Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Central Kentucky

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

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

BRU Burger Bar - Lexington

4.9

4.9 (444)

$30 and under

Burgers

Lexington

About the restaurant

The hamburger is over 100 years old. It’s a classic, purely American, and an icon. The hamburger is the people’s sandwich, everyman’s food. BRU is an ode to our love….the Burger. Paired with a beer, we can’t imagine what could be much better. Join us at BRU Burger Bar. We look forward to serving you! BRU Burger Bar is proudly operated by Cunningham Restaurant Group.

Welcome to BRU Burger Bar.

Top review

Carolynvip

Dined 3 days ago

Good food but service a bit slow on this night. Several bigger parties near us so maybe that was the problem. Still, a good experience and will keep going back!

La Bodeguita De Mima

4.9

4.9 (3725)

$30 and under

Cuban

East Market St - NuLu

About the restaurant

Hailing From Cuba, Fernando and Yaniel Martinez have brought their passion and love to the plate, showcasing generations of love passed on by their mothers. Are you ready to experience some of the best Cuban food this side of the equator?

From plantains to the classic Cuban sandwich, we have all of the classic Cuban specialties covered with our twist, of course! Come visit us to see what Louisville has been missing.

At Mima's, we believe in creating an inviting and invigorating atmosphere. That's why you can find different choices to choose from. Whether you're enjoying a delicious dinner in our dining room, a tasty Mojito at our bar, or even a fine hand-rolled cigar on our patio, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Top review

Todd

Dined 3 days ago

Amazing food and drinks. Love music was terrific. Fun for dates and family.

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Guacamole Modern Mexican

4.8

4.8 (1703)

$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

Larry

Dined 2 days ago

Great food…. Varied menu…. Impeccable service…. Fun atmosphere

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Popular dish

Carne Asada

Popular dish

Carne Asada al Carbon

Popular dish

Nachos

Watch Hill Proper

4.8

4.8 (34)

$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

Petervip

Dined on Aug 24, 2024

Outstanding experience overall! Will definitely return. Highly recommend!

Varanese

4.7

4.7 (4558)

$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 7 days ago

Really good every-time except this last experience the calamari wasn’t very good seemed like the last of it but or server fixed it and brought us more

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Popular dish

Bread Pudding

Popular dish

Beef Tips & Tortellini

Popular dish

Flat Iron Steak

Captains Quarters Riverside Grill

4.5

4.5 (441)

$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

Markvip

Dined 6 days ago

Great outdoor setting. Shrimp tacos were wonderful and service was excellent.

The Last Refuge

4.5

4.5 (34)

$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

Judyvip

Dined 4 days ago

We will definitely be back! We shared a pizza, a chicken salad sandwich and a delicious Perry salad. Everything was excellent. We loved our cocktails as well.

Black Jockey's Lounge

4.2

4.2 (463)

$30 and under

American

Downtown Louisville

About the restaurant

The Black Jockeys Lounge is committed to providing a fine dining experience that will have you on the edge of your seats. We have intentionally curated this establishment to be a perfect cocktail of education, food, luxury, and, entertainment. This is what the city needs and we are here to provide that unforgettable experience.
Black Jockeys Lounge is the Edu-tainment; destination for an Exquisite Gourmet Food, History, Art and Smooth Jazz!

Top review

PaulaM

Dined 3 days ago

Everything was great, from the food, to the service to the atmosphere ❤️

Beyond the Sun Restaurant

4.0

4 (117)

$30 and under

Global, International

Highlands - Bardstown Rd / Taylorsville Rd

About the restaurant

Elevate your dining experience at our two-tiered establishment. On the first floor, savor the diverse selection of steaks, pasta, and seafood. Ascend to the second-floor lounge bar, where a vibrant atmosphere awaits with a tempting array of bar food delights, including burgers, chicken wings, pizza, and more. Indulge in the best of both worlds, where culinary excellence meets casual comfort.

For aficionados of fine spirits, our extensive bourbon and tequila selection is a true revelation. Sip on Kentucky's liquid gold, indulge in the smoky notes of tequila, or savor our special handcrafted cocktails that are a fusion of creativity and mixology expertise. Our bar is your gateway to an unrivaled spirits experience.

Not a fan of bourbon or tequila? No worries! We also offer an impressive selection of craft beers that cater to every beer lover's dream. Explore our carefully curated beer menu, featuring local and international brews, and discover your new favorite.

Top review

Dawn

Dined on Sep 1, 2024

Excellent service! Beautiful restaurant! Throughly enjoyed our evening!

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Oxmoor Center Mall

3.9

3.9 (132)

$30 and under

American

Westport Rd - Lyndon

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we've continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ's a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ's to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we've put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we haven't just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it's because of them we're continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts. Welcome to BJ's, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

DaveG

Dined on Jul 26, 2024

Great meal with our granddaughter And her friends

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