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    The Owlery Restaurant

    4.3 (375 reviews)

    The Owlery Restaurant Photos

    THE OWLERY RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - The Owlery Restaurant

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    Sandwiches: BLT, Mushroom, Chicken.
    Lynn N.

    We were recommended the nachos and it did not disappoint. It came with corn chips, vegan or cheddar cheese, cashew queso, black beans, pico de gallo, shredded romaine lettuce, pickled red onions, creamy cayenne-lime sauce. The cashew queso was the best part, with great flavor. The fries (regular and sweet potato) were also favorites at the table. The sandwiches were underwhelming. The BLT tofu bacon sandwich was dry. The server was friendly and attentive. They got pretty busy during Saturday lunch hours. There wasn't a dedicated parking lot so we found street parking nearby.

    Coconut macadamia tofu
    Krysha M.

    Traveling from Indy to Evansville for a wedding, I remembered that The Owlery is mentioned frequently in veg*an groups as being a great place to go if you're in/near Bloomington...and I must say the advice was NOT wrong! We loved the Owlery so much on our first visit that we returned again at the end of the weekend for brunch on our way home! First off, our server Sydny was absolutely delightful - and we were so happy that they got to serve us on both trips! They were so patient and kind - and humored me when I wanted to try ALL of the things on the menu and all of the sweets in the case. On our first visit (Friday afternoon lunch), we opted for the coconut macadamia tofu as an app - and my omni husband freaked all the way out at how good it was. Seriously good. Our sandwiches (the Chick'n sandwich and the BLT add avocado) were also delish - and we ended up swapping plates mid way through to share them. They have a lot of fun, local drafts and ciders, too - and fancy coffee, etc. if that is more your jam. We were told that Sunday brunch was even BETTER, so of course we had to come back through again on our way home. OMG the BnG and banana pancakes and Vegan Benny... I cannot tell you how worth it they are! Again, my husband seeks out meat any chance he can - and even HE loved all of these dishes!! He admitted that this was one of his most memorable and delicious brunches in recent memory. We also picked a selection of sweet treats to go - a chocolate topped rice krispie, some cupcakes, and all sorts of things - and they were also super tasty! We cannot wait to get back to The Owlery any chance we can! Indy DEFINITELY needs this in our lives up here, too!

    The menu
    Mark W.

    Awesome vegetarian food on the square in Bloomington. This was my 2nd time experiencing tofu and Seitan in unique ways. We were 4 today and everyone really enjoyed the meals. Don't get in a hurry here, especially at a busy time because this food only gets made great by a small kitchen crew. The vibe is nice and they have a nice selection of beverages from beer to tea. 2 tables outside but it was raining so we ate at the big table in the middle of the room. I had a Reuben with real Swiss and a tasty sauerkraut along with the fried Seitan! Loved it.

    Inside the restaurant
    Sophie P.

    I was skeptical because I am FAR from vegetarian. But my boyfriend knows I'm picky these days about restaurants and ingredient lists, so we thought we'd give The Owlery a try. I loved the inside of the restaurant! It was very small, but clean and well-maintained. Didn't care for the indie music, but that's purely personal taste, and I'm not the target demographic anyway. I had the Mushroom Banh Mi sandwich, and WOW. It was probably on my top 10 list of best sandwiches I've ever had. It so spicy that it was literally painful, but I didn't stop because the flavor was SO good. I took the jalapeños off the second half, and that turned the spice down a lot. $16 sounds crazy for a sandwich without meat, but it was so good, I actually think it was worth it. 5/5 stars, will be returning with friends and family.

    BBQ sub with sweet potato fries
    Leslie W.

    The Owlery has been in my Yelp Collection and on my to try list for some time now. I finally had a chance to drop in for lunch recently on a midweek getaway to Bloomington. My friend and I arrived around 2 pm after a morning of travel and a brewery stop. And we were definitely ready for some food. The restaurant is fairly small (narrow but long) bit we had plenty of space between us and the other few late diners. I went with the BBQ sub and sweet potato fries. Travel pal had the red onion jam sandwich (with local dairy cheese) and poutine w/cheese curds. I enjoyed my food although the sub roll was a bit dense. The poutine was a highlight for my friend. The Owlery has an amazing counter dollar of desserts to have there or take home. I couldn't resist a huge peanut butter rice crispy topped with chocolate to take for later. Pro-tip - don't refrigerate. It was 10x better at room temp (& much easier to eat). I'd like to try out their brunch which has great buzz about it. Maybe on my next trip to IU!

    John B.

    As someone who uses the owl as a totemic animal and is drowning in owl memorabilia, and as a lifelong vegetarian, this restaurant appears to have been created just for me. I was surprised to find this place in Bloomington Indiana packed for brunch; I didn't realize there were so many local owl fans who also happen to be vegetarians. But I waited out the crowd and secured a table. They had a menu of fairly classic American brunch veganized, and though they were out of a couple of items towards the end of the day, they had what I wanted: a bowl of mostly whole food ingredients. My lentil hash with various greens and peppers over potatoes had the option of eggs or tofu as a side. My tofu was delicious, and the bowl was an impressive meal. I wish I could have ordered a side or something, but I don't think I had room for it. I was offered a choice of hot sauces, which failed to materialize, but despite not ideal service, the food itself required no additional flavor, with the rich and hearty mix leaving me with no thoughts of what else I might have ordered. Having said that, their dinner menu looked impressive.

    Owlery Nachos - plenty to share!
    Kristine H.

    We always enjoy our dining experiences at The Owlery as it's our go-to spot to dine with our adult daughters who all follow a vegan lifestyle. We've tried many of the menu offerings -- too many to name them all -- but on our last visit, we enjoyed the: Coconut Macadamia Tofu, Owlery Nachos, Jerk Tofu Tacos with sweet potato fries (so yummy) and the Red Onion Jam sandwich with side of Impossible chili. As always, everything was fresh and delicious! We also treated ourselves to several of their baked goods to go home with which were all tasty!

    cute space, limited outdoor seating
    Sydney P.

    grilled cheese and nachos. Great service. Good flavor. Personally, I' m more of a carmelized onion on gc girl versus arugula but still good.

    Ellie G.

    Great spot for vegans and vegetarians. Very filling. Nice staff. Indoor and outdoor seating.

    Poutine
    KD T.

    I had a half serving of poutine with sweet potato fries and real cheese curds, and a vegan brownie for dessert. Everything was delicious. The server was the friendliest person ever and they gave me great tips on how much to order in relation to my appetite. My only complaint was that they don't serve decaf, which would have been great with the brownie.

    Loaded Nachos from around Covid times.

    Fair warning, I am a chef with a background in vegan cooking. I have to say that over the course of the 3 years that I've lived in Bloomington I believe the Owlerys food hasn't really become impressive to me with the exception of perhaps the loaded nachos. I've went on multiple occasions with friends and family, and I'm a big foodie when it comes to vegan friendly places, so I am sharing bites from other plates of what people order. The food is simply not worth the price tag in my opinion. The plating is beautiful, Instagram worthy, and the vibe of the place is perfect for the downtown. But I can't help feel the food is simply lacking spices- and not spices in the in-your-face way, but tiny amounts to build nuances, something I find almost necessity when it comes to vegan cooking. I digress. I really want to love this place, and maybe it meets the standards for most people. For me, most of the menu comes off as bland or lack of creativity. Attached: Old pictures from Covid times of the Nachos.

    Chicken Ranch Club with Poutine and a Ginger Ale
    Jeremiah C.

    Don't let vegan throw you off, this place is doing it right and bringing something unique to Bloomington. This is a must try if you are looking for something light or heavy. I showed up hungry, so I went with heavy. Many local beers to choose from along with coffee, tea, and soda. Low key atmosphere with a wonderful staff. Chicken Ranch Club is fantastic! The tofo tastes like, if not better than, chicken itself. Wrap was very filling and fresh. The poutine is a must if you are in the mood for something savory and filling.

    Pesto Portabella Sandwich
    Kathy V.

    I was traveling with a vegan friend and just followed her food requirements and was along for the ride for wherever we were gonna eat. That is how I ended up at the Owlery. We were there in the off-peak lull between lunch and dinner, so there was space for diners to be spread out and we were seated immediately. We took the seat in the window, which we selected so we had no one to blame but ourselves for the struggle we had with the roll shade. The table was weirdly sticky....something not fixed by wiping it down with cleaner and a cloth. For folks a little hesitant to lean in to visiting a vegan restaurant, they DO offer simply vegetarian things (hello cheese!). A step to ease omnivores in to patronizing spots they might be resistant to! I am not resistant, but I was happy to get real cheese on my order of poutine! I've tried many vegan cheeses and...no thank you. It just isn't cheese-like enough. So anyway....thanks for the real cheese options! The poutine was really good, and a very generous serving size. Definitely a 2+ person shareable. For my main dish, I got the pesto portabella sandwich. It was really tasty, better than I expected! I finished every last bite. Service was good and the meal was affordable. My friend got a vegan dessert to-go, but I was positively stuffed and despite everything looking delicious, I couldn't think of eating another thing. Absolutely worth a visit for a meal if you find yourself in the area. Unquestionably a spot you want to visit if you choose to live a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Amazing place ! Great ambiance, food was super tasty. French fries were fresh and yum.

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    4 years ago

    The atmosphere was open and inviting. The food was great and I'm definitely not a vegetarian but I would go back again in a heartbeat.

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    Page 3 of 10

    Ask the Community - The Owlery Restaurant

    The Elm

    The Elm

    4.2
    (109 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    Always a delight! The Elm is your place if you are looking…read morefor something delightfully unexpected in Bloomington. Seasonal menus, beautiful plates, and an amazing bar (and coffee bar). We have been coming for years and just tried brunch today and it was 10/10! Spring menu highlight: the cabbage is phenomenal! We ordered for the table to share as a last minute decision and it was the star of the show Brunch: Latke was so yummy and the sauce was horseradish cream goodness Chilaquiles and smash burger both got an A+ Staff is always on point.

    'Welcome to Bloomington's fine dining restaurant,' said our young college age server. The interior…read moreis clean, modern & spacious. Tables are well spaced for private conversations. The noise level was low and the lighting was neither bright nor dark. The atmosphere is cold & pretentious. From the limited menu, I ordered spaghetti with mussels, salmon with summer squash and flatiron steak & frites. Why the server had to educate me the meaning of frites, I'm not sure, because I simply asked if the entrees came with any extra sides. The mussels that accompanied the spaghetti were not fully cooked. Mussels should be fully cooked. The salmon was overcooked, which made it dry & chewy. The steak was medium as requested but the meat quality was subpar. Flatiron cut is supposed to be very tender & flavorful, but either the meat was old or prepared by inexperienced hands. Neighborhood street parking is free. For me fine dining is reserved for special occasions. I randomly found The Elm because it was open until 10pm for a late supper due to a late arrival. The food preparation was amateur and the experience was poor due to our server who went out of her way educate me, assumed I didn't know any French terms, and tried too hard to earn her tip. Speak gracefully & succinctly with a courteous tone. Any hint of pretention can insult the customer & spoil the appetite. The only thing 'fine dining' about the meal was the bill. I've had much better quality steak & seafood at famous chop houses in large cities for the same price. I do not recommend The Elm.

    Photos
    The Elm
    Assorted Truffles for $10: Dark Chocolate, Citrus Chocolate & Birthday Cake
    Assorted Truffles for $10: Dark Chocolate, Citrus Chocolate & Birthday Cake
    The Duo: Filet (left) and Short-rib (right)

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    The Duo: Filet (left) and Short-rib (right)
    Hive

    Hive

    4.0
    (148 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    The menu features burgers, sandwiches, pot pies, bowls. The Chicken Salad was a little different…read morethan a usual chicken salad. There was a thin layer of slaw on the bun. It was an interesting addition to the sandwich because it made the sandwich a little more sour. I added a little hot honey to help counter some of the sourness. The Hive bun was very fresh. It had great texture- crunchy edges but spongy middle. The burgers looked good but appeared very small. I was a little surprised by the portion size considering the cost. It was very expensive for such a small burger that did not come with sides & drink. I liked the big plastic cups for water. It had a bunch of advertisements on the cup, but thought it was great sizewise for water. Usually we get a small plastic flimsy cup for water at other restaurants, so it was a nice surprise. The staff was friendly and served our order relatively quickly. Patrons came in waves. The outside is deceiving because the sign isn't flashy and looks relatively small. But, once you walk in, it appears a lot more spacious than from the outside. Plenty of seating for big/small groups.

    Love this place so far. I've just gotten lunch a few times but they have a bit of everything on the…read moremenu with options for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Plenty of vegan and gluten free options! I've tried the vegan banh mi, vegan reuben, vegan brown sugar cookie, blondie, and Italian soda in lavender and vanilla. The marinated tofu used on both the banh mi sandwich and reuben is delicious. Lots of veggies on both of the sandwiches. The banh mi wasn't traditional - the mint and cilantro were more like a pesto instead of whole fresh herbs and the marinated tofu is a little different - but I really liked their take on it. Both desserts were really good, but in particular the gooey blondie with the flaked salt topping. I'm also grateful for the option to add cream to the Italian soda here - I love Italian cream soda but this is the first place I've been in a while that makes it. The atmosphere is very casual as you can place your order and pay at the counter and then seat yourself, but it's still nice and comfortable, and kept clean.

    Photos
    Hive
    Hive
    Hive

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    Anyetsang Little Tibet Restaurant

    Anyetsang Little Tibet Restaurant

    4.2
    (223 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    I really like Little Tibet! I have tried all sorts of stuff from the menu and I think the dumplings…read moreand the Thai are the best choices. Their vegetarian dumplings are all tasty but each is a little different. I've only tried the steamed so far because I really like the tenderness of the steamed version. The dumplings come with soy sauce and chili sauce for dipping, which are not optional - you need to dip them for the best experience. The chili sauce isn't too hot, so you can and should be generous with it. The Tibetan tea is interesting - it's a smooth milk tea, kind of like a milder version of Indian chai, but it does have its own unique taste that I can't totally put my finger. Other drinks are all good too, thought some aren't exactly as you might expect. The iced Indian tea is a little milky for my taste but the hot version is stronger. The Thai iced coffee is great but it's less sweet than the usual ones (not inherently good or bad, just depends on your preference). The mango lassi tasted closer to mango juice, but it was really refreshing. All of the food is kind of different from the usual restaurant style food from the various cuisines represented on the menu; it feels more like home cooking, so more subtle flavours, less salty and a little lighter, but very wholesome and hearty. The hotter spice level comes from a chili paste they add, and I recommend getting at least a level 2 (level 1 is no spice), because the chili paste also flavours the dish and level 2 is still pretty mild. The people are very kind and I love the calming atmosphere. I have seen them get busy in the evening on weekends, but usually you can count on being able to get a table.

    Very bland food. Had dumplings, the Tibetan stew, chicken and beef satay and mango lassie…read more Dumplings were okay, not a lot of filling but the rest was so underwhelming and sparse that we called the restaurant to talk to them. Their response was "chef tried his best". The bill was over $100 so we were just hoping for an adjustment for the bill. I work in restaurants and I hate when people don't give us a chance to fix things. The satay was SAD. It was obviously random chicken breasts sliced and no marination or flavor. The beef was gray and looked boiled. I don't think there was a bit of salt anywhere in any dish. The mango lassi was watery and thin. Seems like they're cutting corners everywhere. When I picked up the food they didn't have a drink carrier or a box for me to carry 2 bags and 3 styrofoam cups out with. So, in review, if you like food that tastes like water (literally) and underwhelming, this is your place. If you expect flavor and precision, professionalism and a great experience, go elsewhere. Sorry guys, we gave you a chance to fix it but now everyone needs to hear about it!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Salad, Lentil Soup
    Salad, Lentil Soup
    Anyetsang Little Tibet Restaurant

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    Rush Hour Station

    Rush Hour Station

    4.0
    (123 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $

    I've been wanting to try Rush Hour Station for quite a while, but it just never happens. When…read moremeeting a buddy for lunch he recommended it and I jumped for the chance. RHS bills itself as 'Vietnamese Fusion' and I have no idea what that might mean, but it was good. Very good. We went on a cold day, so eating on the outside deck wasn't an option. The interior is a basic strip mall location with a decent number of tables and plenty of seating, albeit a bit cramped. It's counter service, so it pays to take a look at the menu in advance and know what you want before you arrive. Paid at the counter, and they came to our table with the food very quickly. I had the 'Be Kind to Each Other' Chicken Pho which came with the usual sides of sprouts, basil, lime and noodles. You could upgrade your noodles if you wanted. I also added an order of cajun fries, which doesn't really seem like a 'Vietnamese Fusion' choice, but I love cajun fries so who was I to question them? The Pho was terrific. Loved it. The fries were very very good, though maybe a bit generous on the cajun. Still very good, and I definitely will return for this meal again. Friend ordered the Spam Banh Mi. Seriously???? Well, he did. And he said it was very good. You actually pay $0.50 extra for spam. Again, not sure what world you pay extra for the Spam but he did it. He selected the Fire Engine Tim sauce, which was to be spicy. When I pressed him for more details on the quality he said it could be spicier even with that sauce, but otherwise it was very good. He said to point out on Yelp that "That Diet Coke was clutch" - he may have been making fun of my questioning :) All in all a very good experience and I'll definitely return. I don't find much good pho in Bloomington, so it's nice to have a place for that. I won't be eating Spam anytime soon. I'm giving 4 stars only because the seating was a bit cramped and it was busy inside. I would go 4.5 if it weren't in a strip mall and pretty 'basic' ambiance. And that canned Diet Coke is clutch!

    Service was fast. Explanation of food great! Fish sauce…read morecould have more flavor, a bit bland and meat was a bit over done. Well worth the trip!!

    Photos
    The front entrance
    The front entrance
    Sriracha tofu wrap
    Sriracha tofu wrap
    Tofu Thai basil stir fry, Thai coffee

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    Tofu Thai basil stir fry, Thai coffee

    The Owlery Restaurant - vegan - Updated July 2026

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