Restaurants & Hotels

Restaurants

Food is a big part of every celebration, and it can be a tasty part of your Commencement weekend, too. Take your graduate out for a celebratory dinner, grab a quick lunch between activities, or cap off the weekend with a delicious brunch. There are tons of restaurants that cover dozens of cuisine types, many of them unique local eateries.

Some favorites of IU students and alumni include:

• Michael’s Uptown Cafe
• Nick’s English Hut
• Janko’s Little Zagreb
• Runcible Spoon
• Siam House
• Mother Bear’s Pizza
• Samira

See a complete list of area restaurants from Visit Bloomington. Many restaurants take reservations, so be sure to make your plans in advance to avoid a hungry wait.

There are dozens of hotels and lodging options in the Bloomington area, and many are close to campus and the graduation ceremonies. From national brands to local bed and breakfasts, there are accommodations to suit your taste.

You can find a list of all hotels and accommodations on the Visit Bloomington site.

Tips for Finding a Hotel

• Most hotels start taking reservations one year in advance. They will fill up, so book your accommodations early!
• However, before you book your stay, make sure you read the fine print and the total costs. Many hotels do not offer refunds on cancellations, and require you to book multiple nights at higher rates than most times of the year.
• Graduation weekend is the busiest travel time of the year for Bloomington. Hotels will fill up, but Visit Bloomington keeps track of availability and can make recommendations if you are having problems finding a room.
• Other options are available in surrounding communities too, like Nashville, Bedford, and Martinsville. It’s a quick and scenic drive no matter where you stay.