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Location & Hours
Bloomington, IN 47408
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Amenities and More
About the Business
Business owner information
Gregg R.
Osteria Rago, located in a converted 1880's style carriage house, is an authentic Italian restaurant and deli in the vibrant heart of Bloomington, Indiana. Nestled between downtown and the I.U. campus, Osteria Rago is the spot for brunch, lunch and dinner for Hoosiers on the go. Featuring Napoletana style pizza (from Naples, the birthplace of pizza). Hand tossed crusts are topped with fresh Mozzarella, Provolone and local, seasonal ingredients then wood-fired over Hoosier hickory. Our house-made pastas are lovingly created fresh daily then finished with organic sauces. The deli counter is your go-to spot for authentic Italian deli sandwiches, salads and of course fresh pasta. Start your day or finish your meal with a trip to our espresso bar. Fresh roasted, fair trade, organic beans are roasted in the Northern Italian style by Brown County Coffee then transformed into black magic by our talented baristas. Whether you order on-line, call for delivery or arrange for a fantastic tailgate spread, Osteria Rago will deliver your culinary dreams. In Naples, the traditional, most atmospheric spots to eat are tucked-away, off the beaten path in narrow alleys and ancient passageways. Welcome to Osteria Rago - Your secret Italian spot just down the alley.
Ask the Community
Q:
Is delivery available to campus dorm?
A:
Hi Nina, we currently do not offer a delivery service, thanks for inquiring!
Susan B., Business OwnerÂ3 years ago
Recommended Reviews
Overall rating
165 reviews
5 stars
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1 star
- Mar 19, 2024Updated review
Another special occasion, and another delight.
The Birthday Person enjoys the eggplant rolotini served here. There are offerings in places like Boston's North End, and in Chicago that don't compare. Very fresh and flavorful, it's this person's favorite.
My own cacio e pepe was pretty good. It's not easy to make. In parts of Rome, they serve it in a parmesan bowl, but this version was very flavorful and threw me into the Wayback Machine, wandering restaurants along the Tiber in Rome on a warm summer evening. Yummm.
We shared a caprese salad. This has mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and a balsamic reduction. The challenge would be... tomatoes-- which aren't in season. Crazily, the tomatoes were huge, delicious, and the balsamic was stellar.
They've a huge wine menu, but instead, we did coffee, which has improved vastly from our last visit.
Prices are fair; they haven't inflated like other spots in this area. Expect $25/each before wine, a bit higher if you go for more appetizers or high-value protein selections.
This is formal dining, well-done, and worth the visit into the alley between Nick's and The Runcible Spoon. It can be noisy and lively, part of its charm.
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Susan B.
Aug 15, 2018
So much to do and so much to learn opening a new restaurant. Thanks for your words of praise it helps motivate us to to continue to do what we do best, pamper customers with food, drinks and service!
Feb 11, 2022Previous reviewWe go here for special occasions. The food is consistently among the best in the region.
It has occasional amusements. Note that the stains on the menu are identical, and they match the online menu ...because they're made to look authentic. But the stains are part of the schtick, the branding part of the restaurant.
There is an eyelash contest among some of the servers.
And the food is still brilliant, the ingredients perfect, the plating consistent. The staff is well-trained. One only need suffer through "Absolutely!!!!" and "Brilliant" and a few other facetious chants now and then. At least the customer is always right.
And the food is always superb. It's not inexpensive, but quality never is. I have a high sensitivity to what appears to be manufactured food, that horrible mixture of really well presented main courses that are heated from the dregs of a SYSCO truck.
Not here. It's genuine. I've never been let down, and I have high snobbery standards that are not unreasonable. And in a town where that SYSCO truck stops FAR TOO OFTEN, it's a delight to go to some place real.
But I hope they change coffee vendors. It has the aroma of flat humus.Mar 14, 2021Previous reviewA while ago, we were impressed with Rago's food. They were experiencing opening problems, but the food was good.
Today's journey was to pickup an order for a birthday, three eggplant rolotini, plus antipasto, a salad, and canolis. It's not cheap.
That's a good thing.
It was delicious, each item, attention to detail, a myriad tasty ingredients. The antipasto had four kinds of cheese, each good on their own, some charcuterie (not for me, but others liked it), olives, various peppers, even ginger soaked cippolini or scallions (might be either; we couldn't decide), and crostini. YuM. A honey mustard (tasted home made) accompanied the antipasto
The salad was very good and packed with veggies.
The eggplant was very good; flat noodles underneath, not thick, with lots of parmesan (might be something else, too), breading, and a sugo that was delish.
We groaned in delight when we were done.
Summary: Not cheap; fabulous ingredients well plated; a real treat. I don't give out 5-stars, as they're reserved for the top of your game. Welcome to that. Don't expect carry-out speed from a restaurant that does actual hand-crafting of their meals. It's worth the wait. Grazie, Rago!
There is no parallel to Osteria Rago in Bloomington, although they do have competition.Jul 14, 2018Previous reviewI'll summarize first by recommending this restaurant as, while occasionally on shaky new legs, it's pretty close to authentic, and likely to satisfy even persnickety diners. It's not touristy, and is located in at an intersection of alleys. This is a long criticism, so stop here with a positive feel because it's an interesting enough place that I feel compelled to "go into the weeds".
If your idea of Italian cuisine is Olive Garden or the local Grazie!, this is very different from both. It has a feel of osteria/tavern, it's more like an industrial-flavored osteria. The ambience is "we had a vision" and a conversion of an ex-coop grocery into the industrial restaurant ambiance. At first, I thought it pretentious, but it eventually, it worked. The owners of this establishment also own Nick's, a Hallowed Bloomington Institution (tm). One of those owners rolled up sleeves and was on duty. I like owners who have skin in the game. There is ego at play here, and after the meal was done, it works.
This is not Nicks, and Thank God.
The menu has numerous items that would challenge any small kitchen, and in our first experience, they were challenged. However, the food was very very good, and other poster's criticism of lack of salt and/or pepper is true. Both are at the table.
It's formal and generally unobtrusive service. There was the occasional overuse of the word, "absolutely". They were short-staffed the evening we dined, but odd time lags were compensated by reasonably good refills of a Sangiovese. The wine/beer list isn't extensive, but good. They have their preferred wine and beer; the list is not long; you won't be overwhelmed by distracting wine choices.
We had calamari fritti (very good) that arrived with nicely spiced garnish (that tried to ruin the wine) and were nicely fried/oiled. Then the primi came from the kitchen: "Tuscan Salmon" which was also very good.
The gem was Osteria Rago's eggplant rollotini, which bordered on masterful. It's battered and friend eggplant, usually with a ricotta filling atop pasta. The cheeses Rago used were different and the mixture judged as very good, and the pasta was good and minimal, much to our liking. If you're looking for the big trattoria molto-mondo-giganto version, this isn't it, and it's much better for that. Either portion size should satisfy most.
It's not inexpensive and definitely worth it in value, IMHO. It has subtle edginess, and Rago wants to make a statement, and we liked it. - Jan 28, 2024
This is a hidden little hole in the wall tucked away behind Nick's English Hut on Kirkwood. You practically enter through the alley. But once inside, it's a nice place. It's not open on Sundays, so pick your timing carefully.
It's not cheap, and the entrees are not large, but the food is delicious. We had the polenta balls as an appetizer, and I had the braciole (probably a special). It was so tender and bursting with flavor. Wow!
The servers were attentive, but not in your face. And while the entrees were not big, the tiramisu dessert was quite big... and also terrific.
This place is almost too good for a college town.
Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 1 - Jan 28, 2024Updated review
I had been here once before and the food impressed me so much that I returned. I was less than impressed this time.
Appetizer:
- Rago's meatballs: for $15 worth of meatballs, I expected more than mediocre meatballs that I can make better at home. They were lacking in flavor- they were so regular. Would not order again.
Entrees:
-Carbonara: this was my first time trying carbonara. It was pretty good, but I won't order it again. It was very simple. I wish there were more mushrooms and that the pork fat was crispier- it was a bit too chewy.
-Wild mushroom pizza: this pizza was alright- would never order it again. The mushrooms were a little mushy and there were whole entire garlic cloves on each slice of pizza. A little too garlic-y in my opinion. I will stick to the prosciutto & arugula pizza next time- it's so good from here.
Their focaccia is AMAZING. It is so moist and has amazing flavor. I love that they serve it with most entree orders & the appetizer.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Dec 21, 2023Previous reviewThe best Italian place I've ever been to. I ordered the lasagna and ate the whole entire thing because it was just that good (and I was very hungry). The cheese and meat were perfectly cooked. Overall the best lasagna ever.
The pizza with prosciutto & arugula is fabulous. Such a good combo of flavors - Mar 17, 2024
You have to have a reservation, because it's a very popular place! I saw many people turned away at the door. We had the Chopped Salad. It's huge, we took half of it home. There are delightful crispy pieces of Prosciutto in the salad. My husband had the Chicken Parm. Huge chicken breast and their "to die for" tomato sauce. I had my usual... Carbonara...( cue the eye roll). Add a glass of Chianti and a Ruby Bloom for my husband and we were two of the happiest people in the world. Our server was fantastic!! Please make plans to visit this wonderful local restaurant. NOTE: no longer taking reservations for Graduation 2024.
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258155280Oct 4, 2023The HIDDEN GEM of Bloomington - part of me wanted to gatekeep this one for myself but I had to let my fellow foodies in on the best kept secret!
Nestled behind Nick's is a small Italian restaurant with delicious pasta, pizza, and wine. Perfect for a date night, girls night, family dinner - all of the above. On Wine Wednesdays - bottles are 50% off. The service and vibes are impeccable.
We ordered:
- Tomatoes Vesta: Fire-roasted cherry tomatoes, lemon ricotta, arugula, red wine balsamic reduction, house-made focaccia
- Seasonal Special: Shrimp & asparagus risotto
- Fettuccine Alfredo with spinach, chicken, and sun-dried tomatoes
- Chicken Parmesan: breaded chicken breast wrapped in prosciutto di Parma, organic tomato sauce, pesto - Served with spaghetti
I will be back again - need to save room for dessert next time!Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Business owner information
Emelia N.
Oct 6, 2023
Thank you for this fabulous review Danielle! We appreciate you dining with us and taking the time to share your experience at Osteria Rago:)
- MK P.Bloomington, IN5201Apr 19, 2024Updated review
Because we LOVE Osteria Rago, we thought they would like to know that their current risotto special was deeply disappointing last night--very bland in both sauce/broth execution and choice of veg, overly soupy and rice much too al dente at the early end of the evening. (U10 scallop was excellent.) Cheese ravioli with ragú, Alfredo, and starter salads were, as always, delicious and dependable. Tiramisu a but dry for our wide-sampling tiramisu palates, but still yummy.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Jan 26, 2019Previous reviewI've been wanting to try this new-ish venue (in the site of a former old favorite), had a lovely supper here tonight with spouse and MIL. The rustic atmosphere of this former carriage house has many gorgeous hard surfaces and can be loud (as it was with several large groups tonight). Wine offerings are limited but well chosen. Starter salads are generous and well made--I loved my chopped, spouse enjoyed his Caesar but wished for more anchovies, as he always does. Ravioli with basil tomato sauce was excellent--could have been a slightly larger portion for him. Eggplant rollatini was generous (1/3 had to be boxed) and very well prepared. Waiter was green, but attentive and eager to perform well, and supervision was good. We could only get in on the later side, and several favorites were sold out. So we'll be back.
- Jan 21, 2023
Yummy Italian near campus. Loved the rustic atmosphere and service was super friendly.
The polenta was delicious- so much flavor in the mushrooms and red sauce! The other dish we enjoyed was the Cacio de Peppe. Always amazes me how comforting and delicious such a simple dish can be.
For dessert we split the Tiramisu and enjoyed Americanos. Overall a lovely meal.
The only thing keeping it from 5 stars is that the prices felt a bit high for the portions. It won't stop me from returning, but it will keep me from visiting every week.
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Stacey G.Bloomington, IN104129238May 8, 2023Updated reviewGreat little place with a super fun atmosphere!
We have been here several times and have always been happy with the experience.
Food is delish, service is great and the location although downtown feels like a hidden gem.
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Emelia N.
Mar 1, 2022
Hello Stacey! We appreciate you dining with us and taking the time to review. Grazie!
Feb 19, 2022Previous reviewGreat place to eat, love the inside!
The food is amazing, staff is always nice and knowledgeable about the menu.- Lilly F.Naperville, IL02244Mar 29, 2024
Osteria Rago has been a great place for recent date nights and for parents visiting. Pasta is incredible but we also had the arugula pizza and tomato vesta appetizer, which were both great. Half off wine Wednesdays can't be beat!
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Rachel B.Petoskey, MI20872Oct 21, 2023We were extremely excited to try this restaurant, however we were turned away because we didn't have a reservation and were told a table wouldn't be open before they stop seating. They do not do a waitlist either, therefore a reservation is clearly required. We circled the block hoping a table would get up and we could be sat, but after 8:15pm they don't seat anyone. We had no idea a nice Italian restaurant in a college town would stop seating people at 8:15pm ON A FRIDAY! The hostess was very sweet and we knew it wasn't her fault. We were desperate but they just wouldn't accommodate us, very sad.
If you want any chance eating here, make a reservation! So ridiculous.Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Business owner information
Emelia N.
Oct 21, 2023
Unfortunately I believe there was a miscommunication. We don’t stop seating until 8:30, in fact I was there last night and a table came in a few minutes past and I still sat them. That being said it was Friday of Homecoming weekend and we are a small restaurant so reservations are just necessary sometimes.
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