Celebrate the creativity, culture, and entrepreneurship that help make our community shine. From delicious restaurants and sweet shops to wellness spots and local services, explore incredible Black-owned businesses that bring flavor, style, and heart to Bloomington.
Restaurants
The Cabin
The Cabin offers delicious breakfast foods, sandwiches, appetizers, and more. Not only do they serve food, but they also have karaoke and live music weekly.
Chef Lee - In Your Home
Photo by @chefleeinyourhome on Instagram
Chef Lee - In Your Home brings a unique and intimate experience — they come to you. They create custom menus based off of your personal request. A dinner with Chef Lee is a dinner you won't forget. If you do not feel comfortable hosting the dinner at your own house, they also give the option to host it at theirs or at their downtown location.
Eric Gordon's Greek Pizzeria
Photo by @gordons_greeks on Instagram
Eric Gordon's Greek Pizzeria is made with homemade, hand-tossed dough and Greek’s Italian sauce with a plethora of different pizza options. They also often feature gameday specials making it the perfect place to stop by before or after a game. To make this place even more fantastic, this pizzeria is owned by former IU basketball player Eric Gordon.
The Inkwell
The Inkwell's, Woodlawn location, offers a variety of coffee as well as breakfast, lunch, and baked goods — most well-known for their broken yolk sandwich. Their coffee shop is not only a place to grab a coffee or a bite, but also a common place to study for Indiana University students.
Jimmy John's Ellettsville
Jimmy John's, Ellettsville location, is a chain sandwich shop that opened at the end of 2024. The owner's met while working at a Jimmy John's and eventually purchased three existing locations in Bloomington. They then opened the brand new location in Ellettsville and it is the only local location with a drive thru.
Phat Daddy's BBQ
Think meat, meat, and more meat. Grab some rubbed, smoked, and handcrafted meat from Phat Daddy's BBQ. They run specials Tuesday-Friday and Sunday, including kids and seniors eat free with an adult purchase on Sunday's. They also do catering and events.
Sleeper's Bar
Sleeper’s Bar is a lively spot to meet friends after work or before an event. Enjoy more than ten creative cocktails, including a Smoked Cherry Old-Fashioned and Pat O’Brien’s Hurricane, as well as pizzas, sandwiches, and classic pub bites. Conveniently located next to the Cascades Inn, it’s just minutes from Memorial Stadium and Assembly Hall.
Sweets
Midnight Mariposa Bakery
Treat yourself to handcrafted pastries and cozy café vibes at Midnight Mariposa Bakery. Known for its creative flavors and beautifully made sweets, this late-night gem is the perfect spot to indulge while supporting a beloved local bakery.
PopKorn Kernels With a Twist
Photo by @apis.photography on Instagram
PopKorn Kernel With a Twist have every type of popcorn imaginable from hot & spice to vegan-friendly to mixed-up popcorn. Don't want to stop in? They offer shipping on all of their popcorn.
Rasta Pops
Rasta Pops has a pop for everyone. They have organic ingredients, sustainable packaging, and options for those who are dairy-free. They have over 15 flavors to enjoy. Rasta Pop has a pushcart that travels around Bloomington, so follow their Facebook or Instagram to find their current location.
Entertainment
Cicada Cinema
Catch an offbeat film and connect with Bloomington’s creative community at Cicada Cinema. This cozy, volunteer-run microcinema screens indie, international, and classic favorites you won’t find at AMC.
Self-Care
Le Esthetics
Le Esthetics is a boutique beauty studio that offers a wide range of services, including lash extensions, laser hair removal, and permanent makeup. Their licensed technicians aim to enhance your natural beauty for both every day and special occasions.
Strut to Success, Inc.
Strut to Success is a non-profit dedicated to empowering women and girls by providing mentorship, leadership training, and community connection. Their mentorships and workshops help to build confidence, create positive life skills, and find meaningful connections.
That's the Rub
That’s the Rub is a wellness studio specializing in therapeutic, sports, deep-tissue, and injury-focused massage therapy. Their experienced team provides support for both relaxation and recovery.
Shopping
The Cat's Closet
Browse a unique collection of vintage clothing and make a feline friend along the way. Whether you are looking to adopt or just want to spend time with adorable cats, you can shop The Cat's Closet with purpose and style—every purchase helps a cat in need find their forever home.
Larissa Danielle Design
Discover warm, handcrafted products at Larissa Danielle Design. From cozy, hand-poured candles to natural wood accents and delicate beaded necklaces, each piece brings a touch of artisan charm to your everyday style and space.
The Voodoo Shop
The Voodoo Shop offers a wide variety of metaphysical items from books, stones, crystals, and candles to teas, rare herbs, tarot decks, incense, spiritual art, and more.
