Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in the Bloomington, Illinois area by diners
Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in the Bloomington, Illinois area by diners
Fine dining in the United States isn't what it used to be. Many customers are no longer interested in classic white tablecloths and 16-ounce New York strips; these days, it's all about cutting-edge culinary experiences.
Although steakhouses have defined fine dining in America since the 19th century, that started to change in the mid-1990s. Elite chefs like Thomas Keller and his three-Michelin-starred restaurant, French Laundry, unearthed a whole different kind of tasting experience (with 40 courses), and a new age of fine dining was born. Soon, prix fixe meals鈥攁 French style of serving with a set menu鈥攂ecame the norm for fine dining in the U.S.
Between the rise of chefs' tasting menus and consumers' continued desire to have diverse culinary experiences, the restaurants that grace the pages of top-tier restaurant reviewers like Zagat or the Michelin Guide look very different today than they did 30 years ago. Restaurant goers aren't just looking for high-quality food. They want the type of menu that will tell a story. They want creative ingredients they've never tried before. They want to be transported into a whole new world.
With so many innovative menus and restaurant experiences popping up across America, it can be challenging to choose where to go for a special evening. compiled a list of the highest-rated fine dining restaurants in the Bloomington area using data from . Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself.
Only businesses with at least five reviews and at least level 2 pricing (i.e., $$ to $$$$) were considered. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with five or more locations nationally (based on Yelp data) were not included. Restaurants in certain lower-cost categories (like "diners," "buffets," and "food trucks") were excluded. Data is as of June 25, 2025.
Read on to find a potential restaurant for your next special meal out!
#14. Grand Cafe
- Rating: 3.1/5 (173 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2205 East Oakland Ave. Ste A2 Bloomington, Illinois
- Categories: Chinese, Filipino
-
#13. Jim's Steak House
- Rating: 3.3/5 (171 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 2307 East Washington St. Bloomington, Illinois
- Categories: Steakhouses
-
#12. Imperial Buffet
- Rating: 3.5/5 (176 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1950 East College Ave. Normal, Illinois
- Categories: Buffets
-
#11. Rob Dob's Restaurant & Bar
- Rating: 3.5/5 (153 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 801 North Hershey Road Bloomington, Illinois
- Categories: Steakhouses, Seafood, Cocktail Bars
-
#10. Reality Bites
- Rating: 3.5/5 (168 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 414 North Main St. Bloomington, Illinois
- Categories: New American, Tapas Bars
-
#9. The Medici Restaurant
- Rating: 3.6/5 (459 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 120 West North St. Normal, Illinois
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Bars, Mediterranean
-
#8. Baxter's American Grille
- Rating: 4.0/5 (221 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3212 East Empire St. Bloomington, Illinois
- Categories: New American, Seafood, Steakhouses
-
#7. Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano
- Rating: 4.1/5 (390 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3010 East Empire St. Bloomington, Illinois
- Categories: Italian, Pizza, Sandwiches
-
#6. DESTIHL Restaurant & Brew Works
- Rating: 4.2/5 (951 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 318 South Towanda Ave. Normal, Illinois
- Categories: Brewpubs, American, Salad
-
#5. Rosie's Pub
- Rating: 4.2/5 (211 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 106 East Front St. Bloomington, Illinois
- Categories: American, Pubs
-
#4. Sichuan Chinese Restaurant
- Rating: 4.2/5 (144 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 122 East Beaufort St. Normal, Illinois
- Categories: Chinese, Hot Pot, Bubble Tea
-
#3. Jack's Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5/5 (155 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1600 Visa Drive Normal, Illinois
- Categories: New American, Sandwiches
-
#2. Epiphany Farms Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5/5 (477 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 220 East Front St. Bloomington, Illinois
- Categories: Steakhouses, Cocktail Bars, American
-
#1. The Mystic Kitchen & Tasting Room
- Rating: 4.7/5 (108 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 306 North Center St. Bloomington, Illinois
- Categories: Cocktail Bars, Wine Tasting Room, Sandwiches
-
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 319 metros.
