Seafood gumbo is delicious and service is second to none! Highly recommended. Will come more. read more

End of conference dinner here - the food is very good. Our server, Mike, was top notch and good selection of drinks and entrees. We had a special "event" menu (see photo). On his recommendation I got the spaghetti agliana (had pesto sauce with balsamic vinegar and walnuts) and added salmon on top. Completely delicious....could easily have had two plates it was that good. Add a protein to that...it helps add a touch of sustenance. Conveniently on Kirkwood. read more

Uptown Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Was in town with a girlfriend who is and IU grad and before we hit the campus for a little tour we stopped in the Uptown Café. There was about a 30 minute wait at lunch on a Saturday, but it was worth it! We decided to get the shrimp and grits and the blue cheese burger and split them. It was an inspired idea. The burger was a wonderful medium juicy and wonderful with a great grilled bun and tangy blue cheese and was delightful. The grits were perfectly cooked and creamy, the shrimp was not over cooked and well seasoned and the sausage had a little spice to it that was perfect in the dish. While they were packed our server was great. She had great suggestions and brought us an extra plate when we said we were going to share. We were full and happy and ready to walk around campus and enjoy a cool day. read more

Uptown Cafe - Shrimp n Grits - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

This was my first time going to uptown cafe and it was wonderful!! We had one of the best servers I've ever had in my entire life. Her name was Julia Pearl and she was there for our every need, she was kind, and she kept up with us and many other groups! This girls deserves a raise ASAP! 100% recommended to go to uptown cafe! read more

Uptown Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

We went here for our fifth anniversary. It's in a great spot in downtown Bloomington on Kirkwood and the inside is beautiful. I loved all the black art on the walls and the comfy private booths with candle light. This place is known for its creole cusine, so that's what we went with. I got the Andouille and chicken gumbo with basmati rice. You can sub the rice for mashed potatoes for $1, they call it "Hoosier Style" but my family is from the south and has been cooking these dishes for years, it's made for rice, so that's what I stuck with. My fiancé got the Crawfish etouffee with rice. Both dishes had GENEROUS portions of meat and were well seasoned. It was so so good. We also got the smoked salmon paté as an app and it was delicious! Uptown also has a bar connected to it and is known for their speciality cocktails. I had the Piso Punch with my meal, which was very good. After dinner we walked over to the bar side where I got the Sherry, it was good, but there was more ice and fruit in the cup, than drink itself, so that was frustrating. The drink menu also feels overly complicated in comparison to the rest of her menu. The menu is pretty straight forward and all the foods are ones that would be widely known. The drink menu, however, spends a lot of space listing long names for spirits when they could just say "tequila," "gin," etc. It was only a turn off because when asked about the different spirits the bartender seemed annoyed that we didn't just know what they were. Maybe other patrons did. We may not be that fancy. ‍ Lastly, a word about the service. It starteflf off really great, but as things picked up both on the restaurant and bar side, service went down hill. I had to ask a different waiter for our check and for more water. Our waiter on the restaurant side walked past us three times (despite us making eye contact and waving) after checking on all his other tables. Our bartender gave us our drinks and then spend the rest of the time at the end of the bar chatting with friends. Which is fine, the bar wasn't busy at all, but when I've got to ask a other bartender/waiter for my check, another drink, water, etc. it's not a good look. Overall, I recommend this place. The food is so so good, the portions are generous and the atmosphere is nice, I just hope you have better service than we did. The food is easily 5-stars, but the service is 2-stars. read more

Uptown Cafe - The Pisco Punch, topped with a cute flower! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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Delicious! It's been a few years since I've been in here, and I wandered in by myself for dinner at the bar this week. The Uptown Manhattan was just the thing to take the edge off a rough few days, and my chicken andouille gumbo arrived in lightning speed. I ordered it "Hoosier style" with mashed potatoes instead of rice, and was totally happy with my decision. An upscale place for Bloomington, but a laid back vibe. read more

Uptown Cafe - the Uptown Manhattan - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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The perfect creole restaurant if you don't know what creole food is. Bloomington doesn't have any 'real' fine dinning so this will do in a pinch. Clean dining area, polite wait staff, prices aren't outrages but use your best judgement when it comes to market prices. My advice is stick to the steak and brown liquor. read more

We enjoying going to the Uptown Cafe whenever we are in Btown. I usually get the same thing, the spaghetti with the blue cheese, pecans and balsamic. It's very unusual and quite yummy. My party had the pot roast, seafood gumbo, and the Louisiana hot pepper chicken. We shared the blackberry cobbler for dessert. Everything was good. Large portions. A tad pricey but nothing terribly unreasonable. It's nice dinner for something fancier than the nearby pubs. read more

Uptown Cafe - Agliata pasta. Spaghetti, pecans, Gorgonzola and a balsamic sauce. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

I went to Uptown multiple times for breakfast over my years attending IU - it's good for sure! Nothing great. Certainly it is always packed and you're most likely going to have to wait a bit for a table. The location is awesome and right in the heart of Bloom. Overall though, I wasn't drooling over the brunch. read more

You wont be disappointed. Worth the money. Great food and great atmosphere in general. read more

Great breakfast in Btown that gets you away from the craziness of village deli and runcinble spoon (love these places but they are always so packed). read more

In town for the NCAA regional championship, ran across this spot. It was really nice and was seated quickly. The shrimp calamari appetizer was great! We ordered the fish and chips, shrimp and grits and seafood gumbo was packed with goodies, it was more than enough so I have a good leftover box. We got the order of bread late after noticing everyone had some on their table‍ read more

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Always a favorite when visiting Btown. Shrimp & Grits are amazing! Great for breakfast as well.

I LOVE uptown! It's a little pricey but the taste of the food is exceptional, it's unique enough that it's fancy but it's not totally weird (like peanut butter burgers). I've been here for job interviews and first dates. I guess you could just pop in but it's a little formal for that. read more

Went there for brunch day of IU graduation. Service and the food were both excellent!

3.5 rounded up to a 4. I've been to Uptown three times now - once for HH, once for dinner, once for brunch. Skip Uptown for HH but dinner and brunch are a pretty good option! I was primarily unimpressed with HH because an order of fries was $5 and it was such a tiny portion. I did like their grapefruit radler + gin drink though. For dinner, I had the Kyuuri Tuna (Yellowfin tuna seared rare and sliced, pickled cucumber salad, tsume, and wasabi) - this is in the appetizer section, but I wasn't too hungry so it was the perfect portion for me. I really loved the tanginess/sweetness of the sauce/veggies. Really nicely balanced so the dish was really light and refreshing. For brunch, I ordered the Number Two (Two eggs, Michael's home fries, and whole wheat toast + a 6 oz filet): It was a MASSIVE dish. The filet was nicely done. The home fries were a little on the soggy side (The Owlery has the best potatoes in town) but still tasty. Heads up, it's incredibly busy at Uptown for brunch so either make a rezzie or go to the bar where it's first-come-first-serve! Service is always great here, regardless if you're sitting at the bar or a table! read more

Uptown Cafe - Tuna app - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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Amazing service and even a more amazing meal. The Alfredo with shrimp was absolutely delicious and I recommend it again. It was also very filling! read more

Uptown Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

We went to this location twice on my weekend getaway in Bloomington, once for dinner on Friday and again for breakfast Sunday morning. The Kalamata and Artichoke Dip w toasted bread was delicious, definitely recommend as an appetizer. It had a torched Parmesan crust that really added to it. Good size for 3-4 people as a starter. The Razzle Dazzle was a decent drink, but their May Day mocktail was syrupy (we realized later it was because of the almond syrup but I think there was a bit too much). They have a special creole section of the menu. I got the creole BBQ shrimp and my girlfriend got the shrimp and grits. Both were lacking flavor and spice that you'd expect from a creole dish, which was surprising considering it was a special part of their menu. Service was adequate until we got ghosted for about half an hour waiting for the check. We sat inside and it definitely gives off an upscale vibe, but I think they go overboard with the prices and charging even for bread. The best part of dinner was the andouille sausage from my girlfriends grits, which prompted me to get the andouille omelette. Unfortunately it was lacking in the amount of sausage so I was disappointed. The waffles were good and the African nectar tea was tasty. Overall I think this place abuses the upscale vibe to gouge prices and does not deliver on flavor. Probably a go-to for families visiting their children going to IU but I wouldn't go again. 2 stars for the great location and the artichoke dip. read more

I went for a special occasion for a friend's birthday. The food is very expensive and the seafood gumbo wasn't my favorite but it was okay. I will have to try a different meal from them. The bathroom was very nice and clean. read more

When in Bloomington, I definitely suggest that you stop in. There were quite a few cajun-inspired offerings on the menu, and the shrimp and grits is my favorite. Depending on the time and day you are there, the menu may vary ever so slightly, but the flavor of everything is just as delicious. *A weird thing to add is that the restrooms are HUGE.... like, huge! And very clean and cozy, however, there are only 2 for te entire restaurant. So I'd actually be an advocate for downsizing the 10x10 single restroom space for more stalls. Other than that, 3 thumbs up... lol read more

Uptown Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

We ate here for two meals during parents weekend since it was the only place that would even take our name ! I am in between, dinner was great and our servicer was great. Breakfast on Sunday was crazy , but they did the best they could to accommodate. Not bad , food was good and they where very nice ! read more

Amazing food and service! Never disappointed. I recommend the creme brulee french toast.

I am from the New York City area, so trying to enjoy a meal out in Bloomington, Indiana is a lot different from the meals I get in New York City. However, this is one of my favorite restaurants when we come to visit our daughter at college. I was just here this past weekend, and I decided to order scallops. I was a little weary, because where are they getting the scallops from as it's a land-locked state. I will tell you the scallops were absolutely phenomenal and cooked perfectly. They were the best I ever had at a restaurant with a lot of flavor. My daughter had the fillet with the Gorgonzola and it was fantastic. I wanted to go back the next night, but we decided to go to a different restaurant, I was beyond disappointed and wished we would've went back to Uptown Café for a delicious meal. This is my definite go to when we visit our daughter at IU... Such a great restaurant and I'm so glad we found a good restaurant in Bloomington as we have been on the search for a year. This place is so delicious and a great place for a fantastic dinner. Can't wait to go back! Yum read more

Fancy with delicious food. The bar is a great space and don't miss out on the dessert. The outside is super fun when it's nice out and there is a great front room for bigger tables. read more

Hubs & I haven't liked grits in the past but omg these were delicious & all the other food we got was delicious as well! Mimosas are always a plus read more

Uptown Cafe - Mimosas - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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First time trying this restaurant on our weekend getaway. I was extremely pleased with my pick of the Sam's Benedict . It comes with bacon, 6oz strip steak(done to your liking), and tomato. It is served with a side of (fries) potato wedges. An interesting twist is the mushrooms that come with the fries. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit but waited what seemed to feel like a long time to get menus and order but I would definitely come here again! read more

Uptown Cafe - Sam's Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Some of the best biscuits and gravy. The Michael's home fries are the best. Always a hit to take visitors to for a great breakfast

The crème brûlée French toast is to die for! The dinner menu is rather limited, although I've tried both the chicken pita and the meatloaf and both are great. When I come here though it is generally for brunch- delicious! read more

Lordy what a magnificent meal!! West African peanut stew with shrimp. You do not find creative meals like this anywhere. From my house salad with a homemade mustard vinaigrette to my wine to my entree. WOW!!!! Thank you for the social distancing and the staff in masks. I felt very safe and comfortable! Cannot wait to come back! read more

Galen, Thanks for the note. I did say something to our waitress about the improper cook of the eggs. I did not however say anything after the meals arrived overcooked. I don't expect a refund and did not ask for one. We just now know that's not something to order off your menu again. That however will not stop us from coming back in. Uptown is a Bloomington Legend and there are plenty of other great things on the menu..... read more

Love this place. Excellent food. One of the best eggs Benedict. French toast cream Brule is something special.

Went for breakfast, party of 2. Nice ambiance, we felt a tad under-dressed in shorts and tee shirts but not a big deal. The place is nice and comfortable. we were well attended to by everyone. For food I had the number 2 breakfast, eggs over easy, sausage, home fries and an English muffin. It was super! Sausage was grilled and had a barbecue type smoky flavor and a little spice. Home fries were seasoned a lot and also just great. eggs cooked perfect. Son had the Hoosier Benedict, which appeared to be a biscuit with sausage gravy and 2 seasoned eggs over easy. It came with home fries as well. It was phenomenal! He also got a cinnamon roll coffee cake which was also top notch. with water to drink check without tip was $36. Great service. Will be back... read more

What an exceptional restaurant in a college town! The food is exceptional! Goat cheese smoked salmon bruschetta was a starter! The tomatoes were fresh and the bread was out of this world! Caesar salad with anchovies and homemade dressing was on point. The seafood gumbo was good but what can you expect...it's Indiana. Generous portions and great service. But the show stopper was the Lemon Cake with blueberries! Words cannot express the deliciousness of this cake! One of the best desserts every and I am a food extraordinaire! Bravo! Great find and a must when in Bloomington! read more

For over a decade, Uptown Cafe has been my favorite "go to" for superior dining, excellent cocktails, and an unparalleled wait staff and customer service! On a very busy Friday evening last weekend, it was very good fortune without a reservation to step into the bar, order a drink and within 15 minutes secure a table for two (my son and me) for a leisurely dinner. Finn M, our server was per the standard of Uptown, exceedingly engaging, and well-informed about the specials and menu. The Walleye special and the shrimp red thai curry were exquisitely prepared and delicious ... per Uptown's standards. No trip to/through Bloomington is complete without a stop there. And btw, their brunch, and the coffee is always excellent too! read more

Amazing food, the potatoes were perfect and the ambiance was incredible. Super nice service as well. Would definitely go again if I found myself back in Indiana. read more

It's not bad at all! We didn't have too long to spend on lunch, but seeing all those people sitting outside of this restaurant, we decided to give it a try. I loved my African peanut stew with chicken! It had rice, and very summery! Only meh was the dessert. We tried the ultimate chocolate cake but it's too sweet to me... If the chocolate chocolate part could be stronger, it would be a perfect one. But overall, a very good (and nice design!) Place near campus. read more

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Spent a nostalgic night in Bloomington and picked Uptown for our only dinner on the trip. Even though the town was sooooo quiet (calm before the student storm), restaurant was packed! Server clearly knowledgeable and we were served surprisingly quickly with cocktails, bread basket (what is the yummy spice in the butter?) and salad entree and gumbo. Every bite was thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks for not disappointing these older grads! read more

Uptown has become our go to brunch spot in Bloomington for good reason. We have never had a hard time getting in, service is always great, and the food is consistently good. My husband said I won breakfast with my order of huevos rancheros with chorizo this morning. I also got a side of fresh jalapeños, which made it that much better. He enjoyed his omelette and black coffee. Definitely a solid choice for a nice breakfast and step up from the greasy spoons. read more

Uptown Cafe - Huevos rancheros with chorizo - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

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My sweetie and I were at Uptown for my birthday dinner in early 2019, but I didn't get around to writing my review until now. We were very impressed with everything about this place -- ambiance, attentive service and wonderful food (Creole specials in particular)! Fabulous wine selection and terrific-looking desserts. (We opted out of dessert to go to the chocolate shop a few doors down but were very tempted by Uptown's meal finale offerings.) We look forward to returning and trying an Uptown breakfast as well as another special occasion dinner. read more

wow won't add onions to scrambled eggs won't make eggs over medium well won't..won't ...won't ... So sad they can't deviate norm because the cooks can't handle it. Even diners in Fort Lauderdale can handle putting onions in scrambled eggs in the middle of a bust ass rush in tourist season on a brunch day and any upscale restaurant can for sure. Uptown you should of named yourself "in the box" cause that's the only way you roll read more