Poindexter, situated in the Hilton Graduate Hotel, kind of occupies a middle grey area between coffee shop, brunch restaurant, and bar. Despite being located in a hotel, most customers seemed like local students. I like the decor, there's lots of eclectic little pieces to look at, hidden in corners all over the space. I wasn't sure where to order when I walked in. There's a small bar with a few seats that was manned by a bartender and another counter by the baked goods display that had paper food menus and a drink menu but was unattended for a while. Eventually someone came out to the second counter and took my order. They gave me a number for my table and said they would bring my food out, but when it was ready they called my name and I had to go get it myself and take the number back. I got: Vegan tenders: I thought the tenders were very good and tasted close to real chicken tenders. They come with the option of regular or sweet potato fries. I got sweet potato fries and thought they were fine but average, maybe a little oily. Choice of dipping sauce is also included - I loved their honey mustard. There's also ketchup and hot sauce available at the condiment stand. Chocolate chip cookies: I really wanted these oatmeal cookies they had in the display but I was told the display cookies were old and they had chocolate chip instead. I thought I was just getting one cookie but I guess one order is two cookies. I thought they were nothing remarkable and a little dry. Sincronici-tea: This was a seasonal drink - white chocolate blueberry matcha latte with cashew milk. The flavours were interesting but I could barely taste the matcha. Prices are maybe a little on the high side but acceptable; the meals are like restaurant food rather than cafe food. For the high end ambiance it seems like they're going for, it would be nice if the cookies and drink didn't come in takeout containers. Overall, I wasn't too impressed but would give it another chance. I wouldn't get matcha again. read more

Poindexter - Vegan tenders, chocolate chip cookies, "Sincronici-tea" (white chocolate blueberry matcha latte) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

According to Yelp and some of my friends in the Bloomington area, Poindexter is the place to be for quality coffee, brunch, and cocktails. However, my experience did not match the rave reviews. First of all, the actual restaurant is currently get getting renovated, so a makeshift seating area and coffee shop is set up in the lobby of the Graduate Hotel. It's a small space, but they arranged the tables nicely, so it didn't feel crowded. We ordered at the counter, where you can get paper menus or look off the board. I got one of the seasonal drinks, called "Nosferatu's Nectar." It was supposed to be a white chocolate raspberry mocha, but the coffee was so watered down and I couldn't taste any of the white chocolate. I was super disappointed because I felt like I just wasted $7. My friend got a hot chai latte, but it was only lukewarm. Overall, the drinks left much to be desired. For brunch, we both ordered the stuffed French toast, which was supposed to be topped with cream cheese icing and fresh berries, but it only came with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar. They also did not have butter for the French toast. Even though it was a nice portion, it was not worth the $13 price tag. I don't know if they're currently having trouble with their quality due to the renovations and I need to come back when they're back in their main location, but Poindexter did not live up to my expectations. read more

I'm not sure what I would change to make this a 5 star place to eat, but it definitely doesn't meet those standards. The vibe felt more like a sports bar than a coffee shop. There were tvs covering all of the walls. The minima seating was kind of dirty. They definitely need someone bussing tables or wiping down tables after customers leave. The menu was a little confusing as the sign on the wall says breakfast is only served until 11am, but there were breakfast items we could order. We both ordered the breakfast burrito with sausage. And I ordered a vanilla chai latte. The chai was basic, I expect it to be poured out of a carton like other coffee shops in town - which is fine because I'd rather have that the a bad chai. The burrito was good, but lacking any additional spice. The salsa served with it was more like a pico. I'm not sure if it was made in house or not, but I was not a fan. I would return again, because overall the food and service were fine. The doorways also have cookie jars covering them, which I thought was cute. It didn't match the decor, but I enjoyed them. read more

See all

This is my partner and I's favorite coffee shop in Bloomington! We love all the little animal cookie jars that line the walls! We also love trying their themed drinks that they change up every once in a while! this place is worth the stop! read more

Poindexter - lounge chairs - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

I dropped by after looking for some coffee shops around the area. There was plenty of sitting space and the coffee was delicious! I ordered off their specials menu and got the Grand Brewdapest coffee. It was perfect. The prices are reasonable as well! It might be a bit hard to find sitting during rush hours but so worth it once you're settled. read more

Poindexter - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

The vibe of this place is really great, and there's lots of space to spread out and work if you need to. I got a seasonal drink and it was okay - really sweet! Next time I think I'll just stick to a classic! I don't blame the shop - just my preference. It had good coffee flavor, just too much syrup for my taste. read more

Poindexter - Seasonal Snoopy Drink - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Amazing espresso drinks and fantastic breakfast burrito! I would highly recommend coming any day of the week to hang out and grab a bite to eat with your coffee. Service was quick and it was super easy to order and pick up when called. I loved the vibes and felt so welcome, I enjoyed a quick breakfast! read more

Poindexter - Breakfast burrito - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

I was killing sometime before I had to meet my students and decided to stop in at the attached coffee place at the graduate hotel. It is an interesting set up, they have a large collection of cookie jars, that are random, (no theme that I could see) but are all well made. The staff is very friendly! I ordered an on tap kombucha that was very refreshing, and a breakfast burger that was savory and delicious and I ate every last bite! Thought this place was great, and I would certainly visit again soon if I was in the are! read more

Poindexter - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Very nice coffee, tea, and lunch spot with open spacious area for meetings and studying. They have some wonderful coffee and tea options. I highly recommend trying some of their food items if you are here for an extended amount of time. Fantastic service and very friendly environment. Free Wi-Fi as well! read more

Poindexter - Chicken Tenders - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

See all

Cute place but very crowded with students over the weekend (studying). The vegan chicken nuggets were not good but the French fries and ranch were amazing! Grilled cheese was fine, Caesar salad was not good. Overall this place is fine but not worth going out of your way for. read more

Perfect spot to get work done! Ample seating choices: high top bar stools, traditional cafe tables, and conversational couch and coffee table set-ups. Can be busy during finals and testing time for IU. Connected to the swanky Graduate hotel. Kitschy cookie jars adorn the walls. Coffee, pastries, breakfast sandwiches and pricing comparable to Sbux. Fast and friendly service. Solid choice. read more

I really like this coffee place. It's not my first option but I'm glad I came. The coffee menu lists are very interesting. You can find menu that you will never see before, which I forgot to take photo of. The cafe is inside the hotel. Once you see the lobby, it's to your right. It's spacious, nice decor with plenty of antique cookie jar collection. The restroom is nice and clean. Parking : street meter parking It's a very nice way to start my Bloomington visit. read more

Poindexter - Hazelnut latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

See all

Came here to get some homework done and also get something to eat since I was hungry. This place is very big and has a variety of seating options like couches, tables, stools, etc. the interior is cute with a bunch of different cookie jars on tall shelves. I ordered the chicken sandwich and the disco fries (I wasn't aware the chicken sandwich already came with fries). The chicken sandwich was okay, the chicken was nice and crispy, my only critique is the sandwich was a little lacking in flavor, wether that be it needs more sauce or more seasoning on the chicken, it was still good though. The disco fries were good however. Its a huge portion, so I recommend sharing with friends. They came with sauce, cheese, bacon, and scallions. I didn't end up getting any homework done, but I would consider attempting to do so here once more, seems like a great study environment. read more

See all

Cute coffee shop in a hotel lobby, beautifully decorated, great iced chai and iced coffee with a lot of seating.

Seriously good coffee. This will be my go to spot every time I'm in Bloom. Def hit this place up for your coffee fix.

I will definitely be coming here more because I was so impressed with their support of Bloomington pride this year. They gave the volunteers a suite to get ready and have snacks and water. The Drag queens all had rooms here and they did signings for fans. I'm trying their avocado toast and chicken taco soup. The chicken taco soup is some of the best soup I've ever had. Great job Chef Adrian!! Perfectly seasoned Hearty and flavorful. Yumm! I'm also trying an iced coconut matcha latte with honey and lavender (Matcha Python and the Holy Grail) from their whimsical drink menu. Tasty and interesting; a lil gritty like typical Matcha. They have lots of items on the drink and food menu from stranger things and I heard there's even a Stranger Things fan room decorated like the house here at the Graduate you can book. Great place to study, unwind or grab lunch. Parking can be tough downtown so give yourself ample time. read more

Poindexter - Feeling the love! ‍ - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

See all

It's located in an exceedingly cool hotel. It has a small but excellent menu. Service is top notch. And the vibe is tough to beat.

This coffee shop is located right down the road from IU's famous Sample Gates and within the same walls as The Graduate Hotel. They have more than just coffee options and I believe they have some grab-n-go options in a cooler to the right of the barista bar. We decided to drop in here for some coffee and I was excited to see that they had Butterscotch syrup as I had never had that before. I ended up ordering an Iced Butterscotch Americano. I think I went wrong when I ordered it in an Americano and not a Latte. The butterscotch seemed to overpower the drink and that's all you could taste, but since it was in an americano - it was bitter butterscotch. I would definitely come back here as I ordered wrong, and what Matt got was awesome! Be sure to check it out if you are in the area! read more

Poindexter - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Very cute coffee shop with a great list of coffee drinks and food options. We got there in the late afternoon so many of the fresh baked goods were out, but they still have plenty of food options that are made to order. read more

Poindexter - Avocado toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

See all

Super cool place to chill and people watch :-) Great meeting spaces, comfy furniture, wonderful Baristas!

The coffee and food is great. Mason Greenberg provided exceptional service. We will definitely come the next time we are in Bloomington.

The service was amazing! The person at the front, Aiden, was doing everything! The register, drinks, helping customers, cleaning, collecting dishes, and Aiden was very kind! The decorations of cookie jars were very cute and charming. The food was also very good! The fries were fresh and hot and the burger was very tasty! I'm surprised when I went around 7 there were only a handful of customers. I highly recommend this place even if you are not staying at the hotel! The drinks were very fun and cute. I did not take a picture of the menu but the SpongeBob art and themed drinks were a very nice touch! This place takes crimson card too! read more

Poindexter - Salt and pepper Decor - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

See all

This was my first time going to Poindexter Coffee. What a oldie time feeling coffee shop with a newness to the whole place. I got the breakfast burrito after searching breakfast burritos for Bloomington Indiana. As the breakfast burrito king this is one of my favorites that I have ever had and I will definitely be back again. Tha burrito do didn't have some special sauce or something to make it taste good, it had well cooked & flavored ingredients. I didn't use the sausage or sour cream, it was not needed. read more

The service was wonderful and the food is very good. The space is open with lots of comfortable seating. The only thing negative about them is I do not like their coffee. It tastes tangy or sour?? I looked it up and this is something that coffee can taste like. The instant in the rooms of The Graduate tastes the same as the brewed at The Poindexter. read more

You might walk right past this place everyday and not know what you're missing. That's how I felt when I first when in. Great coffee and the best cheese burger I've had in Bloomington so far. Definitely get the burger! read more

Poindexter - Graduate Smashburger - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

This coffee shop attached to a hotel has been open less than a year at my visit. Delightfully decorated with high ceilings and plenty of seating, the entrance off Kirkwood is down a few steps though level with the hotel lobby which is easily seen through the opening on the south end of the shop. There is an order and pickup counter on the west wall where the baristas prepare your order. The menu carries some breakfast and brunch items, but I had already eaten and decided to get my usual black coffee. My coffee was served in a disposable lidded cup and I grabbed a spot at one of the available lounge areas: Very comfy with a small table in the middle. I also noticed that a cereal station was available next to my area. The coffee was quite hot...right on the edge of the scalding, but not too bad. I removed the lid to help it cool a little faster, so I was able to enjoy it without a long wait. The ambiance of the space is warm and inviting. The service was prompt and friendly. The coffee, though not perfect, was good. A nice place to stop in for a brew or to hang out. Review #3291 read more

See all

Their Cortado is not exactly a Cortado but decent. Id call it a Tall lattè maybe a little dryer than one but way to much milk. Espresso is smooth but not bright and flavorful, flavor is lost in the milk. Location would be great to work or study, quiet, lots if seating. Next time ill try just an espresso to get a better feeling of their roast. read more

What a fabulous find! I normally wouldn't think to pop by a hotel cafe in a town like Bloomington and hesitate to even do a review because I want to keep it to myself! An eclectic collection of cookie jars covers the walls and window sills with a lot of fun eye catching favorites. These are complimented by an assortment of salt and pepper shakers just as unique! A co-worker and I walked down the street to do some project work and shake things up and this coffee house/restaurant is everything I needed on Kirkwood! The tenderloin was suggested by a guy that appeared to be a regular and WOW it did not disappoint! Sweet potato wedges we're delightful. Pricing is more in line for a hotel eatery, so a little more than I expected for lunch, but with fountain drink refills, comfy couches and lots of sharp pencils, it was worth the change of scenery! read more

See all

My favorite place to study in Bloomington! Located inside The Graduate hotel, their lobby is extremely large with the coffee shop on the right and extra study space on the left. There is lots of natural lighting and a lot of the individuals who come here are working adults or graduate students which makes the atmosphere extremely easy to work in. The decorations are a little quirky, which I love and the coffee is hot. read more

This is my favorite coffee shop in town! The service is always spot on, they usually have a cute designed board with monthly customized drinks to recommend to customers. The coffee is amazing! Always strong and flavorful! The food is also very good, fries are always crisp and crunchy and the burger is so juicy!!! Meanwhile the atmosphere is so adorable! Who doesn't love hanging out with grandmas cookie jars? They are so unique and bring a charm to the space! It is very calm and peaceful place to work or study! 10/10 would recommend! read more

See all

Ignore Scott, he doesn't know what he is talking about. I have toured coffee scenes in multiple countries and in every state in the US except Alaska. I roast at home and have consulted for many coffee businesses. The prices are the same as everyone else's, the portions are appropriate, and the customer service is great. Coming from someone who is often looking at coffee shops as a critic I give this location 5/5. Good location, great seating options, easy parking, friendly staff, exceptional coffee. Special call out to Nya-you're the best! read more

Poindexter - Seating and Decor - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Atmosphere: Fantastic decorating job, from the high school style bleachers to the knick knacks up and down the walls, to the historical IU artifacts. The shop is so spacious it adds a unique feel compared to the quaint coffee shops that Bloomington is acquainted with. Comfy seating with a lot of different options from sofas to booth style. Customer service: Barista was extremely knowledgable about the flavors and had a nice attitude. Great effort. read more

See all

Coffee and Breakfast was reasonably priced, and delicious. The atmosphere is very warm and cozy, perfect for creative workspace, and or study session. The staff was very friendly and informative. Will be back :) read more

Poindexter - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

See all

Love the hotel, but the restaurant was a bit disappointing. My iced coffee was quite bitter, despite ordering it with caramel and cream and sugar. My husband and I both ordered the avocado toast, which was just a soggy mess and almost inedible. Definitely not worth the $10 a piece that we paid for it. read more

This coffee place is a really great spot to get homework or work of any kind done. They have lots of comfortable seating and it is fairly quiet. They also serve a variety of food along with their coffee. The specials they have for Valentine's Day are also really cute! My only complaint would be that a lot of the tables aren't located near outlets, so it was difficult to find a spot where we could plug our computers in, but all and all I would definitely recommend this coffee shop! read more

Extremely slow service. Extremely overpriced. Small portions. The quality is meh. Don't go here unless you absolutely have to.

This is one of the best speakeasy cafes in Bloomington. Super under rated in my opinion! They have just enough food and drink items in the menu that you could go there everyday if the week and still have options left and their food and drink choices are amazing in themselves. I had the breakfast burrito and it was amazing! Try the greasy goodness of McDonald's breakfast except less grease and better ingredients. I also had the Nutella latte which is a must even if you don't like mocha (I don't). They're open 6:30-8pm right now but the lobby adjoined to the cafe stays open much longer (not sure it actually closes). They also have a grab and go food that's way better than anything on campus! I think my total came out to around 9 dollars before the tip for a full burrito (large) and small delicious latte. Service was also amazing and the baristas seem genuinely caring when asking how you like things. There's also abundant seating here! Overall 10/10 read more

See all

I was very excited to try the matcha latte because I had heard from my friends that Poindexter was a really good cafe, although a bit pricey! The atmosphere was very relaxing and I thought it fit well if you are trying to study, get work done, or to just chat. The staff were all very approachable and made casual conversation, which I enjoyed. However, I was very disappointed in my drink. I expected it to have a taste of matcha but I could only taste milk, no hint of matcha at all. Definitely not worth the $5 I paid for the small cup. read more

Poindexter - Iced matcha latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

This is an excellent addition to downtown Bloomington. Located on the first floor of the Graduate hotel, Poindexter Coffee offers a variety of beverages as well as food options, including an all you can eat cereal bar. This is a great work space, complete with a variety of seating options, free WiFi (no password required, just enter an email address), charging stations, and freshly sharpened pencils. Large windows provide natural light and an extensive collection of cookie jars adds whimsy to the decor. The cafe also offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. It's the kind of place where you can get work done, catch up with friends, or even grab dinner with your family when they are visiting. Casual but upscale vibe with attention to details like paper straws and a variety of coffee/tea enhancements. read more

See all

the breakfast burrito was literally just egg. it lacked the ingredients that are listed on the menu