Bloomington Restaurants

Africana Librarians Council
Spring Meeting 2001
Bloomington, Indiana

Bloomington is full of interesting and affordable places to eat. We list some of our favorites here, but others are worth a try as well.

Walking distance from the Union Building

Kirkwood (a.k.a. 5^th Street)

Nick’s English Hut — 423 E. Kirkwood 332-4040

Historic campus bar. Favorite watering hole of students and administrators. Space for large groups. Good Indiana bar food. $$

Café Django — 116 N. Grant (Between Kirkwood & 4^th) 335-1297

Eclectic with a far eastern flair. Vegetarian options. Live jazz on weekends. Breakfast on Saturday & Sunday. $$

Shanti Indian Cuisine — 221 E. Kirkwood (Suite G) 333-0303

Smells like curry. Vegetarian options. $$

Michael’s Uptown Café — 102 E. Kirkwood 339-0900

American bistro with a Cajun Creole accent. One of Bloomington’s best, most dependable restaurants. Don’t miss gumbo Hoosier style or Saturday night special honey-pecan barbequed ribs. Space for large groups. Daily blackboard specials. Wine and beer. Exceptional breakfasts. $$$

Fourth Street

Siam House — 430 E. 4^th 331-1233

Authentic Thai cuisine. Vegetarian dishes. Buffet available weekdays. Space for large groups. Reservations recommended. $$

Red Sea — 404 E. 4^th 331-8366

Genuine Eritrean restaurant. We like the chicken, non-meat dishes and the njera. $

Around the Square (Courthouse is in the middle of the Square)

Malibu Grill — 106 N. Walnut 332-4334

Like your food stacked with a sprig of rosemary? California-style restaurant. Noisy. Full bar. Lines can be long, no reservations. $$$

The Irish Lion — 212 W. Kirkwood 336-9076

We stick to the fish and chips. Beer sold by the yard. $

Janko’s Little Zagreb — 226 W. 6^th 332-0694

If all you want is a thick steak, find it here. Wine list and prices say swank; atmosphere shouts team dining hall. $$$

Le Petit Café — 308 W. 6^th 334-9747

French country cuisine in a converted garage. Short on ambiance; long on taste. Family run. Owner Patrick (pa-TREEK) will inform and entertain. $$$

Encore Café — 316 W. 6^th 333-7312

Casual cafeteria-style dining in historic, restored downtown building. Sunday brunch. Made to order sandwiches; selection of unusual hot entrees; soups; salads. Notable desserts include White Mountain ice cream. Cappuccino bar. Pull tables together to suit the size of your group. Open late night. Wine and beer. $ to $$$

Bakehouse — 125 N. College Ave. 331-6029

Hearth baked breads, European style pastries, sandwiches, salads, specialty coffees. Eat in, take out. One of the best breakfasts in Bloomington. Opens early, closes mid-afternoon. $ to $$$

Samira — 100 W. 6^th 331-3761

Finest Afghani cuisine. Elegant atmosphere for dinners. Lunch buffet Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Vegetarian options. Wine and beer. $$ to $$$

Princess Restaurant — 206 N. Walnut 336-8821

Moroccan cuisine in the historic Princess Theater building. May add service charge for groups larger than four. Quality can be erratic. $$ to $$$

Walking Distance from the Library

Cyber Cafe @ the Main Library — 1320 E. 10^th

On the ground floor of the IU Main Library. Boasts Chick-Fil-A, Pizza Hut, sandwich and hot entree counters, among a variety of other edibles. $

Dragon Express — 1400 E. 3^rd 331-7030

Bustling atmosphere. Stir fry hot off the wok. $

Domo Japanese Restaurant — 1500 E. 3^rd 339-7868

Sushi, buckwheat noodle soups, and more. Bright, pleasant atmosphere. $$

Bear’s Place — 1316 E. 3^rd 339-3460

Truck stop fare in a dark friendly place. Burgers, etc. Favorite bar for the IU School of Music. $

Mother Bear’s — 1428 E. 3^rd 332-4495

Pizza and more including homemade lasagna, gourmet salads, pasta dishes. $ to $$

Lennie’s Brewpub — 1795 E. 10^th 323-2112

Brewpub and restaurant in separate rooms. Large portions. Good pizzas. Big sandwiches. Soups. Chili. Special brews. Good by the glass wine selection. $$

A Short Cab Ride Away

West Side

Upland Brewing Company — 350 W. 11^th 336-2337

Microbrewery with casual, arrange-the-tables-to-suit, dining. Daily specials including vegetarian, vegan, and buffalo items. Darts. $ to $$

Scholar’s Inn Gourmet Café & Wine Bar — 717 N. College 323-1531

Entrance to the parking lot at this restored Victorian is from 11^th Street, but there is parking on College. A full range of selections prepared with style and distinct flavors. Many vegetarian dishes. Seating in the upstairs room is comfortable and has space for larger groups. Reservations advised. $$ to $$$

Joe’s Pasta and Steakhouse — 1711 N. College 332-4563

Good pasta dishes. Don’t miss the lasagna. Original soups. Vegetarian dishes. Desserts to die for. Daily blackboard specials. Wine and beer. $$

East Side

Limestone Grille — 2920 E. Covenanter Drive 335-8110

Upscale fine dining. Chef presents appealing specials ranging from sushi grade lightly grilled tuna to marinated roast pork. Vegetarian options. Extensive wine list. Reservations advised. $$$

Uptown Bistro — 1131 College Mall Road 331-1131

Presents many of the favorites of Michael’s Uptown Café from a more casual perspective. A full menu plus daily blackboard specials. Upscale pizzas and varieties of wings and other finger foods are also attractive options. Wine and beer. $ to $$$

Mikado Japanese Restaurant — 895 S. College Mall Road 333-1950

Japanese restaurant and sushi bar. Reservations advised. $$ to $$$

Dance Club

Bullwinkle's — 201 S. College Ave.