3 Top Cafes in Bloomington IN You Won’t Forget

coffee shop

If you’re cruising around Bloomington, IN, in search of original food selections matched with equally unique atmospheres, we have the three top cafes you’ll have to check out next.

When it comes to food and atmosphere, each one of these Bloomington cafes has character to spare.

The Laughing Planet Cafe

If you prefer organic ingredients from local farms, you’ll want to visit The Laughing Planet Cafe. This colorful cafe’s specialty is California-style burritos. Here is a sampling of the organic burrito goodness you can expect from the Laughing Planet Cafe:

  • Jimmy the Greek. This Greek-tinged pleasure is made up of organic brown rice, black beans, tomatoes, onions, feta cheese, kalamata olives, and steamed spinach.
  • Backyard BBQ. Enjoy the taste of summer afternoons with this imaginative blend of organic brown rice, salsa fresca, sweet corn, kale, Fischer Farms pulled pork, sweet and tangy jicama slaw, BBQ sauce, Dijon mustard, and pinto beans.

The laughing Planet Cafe also offers organic quesadillas, multi-grain veggie burgers, salads, soups, bowls, and appetizers.

Apart from its delicious organic fare, the interior of the Laughing Planet Cafe is adorned with the work of local artists. This diverse collection of paintings and sculptures successfully adds to the colorful mood established by the food itself. The Laughing Planet Cafe also has split-level, outdoor seating, so you can enjoy the outside Bloomington air along with your meal.

Through its use of local ingredients and the exhibition of local artwork, the Laughing Planet Cafe really gives its patrons an idea of what Bloomington, IN, is all about. This is reflected in its participation with the Bloomington community as members of the Local Growers Guild, Local First Indiana, and BIRA.

The Laughing Planet Cafe’s Facebook page has many pics to replace the images of juicy deliciousness already forming in your mind.

The Owlery Restaurant coffee shop

Next up in our list of top cafes in Bloomington, IN, is The Owlery Restaurant. Established in 2011, The Owlery Restaurant specializes in comfort food with a vegetarian twist. That’s right: vegetarian comfort food! Take a look at some of what they have in store:

  • Fish Tacos. These are made of Tofu fish, pico de gallo, red cabbage, and cayenne-lime sauce.
  • Tempeh Reuben. This vegetarian take on an all-time favorite consists of fried tempeh, sauerkraut, swiss or vegan cheese, Russian dressing, and rye bread. Top it off with one of The Owlery Restaurant’s wide selection of craft beers!
  • Vegan Benedict. Witness the vegan reinvention of a classic! The Vegan Benedict is made with an open-faced English muffin, savory grilled seitan, tofu “egg” patty, vegan hollandaise sauce, and arugula. It is served with home fries and sesame kale.

Another specialty of The Owlery Restaurant is their vegan baked goods. Choose from cupcakes, cakes, cookies, muffins, and crispy treats.

Don’t forget to purchase a souvenir of your visit on your way out, such as mugs, shirts, and pint glasses. For your convenience, you can also find these on their website.

Go to The Owlery Restaurant Facebook page for some great pics!

The Uptown Cafe cafe

The Uptown has been a mainstay of the Bloomington, IN, area since 1976. This locally owned cafe has an eclectic variety of American cuisine. Here are just a few of the culinary masterpieces you’ll find at the Uptown:

  • Shrimp and Grits. This Cajun dish is made from char-grilled Andouille, large shrimp, and rice.
  • Crawfish Etouffee. This one pulls in all the flavors of the South using dark, smoky Cajun roux, crawfish tails, and basmati rice.
  • Chicken, Andouille, and Tasso Gumbo. From deep in the South, this Southern stew brings comfort food to another level with blends of herbs and spices, tender chicken, spicy sausage, and smoked pork.

This cafe offers more than a meal. It provides a refined dining experience. The Uptown Cafe is a fitting locale, whether you’re planning a family dinner or a romantic date night.

Don’t forget to take a look at their Facebook page for an even better idea of what the Uptown is all about.

Get a Taste of These Top Bloomington Cafes

Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, organic burritos, or Cajun food, these Bloomington, IN, cafes are sure to have something for everyone. If these unique cafes sound like they could be your next great culinary obsessions, start exploring today!