Boone Tavern

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Address:
100 Main St N
Berea, KY 40403

Neighborhood:
Berea

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Cuisine:
American

Price: $30 and under

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Boone Tavern Details

Dining Style: Fine Dining
Website: http://www.boonetavernhotel.com
Phone: (859) 985-3700
Hours of Operation:

Breakfast: Daily: 7:00am - 10:am

Sunday Brunch: 11:00am - 2:00pm

Lunch: Monday - Saturday: 11:00am - 2:00pm

Dinner: Daily: 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: American, Organic
Executive Chef: David Poulton
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Gluten-free Menu, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access
Private Party Facilities: Boone Tavern offers private dining, meeting, and wedding receptions space for groups from 5 to 150 guests. We offer six beautifully restored and renovated event rooms including the Bowling Dining Room. Our southern hospitality, vintage charm and elegance along with our commitment to locally grown and “Kentucky Proud” ingredients make your group dining experience memorable. Your guests will savor Historic Boone Taverns famous restaurants fine dining cuisine. Attendees will experience customized breaks that include homemade snacks and our Signature Boone Tavern coffee, luncheons featuring tastes of the season with fresh locally grown ingredients and elegant dinners complete with Boone Tavern Spoonbread, all prepared by our award-winning culinary staff. Give your guests a grand finale to remember.
Private Party Contact: Ashley Lewis (859) 985-3705

Getting there

Cross Street: 100 Main Street N.
Parking: Hotel Parking
Parking Details: Boone Tavern has a complimentary self parking lot at the back entrance of the hotel. Boone Tavern also offers spaces for handicap guests parking as well as reserved spaces for Eco Friendly vehicles.

A word from Boone Tavern

Fine dining has brought Boone Tavern much of its international acclaim. Whether you prefer traditional or creative southern cuisine, you will find palate pleasing fare in Boone Tavern’s Dining Room. The Duncan Hines Excellence in Hospitality Award was presented to Boone Tavern in 2003. The… prestigious award is named for restaurant critic Duncan Hines. The Kentucky Tourism Council states, “Boone Tavern has been a hallmark in the hospitality business for nearly a century. After all these years, it continues to be a favorite destination.”
Lunch offerings let you choose from a variety of salads, unique sandwiches and hot entrées. Evening meals offer an array of delightful appetizers, salads, entrées and desserts. Historical favorites like “Chicken Flakes in a Bird’s Nest” and “spoonbread” are fixtures in the restaurant. Sunday Brunch is another tradition. Dining room attire is tastefully casual and reservations are required for groups and evening meals.Continued

Foodspotting photos

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Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerBest Ambiance
Diners' Choice WinnerGreat for Brunch
Diners' Choice WinnerGreat for Lunch

Boone Tavern - Best Restaurants in Berea

Diner Reviews

"We were staying at the Boone Tavern hotel and decided to dine in the restaurant. The food was outstanding, including many Kentucky favorites like spoonbread. We had the grilled scallops which were outstanding. The Derby pie was not as good as billed, with Hershey chocolate syrup decorating the plate. A simple presentation of the pie would be more appropriate. Hoping that they get a liquor license soon, as we think wine would make the experience more pleasing. The service was prompt, but the servers need some more training and "polish". Overall, a very good meal."
Dined on 7/4/2014
"My wife and I spent 2 nights at the Boone Tavern. We ate dinner on Saturday evening. Started with the Hunter's Plate which is a collection of local meats, cheeses, and pickled items served with toasted bread rounds and spicy brown mustard. It was an ample portion and quite good. For dinner I had Lamb Pot Roast and my wife had Scallops. We both enjoyed our entrees very much. For dessert I had bread pudding and my wife and choc. pecan pie. My piece of bread pudding was huge! I had to take 1/2 with me. It was delicious as was my wife's pie which was very rich and filling. Service was a bit sketchy at times but I attributed it to the fact that a large wedding reception was being held during our dinner and I'm sure it was a busy time."
Dined on 7/5/2014
"Boone Tavern is a beautiful, elegant, stately place which suggest a bygone Era ( except for the way people are dressed) but if you are looking for local cuisine which showcases dishes for which the Bluegrass is known, don't go to Boone Tavern. The menu reflects trendy dishes that you can get anywhere. The service was very nice and it seemed to be child friendly."
Dined on 7/2/2014
"On way to Knoxville, great ambience stop along the way"
Dined on 6/27/2014
"The spoonbread is worth the trip. The service staff were attentive and friendly. We will definitely return for another special meal."
Dined on 7/4/2014
"Beautiful dining room in a Historic Hotel. Gourmet menu with a fair selection of meals. Service was fair and spotty, I think my server was new. Everyone on the Hotel staff was outgoing and friendly, dining room staff chipped in to help my server at times."
Dined on 6/29/2014
"Boone Tavern rates at the top of my list for fine dining. Ambience, service and food are all excellent. Our guests stated that this is the best food that they have ever eaten. Anyone traveling on Interstate 75 should take the few minute drive into Berea, Kentucky to dine at this fine establishment."
Dined on 6/25/2014
"If you have not been to Boone Tavern in Berea to spend a night or two and have a meal, you need to do so. A true Kentucky gem, Boone Tavern is an outstanding example of the Commonwealth's sophistication and gourmet offerings. Who would guess that located in the foothills to the Appalachians is a hotel and restaurant of such quality? Scallops and salmon were the two entrees we had - both were fabulous!!! Our meal began with fried green tomatoes and ended with blueberry bread pudding - both also outstanding. All food was served with understated digniity."
Dined on 6/19/2014
"We had an excellent dinner at Boone Tavern! The students that work there are a delight, and the food was spectacular!"
Dined on 6/14/2014
"This restaurant is worth going to for the ambiance (traditional hotel dining well restored and seems newly refurbished). The service is very good also. The food was just average, but we both ordered the same dish (pork chops the tricky way), so I don't have knowledge of a wide range of the menu. To me, the meal lacked flavor, except the greens which were a bit over-vinegared. My husband, however, who likes his food more bland liked it much better than I did. The restaurant serves no alcohol as it is part of the Berea College, so if that is a deal-breaker, go elsewhere."
Dined on 6/11/2014
"My husband and I were seated immediately for dinner on Sunday evening, but were told after a few minutes that our waiter had not yet arrived; several more minutes passed before she arrived to take our order. When I ordered the lamb, I was told that it would not be available for another 30 minutes. I ordered the pork chops, which, at first, looked appetizing, but were underdone. Breakfast on Monday morning was better, but does not measure up to the standards set in the past. The service, however, was excellent."
Dined on 6/8/2014
"Located in the heart of Kentucky, perfect for a great weekend away."
Dined on 6/6/2014
"I've visited Boone Tavern several times over the years. It is always worth going out of the way to stay there and eat there. It is a delightful inn. The food is always great. Most of the servers are students who are very friendly and eager to help make your visit a delight. We will definitely visit again the next time we are within 100 miles."
Dined on 5/18/2014
"We went to Boone Tavern for brunch.The resturant is very nice the service was wonderful the food was good the Dessert selection could be better. Worth the drive."
Dined on 5/25/2014
"The Boone Tavern is one of our favorite places to dine. The environment / ambience is so nice and so enjoyable we go there whenever we get a chance. "
Dined on 5/25/2014
"As a Certified Chef and also in the fine dining world when I am at work, I tend to be overly critical about food and presentation. This restaurant has been in my history for many years as I was there as a child and teen. My grandmother being an alum of Berea College ('33) we grew up eating with her in the dining room. As for this meal we ordered the Hunters Plate for our appetizer, the simple greens salads with house orange marmalade dressing, the sea scallops for her and the ribeye special for myself. The spoon bread was as I remembered and we skipped dessert. This is a must for people in Lexington to go and see as well as passers by on I 75!!!! I would describe the food and stuff but the character limit on here cuts one short. "
Dined on 5/2/2014
"Our main server, Aaron, was so interesting and informative, we enjoyed listening to him talk about the specials, menu and restaurant almost as much as our meal itself! The prices are all ala carte, but the servings were adequate and the options were all delicious. Smartly Casual is a good option there as Berea College is right next door. I do think the dress code could be explained to specify no flip flops, tennis shoes or t-shirts, which are just plain casual.... Otherwise, the venue was lovely, the service prompt and enjoyable and the food, very good. We will return in September, when I understand, wine or other options will be available. "
Dined on 4/25/2014
"Such a beautiful historic setting. Very relaxing. The menu has many unusual southern dishes that we enjoyed."
Dined on 4/22/2014
"Food mediocre at best. I had the lamb pot roast and was under impressed. The mashed potatoes were watery. Not a great meal."
Dined on 4/17/2014
"Beautiful place. Would have loved to have a glass of wine on the porch in the rockers or at dinner. Dry. Full renovation has provided a wonderful place to stay right across from campus. Very nice to walk to shops. "Staff" is primarily students."
Dined on 4/13/2014
"Food was good enough. Server was charming and did her best. But they were also hosting a wedding party - and did not have enough silverware or glassware for diners who were stuck in a drab side room. They seemed to have bitten off more than they could chew. Manager should be replaced with someone aware of the limits of the facility and staff. Was a long way out of the way for what we experienced there."
Dined on 4/12/2014
"We were spending a weekend in Berea and had dinner at Boone's Tavern. The food was excellent. Our server was so friendly and accommodating. The dining room was quiet and lovely. My husband and I had a very lovely evening."
Dined on 4/5/2014
"Boone Tavern has beautiful décor, a great staff and wonderful food. The students and grads who served us were pleasant and informative. The steak on the menu was one to be savored. We appreciated talking with the servers about their college experience at Berea. We loved the experience. This is one of America's best restaurants,"
Dined on 4/5/2014
"We had quite unusual dishes that one would not find in "ordinary" places. We shared squash soup, and roasted brussels sprouts salad along with an applewood smoked pork chop and beef stroganoff . Pork Chop dinner was delicious, beef stroganoff was just so so, squash soup was cold, but roasted brussels sprouts salad was delicious. For dessert we shared a piece of raceday pie - pecan, carmel, chocolate drizzle type of pie with a dollop of whipped cream on the side. This was also just OK. very sweet. In retrospect - the cost was not worth the dinner, but the service was great by the students. The chef selections were out of the ordinary. if they could reduce the cost I might be more enthusiastic. Lovely old hotel and dining setting."
Dined on 3/8/2014
"Excellent food and service. Very charming ambiance"
Dined on 3/6/2014
"Great for a girls day out. My daughter and granddaughter were here for the weekend from Knoxville. We visited Tater Knob Pottery and then wanted a special spot for lunch. Excellent service and the food was perfect for out of towners to get a taste of our local specialities: spoon bread, fried green tomatoes, and chicken in a birds next. Wonderful day."
Dined on 3/1/2014
"Our fifth time dining at the Boone Tavern was again a most positive experience! Food selections were excellent. Service is surperb! A lovely ambience and quiet environment for visiting during dinner. Unique dinner salads are wonderful! Entres prepared carefully, presented very well and are very tasty and enjoyable. Simply a superior dining experience."
Dined on 2/28/2014
"Everything about the special Valentine's Day menu was outstanding. The lobster thermador appetizer was wonderful, as was all the food. My scallops were just right, and my husband's bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin was terrific. Dessert was fantastic. We have stopped at this restaurant/hotel on several trips and have enjoyed it everytime. We like the restaurant/hotel enough that we chose to spend our Valentine's night at the hotel after dinner. Unfortunately, we live 300 miles away from this treasure; but we will definitely go back again and again. We have recommended the restaurant and hotel to our family and friends based on this trip and previous trips."
Dined on 2/14/2014
"The Boone Tavern is where my wife and I celebrate special occasions. The food is excellent and the service fantastic. The atmosphere is perfect for special occasions. The dining room is extremely quiet and very relaxed."
Dined on 2/14/2014
"My wife and I decided to make the short drive to Boone Tavern for Valentine's Day and since it was on a Friday this year, we decided to stay. The atmosphere was great and the new renovations beautiful. The special dinner menu for Valentine's Day was wonderful and our server was the best. Very knowledgeable and helpful. The room we booked was very nice and make us feel comfortable. It was very clean and the beds comfortable. In fact, it was snowing the evening we were there and it was nice not to have to go back out after dinner and drive home. My wife was impressed that the room had a Keurig coffeemaker in it."
Dined on 2/14/2014
"The staff is incredibly friendly, and the hotel and dining room are beautiful. The menu had a nice selection of items for every appetite; light fare, vegetarian, traditional southern cuisine, etc. My husband and I ordered a roasted chicken dish and the "tricky" pork chops. Both dishes we very disappointing. The chicken was very dry, and far too salty. Everything on my plate tasted like liquid smoke ( the bottled kind you buy in the grocery store). My husbands pork chops were also heavily salted and over cooked. The best part about his dish was the grits, and they were only mediocre. Any restaurant can have an off-night, and I hope this is what this was for boones tavern. It is too lovely an environment to have such bad food."
Dined on 2/7/2014
"A blend of traditional classics and modern flare. Local ingredients make for fresh and tasty dishes. Would return as often as possible! Boone Tavern is a jewel and should always be cherished in Berea. It's a must on visiting!"
Dined on 1/24/2014
"The ambience is perfect for sharing a meal with friends and family, as well as a wonderful place for a meeting. The salmon was incredible, along with the asparagus and mashed potatoes. My lunch companion really enjoyed the spoon bread, which the restaurant is known for, and the prime rib meal - noted the prime rib was cooked to expectation. This was truly an excellent dining experience that consisted of excellent food and service. I highly recommend this restaurant!"
Dined on 12/24/2013
"We just went throughout Berea for a few days on the start of our honeymoon and were so happy to have two breakfasts and a dinner here! The staff were all incredible and the food choices were impeccable, I especially love the emphasis on traditional southern food with a twist!"
Dined on 12/2/2013
"Boone Tavern is one of my favorite places to dine. My wife and I took our daughter from North Carolina and her fiance for a Sunday Brunch. We had a great time. The fried chicken and ham was very good as usual. We always enjoy the spoon bread."
Dined on 12/1/2013
"Six women in my family made the trip to Berea for shopping and to eat at Boone Tavern. It was the first time for four of us. We were all very happy with our lunch. I had Shrimp and Grits really good would order again but will try something new next time. Bread pudding for dessert...perfect."
Dined on 11/29/2013
"I have dined at Boone Tavern before, and they have recently changed their menu. They did not have some of their signature dishes, and their prices had increased drastically. Salad or soup used to be included in the price of an entree, but is now a la carte. The entrees are also now more expensive. My husband ordered the steak, and it was tough and tasteless. I have had better steaks at Texas Roadhouse. I had the salmon, which was pretty tasty, but definitely not worth the high price attached to it. I doubt that my family will be going there in the future. Sad, as this used to be one of our favorite restaurants."
Dined on 11/9/2013
"Where else do they bring spoon bread to the table, both before and during your meal? Boone Tavern is a lovely old building, filled with antiques. It's a fine place to stay, but also a fine place to eat. If you like taking time over your meal, if you like traditional southern favorites like Hot Browns and spoon bread, if you like efficient and courteous service which is not too obtrusive, then this is a great break."
Dined on 11/21/2013
"I have lived in Berea for years and have always been a fan of Boone Tavern for special occasions and the Sunday lunch buffet (when they have it). I had to schedule this meeting for a small group business meeting and, at the time I made the reservation, I asked if we could be seated in a secluded area. We kind of were, until they sat a large group right next to us. That was unfortunate for our business meeting. Also, no one at our table said their food was very good. The spoon bread wasn't souffle-like at all. It was flat and cold. This was a disappointing meal. What's happened, Boon Tavern?"
Dined on 11/14/2013
"The food was priced as fine dining prepared by a chef but the food was of the quality prepared by a cook. I have dined at Boone Tavern on occasion for 35 years and I found my latest meal to not be to the standard or originality I have come to expect."
Dined on 11/10/2013

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