Dining
Dining in the Bloomington/Normal area ranges from hamburger joints to fine dining. With more restaurants per capita than most cities in the U.S., you won't have any problem finding a wide variety of different cuisines. Normal is known for being the original home of Steak 'n Shake.
If you're looking for fine dining, here are a few of our favorites. Each of the following restaurants is within 5-10 minutes of the Vrooman Mansion:
Central Station – www.centralstation.cc – 220 East Front Street, Bloomington, IL 61701 – 309.828.2323 The building that houses the restaurant was built in 1902 and originally served as the main fire station until 1974. After sitting vacant for a couple of years, the building was remodeled as a restaurant. Its design was basically as it is today: the engine stalls are now the main dining room, the horses were kept in what is now the kitchen, and the firemen's quarters were remodeled into banquet rooms and a martini lounge. Central Station has a reputation for warm and casual dining and maintaining as sense of Bloomington's rich history.
Lancaster's Fine Dining – www.lancastersrestaurant.com – 513 north Main Street, Bloomington, IL 61701 – 309.827.3333 Lancaster's Restaurant located in historic downtown Bloomington serves a fusion-style cuisine in a casually sophisticated setting. Enjoy quiet conversations and relaxed atmosphere while dining with candlelight.
Rosie's – 106 East Front Street, Bloomington, Il 61701 – 309.827.7019 Rosie's, also located in a restored building in downtown Bloomington, used to be just a pub. However, along with the addition of more dining space, a fine dining menu was added. A diverse menu has more than the usual 'steak and potatoes' fare.
Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano – www.biaggis.com – 1501 North Veterans Parkway, Bloomington, IL 61704 – 309.661.8322
Biaggi's is a fun, casual, white-tablecloth restaurant that offers an extensive menu featuring a full selection of house-made and imported pasta, soups & salads, pizza, seafood, fresh fish, chicken, veal, steaks and desserts. Large portions of affordably priced menu selections are prepared with the freshest ingredients available.
Other great casual restaurants – all within 15 minutes of the mansion:
- Destihl – 318 S. Towanda, Normal – 309.862.2337
- Swinger's Grille – 1304 Cross Creek, Bloomington – 309.829.5777
- Lucca Grill – 116 E. Market Street, Bloomington – 309.828.7521
- Medici – 120 W. North Street, Normal – 309.452.6334
- The Garlic Press Market Café – 108 North Street, Normal – 309.452.8841
- Reality Bites – 414 N. Main, Bloomington – 309.828.1300
- Kelly's Bakery & Café – 113 N. Center, Bloomington – 309.820.1200
A few local favorites for casual dining:
- Avanti's Italian Restaurant – 407 S. Main Street, Normal – 309.452.4436
- Beningo's Restaurant – 610 W. Chestnut, Bloomington – 309.829.1025
- CJ's Restaurant – 2613 S. Veteran's Parkway, Bloomington – 309.828.5639
- Jim's Steak House – 2307 East Washington, Bloomington – 309.663.4142
- Ozark House– 704 South McGregor, Bloomington, IL 61701 – 309.827.3900
- Michael's – 110 North Washington Street, Bloomington, IL 61701 – 309.820.1330
A few local bar/pub eateries:
- Schooners – 810 E. Grove Street, Bloomington, IL – 309.829.6841
- Pub II – 102 N. Linden, Normal, IL – 309.452.0699
- Gill Street Sports Bar & Grill – – 3022 Gill Street, Bloomington, IL – 309.661.6387
- Elroy's – 102 Washington Street, Bloomington, IL – 309.828.0142
- Maggie Miley's – 126 E. Beaufort, Normal, IL – 309.807.4301
Sweets, Treats, Bakeries & Coffee Houses:
- Carl's Ice Cream – 2 locations
601 W. Locust, Bloomington – 309.828.7732 open seasonally
1700 W. College Ave., Normal – 309.454.7732open year-round - Gene's Ice Cream – 1019 S. Main Street, Bloomington – 309.829.6022 open seasonally
- The Chocolatier – 514 N. Main Street, Bloomington – 309.821.0277
- Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory – 101 N. Veteran's Parkway, Bloomington – 309.662.8610
- Grove Street Bakery – 812 E. Grove Street, Bloomington – 309.827.0270
- Kelly's Bakery & Café – listed above is also a bakery
- Medici – listed above has a bakery adjacent to the restaurant
- The Coffee Hound – 2 locations
407 N. Main Street, Bloomington – 309.827.7575
205 W. North Street, Normal – 309.454.6068
Tea Rooms:
- Country Thyme Tea Room & Catering – 124 W. State, Paxton – 217.379.4800
- La TeaDa Tea Room & Gift Shop – 1100 S. Madison Street, Clinton – 217.935.8855
- The Tea Room at the Depot – 301 N. Main Street, Mackinaw – 309.359.4832
- Her Majesty Tea Room – 211 N. 2nd Street, Village of Dunlap – 309.243.8322