Expanded outdoor seating outside of restaurants on Kirkwood Ave.
(Mitch Legan, WTIU/WFIU News)
Restaurants in Bloomington are more than halfway through what has been a turbulent year for the food service industry, and many are preparing for a similarly tough autumn season, with Indiana University's fall sports and events mostly canceled.
Here's where the local restaurant scene stands so far.
The Inkwell cafe and coffee shop downtown reopened its outdoor patio for carry-out customers earlier this month.
Lennie’s
Bloomington staple Lennie’s reopened this month after an extended closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. Michael Fox, director of operations for Lennie’s parent group One World Enterprises, said the restaurant is enforcing the state’s mask mandate and will also be taking customers’ temperatures at the door.
Switchyard Brewing Co.
In an effort to bounce back from financial setbacks from the pandemic, Switchyard Brewing Co. announced in June it would partner with pizzeria King Dough to bring food to its North Walnut Street taproom.
FARMBloomington
Another Kirkwood eatery that experienced a prolonged closure reopened earlier this month – FARMBloomington. With a renovated space and revamped menu, the restaurant is now open for both carry-out and outdoor dining.
The Sinkhole Craft Beer Bar
The Sinkhole Craft Beer Bar opened March 3 on East Winslow Road, offering craft brews on tap as well as some snacks and bar food.
Family-owned-and-operated Korean restaurant Hoosier Seoulmate opened at 1614 W. Third St. in July, serving seafood, bibimbap and other traditional Korean dishes.
Nat’s Bakery & Café
Nat’s Bakery & Café opened in the old Stefano’s Ice Cafe location in Fountain Square Mall this summer, serving light lunch and dinner fare and bakery items.
Rachel’s Roadside Stand
Rachel Smith opened Rachel’s Roadside Stand this year after she lost her job due to the pandemic. Smith, along with her sister and father, sell fresh produce, homemade baked goods and jams and jellies at the stand on South Walnut Street.
Smith says she hopes to expand into a more permanent structure in the future.
ReVv & Strum Hospitality
This summer, Bloomington restaurant group ReVv & Strum opened two new ventures in the new building at 217 W. Sixth St.: a coffee shop and a restaurant. This brings the group’s total number of Bloomington eateries to three, alongside The Village Pub.
NOURISH Bar touts fresh foods and organic ingredients, serving soups, sandwiches and salads as well as an array of specialty cocktails.
ReVv & Strum’s website also indicates that the group plans to bring an upscale bar and restaurant to the top floor of the same downtown building, aptly named The TOP Bar.
The Owlery Restaurant
Bloomington vegetarian restaurant The Owlery reopened this week under new ownership after being closed since mid-March due to the pandemic. A Facebook post on the restaurant’s page said the new owner “wants to keep The Owlery what it is” and that the menu will remain the same.
Uno Mas Taco Truck
Uno Mas Taco Truck began serving the Bloomington area last week, offering northern Mexican cuisine.
Did we miss anything? Let us know at news@indianapublicmedia.org.
