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: $-$$ • Hours: Sun. noon-midnight; Mon.-Wed. 11 a.m.-midnight; Th.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. • Bar: Full • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No
Bloomington Bagel Company
Breakfast, Fair Labor, Sandwiches, Vegetarian
113 N. Dunn St. • 812-333-4653
238 N. Morton St. • 812-349-4653
1318 E. 3rd St. • 812-287-8353
913 S. College Mall Rd. • 812-339-4653
Customers can watch employees make East Coast-style, kettle-boiled bagels from scratch while waiting in line in this laidback eatery. Bagelwiches (like the Lotsa Lox, with cream cheese, Nova lox, tomato, onion, and capers), salads, soups, coffees, and cookies are popular. Breakfast is served all day. • Prices: $ • Hours: N. Dunn St.: Mon.–Sat. 6 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m.– 7 p.m.; N. Morton St.: Mon.–Sat. 7 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; E. 3rd St.: Mon.-Sat. 7 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; S. College Mall Rd.: 7 a.m.–4 p.m. daily • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc., Campus Access • Outdoor Seating: Yes • Accessibility Decal • Fair Labor Decal
Eric Gordon’s Greek’s Pizzeria
American, Pizza
1425 N. Dunn St.
812-822-0222
Located in the Evolve apartment complex across from Indiana University’s Memorial Stadium and owned by the former IU basketball great (and current NBA star) Eric Gordon, Eric Gordon’s Greek Pizzeria offers specialty pies, salads, and sandwiches. Boneless wings and breadsticks are other popular draws. • Prices: $-$$ • Hours: Sun.–Thu. 11 a.m.–8:30 p.m.; Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m. • Bar: Beer • Outdoor Seating: No
Fat Dan’s Chicago-Style Deli
American, Barbecue, Delicatessen, Hot Dogs, Sandwiches
211 E. Kirkwood
812-287-7944
Fat Dan's brings the flavors of Chicago to Bloomington. Our restaurant reviewer recommends that you try their IPA beer cheese fries, burgers, Chicago Dog—with all the condiments you can imagine—or hand-smoked brisket and pork. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Mon.-Tues. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Wed.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. • Bar: Beer and wine • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes
Hartzell’s Ice Cream
Ice Cream, Sweets
107 N. Dunn St.
812-332-3502
Just steps from East Kirkwood, Hartzell’s has stepped up to fill ice cream cravings near campus. Freshly made waffle cones and bowls are the way to go—fill yours with a scoop or two of creamy homemade ice cream. Other creamy treats include soft-serve ice cream, Spinners (think DQ Blizzard or McDonald's McFlurry), shakes, malts, floats, smoothies, sundaes, parfaits, and Slush Puppies. Choose from a list of 58 toppings to customize your dessert. Carbolite (99.9 percent lactose-free) and frozen yogurt are lighter options. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Mon. 3:30–11 p.m.; Tu.–Sat. 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m.; Sun. noon–11 p.m. • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, Disc., Campus Access • Outdoor Seating: Yes
Lennie’s
American, Brunch, Fair Labor, Gluten-Free, Italian, Pizza, Sandwiches
1795 E. 10th St.
812-323-2112
Home of the Bloomington Brewing Co., Lennie’s offers its own award-winning ales. Chef Fred Manion, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, creates eclectic dishes—main-course salads, gourmet pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, and daily dinner and soup specials. Try the rustic flat breads — hearth baked daily and lightly topped with fresh ingredients. • Prices: $$–$$$ • Hours: Sun.–Th. 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–midnight (Pub closes nightly one hour after the restaurant.) • Bar: Beer, wine • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX • Outdoor Seating: No • Accessibility Decal • Fair Labor Decal
Mother Bear’s Pizza
Italian, Pizza, Sandwiches
1428 E. 3rd St.
812-332-4495
2980 W. Whitehall Crossing Blvd.
812-287-7366
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: $–$$ • Hours: Campus Location: Sun.–Th. 11 a.m.–midnight; Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.– 1 a.m.; Westside Location: Sun.–Th. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–11 p.m. • Bar: Beer, wine • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No
My Thai Cafe
Asian, Soup, South/Southeast Asian, Thai, Vegetarian
3316 W. 3rd St. • 812-333-2234
402 E. 4th St. • 812-333-3993
The first location for this beautiful little restaurant is hidden away in a strip mall on the west side of Bloomington. My Thai Cafe’s second location is on 4th Street restaurant row and also serves Thai family recipes cooked to your preferred degree of spiciness. Look for noodle dishes featuring the sweet and spicy “chef’s gravy,” and try the fragrant curries. • Prices: Lunch: $; Dinner: $$ • 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
Soma Coffee House & Juice Bar
Cafés, Fair Labor, Juice Bar, Sweets, Vegan, Vegetarian
322 E. Kirkwood • 812-331-2770
1400 E. 3rd St. Suite C • 812-333-7334
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