Uptown Cafe

Excellent food and friendly service; waiting time was less than 20 minutes on a busy Fall Sunday; food was served in less than 15 minutes after order. Quality food. Must try Maryland Benedict (with crab!). The French Toast is fresh and tasty, served like deserts since it’s sweet. We’d come back for breakfast next time in Bloomington, IN. Go Hoosiers!!!

I've been eating at Uptown for 35+ years and have never been disappointed. The food is great, the presentation is on point and and the staff is always very professional Spaghetti Agliata was great ,others at the table had crab cakes and some very nice chicken and shrimp dishes

I have heard this is a Bloomington staple and now I know why! Service is great here and we had a wonderful experience. As someone who is dairy-free, I do appreciate that they can make those accommodations and our waitress kindly checked on dishes to make sure I can have them. Additionally, it’s a rather busy restaurant so I highly recommend reservations, especially on Friday evenings. If you’re looking for a good bottle of Pinot Noir to try, I suggest Foris. It was picked by my father-in-law and it’s a smooth, more of dry than sweet wine. Overall, a must-try if you’re on the lookout for a bottle of wine to drink. For appetizers, we ordered a pumpkin winter salad and the goat cheese bruschetta with andouille and caramelized onion. As for our main dishes, we got the skuna bay salmon, uptown jumbo lump crab cake, and the seafood gumbo. All of it was delicious and flavored well! I’ve never had gumbo before and thought this one tasted amazing that I often think of it. It was seasoned well and had a nice proportion of rice to soup so it was hearty but not heavy. It also had shrimp, mussels, crawfish, and scallops in it. As for desserts, my husband and in-laws got the persimmon pudding and I got the raspberry sorbet. I will say the sorbet tasted like it was homemade and it had just the right amount of sweetness and tart to it. I thought the powdered sugar and mint on the dessert was also a nice touch. Ultimately, if you’re looking for cajun/creole here in Bloomington, this is the place to go! Plus the espresso here is excellent!

Very comfortable bar/restaurant feeling. The food is delicious! We had the Uptown Burger, Bruschetta and Creme Brule. Prices are a bit high but acceptable. The Zero Proof Mocktails were not worth the money.

Wow, where do I begin? Came here for lunch and we had an amazing experience! Alex, the waiter, is an absolute professional. Attentive to detail, knowledgeable of the menu, always pleasant, kind, and with a calm demeanor. On to the food… I ordered the pot roast and it was amazing. Packed with flavor, tender and easy to chew, with a side of a hefty portion of mashed potatoes that were homemade. Food hit the spot on an empty stomach and my fiance had a chicken Caesar salad with chicken which she absolutely devoured. The front desk staff was very accommodating and welcoming to all our needs and we were very satisfied with our experience overall! Highly recommended!

Another solid visit to uptown, decided to try out some new menu items, and they were good. I certainly missed some of the old stand byes, but felt it important to branch out and try new menu items. Had the Pasta Chu Chu for an entree, it had good flavors but I could not finish it, very rich. Was going to go with the Viet Chicken, our amazing server brought over some sauce to try before we ordered, but didn’t care for it. Black Bean soup was good as usual, the lemon cake was great as always. The bread with the compound butter always hits. Overall a solid visit, but myself and other members of our party were missing several of the older menu options. That all being said, our server Madison was incredible. She had a lovely Personality, strong knowledge of the menu, and guided us through the changes smoothly. She also is perfectly attentive, making good touches at the table without being overbearing. I would definitely ask for her if you are going in to Uptown.

This is a beautiful place, and EVERYTHING was delicious!!! They were packed (as they should be) however, food service was a bit slower than I would've expected. They also had a large party in the back room, so I do not suspect this is a common pattern. Great food, beautiful restaurant, knowledgeable, kind wait staff, definitely worth the price.

Must visit place. Everything was perfect. It was the best calamari I had in a while. Thai red curry with shrimp and creme brulee French Toast were very good. Bean burrito is good too. Definitely recommend this place.

Amazing!!!! Food was so good, got the crispy chicken sandwich with the steak fries. Best chicken sandwich ever

First trip here, which I'm ashamed to admit after a wonderful experience. Service was awesome and they made the reservation process easy. We had dinner and thoroughly enjoyed it. The Gumbo Ya Ya was very good, as were the Shrimp & Grits. Big ol' shrimp too! I got the Louisiana Hot Pepper Chicken and it probably wasn't quite as good as the other dishes I mentioned. They offer it with shrimp instead of chicken, if I had it to do over I'd have done shrimp instead of chicken. The Seafood Gumbo special wasn't as well received as all of the other dishes our table had. We enjoyed Uptown so much we came back Sunday morning to celebrate/recover from an Old Oaken Bucket victory. The biscuits and gravy were very good and the Potato & Andouille Omelet was delicious. Maybe a little heavy on the carmelized onions. The toast was great too!

Food: I cannot say enough! Biscuits and gravy were so yummy and flavorful. I would have preferred a little more sausage (or larger pieces) but it was so good! I added the habanero hot sauce on the table and it was . Bacon was thick and perfectly crisp. My boyfriend's meal was also good. My fav was the red potatoes. The star of the show was the waffle! Light, flavorful, and buttery! The berries on top were so good. Service: Andrea was ! She was attentive, thoughtful, and patient. I want service like hers wherever I go. Ambiance: It was crowded for a snowy, cold Sunday morning but we were able to be seated right away. Our 2-seater table was a little bit crowded with 3 plates, a bellini pitcher, 2 bellini glasses, and 2 waters. Restaurant was clean, warm, and noise level was good despite many people there.

Had a fabulous brunch here, complete with cocktails, which make every brunch better. They have an extensive cocktail menu. The restaurant is also HUGE, so no worries about getting a table, even during busy times. The food was very good as well. I loved the biscuits and gravy. Service was a bit harried, but we were there at the peak of Sunday brunch, so I understand.

Uptown Cafe is a good spot in town for drinks and dinner if you're looking for something a little more elevated. It's got a classy feel inside, with dim lighting and an overall relaxing dining experience. The service is lovely, our waitress was knowledgeable of the menu and friendly. Everything came out quickly, drinks and food! I had the pot roast and it was very good. Others at my table ordered a pasta dish and some of their steakhouse items. Everyone was happy with their dish and drinks!

The Uptown is a bit of a landmark cafe located in beautiful downtown Bloomington. It has been cranking delicious diner food for many, many decades. I dined on a weekend in late April, so a bit of a tardy review. Parking is by app pay in a parking lot behind, or off the street I believe also app pay. I was seated quickly by a hostess and provided a menu. My friendly waitress had water out before I even asked. I requested coffee which was returned in minutes. My order was biscuits and gravy with egg on top was turned around in about 10 minutes and a coffee refill was performed. My dish was great! Biscuits seemed fresh and gravy tasty. My bill was provided and turned around quickly. I thought the meal was a good value. If I return the Uptown Cafe is high on my list and hopefully for lunch next time.

This is a nice place for weekend brunch. They have a fun selection of cocktails and benedicts from which to choose.

My husband and I booked our Valentine's here! It was a great experience. Our waitress was prompt and personalable. Our food was delicious! Portion sizes made you full and flavors were on point. Ambiance reminds me of a jazz scene, relaxing to eat here and still welcoming to all types of people.

Some girlfriends recommended this spot so I stopped in and first thing I have to say is - this is the cocktail SPOT. Bloomington doesn't have much in the way of places with a good craft cocktail and this place does cocktails and does them well. I requested an off the menu cocktail - a bees knees. The bartender had zero issue making this and it was fabulous. Now for the food - I mean wow. I had the Thai fried chicken and got the roasted cauliflower as my side. The portion was massive, the chicken crunchy with a sweet and tangy sauce, and the cauliflower was great. You never know if the vegetable of the day is going to be good - and I can attest they do everything well. While I don't have pictures - I stopped in for brunch on the weekend and the brunch was just as fabulous as the dinner. Definitely hit this place up!

Came here on a Saturday morning passing through Bloomington overnight. This was recommended by my Airbnb host and also had some good ratings. Get here early if it's Saturday, because the line out the door built quickly before they opened, and when I left about 40 minutes after they opened, I heard the hostess say the wait was about 25 minutes. As soon as I stepped in to the place, you could see all the staff at their sections, ready to attend to guests. Good sign! I was immediately greeted and given a menu after being seated by the friendly hostess. My order was taken promptly and I was served coffee first promptly, then my Denver omelette. Everything was hot, seasoned just right, and really tasty. The omelette itself was a very thin perfectly cooked egg-almost as thin as a crepe, and everything was nicely wrapped inside. I really enjoyed every bit of it. Coffee was just as good too. Great breakfast/brunch spot that offers up great service, great food, and an excellent atmosphere. The brunch crowd turnout obviously demonstrates this place is a go-to for many of the locals, and for sure visitors as well. If I'm back in Bloomington, this is a trustworthy spot.

Came here for brunch with friends. Solid menu and outstanding food. We got the chorizo and eggs breakfast and a "number two." Both great dishes. This place is #1 spot for fine dining, fish and seafood, American food, breakfast/brunch, lunch, and bar/restaurant according to Bloom magazine. I only got a photo of the chorizo and eggs. Good coffee, good service, competitive prices. Metered parking on the street. Almost a speakeasy ambiance. Very cool.

I am a long-time returning customer of this place, and everything they serve is usually great. Since they changed their menu, I use to get the Gumbo Tasso, which I believe is now called Gumbo Ya Ya. It had a slightly stronger taste than before. However, I was disappointed with this dish because it lacked andouille sausage, which I expected to be included. Instead, there was plenty of shrimp and just a few pieces of chicken. When I asked the waitress if the gumbo was supposed to contain andouille sausage, she checked with the kitchen staff. They quickly brought me some sausage, and one of the kitchen staff members noticed that I had no broth and only rice, so he kindly brought me a bowl of broth as well. I was pleased with their response and the effort they made to rectify the situation. We also ordered the shrimp and calamari fritti, along with their eggplant appetizer special, and both were delicious. The service was excellent. While the lack of sausage in the gumbo was disappointing, I won't let that deter me from returning. Next time, I plan to try something different from the menu.

My sister and I had a little bit of a challenge finding this place because the street outside is permanently closed to allow outdoor dining for several restaurants in the area. We just decided to park on the street about a block away and walk around and "discover" its location. Their signage is very minimal so we had to use the street number on the building to actually find the restaurant. We were seated in a booth in nice dining room that seemed pretty full for the lunch hour. Plenty of servers were on hand and the service was good and efficient. The paper napkins on the table were unusual and pretty. My sister ordered the Crawfish Étouffée and I ordered the Red Beans & Rice without the Andouille. She also ordered a cup of the Cuban Black Bean Soup. To be honest, I had just come from oral surgery and my taste buds were not functioning 100%. But the beans and rice were consistent with the New Orleans style of slow cooked soft red beans in a thick roux. My sister tried them too and she said they were very good. Much better than her étouffée. She didn't think her étouffée was that good but did eat enough to fill herself up. She did say the black bean soup was awesome and finished the entire cup. I would have ordered a bowl of it for my main meal if one side of my mouth had not been numb. I love Cuban style black bean soup. I visited their restroom a couple of times to change out my gauze. It was a nice upscale restroom, clean, stocked, with a pleasant fragrance.

Great service, amazing filet mignon! You know it is good beef when you do not get a food hangover from it. Just all around great! Top notch!

I had the opportunity to stop in to Uptown Cafe while on a brief stay in Bloomington this past weekend. My girl recommended it to me as I had most of the morning to myself as she was spending quality time with family. As I entered I was promptly and warmly greeted by the hostess and shown to a booth. The restaurant was not as busy as probably is usually ( I arrived around 11am or so ). The place is spacious and "warm", with ample seating at booths along one wall and numerous tables throughout. There is also what seems to be a nicely stocked and comfortable bar along the space on the opposite side. The server, Sue, was soon by my side offering a menu and suggestions. I started out with some coffee, as I'd not yet had my fix even though it was later in the day, while I perused the lunch menu. There were still a few breakfast selections, but after going over the quite healthy-looking lunch items I settled on the Ararat Chicken Pita consisting of ( stealing from the menu, here...) "chicken breast marinated in olive oil, rosemary, and garlic, char-grilled and sliced, then rolled into warm pita with lettuce, aioli, tomato, onion, and cucumber", along with a side of French fries. When it arrived it was nicely wrapped in foil to keep it wam. It was really quite tasty and I would definitely order it again. Large slices of chicken breast seasoned just right. The space at Uptown Cafe is nice and open, with plenty of room between table so you don't feel crowded. The bar area looks nice and I hope to belly up there one day on a future visit. All the staff was friendly, welcoming and seemed to enjoy themselves. Sue was just great, checking in just often enough to see if all was well, refilling my coffee and just ready with a friendly smile. Definitely do yourself a favor and stop in to Uptown Cafe if you find yourself in Bloomington and it's charming Square. I look forward to returning soon.

Great food and service,we have a wonderful time. The atmosphere was amazing and everyone enjoyed the experience.

Really enjoyed a recent meal here with a larger party of 8. Had the opportunity to sample a bit of everything from apps to desserts. Only miss for me was an eggplant special they had as an appetizer. Crawfish etouffee was delicious. Service was attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. The place was packed on a recent Monday night so I recommend reservations.

I've been here three times now, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Very solid spot. Good food, great service. Susan, my server today, could not have been more kind. Thank you for all the great meals and memories here.

Upon arrival you are met with a classy upscale vibe. We were welcomed by the hostess and promptly seated outside as we requested. We were hoping to snag a spot on their newly constructed patio but it was full at the time of our arrival. They were still able to accommodate us with an outdoor table a little closer to the building. Our server greeted us and placed our drink order along with an appetizer. The meatball appetizer was fantastic. The bread was toasted perfectly and brushed with their house-made garlic butter. My husband and I both ordered the crab cake. It's not on their everyday menu but offered as a special a few days a week. This succulent crab meat was expertly pan seared to crispy perfection and served atop a bed of potatoes and spinach. We had such a wonderful experience at The Uptown we are currently discussing visiting for brunch this weekend as well! Make sure to stop in for a great dining experience and an absolutely scrumptious meal!

Many many many times this is our go to when visiting family in Bloomington, IN. I've had several menu items and have never been disappointed. Hoosiers hospitality PLUS is what they also serve here and thank-you, thank-you, thank-you. But it does seem to always be a local favorite so please consider a reservation. Parking can be difficult to find and you are charged. Parking in Carmel, IN is free everywhere.......I have never understood why Bloomington charges??

Here's what you need to know : breakfast review on a summer Thursday morning while school was out. Food was very enjoyable (Hoosier Benedict with biscuits of house made gravy), and arrived quickly. Service was 10 stars by Tiffany. She is OUTSTANDING. Cappuccino was perfect with a double shot (a really good coffee roaster is supplying them). Ambiance was perfect sitting outdoors in the not too harsh sun. Potatoes (Michael's home fries) were AMAZING. They are skin on red potato wedges, and just perfectly seasoned and skillet fried (I suspect). Eggs were cooked perfect. Sausage is from a local butcher and quality really comes through. Gravy was very well seasoned and not too salty. Just right. Breakfast was $18+tax

The food was really good and the waiters were very attentive to what we needed. When we asked for modifications it was no problem and the food was enough to take home for leftovers! Very good quality food and nice atmosphere.

From the outside looking through the windows the restaurant looks very inviting. My girlfriend and I came across this place while wandering around waiting for another reservation. The menu is priced from about $9 - $60. Our server Wendy was attentive and very kind. She ran us through the specials for the day and recommend starters. The food was pretty darn good. Pot roast and seafood gumbo were the two favorites. I took my husband the shrimp and grits to go. He only complained that they were a little under seasoned. Otherwise lovely experience definitely would like to return to try a few more items!

With many visits to B'town, I am always trying someplace different, and sadly trying to get a table. And this is a great location, right on Kirkwood , steps of the square. But this was a lucky night. Called ahead for a table and there were no reservations until too late for our dinner plans. But they said if you drop in, you might find a table in the seat-yourself bar area. And I've been wanting to try this place for a years. We dropped in, and despite being an NCAA tournament night, we saw a table setting their check. The hostess saw us waiting (and wet from the rain) and offered to put us on a list to squeeze us in the dining room. Then she saw the table we had our eye on and took it upon herself to clear out for us as soon as the folks got up. This lovely accommodating anonymous soul set the time for an excellent meal. The vibe and decor is really cool. This is the uniquely Cajun themed restaurant in town, and they really do a nice job on the theme, in a classy upscale way. The bar is the classic dark wood and brass, with subtle but suitable artwork. Many bartenders serving classic whiskey drinks (mixed too well for a college town), and dressed in varied classic styles, with vests, suspenders, aprons and such. Our waitress (Madison) was impeccably attentive and very knowledgeable about both the menu and the extensive list of specials. I changed my orders of both my dinner and dessert after hearing the details of the preparations of the specials. Service here was top notch. Ambience and service perfect for a date night, or in our case a celebration. The food was also amazing. I had the crab cake. Great fresh flavor, and a nice sized cake with lots of crab built in. I kept alternating between the garlic butter and the creole remoulade, because they were both light decadent flavors that complimented the crab perfectly. I had written off the Persimmon Pudding in the dessert specials, because it sounds like something that would taste like potpourri, but when the waitress said it's a cross between bread pudding and a dessert soufflé... I had to have it. (And apparently an Indiana speciality?) It was awesome! This is a very classy, grown up restaurant in the middle of a college town. Come here with someone special or for a great dining experience.

One of the best restaurants in Bloomington and a great location on Kirkwood. Good for brunch, lunch, and dinner. My go to dish is the Louisiana Hot Pepper Chicken with mashed potatoes. They have a mean Wedge Salad too. Full bar with a generous amount of seating and a large dining room. Good for solo traveler, dates, and groups. Wonderful service! And don't forget the house made Crème Brûlée!

Incredible staff, service, cuisine and cocktails all the time, every time! My wife and I have been coming here for nearly all of our date nights since 2022 and really struggle to ever break away to explore something else in town. The bar is always bustling with friendly patrons and a great place where for nearly any occasion! For best cocktail of your life, find Nick.

Recommended for a family birthday celebration, and wow the food was amazing! We had incredible service from the moment we entered the restaurant. Order the steak or try the cajun options. It was a great place to celebrate a special occasion.

3-25-24 I'm in town once a year, and UpTown has become a must stop. Warm atmosphere, and incredible service (Thanks Madison!). Had the surf n' turf special. Steak (most tender I've had in ages), 2 big shrimp, and a delicious crab cake. Asparagus for the side, which was awesome. Madison was kind enough to get me a little taste of the Jalapeño grits. YUM, but I couldn't actually eat a whole side. All the food was delicious. The menu had lots to offer. One of our party has dietary restrictions, and Madison was not only able to accommodate, but knew the menu inside and out and gave some great advice. Thank you to Madison and team for helping turn a great meal into a memorable evening.

Not cheap, but a lovely room with excellent service. The menu offers a lot of variety, so just about anyone should be able to find something they'll like. I would definitely recommend reservations, as this place fills up. But it's one of our favorites when we're in Bloomington.

Amazing dinner and such friendly and accommodating staff. Great environment and supported our large group

Yum! I ordered biscuits and gravy with eggs on top and it was excellent. I went here for the brunch, but the dinner menu looks good too. The look and design of the place is a classic cool. Seems like a good place to take a date. The service was A+. Zoey and the hostess were both delightful and charming.

- Steakhouse Wedge add Steak 8/10 the steak was amazing. Cooked very very nicely. But the salad... I am a tad disappointed. I wanted some red onion or sweet corn or like something WOW. Definitely needs more effort and flavor. - 14 oz NY Strip 9/10 this steak was great. It came with this rosemary butter that was heaven sent. Once again cooked great. The french fries were so yummy but I think I would opt for Mac n cheese or mashed potatoes next time. * side note: everyone and their mom were getting this fried chicken it looked so yummy. Definitely messed up my order but whatever. Next time GET FRIED CHICKEN

We went to Uptown around 11:30am on a Sunday. We had a large group of 12 people so we knew we would have to wait to be seated. They told us it would be an hour wait. Every table and booth in restaurant was full. And there was a line to put your name on the waiting list. We were seated in about 45 minutes. Our waitress was awesome. Our food came out relatively fast for a large group. I definitely recommend the espresso martini!

First time visiting Bloomington and found Uptown after a long day of driving! We got there late, 30min before closing, but the staff assured us it was no problem and We grabbed seats at the bar. Bartenders were great, very helpful with menu items and libations. Be sure to ask about their barrel picks and off menu items! We started with martinis & old fashion - really hit the spot after being on the road all day. The bolognese was recommended with a suggestion to add the garlic bread appetizer. We did just that plus a salad. Everything arrived quickly even with a "full house". We devoured everything. The bolognese was excellent. Sorry, no pictures. We actually tried to return the next night for drinks - after a not so great experience at another spot, but the bar was closed for a party. So glad we got to experience Uptown. We definitely recommend & will return.

Always get what you expect from this place. Great food, service and atmosphere. I wouldn't take my kids here but a

Uptown Cafe is arguably the best dinner spot in Bloomington! I have never had anything I didn't like off the menu. Perfect for date nights.

Solid service and solid food. Plenty for everyone. Benedicts were really good. Maybe too much sauce in the Sardou. Grits were the fan favorite.

Great dining experience! The food was really good, and the service was even better. We ate outside, and it was very nice. Out waiter was very courteous and helpful. He made great suggestions and gave us first rate service. My wife had the Rigatoni Bolognese (spicy), my daughter the Chicken Pita, and I had the Shrimp and Grits. We all loved our food. I tasted them all and thought they were delicious. Good beer. Good wine. Great service. We have a planned visit next month and already made reservations.

We had brunch there on Father's Day. We were seated outside at our request and sat on the new deck, which was lovely. The server was pleasant and we were served our beverages quickly, with entrees soon to follow. I had the avocado toast and fruit bowl. My husband had the lox and bagels. We very much enjoyed our meal and the service as well as the ambiance. We will definitely try to get back there again soon for Sunday brunch.

The new lunch menu is terrible. I overheard the dinner menu is changing tonight. A staff member told a patron "we were told to be prepared for upset guests over the menu changes". Why in the world would they change the menu knowing this would upset guests. I'm baffled!

We were there for a graduation dinner so the menu was limited. In fact I'd say it was limited to overpriced and not very hot food. What a disappointment! I will say that our waiter was excellent. The ambiance is about average although the place was full so it was noisy. Metered street parking.

Been for both dinner and lunch and both were exceptionally good. The waffle and fruit cup were amazing as well as the crème brûlée French toast. When we dined for dinner the steak was perfectly cooked and all the desserts we tried were delicious (the table of 4 shared 4/5 on the menu. We opted out on the flourless chocolate cake).

Service was Amazing! Maddy & host were very helpful throughout our dinner! Tuna was not the best, as well as the drinks but everything else we ordered was very decent. Recommendations: Pot Roast, Calimari, & New York Strip

I have been eating at the uptown for 30 years and love it every visit. The food and staff are top notch. I could go on and on about the Uptown but there are not enough adjectives in the world to explain how much I love it there. Great job guys!!!

This was my first visit to Uptown Café and I highly recommend! I had the eggs Maryland, and it was fantastic! Also, our server,Lilly, offered impeccable service by anticipating our need before we realized we even needed it!

Uptown has been in Bloomington forever. It has an "old-school college town" vibe... the kind of place where you take people for interviews and fancy-ish dates. I've had some really good dishes and a few mediocre, but it's very pleasant and has soft furnishings so you don't feel like you have to shout to be heard. Always busy... always a solid option. It's wise to make a reservation.

Food, service and ambiance all outstanding. Bartender was also welcoming and helpful.

I recently dined at Uptown Café. I appreciated their broad menu as there truly was something for everyone. They also had a good selection of wines. We visited during IU's move-in weekend so all the restaurants were pretty busy and we had to wait 30-40 minutes for a table. We chose to dine outside and I enjoyed their patio's atmosphere. Inside, the restaurant is much larger than it looks from the outside! The food was good but it wasn't anything spectacular to me. I tried their chicken gumbo and felt that it lacked in Creole flavor. The consistency was a little chunky for me as well. I will probably skip Uptown Café and try another spot next time I'm in town. The service was friendly but very slow. It took a long time to refill water glasses, place our orders, etc. Luckily, I was with good company.

Loved our experience here... great food - we ordered the shrimp & grit, red chicken curry, salmon wrap and the burrito. Everything was delicious. Our server was friendly and we loved the southern charm of the decor.