Bloomington-Normal has a plethora of amazing coffee and quick bite places on and off campus. These are a few of my favorites!
Coffee Hound - Uptown, Bloomington, CH3
This coffee shop is one of my favorite places to go for all things coffee and treats. It is nestled in the uptown area just a walk away from campus. Coffee Hound is my favorite place to study because of the numerous seating options and cozy atmosphere. It is very easy to do get work done thanks to the quiet environment. The staff is incredibly friendly and will answer any questions about the variety of options they have. If you value supporting small businesses, Coffee Hound is the place to go. The three different locations are conveniently placed throughout the area and each have their own unique flair. If you are ever in the area, try their CH3 location situated inside a bicycle shop! The flavors are curated in-house and offer an excellent experience.
Coffee Hound pastries are to die for and they cater to dietary needs. I recently tried their gluten free pumpkin pecan bread and suddenly wished that I had the entire loaf to myself. My other favorites include the blackberry oat bar and chocolate croissants. All of the bakery items are perfectly made and flavorful; you cannot go wrong with any of them. The coffee is high quality, smooth, and tasty. Coffee Hound offers a variety of flavors and the seasonal flavors come at the perfect time. Whether you are looking for a cold brew, matcha latte, smoothies, or a regular latte, this place has it all and more! I recommend the iced latte with oat milk and vanilla flavor. Now that it's almost fall, go check out their pumpkin flavored drinks and goodies!
Fusion Brew - Normal
Fusion Brew is a popular study spot across from campus that is an escape from the hustle of town. The ambiance is welcoming and peaceful, I always see friends meeting here to catch up or work on homework. Fusion Brew fosters a sense of community among their costumers that keeps them coming back forever. The amount of drink options they have can be overwhelming but with all the possibilities here, the baristas are enthusiastic to help you find the perfect drink. They also have great snacks to eat while studying such as the hummus plate, muffins, gluten-free cookies, and cinnamon rolls.
First off, Fusion Brew is well-known for their bubble tea. Bubble tea is made with iced tea, sweetened milk, and flavorings. Textures such as pearls made from tapioca can be added to the bottom of the drink as well as any of their teas, snows, and slushes. Students rave about the bubble tea because it is a unique drink option and a refreshing treat. Fusion Brew also carries drinks called snows and slushes which can be made creamy with milk or without milk for a slushie texture. The flavor options are endless with choices like coconut, green apple, mango, pineapple, pumpkin, and strawberry, just to name a few. My recommendation is a mango coconut snow because it tastes just like I am on a tropical island instead of studying for a test. Equally, I recommend the taro milk tea with boba because the tea at Fusion Brew is always fresh, smooth, and flavorful. You will have to visit multiple times just to try all of the unique drinks that are offered here.
Coffee House and Deli - Normal
Coffee House, not to be confused with Coffee Hound, is located a step away from campus in the uptown area. Coffee House is a unique gem that offers copious amounts of seating options that make it the perfect place to get a group project done or study with a few friends. They also offer a small stage at the back of the building that sometimes hosts an acoustic band or speakers. Coffee House is a quiet and calm working environment to sit back, relax, and enjoy a good cup of coffee.
Coffee House boasts an extensive menu of vegan and vegetarian meals that taste incredible. Their breakfast is served all day along with lunch and dinner specials that are healthy and nourishing. My recommendation for breakfast is the vegan pancakes with vegan home fries. The pancakes are light and fluffy while the home fries are crispy and golden. For lunch, the hummus plate or BLT are great options. Any item off the menu here is worth a try and will never leave you disappointed. The coffee here is tasty and can be made in an assortment of ways. The selection of drinks range from lattes and mochas to Mexican hot chocolate and London Fog Lattes. They also have a variety of non-coffee drinks such as smoothies, tea, and tea lattes. My pick for their drink menu is a Mexican hot chocolate in the winter and an iced vanilla latte with almond milk in the summer and fall.
Ivy Lane Bakery - Bloomington
Ivy Lane Bakery is a local gem in Bloomington that boasts homemade pastries and baked goods. The cute, welcoming shop has enough space for a few groups to sit and enjoy the treats or take them on the go while exploring downtown Bloomington. The pastries are handcrafted carefully and made with love to provide customers with a flavorful experience. The staff is incredibly friendly and will help you discover the perfect sweet treat if you are unsure of which ones you want.
The bakery has an impressive amount of options to choose from, all of which are delicious. Their menu offers muffins, scones, cookies, and brownies that rotate each week with different flavors. Be sure to check their Facebook to see the rotating menu each week! My personal favorite items from Ivy Lane include their cookies and cream scone as well as the blueberry muffin. The pastries that I have had have always been baked perfectly with the right amount of sweetness and fluffiness. The treats are so tasty that I eat them way too fast every time I visit. If you are looking for inexpensive yet delicious bakery items, this is the place to go!
Bloom's Coffee Bar - Bloomington
Bloom's Coffee Bar is a small drive-thru location that brings coffee from Portland, Oregon to the Midwest. This is a great place to swing by before class or running errands because of the efficiency and speediness of their baristas. They offer specialty coffees, slushies, and smoothies suitable for any needs. If you are looking for something different other than a latte or iced coffee, this is the place! Try to have an idea of what you want before you go because their menu is a bit smaller and is located at the same window you order. If you are unsure of what you want, ask a barista what they recommend, the staff is very friendly.
Bloom's has a selection of specialty coffees that are sure to impress you. If you are a lover of chocolate, caramel, white chocolate, hazelnut, or Irish Creme, they have drinks that combine these decadent flavors for a delicious concoction that tastes like dessert. The flavoring is just right which makes it easy to enjoy the drink without too much sweetness. You can also get any of their drinks blended into a "frappe" style if that is how you prefer to enjoy your coffee. If you are not a coffee lover, do not fear! Bloom's offers multiple non-coffee options such as fruit smoothies, Bolt energy drinks (energy drink and any fruit flavor combined), Italian soda, and a variety of teas. In case you need some inspiration, my recommendation for Bloom's is the white caramel mocha, pumpkin spiced latte, and the retro (breve infused with Irish Creme). If you need a break from the mundane, Bloom's is sure to deliver high-quality coffee that is both pleasant and tasteful. Head here before class for an afternoon pick-me-up or caffeine treat to get you through the rest of the day.