Andrew Miller, co-editor-in-chief, senior
It’s Siam House. It’s just so easily Siam House. I’ve only had a handful of dishes that taste better than what you can get at this Fourth Street jewel. Thinking of their panang curry, mixing it into my rice when I’m done with the beef and peppers, made me hungry for it as I wrote this.
That said, it’s hard to evaluate the nature of things without considering context. So, I must give honorable mention to Rockit's Famous Pizza for always being there for me after a late night out at the Video Saloon.
Mia Hilkowitz, co-editor-in-chief, senior
Anyone who knows me knows I love The Runcible Spoon. Every day last semester I would pass the Spoon on my way to the newsroom, and every day I’d then have to fight the urge to skip my next meeting and grab a bite to eat. What’s not to love? You can get breakfast any time of day. Personally, my favorite is the corned beef hash with over-easy eggs. If you’re not in the mood for breakfast, they also have lunch and dinner options, and its black bean burger is delectable! For coffee lovers, the Runcible Spoon also has drip coffee and espresso drinks.
Jack Forrest, managing editor, junior
Dagwood’s Deli and Sub Shop always reminds me of here. There’s something so authentically Bloomington about it. The place has been around forever. The drink cups are iconic. It’s often my first stop whenever I’ve been away for break. Sure, the sandwiches are on the pricier end. But look at how much you’re getting for your buck. I often get the larger size and have it for both lunch and dinner. Get the Dagwood Supreme and try to tell me, honestly, that you prefer a chain sub shop instead.
Eric Cannon, opinion editor, sophomore
Nick’s English Hut sells a top-rate burger, so it pains me not to pick Nick’s. The last burger I had there, on Rusty Coats’ dime — his gift to the Indiana Daily Student— tasted even better. But Bloomington’s best restaurant is Mother Bear’s Pizza by far. Both restaurants share charming interiors — vintage wood paneling with dark lighting and tables long enough to fit every one of your friends. That’s why both have stuck with me. They’re the perfect gathering spots. But Mother Bear’s pizza, especially its Margherita, is one of a kind. Plus, I see Mother Bear at all of the IU football and basketball games; she’s a cultural icon and practically a second mascot.
Lily Saylor, arts editor, sophomore
Anyone who truly knows me knows my love for Da Vinci Pizza and Pasta. Everything I’ve had at the cozy Italian restaurant has been a 10/10, from the Il Formaggioto the Margherita pizza. You have not lived until you’ve tried its salmon tortellini pasta, served with a truffle-cream sauce and grilled salmon topped with hot honey and pistachio crumbles. I want that dish served at my wedding.
Natalia Nelson, enterprise editor, junior
There are three Thai restaurants on Fourth Street alone, and surprisingly, the one that takes the cake (for my favorite dish, at least) is a Tibetan place. Anyetsang’s Little Tibet has the best Pad Thai I have ever tasted. Its sauce is just superior, it’s creamy and has the perfect amount of peanuts and egg, even for egg haters like me. It also has Tibetan and Indian food, of course, but Pad Thai is what I go for every time.
As far as Pad Thai rankings go, I’ll give Blooming Thai number two and Siam House third place. I appreciate the random television screen showing videos of people making boba and coffee at Blooming Thai, that’s the only reason it gets a bump up.
Mia Lehmkuhl, enterprise editor, graduate student
Every time I move somewhere new, I find the best taco place. Bloomington was no exception. Something about warm tortilla chips, salsa and carne asada tacos hits the spot so much that I can’t live anywhere without a reliable spot nearby.
Near College Mall, Vivencia Latin Flavors is that place for me. Vivencia is best known for its Venezuelan and Mexican dishes, spanning breakfast to dinner, so you can enjoy a delicious meal any time of the day. Its menu is perfect for anyone who wants to explore traditional Latin fare (try the cachapas and thank me later) with the classics always there for you when you need them. I recommend complimenting your meal with a slice of key lime pie or an iced latte; they’re to die for!
Plus, what Latin restaurants have you been to that have a drive-thru?
Alayna Wilkening, managing editor, senior
The chips and queso at Viva Mas have heard all of my drama. My roommates and I often debrief with each other after a long week, and there’s no better place to do it than in the carved booths at Viva Mas. For $10, I can get enough food to last me a meal and a half. It makes the splurge on queso worth it. Last year, we found out we could order chips, salsa, guacamole and queso to-go, which means we’ve almost certainly doubled our Viva Mas intake since then. It’s become our favorite thing to order for a night of relaxing and watching a terrible movie.
Chloe Oden, news editor, junior
I’ve only eaten at Chubbies Burritos twice, but as soon as I bit into the tortilla swaddling a delicious mass of al pastor pork, Mexican rice, queso and an amalgamation of other yummy toppings, I knew I wouldn’t be staying away for long. Just before a massive snowstorm took over the city this January, that warm, foil-wrapped burrito assured me everything was going to be OK. Mexican food is my favorite cuisine, and although I don’t normally opt for a burrito, Chubbies was sure not to disappoint. The salsa verde is very tasty and has just the right level of spice. I recommend ordering it on the side, so each bite of burrito has just the right amount of the tangy, green flavor.
Theo Hawkins, Arbutus editor, senior
Taste of India. Is it the best Indian place in town? Honestly, I don’t know. I am not Indian. But it is very good. On days when I don’t feel well I order from Taste of India— paneer tikka masala and veggie samosas. That’s the ultimate sick day comfort food to me.
(My roommate also likes it when I get Taste of India because the restaurant’s samosas come in twos. Some days we are like ships passing in the night and I hardly see her, but I always save her a samosa.)
Ursula Stickelmaier, arts editor, sophomore
I love a good burger. As a kid, a simple cheeseburger was one of my favorite meals for my parents to make. Now, as an adult, not much has changed, and I am always looking for good burger joints to try. And as far as burgers in Bloomington go, there is nothing better than a Hinkle with cheese at Hinkle’s Hamburgers.
Everything from the cozy atmosphere inside to its delicious burgers and other fried foods, Hinkle’s Hamburgers is the epitome of an Americana diner in Bloomington. It's also very reasonably priced, which, as a college student, is one of the most important things I look for when I am eating out. If you’re looking for a meal full of great food, and probably a whole lot of grease, look no further than Hinkle’s Hamburgers.
This story was originally published in the Indiana Daily Student’s spring 2026 Housing and Living Guide.
