If you’re looking for some of the best restaurants in Bloomington, then you’ve come to the right place!
Bloomington IN is one of the larger cities in Indiana. It’s also home to Indiana University.
There are tons of fun things to do in Bloomington, including trying the many unique restaurants.
Believe it or not, over the years Bloomington has seen its foodie scene grow exponentially.
Forbes Magazine even wrote an article about Bloomington’s unlikely collection of global cuisine.
All that to say, you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you’re looking for Bloomington restaurants to try.
Whether you’re looking for vegetarian fare, classic American dishes, or global cuisine, Bloomington IN has some of everything to offer!
There are so many great places to eat in Bloomington IN.
You’ll easily want to spend a few days exploring the city and sampling its restaurants.
On this list, I’ve tried to include a little bit of everything at just about every price point.
So, let’s take a look at 15 of the best restaurants in Bloomington Indiana that you simply must try!
Visit The Irish Lion Restaurant And Pub In Downtown Bloomington
One of the most popular downtown Bloomington restaurants is The Irish Lion Restaurant and Pub.
The Irish Lion Restaurant and Pub has been open since 1982.
In that time, it’s become an iconic Bloomington restaurant.
Inside you’ll find a traditional pub atmosphere and outside they have a spacious patio.
On their menu, you’ll find class Irish dishes like Leg O’ Lamb, Corned Beef and Cabbage, and Bangers and Mash.
They also have an extensive draft list, which of course features Guinness beers and other Irish classics.
It’s one of the best downtown Bloomington restaurants to visit!
Sample Turkish Food At The Turkauz Cafe
Turkauz Cafe is a Turkish restaurant in Bloomington IN.
It’s a small restaurant that specializes in traditional Turkish dishes and coffee.
Inside, you’ll also find a small Mediterranean grocery section.
Turkauz Cafe is a downtown Bloomington restaurant that is part of the growing global cuisine scene in Bloomington.
Their traditional Turkish menu includes items like Roasted Eggplant Dip, Mucver, Sarma, Kofte, and a variety of kabobs.
Along with their traditional meat dishes, Turkauz Cafe also has a large selection of vegetarian dishes as well.
If you aren’t in the mood for a full meal, I suggest grabbing a slice of Pistachio Baklava to go with your Turkish Coffee.
C3 Bar Is One Of The Coolest Restaurants In Bloomington IN
The C3 Bar is a unique restaurant in Bloomington IN.
It is a neighborhood bar that is best known for its signature co*cktails.
But they also have a menu full of fresh and uniquely crafted dishes that pair with their co*cktails perfectly.
C3 Bar has a cozy dining room and one of the best outdoor patios in the city.
On their menu, you’ll find co*cktails like the Sand Castle Monarch, the Painted Warrior, a Vesper, and other classics and unique mixes.
Their food menu features dishes like Charcuterie and Cheese, Risotto, Tacos, Strawberry Shortcake, and more.
If you want to visit one of the coolest restaurants in Bloomington Indiana, then head to the C3 Bar.
Try Afghan Dishes At Samira Restaurant
Samira Restaurant has been open since 1998 and serves traditional Afghan dishes.
When you visit this Bloomington Indiana restaurant, you’ll find a large selection of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes on the menu.
So this is really a great place to eat in Bloomington if you have a group with different dietary needs.
Plus, everything is made daily from scratch!
That means you’ll get to enjoy freshly made Afghan dishes every time you visit Samira Restaurant.
The menu at Samira Restaurant includes classic dishes like Bolani, Aushak, Samarok Lawang, and more.
With a huge menu and a variety of meat and nonmeat items, it’s one of the best restaurants in Bloomington Indiana.
Feast Market And Cellar Is The Go-To Comfort Food Restaurant In Bloomington
If you are in the mood for comfort food with an upscale twist, then head to Feast Market and Cellar.
Feast Market and Cellar believes in making all of its dishes fresh daily.
They use all-natural, high-quality ingredients in all of their recipes.
Everything from the bread to the ketchup on your table is house-made.
So not only do you get amazing comfort food, but it’s also all made from scratch.
Guests at Feast agree that this makes their dishes taste even better.
Their menu of comfort foods includes items like Mole Chicken, Veggie Katsu, and the Cuban Sandwich.
Feast is open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.
Each menu features different items, but they are all equally delicious.
Social Cantina Is A Popular Taco And Tequila Restaurant
Social Cantina is a fun Bloomington Indiana restaurant that specializes in Tacos and Tequila.
It’s a great place to go for dinner in Bloomington if you’re looking to enjoy a night out on the town.
Start the evening at Social Cantina by enjoying a wide range of classic Mexican dishes and a shot of tequila or a margarita.
Along with a selection of tacos, their menu also includes Enchiladas, Tamales, and Burritos.
They even have a few desserts, like Churros and Tres Leches.
You can pair your meal with a Margarita or a mixed drink like the Mexican Mule, the Watermelon Tequila, or Sangria.
They have a smaller, more simple menu, but Social Cantina also has some of the best food in Bloomington IN.
Sample A Variety Of Asian Cuisines At Anyetsang’s Little Tibet Restaurant
Anyetsang’s Little Tibet Restaurant is a great restaurant if you want to try a variety of Asian cuisines.
They are a Tibetan restaurant, but they also have Thai and Indian dishes on their menu.
So, it’s a great way to try dishes from 3 different Asian cultures!
If you want to try Tibetan food, then I suggest the Tibetan Dumplings, the Kham Amdo Thugpa, or the Temo Sha Tsel.
For Thai cuisine, they have Tom Yum, Red Curry, and Pad Thai among other dishes.
Their Indian specialties include Saag Sabji and Murgi Curry.
With so many different cuisines on the menu, you’re sure to find something you like at Anyetsang’s Little Tibet Restaurant.
Try Provincial French Cooking At Le Petit Cafe
Le Petit Cafe is a French restaurant in Bloomington that specializes in Provincial-style dishes.
Provincial French cooking is different than the more opulent cooking traditions France is probably best known for.
But that doesn’t mean it’s not as good!
In Provincial French cooking, there are three key ingredients: butter, wine, and cream.
These three ingredients form the basis of every dish you’ll find at Le Petit Cafe.
That includes Savory and Sweet Crepes, Cheese Puffs, the Croque-Monsieur Sandwich, and classics like Chicken and Steak with a seasonal side.
They have a cycling menu, so that means that every so often they do switch it up and feature new dishes while removing others.
So you can visit Le Petit Cafe a few times and try something new every time!
The Owlery Restaurant Is A Great Vegetarian Restaurant in Bloomington IN
The Owlery Restaurant opened in 2011 and is an all-vegetarian restaurant.
That means that every menu item is 100% vegetarian and a few of them are even vegan.
All of their menu items are handmade fresh daily.
They are open daily for lunch and dinner. On Sunday, they have a special brunch.
Their menu items include dishes like Impossible Chili, the Tempeh Reuben, the Pesto Portabella Restaurant, and ‘Fish’ and Chips.
For brunch, you can try the Tofu Scramble, Breakfast Poutine, Red Velvet Pancakes, and Biscuits and Gravy.
It’s easily one of the best downtown Bloomington restaurants to visit for a delicious meal!
Find The Best Burger In Bloomington At Bub’s Burgers And Ice Cream
Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream boasts to have the best burger in Bloomington.
If you want to test that claim, then you’ll need to head over to this popular Bloomington IN restaurant!
Bub’s is known as a fun family-friendly restaurant with classic, delicious, American fare.
On their menu, you’ll of course find their Burger. But they also have menu items like hot dogs, faffle fries with a variety of different topping options, and ice cream.
It’s perfect if you’re in a rush but you still want to eat at one of the best restaurants in Bloomington.
Dat’s Cajun Is A Great Restaurant In Bloomington Indiana
You might not think of Bloomington Indiana when you think of Cajun food.
However, Dat’s Cajun is looking to change that!
Dat’s Cajun is a small Bloomington restaurant that specializes in traditional Cajun cooking.
They are open daily for lunch and dinner and are also incredibly reasonably priced.
It’s a great place to eat in Bloomington if you’re on a budget but still want something delicious and homemade.
Their menu includes a variety of Cajun dishes like Gumbo, Jambalaya, Red Beans and Rice, and Bourbon Chicken Stew.
They also have desserts like Peanut Butter Pie, Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake, Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Carrot Cake.
Dat’s Cajun is easily one of the best places to eat in Bloomington IN.
Play Pinball While You Eat At The Orbit Room
The Orbit Room is a super unique Bloomington IN restaurant.
That’s because it’s part pinball arcade, part restaurant.
All ages are welcome until 8 pm, then it is 21 and older only.
They have a smaller menu, but it includes items like their specialty hot dogs or snacks like Garlic Knots or Stadium Nachos.
While you are enjoying your light meal or snacks, you can play Pinball!
They also have a full bar that has a number of different beers on draft.
If you’re looking for a unique Bloomington restaurant, then you’ll want to visit The Orbit Room.
Cloverleaf Family Restaurant Is An Iconic Bloomington Indiana Restaurant
The Cloverleaf Family Restaurant is an unassuming but iconic restaurant in Bloomington IN.
It’s a local family-owned diner that is known for serving breakfast all day.
Over the years, it has become a popular restaurant for locals and visitors of Bloomington to eat at.
The simple American dishes on the menu are well-made and delicious.
You’ll find menu items like Country Fried Steak, omelets, French Toast, and pancakes.
They also have lunch and dinner menu items like fried chicken, roast beef, burgers, and sandwiches.
If you want a simple classic meal that is still delicious, head to the Cloverleaf Family Restaurant.
Best Taste Has The Best Chinese Food In Bloomington IN
If you love Chinese food, you’ll want to head to Best Taste.
Best Taste is a family-owned and operated Chinese restaurant.
They specialize in traditional Chinese dishes. However, they also have more Americanized Chinese dishes as well.
Their menu includes items like Teriyaki Mushrooms, Singapore Mei Fun, Lo Mein, General Tso’s Chicken, and stir fry with udon noodles.
Best Taste is open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner and Sunday for dinner only.
When you visit Best Taste, you’ll quickly understand why it’s been voted the best Chinese food in Bloomington IN.
Sample Midwestern and Southern Comfort Food Fusion Dishes At Southern Stone
Southern Stone is a Bloomington restaurant that is known for its fusion of midwestern and southern-style comfort food.
Their menu features southern-inspired dishes with a Midwestern flair.
They are open daily for lunch and dinner and on the weekends they serve brunch.
You’ll be able to try dishes like Fried Green Tomatoes, Catfish Bites, the Stone Cutter Pimento Burger, and Blackend Catfish Tacos.
They also serve a weekend brunch, with menu items like Fried Johnny Cakes, Shrimp and Grits, Chicken and Waffles, and more.
The menus at Southern Stone are full of classic comfort food dishes that you will absolutely love.
Based on this list of amazing restaurants in Bloomington, it’s clear that it’s a city that’s becoming known for its foodie scene.
Like tons of other cities in the Midwest, Bloomington is full of unique restaurants.
Whether you want to try global cuisine, Southern comfort food or Cajun dishes, or just a classic burger, there’s a Bloomington restaurant for you.
Have you tried any of these Bloomington Indiana restaurants?
I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
