Restaurant had a family feel to it with wonderful views. I'm giving this restaurant 5stars mainly bc they were so accommodating and when we sent an entree back because it was so cold not only did the redo the meal very quickly but they also took some of the price off and gave us a gift card. They didn't have to do any of that but did. We will definitely come back here again!!! read more

We came here for a friend's birthday and it really is a pretty place. Had a lavender cocktail, it was great. Liked the sweet potato fries.

I've been to this place three times before and was pretty happy but today was fairly disappointed. I ordered Eggs Florentine. It took a pretty long time to get our food first of all, but when it did come it was lacking in the nameske of the dish: spinach. The spinach was more of a garnish, I would have like about twice as much; there was about a teaspoon worth on each muffin. Next the hollondaise. It was ok, but lightly drizzled onto the top as though an afterthought. I like my benedict dishes with a hearty poriton of hollondaise. They did bring extra at no cost but I just didn't understand why they were being so skimpy with this dish! Especially since it doesn't come with potatoes! I've had this there before and felt they were a lot more generous with the food and maybe included potatoes (?), which I think they should for weekend brunch. I will say they cooked my eggs right (firm), which they often fail to do when I order eggs benedict dishes at other restaurants. I will give them another chance because I like them and the local but I was pretty disappointed with my dish this time. The service was pretty good. read more

I have been to scenic view several times. Food is always great. Setting is comfortable. It's my go to place

This is an excellent choice for any occasion, whether it be the family in town, girls night, or even a date. Food choices are one step up from the comfort food and turned into a gourmet delight. The summer is the best time of all to be here when the view is breathtaking. Very romantic! And the Bloody Mary's are nice and spicy! read more

I like the fish tacos; however, today the portions of fried fish on each taco were smaller than my little finger! The total fish weight was less than a fish patty at a fast food restaurant. I should have refused the order and left the restaurant. The cook and waiter were asleep on this one. It's now off my list - sad, I like the food but this was a culinary travesty. read more

On Sunday nights the pints are 2.50! The food was great. Service was great. It is so awesome to sit outside and stare at the lake. It was like we were on vacation. Peaceful atmosphere and good menu selections. I want to make The View our Sunday hang-out and bring all our friends. Thanks Bower brothers! read more

Monday late lunch- fast and friendly service. Ruben was excellent. Mac and cheese was delicious. Impressed by the quality during a notoriously slow day/time we were there. Next time I'll try a Bloody Mary read more

My wife and I enjoyed our first visit at lunch. The view and service was nice. The food was good. I had a lamb sandwich and fries and my wife had chicken caesar wrap. No lunch specials :-( We'll probably come back in the Fall to enjoy the view for a brunch. read more

Great breakfast, amazing coffee and good food. Our waitress was wonderful and very attentive. The place was clean, good ambience and a wonderful view. read more

My family and I visited Scenic View on the 4th of July. We were able to beat the crowd! Our service was great and our food was delicious.

Had lunch here yesterday with a friend...pulled pork sandwich & fish sandwich. Both were delicious as were the sides. Waiters were great. View of the lake is superb but I'd go for the food! read more

Very friendly wait staff. Great outdoor view. Went on a Wednesday evening and there was no wait for an outdoor table. Make sure you do NOT order the shrimp scampi. The sauce tasted like pure lemon juice. I was only able to eat the shrimp because the noodles were so overpowering with lemon it made me pucker!! No flavor of butter, capers, white wine, or garlic. Just watery lemon juice on noodles!! So disappointed I paid $15 read more

Stopped by Scenic View for the first time today. We had heard mediocre reviews for the food and service, but we were pleasantly surprised with the quality of both! The food was delicious all around (Steak French Dip, BLT, Veggie Burger Wrap, and Cuban). The service was friendly and prompt. We came mid-afternoon, during a slow period of the day. However, we thoroughly enjoyed our experience all around. Only criticism I have is for the interior of the restaurant. The inside is a bit dated and could use an update. read more

Great view, great food! Sat outside, listened to live music, food was quick and drinks were awesome! Definitely going back.

I suggested having dinner at Scenic View Restaurant when my parents came to visit Bloomington on a Sunday afternoon. I had been there once before and remembered that I enjoyed the experience. With its location on a hill overlooking Lake Monroe, this diner-type restaurant offers what its name implies: a great view of the tree tops and hills surrounding Lake Monroe in the distance. I have recently developed a taste for Sweet Potato fries, so we ordered some to share. They were served in a basket with garlic mayonnaise and they were delicious. The fries were nice and hot with a crispy outside, and a sweet and soft inside. My mom enjoyed her Orange Spinach salad. The salad was a mixture of spinach, dried cranberries, toasted almonds, goat cheese, orange slices with an orange citrus-sweet vinaigrette dressing. My dad was pleased with the Caesar Salad, made with crisp Romaine lettuce and topped with marinated artichoke hearts and kalamata olives which added a nice, tangy flavor. The salads were well worth the $5.50-$6.00 paid for them. I ordered the Steak and Broccoli Stir Fry for $13.00. My dish was a colorful mix of prime steak, broccoli, roasted red and green peppers, onions, and shoestring carrots over wild rice. The soy-based sauce was sweet, and not overly salty, with a hint of ginger. I thought the broccoli was cooked to just the right amount of tenderness as well as the meat. Served hot, I enjoyed the mix of flavorful vegetables- all except the mushrooms, which I have never learned to like. The Pan-Seared Salmon ($13) with dill cream sauce was the special of the evening and my mother delighted with the taste as well as the interesting presentation of her dish. A serving of whole, steamed baby carrots each with a tip of green stem remaining, added color and visual appeal to the plate. My dad ordered Chicken Picatta Pasta ($12), and was somewhat disappointed, as he felt the chicken had a previously-cooked taste. He did, however, thoroughly enjoy the garlic toast topped with mozzarella cheese. We finished our meal with a serving of the Oreo Brownie Sundae which was large enough for us to share. The brownie was warm and soft with a delicious, crusty outer layer, sprinkled with large chunks of Oreo cookie and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Chocolate syrup was drizzled over this delectable dessert, and there was not a morsel left on the plate when we finished. Our server, Josie, was friendly and attentive. He checked on us often enough without being a bother. He led us to the booth by the windows, giving us full access to the beautiful view of the sun setting over Lake Monroe. There is little to say about the plain interior of the restaurant with its small number of basic tables and booths, however the large windows more than compensate by allowing patrons to appreciate the outdoor scenery. Overall, we felt Scenic View was worth the modest cost of our meals. We were comfortable in the casual atmosphere, the noise level allowed for easy conversation, and the view was very relaxing. We would definitely consider dining there again in the future. 4600 Indiana 446 Bloomington, IN 47401 (812) 340-4731 read more

I finally ate there for the first time today.. it was AMAZING. it was kind of pricey but I think you get what you pay for. the portions are good size and the food taste great! I had the fried cauliflower appetizer , veggie burger with fries and a side of Mac and cheese. it was all amazing! it was the best Mac and cheese I've ever had lol read more

Been here before and service and food was great. This time we have waited two hours as still no food! No apologies from the staff, horrible experience! read more

SCENIC VIEW, TRAGIC WAIT. My family had high hopes for Scenic View. The venue is great, the view terrific, the menu diverse and wait-staff enthusiastic. But be warned, at Scenic View wait-staff means they make you wait, not that they wait on you. And wait we did, our food arrived 55 minutes after we had ordered it. During the interim, we didn't hear a peep from our waitress; not a sorry we are behind, more water? or can we get you something while you're waiting? I ended up pulling the manager over but he couldn't be bothered to even feign sympathy. We had asked about food being too spicy (our children are young) but the waitress said nothing to warn us about the hot sauce that would be drenching the fish tacos my seven year old ordered. She saw the plate was untouched when she cleared it and figured it out but again, said nothing. Our conclusion, we wanted to like Scenic View, but if our experience was typical (and a couple friends we saw there said the place is invariably slow), do not take kids, and do not go if you are expecting efficient or solicitous service. read more

One of the things that drew me to this restaurant was the location, because it's far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the IU campus, and it overlooks part of Lake Monroe. The menu was not overwhelming with decisions, which I like, but it also had a little bit of everything (from seafood and salads to pasta and burgers). It gave you many choices without being too much to choose from. I chose to have "The View Burger" which consisted of juicy Angus Beef with melted cheddar and provolone cheese, topped with crispy bacon and whatever other toppings of one's choosing. It was also served with hot and crispy fries, so I was able to enjoy a delicious American meal. What I liked was that it was just the right amount of food to be satisfying, but it wasn't an overwhelming amount that make you feel completely full when leaving the restaurant. It was also one of the better burgers I have had, partly because of the toasted, pretzel bun that it came on. I also felt that I got what I paid for. It was relatively 10 dollars for my meal, and I believe that is a reasonable price for the quality and quantity that I received. Many of the other main dish items on the menu were between 10 and 15 dollars, with some salads a bit cheaper and some steaks/seafood a bit higher. I went with a big group of people (all ages) and it was easy for everyone to find something tasty and within their price range! The waiters were very friendly to us all, and made sure to check back periodically to see how the meal was or if anyone needed anything else. We called ahead to make reservations and they had the entire table ready for us when we arrived. They were also efficient with bringing people the meals at the same time. The ambiance of the restaurant was also very nice! It was a smaller restaurant with dimmer lights, but white Christmas lights outside for a homier feel. There was a small bar attached to the restaurant that you could look over and catch the score of the game being played, and it just felt like a very homey atmosphere. It was a non-smoking place, which made the experience even more enjoyable. The restaurant felt more like a 'lodge' than an upscale fine dining place, and I enjoyed that aspect for a change. The only downside was that I did go with a bigger group, and at times it got very loud for such a small area. However, on any given day, I don't think that it would've been nearly as loud. It wouldn't have stopped me from eating there, either! It was my third time going to this restaurant (all three times have been with my family, as it is very accommodating to families) and I will definitely be sure to go back in the future! read more

I wish I could rate higher. The view is great. The food was good. The price is decent. Overall it is a great place to visit. Alas, the service was disappointing to say the least. We asked for water, after 20 minutes our server told us that they have no more glasses for water?? I asked another server and he brought us 2 glasses of water right away! Took a while to get our food but it was worth the wait. I needed spoon and of course another server brought one for me. Sad to rate this low because of the one horrible server. read more

Oh Scenic View... I've been many times . As of late, I swear they have no staff. Or they don't know how to staff. Picture this: crazy awesome weather on a Saturday, packed seating for lunch, both inside and out. Two servers and no bartender. The past 3 times I've been, the place has been so understaffed that it takes a whole flippin' afternoon to have lunch. This time we literally ordered the second we sat down because now we know that that's what you have to do to cut off 30-45 minutes of your wait. So disappointing. We knew the servers were slammed, so we wanted to go to the bartender directly to get some cocktails, to find that there wasn't one. The girls were making their own drinks, but badly. The food was good at least. I won't be back though, no one has that much time on their hands. (The time before was a beautiful weekday afternoon lunch, it was so slow I had to leave my friends and take my lunch in a to-go box and eat it at my desk....) read more

I've been to this restaurant now two times, first time not so great~second time even worse. My first experience was with a girl friend and I, we were celebrating our 50 years of friendship. As we were driving into the parking lot we noticed a large group, approximately 30 people. They were seated outside and we were seated inside. We could immediately sense the waitress's panic as she was the only one working. We were told it would be a while and we were fine with that. She actually took our order before theirs so the wait wasn't bad at all. My friend and I both ordered the View Burger which is described as a "Seasoned Angus beef with bacon, cheddar & provolone cheese on a pretzel bun. While the presentation looked wonderful, the first bite was extremely disappointing. Not wanting to spoil our lunch I didn't say anything, I then noticed my friend wasn't eating hers. We finally both admitted that something just didn't taste right. We both felt like we were eating sausage, and not good sausage at that. We're not sure if the grill needed to be cleaned or if they mix sausage with the beef for a filler. The waitress was so busy that we didn't complain even though we only ate half of our sandwiches. We paid our bill and left and just chalked it up to bad timing for going to the restaurant. That day it was around 1:00pm on a Thursday. My second experience was this past Saturday. It was my husband's and my 26th wedding anniversary and since it was such a beautiful day I suggested going to The Scenic View for lunch and giving it another chance. We live in Indianapolis so it was a good hours drive, but like I said it was a beautiful day. Upon arriving once again a large group of bikers were just pulling in. The bikers were seated inside and we asked to be seated outside. The inside restaurant was almost full, but only 4 tables outside. We thought to ourselves this is perfect, two servers-one inside and one outside. I might need to mention the time of day was around 2:00pm. We were seated by the male server who we assumed was the inside server since he was just getting ready to wait on the group that had just come in before us and they were seated inside. As we sat outside we were not greeted by the female waitress that was waiting on the other patrons outside. We thought it odd, but we were enjoying the view and looking over the menu. The female waitress kept walking by us and after 15 minutes she finally brought us some water and said the male server would be with us shortly. My response was "You mean you're not waiting on us?" She replied "no." We sat there for another 5 minutes and then another table was sat right next to us and the female server went to them immediately with water and took their order. My husband and I were dumbfounded. I looked at my husband and said "Do you want to leave?" He replied "yes." We got up from our table and walked by the female server and she looked at us and said "Goodbye, have a nice day." Obviously she was in her own little world and it didn't register with her that we hadn't even eaten. I then asked her if I could ask her a question. I said why would you not have waited on us, her response was that the male server said he wanted to. I then proceeded to let her know that he was obviously busy with the patrons inside and not to mention that a couple came in 20 minutes after us and she waited on them immediately. Her only response was "sorry." Both of these experiences have not been good and we definitely won't be back. The only good thing I can say about this is the view is absolutely gorgeous, for that I give it one star. I might add too that I was a waitress for 20 years and I have a very high tolerance for mediocre service. I don't have a tolerance though when one server doesn't notice what is going on around them and lets a patron sit for 20 minutes waiting for another server who was obviously overwhelmed. read more

The food is meh. The view is ok. The servers need to learn more about beer. Otherwise the servers were attentive. Price not too bad.

Lower your expectations and you'll be OK. Food quality was what you'd expect of a roadside joint vegetarian chilli tasted like it was out of the can, and pulled pork sandwich was lacking sauce and seasoning, very dry. Service was friendly and courteous but the food did not match the scenery. read more

This restaurant has very good food, great prices and the service was GREAT! We dropped in on a Saturday night and the staff had a customer oriented attitude - they asked for 5 minutes to pull together tables to seat our group of nine. I highly recommend this restaurant that offered a variety of high quality food that worked for the vegetarian and gluten free members in our group as well as those who prefer burgers and ribs. read more

We had heard that the restaurant had great food. We were horribly disappointed. The service was mediocre. The food was lacking. I ordered a veggie omelette without onions. It had onions but few mushrooms or tomatoes. It was very greasy. Yech. The toast was bread barely warmed. Husband's meat omelet left him hungry. His comment, "A $9 breakfast should be filling.". The kids ordered a waffle and fruit. They received a1/2 waffle each and a mushy mess of what looked like it might have been fruit at some point. It was inedible. The dining room was freezing. We won't return as Bloomington has a vibrant restaurant scene. I have had more interesting meals at chains. read more

Just returned to visit this restaurant thatg I remember from my childhood. A family member raved about how good it is, well..... The first thing that greeted us was the rather grumpy server/hostess who seated us. Then we spent a good chunk of time looking at the menus and having 3 different employees come by to ask our drink order, to never return with drinks or to take our order. Finally, a server came by, brought our drinks and took our order and then the waiting began. They were busy, but the wait was excessive. When they did bring us our food, they took the condiments we asked for and left them on another table. "Confused" is a good assessment of the wait staff. The food (we were there for lunch) was poorly executed diner food that was trying to seem more upscale. I only ate half of my burger. My daughter didn't want any of hers. Given the extensive drink menu, I think that is where the appeal of this restaurant lies. I am sad that this place is not somewhere I would like to visit again. read more

I enjoy this restaurant. Enjoy the view of Lake Monroe, the menu is interesting, and the food is good.

We went to celebrate my 50th birthday after hearing about a great chef at Scenic View. I was surprised to find that it was a pretty casual place after hearing about the fancy food on the menu. As in, big screen TV playing sports shows and loads of people in sweat pants. Alright, I adjusted my expectations. The menu (not available on line) is kind of eclectic - a mix of fancy and plain, like the clientele. The waiter was very good, and did a great sales job on the wine special, so we both ordered a glass. It was good but not great - considering it was $14 a glass, disappointing. I decided to go with the filet and bernais sauce and my husband ordered the fish taco with beans and rice. As we waited for our food the place filled up - mainly with campers from the adjacent campground all of whom seemed to have 2-3 children under the age of three. We waited, and waited - no bread basket, no crackers, nothing. After about 45 minutes our food came and I saw there was no bread, so I asked for some. We started in on the food - the steak was good, the asparagus and boiled potatoes good, and the bernaise sauce very good. The fish tacos were ok at best, though the chipotle sauce was very good. The beans were delicious - black beans, tomatoes, and onions with great flavor and texture. The rice was truly awful - wild rice overcooked to mush and tastelessness (wild rice with fish tacos?!). Finally, when we were almost through, the bread arrived. It was a store bought piece of a baguette, stale and heated in the micro until it was rubbery. No butter, no margarine, nothing. It was inedible (and we paid $1.50 for it - all the sides are extra). The pluses - there is a view, if you crane your neck hard enough, and the chef makes wonderful sauces and can grill a steak and boil potatoes. The minuses - if I pay $14 for a glass of wine I expect a pleasant ambience in which to enjoy it. It is hard to enjoy it when Buzz LIghtyear is being hurled at your head by the delightful 3-year old at the next table. We paid $85 for dinner in a crowded, noisy, unpleasant room. This place is a really weird mix of good/ pretentious/bad/casual/formal. And the mix really doesn't work. Never going back. read more

I want to love this place but the food and service are so inconsistent. I've had some great experiences and some awful experiences. The atmosphere keeps me coming back however, great view. I suggest a manager walk around to the tables and ask how everything is going...never seen this and when it's bad I wish they were around. Definitely should have been comped something a couple of times. Definitely give it a try and decide for yourself. Oh, and the food is decent but generally nothing to rave about. read more

Love the atmosphere and the food. If you can get a spot outdoors you can bring your dog on a leash. Very cool place to take family visiting from out of town when the weather is nice. Fun drive to make. read more

Great outside seating with good views. Cocktail/beer menu is good. Food leaves little to be desired......go for drinks and music.

One of my favorites. The salmon BLT is amazing. If it's a nice day it's definitely worth the drive

I just love it here! The staff is very friendly and polite. The food is delicious! My favorite is their coffee. The servings are large which is nice for me, because I like to eat a lot and have leftovers later lol. It is perfect for a date! The scenic view has outstanding service and food. Not to mention it's in beautiful location, overlooking the lake! Also the food here can be pretty darn healthy! read more

Went here midweek in the summer and had a fantastic meal (the lamb burger with sweet potato fries) with friendly service, and got to enjoy the view from a great outside table. Went back on a busy Friday night, and was thoroughly disappointed. Had to sit inside, and they were very understaffed - we waited more than an hour for food that arrived cold and overcooked. read more

I've been to Scenic View twice with my boyfriend and we both love it. The service is great and the whole staff is really friendly. The menu is limited but delicious and they always have good specials. read more

We frequent the Scenic View during all seasons; although we eat here more often when we can sit outside. The outdoor seating is wonderful and it's dog friendly. We like to hike and during the summer we are on the lake, and the Scenic View is very convenient. The food is usually great, but sometimes it is just okay. When they first opened, the pizza was wonderful! Large, very tasty, and the crust was thinner. Over time, the large pizza went downhill, but the smaller pizza was still great. We love the atmosphere, which is why we come so often, but there have definitely been times we have not been all that satisfied with our meals. We will continue to be loyal customers because we love the Scenic View even when the food is so-so. read more

I've been here twice now, once for dinner and once for lunch. This place has so much potential. It has a great patio and a great view. Why doesn't it have great food too? I've have been incredibly underwhelmed by the quality of the food here which does not correspond with the price. I'm with the reviewer above, I really don't want to go here again but if I do, it will be to just drink on the patio. read more

Awesome brunch! Wife had caprese scramble, she loved it. The smothered burrito for me was more than I could finish. Great view and atmosphere, be careful though or you'll drive right by it. We're going back tomorrow! read more