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

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

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 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

Read our review of Fat Dan's here! 

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

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

Read our review of Lennie’s here! 

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! 

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!

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