Eat, Drink Explore: Your Guide to Bloomington, Indiana

Just an hour south of Indianapolis, Bloomington has always been a destination in its own right, not just a college town. Here’s our guide to Bloomington bites, sips, and activities that put it at the top of the list for a day trip or weekend getaway this summer.

B-Town Breakfasts

Start your morning with a quick bite at the Bloomington Bagel Company, where handmade, boiled, and baked bagels come loaded with scratch-made spreads. If you’d rather linger, the Runcible Spoon is a Bloomington institution: a cozy, eclectic spot to call home over brunch or coffee. For something a little quieter, Inkwell Bakery & Café turns out beautiful pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and craft lattes in an unhurried atmosphere.

Lunch & Dinner

Now is where the day turns into a “choose your own adventure.” Or, stay the whole weekend and try it all. Bloomington meets every craving, whether you’re looking for iconic bar bites, an international delight, or elevated eats.

Bloomington’s Trifecta: Casual Bites

You haven’t been to Bloomington until you’ve tried the classics. Nick’s English Hut has been a campus cornerstone since 1927, serving pitchers and stromboli to generations of students and alumni alike. If you’re feeling up for it, stay for a round of “Sink the Biz.” BuffaLouie’s delivers wings done right, inspired by family recipes and homemade sauces. Mother Bear’s Pizza’s award-winning menu at the local, state, and national level is the only right answer for pizza night.

Elevated Eats

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just looking for an upscale dining experience, Bloomington delivers. FARMbloomington leads with seasonally inspired plates built around locally sourced ingredients. Their fries have been called some of America’s best by USA Today for good reason. Uptown Cafe marries American casual with Cajun flavors and European inspiration with an elegance that’s kept it a local favorite for decades. From coffee to cocktails, The Elm offers contemporary American comfort food with an elevated twist in a beautifully appointed space while Janko’s Little Zagreb knows just how to cook your steak to perfection.

International Row

One of Bloomington’s best-kept secrets is its International Row on 4th Street. You can realistically eat your way around the world in a weekend — or afternoon, if you’re feeling ambitious. Anyetsang’s Little Tibet is the only Tibetan restaurant in Indiana and reason enough to come hungry. Siam House is the go-to for Thai with a vast array of curries. Taste of India’s lunch buffet is the move if you’re working on a schedule. And Korea Restaurant is known for its authentic classics from kimchi to Korean BBQ and fusion dishes.

Wherever you dine, Visit Bloomington recently launched a series of culinary passports, offering a perfect framework for turning your picks into an afternoon adventure (and a great excuse to return). Don’t miss the annual Taste of Bloomington festival, which brings the city’s diverse dining scene together in one place.

Drinks & Evenings

For cocktails, The Dunnkirk Library tops the list. It’s a speakeasy hidden inside Upstairs Pub with a serious craft cocktail program. Cardinal Spirits distillery offers tours and a cocktail bar worth building your evening around. And just outside downtown, Oliver Winery and Butler Winery both make for an easy, scenic afternoon detour.

As the night comes in, The Bluebird is Bloomington’s beloved live music venue; order the Dirty Bird cocktail and stay for the set. The Comedy Attic hosts national touring acts in a room small enough that every seat feels like a good one. And if the afternoon is sunny, Monroe Lake is the kind of place that makes you forget, briefly, that you’re in Indiana.

Bloomington will do that to you.