Guidebook for Bloomington
Food Scene
Amazing food and drink. Great hangout, local vibes.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Lucca Grill
116 E Market StAmazing food and drink. Great hangout, local vibes.
Wonderful, ever-changing menu. All food served is organically grown and locally sourced. The Potato Gratin is a must have!
Try out Anju Above (located upstairs) for a more laid-back atmosphere with appetizer-style menu items....
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Epiphany Farms Restaurant
220 E Front StWonderful, ever-changing menu. All food served is organically grown and locally sourced. The Potato Gratin is a must have!
Try out Anju Above (located upstairs) for a more laid-back atmosphere with appetizer-style menu items....
Locally favored restaurant/brewery that focuses on bold flavors that pair well with a wide array of innovative beers for every palate. American-inspired pub fare and global cooking and brewing traditions. If you go here you HAVE to try the Beer-Battered Bacon!
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
DESTIHL Restaurant & Brew Works
318 S Towanda AveLocally favored restaurant/brewery that focuses on bold flavors that pair well with a wide array of innovative beers for every palate. American-inspired pub fare and global cooking and brewing traditions. If you go here you HAVE to try the Beer-Battered Bacon!
Great bar food! And if you like breaded pork tenderloins, you'll be hard-pressed to find one as big as they have here - it takes 4 buns to cover it!
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Schooners
810 E Grove StGreat bar food! And if you like breaded pork tenderloins, you'll be hard-pressed to find one as big as they have here - it takes 4 buns to cover it!
A Chicago-based Italian eatery that recently opened in Bloomington/Normal. Best menu option: Chocolate Cake Milkshake!!
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Portillo's Hot Dogs
202 Landmark DrA Chicago-based Italian eatery that recently opened in Bloomington/Normal. Best menu option: Chocolate Cake Milkshake!!
Fantastic food and great atmosphere. Always busy so make reservations for dinner....
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano
3010 E Empire StFantastic food and great atmosphere. Always busy so make reservations for dinner....
A little more upscale if you're looking for a nice place to have a quiet, romantic dinner or an evening out with friends!
Caffé Italia Ristorante
511 Chancellor DriveA little more upscale if you're looking for a nice place to have a quiet, romantic dinner or an evening out with friends!
If you like to grill your own meat then this is the place for you! Giant bbq grills, giant steaks and chops, all-you-can-eat salad bar and grilled Texas Toast.... and for only $2 more they'll do the grilling for you! And if you're an onion ring fan theirs are phenomenal!
Alexander's Steakhouse
1503 E College AveIf you like to grill your own meat then this is the place for you! Giant bbq grills, giant steaks and chops, all-you-can-eat salad bar and grilled Texas Toast.... and for only $2 more they'll do the grilling for you! And if you're an onion ring fan theirs are phenomenal!
Great place for Happy Hour! Huge menu and moderate prices
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Baxters American Grille
3212 E Empire StGreat place for Happy Hour! Huge menu and moderate prices
Pizza Ranch
1211 Holiday DrPizza, fried chicken, salad bar, dessert bar... and it's all-you-can-eat!
THE BEST Chinese buffet in the Bloomington/Normal area! Vast array of food items: Chinese, Japanese, American, Italian, etc. Full sushi bar. They'll even cook you up a ribeye or stir fry of your choice at the grill!
Imperial Buffet
1950 E College AveTHE BEST Chinese buffet in the Bloomington/Normal area! Vast array of food items: Chinese, Japanese, American, Italian, etc. Full sushi bar. They'll even cook you up a ribeye or stir fry of your choice at the grill!
Great diner to start the day off right with a hearty breakfast, or stop in for casual lunch or dinner! Always busy so you may have to wait a few minutes, but definitely worth it!
Tony's Diner
1917 S Main StGreat diner to start the day off right with a hearty breakfast, or stop in for casual lunch or dinner! Always busy so you may have to wait a few minutes, but definitely worth it!
Medici in Normal
120 W North StGreat food, always busy
Very popular with the older crowd, but great for all ages! Try the baked spaghetti or any of their steak choices - you'll be glad you did!
Ozark House Restaurant
704 McGregor StVery popular with the older crowd, but great for all ages! Try the baked spaghetti or any of their steak choices - you'll be glad you did!
Saturday and Sunday morning they offer an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet! Pretty straightforward fare but lots of it (mounds of crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, French toast, biscuits and gravy, fruit, pastries, etc.) and the price is great!
Shannon's Five Star
1305 S Mercer AveSaturday and Sunday morning they offer an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet! Pretty straightforward fare but lots of it (mounds of crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, French toast, biscuits and gravy, fruit, pastries, etc.) and the price is great!
Times Past Inn
1216 Towanda AveBest place for a fast, stick-to-your-ribs breakfast. Good portions, great prices!
Two locations - both awesome! Incredible amount of authentic, tasty Mexican food for a really good price!
Fiesta Ranchera Mexican Restaurant
1041 J C PkwyTwo locations - both awesome! Incredible amount of authentic, tasty Mexican food for a really good price!
Fiesta Ranchera Mexican Restaurant
1041 J C PkwyLots of good Mexican restaurants in Bloomington, but this one is our favorite! Really good food and great prices! Favorite dish: the Cheesy Steak Burrito - it's enormous!!
Herradura
909 N Hershey RdLots of good Mexican restaurants in Bloomington, but this one is our favorite! Really good food and great prices! Favorite dish: the Cheesy Steak Burrito - it's enormous!!
Los Potrillos
201 Landmark DrAnother great Mexican restaurant
Any place that has a baked cheese crust pizza is one that you need to try out.....
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Joe's Station House Pizza Pub
305 Veterans PkwyAny place that has a baked cheese crust pizza is one that you need to try out.....
Great restaurant, awesome bar, and in summer you can sit out on the huge veranda and watch the volleyball games!
Gill Street Sports Bar and Restaurant
3002B Gill StreetGreat restaurant, awesome bar, and in summer you can sit out on the huge veranda and watch the volleyball games!
It's really a local bar that's kinda off the beaten path, but we want our guests to know about the Sunday $3 single/$4 double cheeseburger deals - so good!
Windjammer
2303 Stern DrIt's really a local bar that's kinda off the beaten path, but we want our guests to know about the Sunday $3 single/$4 double cheeseburger deals - so good!
We haven't eaten here ourselves, but friends tell us this is THE BEST Indian food in town!
Puran Indian Restaurant
1704 Eastland DrWe haven't eaten here ourselves, but friends tell us this is THE BEST Indian food in town!
Garden of Paradise
1412 E Empire StWonderful Greek restaurant with a great breakfast menu (lunch and dinner too)!
Arts & Culture
Zoológico de Miller Park
1020 S Morris AveFun, Quick Zoo.
Children's Discovery Museum
101 E Beaufort StEwing Manor is an incredible turn-of-the-century English Tudor castle that was transformed into the Ewing Cultural Center after it's original builder/owner passed away in the 1960's. Home to the annual Shakespeare Festival, Ewing Manor is a treasure unto itself and hosts tours of the home throughout the year. You'll be in awe of this amazing architectural wonder that rests serenely in rolling gardens and woods right in the middle of Bloomington/Normal.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ewing Cultural Center
48 Sunset RdEwing Manor is an incredible turn-of-the-century English Tudor castle that was transformed into the Ewing Cultural Center after it's original builder/owner passed away in the 1960's. Home to the annual Shakespeare Festival, Ewing Manor is a treasure unto itself and hosts tours of the home throughout the year. You'll be in awe of this amazing architectural wonder that rests serenely in rolling gardens and woods right in the middle of Bloomington/Normal.
Essentials
Hy-Vee
1403 N Veterans PkwyEntertainment & Activities
Ovation 10 Bloomington
415 Detroit DrStadium venue for music, sports, and comedy shows
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Grossinger Motors Arena
101 S Madison StStadium venue for music, sports, and comedy shows
Drinks & Nightlife
Teatro del Castillo
209 E Washington StPub II
102 N Linden StKillarney's Irish Pub
523 N Main StElroy's
102 W Washington St This is our favorite sports bar in town. The burgers and waffle fries are awesome!
Maggie Miley's
126 E Beaufort StMugsy's
1310 N Main StGreat bar food and fun atmosphere!
Bloomington's "gay bar" but the crowd is diverse and accepting of everyone. Lots of theme nights (drag shows, live entertainment, Halloween party, etc.), and a small dance floor. And while you're there make sure you meet Jan the owner - she's awesome!
Bistro
316 N Main StBloomington's "gay bar" but the crowd is diverse and accepting of everyone. Lots of theme nights (drag shows, live entertainment, Halloween party, etc.), and a small dance floor. And while you're there make sure you meet Jan the owner - she's awesome!
Popular with locals. Lots of attorney's and business professionals hang out here....
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rosie's Pub
106 E Front StPopular with locals. Lots of attorney's and business professionals hang out here....
Maguire's Bar & Grill
220 N Center StJazz UpFront
107 W Front StPub America
602 North Main StreetFat Jacks Bar
511 N Main StSightseeing
McLean County Courthouse
104 W Front StDavid Davis Mansion
1000 Monroe DrOld House Society
214 Douglas StSeasonal house tour events - check their website!
Multi-use walking/running/biking trail that traverses Bloomington/Normal for miles in either direction. Bloomington Bungalow is only three houses down from the Trail!
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Constitution Trail
Constitution TrailMulti-use walking/running/biking trail that traverses Bloomington/Normal for miles in either direction. Bloomington Bungalow is only three houses down from the Trail!
Everything Else
Illinois Wesleyan University
1312 Park StIllinois State University
100 N University StHeartland Community College
1500 W Raab Rd