The Inkwell Bakery & Cafe

Consistently great drinks and good light breakfast/lunch. They make food to order, but are well-staffed and usually pretty quick even when busy. Some of the baristas come off as warmer than others, but everyone acts professional. Out of the meals I've tried, the loaded hummus and avocado toasts are my favorites. The pretzel bun on the weekly sandwich was also a winner. I didn't like the cold cheese slices on the veggie sandwich, but that may just be my taste, and I'd get the sandwich again without the cheese. Great muffins. Had to try the blueberry scone twice to get a good one - the first one had just 2 blueberries, and the second had a passable number but still could've used more, although the scone pastry itself was excellent. The two cookies they make (choc chip or oatmeal raisin) are good but not outstanding. On Fridays, they have homemade brown sugar pop tarts - haven't tried this yet but I do intend to. All drinks are excellent. I really liked their flavored seasonal lattes that I tried this February (had to go half sweet though), but the plain tea and lattes are also good. Matcha is my favorite, and theirs is pretty good. The biggest problem with the place is that it's ALWAYS really busy and difficult to find a seat, which isn't something that they're doing wrong but is still a deterrent if I'm looking for somewhere I can chill out while eating and sipping a drink. Individuals will be more likely to have luck getting one of the counter seats than a table, but these are also in the area where everyone waits for their drinks, so there is not much personal space to be had here.

Great place. I enjoyed a speciality valentine latte was very tasty with their open yolk toast entree with siracha mayo very tasty. Parking was kind of limited with few spots but that may be out of their control. Went on Sunday so street parking was free :)

2/14/2026 (Originally made this review for the wrong location, downtown one is GREAT) Just went in about 10ish AM and had such a terrible experience that my mom and I left without getting food. I had never been before and wanted to take my mom for Valentine’s Day, before going I saw online that they do waffles on the weekends so I went up to the counter and ordered. The redhead cashier in a face mask let me know in the nastiest, rudest tone that she didn’t have waffles on “her” menu. I thanked her for letting me know and was so appalled by the blatant rudeness that I walked away to gather my thoughts and ultimately ended up leaving. Safe to say I will never be back to that location. Cashiers, do better. It’s never okay to be rude to someone, especially on the day of love. We ended up going to the downtown location, and all of the servers and cashiers were so so friendly! I will make the longer drive just for the friendlier atmosphere

What do you need at a university town? Bookstores? Maybe. Educational institutions? Probably. Bars and coffee shops? Absolutely! Filling the need for a quality coffee shop just off the Indiana University campus, surrounded by fraternity and sorority houses, is the Inkwell. It has a suitably bohemian, vegan, alternative lifestyle vibe while still being welcoming to the larger community. Prices are quite reasonable, as perhaps befits a coffee shop just off a college campus. On the downside, my chai latte was tasty, nicely spiced but not as hot as I would have hoped. Pro Tip There are a couple of tables at which to enjoy your coffee outside the shop along Atwater Road, a nice place to people-watch and enjoy the weather.

I love the inkwell! discovered this spot second semester and i have been a fan since. the owner and the team is always so warm and welcoming, beyond the amazing coffee and carrot muffin. there’s a million reasons for this place to be your favorite cafe!