One of the many great things about Bloomington is its diverse food scene. Whether you’re looking for hearty Indian food or refreshing sushi rolls, there’s an international restaurant near campus to satisfy your cravings and offer a slice of comfort.
While I could make a more exhaustive list — there are over 75 international restaurants in Monroe County — here are five spots worth checking out this fall semester.
I’ve had my fair share of delicious Indian food around the world, including London, a city regarded for its Indian cuisine, but my loyalty still lies with this family-owned spot on Fourth Street. During my freshman year, I practically lived off its butter chicken combo meal at the Indiana Memorial Union.
For anyone craving warm and comforting Indian classics, Taste of India is the ideal spot. Plus, it’s college budget-friendly, with a daily lunch buffet for $13.99. And, although I’ve never met a mango lassi I didn’t love, Taste of India’s is especially good.
Bivi’s Tamales is another spot I discovered through the IMU combo meals that makes me yearn for the glory days when I had a meal plan. Bivi’s serves handmade tamales and can be found at The Globe in the IMU, at the Saturday Farmers' Market and at the Bloomingfoods Co-op Market.
Bivania Torres opened Bivi’s Tamales in 2006 out of Spencer, Indiana, and prioritizes fresh, high-quality ingredients like avocado sauce and mango salsa. The emphasis on quality is evident in every tamale I’ve ordered, which would be too many to count.
Conveniently located just off campus at 1500 E. Third St., Restaurant Ami is a must-visit spot for Japanese cuisine. The menu includes classic comfort dishes like ramen and fried rice, as well as bold and creative sushi rolls. My go-to roll at Ami is the old reliable Rainbow Roll with crab meat, cucumber and avocado. It’s simple, but it gets the job done.
The service is impeccable, the atmosphere is welcoming and the food is always fresh and delicious. No complaints.
Although not a restaurant, Döner Kebab is a true Bloomington classic. The food truck is typically parked along Kirkwood Avenue, oftentimes by the Monroe County Public Library. It offers authentic and affordable European-style kebabs and gyros.
Conveniently parked close to campus, Döner Kebab is a lovely lunch option to grab between classes. You just can’t go wrong with a freshly made chicken gyro topped with crisp vegetables and feta cheese.
For authentic Afghan flavors, don’t miss this spot at 100 W. Sixth St. Samira offers elevated plates like roasted salmon and lamb dishes, as well as kebabs served with basmati rice and vegetables.
I recommend visiting during Samira’s lunch buffet, served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday to try a wider range of options. And, if you have a sweet tooth, the baklava is phenomenal.
While I recommend each spot on this list, I think the best advice would be to go out and explore Bloomington’s food scene for yourself. Discover the hole-in-the-wall Mexican joint that serves your new favorite queso, find the Chinese spot that you and your roommates will order each weekend, try every Thai restaurant you can find on Fourth Street (before concluding that Siam House is superior). Bloomington is your oyster.
This story was originally published in the Indiana Daily Student's 2026 International Student Guide.
