B-town Diner
American, Breakfast, Diners, Vegetarian
211 N. Walnut
812-822-0300
This classic diner is located downtown for all your late-night comfort food cravings. It offers lots of standard diner fare, like patty melts, giant omelets, and pancakes from scratch. But it also serves up classics with a twist, like BLTs with fried green tomatoes or a burger stuffed with four types of peppers. The diner caters to the late night and early morning crowds, opening late and closing shortly after lunch. Breakfast is served all day long. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Open 24/7 • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No
Baked!
Bakery, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
115 N. Washington St.
812-336-2253
Baked! specializes in making fresh, custom cookies from scratch. Customers can pick their dough, mix-ins, and toppings to create endless combinations. Regular doughs include traditional options, such as oatmeal and sugar, as well as seasonal and vegan/gluten-free varieties. The plethora of toppings range from candies, to dried fruit, to any kind of nuts you can imagine. The last step is to grab a pint of milk and dunk away! • Prices: Three cookies: $; Dozen cookies: $$ • Hours: Sun.–Th. 12 p.m.–12 a.m.; Fri–Sat. 12 p.m.–2 a.m. • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No • Fair Labor Decal
Baldy’s Pizza
Ice Cream, Pizza
5440 S. Old Ind. 37
812-824-3555
Follow Walnut south until it becomes Old Ind. 37 to find this minimalist pizza parlor. Baldy’s thin-crusted pies are topped with gooey mozzarella and a pleasantly sweet tomato sauce. Sandwiches and salads are available, too. Eat in the family-friendly dining room or choose delivery or carryout service. • Prices: $-$$ • Hours: Mon.–Th. 11 a.m.–10:30 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.–11:30 p.m.; Sat. 4–11:30 p.m.; Sun. 4–10:30 p.m. • Bar: Beer • Credit Cards: Visa, MC • Outdoor Seating: No
Bangkok Thai Cuisine
South/Southeast Asian, Thai
2920 E. Convenanter Dr.
812-333-7477
bangkokthaicuisinebloomington.com
The large, airy dining room of the former Limestone Grille now houses Bangkok Thai. The traditional Thai menu offers fried spring rolls, noodle dishes, seafood, curries, and fried rice. Try the Drunken Man’s Noodles — wide rice noodles stir-fried with basil, peppers, and egg in a spicy sauce. Or, if you're looking for something with protein, go for the Sweet & Sour Chicken or the Panang Salmon. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Tu.–Th. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.; Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Closed Mon.• Bar: Beer, wine • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes
Bear’s Place
American, Pub Food
1316 E. 3rd St.
812-339-3460
A Bloomington institution just off the south side of campus, Bear’s Place is famous for its Big Bear Burger, breaded tenderloin, and the Hairy Bear (six shots of liquor mixed with fruit juice in a 32 oz. glass). Other classics include the BBQ Grilled Chicken Sandwich and the Spinach Melt. Lunch specials served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entertainment includes Open Mic Comedy every Monday at 8 p.m., and karaoke every Thursday at 9 p.m. • Prices: $-$$ • Hours: Sun. noon-midnight; Mon.-Wed. 11 a.m.-midnight; Th.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. • Bar: Full • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No
Bedräk Café
American, Brunch, Gluten-Free, Juice Bar, Vegan, Vegetarian
409 S. Walnut
812-369-9173
Seasonal, local, and fresh ingredients are the focus at this new café. Family friendly, Bedräk specializes in juices and smoothies, with flavors including Tropical Envy and Feel the Beet, and serves innovative dishes including a fresh take on biscuits and gravy. Favorites include the Crab Cake Benedict, Quiche, Breakfast Tacos, and Sweet Dijon Glazed Ham Steak. Create your own omelet with several veggie and protein choices. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: 7 a.m.–4 p.m. daily • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes
Best Taste
Chinese, East Asian
109 W. 4th St.
812-822-1737
Find this unassuming Chinese spot just off of the downtown Square near the 4th Street parking garage. The dining room doesn’t look like much but there’s plenty of spicy Szechuan flavor inside. If you can handle the heat, start with the dandan noodles or pork wontons, both slicked with mouth-numbing chili oil, then cool down with an order of garlic-smashed cucumber. Other notable specialties include bubbling hot pots, cumin beef or lamb, and spicy dry-fried string beans. • Prices: $–$$$ • Hours: Mon.–Fri. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sat–Sun. 11:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m. • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No
Big Woods Bloomington
American, Pub Food, Sandwiches
116 N. Grant St.
812-335-1821
Located in a charming house near the corner of North Grant and East 6th streets that used to house Café Django, Big Woods Bloomington is a homey pub where 24 beers flow on tap. Offerings include appetizers to share, gourmet sandwiches, the signature JB burger, and a complete dinner menu. The outdoor beer garden has its own menu and serves only Quaff On! brewery beers. • Prices: $ • Hours: Sun.–Wed. 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; Th.–Sat. 11 a.m.–1 a.m.; All ages until 9 p.m. • Bar: Beer • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes
Blooming Thai
Asian, Thai
107 N. College
812-369-4229
This Asian fusion restaurant serves pho and other Thai dishes, bubble tea, and traditional Thai baked goods. Try the pad Thai wrapped in egg or green curry fried rice or choose from their selection of soups and salads. • Prices: $-$$ • Hours: Mon. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 4:30 p.m.–9 p.m.; Closed Tu.; Wed.–Thu. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 4:30–9 p.m.; Sat. 12–10 p.m.; Sun. 12–9 p.m. • Bar: Wine • Outdoor Seating: No
Bloomingfoods Market and Deli
Buffet, Delicatessen, Vegan, Vegetarian
3220 E. 3rd St. • 812-336-5400
316 W. 6th St. • 812-333-7312
200 Daniels Way (Ivy Tech Community College–Bloomington) • 812-822-0143
The cafés at each of these three member-owned organic groceries feature salads, soups, made-to-order sandwiches, and baked goods, with the West 6th Street and East 3rd Street locations also offering a hot bar with salad, lunch, and dinner items every day from 10:30 a.m.–9 p.m. The East 3rd Street location also has smoothies. Local ingredients are emphasized, and vegan and vegetarian choices abound. • Prices: $-$$ • Hours: East 3rd Street: Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–10 p.m. (breakfast until 10:30 a.m.); Sat. 8 a.m.–10 p.m. (breakfast until 11 a.m.); Sun. 8 a.m.–10 p.m. (brunch until 2 p.m.); West 6th Street: Mon.–Sat. 8 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sun. 8 a.m.–10 p.m. (brunch until 2 p.m.); Daniels Way: Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–6 p.m. (breakfast until 11 a.m.); Closed Sat.–Sun. • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc., Campus Access • Outdoor Seating: Yes/Yes/No • Accessibility Decal: West 6th Street and Daniels Way
BloomingTea
Sweets, Tea
615 W. Kirkwood
812-822-2035
The tea is always flowing at BloomingTea and is sold—iced or hot—by the cup, in small or large pots, or in bulk by the ounce. In addition to Brown County Coffee and kombucha on tap, the teahouse offers more than 100 kinds of tea, including blacks, greens, whites, herbals, matés, and apothecary blends. The food menu includes soups, quiches, and sweets from Piccoli Dolci. • Prices: $ • Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes
Bloomington Bagel Company
Breakfast, Fair Labor, Sandwiches, Vegetarian
113 N. Dunn St. • 812-333-4653
238 N. Morton St. • 812-349-4653
1318 E. 3rd St. • 812-287-8353
913 S. College Mall Rd. • 812-339-4653
Customers can watch employees make East Coast-style, kettle-boiled bagels from scratch while waiting in line in this laidback eatery. Bagelwiches (like the Lotsa Lox, with cream cheese, Nova lox, tomato, onion, and capers), salads, soups, coffees, and cookies are popular. Breakfast is served all day. • Prices: $ • Hours: N. Dunn St.: Mon.–Sat. 6 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m.– 7 p.m.; N. Morton St.: Mon.–Sat. 7 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; E. 3rd St.: Mon.-Sat. 7 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; S. College Mall Rd.: 7 a.m.–4 p.m. daily • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc., Campus Access • Outdoor Seating: Yes • Accessibility Decal • Fair Labor Decal
BLU Boy Chocolate Café & Cakery
Cafés, Sweets
112 E. Kirkwood
812-334-8460
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!
Brilliant Coffee Company
Coffee, Gluten-Free, Ice Cream, Vegan, Vegetarian
217 W. 6th St.
812-668-2925
Brilliant Coffee Company serves espresso, house made gelato, and pastries. Try the affogato—gelato topped with a shot of espresso. Gelato comes in convenient sizes to enjoy in store or on a walk, or purchase a pint to take home for a treat later on. • Prices: $ • Hours: Sun.–Thu. 8 a.m.–6 p.m.; Fri.–Sat. 8 a.m.–8 p.m.; Closed Mon. • Bar: No • Outdoor Seating: No
Bub’s Burgers & Ice Cream
American, Ice Cream
480 N. Morton St.
812-331-2827
bubsburgersandicecream.com/bloomington/about
Bub’s is a Bloomington outpost of a Carmel, Indiana, burger joint, and burgers (and ice cream) are what they do well here — from the full pound “Big Ugly” to the 1/4 pound “Settle for Less Ugly” burger in ground beef or healthier elk. Dress ‘em as you like ‘em and add sides of fries, slaw, potato salad, or onion rings. Hand-dipped shakes and malts are added bliss! • Prices: $–$$$ • Hours: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. daily • Bar: Beer, wine • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes
Bucceto’s Smiling Teeth
Gluten-Free, Italian, Pizza, Vegetarian
E. 3rd St. at 45/46 Bypass • 812-331-1234
350 S. Liberty Dr. • 812-323-0123
Bucceto’s Smiling Teeth offers an array of innovative and tasty pizzas, calzones, entrées, and a generous house salad with homemade dressings in a family-friendly atmosphere. Pizza choices include the Ultimate Warrior, topped with sausage, pepperoni, onions, black olives, mushrooms, and green peppers. A gluten-free menu is also available. Choose whether you want to dine-in, get carryout, or have your dinner delivered. Party trays and catering are available. • Prices: $-$$ • Hours: Sun.–Th. 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m.; Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m. • Bar: Beer, wine • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Campus Access • Outdoor Seating: No • Accessibility Decal
BuffaLouie’s
American, Fair Labor, Sandwiches
114 S. Indiana Ave.
812-333-3030
In 1987, an IU student opened BuffaLouie’s, naming it after his grandfather. Wings, subs, and salads are the reason to visit this award-winning restaurant. In addition to their wings, try the Buffalo, Teriyaki, or Parmigiana Burger, or one of their many other sandwich or wrap options. Black bean patties are a great choice for vegetarians. Sides and appetizers include curly fries, mozzarella sticks, garlic bread, and onion rings. Hoosier and sports-themed memorabilia adorn the walls, and big-screen TVs keep you entertained. • Prices: $–$$$$ • Hours: Mon.–Sun. 10:30 a.m.–midnight • Bar: Beer • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc., Campus Access • Outdoor Seating: Yes • Fair Labor Decal
Butch’s Grillacatessen & Eatzeria
American, Breakfast, Brunch, Delicatessen, Italian, Pizza, Vegetarian
120 E. 7th St.
812-822-0210
Just east of the downtown Square, Butch’s offers everything a homesick East Coaster could want, from corned beef on rye to bagels to NY-style pizza. Personalize your order by building your own salad, sandwich, sub, wrap, pizza, hot dog, burger, or chicken sandwich. Pasta dishes are available as well, and breakfast and brunch are served all day. With an extensive menu, you have a large selection to choose from whether it's for dining in, carryout, or delivery. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. daily • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc., Campus Access • Outdoor Seating: Yes
Mateo’s Buffet
American, Mexican
116 S. Franklin Road
812-336-2775
Enjoy Latin and American cuisine buffet-style at Mateo's Buffet. • Prices: $-$$ • Hours: Sunday-Wednesday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. • Drinks: No • Credit cards: All major • Outdoor seating: No