Discover standout local restaurants in Bloomington with handpicked features, insider highlights, and magazine-style writeups.

The Best of B-Town: Food & Drink Edition 🍕🍣☕🍩🍻

We asked, you answered — and now it’s time to celebrate the local legends, greasy spoon heroes, and caffeine-slinging champions that fuel our beloved community. Whether you’re on a quest for the crispiest crust, the fluffiest bagel, or a cocktail that makes you rethink your life choices (in the best way), these are the spots that make Bloomington taste like home.

Think we missed your favorite hole-in-the-wall, secret sushi joint, or that one place with life-changing donuts? Don’t just stew about it — nominate them! Shoot us a message, tag us, or whisper it to us dramatically across a crowded cafe. However you do it, we want to hear from you.

Without further ado, here are some of the current MVPs of munchies and mixology in the Bloomington area:

Featured Restaurant Listings

Janko’s Little Zagreb Inc

Business Name

Janko’s Little Zagreb Inc

Business Category

American, Restaurants 🍴

Tags or Keywords

Family-Friendly, Featured, Gameday, Reservations, Rolls, Seafood, Shrimp Cocktail, Spicy Meatballs, Steak, Vegetarian, Wine, Wine List

Street Address

223 West 6th Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47404

Phone Number

812-332-0694

Website URL

https://www.littlezagreb.com/

Google Maps

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Lennie’s Brewpub

Business Name

Lennie’s Brewpub

Business Category

American, Brewery, Pizza, Restaurants 🍴

Short Description

Lennie’s introduced gourmet pizza to Bloomington in 1989. Lennie’s set another local landmark in 1994 with the addition of the first commercial brewery in Monroe County and the first brewpub in Southern Indiana.

Tags or Keywords

Cheddar, Ezzo Pepperoni, Featured, Feta, Fischer Farms Bacon, Garlic, Goat Cheese, Gorgonzola, Grape Tomatoes, Green Peppers, Grilled Chicken, Herb-Roasted Chicken, Meatballs, Miller Amish Farms Chicken, Mushroom, pasta, Penne, Pesto, Pizza, Portobellos, Ricotta, Root Beer, Sausage, Spinach, Stromboli, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Three Cheeses, Tortellini, Vegan Cheese, White Onions

Street Address

514 E Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, Indiana 47408

Phone Number

812-323-2112

Website URL

https://www.lenniesbloomington.com/

Google Maps

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The Inkwell Bakery & Cafe

Business Name

The Inkwell Bakery & Cafe

Business Category

Bakery, Cafe, Coffee, Restaurants 🍴

Tags or Keywords

Atmosphere, Avocado Toast, Bacon, Baked Goods, Coffee, Espresso, Fast Wi-Fi, Featured, Free Wi-Fi, Latte, Loose Leaf Tea, Lunch, Pop Tarts, Scones, Strong Coffee

Street Address

105 N College Ave
Bloomington, IN 47404

Phone Number

812-822-2925

Google Maps

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Pizza X

Business Name

Pizza X

Business Category

Pizza, Restaurants 🍴

Tags or Keywords

Alfredo Sauce, Artichoke Hearts, Bacon, BBQ Sauce, Beef, Black Beans, Black Olives, Broccoli, Buffalo Sauce, Buttermilk, Commissary, Composting, Dough, Featured, Fontina, Fresh, Fresh Garlic, Grilled Chicken, Ham, Italian Sausage, Local, Mozzarella, Mushrooms, Mustard Drizzle, Onion, Pecans, Pepperoni, Pickle, Pizza Sauce, Pizza X, Ranch Dressing, Ricotta, Roma Tomatoes, Salsa, Sauce, Spinach, Super Thin Crust, Veggies, Wisconsin Cheddar

Street Address

4621 West Richland Plaza
Bloomington, Indiana 47404

Phone Number

812-876-4443

Website URL

https://www.pizzaxbloomington.com/

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Hive

Business Name

Hive

Business Category

Family, Other, Restaurants 🍴

Tags or Keywords

Cinnamon Rolls, Coffee, Deli, Eggs, Featured, Patio, Pot Pie, Smash Burger

Street Address

2608 E 10th Street
Bloomington, IN 47408

Phone Number

812-287-7405

Website URL

https://www.hivebloomington.com/

Google Maps

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Smokin Jack’s Rib Shack

Business Name

Smokin Jack’s Rib Shack

Business Category

American, Barbecue, Catering, Charcuterie, Chicken Joint, Chocolate, E-Commerce, Fine Food, Party Planning, Restaurants 🍴

Short Description

Call ahead for carry out or talk to Jack about our catering options. From a hog roast to a tailgate, we can fit your needs.

Tags or Keywords

BBQ Sauce, BBQ Sides, Beef Brisket, Bill&#039, Blackbean Burger, Blooming Boards, BloomingBoards, Brownie, Catfish Dinner, Catfish Lunch, Character, Cheeseburger, Cherry Cobbler, Chicken Tender Basket, chocolate, Featured, Gift Cards, Gluten-Free Sauce, Homemade, Ice Cream, Local, Peach Cobbler, Piggy Mac Meal, Pulled Chicken, Pulled Pork, Quirky, Rib and Chicken Combos, s Hand Breaded Tenderloin, Smoked Chicken, Smoked Ham, Smoked Spare Ribs, Smoked Turkey, Sweet Potato Pie, Waffle Boards

Street Address

505 West 17th Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47404

Phone Number

812-332-7427

Website URL

https://smokinjacksribshack.com/

Google Maps

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DeAngelo’s Italian Creole Restaurant

Business Name

DeAngelo’s Italian Creole Restaurant

Business Category

Italian, Pizza, Restaurants 🍴

Tags or Keywords

Alfredo, Atmosphere, Calamari, Calzones, Cheese Lasagna, Dessert, Featured, Italian, Lasagna, Meatballs, Music, Salads, Shrimp

Street Address

2620 E 3rd Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47401

Phone Number

812-961-0008

Website URL

https://deangelosbloomington.com/

Google Business

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The Elm Restaurant

Business Name

The Elm Restaurant

Business Category

American, Restaurants 🍴

Short Description

A gathering place for people who crave community and culinary adventures. Here, the creative spirit of Bloomington takes shape in new, delicious ways.

Tags or Keywords

Atmosphere, Chefs, Cocktails, Dessert, Elegant, Elm Heights, Featured, Seasonal

Street Address

614 E 2nd Street
Bloomington, IN 47404

Phone Number

812-407-4339

Website URL

https://elmbloomington.com/

Google Maps

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