Occupying a sunny corner spot on the downtown Square, Amrit India offers a popular buffet stocked with favorites such as chicken tikki masala and saag paneer along with naan, pakora, salads, and chutneys. The full menu is extensive, with lots of vegetarian and seafood options. Check the restaurant’s Facebook page for daily buffet selections. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Mon.–Sat. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.–10 p.m.; Sun. noon–9 p.m. • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes

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

Conveniently located at 208 N. Walnut, this cozy, colorful tea shop is just half a block off the downtown Square. Cup & Kettle creates its own tea blends, with nearly 50 teas to offer, including Oolong and Pu’erh teas. Try the Turmeric Ginger for an invigorating pick-me-up or, for those with a fruitier palate, enjoy the Strawberry Champagne tea. Take-home loose-leaf teas are also available for purchase. • Prices: $ • Hours: Mon.–Fri. 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sat.–Sun. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Yes • Outdoor Seating: Yes

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!

Nat’s Bakery and Cafe, located in Fountain Square Mall, offers breakfast wraps and sandwiches, lunch and dinner entrees such as salads, paninis, and cold cut sandwiches, sweet treats such as cupcakes, and specialty coffee beverages. • Prices: $ • Hours: Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Closed Sun. • Bar: No • Outdoor Seating: No

Located on the east side of the downtown Square, Opie Taylor’s has a menu complete with 20 different burger options. Among the choices is the Cyndiana, topped with applewood-smoked bacon, cheddar, barbecue sauce, and avocado. Other items include Breaded Zucchini and Opie's Quesadillas as starters, sandwiches if you're not in the mood for a burger, and a dessert menu featuring Deep-Fried Waffle Sticks. The shrimp-and-corn bisque is fab. Big domestic mugs (34 oz.) are a special on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. The sports-themed restaurant claims to have the biggest projection-TV screen in Bloomington. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Mon.–Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sun. 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m. • Bar: Beer, wine • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No

This hip but comfortable vegetarian restaurant is furnished with vintage enameled tables and a small bar serving a carefully curated selection of beers. Menu options range from faux meat sandwiches to pierogies and Asian veggie bowls. Try a riff on fish and chips: Battered and fried tofu is flavored with nori, adding a hint of the sea. A display case full of vegan layer cakes and cupcakes provides visual incentive to leave a little room for something sweet. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Mon.–Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sun. brunch 10 a.m.–3 p.m. • Bar: Beer • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No • Fair Labor Decal

Read our review of The Owlery here!

Located on the north side of the downtown Square, Samira features Afghan dishes in an elegant, relaxing atmosphere. Specialties include kebabs and dumplings as well as a wide array of vegetarian dishes. Do not miss the samarok (a spicy mushroom appetizer) — you’ll want to sop up every drop of sauce with the chewy and delicious flatbread. Great baklava. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Lunch: Mon.–Fri. (buffet and lunch menu) 11 a.m.–2 p.m.; Dinner Mon.–Th. 5–9 p.m. and Fri.–Sat. 5–10 p.m.; Closed Sun.; Reservations recommended. • Bar: Beer, wine • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: Yes • Fair Labor Decal

Read our review of Samira's Restaurant here! 

Serving juices, smoothies, wellness shots, smoothie bowls, oatmeal, and gourmet toasts, Soul Juice puts the focus on fresh, organic ingredients. Consider the Blueberry Nut toast with almond butter, mashed blueberries, and granola. Or try the Muscles By Nature smoothie with coconut, banana, spinach, kale, blueberries, and honey. Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Tu.–Sat. 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Closed Mon. • Bar: No. • Outdoor Seating: No

Located in the heart of Fountain Square Mall, Stefano’s offers a variety of made-to-order sandwiches and salads. Panini sandwiches are grilled with crisp cucumber slices inside, held together with melted provolone and tomato on basil focaccia. For a sweet afternoon pick-me-up, try the glazed almonds, toasted and spiced with cinnamon. Breakfast offerings include custom omelets and eggs, along with a selection of pastries. • Prices: $ • Hours: Mon.–Sat. 7 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sun. noon–7 p.m. • Bar: No • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No • Accessibility Decal

Casual and family-friendly, the Trojan Horse, on the southeast corner of the downtown Square, serves Greek food and other Mediterranean treats. Try the Chicken Giannoulas, Lamb Kabob, or their signature Gyros Dinner–a heaping portion of gyros meat on a bed of rice with pita bread, tomatoes, onions, and a side of Zaziki. The Trojan Horse is also famous for its hand-cut fries. Drink specials are offered every night. • Prices: $–$$ • Hours: Mon.–Th. 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–midnight; Sun. 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. • Bar: Full • Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. • Outdoor Seating: No
Read our review of Trojan Horse here!