm Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Campus Access Outdoor Seating: Yes

A Bloomington institution for more than 80 years, Nick’s is the place to go for Gregg “Rags” Rago’s famous Nick’s burgers, strombolis, pizza, soups, salads, and sandwiches prepared with locally produced meats and produce. Enjoy daily food and drink specials while watching your favorite sports on the many high-definition TVs. A museum of IU memorabilia is displayed on the walls. Prices: Appetizers $2-10.50, entrées $5.95-21.95 Hours: Sun-Wed 11 am-midnight Th-Sat 11 am-2 am. Reservations are recommended for large parties. Bar: Full Credit Cards: Cash preferred, but Visa, MC, and Disc. are accepted. Outdoor Seating: Limited
Read our review of Nick’s English Hut here!

This nonprofit coffee house’s motto is “pouring global goodness.” Launched by Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, 100 percent of profits and tips are donated to charity. Check the website to see where the money is donated each month. The deceptively large space has plenty of room for a coffee date or an extended study session, and there’s even a small stage for live music. All manner of coffee and espresso drinks are sold, along with smoothies and teas. Cool down with a bowl of gelato, unique flavors like mascarpone caramel pistachio and spiced hazelnut fig rotate by season. Sandwiches, cookies, and muffins are also available. Prices: Coffee $1-3, espresso drinks, tea, and smoothies $2-5, gelato $3-5, sandwiches $4-6 Hours: Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm Sat 9 am-9 pm Sun 1-7 pm Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, Disc. Outdoor Seating: Yes

Serving up the best latte in town, Soma works magic with coffee beans and an espresso machine. A prime downtown location, and a location in Jordan Square means more to love. Soma’s signature brew, the super dark roast Blackbeard's Blend, is available every day, along with two other rotating blends. Constant traffic means coffee is always fresh. Healthful pressed juices are made-to-order, as are real fruit smoothies. Check out the PB&J smoothie, loaded with strawberries, banana, and organic peanut butter, it's a meal in a glass. Vegan baked goods like zucchini bread and blueberry buckwheat muffins are made in house. Prices: Coffee $1-3, espresso drinks $1.50-4.50, juice and smoothies $3-4.50, baked goods $1.50-4 Hours: Downtown Mon-Fri 6:30 am-11 pm Sat 7 am-11 pm Sun 8 am-11 pm, east side Mon-Fri 6 am-9pm Sat-Sun 7 am-9 pm Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Campus Access Outdoor Seating: Yes

Casual and family-friendly, the Trojan Horse has been a Bloomington fixture since 1978. Just off the southeast corner of the downtown Square, it serves great Greek food—gyros and falafel sandwiches, but also saganaki (flaming cheese), spanikopita (spinach pies), dolmas (stuffed grape leaves), moussaka, and other Mediterranean treats. Drink specials are offered every night. Prices: Appetizers $3.75-7.75, sandwiches $5.75-8.25, entrées $5.50-19.50, desserts $4-5.25 Hours: Mon-Th 11 am-11 pm Fri-Sat 11 am-midnight Sun 11:30 am-10 pm Bar: Full Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. Outdoor Seating: No
Read our review of Trojan Horse here!

The New Orleans-style Uptown Café is known for Cajun/Creole-inspired fare (try the blackened-catfish sandwich), fresh steaks, seafood, and extravagant breakfast and brunch items, including Cottage Cheese Pancakes, Eggs Maryland, Eggs Benedict, and Huevos Rancheros. Jazz and soul music complement your meal. Uptown’s new bar area serves craft beer, fine wine, artisan spirits, and classic cocktails, as well as late-night food on Friday and Saturday nights. Prices: Dinner appetizers $6-12, entrées $14-35, desserts $6-8, brunch $8-20 Hours: Mon-Th 7 am-10 pm Fri 7 am-midnight Sat 8 am-midnight Sun brunch 9 am-2 pm Bar: Full Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. Outdoor Seating: Yes

Read our review of The Uptown Café here!

This long-established, upbeat restaurant on East Kirkwood serves breakfast all day (but all kinds of sandwiches and salads for lunch and dinner as well); “ginormous” pancakes and omelets are house specialties. The Huevos Rancheros are not authentic, but they are tasty! Prices: Appetizers $3.75-4.75, entrées $5-8, desserts $1.25-3.75 Hours: Mon-Fri 7 am-9 pm Sat-Sun 8 am-9 pm Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Campus Access Outdoor Seating: Yes

Read our review of The Village Deli here!

Teriyaki is tops at this compact restaurant in the heart of downtown. Hefty portions of teriyaki chicken and beef are dished up with lo mein or rice and a side of cabbage and broccoli. Sushi is popular too; all the greatest hits are available individually or as combos. With just three tables and a bar, service is brisk and food is ready to eat in no time. Open late on weekends. Prices: Teriyaki $5-8, sushi rolls $4-15, noodle soups $10-12 Hours: Sun-Wed 10:30 am-10:30 pm Th-Sat 10:30 am-3:30 am Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. Outdoor Seating: Yes