Malibu Grill, on the east side of the downtown Square, offers casual dining in an upscale atmosphere for 200. Specialties include the Spinach & Artichoke Dip, Caesar salad, Lime Chicken Fettuccini, and Caramelized Salmon. Live jazz Wed.–Fri. 6–9 p.m. • Prices: $–$$$$ • Hours: Mon.–Th. 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5:30–9:30 p.m.; Fri. 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5:30–10:30 p.m.; Sat. noon–10:30 p.m.; Sun. noon–9 p.m.; Reservations accepted only during the week; 20-minute call-ahead service available. • Bar: Full • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc., DC • Outdoor Seating: Yes • Fair Labor Decal

Read our review of Malibu Grill here!

DIY barbecue puts you in control of your meal at Mama’s Restaurant. Meals are served with a variety of banchan: small bowls of Korean pickles, salads, and more meant to be eaten with your meal. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Mon.–Fri. 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5–9 p.m.; Sat. noon–10 p.m.; Sun. noon–9 p.m.; Closed every last Tu. of the month • Bar: Beer, wine • Credit Cards: Visa, MC • Outdoor Seating: No

This tiny 4th Street gem serves Burmese food — an exotic mix of Chinese, Thai, and Indian with a savory character all its own. Lots of curries and noodle dishes and many vegetarian options. Try the paratha with yellow chickpea curry and the tea leaf salad! • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Tu.–Sun. 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and 5–9 p.m.; Closed Mon.• Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes

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

This local pizza joint specializes in thin-crusted pies. Dine-in at the West 3rd Street location, where the buffet is popular for both lunch and dinner. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Sun.–Th. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–11 p.m. • Bar: Beer • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No

This casual restaurant features wing specials on Mondays and pasta discounts on Tuesdays. Wednesday is Sweetheart Night, when a heart-shaped pizza and dinner for two are the specials. For dessert, there are homemade brownies. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Campus Location: Sun.–Th. 11 a.m.–midnight; Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.– 1 a.m.; Westside Location: Sun.–Th. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–11 p.m. • Bar: Beer, wine • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No

Read our review of Mother Bear's Pizza here! 

Mr. Hibachi puts on a massive spread and the crowds line up to fill up. Buffet fixtures like crab rangoon and General Tso’s crispy chicken are abundant, along with Japanese offerings in miso soup and a variety of sushi rolls. For a more personalized meal, fill a plate with noodles, raw meat, and veggies, then head to the hibachi station where the chef will stir-fry your food while you wait. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Sun.–Th. 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m.; Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–10:30 p.m. • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No

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!