The best restaurants in Bloomington

47 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Restaurants · 47 places · showing the latest additions first

Schooners

Restaurants

Schooners keeps it Bloomington-classic with Gebby's Beer Batter Chicken, the King Tenderloin, and the Best Buffalo Wings in Town, plus a…

810 E Grove St

Schooners keeps it Bloomington-classic with Gebby's Beer Batter Chicken, the King Tenderloin, and the Best Buffalo Wings in Town, plus a laid-back beer garden when you need sunshine with your sandwich this week. Since 1983, they’ve been the neighborhood go-to for unpretentious comfort that actually hits the spot.

From the Bloomington newsletter, August 6, 2026

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That Burger Joint keeps it simple in the best way, with all-natural 100% Angus beef patties hand pressed on a hot flat top for those crispy…

2105 N Veterans Pkwy

That Burger Joint keeps it simple in the best way, with all-natural 100% Angus beef patties hand pressed on a hot flat top for those crispy edges and juicy center. This week, when you need something satisfyingly straightforward, this is the kind of burger that restores your faith in lunch.

From the Bloomington newsletter, August 7, 2026

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When that craving hits, Yumz Asian Cuisine rolls out fresh sushi and Japanese favorites from a family-owned spot that actually cares. Treat…

120 Krispy Kreme Drive

When that craving hits, Yumz Asian Cuisine rolls out fresh sushi and Japanese favorites from a family-owned spot that actually cares. Treat yourself this week to crisp, clean flavors, a little fusion fun, and the kind of balance your pantry leftovers can only dream about.

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When wing cravings hit, DR. McKay’s Bar & Grill is the play for award-winning chicken wings in over a dozen sauces. If it’s not a wing day,…

909 N Hershey Rd Ste 2

When wing cravings hit, DR. McKay’s Bar & Grill is the play for award-winning chicken wings in over a dozen sauces. If it’s not a wing day, go thick, juicy burger or their home cooked Italian Beef, then chase it with a cold craft beer on tap.

From the Bloomington newsletter, August 3, 2026

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Relaxed bakery featuring croissants, sourdough bread and pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven.

301 Southwest Water Street (Peoria)

Relaxed bakery featuring croissants, sourdough bread and pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven.

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Tobin's Pizza

Restaurants

Old-school, kid-friendly Italian-American joint with pan pizza, spaghetti dinners & fried chicken.

1513 N Main St

Old-school, kid-friendly Italian-American joint with pan pizza, spaghetti dinners & fried chicken.

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Casa De Arte

Restaurants

Laid-back Mexican eatery featuring tacos, nachos, quesadillas, margaritas and other dishes, along with cocktails.

1227 SW Adams St (Peoria)

Laid-back Mexican eatery featuring tacos, nachos, quesadillas, margaritas and other dishes, along with cocktails.

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The Lucca Grill

Restaurants

Italian-American dining & pizza since 1936 with an old-school vibe, antique bar & tin ceiling.

116 E Market St

Italian-American dining & pizza since 1936 with an old-school vibe, antique bar & tin ceiling.

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Sushi Primos

Restaurants

Casual restaurant offering sushi rolls, crab rangoon, and other Asian fare.

701 S Main St (Normal)

Casual restaurant offering sushi rolls, crab rangoon, and other Asian fare.

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Funky, rustic cafe with outdoor seating featuring creative pizzas, handmade desserts & craft beers.

826 SW Adams St (Peoria)

Funky, rustic cafe with outdoor seating featuring creative pizzas, handmade desserts & craft beers.

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Eggcellent Cafe

Restaurants

Casual, family-friendly breakfast spot serving classic dishes, plus pancakes and omelets.

322 West Washington Street (East Peoria)

Casual, family-friendly breakfast spot serving classic dishes, plus pancakes and omelets.

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Rosie's Pub

Restaurants

American taphouse serving flatbreads, burgers & pasta in Abraham Lincoln's former law office.

106 E Front St

American taphouse serving flatbreads, burgers & pasta in Abraham Lincoln's former law office.

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The Neon Bison

Restaurants

Casual, Nashville-inspired bar serving cocktails and comfort food staples, along with a breakfast menu and live music.

617 Main St (Peoria)

Casual, Nashville-inspired bar serving cocktails and comfort food staples, along with a breakfast menu and live music.

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Thai House

Restaurants

Traditional Thai fare is offered at this unassuming restaurant with vegetarian options & beer.

805 Morrissey Dr

Traditional Thai fare is offered at this unassuming restaurant with vegetarian options & beer.

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Jet's Pizza

Restaurants

Counter-serve chain offering Detroit-style pizza with flavored crusts, plus wings & subs.

401 N Veterans Pkwy Unit 105

Counter-serve chain offering Detroit-style pizza with flavored crusts, plus wings & subs.

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Anju Above

Restaurants

Chic, upbeat tapas joint offering farm-to-table pizza, sushi, Korean pork buns & more.

220 E Front St

Chic, upbeat tapas joint offering farm-to-table pizza, sushi, Korean pork buns & more.

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Open, rustic-chic eatery offering seasonal farm-to-table cooking with international influences.

220 E Front St

Open, rustic-chic eatery offering seasonal farm-to-table cooking with international influences.

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Kochi

Restaurants

Casual Japanese eatery with a large menu of sushi rolls and teriyaki dishes, plus an all-you-can-eat option.

1540 E College Ave (Normal)

Casual Japanese eatery with a large menu of sushi rolls and teriyaki dishes, plus an all-you-can-eat option.

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Nom Nom Noodle

Restaurants

Casual restaurant serving ramen bowls and sides such as crab rangoon and togarashi tots.

1006 E Lincoln St

Casual restaurant serving ramen bowls and sides such as crab rangoon and togarashi tots.

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Relaxed restaurant serving up smoked meats, sandwiches, and sides, including gluten-free options.

602 N Main St

Relaxed restaurant serving up smoked meats, sandwiches, and sides, including gluten-free options.

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Relaxed spot for tabletop Korean BBQ and other traditional staples, plus beer and cocktails.

7 Currency Dr

Relaxed spot for tabletop Korean BBQ and other traditional staples, plus beer and cocktails.

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Intimate restaurant serving steak, salmon, scallops and other classic dishes. Wine and draft beer, plus cocktails, are offered.

306 N Center St

Intimate restaurant serving steak, salmon, scallops and other classic dishes. Wine and draft beer, plus cocktails, are offered.

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Irish-inspired hangout offering beer, pub grub & frequent entertainment such as live music.

112 SW Jefferson Ave (Peoria)

Irish-inspired hangout offering beer, pub grub & frequent entertainment such as live music.

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Easygoing pizza parlor with bar snacks, customizable salads & a large craft beer menu.

1503 E Vernon Ave

Easygoing pizza parlor with bar snacks, customizable salads & a large craft beer menu.

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Relaxed bar inside an award-winning distillery serving small plates and signature cocktails.

1000 SW Adams St (Peoria)

Relaxed bar inside an award-winning distillery serving small plates and signature cocktails.

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The 520 Cafe

Restaurants

Casual, clean neighborhood eatery serving breakfast, lunch & dinner options, such as waffles, fried chicken & biscuits.

520 Bloomington Rd (East Peoria)

Casual, clean neighborhood eatery serving breakfast, lunch & dinner options, such as waffles, fried chicken & biscuits.

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Saffron Social

Restaurants

Modern eatery serving prime cuts of steak, seafood, pasta, burgers, and fries.

187 SW Washington St (Peoria)

Modern eatery serving prime cuts of steak, seafood, pasta, burgers, and fries.

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Casual, locally owned joint offering homemade BBQ, including pulled pork and brisket, plus sides.

606 N Clinton St

Casual, locally owned joint offering homemade BBQ, including pulled pork and brisket, plus sides.

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Casual eatery and cocktail bar known for burgers and other fare, plus craft beers and wines.

105 W Front St

Casual eatery and cocktail bar known for burgers and other fare, plus craft beers and wines.

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Barrel House

Restaurants

Chill restaurant offering burgers, beers, and other comfort eats, plus kids' meals.

9 Brickyard Dr

Chill restaurant offering burgers, beers, and other comfort eats, plus kids' meals.

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Rosati's Pizza

Restaurants

Italian chain eatery featuring Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, plus pasta & sandwiches.

1704 Eastland Dr

Italian chain eatery featuring Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, plus pasta & sandwiches.

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Straightforward, family-friendly eatery serving pizza & Italian-American standards in cozy digs.

3302 E Empire St

Straightforward, family-friendly eatery serving pizza & Italian-American standards in cozy digs.

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Pizza Payaa

Restaurants

Casual, family-friendly venue featuring pizzas, plus beer and cocktails.

107 E Beaufort St Ste C (Normal)

Casual, family-friendly venue featuring pizzas, plus beer and cocktails.

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Casual eatery that offers beer and wine, along with pizza and a buffet.

1304 Cross Creek Dr (Normal)

Casual eatery that offers beer and wine, along with pizza and a buffet.

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Japanese steakhouse featuring communal teppanyaki tables & a sushi bar in an upscale setting.

401 N Veterans Pkwy

Japanese steakhouse featuring communal teppanyaki tables & a sushi bar in an upscale setting.

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Easygoing, diner-style restaurant serving old-school American & Greek fare, plus breakfast all day.

1412 E Empire St

Easygoing, diner-style restaurant serving old-school American & Greek fare, plus breakfast all day.

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Southern-style joint serving fried chicken and burgers in a clean-cut space.

409 N Hershey Rd

Southern-style joint serving fried chicken and burgers in a clean-cut space.

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Family-friendly eatery serving up BBQ staples such as ribs, brisket, and pulled pork in a laid-back setting.

400 Riverside Dr (East Peoria)

Family-friendly eatery serving up BBQ staples such as ribs, brisket, and pulled pork in a laid-back setting.

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Froth & Fork

Restaurants

Relaxed, friendly bar and eatery serving hot dogs, burgers, breakfast, pancakes, waffles and more.

712 Eldorado Rd

Relaxed, friendly bar and eatery serving hot dogs, burgers, breakfast, pancakes, waffles and more.

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Cozy speakeasy serving modern comfort food, craft cocktails, and local beers.

513 N Main St

Cozy speakeasy serving modern comfort food, craft cocktails, and local beers.

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Hip, casual riverfront cafe & bar with eclectic live music, coffee & a menu of global eats.

305 Southwest Water Street (Peoria)

Hip, casual riverfront cafe & bar with eclectic live music, coffee & a menu of global eats.

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Grady's Pizza

Restaurants

Casual pizzeria with a unique sweet sauce, known for its sausage.

1501 Morrissey Dr

Casual pizzeria with a unique sweet sauce, known for its sausage.

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Ancho & Agave

Restaurants

Vibrant eatery offering Mexican standbys such as tacos, fajitas and burritos, plus wine, beer and cocktails .

3006 E Empire St

Vibrant eatery offering Mexican standbys such as tacos, fajitas and burritos, plus wine, beer and cocktails .

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Family-friendly venue featuring an indoor/outdoor mini-golf course, plus a restaurant and bar.

1001 Bass Pro Dr (East Peoria)

Family-friendly venue featuring an indoor/outdoor mini-golf course, plus a restaurant and bar.

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Fort Jesse Cafe

Restaurants

Cheerful cafe serving hearty, diner-style breakfast, burgers & salads in bright, welcoming digs.

1531 Fort Jesse Rd #1 (Normal)

Cheerful cafe serving hearty, diner-style breakfast, burgers & salads in bright, welcoming digs.

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Stylish waterfront seafood eatery featuring a menu of surf 'n' turf, an oyster bar, chowder & more.

2601 N Main St (East Peoria)

Stylish waterfront seafood eatery featuring a menu of surf 'n' turf, an oyster bar, chowder & more.

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Conveyor-belt sushi joint offering a variety of cooked and uncooked options via rotating plates.

1500 E Empire St A1

Conveyor-belt sushi joint offering a variety of cooked and uncooked options via rotating plates.

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