The Garlic Press is half cafe, half upscale gift and kitchen shop. In the gift store, there are all-hemp clothes, cookbooks and novelty gift books, Godiva chocolate, and pottery I always want to blow my paychecks on. (The jewelry is also worth checking out.) Whenever I need to buy a nice gift for someone, The Garlic Press is the first place I go. One time I had my heart broken, and I filled those gaping holes in my soul with grilled cheese, brownies, and kitchen supplies from The Garlic Press. The sandwiches are wonderful, as are all the baked goods, and it is just a classy joint. I often feel like I'm not in Bloomington, Illinois when I go here, and it is a welcome mini-vacation. It is expensive, and the store attracts older women, while the cafe is a mecca for darling old couples and young business professionals on their lunch breaks. (When I say older women, I mean women who happen to be older than I am, but are also funky, have eclectic taste, and a little bit wealthy.) read more

The deli has room for sit-down dining, and a nice variety. It's a great LOCAL place, and family friendly. Our 14-year-old son likes their roast beef sandwiches, and the fact that they have Zapp's potato chips. The always-changing options keep the adults in the family happy. read more

Fun store to browse, especially if you're into funky gifts and kitchen gadgets! I ate at the cafe once, and my sandwich was quite good. Haven't been back, but mostly because I moved away. read more

This morning, I wasn't feeling too good. Finals stress, life choices, all matters of things were stressing me out. Then I went to the garlic press and got the crustless quiche with goat cheese, sundried tomatoes, and some leafy green vegetable. My day was transformed by this delicious, healthy culinary achievement. Furthermore, the coffee was delicious and the place was well staffed with friendly people. read more

Love their Grilled Vermont Cheddar sandwich. Plus, I always find unique gifts to give.

The Garlic Press and the Garlic Press Cafe are one and the same and, just as the internet reviewers are confused about reviewing each separately, there is little distinction between the gift shop and cafe in real life, either. Absolutely nothing to write home about. The Garlic Press Cafe is a coffee shop that serves sandwiches and soups (no salads) prepared by Illinois State University students in an atmosphere like a Starbucks. Sure, there's meatloaf and other simple foods but people pretty much order soup and sandwiches. One can grab a window seat at the front of this bowling-alley style (long and narrow) shop, if very lucky, and stare out at the hub-bub (usually construction) on the street. Most of the time those seats are taken by laptop-wielding coffee-addicts who, like flowers in a windowsill, tilt toward the sun and rest there for perpetuity. That will leave most patrons sitting at tables with nothing to look at, in a big open space, with people walking by or dashing in and out of the adjacent gift shop and bumping your elbow just as you were blowing the steam off your four-dollar latte. It is the best of that side of the street, and with more and more competition from the growing development in downtown Normal (including free morning lobby coffee at the Marriott and soon the new Hyatt), and that from over on the far side of campus (Fusion Brew Coffee, Potbellies, Noodles & Co., etc.), the Garlic Press is simply going to have to step up its game. Offer salad. Offer other food options than just soup and sandwiches and a meatloaf. Get some live music--a guy with a guitar, something--to make it more of a speakeasy destination, improve the seating and flow so that it's not like "bowling for soup" in there. Does the gift shop really make enough to support its presence attached with the walkway? If not, make the entire place a server-based, table-service restaurant, which would be different than the fast food joints (Jimmy Johns, etc.) along that street, and it would attract patrons (with money) from the Hyatt and the Marriott. Without that, it's just your standard overpriced gift shop attached to a coffee shop. Here's to hoping that the extremely mediocre reviews here on Yelp will have this establishment's owners taking a call-to-arms. There's no excuse except stubbornness to the past that would allow this mediocrity to continue. Step up the game and this place could truly be something, a destination. "Oh, I stayed at the Hyatt for a conference last year; you just HAVE to try The Garlic Press. It's amazing!" For now, 3-stars. read more

Had a Reuben, probably the best I had ever had. Fairly pricey for what I got, but it was good and I would definitely go back again. It is closed on a random week day though (can't remember which one, but it was discouraging to find that out when I got there!), so be aware of that! read more

My favorite jewelry is from here. They have really cute stuff here. Just a little pricey.

Vegan friendly options- great shopping in the store attached with fun, unique gifts.

They have neat things, and it's certainly worth stopping in to look. Also their cooking classes are fun and educational. But, actually trying to purchase something is a challenge. Several times I have brought items to the counter - was the only person standing there - and was ignored. I've watched the salespeople chat with their friends, or check out customers who arrived after me (once I tried saying that I was there first and she stared at me and said, "but I was helping HIM with this yesterday"). I don't know why I keep going back, but after living here for 6 years, I can tell you this: it's a neat shop, fun to wander, the prices are high, but you have to have a pal on staff to get them to answer questions or take your money. This is probably for the best - goodness knows how much I would've spent over the years if they'd let me! read more

The Garlic Press is a niche store in a land filled with chain stores. The deli has many healthful offerings for lunch or even just a mid-afternoon snack. I've had great experiences enjoying my lunch there or even just sipping coffee and enjoying a sweet treat. Although the shop is rather overpriced, I do like that they stock a variety of local artisan goods as well as some hard-to-find kitchen gadgets and gourmet foods. The staff is also friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, which has made for many pleasant shopping and dining experiences. read more

I like the store but as with any local specialty store the stuff is very expensive. For example recently I saw a kitchen item that was $20 at garlic press. At tj maxx the SAME item and SAME brand was $11. Also the deli was not good and I tried it twice. Friends/family were not impressed either times as well. This is the type of store I like to browse occasionally for the neat stuff, but rarely buy because of the prices. read more

Love the brands they carry... if I had unlimited funds I'd buy the whole store. The staff isn't super friendly but it's always so busy in there I think they are just rushed. read more

The Garlic Press is exactly what it claims to be: a specialty store with a variety of items for the home. Prices are higher than many stores, but many of their items are either hand crafted or of more expensive brands. This is a great place to find specialty lotions/soaps for one's wife or mother, items for the foodies on your list, greeting cards, note cards, dishes/place settings, and the like. It's also a locally owned business, and the owners support a lot of local events. read more

This review is for the deli only. Am I the only one who has noticed the apathetic attitude of the people who work there? I love this place for what it is, unique good flavors and quality. One person working there was rather nice but he seemed new and less jaded than the other workers, whom I couldn't get a smile out of to save my life. For quality/healthy lunch, this is a great place to go, but if you want a welcoming atmosphere go someplace else. read more

We have been here several times and have never been disappointed. Love the atmosphere the staff are friendly and suggest diff foods with explanation. Well go back! read more

Very unique, beautiful, interesting cookware, kitchen supplies and gifts. Love shopping there!

I love this store. It has unique gifts and has a great selection of kitchen gadgets.

Lots of fun stuff to look at, a great shop!

had lunch here with my sister recently and loved it! i had a turkey club and a big slice of cake with some kind of buttercream icing. soooooo good. they have a great selection of bottle beveredges and coffee drinks.would definitely eat here again. read more

I've shopped here for many years, and love the store. That being said, I returned an item purchased for a daughter a week prior to the return. It was a new item for the store. I couldn't find the receipt anywhere, so just asked for store credit. The price sticker was still on the item. The man helping me at the counter was not very friendly, and informed me that since I didn't have the receipt, he would give me the credit minus 20%, since I might have bought it on sale, which I had not. He pointed to the return policy, which I couldn't see. I was so shocked, having had an excellent customer relation prior to this, that I just took the credit with the missing 20%. I later checked the return policy and saw that returns without receipts would be given store credit, but did not see anything about the 20%. I am very frustrated, as I had loved shopping here prior to this experience. It'll be a while before I go back, and I'll make sure to keep my receipts in a safe place, or be careful to only buy products I'm absolutely sure about! read more

this store does lots to choose from. some home stuff are unique but some I can find at the big chain stores too. pricey for what it is. the staff is left to be desired -- I've been in a few times looking for gifts but the staff was not friendly and felt like I was being watched. would NOT go back, the food smelled delicious but not enough for me to go back read more