Located next-door to the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, BLU Boy serves beautiful chocolates and cakes that are handcrafted with local ingredients. The chocolate store's experienced chefs and chocolatiers create dainty, European-style desserts without any preservatives. Don’t forget luscious seasonal tarts and pies, the daily cupcake menu, or house-made gourmet ice cream. Visit the store's website to order boxed chocolate assortments, all of which make great gifts. • Prices: $$ • Hours: Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; Closed Sun. • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes
Read our review of BLU Boy Chocolate Café & Cakery here!

The stars at this café, bakery, and coffee shop are owner Erika Yochum’s handmade tamales — packets of masa and fillings, wrapped in cornhusks and steamed. Varieties range from traditional to gourmet but salads and sandwiches at lunchtime and more elaborate dinner entrées revolve around seasonal, local, organic ingredients. Gorgeous homemade pies, desserts, breakfast pastries, and cookies are topnotch. • Prices: $-$$$ • Hours: Bakery Cafe: Wed.–Sat. 8 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; Closed Mon.–Tu.; Market & Cellar: Tu.–Sat. 8 a.m.–9 p.m.; Closed Sun.–Mon. • Bar: No/Wine • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes • Fair Labor Decal

Read our review of Feast here! 

Follow the B-Line Trail south to find this innovative, locally owned coffee shop in B-Line Station. Fair-trade coffee beans are roasted in-house and brewed with care, resulting in excellent lattes and Americanos. If you’re in the mood for a special coffee experience, try the refreshing Cobra Verde, an iced green coffee flavored with ginger and citrus, or the Nitro Cold Brew, a dark and slightly foamy brew full of character. Add a locally made treat from Rainbow Bakery, Piccoli Dolci, or Bloomington Bagel Company to your order. • Prices: $ • Hours: Mon.–Fri. 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m.–7 p.m. • Bar: No • 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: $ • Hours: Daily 11 a.m.–9 p.m. • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Campus Access • Outdoor Seating: Yes • Fair Labor Decal

Nat’s Bakery and Cafe, located in Fountain Square Mall, offers breakfast wraps and sandwiches, lunch and dinner entrees such as salads, paninis, and cold cut sandwiches, sweet treats such as cupcakes, and specialty coffee beverages. • Prices: $ • Hours: Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Closed Sun. • Bar: No • Outdoor Seating: No

A beloved Bloomington landmark, the Runcible Spoon has kept its funky atmosphere while expanding its menu to include not only luscious breakfasts, but also pastas and sandwiches at lunch and more classic dishes at night. It's a sin not to try their decadent pancakes and French toast, and great-tasting dinner options include the Pan-Seared Salmon and Gypsy Chicken. Order a glass of wine and enjoy live, traditional Irish music on Tuesdays. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Daily 8 a.m.–10 p.m. • Bar: Beer, wine • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes • Fair Labor Decal

Read our review on Runcible Spoon Cafe and Restaurant here!

Serving up the best latte in town, Soma works magic with coffee beans and an espresso machine. A prime downtown location and another in Jordan Square means more to love. Constant traffic means the coffee is always fresh. • Prices: $ • Hours: East Kirkwood Mon.–Fri. 6:30 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sat. 7 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sun. 8 a.m.–10 p.m.; East 3rd Street Mon.–Fri. 6 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sat.–Sun. 7 a.m.–9 p.m. • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc., Campus Access • Outdoor Seating: Yes • Fair Labor Decal