Culinary Trails
Scenic By-Ways Trail
Indiana Foodways Alliance recommends the following restaurants for visitors who wish to sample the local fare throughout the state. Call to verify hours.
We recommend that you use an Internet mapping service for the detailed directions you might need to find the recommended restaurants and businesses.
(Map Coming Soon)
Pricing is averaged and may be subject to change.
$ = Sandwiches are under $5, entrees under $10
$$ = Sandwiches are under $9, entrees under $18
$$$ = Lunches $10 and up, dinners $18 and up
Bloomington
Café Pizzaria
405 E. Kirkwood Ave. 812-32-2111
Bloomington, IN 47408
"Bloomington's Original Pizza Restaurant" has been beloved by IU ball players and everybody else since 1953. Father and son duo Larry and Dave Webb keep things fresh by making the secret pizza sauce and dough daily and being generous with the premium cheese and herbs on their crispy hand-tossed thin pizzas. Café Pizzaria is famous for its pizza, and for the incredible ivy-covered roof and sign out front. Inside, there are three casual dining rooms and a menu of Italian Beef, burgers, stromboli, subs and hot sandwiches as well as mozzarella salad with the wonderful Pizzaria House Dressing. Only non-alcoholic beverages are served at the Pizzaria, where the emphasis is on the top quality food. Open Mon. -Thurs. 11 am - 11:30 pm, Fri. - Sat. 11 am - midnight, Sun. 5 pm - 11:30 pm. $
The Uptown Café
102 East Kirkwood Ave. 812-339-0900
Bloomington, IN http://www.the-uptown.com
The Uptown seems like the nerve center of Bloomington at lunch time with the energy generated by conversation, laughter and introductions. The Midwest menu has a Cajun-Creole flavor and it is hard to resist the gumbos, etouffee, po'boys and blackened catfish sandwiches that share space on the menu with the salads, big steaks and fresh seafood. There is even a tasty Hoosier Gumbo served over mashed potatoes instead of rice! Likewise, Thoupitoulas hash and eggs Sardou join eggs Benedict and cottage cheese pancakes on the varied breakfast menu. American Jazz and Soul music provide a serenade in the intimate wine and beer pub, and the dessert choices include a rich chocolate mousse cake, praline carrot cake and crème brulee, or just an excellent espresso. Open Mon. - Fri. 7 am - 10 pm, Sat. 8 am - 10 pm, Sun. 9 am - 2 pm. $$
Blu Boy Chocolate Café & Cakery
112 E. Kirkwood Ave. 812-334-8460
Bloomington, IN 47408 http://www.bluboychocolate.com
Chocolate and pastries are the passion of former physician David Fletcher, the pastry chef/owner of tiny downtown Blu Boy. A printed chocolate candy menu includes adventurous flavor pairings such as ancho chile with cinnamon, strawberry and ice wine, dulce de leche and jasmine, along with intense versions of caramel, mint and cherry. These are handmade and painted jewel-like chocolates that share space in the case with homemade cakes, pastries and dense chocolate brownies. A velvety persimmon cheesecake is a seasonal favorite. Shop-blended cocoas and Brown County Coffee are available with your dessert, served at the handful of tiny tables in the storefront space. Open Mon. - Thurs. 10 am - 6 pm, Fri. - Sat. 10 am - 10 pm.
The Runcible Spoon Cafe
412 E. 6th Street 812-334-3997
Bloomington, IN 47404 http://www.runciblespoonrestaurant.com
At the sign of the owl and the pussycat, in a bungalow with a Bohemian vibe, you will find an extensive menu and friendly staff. There is a little garden out front for dining al fresco, otherwise you are seated in the bookshelf lined living room or dining room of the house and given a eight page menu that starts with breakfast; croissants, mimosas, kippers, lox, thick-cut bacon, pancakes and eggs benedict with freshly made Hollandaise sauce. The Runcible Spoon is Bloomington's oldest coffee roaster, and the coffee and tea lists are impressive. The lunch menu features roasted vegetables, mixed greens, pan -seared salmon, chicken and pork and many tempting vegetarian entrees. We especially like the ravioli with spinach and marinara in a "fabulous cream sauce" and the Rueben. A playful wine list pairs well with pastas, seafood and seared steak entrees as well as herbed chicken and medallions of pork. Owner/Chef Matt O'Neill is a native of Dublin, Ireland, a cookbook author, and also runs Bloomington's cooking school. Open daily 8 am - 11 pm. $
Nick's English Hut
423 East Kirkwood 812-332-4040
Bloomington, IN 47404
Nick's has been a beloved hang-out for locals and students for 81 years. Voted Bloomington's Top Independent Restaurant, the English-style pub's partners support local farms and businesses for most ingredients. Nick's signature items include a substantial breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, great stromboli, subs, an original recipe chili and Nick's Sticks - a grilled skewer of bourbon beef or teriyaki chicken and vegetables served with bleu wasabi and jasmine rice. Southern Indiana farms are the source for the 1/3 pound Angus beef burgers and elk burgers. Chef Dave's homemade desserts change seasonally, and an extensive beverage and bar menu includes local brews. Open Mon. - Sat. 11 am - 2 am. Sun. noon - midnight. $$
Janko's Little ZaGreb $$$
223 West 6th Street 812-332-0694
Bloomington, IN 47401 http://www.littlezagreb.com
This is the casual hometown place where John Mellencamp takes out-of-towners for a good steak. You will pass the busy grill on your way to the IU poster-themed dining rooms with red checked tablecloths. Start with the great yeast rolls and hand-broken salad with the house blue cheese dressing and move on to the thick choice steaks that are cut fresh daily and grilled to perfection. Or try the ribs, pork chops, or Yugoslavian specialties like Punjene Paprike stuffed pepper or Palidzan-sa-sirom. The meatballs Bucharest will bring tears to your eyes with their fresh and dried pepper blend - they are a bit beyond zesty! Desserts include NY style cheesecake and some rather nice ports and sherries. Open for dinner only, Mon. - Thurs. 5 pm - 10 pm, Fri. - Sat. 4:30 pm - 10 pm. Hours are often extended to accommodate IU ball games.
Hinkle's Hamburgers
206 S. Adams St. 812-339-3335
Bloomington, IN 47404
Since 1930 students and local folk have counted on the beef for the hamburgers being freshly ground every morning and the pork tenderloin being hand cut and tenderized at Hinkles. These tenderloins are dipped in egg and well-seasoned breading before being deep-fried - they are even good cold! Hinkle's uses local meats for their sandwiches and homemade chili, and the Clark family, the present day proprietors, also makes potato salad, cookies, pie, cobblers and cakes in the open stainless steel kitchen at the end of the long red counter. A hand-dipped milkshake and a side of onion rings or baby cakes make perfect partners to the famous Hinkle burger (served with grilled onions and dill pickles), the fish, chicken or tenderloin sandwiches. Open Mon.-Sat. 10 am - 4 pm. $
Lennie's
1795 East Tenth Street 812-323-2112
Bloomington, IN 47408 http://www.bbc.bloomington.com
This popular local brew-pub offers lots of healthy main dish salads, pastas and gourmet pizzas made with the freshest ingredients, and we also appreciate the Mini Indulgent Desserts on the extensive menu. Owner Jeff Meese raises water buffalo to supply Lennie's superbly fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese and brews some superior ales on the premises. The BBC sampler offers a taste of six brews: the light, clear Freestone Blonde, a buttery caramel Ruby Bloom Amber, a classic Quarrymen Pale Ale, the deep roasted dry Java Porter and the creamy full-bodied Big Stone Stout. We also liked the seasonal B-Town Brown Ale, a malty caramel-coffee brew. The California-syle dining rooms are filled with plants and art-work for a casual yet sophisticated atmosphere.
Open Mon.-Fri. 11 am - 11 pm, Sat. - Sun. 11 am - midnight. $$
Café D'Lish $
620 W. Kirkwood Ave. 812-334-2233
Bloomington, IN 47404
Open daily 7 am - 3 pm
Chef Randy Grohe uses his grandmother's recipes as a springboard for the home-style comfort foods like brisket, meatloaf and chicken and dumplings at Café D'LIsh, where the motto is "celebrate traditions". The traditions include peanut butter pie and generous fruit cobblers, Randy's Hash, biscuits and gravy and that really unique Bloomington specialty: fried pork brains. The stuffed French toast, California-style eggs benedict and quiche are more eclectic, but just as carefully prepared. The café fills all of the rooms in this older roadside home that offers outdoor seating in warm weather. Open Sunday-Thurs. 7 am-3 pm, Fri.-Sat. 7 am-8 pm.
Upland Brewing Company
350 West 11th Street 812-336-2337
Bloomington, IN http://uplandbeer.com
Upland has been brewing award -winning beers for ten years in downtown Bloomington, just blocks from the courthouse. The Tap Room and Biergarten offer views of the brewery where signature ales and lagers are crafted by serious brewmasters along with seasonal selections. Sample the eclectic variety of appetizers, sandwiches, entrees, and steaks amid local art in a party atmosphere. Open daily except for holidays. Tours available. $$
Angel B's
407 West Patterson Dr. 812-332-2537
Bloomington, IN 47403
European style tortes, celebration cakes, dessert cakes and fine pastries are the art of pastry chef Mark Breth in this jewel box setting. Angel B's is a galleria of cakes, with cupcakes so beautiful you hate to take a bite, but go ahead - they are made with the best ingredients. The fresh doughnuts, muffins, croissants and strudels are popular as well, and Angel B's makes one of the best dense chocolate brownies we have tasted. Its location in an upscale business park makes it easy to park and run in for coffee a treat, or a special gift from the beautiful collection at Angel B's. Open Mon. - Sat. 7:30 am - 6:30 pm, Fri. 7:30 am - 7 pm, Sat. 8 am - 5 pm.
Dillman Farm
4955 W. State Rd. 45 800-359-1362
Bloomington, IN 47403 http://www.dillmanfarm.com
Just outside of town in the rolling farmland of Southern Indiana sits a modern gray building that houses Dillman Farms, the home of our state's all-natural fruit butters, jellies and preserves. Dillman's uses select whole fruits and pure cane sugar with no preservatives and no corn syrup in their products for an old-fashioned quality. The retail shop at the front of the super-clean production kitchen sells the full line of Dillman fruit products plus barbeque sauces, honey, salsas and the fudge they make on the premises with their own butter and cream. The gift shop also sells lots of other Indiana-made products and baskets for all occasions. Spring tours by reservation. Open Mon. - Sat. 10 am - 4 pm, Sat. 10 am - 5 pm.
Chocolate Moose
401 S. Walnut St. 812-333-0475
Bloomington, IN
Tim May's grandfather began selling ice cream at the family's diner on this site in the 1950's, beginning a family business that has become Bloomington's landmark Chocolate Moose. Tim's homemade ice cream is 15% butterfat, in original flavors such as Moose Chocolate and Grasshopper. The little walk-up ice cream hut also sells soft serve, Italian ice, snow cones, popcorn, coneys, Spanish burgers and a good line of sundaes, blizzards and shakes. As a special treat, small fry and local dogs can get a tiny 24 cent cone with or without candy eyes. Open mid-February to mid-November, 7 days a week, usually 10 am - 10 pm.
Mother Bear's Pizza
1428 East 3rd Street 812-332-4495
Bloomington, IN
Pizza and cold beer are central to student life at a university, and Mother Bear's has been the hometown favorite for both for over 25 years. Choose a traditional pan or deep dish crust and a huge selection of toppings that include gourmet sausages, meats, cheeses and vegetables. Grilled chicken salad with pecans, fresh bread sticks, classic pastas, hot subs and munchies round out the menu, with homemade brownies for dessert. Mother knows best, and offers peach iced tea, strawberry and raspberry lemonade and old-fashioned cherry and vanilla cokes as refreshing alternatives to the draft and imported beers. Open Mon. - Wed. 11 am - 1 am, Thurs. - Sat. 11 am - 3 am, Sun. noon - 1 am. $
