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Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Central Kentucky

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OpenTable
Updated 05 January 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Central Kentucky? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

A photo of Bardstown Bourbon Company Kitchen & Bar restaurant
4.9
4.9 (2580)
$30 and under
American
Bardstown
About the restaurant
Thoughtfully executed, approachable cuisine informed by both Kentucky classics and the world's finest flavors. We source locally, calling out the farms right on the menu, and make everything in house. We call this the Modern Kentucky Experience.

Please allow ample time to enjoy your meal prior to a tour with us. Our suggestions: 1-2 guests 1 hour 15 minutes, 2-4 guests 1 hour 30 minutes, 4- 8 guests 1 hour 45 minutes, 9-12 guests 2 hours

Top review
Cindy
Dined 6 days ago
Great place food was excellent . Would definitely come back.
A photo of Enso restaurant
4.9
4.9 (264)
$50 and over
Southern
Frankfort Ave - Crescent Hill
About the restaurant
A Southern restaurant using Japanese technique and style to connect the parallels in culture between Japan and the American South. All service is a la carte and come out as they are prepared to insure they are served at their peak. Share the table with family and friends. We are honored to welcome all guests.
Top review
WendyVIP
Dined on 16 Oct 2024
We had a delightful evening - completely unhurried (were there 2 ½ hours). Food was amazing and we shared everything we ordered - portions are all appetizer size and its more like ordering a bunch of tapas. We all agreed that our favorites were the Sorghum Ginger Salad, Sesame Broccoluni, Japanese Fried Chicken, Nashville Hot Oysters, Mushroom Yakisoba. Lamb and Beef Skewers, and the Egg Custard. We also had cocktails and the Brandy Umeshu and Sake:) It was a treat for all the senses. Our servers were delightful and helpful but not hovering and one diner with Celiac had plenty of options. We will definitely be back.
A photo of Guacamole Modern Mexican restaurant
4.8
4.8 (1794)
$30 and under
Mexican
East Market St - NuLu
About the restaurant
Guacamole Modern Mexican is Louisville’s destination for authentic Mexican cuisine with a modern twist. Our award-winning chefs have created a menu that typifies the best of Mexican food and cocktails while still bringing their own inimitable style and personality to the plate and glass. Immerse yourself in the ambiance of our one of a kind restaurant featuring handcrafted cocktails, fresh ingredients, and contemporary vibes.
Top review
Sara
Dined 2 days ago
Dined for Sunday lunch; queso was excellent as well as both of our meals. I had Taco Al Carbon and a La Mera-Mera (yummy!). Service was wonderful and attentive, also had a member of management stop by to make sure everything was meeting our expectations. Restaurant was so comfortable and clean. Will be back again soon.
A photo of North of Bourbon restaurant
4.8
4.8 (605)
$31 to $50
Creole / Cajun / Southern
Germantown
About the restaurant
The Bourbon experience
Blending Bourbon, Louisville, and New Orleans into a unique Southern experience.

Top review
kennethVIP
Dined 7 days ago
Absolutely phenomenal experience. But that’s nothing new. Perfect in every way. Food, service, hospitality all above and beyond.
A photo of Watch Hill Proper restaurant
4.8
4.8 (52)
$31 to $50
American
East Louisville
About the restaurant
Watch Hill Proper Bourbon Bar & Kitchen is a unique restaurant experience located in the heart of bourbon country. Open to the public, we offer the largest selection of American whiskey in the country along with a world class cocktail program made entirely with American whiskey. Chef Michael Crouch is a master of blending flavor to pair with our whiskey, cocktails, and wine offerings.
Top review
MichaelVIP
Dined on 10 Jan 2025
We had a medium sized group looking for a place to celebrate a birthday. Wonderful place. Excellent service.
A photo of The Melting Pot - Louisville restaurant
4.7
4.7 (962)
$31 to $50
Fondue
Downtown Louisville
About the restaurant
The Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant, offers an extraordinary dining experience that you won"t find at any other restaurant. Here, you'll discover all the ingredients to a perfect evening, including a relaxed atmosphere, private tables, attentive service & fabulous four-course fondue dinners. No matter what the occasion, from a romantic date to a get-together with friends, meetings or large groups, The Melting Pot always hits the spot. The Melting Pot offers the highest quality fresh ingredients, a variety of cooking styles, unique sauces & your favorite chocolate fondue desserts. Make reservations today & come dip into something different. NOTE: OpenTable reservations are for full meal service only. Please contact The Melting Pot directly for cheese & dessert or dessert only service.
Top review
Zack
Dined 3 days ago
We have been Melting Pot fans for years. We went for the first time right after getting married in 2014 and have made it a special night once (rarely, twice) a year. We’ve been in Cincinnati, Louisville, Nashville, Gatlinburg, Columbus, and more. The food is still good, but we really go for the experience. The experience in general has really lost its magic. The few different restaurants we have been to over the past few years have remodeled and feel more like an Applebees. The prices have gone up from around $40 a person to $60 each while nothing has really improved to reflect the prices. I am not knocking this restaurant in particular, and honestly our waiter Nicky made our meal very enjoyable. However, someone in the higher ups has made some bad business decisions, causing us to be looking around for something a little better for a yearly special dinner.
A photo of Proof on Main restaurant
4.6
4.6 (3775)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Downtown Louisville
About the restaurant
The ingredients in our menus reflect the region’s sustainable farmers and producers with a soulful and honest approach showcasing the bounty of the Ohio River Valley. Housed in five historic buildings in downtown Louisville, Proof on Main is part of 21c Museum Hotels, the award-winning boutique hotel and restaurant group. The dining room is one of the most striking public spaces in the city, with rotating, contemporary art exhibitions by local and internationally-acclaimed artists alike.
Top review
gioia
Dined 6 days ago
Everything was amazing, the service, the food, the ambience, the whole experience was made even more special by Joey’s good humor and great recommendations!
A photo of The Last Refuge restaurant
4.6
4.6 (78)
$31 to $50
Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service
West Louisville
About the restaurant
Join us at The Last Refuge for a first look into Kentucky's High Church of Bourbon. Enjoy a sneak peek of our beautiful craft cocktails, featuring Bob Dylan's Heaven's Door Bourbon, accompanied with small plates and shareable pizzas. View our one-of-a-kind event space, located in a historic church adorned with original stained-glass windows and ornate woodwork from 1880. Cool off on our shaded patio and sip on a cocktail while listening to live music. Don't forget to follow us on social media @lastrefugeky to get the latest updates on our Grand Opening and launch of our incredible bourbon bar, featuring an 800-bottle whiskey portfolio! The Last Refuge is a 21+ establishment, persons under the age of 21 will not be admitted.
Top review
ElizabethVIP
Dined 3 days ago
We ate in the amber room. Absolutely gorgeous. The whole place is a show stopper! Our food (which has gotten even better since our first trip here several months ago): two incredible pizzas and two salads, was so delicious and way more than the four of us could eat. The live music made conversations a little difficult so after dinner we moved into the bar. Another phenomenal looking space. Lovely cocktails and mocktails. Highly recommend!
A photo of School Sushi restaurant
4.4
4.4 (193)
$30 and under
Sushi
Lexington
About the restaurant
School Sushi offers authentic Japanese cuisine, featuring tapas, traditional Izakaya style dishes and fresh sashimi and sushi.
Available 2 private dining rooms with Karaoke system and old bank vault room.

Top review
BradVIP
Dined 7 days ago
Yes this place is a killer spot! The fresh seafood and preparations are amazing!
A photo of The Still at Blue Rook Distillery restaurant
4.4
4.4 (466)
$50 and over
Contemporary American
Danville
About the restaurant
We welcome you to The Still at Blue Rook Distillery, the most unique spirits experience in the state of Kentucky. Situated inside Blue Rook's U.S. distillery - the home of award winning Brazilian sugar cane based spirits, cachaça, gin and vodka. The Still restaurant provides its guests with a multifaceted experience full of farm fresh food, with all menu items made from scratch and cocktails made from our unique spirits. We hope to see you soon for a delightful dinner!
Top review
JenniferVIP
Dined 4 days ago
Always delicious! Great for lunch and dinner! Grilled cheese and creamy tomato soup and Grilled BLT.
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