Welcome to your ultimate guide to Bloomington’s independent food scene — where every meal tells a local story.
🍅 Eat Local isn’t just a trendy slogan.
It’s a call to action. ❤️
🍽️ Daily Food & Drink Specials in Bloomington, Indiana
Looking for a quick lunch deal, cheap eats 🥡, or the best happy hour in town? This calendar highlights daily food and drink specials from Bloomington’s favorite local spots. Updated regularly to help you eat well 🍕, support local ❤️, and save a little along the way.
Whether you’re grabbing tacos from a family-run taqueria, sipping coffee roasted right here in town, or treating yourself to house-made pasta, you’re doing more than eating well — you’re keeping Bloomington vibrant.
From tucked-away taco joints and rustic Italian kitchens to farm-to-table cafes and all-vegan bakeries, Bloomington’s culinary landscape is bursting with flavor, creativity, and community pride. This isn’t about chain restaurants. This is about locally-owned gems that make our town taste like home.
🌟 What Makes Bloomington’s Food Scene Special?
- 👩🍳 Independently Owned & Operated – Most listings in our directory are locally owned, meaning your dollars stay right here in the community — supporting real people and passionate entrepreneurs.
- 🌏 Diverse & Inclusive – Craving pho, falafel, or fresh biscuits? Bloomington offers a world of flavors, with restaurants specializing in Mexican, Tibetan, Burmese, Italian, American Southern, and more. Many also cater to special diets, offering vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
- 🌿 Farm-Fresh & Sustainable – From Hopscotch Coffee’s locally roasted beans to FARMbloomington’s seasonal dinner menus, local sourcing and sustainability are at the heart of many menus.
- 🧡 Community-Focused – These aren’t just restaurants. They’re gathering places, live music venues, study spots, and homes for first dates and family traditions.
Your go-to calendar for restaurant deals, happy hours 🍻, and tasty local steals 🥪.
Looking for a quick lunch deal, cheap eats 🥡, or the best happy hour in town? This calendar highlights daily food and drink specials from Bloomington’s favorite local spots. Updated regularly to help you eat well 🍕, support local ❤️, and save a little along the way.
🍽️ Explore by Category
Browse our curated list of eateries by what you’re craving:
- 🥘 American & Southern
Think biscuits, brunch, and bold flavors. From The Uptown Cafe to C3, find comfort food with local flair. - 🍕 Italian
Handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, and cozy vibes at spots like Osteria Rago and DeAngelo’s. - 🌮 Mexican & Latin
Authentic eats from family-owned favorites like Casa Brava, The 3 Amigos, and Taqueria Acapulco. - 🥢 Asian Cuisine
Savor Burmese, Chinese, Thai, Indian, and more at beloved places like Kimu, Rongcheng, and Little Tibet. - ☕ Cafes & Coffee Shops
Sip, snack, and study at Hopscotch, The Inkwell, or The Runcible Spoon. - 🍰 Bakeries & Dessert
Plant-based sweets, custom cookies, or classic donuts from Rainbow Bakery, Baked of Bloomington, and The Chocolate Moose. - 🥩 Butchers & Markets
Grab local cuts and gourmet goods from The Butcher’s Block, Bloomington Farm Stop, and Bloomingfoods Co-op.
📍 Browse the Full Directory
Use our interactive food directory to filter by cuisine, neighborhood, dietary options, or ambiance — whether you’re planning a date night, a casual lunch, or picking up dessert on the way home.
🧑🍳 Add Your Business
Own a restaurant, coffee shop, bakery, or market in Monroe County? Submit your info and get discovered by locals and visitors alike.
🔍 Know Before You Go
All listings include:
- Business description
- Address & location
- Website & phone number
- Notable features (vegan-friendly, dog-friendly, patio dining, etc.)
- Google & Yelp ratings when available
📬 Have a favorite we missed? Suggest a Restaurant »
Restaurant Categories
- American (14)
- American-Southern (2)
- Asian (1)
- Bakery (6)
- Bar & Grill (1)
- Barbecue (2)
- Bars (12)
- Brewery (3)
- Buffet (1)
- Cafe (4)
- Cajun/Creole Restaurant (1)
- Catering Service (1)
- Chicken Joint (3)
- Chinese (10)
- Cocktail Bar (1)
- Coffee (8)
- Dessert Specialties (5)
- Family Restaurant (2)
- Farm-to-Table Restaurant (1)
- Fast Food (3)
- Food Truck (2)
- Greek (2)
- Ice Cream (4)
- Indonesian (1)
- Italian (4)
- Japanese Restaurant (1)
- Mediterranean (1)
- Mexican-Latin (5)
- Mexican Restaurant (1)
- Pizza (13)
- Sandwich Shop (1)
- Sushi (1)
- Tex-Mex Restaurant (1)
- Turkish (1)
- Vegan (3)
- Wine Bar (1)