The dining room in this gracious old building is filled with the work of local artists and features a large stone fireplace. Menu items include homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, and country fare like chicken potpie, meatloaf, and fried catfish. Lots of vegetarian options. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Breakfast: Daily 7:30–10:30 a.m.; Lunch/Dinner: Sun.–Th. 11 a.m.–8 p.m. and Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes

Situated on West 3rd Street, Cozy Table offers an extensive menu of hearty and affordable diner fare. Of course, breakfast is served all day. • Prices: $ • Hours: Mon.–Sat. 6 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sun. 6 a.m.–3 p.m. • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No

Nels Boerner, a former chef at The Uptown Café, opened this soup and salad restaurant on the downtown Square to serve quick, healthful meals. They’ve made more than 50 varieties, including “The Best Cream of Mushroom Ever.” Soups change daily but always include vegetarian and vegan options. If you’re looking for something with a kick, try bakso, an Indonesian meatball soup. • Prices: $ • Hours: 11 a.m.–7:30 p.m. daily • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC • Outdoor Seating: No

The décor in these tiny Chinese restaurants may not be much to look at, but the food is quick and cheap, and it’s good. The Dragon makes great twice-cooked pork, excellent moo shu dishes, and a mean steamed whole fish. If you are in the mood for noodle soup, try the Yat Ka Mein, and slurp to your heart’s content. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Restaurant: 11 a.m.–11 p.m. daily; Dragon Express: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. daily • Bar: No • Credit Cards: No • Outdoor Seating: No • Accessibility Decal

Juannita's prides itself on serving the most authentic Mexican food in Bloomington, with recipes straight from Abuelita Juannita herself. Come to this cheerful, family-owned restaurant on West Kirkwood for the mole poblano and the molotes—fried masa dough stuffed with savory fillings. Other popular dishes include the Salmon Wild Tacos and the Camarones Empanizados. Fresh homemade tortillas are a real treat and the soups are fab. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Sun.–Th. 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m. • Bar: Beer, wine • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX • Outdoor Seating: Yes

Read our review of Juannita's here!

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

The first location for this beautiful little restaurant is hidden away in a strip mall on the west side of Bloomington. My Thai Cafe’s second location is on 4th Street restaurant row and also serves Thai family recipes cooked to your preferred degree of spiciness. Look for noodle dishes featuring the sweet and spicy “chef’s gravy,” and try the fragrant curries. • Prices: Lunch: $; Dinner: $$ • Hours: West 3rd Street: Mon.–Th. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 4:30–9 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 4:30–10 p.m.; Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Closed Sun.; East 4th Street: Tu.–Th. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 4:30–9 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 4:30–10 p.m.; Sat. noon–10 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Closed Mon.• Bar: Beer • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes

Read our review of My Thai Cafe here!

Tucked away in the alley behind Nick's English Hut, Osteria Rago offers comforting Italian dishes from breakfast to dinner. Start your meal off with the Crostini and Olive Tapenade antipasti, then try the Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo, Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza, or choose from the list of paninis. Cap your meal off with gelato or tiramisu, and be sure to check out the espresso bar. Gluten-free pizza and pasta are available upon request. • Prices: $$ • Hours: Mon. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tues.-Sat. 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. • Bar: Beer, wine • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No

Snickerdoodle, Chocolate Chip Cheesecake, Strawberry Champagne. These are just three of the 80+ cupcakes on the menu at Underground Cupcakes & Café, owned by sisters Marena Regalado and Melissa Emlinger. Daily selections vary, but custom orders (including gluten-free, sugar-free, and vegan cupcakes) take just a few days. Gluten-free and sugar-free cupcakes are also available every Wednesday. If it’s something savory you’re craving, the café has you covered. At least two made-from-scratch soups, plus made-to-order salads and sandwiches, are available every day. • Prices: $ • Hours: Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No