The Runcible Spoon

Cute place. It may be slightly run down but not yet to the point where it's concerning. I liked the colourful atmosphere with the painted walls and stained glass decoration in the windows, and thought my seat was very cozy. The food is diner-style but very good so far. I came for a breakfast and a lunch: Lunch: I had a Black Russian sandwich and a pot of Emperor's Pride tea. The sandwich, which is a vegetarian version of a Reuben with roasted veggies instead of meat, was delicious. They really piled on the veggies. Some fell out of the sandwich, but I just ate them with the home fries. The home fries also were nicely seasoned. The tea was a little off. It's possible it was the tea itself that didn't taste how I expected, but it kind of tasted like I was getting the flavour of a different tea in the pot. Breakfast: Apple pancake and bouquet latte (seasonal special - lavender Ceylon tea latte with honey and rose syrup). The bouquet latte was wonderful and had this beautiful red swirl latte art. The pancake was nice and fluffy. One pancake is something like $5, but one is enough for a complete meal, maybe with a protein side if you're especially hungry. The staff is very friendly and makes you feel welcome. The food didn't take very long even though they seemed busy.

March 2026: Great local place. We only tried the breakfast options but they serve lunch and dinner as well. Good selection of specialty coffees. Huge portions! Everything was very good and served quickly. Very busy place but turned tables over very quickly.

I stopped into The Runcible Spoon in Bloomington and ordered the smoked salmon hash with eggs, and honestly, it might be one of the best breakfast dishes I’ve ever had. The salmon was perfectly smoky without being overpowering, the potatoes were crisp on the outside and soft inside, and the whole plate had this balanced, rich flavor that makes you slow down just to enjoy every bite. The eggs were cooked exactly the way I asked, and everything felt fresh and made with care. The atmosphere here is cozy and unique—exactly the kind of place you want to linger with good food. Service was friendly, quick, and genuinely welcoming. If you’re looking for a memorable breakfast in Bloomington, the smoked salmon hash alone is worth the trip. I’d give it more than 5 stars if I could.

Wow, what a place!!!. Very well done. I had the spiced coffee, mint mocha, french toast, and smoked salmon hash. Everything was phenomenal. Very well done guys. This is hands down the best place I've eaten at in bloomington. If you're close and got time for a quick sip, bite, or read. They even have beer and wine. Fantastic place man.

Cozy and cute. Our server was quick and very nice. Food is good - hard 4. We had corn beef hash (their own version), smoked salmon omelette and a french toast.

I went for a brunch date with my boyfriend on Halloween, we were sat in the basement near the kitchen and had the pleasure of enjoying the kitchens costumes, music, and laughter! I ordered the smoked salmon eggs benedict and a side salad and WOW it was amazing. I will be coming back and ordering the exact same meal.

The food was very fresh and had great flavor. We sat outside on the patio which we would highly recommend. The server was attentive too. Highly recommend them adding a chicken salad sandwich to the menu. There is NOT ONE currently but apparently myself and others have order their chicken salad and thought it would be a sandwich, not a regular salad. Either way they were really nice about the mistake and the grilled cheese I got was delicious. I bet they would make a good chicken salad though!!

The service was expeditious. I was waited on and she was pleasant. The food was disastrous. It tasted like it had been on a warmer for an hour or microwaved. My eggs tasted like rubber and no seasoning. I dont know why my food was cold..but one can only ponder. Shall return again for another chance. My dear associate says the eggs tasted like the days of the army. And the food tasted just like the ambiance...bland. But I did what any well mannered citizen would....I tipped my waiter 25 percent and wished her a good day. #black #missourian

The Spoon is a good restaurant that uses fresh ingredients and has an amazing staff. It's consistently the best eating out value in Bloomington. Yes, you can probably get better meals but you'll pay twice as much. It's a Bloomington is con that has stood the test of time. Great coffee and tea selections. Get the salmon hash with two poached eggs for breakfast or brunch. They have the best Reuben in town and the salmon fillet dinner is also exceptional. Find another place that has a decent $20 bottle of wine. They always have some great unique beers on draft or as well. We eat here monthly for 19 years. It's always our go to. Enjoy!

My friend and I went into town for breakfast and were impressed by the service and food at this place! I want to start with the environment because it piques my interest well- a wooded interior, bookshelves, and neat artifacts on the wall. It was cozy to say the least and not crowded. I found it neat to rub elbows with and overhear some conversations from IU staff. Our waitress was great too. She smiled more than most! I got a cappuccino and a corned beef hash, which I admit was an odd combo but one that hit the spot for me. My friend had some pancakes I envied, but it was just wholesome food that wasn't rushed and started a good day for me. The only criticism I have is that my cappuccino was a bit weak, but I suppose some are supposed to be like that. I like having both a cafe-sized coffee menu and heavy breakfast. Hats off to the Spoon!

This is a nice little restaurant in B-ton, IN. From the outside, it appears to be a house in a neighborhood right off the main campus. We arrived at the opening time to have breakfast or brunch. We parked on the street - and realized it was metered parking. There wasn't much of a wait, but the crowd was building. We sat in the main dining room. Our restaurant server, who was very friendly, promptly greeted us. We both ordered the classic Benny. Along with coffee, I had a mimosa because why not? The food was good, and it was a large portion of the $. Overall, it was a good visit and a nice little brunch place in Bloomington. Recommended!

We came here for brunch and it was alright. There's a lot of seating, inside and outside. The menu items we got we okay, nothing special and seemed pricy for what we got (esp for the French toast, it was made of regular white bread, I expected it would be sour dough or at least a thicker kind of toast, and the cost to add fruit was more than I expected). The service was unfortunately slow but everyone was nice. I can't imagine coming back to this place again.

The Runcible Spoon is one of my favorite restaurants in bloomington! The vibe is very vintage, earthy, almost grandmas house but it is so amazing! My favorite thing that they have is their pancakes and their coffees.

They have the most delectable food! I tried the smoked salmon Benedict on a crescent. It was so delicious with a lemon hollandaise sauce. Devine! I also tried a slice of French toast. It had a custard taste. Perfectly done. The best cup of Moroccan mint tea. I can't wait to try other menu items. The service was attentive and so nice. I sat in a basement table. It was cold, but I was kept comfortable with my hot tea.

A Bloomington staple. Cozy and quiet perfect for a late breakfast with my family. Our server was so nice and attentive and made our experience a great one from start to finish. The french toast and bread were so flavorful and the bacon was delicious. I got the Blonde Mocha that I wish was just a little stronger coffee and mocha wise but still really yummy with dairy alternative options! We will definitely back!

Indiana University Jacob's School is only a short walk away, on the other side of campus. Best corned beef hash in town. It has a history of a beautiful interior, and their breakfast can't be matched

After a long day of touring, my daughter and I stopped here and situated ourselves at a table on the porch. We weren't sure what to order and really just needed a quick bite to share that would hold us over until dinner. Our server was super friendly and suggested the home fries with any kind of topping we would like. She came back with a delicious plate of potatoes covered with fresh veggies - broccoli, carrots, onions, spinach and zucchini and topped with melted swiss cheese. This was the perfect healthy snack and we enjoyed it immensely. We paired it with iced teas - I had a traditional black iced tea and my daughter enjoyed one of the many specialty iced teas, the Serene, which was a combination of chamomile, mint, lavender and lemon myrtle. It was a wonderful way to relax on a late summer afternoon!

A quaint, cute little spot for good breakfast food that's right in town. Try the hash.

Improving. The menu's not changed, but service seemed more consistent and the food has more attention to detail and consistency. This is a favorite long-time Bloomington haunt, and has dishes and drinks named after ghosts who have eaten here. We knew some of those ghosts. One small complaint is that the coffee.... could be better. This was offset by the wait staff, who were both in the moment/not distracted, and mindful about what they were doing. This is new and welcome. There's lots of variety, and a few vegetarian offerings. It changes only subtly year to year, and that makes it feel like home-- when they're paying attention.

I have enjoyed my visits to the spoon since it opened in the 70's. The food has always been pretty good but under the original owner the service was notoriously slow. Matt the current owner, has greatly improved the service, expanded the menu, and improved the outside seating. Whether you are looking for a hearty breakfast with good coffee and reasonable pricing or an evening tea and tiramisu you can find it here. I especially enjoy their salmon offerings at breakfast, lunch or dinner. Meat eaters will especially enjoy their plentiful Reuben sandwich. Matt wisely improved what needed improving without changing the original homey ambiance. Check this place out, you won't be disappointed. Matt is protective of his servers as well as the quality of what they serve. His hiring reflects Bloomington's diversity and inclusion policies that differentiate it from much of the state.

Always great home cooked breakfast!! We love to come here often. Bloomington staple for the day after a game

Came here with some girlfriends and it was so yummy and cute! We loved the savory menu, fun coffee, and creative decorations!

Very eclectic cafe with friendly staff and great food. The decor can only be described as "collage". That description will make sense as you try to make sense of the decor and that's really the beauty of it. My biscuits and gravy with 2 eggs over easy was delicious and the coffee was outstanding.

I started with a delicious chai latte that was served in a mug the size of a soup bowl! Ordered the weekender with scrambled eggs, bacon and a pancake. The server cheerfully asked if I wanted to add anything to my pancake and offered me suggestions. I picked banana and granola to add and her excitement was palpable- and spot on! Highly recommend the pancake additions. My scrambled eggs and bacon were delicious and as expected. The portion of eggs was also very generous. My companion ordered biscuits and gravy after confirming the kitchen makes the white gravy with sausage. The biscuits were a little more cakey than flakey, but fine nonetheless. I tried a bite and it was ok, but I was happy with my order. We sat outside and enjoyed the fresh air under the shade of a tree. A small gust of wind dropped some tree litter on the table but I picked it out of my food. Perhaps grab an outdoor table with an umbrella or porch cover instead of the tree to save yourself the extra sprinkling of tree spice ;) Overall, had a great experience. Lovely staple in Bloomington for any meal.

Rincible has a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Our breakfast was delicious. Service was great considering it was Parents Weekend at IU. We will definitely be back!

So happy this restaurant from my college days is still open. The quirky environment is charming and cozy. We had breakfast in afternoon because I wanted a bagel, a favorite from years ago. Plain is the only flavor they make, and it is perfect. I assume they make them there because the texture is so unique. Oddly enough, bagel was not on the menu, but we were still able to order them. Had an amusing misunderstanding with the server when I ordered two bagels "to go" after eating my brunch. I expected her to put them in a bag so I could eat them at home, but she delivered them toasted with cream cheese. I took them anyway, since I was not more clear with my request. Server was very attentive in the food was good.

Stopped in here for a brunch and was very pleased with the ambiance, service and food! Tried the Kevin Enrighg with potatoes, eggs over medium and pancake with bananas and granola added in! The potatoes, toast and eggs were all good, but not anything super special. But the pancake was awesome! Loved the cooked in banana and granola! The meal was more than I could eat and lasted me till dinner. Would definitely go here again!

This restaurant was chock full of college students at 1:30 on a Sunday. There was a wait a few minutes after we sat down. The wife used to go here in her IU undergrad student days and we have been meaning to stop here for years. The wife ordered a fruit cup and spiced coffee. I had the smoked salmon hash. The server said they were out of the smashed potatoes so I had the salmon over home fries, which were excellent. I would eat the home fries plain. They were perfectly cooked and well seasoned. However, I would like to come back when I can try with the smashed potatoes, Hopefully, next year.

Food was good. The portion was bigger than I thought and the fruit seemed fresh. The service was fairly quick too. There didn't seem to be a uniform but that's okay. The restaurant seems to be an old house. The tables out front were nice but I was seated downstairs and it was a little tight. Overall no real complaints and I'd probably go back.

Came here with a group of friends who recommended this place for breakfast. The food was delicious, however, I found the breakfast menu to be quite limited. There wasn't as much selection as I had hoped for, and I also found the service, although friendly, to be somewhat slow. The food portions were also quite small for the amount of money I paid to eat here. I'd probably go find another place to eat breakfast, but I also wouldn't say it's wise to stay away from here either. This place still gets the breakfast craving needs taken care of.

Loved visiting Runcible Spoon the morning of a football game! We had excellent and efficient service for a weekend brunch time. I loved all the specialty coffee drinks to choose from on their fall menu. We ordered two different style of eggs Benedict and their house Benedict was one of the best I've had in my life. They had plenty of sauce on the plate and the egg was cooked perfectly! The home fries are also a star of the show. I'd like to come back and try them loaded like other Yelpers suggest! Definitely a yummy eclectic place in BTown to try!

I know this is a Bloomington favorite, but I thought the food was pretty mediocre. Service was also not very friendly. Other than the unique atmosphere, I am not sure why it is so popular? Service was pretty slow, but it was packed. The Tex mex omelette was very watery because of the large pieces of whole tomatoes in it. I definitely would have skipped those if I knew they were going to be in there. Potatoes were undercooked, and had some kind of curry spice on them that I did not care for. My friend said the pancakes were ok, but not great. She loved the veggie benedict. I did not try the coffee, but they do have an extensive coffee bar menu.

Hands down the best corn beef hash in the Midwest. I'm from Missouri, lived in Illinois, and spent 4 years at school in Bloomington. Best hash period.

Seems to be a wild disparity among reviews. I lean toward the poor reviews in part due to the service. I walked in and inquired about seating, was handed 2 menus, and told to choose any small table. Problem is that no one (servers) seem to keep track of new patrons seating themselves so we waited a rather long time for a server to approach us and it seemed like they weren't even going to approach us if we hadn't worked to get their attention. Judging by their laissez fair attitude they may have forgotten they were working in the service industry. The menu is a bit limited but we decided on a make your own omelette and the yogurt, fruit, and granola bowl. The avocado is really guacamole (call it what it is) but the omelette was otherwise ok. The bowl is the star of the show, very good.

We just happened to come here because the place we planned in going to was closed for work. One of the locals told us to try this place. Wasn't sure they was open the outside front needs work but I am sure it will look nice when the weather breaks. The staff welcomed us as soon as we walked in. We sat ourselves. The waitress came right over and took our drink order. Our food came out quickly. The food had a very flavorful taste

It's hard to review this institution without dripping about my past and nostalgia. I spent the greatest portion of my money (ha) and study time in this coffee house from 1987-1991. It's still there, still cool...although a bit more restaurant than coffee house now. The favorites are still there...like the mocha. Fresh roasted beans bf doing that was cool. I remember sitting at a table in the old living room of the old house it's in. The kitchen is the coffee making area. The bathroom had the old tub with Goldfish in it (no longer). The rooms had burlap sacks of green coffee beans from around the world. Today the outdoor space in front looks larger and is just great. Coffee still amazing. Still has a cool liberal coffeehouse vibe. Has a lot of good brunch and breakfast foods too. I'll end by saying this was the place that I got addicted to coffee and caffeine without knowing it (thanks?)by drinking mochas, and going home to WV in my freshman year where there were none and the headaches began. Ha. I also heard on NPR the first bombs drop in the first Iraq war when another student gave me his other earphone. We sat at the table together listening. This place is special to me and so many. I'm so glad to see it 30 years later.

Came here for a late lunch while in Btown for work. What a fun, eclectic little restaurant! RS has been in operation since the 70's, and it's located in a small house near Dunnkirk Square in Bloomington. It's just that, a restaurant/coffee shop in a house with two beautiful decks, front and back. Next time I'll sit outside! I chose this spot for its offering of intriguing smoked salmon creations. I ordered coffee and the SS omelet. My coffee arrived quickly and I was offered several warm ups throughout my meal. My omelet came after a short wait, and was all I hoped and dreamed of! So delicious and served with thick cut wheat toast, browned just to my liking. My server was an attentive young gal and quite fun, to boot! I will mention that while I was eating, I noticed the kitchen appears to be in the basement of the house because all the servers were walking up the stairs with food. I thought, wow that's some serious exercise! Also, my server frequently was running food outside and attending to those guests as well. Despite the small exterior appearance, there are really quite a few tables in this place...I would not choose this place if I were pressed for time. Not that I felt service was slow by any means, it's just a busy spot. No need to rush anyway! So many fun artifacts on the walls and conversations to be had here. I'll be back!

Runcible Spoon is a long standing Bloomington tradition. It's popular with the IU community. Food tastes fresh and well seasoned. They also have a wonderful collection of herbal teas. Space is tight and tables are small. Not sure how accessible it is.

The food and service were AWESOME. I have lived here for 2 years and have just gotten around to trying Runcible Spoon. I wish I would have gotten here sooner! I got the smoked salmon hash and my partner got a classic breakfast plate. Both were outstanding. My only qualm was the horseradish sauce could have used more horseradish, but I like mine spicy. Will definitely be back!

This is one of my all time favorite breakfast spots in Bloomington. The atmosphere is artsy and welcoming and the patio is great. I ordered the French toast with strawberries and bacon. It was good! My normal breakfast choice was cut from the menu, so I had to switch it up. My only complaint was that service was not good at all, even though typically it is amazing. It's still a favorite and we will be back again!

A house converted to a restaurant with a nice patio that is covered with canopies so you sit in comfort outdoors, The French toast is great with crispy edges. The eggs Benedict had a generous amount of ham. Adult beverages are served. The interior has several rooms with unique artwork, book displays, and paneling. One unisex restroom. So glad we stopped here for brunch. Metered parking on the street

We came to the Bloomy area to visit my friend's family home. Then we got a little tour of the favorite spots from her hometown. This is apparently the spot for breakfast. I was super impressed by how large it actually is. There is an outside area, an inside area, and a downstairs area! And even with all the room it does get busy and the wait could be long, but apparently worth it. I was happy that we did not have to wait and got a table right away. With a two year old a wait is not always the best idea. So we had a table of four adults and one child and got a great table and a highchair and it didn't feel super cramped. We were in the downstairs area so it was a little bit louder there since the ceilings were lower. But still wasn't awful. I ordered the regular Eggs Benedict, fried potatoes, and an iced chai. The iced chai hit the SPOT!! The eggs benny had thick slices of ham that I was super impressed with. The fried potatoes were not what I expected at all. They were huge HUNKS of spiced potatoes. I liked the spice but the size was a little too much for me. And since I like them crispy it's hard to get potatoes that size really crispy. Other than that it was awesome. Also we got my daughter the yogurt bowl with fruit and it was nothing short of majestic. Honestly, I don't know how they got that much fruit in there. She would then dip her fruit into the yogurt. It was the sweetest!! I was happy that I got to eat here with my friends and family. It was a very fun experience.

Came again and got the Smoked Salmon Hash! Was really great and came with a side of lemon and horseradish which really tied all the flavors together. Staff and atmosphere were great! One of my favorite breakfast places in Bloomington now

Delicious food. Service was excellent. There were ants crawling on the table which was a big turn off.

Easter breakfast with my cute boy Every weekend we go to Runcible Spoon, it's sort of our thing. I've never had a bad experience here. The pancakes are as big as your face and the omelettes are stuft ! This morning I manged on a ham, onion, and cheddar omelette with some wheat toast and, of course, some coffee ! Our server was super bubbly and chipper. The service was excellent, as always ! Thank you for being our weekend thing !

Most of our tables food was good! But the water cups always smell so bad and my salmon smelt so off I couldn't eat it slimey and smelly very nauseous after eating there

Wonderful food, friendly folks. Breakfast is the best in town, especially for the price.

Social distancing, and masks are a must. The restaurant is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. This is a well organized, beautifully decorative, and clean restaurant. The environment is really pleasant. Jess was our waitress, and she was fantastic. There was another lady that assisted her, but I forgot her name. She wear glasses, but was pleasant as well. My husband chose corn beef, eggs, and decided to drink water. I had an omelette with mushrooms, home fries, a pancake and drank lemonade. Everything was delicious. The restaurant gives huge portions, so my husband and I had a lot of leftovers. I am here for a couple of weeks, but I'm planning on returning. I love the vibe here and the employees are really nice.

This is my favorite place for breakfast....well maybe the drinks! Love the hash and breakfast options. It's not a huge menu, but the old house makes it. Best seats in the house are outside with friends after a Kayak at Griffy Lake. Don't forget the coffee...it's great. Relax and stay awhile next to wonderful greenery and flowers on the patio. This place is our top spot in Bloomington are breakfast and great friends. It is a tight space so large families and large parties may not be ideal. But 2-6 would work.

Great ambiance. Good menu. Food was outstanding. Service staff treated us like family. We will stop in again.

Sitting in the front courtyard on a sunny day in a little slice of heaven. I ordered an iced coffee and French toast. Kudos for no up-charge for almond milk! Our waitress Savanna added to the warm and welcoming vibe. The French toast want that special, but everything else was. A definite Go To when in Bloomington!

Cute little spot for brunch! The food is average, nothing to write home about but good bang for your buck (sizes are pretty generous). Friendly staff and waiter, quick service. No complaints, and would recommend stopping by just to see the cute interior!

Basic breakfast fare in Bloomington. Super busy on a Sunday for brunch. A little pricey for 3. Brings back college memories though. It hasn't changed a bit. With tip it was 57.00.

A fun, kitschy spot close to all the action on Kirkwood, this restaurant, which is in an old house, is definitely a solid brunch option. Not too expensive and has a solid menu. It's can sometimes be slow to get a table so don't be surprised if there's a wait.

I order the Croissant and Salmon Bennie with a Full order of House fries and it was terrible. Found pieces of hair in my fries. Servers were friendly tho. Had a real musky smell where I was sitting. Wouldn't recommend coming here.

Breakfast here is better than dinner. Just well executed standard dishes around here. You're not going to have something unexpected, but you'll have a damn good omelette. Also, it's just a cute place with good vibes.

It's a staple, enough said! A classic for a reason, such amazing food, the most unique interior and vibe, my mom actually went into labor with me back in the day during brunch here at Runcible! It's the best, their food is iconic!