Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Central Kentucky

OpenTable

Updated 05 March 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining 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!

The Chalet

4.9

4.9 (338)

$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

Dustin

Dined 3 days ago

Food and atmosphere was amazing! Will definitely be back!

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4.8

4.8 (1058)

$30 and under

Italian

Frankfort Ave - Crescent Hill

About the restaurant

Family owned and operated Italian restaurant with traditional Italian cuisine, Lasagna and Chicken Parmigian, and some eclectic items as well, Pan Grilled Salmon and Gorgonzola Filet.

Top review

billVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We always enjoy going to DiFabio’s when we are in town. Great atmosphere, great service and amazing food. Tonight was no different. The filet was cooked perfectly and the chicken Parmesan melted in your mouth. Throw in the house wine, the lemoncello and they were the icing on the cake. We topped our evening with the flourless chocolate cake. YUM. Highly recommended if you like Italian food.

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River House Restaurant & Raw Bar

4.8

4.8 (7533)

$30 and under

Seafood

Downtown Louisville

About the restaurant

River House Restaurant and Raw Bar is Louisville’s premiere riverfront dining destination. It is the vision of award-winning chef and restaurateur John Varanese and seats 330 in its main dining room, raw bar, and patio. Guests experience a charming “home like” atmosphere as they enter the restaurant from the front porch garden area. Enter through a 20-foot tall by 40-foot wide water wall, and enjoy intimate decor, and a floor-to-ceiling glass wall overlooking the back courtyard and river, River House is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. The menu features regional cuisine with a Southern flair and an emphasis on fresh seafood including Grilled Oysters on the Half Shell, BBQ Braised Beef Short Rib, and the Maker’s Mark Bourbon Barrel Smoked Salmon. Our 15 foot raw bar features assorted raw oysters, king crab, and jumbo shrimp. Reservations are recommended. We look forward to serving you!

Top review

JerryVIP

Dined 1 day ago

River House delivered another unforgettable evening. Tonight’s main event? The ultimate showdown: all-you-can-eat crab legs. Challenge enthusiastically accepted, but after an endless wave of succulent crab, the crustaceans claimed a decisive victory. A noble defeat, indeed. Beyond the crab feast, River House dazzles with its expansive menu, featuring everything from tender, mouthwatering steaks to the freshest, most vibrant seafood dishes. Whether you're a surf or turf fan, River House guarantees a tasty memorable dining experience, with a beautiful sunset sure to excite.

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Popular dish

Seafood Platter

Popular dish

Seared Diver Scallops

Popular dish

JV Seafood Trio

The Eagle - Highlands

4.8

4.8 (1182)

$31 to $50

Southern

Highlands - Bardstown Rd / Taylorsville Rd

About the restaurant

We start with free range, all natural amish chicken. It’s brined, dredged, then dropped into custom-built fryers. Its got a little kick and is served with our house made hot honey.

Top review

Steve

Dined 4 days ago

Our meal was fantastic! The fried chicken is some of the best I’ve ever had. We shared 4 sides and they were all great.

Palmers Fresh Grill

4.7

4.7 (1791)

$30 and under

Seafood

Lexington

About the restaurant

As the name implies, fresh is the focus at Palmers.

More than just fresh ingredients, Palmers is a fresh twist on what an enjoyable dining experience should provide. A fresh way to please your palate, featuring savory dishes and an evolving menu that spotlights many local ingredients. Palmers also offers weekly specials truly capturing the essence of seasonal flavors.

With a casually sophisticated ambiance, complemented with knowledgeable and friendly service staff, Palmers provides one of Lexington's favorite dining experiences. Enjoy lakeside seating and live music on the spacious patio during warm weather months.

Looking for another reason to raise your glass? With over 100 Bourbons and whiskeys to choose from, paired with our award-winning wine, and cocktail list you are sure to find a lively libation!

Top review

susanVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Lovely evening, delicious food and spectacular service from Andrew.

The Exchange Pub + Kitchen

4.7

4.7 (1432)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

New Albany

About the restaurant

Housed in a historic Italianate-style building constructed in 1875, The Exchange Pub + Kitchen is owner Ian Hall’s take on a warm & casual neighborhood gastropub. Featuring a 15-seat bar, 120-seat dining room, 16-seat outdoor cafe, & two 50-seat private dining spaces, The Exchange Pub + Kitchen offers many different dining options. Rotating seasonal menus are the focus of The Exchange Pub + Kitchen. Locally sourced products & scratch ingredients are the emphasis of the kitchen. Guests will enjoy open kitchen views as the chefs showcase their culinary skills. American craft breweries highlight the bar program with 12 rotating draught selections and 12 by-the-bottle options. In addition, the bar staff creates cocktails from house-made syrups, bitters, and premium spirits. The wine portfolio focuses on smaller boutique wines, allowing guests to indulge in something new & exciting. The food & beverage menus rotate seasonally.

Top review

Kenneth

Dined 4 days ago

Always get Fish and chips such a delicious meal . Great value

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Captains Quarters Riverside Grille

4.7

4.7 (491)

$30 and under

American

East Louisville

About the restaurant

Captain's Quarters a historic restaurant in Louisville overlooking the Ohio River at Harrods Creek serving a wide range of seafood, steak, sandwich and salad options. With all of its meats and fish handpicked or market fresh there is plenty of dishes to choose from that will suit anyone's tastes. There is also a full bar that serves a range of cocktails, martinis and wines that will complement the meals at Captain's Quarters. While most popular in the summertime with outdoor decks, the cozy indoor views in the winter can be spectacular.

Top review

CindeeVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Burgers were overcooked, asked for medium rare, got it well done.

Upland Brewing Co - Jeffersonville

4.4

4.4 (138)

$30 and under

American

Jeffersonville

About the restaurant

Upland Jeffersonville is located right on the Ohio River with a tri-level patio overlooking the Louisville skyline. 20 taps feature Upland classics, seasonals, sour ales, & small-batch innovations. Pair your favorite beverage with a well crafted menu featuring spirited pub classics & creative options for vegetarians.
Soak in the beautiful view from the patio with an accompanying outdoor bar. Well-behaved dogs are welcome outside.

Top review

David

Dined on 23 Feb 2025

Great. Good service, food and facility. A great value.

High Stakes Rooftop Grill

4.0

4 (124)

$31 to $50

American

West Louisville

About the restaurant

High Stakes is a modern take on the classic American grill showcasing culinary traditions and flavorsome grilling techniques with a dedication to high-quality ingredients. Paying homage to the come-from-behind winners in life, sports, history, and the arts – celebrating all the unimaginable photo finishes, strivers, and unlikely underdog winners that have made this great country what it is today. Here’s to the winners, the higher the stakes, the more you own that moment in time.

Top review

JASMINE

Dined on 25 Feb 2025

Patrick and Marty are great! Very hospitable and welcoming!

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Experience

Social Hour

Joe's Crab Shack - Louisville

3.6

3.6 (27)

$30 and under

Seafood

West Louisville

About the restaurant

Joe’s Crab Shack offers a variety of favorites from all parts of the sea and shore. From its extensive menu, guests can choose from buckets of seasonal seafood, fried shrimp platters and fish dishes, as well as options from the “mainland” that include steak, sandwiches, and chicken. Guests can indulge in over-sized and creative cocktails, such as the Shark Bite which is playfully garnished with a shark toy. Since its inception, Joe’s popularity has stemmed not only from its menu, but also its retail store. With various pieces of merchandise for purchase, including the ever-popular tie-dye T-shirt with the phrase “Peace, Love and Crabs,” Joe’s has become synonymous with the word “fun.”

Top review

BrianVIP

Dined on 13 Jan 2025

The service and food were top notch. Our Server Bobbi Jo was great. Very good food served just as it was available which is so nice. We will be back.

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