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Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Central Kentucky

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Central Kentucky? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

A photo of The Chalet restaurant

4.9

4.9 (315)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Somerset

About the restaurant

The Chalet is unique dining experience in a beautiful setting with outdoor (open seating) and indoor (reservations) seating. The Chefs provide 50+ years of culinary experience building flavors using contemporary cooking techniques and the highest quality of ingredients. Our mission is to provide the best service possible combined with delicious foods that will leave a lasting memory of your epicurean journey.

Top review

S

Sara

Dined 3 days ago

We had a wonderful pre-Christmas lunch — great food and atmosphere!

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A photo of Heirloom - Midway restaurant

Heirloom - Midway

4.9

4.9 (2227)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Midway

About the restaurant

"Voted Best New Restaurant in the State of KY 2007"- The Lane Report.

"Voted Best Fine Dining Restaurant in Lexington Area"- KY Monthly Magazine.

Located in the heart of horse country and just 20 minutes from downtown Lexington and 20 minutes from Keeneland. Offering an extensive boutique wine list and specializing in eclectic contemporary cuisine.

Top review

C

CindyVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Absolutely love this place. Fantastic food and our service was impeccable.

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A photo of 211 Clover Lane Restaurant restaurant

211 Clover Lane Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1176)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

St Matthews

About the restaurant

211 Clover Lane is an intimate, hidden gem in the heart of St. Matthews. Using the finest ingredients from local purveyors and fish from both coasts. The menu changes weekly and the wine selections are all boutique. French country decor and beautifully presented dishes are found at 211 Clover Lane.

Top review

K

KevinVIP

Dined 4 days ago

The food, service and atmosphere can’t be beat. It was truly a wonderful evening! Our hostess/server, Kayla, was one in a million! Wouldn’t hesitate to go back any time!

A photo of Äta Restaurant restaurant

Äta Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1571)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

St Matthews

About the restaurant

äta Restaurant is Now Open!

Chef David Danielson is Excited to Introduce a Menu Founded on Seasonality and Inspired by Global Flavors.
Located in the Windy Hills Neighborhood of Saint Matthews.

Top review

S

Stephen

Dined 3 days ago

Everything was excellent, the food, the service and the ambiance. The chef does a fantastic job preparing all the fantastic dishes

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Filet Mignon Skewers

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A photo of J Graham's Cafe restaurant

J Graham's Cafe

4.7

4.7 (1239)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Downtown Louisville

About the restaurant

J. Graham's is the home of the legendary Hot Brown and offers guests bistro-style, casual dining in the hotel and features the freshest local produce and highlights Kentucky products.

Serving breakfast and lunch, the Café offers guests a contemporary a la carte menu throughout the week and a delectable brunch buffet on the weekends.

Non-smoking.

Parking: Self Parking in the connected, city garage. Valet parking by the Brown Hotel staff.

Top review

P

Peggy

Dined 3 days ago

Had to have the Hot Brown sandwich, a Louisville tradition. All three of us had the same thing. Excellent. Waitress excellent. Atmosphere excellent.

A photo of Honeysuckle Dining and Bourbon House restaurant

Honeysuckle Dining and Bourbon House

4.8

4.8 (210)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Berea

About the restaurant

Honeysuckle Dining and Bourbon House is the fusion of all things Southern with hints of modern and world influences. Come visit us and share in the experience.

Our specialty is delicious cuisine created with ingenuity and passion. We take great pride in improving upon your favorite dishes and using the best ingredients available. Select our Bourbon House for a unique and memorable Kentucky experience.

Top review

C

ChristineVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Great food at a nice location! Big bar selection as well and the menu changes seasonally so there is something new often. Happy hour prices on draft and bottled beer are outstanding.

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A photo of Berkshire Pork Chop of a restaurant

Berkshire Pork Chop

A photo of Varanese restaurant

4.7

4.7 (4623)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Frankfort Ave - Crescent Hill

About the restaurant

Varanese settled in Louisville because of its successful independent dining scene, and he believes that the people of Louisville will appreciate fresh ingredients, prepared with a creative flair and a culturally diverse menu. Varanese’s eclectic menu boasts an array of options from stuffed grape leaves, and fried green tomato salad, to new signature entrées: the seared boneless pork chop, and caramelized orange salmon. Finish with a fried banana accompanied by a house-made oatmeal cookie dough ice cream dessert. This New American style restaurant will comfortably seat 150 guests between its bar, dining room and four seasons patio. The four seasons patio of Varanese is an addition to the building, which has a dramatic 20-foot slate water wall. The space is enclosed by a serpentine of glass doors, which retract to offer an outdoor dining experience. Varanese is located at 2106 Frankfort Ave. in the Historic Clifton neighborhood

Top review

J

JoyVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Wonderful service and food. The Chef is always willing to accommodate allergy needs and still create an amazing meal.

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Beef Tips & Tortellini

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Flat Iron Steak

A photo of Lobby Bar & Grill at the Brown Hotel restaurant

Lobby Bar & Grill at the Brown Hotel

4.6

4.6 (1095)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown Louisville

About the restaurant

Come enjoy the historic lobby of The Brown Hotel in our Lobby Bar and Grill. Contemporary cuisine meets historic opulence at The Brown Hotel’s spectacularly beautiful, and classic lobby setting. A popular spot for the next generation of Louisville merrymakers, this glamorous, gilded space balances its history with modern touches and sophisticated tastes. Our menu includes a mix of classic and contemporary dishes, but our signature Hot Brown is rated as Kentucky's most popular dish. Enjoy our Hot Brown, and other signature items with a classic Old Fashion. Our bar features well-crafted cocktails and an highly rated bourbon menu. Finish your experience with Louisville's original dessert, the Derby pie.

Reservations are for the Lobby Bar and Grill.

Top review

L

Lee

Dined 1 day ago

We had “the Brown “ and scallops and both dished were excepcional. Our waiter was attentive and the atmosphere breathtaking. The only negative was the display of wall televisions.

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Shrimp and Grits

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A photo of Lockbox at 21c Hotel restaurant

Lockbox at 21c Hotel

4.5

4.5 (1261)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Lexington

About the restaurant

Located in Lexington’s 21c Museum Hotel, Lockbox showcases a commitment to sourcing local, high-quality ingredients. Lockbox uses thoughtful yet simple preparations and cooking techniques in a contemporary brasserie setting. Designed by Deborah Berke Partners, the Lockbox space highlights historic features like original marble floors, decorative plaster details, large arched windows and even a historic safe deposit vault that is used for private dining.

Top review

A

AnneVIP

Dined on 14 Dec 2024

Lockbox is consistently on point, offering fresh approaches to their curated menu! Our party enjoyed wonderfully prepared heirloom carrots, scallops, steak with Pom frites, and roasted chicken. We savored every morsel! Their cocktails and wine list accented our perfectly prepared dinner. Our visiting friends marvel about this delightful jewel in downtown Lexington, Ky. We love the ambiance, friendly staff, and top notch chefs!

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A photo of AZUR Restaurant & Patio restaurant

AZUR Restaurant & Patio

4.6

4.6 (2086)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Lexington

About the restaurant

AZUR restaurant & patio was designed after European establishments providing the feel of being in a different place without leaving Lexington. The food is described as new American and Heirloom Contemporary. The chefs react to what comes at them from the local markets making our cuisine locally influenced, but worldly inspired. The walls are bold blues and greens with curves throughout. The interior space flows outside through three sets of French doors onto the elegant stone bordered brick patio. Weather permitting, the patio is opened and the patio sides could be lowered for inclement weather.

Top review

J

Joshua

Dined 2 days ago

The pork chop was the most moist chop I have had anywhere. It is very consistent and cooked to ordered temp. The risotto was excellent.

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Seafood Risotto

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Prime Frenched Pork Chop

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