Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Central Kentucky

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

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

211 Clover Lane Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1230)

$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

Pat

Dined 5 days ago

We enjoyed a delicious lunch. The service was excellent. The environment is inviting.

Äta Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1632)

$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

JoeVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent menu with the Chicken / Ribs special over the top great.

The Chalet

4.8

4.8 (347)

$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

Ray

Dined on Apr 17, 2025

We had a great meal as always, our server was exceptional and the drinks were superb.

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4.8

4.8 (4686)

$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

RonaldVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Superb as always wonderful restaurant makes you want to come back every night

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Popular dish

Slow Braised Lamb Shank

Popular dish

Fried Green Tomato Salad

Heirloom - Midway

4.7

4.7 (2295)

$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

Michele

Dined 1 day ago

The food and ambience are typically excellent at Heirloom. Our last two visits, though, the service was miserable. Today, only two waiters worked all tables--in and out. We waited for service and did without a few things. What was especially annoying is that no one apologized. It's a shame.

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4.6

4.6 (1291)

$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

David

Dined on Apr 19, 2025

Food was delicious, so were the cocktails! Great ambience and venue. Service was a tad slow, but that was the only negative. Would definitely return!

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Popular dish

Steak & Eggs

The Still at Blue Rook Distillery

4.6

4.6 (479)

$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

DwightVIP

Dined on Apr 11, 2025

Thank you Chef Jamie and staff for an amazing evening!

J Graham's Cafe

4.8

4.8 (1291)

$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 Sundays.

Non-smoking.

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

Top review

MARTHA

Dined 1 day ago

I brought guests from Maine to enjoy the signature Hot Brown and Bourbon Pudding and they enjoyed it trendously. The atmosphere is great - quiet and refined. Everything was superb and as a "brought in" of fourteen years reminds me of why I enjoy the Brown so much.

Honeysuckle Dining and Bourbon House

4.6

4.6 (231)

$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

Rebekah

Dined 4 days ago

Food was really delicious and the staff was really prompt and kind. Madison was so sweet and did such a great job. We never needed anything. She was always checking on us love the food and was very recently priced.

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Lobby Bar & Grill at the Brown Hotel

4.7

4.7 (1183)

$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

David

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent dining experience. A great place to have a nice dinner and drinks with friends. Highly recommend. Would definitely go back.

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