Ryan F.
Bloomington, Indiana, was established in the early 1800s by settlers from Kentucky and Virginia.
The landscape captivated the group with floral blooms, so the settlers called the area Bloomington. As of the 2020 census, about 80,000 people call the metro area home.
One campus of Indiana University is situated in the area, and more than 45,000 students attend the college. Bloomington is also the location of Indiana University’s yearly Little 500 bicycle race.
The culinary scene in Indiana is expanding and includes incredible places for residents, students, and visitors to enjoy a variety of cuisines any time of the day.
My favorite meal is brunch! From mimosas to eggs benedict, brunch is fun for friends and family to gather over tasty foods.
Best Brunch in Bloomington
- The Owlery Restaurant
- Uptown Cafe
- FARM Bloomington American Restaurant
- FEAST MARKET & CELLAR
- RUNCIBLE SPOON
- LENNIE’S
- Bloomington Bagel Company
- Village Deli
- B-Town Diner
- The Tudor Room
- Bedrak Cafe
We visited Bloomington to determine the best brunch spots in the area in neighborhoods across the city.
The Owlery Restaurant
118 W 6th St, Bloomington, IN 47404
Phone: 812-333-7344
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The Owlery Restaurant is open every day at 11:00 am and 10:00 am on Sundays. It is located in the heart of Bloomington near the WonderLab Science Museum.
The Owlery Restaurant offers a comfortable and artsy atmosphere. The kitchen serves vegetarian options and vegan baked goods.
When I visited The Owlery Restaurant, I enjoyed the tofu scramble and the breakfast poutine. Another popular brunch item is the custom pancakes.
You can add blueberries, chocolate chips, almonds, or bananas—or you can order the red velvet pancakes! Additionally, the restaurant offers a gluten-free breakfast menu for visitors with sensitivity.
Uptown Cafe
102 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, IN 47408
Phone: 812-339-0900
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The Uptown Cafe is a New American restaurant in the center of Bloomington. The kitchen adds a cajun flair to traditional dishes, and the bar serves a full range of beers and cocktails. Chef Michael Cassady opened Uptown Cafe in 1976 and continues to run the kitchen today.
Brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. I tried the smoked salmon eggs benedict with poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce on my visit.
Other brunch items include huevos rancheros and Eggs Maryland with a jumbo lump crab cake! Don’t skip the creme brulee french toast or the espresso martini.
FARM Bloomington American Restaurant
108 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, IN 47408
Phone: 812-323-0002
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Near the Monroe County Public Library, FARM Bloomington American Restaurant is a popular neighborhood spot. It is open at 9:00 am on the weekends for brunch service. Chef Daniel Orr has created an inclusive and welcoming menu.
I enjoyed the steak and eggs with a red pepper coulis. The Indiana benedict is also very good with a Kielbasa Gravy instead of the traditional Hollandaise.
I’d also recommend the Hosier burger with added caramelized onions and brie cheese. For pizza lovers, try the bacon and egg pizza, a perfect combination of pizza and breakfast!
Feast Market & Cellar
407 W Patterson Dr, Bloomington, IN 47403
Phone: 812-287-8615
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Feast Market & Cellar serves baked goods, comfort food, and hundreds of wines. The restaurant is open between Tuesday and Sunday.
You can make reservations online. It is a great place to visit with friends or family to enjoy a meal.
My favorite dishes are the breakfast tamale and the ham and apple frittata. The pork belly hash with a fried egg is a savory treat. I also recommend trying the biscuits and gravy or the torta with braised pork shoulder.
The Nutella crepe and the salmon bagel are smaller plates perfect for sharing as starters or enjoying as a lighter entree.
Runcible Spoon
412 E 6th St, Bloomington, IN 47408
Phone: 812-334-3997
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The Runcible Spoon is in downtown Bloomington. The woman-owned restaurant is always busy; it is an excellent option for casual breakfast.
The space’s atmosphere is whimsical, and I recommend checking out the outdoor patio. Owner Jeff Danielson began the cage as a coffee roastery then expanded to serve breakfast and lunch.
Try the TexMex ranchero omelet or the ham steak and home fries platter. Other popular menu items include French toast and pancakes.
But the most fun menu option is to build your own omelet with add-ins like cheddar, bacon, feta, onions, broccoli, or potatoes! The restaurant offers espresso-based coffee drinks as well.
Lennie’s Brewpub
514 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, IN 47408
Phone: 812-323-2112
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Lennie’s Brewpub is a community tavern that serves gourmet pizzas and local craft beer. The pub is open every day except Tuesdays.
It is near Dunn’s Woods on the University of Indiana’s Maurer School of Law. Owners Jeff Mease and Lennie Busch met in college, married, and opened Lennie’s Brewpub.
When I visited Lennie’s Brewpub, I enjoyed the Breakfast Stromboli with eggs, mozzarella, cheddar, and pepperoni.
Try the Waffle Plate, which includes waffles with powdered sugar and berries and served with a Bloomington Brewing Co. Ruby Bloom Amber Ale syrup! For brunch, try one of the many beers or wines at the bar.
Bloomington Bagel Company
Multiple locations
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Bloomington Bagel Company has two locations in Bloomington, and both are open between Tuesday and Sunday.
Guests can visit the stores for a single order or check out the website for more information about catering for larger events.
The bagel flavors include plain, blueberry, poppyseed, sesame, garlic, onion, and many more. Pair your bagel with a tasty schemer like honey almond, garlic herb, or brown sugar cinnamon swirl.
The restaurant also offers bagel sandwiches like the corned beef Reuben and the veggie bagelwich. You can also grab a smoothie or an espresso drink. Grab a homemade chocolate chip cookie to go!
Village Deli
409 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, IN 47408
Phone: 812-336-2303
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Village Deli is a diner serving classic American breakfasts and burgers. It is located near People’s Park in Bloomington and is open between Thursday and Monday.
It is a popular spot for Indiana University college students because of its large portions and affordability.
When I visited Village Deli, I enjoyed the classic eggs benedict. Other local favorites include the southwestern omelet, the waffle topped with fresh fruit, and the vegetarian breakfast tacos.
The homemade granola with vanilla yogurt is a great light brunch option. Be sure to ask about the daily scramblers!
B-Town Diner
211 N Walnut St, Bloomington, IN 47404
Phone: 812-822-0300
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The B-Town Diner is a relaxed diner that serves guests from breakfast to dinner. It is conveniently located near downtown Bloomington.
Follow the diner on social media for updates on specials and events. It is a versatile restaurant that is family-friendly and great for kids.
Start with or share the big cinnamon roll; it is so tasty! I also recommend ordering the chicken and waffles, the stuffed French toast, or the breakfast sandwich.
The breakfast stacks are a world all their own; try the Philly with stacked hashbrowns, peppers, ribeye steak, onions, and cheese—all the flavors of a classic Philly cheesesteak!
The Tudor Room
900 E 7th St, Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: 812-855-1620
The Tudor Room is near Ballentine Hall, adjacent to the University of Indiana Bloomington’s campus.
It is open between Tuesday and Friday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. The university dining hall offers buffet-style breakfast options and has been open to the public for more than fifteen years.
Visit the buffet for custom cookies, individualized parfaits, and self-serve breakfast classics. The bacon is think-cut and perfectly cooked so that it’s both crispy and chewy.
The biscuits with white gravy and the scrambled eggs are buffet staples, but save room for the incredible spread of desserts like cakes and pies!
Bedrock Cafe
409 S Walnut St, Bloomington, IN 47401
Phone: 812-650-1110
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Bedrock Cafe is on the outskirts of the Vinegar Hill Historic community in the Downtown Commercial District.
It is open between Wednesday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Follow the cafe on Instagram for updates on specials and limited-time offerings.
Bedrock Cafe serves danishes and scones with rotating flavors. I enjoyed the Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread Waffle with ancho chili.
Other popular menu items include the Sweet Dijon Glazed Ham Steak with a cinnamon dijon glaze and the Signature Cubano sandwich with smoked ham, pulled style pork, yellow mustard, and Swiss cheese on pressed Cuban bread.
Final Thoughts
Bloomington is a welcoming city in Indiana with great restaurants perfect for brunch. From pancakes to breakfast burgers, there is a sweet or savory option for everyone.
The college is a central part of the town, so student life is part of the city’s vibe, which translates to great coffeehouses, breakfast spots, and tasty brunch cuisine.
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
