Coffee connoisseurs will be delighted with the selection of locally-roasted java and handcrafted espresso beverages in Bloomington.
We've separated Bloomington's best coffeehouses and cafes into two categories: dedicated coffee shops and cafes that serve coffee. Dedicated coffee shops include any local coffee joints that roast, grind, brew, and serve their own coffee. Cafes that serve coffee include any local cafes that serve small-batch coffee crafted by an independent artisan or business.
Dedicated Coffee Shops
Hopscotch Coffee
Photo by Hopscotch Coffee
Hopscotch Coffee was started by Bloomington's Jane Kupersmith. With the support of friends & family and her partnership with passionate barista, Jeff Grant, the pair opened Hopscotch Coffee's flagship location on the B-Line trail. Hopscotch serves some of the community's favorite drip coffee, espresso drinks, cold brew, cobra verde, and beans-by-the-bag at not one, but two locations in Bloomington. In 2022, Hopscotch Kitchen opened next door to the original, serving breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch.
The Inkwell Bakery & Cafe
The Inkwell is known for their delicious menu of healthy meals, their house-made poptarts, and their cozy ambiance, but they also serve drip coffee and classic java beverages. They roast their own coffee in-house. Head to the cafe during breakfast for Loaded Avocado Toast and a cuppa Joe, grab a Capicola Sandwich and a cortado for lunch, or swing by for a latte and poptart to-go.
Needmore Coffee Roasters
Photo by Needmore Coffee Roasters
Needmore Coffee Roasters started with one woman and a one-pound electric roaster. Today, owner Katie Mysliwiec roasts all of Needmore's coffee on-site in a three-kilo drum roaster, which offers a slower, more gentle roasting process for a more refined bean. All coffee is organic and ethically-sourced from small-scale farmers around the world, and the business' used coffee grounds are donated to local gardening groups and farmers to help foster a positive environmental impact. Java offerings include drip, pour-over, and French-press coffee, as well as cold brew, iced & hot espresso drinks, and a slew of signature lattes.
Soma Coffeehouse & Juice Bar
Photo by Spoon IU
Serving the community since 1997, Soma is beloved by locals and students due to their wide range of coffee offerings and quirky, laid-back ambiance. The coffeehouse offers nearly 20 different roasts of coffee, available for purchase in-shop on a rotating basis and by bag. In addition to your standard coffee staples — drip, cold brew, latte, cappuccino, etc. — Soma's menu also includes over 10 specialty espresso beverages. Two fan-favorites are the Zombie (a light-roast coffee with your choice of sweet-ground chocolate or white chocolate, milk of your choice, and whipped cream) and the PB Cup of Joe (creamy peanut butter and dark chocolate mixed with house espresso and dairy of your choice).
Verona Coffee House
Photo by Verona Coffee House
Verona Coffee House is a family-owned and locally sourced. They have many different coffee and espresso drinks to choose from like drip coffee, French press, double espressos, and more. They also have matcha, teas, fruit refreshers, and other cold beverages. But wait, it gets better. Verona Coffee House also has breakfast and lunch options. They have everytihg from bagel egg and cheese sandwiches, quiche, and maple pancake sandwiches. Come for lunch to grab their chicken salad sandwich or soup & sandwich special. Don't forget about their acai sorbet bowls with nine options of fruits and other flavorings to go in it.
Cafes That Serve Coffee
The Chocolate Moose
Photo by The Chocolate Moose
The Chocolate Moose is known for their ice cream, but they also serve a large menu of coffee beverages using roasts from neighboring Nashville's Brown County Coffee. Like most coffeehouses and cafes, The Chocolate Moose offers classic espresso drinks, as well as drip and pour-over coffee. What sets them apart from the others is their robust selection of frappes. With nearly 10 flavors to choose from, including tiramisu, salted caramel, raspberry, and mocha, the frozen coffee beverage is a delicious caffeinated treat. The Chocolate Moose also offers affogatos — order a scoop of your favorite ice cream and have it topped with a shot of espresso for a caffeine boost!
Crumble Coffee & Bakery
Photo by Crumble Coffee & Bakery
Crumble Coffee & Bakery is one of Bloomington's favorite cafes, serving a scrumptious assortment of pastries, teas, and coffee beverages. Using locally-roasted blends from Quarrymen Coffee, Crumble offers its patrons drip coffee, cold brew, lattes, and classic iced & hot drinks. A few beverages that are unique to the cafe are the Mexican Mocha (espresso, milk, Ghirardelli dark chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cayenne) and the Masala Latte (espresso, milk, vanilla, cardamom, and ginger).
Poindexter Coffee
A true hidden gem, Poindexter Coffee is located inside the Graduate by Hilton on Kirkwood Avenue. The cafe serves an assortment of Indiana-inspired comfort food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and as a popular spot for students and visiting families, they also serve a selection of hot and cold coffee beverages using bean blends from Verve Coffee Roasters. Their menu is straightforward — drip coffee, espresso, cortado, cappuccino, latte, nitro cold brew, iced coffee — but their kitschy, colorful aesthetic and beautiful latte art make for a 10/10 coffee moment on Instagram.
