This is a restaurant that has been around for years. Back in the day, John Mellencamp sitings were frequent and it was a place to be seen. I feel like those days have passed a bit, but the food here is really good. We went for Sunday brunch, and they have a variety of benedicts, pancakes and basic meat and egg breakfasts that don't disappoint. I had Sam's benedict. I ordered the beef medium rare as recommended and it was spot on. The hollandaise was delicious and not too lemony. The accompanying potatoes were everything. Perfectly crispy on the outside and yummy and fluffy on the inside. My college kid had the huevos rancheros with chorizo, and it was fantastic. We also sampled the eggs chorizo. The chorizo was perfectly spicy. They have their own coffee blend which is really good and their servers are on top of refills. They also know exactly what to recommend and how to recommend it cooked, which is impressive. The restaurant itself has decent atmosphere that doesn't reflect the four billion years it's been in business. Parking is a bit difficult during busy hours. There's a lot across the street with a few spaces for $6, which I think is a little pricey. The great thing about the location is that it's easy walking if you have to park at a distance. read more

The food here was great!! Many untraditional approaches to traditional dishes. I had the blueberry cottage cheese pancakes... the perfect combination of sweet and savory. My friend had the Creme brûlée French toast which was really good, almost like a bread pudding crossed with a flan. The cinnamon roll pecan thing... was out of this world! Do yourself a favor and go there if you need to recover from a long night or just to enjoy great food!! read more

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This is a very popular restaurant and for good reason! I have not had a poor experience here. Regardless of which meal you can find something you enjoy at this restaurant. I adore the incorporation of creole into the menu. read more

I hate doing this because the staff was really nice and sincere, but the food just isn't good and priced too high for the quality. I had the Bellini and the creme brûlée French toast for breakfast. The French toast was overly soaked, so much so it was mushy. On top of that it wasn't toasted crisped or anything, so it was basically mushy sweet brioche. To add insult to injury, 4 blueberries were thrown in the plate, for what... I don't know. The Bellini either was 1) made with not so sparkling wine, or 2) had the wrong portion of peach nectar to sparkling wine because it was really really flat. I have a feeling this restaurant is one where people have been going for a long time, so they keep going for nostalgia and habitual preference. Not for me. read more

There is nothing that is not amazing about this restaurant. I ordered the Gorgonzola Filet Mignon, and boy it was amazing. I took my first bite and a flavorgasm just exploded with juices into my mouth, so much deliciousness! I highly recommend any steak lover to order this! read more

Uptown Cafe - Gorgonzola Filet Mignon - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Brunch is just delicious! I really love this place, service is great, and food is incredible!

When I first found Uptown, I fell instantly in love. I loved going for soup, bread, and $2 pints. That was a weekly thing on Tuesdays for a while. Always had great service and good atmosphere. Then I found Saturday brunch. Whenever I now think of going somewhere for brunch, this is definitely my spot. Mimosas, Mary's, and great food. Speaking of food, they have an awesome variety. Chef specials rotate on the daily, and sound awesome daily. Their staples are very fair priced. I kniw I can go for soup bread and veer for $10. Or, if I'm feeling extravagant, I can easily spend $100/person dropping some dough on top shelf liquors and wine. And...the chef special can be pricey. But it is truly craft food. Worth it! Lots of table space. Great bar atmosphere. Good for families, singles, business, and friend gatherings. read more

Sam's Benedict -It's delirious! Applewood smoked bacon, 6 oz. Long Island strip steak, two eggs prepared to order, toasted English muffin, sliced tomato, and a rich Hollandaise, served with Michael's home fries read more

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

I was really torn between 3 and 4 stars here. There wasn't really anything super wrong with anything (besides service) but the food simply did not have a wow factor. It was fine, but in Bloomington, you really need to go a step above fine. In terms of the service, it was one of the same scenarios I run into quite often in College towns. The server is young, and really doesn't care about giving great service. They seem bothered that you need stuff from them and rarely check in on you. Maybe it is a generational thing, but that is another topic for another time. I don't see a reason to come back here honestly. Uptown has stiff competition on the culinary scene. read more

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Great brunch spot or dinner. High end classics- perfect place for taking out of town guests or celebrating special occasions.

If you're even considering eating here, DO IT! The food is so, so good! The Spaghetti Agliata is absolutely remarkable, I get it every time we dine at Uptown and I'm always so happy with it! If you're looking for the best bruschetta around, you have to try the Goat Cheese Andouille Brushetta - it's out of this world. I'm not kidding my husband and I literally try to recreate it at home because we crave it so regularly My husband usually gets the Chicken Andouille Gumbo "Hoosier Style" (served with mashed potatoes instead of rice) - he's says it's very flavorful, not too spicy and will be sure to fill you up! Upland also has great drinks and amazing Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate!! Aside from the food and drinks, the atmosphere is a bit classy but you won't look out of place coming in off Kirkwood in casual clothes. The service is great -we've always had awesome servers read more

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too hoity-toity for me. didn't think the food was as special as it was made out to be.

It was truly difficult to figure out what to order off of such a high-quality menu - the pot roast? The gumbo? The polenta pasta? - but I kept it simple and went for a burger, because you can tell a lot about a place by its basic burger and also because it came with a side dish, and I'm always going to pick the thing that comes with a side dish. I've heard great things about Uptown's dinner options (I went there for breakfast once, which was delicious), and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The burger was high-quality meat, satisfying and juicy, with cheddar just sharp enough to pack a little punch and enough mayo to keep the burger from getting dry without being too much (I am not a mayo person, generally speaking). I got a side of mac and cheese, and it was an incredible, savory, flavorful side covered in light, crispy breadcrumbs. I definitely sensed a hint of garlic, but nothing to overpower the cheese. Uptown may be a little bit of a splurge, but it's absolutely worth it for a special occasion! read more

Uptown Cafe - Burger and a side of mac and cheese. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

The Salmon Wrap I ordered was the best salmon I've ever had, and would definitely recommend it to others. The service was outstanding and it was overall a great experience. There's nothing else like it! read more

Excellent breakfast while visiting Bloomington. The Belgian waffle is as good as you can get. Delicious. My Andouille omelette was very flavorful. Professional service. read more

Have been here for brunch and lunch, and neither disappoints! The eggs Benedict and Creek brûlée French toast are great. The hollandaise was delicious but you don't get enough in my opinion (that's the best part of eggs Benedict, right??). The French toast was delicious and silky in texture. It may look like the serving isn't enough but it did satisfy. Their coffee is also great for restaurant brew. The dinner menu has a lot choose from! I went with the Cajun meat loaf with a side of their Mac and cheese. My expectations were met and exceeded! The meat loaf had a rich and spicy Cajun tomato sauce and it was grilled so there was slight char around the edges the Mac and cheese was cavatappi with a white cream sauce and served in a little dish! a.k.a. The perfect Mac and cheese. read more

I forgot how delicious brunch was at Uptown! Thankfully, I was reminded today. I had the chorizo omelette special and it was delicious! Dinner is equally as delicious too, btw. We were a party of five and we're originally seated in the back room because we thought a few more people were joining us. Then we moved out front to a smaller table. The service was excellent! The food was delicious, affordably priced, and the portions were generous. I love the atmosphere here and I think the bar is the best in town! Each time I've had a drink here it has been perfectly concocted. I love letting the bartender be creative with my cocktails. read more

I usually go in for breakfast and the omelettes are perfect every time. Some nights I go in for cocktails and they are also always in point. Thank you guys!!! read more

Everything that our party of four ordered was cooked to perfection. I got the eggs Maryland and was very pleased.

We've eaten many places in Bloomington, and this is one place we have made a go to for when we are in town. It's upscale, yet a very laid back and a warm environment. The atmosphere suits the menu perfectly - southern comfort food. I always choose the Louisiana Hot Pepper Chicken because it's so good! The sauce is the perfect amount of heat and creaminess, and the breading on the chicken is super flavorful. My husband has gotten the meatloaf and the pot roast, and he was equally impressed. We would love to go back for brunch sometime because their brunch menu looks amazing! read more

Have ever eaten somewhere and the food was soooo good that it felt like the heavens opened up and the angels of food began to sing....yea umm this was one of those experiences for me! Hmm where do I start.... First let's start with service...service is a huge part of an experience when eating out. Uptown Cafe has IMPECCABLE service down pat! Though we were a large group we were seated quickly. Our waiter was attentive friendly and relaxed. Our party of 9 came in 10 minutes before the brunch cut off time, but the waiter was still very accommodating. One of our guests realized after she recieved her dish that she wanted something different...she spoke to the waiter and he quickly and very graciously with no dirty looks no argument replaced her meal with a different meal....amazing! Finally after taste testing everyone's meal, we determined that it would be setting ourselves up if we didn't get another order of their divine creme Brule French Toast...it was WELL past the 2:00 Bruce cut off and we fully expected not to be able to order it. Not only did the waiter allow us to order it, a steaming plate of sinfully good deliciousness was set before us in record time!!! Like I told you....this place has impeccable service!! *SLOW clap* The food...what can I say but yasssss!!! I finished my meal and my body felt like I had just gotten the massage of a lifetime...it was that good!! The shrimp and grits was amazing. The grits was creamy with cheddar and a hint of jalapeño...then the shrimp was large, well seasoned, plump and juicy! Shrimp and grits is largely a southern dish, but Uptown did it justice. Now baaaaybè that French Toast!!! If u can't indulge in a whole plate...split it with someone cause if u dont...u'll kick ur own self!! It's dessert and breakfast all in one fellow swoop! Finally the decor. Don't just sit and start shoveling their goodness in your mouth. Take the time to walk around and enjoy the beautiful paintings on the wall (make sure NOT to breathe on anyone's food). The art is colorful and speaks to the eyes and to the soul..makes you wanna grab one off the wall and hanging it on ur own walls! Look at the art! Clearly Uptown Cafe was a great experience...don't miss this gem of a place nestled in the heart of Bloomington! *also the waiters have incredible hair...straight outta the pages of the Vidal Sasson catalog..ijs! read more

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This is a perfectly fine place to stop in if you're in Bloomington and are looking for something that can take large parties and will fill your stomach. We heard they have a great brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, so we stopped in with 5 people. The menu is interesting and seems to be very Cajun-centric. There were enough options to make me feel like I had some good choices, but not too many that I felt overwhelmed. Several of the items caught my eye, but I settled on the Huevos Rancheros with chorizo. The table also split the Creme Brûlée French Toast and each of us had a few bites. The Huevos Racheros were filling and I loved the black beans in the dish. The chorizo was needed, but it didn't have that classic chorizo spice to it that I was looking for. The Creme Brûlée French Toast was delightfully sweet and tacky, but I'm glad the whole table split it because of its richness. Overall, the food was good, but the service was a little off. The first table they sat us at was a table for four where they stuck one person on the end, but it felt super cramped and tight, so we asked to move tables. It was no big deal and the staff was accommodating, which I appreciated. After ordering my coffee, I was sad to find that the waiter didn't come around hardly ever with for refills. When he did, we were out of sugar, and then creamer. It just seemed difficult to get everything we needed at once. Though it was annoying, the most frustrating part happened when our food came. Someone brought our food out from the kitchen and set the tray up near our table for our waiter to pass out to everyone. The waiter then came over and proceeded to take the order of the table next to us and answer all of the woman's questions about the menu while our food was just sitting there. A few minutes later, he came over and passed out our food. It was just very odd and something I've never had happen before. Overall, Uptown Cafe is pretty good, but the service is iffy. I would go back if someone in the group requested it, but otherwise, I would probably see what else is out there. read more

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

I have no idea why I haven't written a review for Uptown cafe yet .. This place is amazing . The food is the best in town, the service is excellent, I'm obsessed . So much so, I even had my wedding reception here. Uptown obviously holds a special place in my heart, but that aside, I really don't have one bad thing to say about this place . Highly recommended : cold, tall glass of Franziskaner, their pâté, filet mignon, and ANY dessert. I feel a lot of people would consider this place to be upscale, yea... it is the perfect place to have a romantic date, take out of towners to, etc. I have literally dressed cocktail attire here, and another time jeans and a tee shirt, while feeling comfortable in both . If you like good food, service, ambiance, this is the place to be . And they have great bar also * A BLOOMINGTON MUST EAT!!!! read more

Uptown Cafe - Their modern cocktail menu ... Just try them ALL. nom! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

Great place. Tons of seating, nice staff, and f*cking good food. Brunch is to die for.

Got breakfast here yesterday, and I ordered this steak egg cheese tomato thing. The eggs and cheese mixed so well with the steak it was like that ratatouille scene where he eats the cheese and the strawberry and makes a new flavor. And I don't like the taste of tomatoes, but these felt like they were taken straight from a farm an hour after getting picked, so I ended up enjoying them too. The waiter was really polite and I got a discount for a slight inconvenience even thought I'm almost positive it was an accident. The waiters checked on my friend and I regularly and the atmosphere inside was nice. Good art and comfortable feel, I felt like I was in Dorsia from American Psycho. I'll be sure to come here again. read more

Uptown is one of my favorite lunch or dinner spots in Bloomington and I've yet to have a meal there I didn't like. The restaurant goes for an upscale twist on cajun food and every evening boasts a large specials menu. The service always exceeds expectations and the wait staff carries themselves with the same upscale elegance the entire restaurant does. The shrimp and grits are one of the best options on the menu but you can't go wrong with anything. If you're a seafood fan there is often a daily seafood option on the specials menu. When we went last week on a Saturday we sat in the bar area because we often enjoy the more casual atmosphere the bar area has. We ordered an Old Fashioned and specialty cocktail to start as Uptown has very good bartenders that know their way around a drink. I was craving the Chicken Pita Sandwhich after not having it for awhile and the red onions as a side which are 2 options you can't go wrong with. My boyfriend's favorite dish is the Louisiana Hot Pepper Chicken with a side of grits which has some heat but is another dish Uptown does very well. You can't go wrong with a visit to Uptown for breakfast, lunch, or dinner! read more

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This is my favorite restaurant in Bloomington. We have eaten here multiple times and never had a bad meal. From steak, to salmon, to Cajun, to meatloaf, all are absolutely delicious. The jalapeño grits are out of this world, as are their many appetizers. And the desserts are scrumptious! Highly recommend. I took my twin godchildren here for their twentieth birthday. It was 6 February and our waiter was Jimmy. He was excellent and tended to our every need. From drinks to appetizers to dinner everything was excellent. I do wish that they would bring the peppercorn sauce back and offer it on a full filet. Other than that, they did not disappoint! And, so far, never have. Thank you Uptown Cafe and thank you Jimmy for making our dinner special. read more

One of the best restaurants in Bloomington! The service was good, the atmosphere was nice and most importantly the foods were good as well! New Yorker burger, Avocado Toast and Benedict omelette are recommended! read more

Delicious and many GF options. There were lots of outdoor seating options as well. Great service.

Excellent huevos rancheros. Cream brûlée French toast and coffee cake. Atmosphere and service was great. Definitely go back for brunch or breakfast. Haven't been for lunch read more

Recommended by friend, here on birthday brunch; excellent!! Will make this a favor place to return often. Had Daisy egg special cinnamon coffee cake to die for with coffee read more

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

Uptown Café - Bloomington, Indiana ... 4 stars: If you have someone at Indiana University, you'll eventually be touring through the Bloomington restaurants...here is a good one. We were here once for breakfast around 10:30 am on a weekend. Seems to be a popular place and it was pretty busy. Even with the crowd, the food came out fresh and tasty and with little delay. We'd go here again, especially to try the lunch and dinner offerings. When we went one of us had the Eggs Benedict (very nice and the sauce was a standout), eggs and bacon (the usual but nicely done), a slice of coffee cake (very nice, sort of a pudding base, home made, and more substantial than it sounds), and for the one in our group who did not want breakfast food...a bowl of black bean chili (exceptional and with enough heat to wake up your taste buds on a weekend morning). Coffee was strong and plentiful. This restaurant is located right in downtown Bloomington - within sight of the old Monroe County Courthouse...just in case you have received a subpoena for some reason. Around the courthouse are most of the nice near-campus restaurants and even a Hilton Garden Hotel. The Uptown Café is one of those nice eating establishments around the courthouse square and well worth a visit. Nice ambiance, and a great looking bar for our next trip. We liked everything about it - and even the bathrooms were pretty. read more

Pretty good. Our friend Cabo and his dragster buddies love this place. On way to meet Melloncamp at his house Loved it so much we went back three times and it kept getting better. Loved the cocktails and the desert was to die for. read more

First time dining here in probably 20 years. We came in town to catch an IU game and were fortunate to snag a reservation at 7 PM for a 9 PM start time at the Hall. Great atmosphere, great location, nice menu and excellent food. Service was very good. Our group had a variety of different entrees that originally either swam or moo'd and everything was delicious. Appetizers were all very good. It was busy with a variety of different types of groups - a lot of alums and in casual dress so it is a comfortable place. read more

It's my second morning in Bloomington so my bf and I decided to go to Uptown Cafe. The place was not that crowded for a Saturday morning and we were seated right away. The dining area was very spacious and more sophisticated than other restaurants that I have been to in the small town. I got the creme brulee french toast and my bf got the smoked salmon eggs benedict. Coming from LA, I have been able to try plenty of eggs benedict and I have had a couple of really really good ones. I tried really hard not to be biased but the eggs benedict didn't win me over here. However, I enjoyed the creme brulee french toast very much! It was definitely very sweet but so good! I can't complain about the service. Our server was great and very attentive. I might have to give this place another try during lunch or dinner but brunch was a mehhhh. read more

Uptown Cafe - Creme Brûlée French toast & Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Bloomington, Indiana

I always want to love Uptown, but each time I'm a little disappointed. I eat vegan, so there are very few options for dietary restrictions. The food is overpriced in my opinion. My interactions with the servers have been great overall. Our server asked if I wanted to get started with a salad, and listed the options. When we got the bill we realized this "side salad" we ordered was $10. Anyways, a message to the vegans out there: Unless you want to spend $82 on 2 salads and 2 impossible burgers, maybe check out some of the other spots around town. read more

We've dined here for breakfast 3 times. During all visits, the staff was friendly, everything was clean, coffee was great and everything was worthy of 5 stars. Why a 2 point deduction? The eggs "Benedict." The menu features a large selection of variations on the dish & all sound fabulous. Our first visit was Father's Day weekend 2018 (we were in town visiting). The specials board listed an eggs Benedict with steak and it was fabulous. Our second visit was early 2019 after we had relocated to town. I can't recall my exact order but, it was one of the versions of Benedict on the menu and I was asked how I wanted my egg cooked. Poached, of course. I was told they couldn't do poached. Odd, I asked if there was a change in the city health code (I've been denied sunny side up while traveling using this as a reason.) No, they just couldn't do poached. So, I ordered sunny side up to maximize my runny yolk potential. Our third visit was yesterday. As soon as our server appeared, I asked about the ability to have a poached egg on my Benedict. Nope. So, I ordered an omelette. read more

Always fantastic food and great service! LOVE their brunch! Staff is kind and knowledgeable, cocktails are fantastic. My go to is always the avo toast and ive never been disappointed! read more

I returned home for a quick 24-hour visit a couple weekends ago, and Uptown Cafe was on the menu. Even though they serve other meals, the only time I've ever eaten here has been for brunch. Because brunch is basically my favorite meal on earth. I ordered bacon and a scrambled egg as a side to my brunch dish, because protein makes me feel fuller. I probably didn't need it, but isn't it pretty? The bacon was perfectly crispy, the way I like it. For my main dish, the pièce de résistance, I ordered the beautiful Creme Brûlée French Toast. It was as delicious as it sounds, almost like a dessert for breakfast. It tasted more like a bread pudding than a French toast, super thick and a huge slice. The fresh fruit and powdered sugar were perfect, no syrup or anything extra needed. I highly recommend it if you're visiting the restaurant for brunch! Very heavy, though, so be forewarned. It was a true indulgence. Service at the Uptown is consistently good, and while there is often a wait I believe it's worth it. Call ahead for a reservation like we did with our party of eight. It's also clean and friendly, and conveniently located just off the town square downtown. Try it sometime! read more

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As a new customer. Walking in door I was presented by a young rude college kid who thought she was the mask police and started off the greeting with a order and rather than a hello and a greeting. She did not even respect my mask wearing. She just became the police on masks. So are party left immediately do to the rudeness of this individual. I do not have be a customer of a restaurant who has uneducated, unaware. And rude individual. I will not bring my guests to this establishment again. This business has lost many customers all of us were stunned. If this is how college kids act at this place no wonder it was empty. We went to Malibu grill instead. We got treated with respect. read more