Looking forward to a delicious meal? Try one of these Bloomington brunch spots
Looking for the best brunch in Bloomington? You've come to the right place! Here are our top 10 picks (in no particular order) for the best brunch in Bloomington:
Feast Market & Wine Cellar
Feast Market & Wine Cellar is an award-winning restaurant featuring the cuisine of Bloomington's current "Top Chef" Eric Bueno of the Chef's Challenge 2022 and sous chef Shannon Howard. Feast offers organic and seasonal local ingredients, farm-to-table specialties, baked goods and creative tamales, now serving brunch 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. The brunch menu features items like breakfast tamales, avocado toast, carnitas hash or lox bites. Feast has been serving the Bloomington community since 2015 at 407 W. Patterson Drive. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.
Che Bello Kitchen
New: This modern bistro, at 106 W. Sixth St., features Italian cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients as well as daily specials. Menu items feature hand-rolled pastas, fresh mozzarella and handmade bread. Che Bello offers a limited weekend brunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m. that's also available for carryout. Brunch selections include ratatouille breakfast turnovers with spicy vegetable and egg fillings, salmon hash and eggs, and savory strata casseroles made with traditional custards and ciabatta bread. The wine list focuses on Italian selections; the dessert menu includes tiramisu and other sweet treats.
FARMbloomington
This local Bloomington staple is known for its brunch dishes including the bacon and egg pizza, the 7-ounce Lugar Burger (best burger in Indiana by Food Network magazine), and the Farm French Toast Casserole. Be sure to try the Hoosier Poutine. It is served with Kielbasa sausage gravy and two poached eggs, french fries and fresh cheese curds. Brunch is served 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. FARMbloomington, at 108 E. Kirkwood Ave., won the Diner’s Choice Award on Open Table in 2020 and 2022.
Uptown Cafe
Located in the heart of downtown Bloomington, at 102 E. Kirkwood Ave., this establishment features omelets, homemade bread, an array of mouth-watering benedicts, great pancakes and a variety of brunch cocktails including Bloody Marys and Bellinis. The Eggs Maryland includes a 3-ounce crab cake, spinach, eggs to order, home fries and dill hollandaise. All their eggs are farm-fresh from Rhodes Family Farm in Brown County. Unique pancakes include cornmeal or cottage cheese with blueberries and are both vegetarian. Brunch is served 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Cardinal Spirits
Saturday brunch is offered every Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. at Cardinal Spirits, at 922 S. Morton St. Distillery tours and tastings are offered on Saturdays as well. The menu includes charcuterie and OMG fries with a variety of sauces that make you think you've arrived in Belgium. Drinks include cocktails, canned and mocktail options including Blackstrap old-fashioneds, whiskey tonic, Lips Like Sugar and Five Spice Gin and tonic. Customers need to be 21+ inside the distillery; all ages are welcome on the outdoor patio. This is a pet-friendly establishment, so bring your four-legged friends with you outside!
Hopscotch Coffee Kitchen
Another fantastic spot for brunch in Bloomington is Hopscotch Coffee Kitchen, at 235 W. Dodds St., Suite 2. This place is always packed with locals seeking an excellent cup of local coffee roasted in-house and breakfast dishes such as their most popular breakfast sandwich — white country toast with sausage, seitan sausage/shroom bacon, or vegetarian shroom bacon, egg and avocado. They also serve a traditional breakfast skillet that includes house potatoes, eggs cooked to order, toast (GF available) and dressed greens for $8. Their expanded beer menu also includes Rhinegeist beermosas and Upland brews. They offer a large selection of Rainbow Bakery goods including cookies, muffins, Rice Krispie treats and cardamom knots. Hours are 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Southern Stone
Located at 405 W. Patterson Drive, next door to Feast Market & Wine Cellar, Southern Stone offers a new, smaller but focused, brunch menu with cuisine highlighted by "comfort food with Southern charm." Options include popular chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, fried green tomato BLT, fried Johnny cakes and more. Brunch is served 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The bar, recently renovated, makes robust cocktails including a carefully crafted Old-Fashioned and $4 Mimosas on Sundays. Reservations are highly encouraged.
Scenic View
Within sight of Lake Monroe, Scenic View offers a family-friendly atmosphere with delicious food at reasonable prices. Both locals and visitors to Bloomington come to enjoy the brunch and the beautiful lake view in a unique dining atmosphere. Options on the brunch menu include a variety of benedicts, zesty biscuits and gravy, Mediterranean Egg Bake, veggie hash, and more. Brunch is served 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and includes Bacon Bloody Marys and mimosa bottle service for $14. This is a favorite among locals for group dinners or special occasions because of its 4,000 square-foot lodge, large dining room and great views of the lake from 4600 S. Ind. 446.
Upland Brewing Co.
Craft brewing has been a passion for Upland Brewing since 1998, so in partnership with the community, they are committed to supporting the growth and diversity of craft breweries and locally sourced ingredients. Community partners have included the Chocolate Moose, Fischer Farms, IU Athletics, Scholars Inn, Red Fisher Ranch (Bison) and Broad Ripple Chip Co. Upland Brewing is the recipient of a 96% rating of cursed kettles in The Beer Connoisseur, 2017 Honorable mention for Best Brewery, and listed in Best Beers to Celebrate Spring in 2018 in Hop Culture. Upland Brewing Co.'s Bloomington location is at 350 W. 11th St. Brunch hours are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Popular options include egg sandwiches, beermosas, and grit bowls. You'll also find Indiana tomato pie, salads, burgers, vegetarian options and frittatas on the lunch menu. Your dog friends are welcome on the patio. Craft beers, including sours made at Wood Shop Sour Brewery, are served throughout the week.
The Irish Lion
Established in 1982, the Irish Lion is a restaurant, pub and whiskey bar with a history of providing authentic Irish spirits, music, cuisine and culture. The Irish Lion is at 212 W. Kirkwood Ave. and serves a wide range of food from Irish specialties to American favorites in a classic pub setting. Brunch is served 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday. Dishes include corned beef hash & poached eggs, omelets, sandwiches, bangers/biscuits & gravy, and a Dublin City breakfast. The full bar includes 1800's cocktails, extensive whiskey and scotch selection, wines with Irish and European imports on draught. Slainte (Cheers)!
"What butter or whiskey does not cure cannot be cured." Irish Proverb
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Ten of Bloomington, Indiana's, best brunch spots
