Friends and I stopped by this place after a lunch next door at Laughing Planet. I like the integration of the two businesses - it created a nice community feeling. As with many coffee shops, this place was flooded with students and people working on their lap tops, interviewing, and conversing. Sadly, it was too dark and dreary for me, even on a beautiful sunny day. This is more of a grab 'n' go type of place....or at least sit outside on the patio! I ordered the Swamp Thing, iced. It was delicious! To be honest, I'm not entirely sure what's in it, but it was a great drink to satisfy my minty coffee craving. They offer local goods as well, including baked goods and other treats. Great coffee. Good patio. Decent coffee shop. read more

Soma Coffee House - Swamp thing. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Some good I can't stop cumming. So thrilled with the unbelievably explosive good time

I appreciate a coffee house that gets creative with its menu, and Soma has a great list of specialty drinks to compliment the standard coffee options. Bonus: Lots of their coffees are fair trade and juices are all organic. It looks like customers are welcome to get cozy and hang out, but the interior is very dark. So if that's not your thing, there's plenty of outdoor seating with cafe tables and picnic benches. read more

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Very cute hippie coffee shop with fresh juices and small bites. Came in for a morning coffee and ended up getting the liquid gold juice - watching them cut up the apples and carrots reaffirmed the freshness. Really delicious coffee and drinks, friendly service and nice outdoor seating. read more

Soma Coffee House - The menu! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Have a wonderful tea selection! Ordered a Evening in Missoula Latte with skim milk. Service was friendly and latte came out fast!

Typical local coffee house. In the basement of an old building off Kirkwood (if you're not from Bloomington, that's a happening place) - lots of regulars. Coffee was blisteringly hot, which is all I can ask! This isn't a Starbucks experience - this is a dive-bar version of a coffee shop. There are tables/chairs but nothing trendy or fancy. Didn't eat, so can't comment on the food. read more

Did not care for this place at all. Uncaring service, under poured drinks, filthy bathroom. No thanks. read more

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I wish this place would have been here when I attended IU. This is a nice little local coffee shop with a college feel. It is hidden away in a basement of sorts with multiple rooms often full of young minds cranking away. Not much goes together better than coffee and studying....except maybe beer and studying but I digress. When here, we ordered a traditional macchiato and a Vietnamese coffee (espresso and condensed milk). I often find that a traditional macchiato is a true test of a good coffee shop. This one was good and strong. Also, the Vietnamese coffee was rich and delicious. I would definitely visit Soma again. Next time you're in downtown Bloomington and need a caffeine fix, swing by Soma and check it out. read more

Soma Coffee House - Vietnamese coffee and a double macchiato....nom nom nom - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

My favorite coffee shop in town. The baristas are all super cool. Most of the people coming here are students and there's a fantastic room in the back that's like the unspoken study room which has a super low ceiling, so if you're over 6 feet watch your head! The food and coffee here are both pretty good and an excellent alternative to Starbucks if you're looking to steer clear of them. They also have their own creations instead of just copying Starbucks' drinks. Kirkwood is the best location of the three, as the Jordan Square one isn't quite as work-friendly if you're trying to study and is surprisingly low on plugs to charge things and also limits wifi use. The other one just doesn't have much space and is oddly closed on Sundays. If you're into vinyl, there's actually a small underground store attached, TDs CDs & LPs which has a wide variety of harder to find vinyl. read more

Holy hell this drink is good. I ordered the "Miele" which is a latte with honey and cinnamon. It was delicious. It took me about 3 minutes to figure out what I wanted after trying to make sense of their menu - it's a little crowded. It's got a cool patio with recycled furniture and market lights. Pretty cool vibe. I really enjoyed the latte. Very well done. read more

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My favorite coffee house in the country. Plenty of very comfortable seats, free wifi, relaxed atmosphere, great music or NPR playing. And most importantly - *great* coffee. read more

My first workday in Bloomington and I decided to choose this location to set up my station since I passed it so many times over the weekend - at least until lunch time. It's a cute little place - I hear there are other rooms, but I stuck with the main one by the cash register since I needed to buckle down and work. The faster I finish, the earlier I could go out and explore some more. From what I could tell, though, it was cozy and comfortable. Their menu is quite crowded. I stood there for a good couple of minutes trying to decide what to get. I ended up getting the large (20 oz) of ChaiCoffsky which came in a paper cup - half coffee, half chai latte (you get to fill up the cup with as much coffee as you'd like and they fill up the remainder with the chai latter and foam). I also took a look at their baked goods and chose the vegan Linzer cookie to go with my drink. First, it's not quite a traditional Linzer (2 cookies with the top half having a "window" sandwiched together with a jam filling in the middle). It was more like a giant thumbprint cookie with a thin layer of jam in the middle, but whatever. :) I just wanted something to munch on. The cashier man (I believe he had facial hair) seemed nice enough, but not all that friendly. OK, he was... but mainly to regulars. To me, he was just doing his job. There was nothing there and I even felt a hint of... disdain? After I told him I wanted the large, I also added how it was because I would be there a while. He didn't catch it so when I repeated myself, he didn't look all that excited. Well, that made me feel particularly welcome. Either way, I didn't let that get me down. I was there to explore Bloomington's independent coffee shops and to work. I got a nice table all to myself. The ChaiCoffsky wasn't really sweetened - or perhaps the chai latte originally is but with the other 50% (I tried to make it as even as I could) of black coffee, it probably diluted the sweetness down a bit. I liked it and the foam on top was nice, too. I also tried the Linzer halfway through. The cookie itself was good - a little crumbly in a whole-grain way (not the buttery shortbread crumbly) and there was a perfectly even and thin-ish (around 2 mm - maybe 3) layer of jam in the middle. I liked it - not all that sweet. I probably could have had it without coffee, though it might be a little on the dry side. All in all, I was happy with my drink and snack. My work station was good and I was also in a good place to look up and people watch when taking a 5 second break between work. I ended up leaving around 3 hours later when I finally finished all of my emails. During this time, I realised a lot of the patrons were regulars with a mixture of college students all the way up to those who looked like they were around retirement age. Many of them knew each other. Yay for diverse groups of people! The actual room wasn't the brightest or had too much natural lighting, but I wouldn't call it "dimly lit" either. It provided a good studying/reading/catching spot. Not to mention the fast Internet! It also turned out Mr. Facial Hair speaks Tibetan fairly well - or at least I heard a Tibetan greeting (I had traveled and stayed in some Tibetan villages for fifteen days 7 years back; definitely nowhere long enough to learn anything aside from the basic phrases, though) from two guys and next thing I know, he was conversing back. Despite the lack of friendliness from Mr. Facial Hair, when I left, I decided to go back up to the counter (Mr. Facial Hair wasn't there at this point) to ask where to purchase band aids in the area since I didn't see many drug stores when I tried to search for it on my phone's map. The two guys that replaced him were pretty helpful and even asked their manager for me. I may return again to work later on this week. It's a pretty good place and though their menu is a little overwhelming for a newcomer, I would love to try some of their other drinks. After all, it was an excellent place to work. :) Plus, Mr. Facial Hair won back some points when I found out he knew Tibetan. read more

Soma Coffee House - The large ChaiCoffsky + Vegan Linzer Cookie. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Spent a morning here... free wi-fi and lots of outlets were a definite plus. But crummy old sofas or wood benches as the only seating options... disappointing. And basement location with few windows didn't make for a very uplifting experience. It seemed like there were a lot of regulars who all knew each other, and being the outsider was kind of awkward. That being said, if I went to school here I wouldn't avoid it. read more

Soma Coffee House - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Need to meet a colleague to work on a work/school related project? Soma. Need to go somewhere to find peace and quiet, maybe sit in the corner with a good book? Soma. Need to sit outside, shoot the breeze and soak in the sun with your friends? Soma. Need a good first date? Soma. Need to eat healthy and affordable food? Soma. Need to avoid losing coffers of money to Starbuck's? Soma. Need a friendly, personable staff? Soma. Need a great selection of coffees, teas, smoothies, and snacks? Soma. Need Wifi? Soma. Need to go somewhere local? Soma. Need the best café in Bloomington, Indiana? S O M A Perfect for townies, visitors, and students, which is basically all of Bloomington. read more

It can be very hit or miss. In the same week you get one of the best lattes you've ever had, you can get one that's been over steamed and one which is just warm milk and espresso. I realize staff come and go especially during the summer when some student employees leave. That said, if you get an experienced barista you can expect a good latte! Otherwise a quirky, convenient, hip coffee shop. read more

Never disappointed with a drink from Soma. Its always hot (or cold if its a cold drink) and the flavors are wonderful! Menu items are unique and fun and always taste great. read more

Soma Coffee House - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Decided to check out the Soma Coffee House after looking over the reviews here on Yelp. Great food, fair prices, real friendly people. Just so you know, Soma, Brady R. convinced me to go there and try a Swamp Thing. Truth is, you had me at the name. Haha. Imagine going through your entire life and never having a Swamp Thing when it was right there all the time just begging for you to try it. Since I know that you don't want this to happen to you, I am strongly recommend that you go to the Soma Coffee House on a nice, hot day and have yourself an iced Swamp Thing. You're welcome. By the way, they have lots of other great stuff. I had a blueberry, buckwheat muffin and loved it. 4 stars because Brady R. is right: It's is a basement, a bit dark. So just sit outside on the nice patio. read more

A fantastic option for non-Starbucks coffee in Bloomington. Walking distance to campus and just off the Kirkwood main-drag. This is probably the best coffeehouse if you are looking for unique atmosphere, for a less-crowded space to knock out some studying or work, or to enjoy the quiet-and-slightly-grungy-hipster vibe. One star off for location. It's right around the corner from Kirkwood, but its located in a basement with few windows, so there's not much natural light or people watching to speak of. read more

My absolute favorite coffee place in Bloomington. The best part about Soma is the range of different drinks. Every time I come in, I find myself ordering something new because there's so many unique drinks I want to try. The baristas are always so friendly. Favorite drinks of mine include the Honey Lavender Latte, the Razz-Ma-Tazz, the seasonal Cozy Cabin, the Cardamom Rosewater Latte, and the Lethal Weapon smoothie. They have delicious baked goods (their Lemon Poppyseed muffin is soooo yummy). The ambiance is the best part. Both the 3rd Street and the Kirkwood location have fantastic ambiance. It's so cozy, and the noise level is always very manageable if you're trying to read or study or do work. They also play some pretty great music if you just want to hang out and drink some great beverages and listen to some fun music! read more

Went here for Sunday morning coffee while staying in downtown Bloomington. Soma was recommended by the front desk attendant at the hotel where I was staying. Cool vibe and really yummy drinks. I got the chai latte and also tried the Nitro cold brew. There were lots of unique drink options that looked intriguing. If I got back, I'll have to try something more adventurous like the raspberry chocolate latte or the peppermint patty latte! read more

This seemed like the spot to go for IU students looking to study. In my opinion it wouldn't be somewhere I'd go to get anything accomplished though. I like my coffee shops to have windows and natural light; this didn't have much of that. It's kinda dark and has a basement feel. The menu is on a chalkboard to the left of the counter where you order. I ordered a smoothie which was just okay; nothing impressive. Some friends ordered coffees, Chai Latte and Swamp Thing, which they both loved. If I ever return I'll go for the coffee next time! Coffee lids were low and needed to be stocked. They also have an outdoor patio area which was pretty busy. This would be more up my alley of somewhere I'd hang. read more

Not going to go into lengthy description of Soma's menu or decor; the previous reviews have those details covered aplenty. Soma pulls great espresso and their lattes are almost the best in Bloomington (in my opinion, Feast now holds that distinction - probably because several ex-Soma workers are now manning the espresso machines there). It's a fabled place to study, read or socialize for grad students and townspeople. In my mind there's truly nothing like a coffee buzz, a laptop or a good book, and the hum of Soma traffic in the background. I feel like I should say a word about the service, in response to some of the sensationalist, grandiloquent barista-bashing in previous reviews. I have been going there for at least 5 years. I am in Soma at least 200 days out of any given year. Out of a thousand experiences, and I can count on one finger the number of times that anyone has been the slightest bit rude or short with me. It has been my experience that fussy and annoying customers get fussy service in return. read more

Oh Soma, how I was addicted to you. I used to get an iced mocha nearly every day there. They make the best mochas there in Bloomington in my opinion, and better than almost anywhere else. Smoothies are delicious, and not all the vegan items suck. I'm a fan of the peanut butter bars. Staff was always hit-or-miss. The worst was (is? if she's still there) Abby, one of the managers. What an unpleasant stick-up-the-twat hipster she was. I applied to be the overnight baker there once. Upon handing her my application I expressed some self-doubt that I had as far as meeting the requirements for the position, freely pointing out that I didn't have formal baking experience and why would they thus hire me (just for the record I bake quite well regardless and could have brought killer banana bread to the joint). "I'm doing this on a whim," I told her. So really it was supposed to be one of those self-deprecating remarks made in jest, and certainly not an assertion that I wouldn't give my all if hired, but this seemed to offend her greatly and she said to me with bitchy sarcasm, "Well, I'll take your application REAL seriously, then!" And every time after that when I came in she'd give me the iciest attitude. Abby, if you're reading this, I hate you. HATE. On the other hand, consider another manager, her name is Carrie I believe. A dyke with a cool tiger eye. I'm gay so I can say dyke, is that ok? Anyway she is the most wonderful, friendly barista that I've EVER met and I wish she could be cloned to revolutionize the service industry. Even though the atmosphere/decor is rather ridiculous I still kind of like it in an odd way. There are a lot of hipster coffeehouses which are populated with grungy folk but look just like ordinary places otherwise. At least Soma has some character in that regard. And as far as what I hate about it, I love to hate. read more

Soma is great spot to grab a coffee, get some work done, or simply enjoy the nice coffeehouse vibes. It's a go to after dinner spot for me, that features a great selection of specialty beverages, fresh pressed juices and the usual selection of espresso beverages. Some of my best/most memorable conversations have also been had here with friends, so it's a great place to meetup after work and catch up! Highly recommend! read more

I think a few years ago, this would have been a five-star review. With retro decor, progressive and subversive literature and clientele, and a cast of baristas that said, "The customer isn't always right," it was a spunky and funky alternative to the more Starbucks-y coffee shops Kirkwood has to offer. As long as you kept the tip jar full, you could spend an afternoon there easily without getting dirty looks, pounding away at a thesis in the silent back room, or plotting hijinks in the front room and patio. It certainly helps to have Laughing Planet right upstairs in case you need some food to soak up the caffeine, and the drink selection was still one of the best in town. Today, though, Soma is stuck between two very different identities, and I hope they figure it out soon. Every since the purchase of Copper Cup at their 3rd Street location, the Kirkwood Coffee House has been undergoing some renovations that seem a bit tasteless. While some of the funk is still there, much of it has been toned down since the new paintjob, with lovable couches, artwork, and bathroom decorations removed, creating an aesthetic clash much like a house that is halfway through a remodeling process -- the newfangled walls with the old mis-matched college furniture. That clash parallels the coffee itself, as Soma has been offering more standard fare like a "Pumpkin Spice Latte" to coffee drinkers who pick up and walk off rather than staying in and shooting the breeze. While I'm sure it's done wonders for revenue, it has really complicated the feel of the place. Unless there's space in the back room, which has more or less maintained its style from years ago, I tend to gravitate towards other coffee shops these days. Hopefully the dust settles on an identity soon. read more

My mom and I stopped in about 5 minutes after opening before hitting the highway. The baristas were friendly and made us some yummy drinks (a low sugar peppermint patty and a cafe au lait). The inside of the shop has a fun feel with a tv fish tank and walls covered in local art. We also grabbed a buckwheat blueberry muffin to share on the road. We were definitely happy that we stopped in this local shop! read more

The coffee is good. You will pay more here for a cup than most anywhere else in town. However, the coffee is good and there are usually about 3 or 4 different drip varieties to choose from. The shop is basically in a basement and is decorated with ironic garage sale finds and art student projects. The decoration livens the place up and makes you forget you are in a basement... sort of. Given that the shop is in a basement and is below a fairly thriving business, it definitely does not feel clean in there. Not the sort of dirty where you feel the need to call the health department, just a grungy overall ick. This place is not kid friendly and seems fairly hostile to anyone over the age of 25. There is wi-fi. Refills of drip coffee are not free. There is a back room that can easily be missed (ie the room you walk into is not the only space). read more

Oh, how I miss this place. Surly staff, but that's part of the charm, right? They make their soy lattes with plain soy milk as opposed to vanilla, and that's enough to keep them permanently in the depths of my heart. From the decor to the Cosmic Muffins, this was my second home, and I miss it so. read more

What is not to like about Soma. First, grab some drip coffee - it's super acidic and amazing. Next, grab a cosmic muffin - they'll be your new reason for living. Lastly, those two powers combined will bring you peace, happiness and coffee poopy. the bathroom is awesome. When sitting on the toilet, I feel like it could be a scene out of "Being John Malkovich" Is the broken atari still there? Try to fix it and play frogger! read more

This hidden gem is so hip it hurts. 1. Loved the artsy, hipster feel to the space. The chalkboard menu was super cute. 2. The iced coffee was delicious! I added hazelnut syrup and cream. 3. Very creative names for their drinks. The Chai-coffsky (I apologize if I'm spelling this wrong). Half Chai, half coffee. How cute is that? 4. Friendly customer service. 5. Baked goods that make your mouth water just looking at them. They also offer vegan items if you're into that. Will definitely being grabbing another cup of joe from Soma the next time I'm in Bloomington! read more

Visiting IU for the day, and chose this place because it was top rated. Huge array of drinks, I got an unsweetened hot latte, which was delicious! My company got one of the more fun beverages, a peppermint latte, and she loved it! The vibes were great, quirky coffee house with a ton of fun decor and a ton of seating. read more

This place had alot of hype, and I must say I was a bit disappointed during my first visit here. I had one of the specialty coffees, which was extremely milky and seemed to not have much flavor or coffee. My folks had the french press, and really didn't have anything good to say about it. The water in it was not hot enough and the coffee wasn't too great. To be honest I'd rather go to Starbucks... FYI - I'm not a coffee snob, and go out for coffee maybe once every month, so my opinion is definitely biased versus those who are coffee regulars, so take my review with a grain of salt. read more

Not a bad place to study or relax. For a non-coffee drinker, they have a good selection of tea, smoothies, chai, and other items. And I LOVE their Evening in Missoula iced tea. It's an interesting herbal tea with a strange but addictive mix of flavors that I can't begin to describe. Soma also has a nice outdoor area with picnic tables and is owned by the same owner as Laughing Planet so you can have a meal with your coffee. Free wifi and plenty of outlets for laptops. What I don't like is that this space is basically in a basement. For someone who likes sunlight while studying or has a little bit of a phobia about being stuck in a basement during a fire, this is not a great place to be. The restroom also freaks me out every single time. Just be prepared that there is an upside-down headless manikin sticking out of the floor. The light for the restroom is located in the hall, outside the single occupancy bathroom so just hope no one turns it off while you're sitting pants down next to the scary manikin! Soma is also most definitely not handicap accessible with stairs to get inside and to use the restroom. Some of the chairs and tables are falling apart or wobbly so watch where you sit! read more

Cute decor, good music, nice employees.. Some background on this place for me. I have a number of friends who went to IU and really hyped for this place. It seems to be a great cafe and probably the best coffee shop in town, but compared to the variety of places in Chicago (and a couple in Madison and Milwaukee), I have to admit I was a little *disappointed*.. But I guess thats not Soma's fault- just the fault of my built up expectations. I've gotta show love for local places pushing organics, etc, but its so small! They do the best they can with the boxy space that they've got, but its too bad it doesn't have more of it. On nice days, there's a nice outdoor seating space, which is a big plus. Also, they are laptop friendly with their free WIFI. Plus, I'm liking this sinking orange chair that I'm currently sitting in. read more

Easily my favorite spot in town!! This small shop is perfect for meeting with friends or sitting down to get work done. The staff are lovely-- they're friendly and always give great recommendations. I'm pretty faithful to my daily iced americano, which is delicious and always does the job! But I would highly recommend the Lethal Weapon II (smoothie), Top O The Mornin' (latte), and the Pear Juice. Honestly you can't go wrong with anything you order-- go to Soma!! read more

I was in Bloomington and just needed to find wifi (IU required permission!), and a local had said the day earlier that they had good coffee. So we went, sat on some silly 70s orange chairs, and hopped on the wifi. When I had a mental block, I stared at the old TV-turned-fish tank. So, yes, it does reek of college-town overly hipness (the restroom needs to be seen to believe) and the walls are painted in the way that my mom wouldn't let me do my room in 7th grade (so I ended up just doing my nails that way-- each one a different color). But that's how non-corporate coffee houses should be: showing with such venom that they're not following the corporate rules that they basically follow a whole new set of them. But whatever. It's what to expect. As long as people aren't smoking next to me and the stench of patchouli isn't making me want to toss my breakfast, I'm cool. I found the staff quick, friendly (not at all surly!) and my latte was stiff but delicious. This is the kind of place every good college town needs. Even crappy college towns (I'm looking at you, Tallahassee). I didn't try any of the baked goods, but overheard a customer asking what they use in the vegan muffins to make them work, and I heard something about very ripe bananas and egg substitute. I have a new favorite coffee house, but sadly, it's nowhere near my home. read more

The BEST coffee in Bloomington!! If I really need a jolt, I go for the Blackbeard's Blend (one of the house coffees). Their other blends are equally fabulous, if you want a gentler pick-me-up. Don't forget to ask for whipped cream. Their homemade whip is heady and decadent, with vanilla and cinnamon in it. It's definitely worth the $0.40 extra! My only complaint is that I'm sometimes not fond of the music. It can be very...energetic...and sometimes not conducive to talking or studying (in my opinion). read more

When I lived in Bloomington, I used to come to this place to...grab a cup of coffee and read. Duh...what else do you do in a coffee shop. Anyways, I always liked the atmosphere in this place, even if it did get a bit crowded at times and you would do the awkward look for a seat dance with the short ceiling and all. The wall art, furniture, and music were all very comforting. And the free wi-fi was very much appreciated. read more

When I think "coffee shop," Soma is the very type of place that comes to mind: better than average food with funky baked offerings, a mix of standard and creative coffee drinks, and an environment that mixes a variety of sub- and countercultural aesthetics with a relaxed but slightly hip atmosphere. Soma might seem a normal, run of the mill type place for a liberal university town like Bloomington. For those of us who have lived in cities with similar places we took for granted, though, and now live in rural towns where coffee shops all want to be hunting lodges or Victorian parlor rooms with sickly adult contemporary music or country radio, places that hold no thoughtful (even annoying) theory-floating conversations or obscure band posters...little shops like Soma are paradise. We visited more than once on our brief trip to Bloomington, and we both agreed that it made us want to move there. I got swept up in the spirit of the place and ordered a "Swamp Thing" drink (it's got mint, espresso, and all kinds of good-natured dirty delicious sludge). I normally stick with coffee or Americanos, but I was inspired to get adventurous, and I'm glad I did. My drink was delicious, not too sweet, and a great way to spend an evening. Would be a 5 star, but I dropped one star because this place would be very difficult to access for many people with disabilities. read more

Soma was by far my absolute favorite coffee shop in Bloomington. When I talk about my college years, Soma inevitably falls into the conversation. Their baristas consistently took care of my every need. Studying for a test? Peppermint Patty with an extra shot of espresso. Got a cold? They'll whip up some magical tea with ginger root in it that instantly clears the sinuses. Bad day? Whatever you want plus some good advice to send you on your way to solve your problems. Seriously, if I ever move back to Bloomington, Soma will continue to stay at the top of my list for places to be. LOVE this place. Five stars, plus a little extra love for making my stay in B'town way more memorable. read more