Rainbow Bakery

Thank you for making a beautiful cake and first cupcakes for my twins birthday party. You were so wonderful when I was ordering and picking up the tasty treats. They loved it and so did I. The decorations were great and they tasted wonderful. I’ll be ordering their next cakes from you again!

I’ve sampled a few gluten free confections from Rainbow Bakery (oatmeal cream pie, donuts, and mallow chip cookies) and have always been happy with the wide selection of gluten free bakery items available. Located just steps from the B-​Line, this space has the quintessential friendly hipster-​y vibe that seems to permeate Bloomington’s culture. Good prices, great services, delicious sugary treats… well worth a visit!

Pasties. Gf whoopie pies. Cardamom cupcakes. Pistachio cupcakes. And those are just my faves! Ive never had a bad thing here and their coffee is amazing!!! And I don’t think you could find a better spot to sit and work or enjoy a conversation. Great windows, lighting and décor always make the place feel comfortable and happy. Go now!!!

Check other more hip reviews for balance in your reading.
I love the concept. I love the interior. I love the location. I love the neighborhood feel. I even really like the baker. I so wish I could love vegan food. If you do, you should definitely give this lovely little place a try. It has heart and hip. I just love eggs and butter and gluten too much. It is like green tea mochi balls: I like tea and I like ice cream but why is this not working for me? I am so ashamed to be so out of it but there it is; I slink away hanging my head slightly embarrassed.

Rainbow Bakery is awesome. The donut selection is always fantastic and offers a flavor for everyone (my favorite is the green tea).
On Sunday’s you can get your hands on the best cinnamon rolls in town, vegan or not.
My wife has had them make my birthday cakes the last two years. Last year I had carrot cake and it was wonderful. This year I got the pamplemousse. I’ll admit that the flavor seemed a bit off, but I think that’s because I was expecting the cake itself to taste like grapefruit. While I was slightly disappointed by that, the quality and the AWESOME decorating made up for it. Seriously, they fit everything I wanted on a cake on a 6″ cake. Their decorator is basically a magician!
Their pizza pasties are delicious. My wife works within a block of Rainbow Bakery and I’m always excited when she surprises me with one of them.
Finally, let’s talk cookies. The Salted Pistachio cookies are what dreams are made of. If you have the opportunity to try one, do it!

Another great vegan option in Bloomington. This city is pretty impressive compared to a lot of Midwest towns. The coffee here is good and the bakery items are fantastic. I also got the pizza pastie which was awesome for someone like me who prefers savory over sweet.

The cake donuts are one of a kind, packed with spices and flavors. I never liked cake donuts until I tried them here. They aren’t overly sweet like most you find in the stores. Oh, and the cupcakes are baked to perfection, perfectly unctuous! If you’re looking for something more savory, the Michigan pasties are wonderful! The «chicken» leek and pizza are my favorites. If you’re staying to eat, they’ll warm them up for you as well. Rainbow Bakery is on my list of places to visit next time I’m in Bloomington.

I am not vegan nor do I have a gluten intolerance yet this bakery is my absolute obsession! I love that I can walk into this bakery and find a little something for everyone. You definitely should try this place out if you happen to be in Bloomington!

I had always wanted to visit an all-​vegan bakery so I was thrilled when I found out Bloomington had one! I made it in a little past 9 on Sunday morning for breakfast. I’m not vegan by any means, though I am a strict vegetarian, but I would occasionally eat vegan baked goods. It would couple as my morning exercise since I would be walking the 20 minutes or so from IU.
On the way, I was told by a man peering out from his van to «stay safe» which consequently made me feel less safe. Should I not have walked over? The good thing: I made it safely!
Reading though the reviews, I was most intrigued by the «bacon» flavored stuff (there were bacon donuts when I visited). However, I found out that their faux bacon was seasoned with garlic powder, so I passed. After much humming and hawing, I decided upon the Pumpkin Ginger Muffin and the Strawberry Lime Donut. I later heard they had cinnamon rolls in the oven, but I didn’t want to overdo it. For something to wash it down, I was thinking about some good olé milk, but she mentioned the Laura Palmer (lavender lemonade) and I decided, «why not?» You also have the choice of ordering day old items with a discount, so my muffin was a day old.
The muffin wasn’t bad. It was still moist and had little chunks of crystallized ginger throughout, which I loved. A whole almond was stuck in the center. I could definitely taste the strawberry in the donut and there was a hint of citrus. The drink tasted mainly like lemonade. I think there might have been a hint of lavender. I’m still thinking about it. None of them were overly sweet in my opinion, so a major plus.
They get pretty good and steady business, most of them getting items to-​go and appear to be regulars, since some knew each other by name. There is metered parking in the front but no one I saw parking there put any coins in. Is it free on Sunday mornings or just there for show? There isn’t a lot of parking but many people also came by bike and/​or left with their purchases in a fairly short period of time. The place is in a cute little corner shop with lots of windows and natural lighting. There is also window seating in a counter style, allowing you to people watch (or in my case, bee watching) while enjoying your treats. The free wifi is a plus, especially if you’re there to study. The lady behind the counter was really nice and patient, even while I was going through their offerings, trying to make up my mind.
Yay for breakfast!

Amazing. Alongside classic bakery favorites like chocolate cupcakes and iced cookies (in adorable shapes), stand often-​rotating, always interesting newcomers like lavender iced cookies, beet donuts, and more. I particularly enjoy going there to work in the quiet, cheerful atmosphere while drinking way too much coffee (they have their own blend!).
And if you have weird food demands, Rainbow can certainly handle it. Vegan AND gluten-​free? Hits most of the major allergies! Way to go, Rainbow! I love that Rainbow supports the community with local art displays, participating in First Fridays, and holding concerts. This is the sort of business I love to support – great food and a great business!

Green tea vegan donut. Do it. My new favorite flavor of donut. I tried a bunch of other donuts and brownies and they were all fantastic so I’m sure I’m a pound or two heavier but it was worth it. :)

Delightful treats, laid back ambience, cute décor, an excellent spot to study or meet up with a friend for coffee. Wish they were closer to campus. Their baked goods are masterfully crafted. If you have a sweet tooth, you will appreciate the Rainbow Café. Would return in a heartbeat.

Another place that I simply «heart.» This is my second visit to Rainbow Bakery. I think I love this place more after the second visit. Everything is vegan, but don’t let that scare you away. I can almost guarantee that you will find an amazing treat.
I adore the interior. They always have different art work on display. The décor is quirky and simple. The stove converted into a condiment station/​planter is definitely a stand out. It’s such a peaceful and relaxing place. No loud music is played.
Now the highlight of any visit here is the multiple display cases packed with tasty treats. In the plastic case you will find a wide variety of gluten free options. In the larger glass case, you will find other goodies. Cookies and cream cupcakes, confetti donuts, «bacon» chocolate chip… yes «bacon» chocolate chip! Wowsa! I was blown away this cookie. Perfect combination of sweet and salty. It honestly tasted close to real bacon. My bf and I shared the first one, but I had to buy a second one just for myself. So good!
If I am ever in town I will definitely pop in to see what new goodies they have to offer. I’m adding this spot to my list of happy places. Whether you are a vegan or not, this place is a must visit even if you come to enjoy the atmosphere alone.

Amazing vegan & gluten free pastries! Seriously where have u been all my life. Coffee is average but the pastries are heavenly and they have a wonder selection of flavored water.

Lisa Dorazewski, the owner of Rainbow Bakery, is a genius. I’ve never had food as delicious as those found in the Rainbow Bakery. Also, the inside décor shows that she possesses an eye for color and spatial design, which is also evident in her baking. It is evident that a lot of care and love goes into both the food and the maintenance of the bakery.
My non-​vegan friends are always blown away that vegan food could taste this good (they still labor under the misapprehension that vegans don’t have good stuff to eat). Some have commented that the Rainbow Bakery’s doughnuts and cookies taste better than the «real» thing. The glaze and frosting are made from natural ingredients without chemical additives, and the colors and designs are lovely. You should look at the Rainbow Bakery’s instagram for some of the best food porn available to humankind.
I would also like to note that some of the vegan food in town tends to be «heavy» and leaves me feeling unhealthy; however, the savories and sweets in the Rainbow Bakery, while very filling, don’t give me that «heavy, gross» feeling at all.
I am usually not a coffee drinker, but even a coffee novice such as myself can tell that the Rainbow Bakery’s coffee is special. The consistency and flavor is rich and smooth. There is no bitter aftertaste.
Last of all, the customer service is wonderful. The cashiers are always courteous and patient, and the bakery is always clean and beautifully kept. You do not have to be vegan or «hipster» to feel welcomed in this bakery — they seem happy to accept everybody and from what I have seen, treat everybody equally well.

The mallow cookies were really good, as were the donuts. The donuts were not typical (we had the sweet beet and the figgy donut with anise). Once you got over that first surprise from the unusual flavors then it was delicious. The guy at the register was really sweet, too.

Yum! This is a super cute little vegan bakery/​coffee shop that my husband and I checked out after a night of music playing and debauchery. First of all, the shop is adorable. It’s all comfy diner furniture, quiet music, plants, and retro vibe. Very hangover-​friendly.
Second, I know a lot of people are down on vegan food. You guys should give this a try — just once. I had the breakfast pastry (a spiced tofu scramble in a dough shell) and it was AMAZING. Just what the doctor ordered. My husband, the proud carnivore, had a cinnamon roll that was equally delicious.
The donuts are yum (we took a few on the road) and the service is friendly. Highly recommend.

This place is absolutely amazing. I have been going at least once a week since they opened and always look forward to going back.
First of all, this is a completely vegan bakery that additionally offers gluten-​free options. They offer a variety of donuts, muffins, scones, cupcakes, etc. and coffee. These are some of my favorite seasonal fall donuts: apple cider, persimmon, maple, and paw paw. I see new items every time I go and really love so many things I’ve tried that it’s hard to pick a single favorite item.
I am a vegetarian with a special appreciation for vegan baked goods, but I go all the time with a meat-​eater who absolutely loves this place as well.
The staff is always super friendly and helpful too.
I’m so happy that Rainbow Bakery opened and I get to eat yummy baked goods all the time! Highly recommended!

A vegan bakery? Yes, even being a vegetarian, I was skeptical. However, they truly blew me away. Every time I have been here, there is something new and amazing to try. The apple cider doughnuts were moist and delicious. The molasses spice cookies had just the right amount of kick. The blueberry muffins were packed with blueberries. And don’t forget the pumpkin ginger muffins. The only thing I didn’t love were the coconut curry doughnuts. They were just too dry for my liking.
Right now they have Musgrave Orchard apple cider, but they also have tea and coffee. Gluten free options are in the top case. The atmosphere is relaxed and retro with chairs that look like they came straight out of your grade school. Lots of windows and seating. A great place to study or meet up with a friend.

Great little vegan bakery — highly recommend! Off to a great start — but I am ready for more!
Misc. Bits of Info:
Credit Cards: Accepted — I think they use Square.
Accessibility: Close handicap parking, no stairs, wide pathways inside.
Parking: Street (metered)
Special Orders: Will Do!
What They Do So Right: 1) Flavor! — Thank you for creating tasty vegan (note: I am not a vegan but these are yummy) goods with flavor — plus a lot of the flavors are fun like green tea or lavender cupcakes, or using local Musgrave Orchard Apple Cider for their apple cider doughnuts. 2) Cute — This place is crazy cute — so super rad.
Room for Improvement: 1) Running Out — I totally understand that they don’t want a ton of stock left at the end of the day but if I am there hours before you close there really should be a bit more selection left. 2) Heat Up — If I could have the option (and have it offered to me) to get that scone or doughnut heated up then that would make it all the more tasty. 3) More Items — Maybe have some of the vegan ice cream from the Chocolate Moose to go with my slice of cake, or maybe some hummus for the savory scone? 4) Standard Baked Goods — Rainbow Bakery offers us the opportunity for lovingly-​created vegan baked goods. So maybe some bread loaves or crackers or dinner rolls — would love some standard and not just ‘treats’ items.