Restaurants in Bloomington

“Have dined here several times with the wife. Unique offerings on the menu and attentive servers. The bowls are good and the various chicken dishes were also good. Looking forward to trying some of the other offerings. Ample portions for the reasonable prices.”

“Absolutely love the chico here! Highest suggest! Owner is absolutely awesome to work with!”

“Incredible service right at the door. Food was luscious, hot, so special. Crust was delectable and unique. Well worth visiting again & again. Coffees are to die for-a MUST try! Pricing is so reasonable it’s great for a family. Try this- you will be so pleased!”

“ordering online was super easy and convenient! Food was hot and ready when the website said it would be. I ordered the paneer Tikka burger and it was AMAZING.”

“Culinary Chronicles of Central Illinois: An Adventure at Lil Beaver Brewery

Some adventures don’t require a passport — just a short drive across Bloomington. Our latest stop took us to Lil Beaver Brewery, a bold and creative hub of local beer innovation that has been delighting Central Illinois since 2016.

We were greeted by General Manager Brandon Ciasnocha, who shared stories of the brewery’s evolution and local impact. Owners Adam and Justin Bellas have taken their “small but mighty” brewery from a homegrown dream to a Bloomington favorite that’s crafted over 200 beers throughout the years. Their flagship hit — the ever-popular Wainbows — continues to fly off the taps.

Step inside and you’ll quickly sense the energy: the beer garden extends the space beautifully, offering room for friends, families, and laughter under the open sky. Sustainability also plays a proud role here — Lil Beaver partners with local farmers, sending their spent grains to feed cattle and close the local loop in true community fashion.

Tasting the Adventure

Our tasting flight read like a tour through the brewery’s creative DNA.
Wyezick – a crisp and refreshing wheat ale with balanced citrus notes.
Wainbow – their iconic fruited IPA that bursts with tropical character.
CHRA Space Crystals – a hazy IPA that’s smooth, juicy, and cosmic in both flavor and name.
Dipped and Deride – a dessert-inspired stout that turns indulgence into art.
Peach Crumble – like summer in a glass, softly sweet and fruit-forward.
Jitters – coffee lovers rejoice; a bold brew that marries rich roast with silky texture.
PDC Lager – clean, crisp, and perfect for a classic beer moment.
Amber Ale – toasted malt warmth for those who love tradition done right.

Brewers Collin Shaffer and Tyler bring creative fire to every keg they craft, while bartenders TJ and AJ make each pour a friendly experience that keeps regulars coming back.

Bites to Match the Brews

Don’t miss the Wisconsin white cheese curds — simply outstanding when paired with a pint of amber. The homemade pretzels dipped in beer cheese are another highlight — warm, flavorful, and flat-out addictive.

For mains, we couldn’t resist the Birria Nachos, piled high and full of rich flavor, and the Beaver Wrap, a crowd favorite featuring tender chicken and house-made flair.

Every corner of this brewery hums with creativity, community, and care — proof that great beer tastes even better when rooted in local pride.”

“My favorite place to eat every Friday night 🖤 chili chicken and white 🍚 the husband gets Tenga chicken biryani. The have made so many improvements lately to their dining. It’s looking beautiful in there.”

“The best Mexican place in town HANDS DOWN. Fast, delicious, variety. You can’t ask for much more. This is my go to place in Blono for authentic Mexican food”

“Excellent at its Best Food Fit for The Queen an Daughter Queen Enjoyed The Food an conversation very interesting keep Rising”

“great breakfast but the waitress sucked and kept going into the bathroom to ues her vape”

“I have been 2x now and both experiences I left happy! Great food. Great prices. Great staff. Only suggestion is to have bottled water availble for purchaseuntil the water doesn't taste like mud in Bloomington.”

“We arrived right at opening. We were immediately greeted with a friendly smile and a warm welcome by Lee. Already they were swamped with New Year's Eve orders, but Lee was super attentive, and his attitude was just phenomenal. The entire staff was actually really great, they clearly know what teamwork is! The food was absolutely amazing. We tried the pepper jack cheese curds as well as the garlic cheese curds. Delicious. The double cheeseburger (which was the special today) was on point, the chicken sandwich was cooked to perfection with just the right amount of crisp and juiciness, fresh bun, and my favorite crunchy pickles! The restaurant was really clean, and the atmosphere is cozy. Love the chill vibe. The prices are unbelievably amazing too! We will be back! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! If I could give more stars for service, I would!”

“Not just the best tacos in town, but the best lunch spot hands down. I've never had anything from there that wasn't amazing. The barbacoa tacos and the cubana torta are my two favorite menu items.”

“Terri and Chelsea are true charms as owners. They have trained their staff to the highest levels to take care of each customer. The food is excellent and exquisite, which warrants compliments to the chef! The atmosphere in Mystic is lively and energetic. We always enjoy coming to this establishment!!”

“This is Bloomington’s best hidden gem - the menu is totally unique from anywhere else in town, the cocktails are staff-created and to die for, and you really can’t ask for better company! Pat hired the friendliest crew in town (shoutout to Stephen), so do yourself a favor and get to know them 🩷”

“First time ordering a doughnut cake and it was absolutely delicious, beautifully decorated, and reasonably priced. Thank you!”

“Delicious food and great service. We will be back regularly ‼️”

“Lunch buffet was amazing! So glad that they brought it back!”

“We came here on Saturday afternoon and ordered all the 3 dishes on the special menu. Haleem and sheer kurma are delicious. We also ordered 2 person goat mandi and it is really good too.”

“Our waiter, Francisco was wonderful. He was very attentive and kind. He checked on us frequently. He went above and beyond! Next time we dine at Baxter's, we will be requesting him to be our server. Thanks. FRANCISCO.”

“we came for a birthday celebration. we had a party of 7. everyone got something different & everyone enjoyed their meals. we felt the quality & quantity of food was very very fair reflective of the price. our server was incredibly helpful & very observant of our tables needs. my family is already asking when we can go back.”

“LOVE ANJU ABOVE!! Drinks were on point and sushi was amazing!Cant wait to go back!”

“Revery is an absolute gem! Their cocktails are expertly crafted, bursting with unique flavors that perfectly complement the atmosphere. The steaks are cooked to perfection—juicy, tender, and full of rich taste. The service is friendly and attentive, making every visit a memorable experience. Whether you're a cocktail enthusiast or a steak lover, Revery is the place to be for an exceptional dining experience. Highly recommend!”

“Had the best time ever at this Olive Garden! We came after a work trip. Our server, Vinnie, was absolutely amazing! Super fast & funny! We can’t wait to come back”

“The food was awesome, hot & cooked perfect! The staff couldn’t have been better! My husband & I will be back!”

“We hosted a family milestone celebratory meal for nineteen people which exceeded even all our high expectations. Between DawnMichelle Alvarez, Biaggi’s Event Coordinator, and Christy, our primary server, we received fabulous treatment throughout our evening. We have celebrated family milestones at Biaggi’s for many years and will continue to do so because Biaggi’s in our opinion is the very best Bloomington has to offer.”

“Great experience. food was delicious and our waitress, Jolei was AWESOME.”

“The food is always on point. We always feel so welcomed the minute we walk in the door. Our favorite server Nayeli always keeps us informed of changes to the menu and is such a professional in every faucet of her job.”

“Amazing food, top-notch service. The honey bread was transcendant. Don’t talk yourself out of it due to pricing. It was worth every dollar and every bite. Cannot recommend it enough.”

“We love Bakery & Pickle! Our food is always outstanding, good service, and quality cocktails. We love their bartender Cullen. He makes the best drinks in town and will even create something unique based on our tastes. We had so much fun at the bar last night that we skipped our dinner reservations in the dining room and enjoyed our anniversary dinner at the bar. This place is always a good time with great staff, food, and atmosphere. Cullen keeps us coming back for his excellent cocktails!”

“The orange chicken wasn't too good to me. The Egg Foo Yung was very good. I thought the fried rice and eggrolls were just ok. I'll definitely go back for the egg foo Yung.”

“Love going to Dennys in Bloomigton Illinois. Always fast and friendly service. Patty is our favorite but the rest are good too. They are a team and work together”

“To Ava, I’m so sorry about my family freaking out today. You don’t deserve it at all. I couldn’t speak up for a fear of them losing it, but I truly did want to. You did not do anything wrong. Workers have it hard. Please have a good week, I hope this doesn’t happen too often.”

“Best Wendy's in America. As a truck driver that lives off Wendy's, Ive never seen the care that went into making food. Everything was clean inside. The staff who took my order( Clyde @1pm Thurday) was awsome. I watched the lady who makes the sandwiches and it was done with professionalism. Definitely the best.”

“Today was my first time eating at Lucca Grill. We went during lunch and I ordered their grilled chicken sandwich dipped in parmesan sauce and homemade chips. It was delicious! Our waitress was fantastic! She greeted us as we walked in and gave us great service! We are definitely going back and will have to try the pizza.”

“I was in town for Cicada research and after a long first day, Rosie's was suggested by multiple people. I had the Special and (it was steak skewers thar night) everything was prepared beautifully. The staff are amazing. By request, I returned the favor and fed them. Fried Cicadas. kitchen staff, wait staff and bartenders. all of them are skilled and have great personalities. I will go out of my way to return. Thank you on behalf of myself and the "Name That Bug!" community.”

“Great food! The chicken (in any form) is delicious! The burgers are also very good. Haven’t tried all of the sides but so far all food has been fantastic. You really can’t go wrong here. And now lobster rolls even!!!”

“They had a large and diverse selection of beers, from lagers to stouts and everything in-between. Some breweries get into a rut or theme and only really specialize in one or two types. Glad their selection is so varied.

They have a nice patio area and nice indoor seating area as well, although it is on the cozy/small side.

Part of their seating area is up a flight of stairs, and when 2 people are trying to navigate going both up and down at the same time woth beer/glass, it can get tricky.

Parking is a little cramped based on the limitations of the location.”

“Looking to replace Denny's for early morning breakfast. Another story, another time.
6 am opening, perfect. Had steak and eggs. Exactly what I ordered. Waitress checked on me more than once after food was served. Music was 80's but not too loud to have conversation. All in all, I will be back.”

“Our server Katie was absolutely the best. She delivered our food and drinks on time when the restaurant was very busy. She was very polite. I wish we could have more servers like Katie. We will definitely return and ask for her section.”

“Always on point! Exceptional coffee”

“Had the burnt ends & pulled pork sandwiches, which my granddaughter really loved & she’s very picky”

“Amazing coffee and baked goods! Give it a try, you're missing out.”

“This place is the best! I’ve been eating here since I was a kid, and it’s delicious every time! They are so friendly as soon as you walk in, and the food is always hot and fresh. This place serves the best Chinese food in town, and I highly recommend!”

“The food, staff and tequila are absolutely fantastic. My first choice since the first time I ate there.”

“Pow! Boom! This is it! Now we all know what Batman must eat to annihilate all the villains. It's OUT! This is some incredibly delicious food. Talk about seasoned to perfection, melt in your mouth and so homemade; there must be a spoon still in it somewhere; waiting to be discovered. I had the hard task of tasting both the brown gravy chicken and the curry chicken, in an attempt to decide which one to order. Both were very flavorful, the flavors were distinct for each of them but both equally good. Real home cooking cannot be duplicated, there's no trick that can replace hours of slow heat and proper execution. Pouring stuff together doesn't make you a Chef, other places consolidate service jobs and depending on where their employees are standing that day, they may be today's chef. Sad, but true. This food is wonderfully prepared, that takes time and effort. Hat's off! Go, in and meet Meka, tell her Jen sent you, because she's the "best" at what she does, samples will convince you by themselves but don't say I didn't tell you, first! Hopefully, I'll meet you or beat you back there, soon. Peace 2 All!”

“We stop in anytime we are in the area. Kari (spelling) is the early morning person behind the bar-and he is amazing! Had the best sandwich ever-The Philly Sandwich covered in their homemade cheese. I would drive 2 hours right now just to have another. Overall, it is a great place to visit, but tough to leave! My apologies, I don't remember the bartender that came in at 10...but she was equally amazing! Can't wait to go back”

“Had the trio for dinner and it was really good! Delicious crunchy chicken, fries & dessert! Will 💯 be back”

“Ordered pickup pizzas for dinner. The ordering site easy to use as a guest. We only ordered calzones before. I need to come in for the beer and checkout the atmosphere. My wife enjoyed her pepperoni and I ordered the blackjack Mac which was a nice change. Lots of toppings. Nice crusts. We enjoy trying different places and their style of product. Another place that we now have to fit into our rotation. I timed my pickup just right pizzas just came out of the oven.”

“Vegan friendly, delicious, flavorful food at reasonable prices. I just wish they were open for extended hours!”

“we got an order of sugar cookies from a patient after the delivery of their baby. They were pink and blue iced and delicious. Can't wait to visit and try more!”

“We’ve loved Oberweis/TBJ ever since they opened. The food is great and the ice cream is the best! The employees are all great to work with too.”

“Best St Patrick's Day event in McLean County. Friendliest pub in town.”

“Tim runs a phenomenal restaurant, featuring the best prices in town and offering samples of Major Melonz 🍉 Tiger Dolls on the Hot Bar.”

“I loved the coffee and atmosphere so much that I decided to work here and it was the best decision! The owners, management and employees all really love what we do and it shows. Side note, with some trial and error, we found the best soft serve ice cream and I highly recommend it!”

“Wow! First time visitor. Everything was fantastic! We started with the Steamed Pork Dumplings. Mr wife had the Beef Stir Fry Ramen. It was so good that we got one to go for our child at home. I tried the Chicken Bulgolgi and had the Beef Hot Stone Bowl. Both were excellent! Well worthy the 45 minute drive. We will definitely be back!”

“My birthday cakes growing up were always from Janet’s and were always something I looked forward to. When I was planning my wedding I knew I wanted Janet’s for my cake and cupcakes! They did an AMAZING job with desserts for my wedding. Everything was fresh and delicious. They were great with communication and accommodating to my requests. I will continue to be a repeat customer!”

“I have never had better Pad Thai, than at Thai House!”

“This cozy place is a packed house on a Friday night, but worth the effort to find a seat. The atmosphere is lively, the service is friendly and attentive. The food is incredible, delicious doesn’t adequately describe the flavor profiles and the quality.”

“After being sick and seeing a post on yummy desserts, that’s all I wanted. Walked in at 1:03 (obviously oblivious to what time they close) and was told they were actually closed, my bad. But then asked if there was something I wanted real quick and let me tell you…..I was over the moon with excitement and picked some of the most amazing cookies!! Thumbprint cookies, Turtle cookies, and the iced sugar cookies 🤤 Thank you for making my day♥️”

“The food and the tequila. Amazing staff and always good people there. Gotta love the pass”

“A fun local pub! Delicious food and a variety of beverages. Something for everyone! The chicken dip sandwich is my favorite!!!”

“Servers are rude...I told my waitress I was unhappy with the eggs because I wanted real eggs. She assured me that it was indeed real eggs. ((Look for yourself) see pic below if I can add it) then she told the other waitress who was even more rude and made sure we heard her disdain. For the situation. Very unprofessional the hashbrowns looked like filet of sole (from a shoe)...I had a spinach feta and tomato omelet with no taste the egg was so watered down it was disgusting. staff digusted among themselves my experience but only the cashier apologize for it...smh”

“Great little local bar. First class service. Super super clean. Drinks are so reasonable. You’ll make new friends and hear the latest news. Mr Lincoln would be proud.”

“We had a graduation party at Casper Brewing Company and it was absolutely perfect! Everyone was amazing to work with and the room is comfortable, with several tables and sitting areas. You can bring in your own food and the drinks are fabulous! We would definitely recommend Casper Brewing Company for your next party!”

“12/10 one of my FAVORITE restaurants I've ever been to!! The atmosphere is amazing. It's super relaxing, and I love the music. Everyone working there is kind and the facilities are clean. I am always impressed with the quality of the food and drink. The build your own poké bowl is a great deal. The portion sizes are nice; I always get two full meals out of one poké bowl. I highly recommend this place to anyone I can! Plus it's nice to support a local business!”

“Slightly pricier than a fast food place, but you get twice as much. The parmasaun truffle fries with garlic aoli were delicious and the regular size was twice the size of others. Well done!”

“I love this place! The food is incredible. The Black and Blue burger was amazing. Thank you Adam!”

“Best tacos in towns! 1. Quality 2. Consistent 3. Delicious”

“I came in for the first time and got a Blackberry Biancha. I actually changed from a caramel mocha and they were soo chill about it! So nice! They told me about the app and helped set it up and give me points.”

“I have ordered the spicy cheese curds. The service was quick, food hot and the atmosphere is calming. I will say that the cheese curds say spicy, it may be the slight Mexican in me but personally the spice after eating 12 was about 2/10, but the quality was very good. If you are visiting definitely check this place out for good food at a good price.”

“I have just discovered Crafted. What a hidden gem! Met a friend for delicious coffee a few days ago and here for drinks tonight.”

“Usually a regular for breakfast, but came for dinner. It was great! I had the chicken Parm, my husband had the chili spaghetti. Great food, and great service.”

“This place is absolutely amazing.

Love the food and people that work here.

Gym around the corner and I go here twice a week easily.”

“Food is amazing. Very clean dining area. Staff is friendly!”

“Stopped in for a quick burger but was told they are known for their chicken sandwich. Decided to give it a try and could not have been happier. It was delicious. Cooked perfect, soft bun and great flavor. i would eat here over the popular chain chicken places. It was clean, good tv and a friendly staff.”

“Very nice neighborhood pub. Service was very good and so was the food. Great job.”

“having no idea what I was walking into, I ordered the spaghetti dinner, that came with tossed salad and garlic bread. my partner ordered the torpedo. we got way more than we expected. a ton of food. very good. the amount of sandwich with the torpedo caught me the most off guard. but honestly the best part is the bread. so freaking good. soft fluffy. yes please. we will definitely be coming back. you should too”

“The best thin crust pizza in Central Illinois. Our waiter, Cam, was a rockstar and was working the entire dining room by himself. He handled it with grace and a smile. Highly recommend going!”

“Love going to Dennys in Bloomigton Illinois. Always fast and friendly service. Patty is our favorite but the rest are good too. They are a team and work together”

“we enjoyed a wonderful carry out thanksgiving day meal prepared by a great bunch of folks, Thank you so much!”

“Very, very sad that this place closed. It was AWESOME!”

“Lunch buffet was amazing! So glad that they brought it back!”

“We hosted a family milestone celebratory meal for nineteen people which exceeded even all our high expectations. Between DawnMichelle Alvarez, Biaggi’s Event Coordinator, and Christy, our primary server, we received fabulous treatment throughout our evening. We have celebrated family milestones at Biaggi’s for many years and will continue to do so because Biaggi’s in our opinion is the very best Bloomington has to offer.”

“I’m sooooo heartbroken this is closed I just got back into town and have been looking forward to this for quite a long time and had a big group I was going to bring! This is the absolute best food I have ever ever had! Breakfast and lunch! With the best service!! I wish it would open up another location I would travel to it for sure! Yiu will be missed!”

“Excellent food, prepared fresh, served hot. Very clean. Owners efficient & 'know your name.' Group friends there at least x1/mo if not more.”

“This is a very nice bar. It is a very clean and modern. Lots of tv's to watch sports and just a really comfortabe atmosphere. The service is very good.”

“We stop in anytime we are in the area. Kari (spelling) is the early morning person behind the bar-and he is amazing! Had the best sandwich ever-The Philly Sandwich covered in their homemade cheese. I would drive 2 hours right now just to have another. Overall, it is a great place to visit, but tough to leave! My apologies, I don't remember the bartender that came in at 10...but she was equally amazing! Can't wait to go back”

“Travelling across the country Have driven 3000 miles best Cobb salad to date Great experience discussing local items with server”

“Incredible service right at the door. Food was luscious, hot, so special. Crust was delectable and unique. Well worth visiting again & again. Coffees are to die for-a MUST try! Pricing is so reasonable it’s great for a family. Try this- you will be so pleased!”

“I ordered a Supreme pizza. I made a special request and the manager, Trey, took care of it. It was ready quickly and he answered all of my questions. The pizza was delicious and Trey is terrific!”

“Excellent at its Best Food Fit for The Queen an Daughter Queen Enjoyed The Food an conversation very interesting keep Rising”

“The food was awesome, hot & cooked perfect! The staff couldn’t have been better! My husband & I will be back!”

“Ate there yesterday, food was excellent, had fish and chips, fish was the best I have had in a while. Atmosphere was great also. I was impressed. will eat there again.”

“Have dined here several times with the wife. Unique offerings on the menu and attentive servers. The bowls are good and the various chicken dishes were also good. Looking forward to trying some of the other offerings. Ample portions for the reasonable prices.”

“food was great and so was the service.”

“Ate there yesterday, food was excellent, had fish and chips, fish was the best I have had in a while. Atmosphere was great also. I was impressed. will eat there again.”

“Great food! The chicken (in any form) is delicious! The burgers are also very good. Haven’t tried all of the sides but so far all food has been fantastic. You really can’t go wrong here. And now lobster rolls even!!!”

“My favorite place to eat every Friday night 🖤 chili chicken and white 🍚 the husband gets Tenga chicken biryani. The have made so many improvements lately to their dining. It’s looking beautiful in there.”

“Love going to Dennys in Bloomigton Illinois. Always fast and friendly service. Patty is our favorite but the rest are good too. They are a team and work together”

“We've been to another Culver's we really like the butter burger, we tried the cheese curds these were tasty. And my cashier Ed ... He was very polite 😁”

“Incredible service right at the door. Food was luscious, hot, so special. Crust was delectable and unique. Well worth visiting again & again. Coffees are to die for-a MUST try! Pricing is so reasonable it’s great for a family. Try this- you will be so pleased!”

“Today was my first time eating at Lucca Grill. We went during lunch and I ordered their grilled chicken sandwich dipped in parmesan sauce and homemade chips. It was delicious! Our waitress was fantastic! She greeted us as we walked in and gave us great service! We are definitely going back and will have to try the pizza.”

“Brought my boys to try this pizza buffet experience ages 5, 7, and 9. I think it was a success! Plenty of pizza options. They really liked the bread sticks and dessert options! Also each one found a pizza with their topping. As well as salad and veggie options too.”

“We arrived right at opening. We were immediately greeted with a friendly smile and a warm welcome by Lee. Already they were swamped with New Year's Eve orders, but Lee was super attentive, and his attitude was just phenomenal. The entire staff was actually really great, they clearly know what teamwork is! The food was absolutely amazing. We tried the pepper jack cheese curds as well as the garlic cheese curds. Delicious. The double cheeseburger (which was the special today) was on point, the chicken sandwich was cooked to perfection with just the right amount of crisp and juiciness, fresh bun, and my favorite crunchy pickles! The restaurant was really clean, and the atmosphere is cozy. Love the chill vibe. The prices are unbelievably amazing too! We will be back! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! If I could give more stars for service, I would!”

“Last minute walk-in. They weren't expecting a crowd, so Ty was a little lost since we were the first of the crowd. He was very good. Attentive and while a little flustered early on, was very loose and friendly. Nice quiet place with lots of TV's. Also clean.”

“Delicious food and great service. We will be back regularly ‼️”

“Had the best time ever at this Olive Garden! We came after a work trip. Our server, Vinnie, was absolutely amazing! Super fast & funny! We can’t wait to come back”

“We stopped in here while attending a concert at The Castle Theater just around the corner. One of the coolest hangout spots ever. Great cold drinks great service! Place is Super clean and friendly managerThe arcade is awesome some great games we will definitely come back when In the area! Easy parking! We had a blast!”

“Great atmosphere, genuinely interested in what you have to say :) amazing pumpkin toast and pistachio latte!!”

“Super fast, and always delicious. They have the best matcha in town. Its a shame I missed out on the free keychains the other day, but thats my own fault for not giving myself enough time to stop by.”

“Coffee is smooth and flavors are delicious!”

“Authentic Indian gem with spotless hygiene! Fresh spices deliver true flavors. Biryanis shine—Chicken, Mutton, Veg, Hyderabadi. Starters: juicy Chicken Tikka, Malai, 65, Kebabs. Snacks: crispy Samosa, Pakora, Vada. Must-visit!”

“Hunt Brothers Pizza is a great pizza for anybody searching for really good tasting food the employees are always very respectful their Pizza is also never undercooked or overcooked it is always just right with a perfect amount of toppings”

“Chicken was wonderful it was Krispy Krunchy and fresh but they were closing after my order and they did store the rest of the Chicken 👀 I just hope they don't serve it up tomorrow. I suggest making it half price the last hour before closing 🤷🏾‍♀️”