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

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

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

The Chalet

4.8

4.8 (298)

$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

steve

Dined on Oct 3, 2024

We had the chicken Alfredo, spaghetti and the Bucatini allo Scoglio. All meals were presented well and the portions generous. The meals were very good all around. The cheesecake was an excellent ending to a great meal. Service was awesome.

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River House Restaurant & Raw Bar

4.7

4.7 (7284)

$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

jillvip

Dined 1 day ago

Went with out-of-town family member for a birthday dinner. We were pleased from the start. We requested a table with a view and the hostess actually showed us where she thought was the best table. Excellent. Our waiter was knowledgeable, had excellent recommendations, allowed us to take all the time we needed. The evening could not have been nicer. Highly recommend.

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Popular dish

Seafood Platter

Popular dish

Seared Diver Scallops

Popular dish

JV-Seafood Trio

Senora Arepa - St Matthews

4.7

4.7 (249)

$30 and under

Venezuelan

St Matthews

About the restaurant

Senora Arepa is about flavor. We strive to say something important to the world through our food and drinks. We don't just feed the palate, we feed the imagination & the soul. At Senora the heart is the arepa, along with a superb menu inspired by Venezuelan culinary roots, ingredients, and flavors.

We're all about family. Come be a part of ours and enjoy some delicious Venezuelan cuisine!

Top review

Ambervip

Dined 7 days ago

First time here. Food was excellent and service was extremely attentive and kind. Ambience is electric and has a high energy vibe. The chakras I steak was very good. I wanted pollo asado but they were out. The only other chicken is thighs or dark meat which I don’t care for. But the steak was so tender and flavorful. It was delicious. Black beans were the best I have ever had! Great meal.

Palmers Fresh Grill

4.6

4.6 (1727)

$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

Allie

Dined on Sep 26, 2024

5pm is a real sweet spot for dinner. No one there, freedom to roam a little bit with a toddler. Although the patio was not open due to weather it was the perfect setting to trade off being with my 2 year old outside near the water and ducks while taking turns with family to come back inside and enjoy some delicious shrimp & grits and a perfectly paired glass of white wine. A birthday treat for my MIL who I think had a great time! Looking forward to our next visit.

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Captains Quarters Riverside Grill

4.6

4.6 (453)

$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

Leonvip

Dined 1 day ago

Always very pleasant. Been coming here since 1971.

Jean Farris Winery & Bistro

4.4

4.4 (2391)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Lexington

About the restaurant

Situated on an historic Old Richmond Road Farm, we at Jean Farris strive to bring you the best experience Horse Country has to offer. Whether you’re looking to escape or gather, Jean Farris can provide your rustic, picturesque backdrop.
Established in 2003, this family run farm has consistently provided a deep sense of connection amongst wine lovers, horse lovers, and of course bourbon lovers alike. Rooted and deeply inspired in and by southern comfort cuisine, this truly farm to fork restaurant will give you the perfect canvas to explore your culinary palette. Please come as you are and don’t mind the lack of white tablecloth, we want you to relax when you dine with us.

Top review

Tomvip

Dined on Oct 3, 2024

Resident lamb guy here. Tonight I tried something different: Bourguignon. Oh my God is it amazing! The gravy is so good I had the owner remove the bowl so I wouldn’t be tempted to lick it clean. This comes highly recommended with a glass of Redhead.

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Experience

3-Horse Coursing Menu

Lost Palm

4.4

4.4 (113)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Lexington

About the restaurant

Seven stories up and an oasis above Lexington, a rooftop nod to sultry South Florida. Embrace an experience filled with small bites, big hats, and inspired tropical drinks. Lost Palm welcomes you!

Reservations are highly encouraged, however we accept walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis. Find us at The Manchester Hotel in the Distillery District, with valet services at your convenience. Street and paid parking options are available. All visitors must be 21 or older, with ID verification upon entry. For those with underage guests, please contact our restaurant Granddam.

Reservations are available indoors or outdoors. We'll try our best to accommodate, but we cannot guarantee swapping indoor/outdoor reservations. For groups over 6, please call (859)-785-3906. Our kitchen welcomes you from 4-10PM daily. For cabana rentals, email twetzel@themanchesterky.com.

Enjoy an unforgettable visit to Lost Palm, where leisure and luxury blend seamlessly.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 6 days ago

Very nice experience The shrimp enhacadas had no taste Menu could have had more choices

The Last Refuge

4.4

4.4 (40)

$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

Tracyvip

Dined on Oct 2, 2024

Sat on the patio on a lovely evening with great food and service! Thanks!

LouVino - Douglass Hills

4.3

4.3 (654)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Middletown

About the restaurant

LouVino is a Louisville-based concept revolving around fresh shareable dishes with a Southern twist and fun & funky wine program with 40+ wines by the glass, wine & bourbon flights & boozy slushies! All dishes are made from scratch daily! Our most popular items are the Loaded Tots, Brussels Sprouts Salad & Fried Chicken Tacos! 1/2 OFF Featured bottles of Wine every Wednesday & Sunday night for dinner + Happy Hour 4:30p-6:30p Tuesday-Sunday Nights!

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 7 days ago

30 year anniversary dinner….deelish….been a while since we been in….did not disappoint

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Popular dish

Fried Green Tomatoes

Experience

$25 Pasta Night Every Tuesday!

Experience

1/2 OFF Featured Bottles of Wine!

High Stakes Rooftop Grill

4.0

4 (60)

$30 and under

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

Lindavip

Dined on Sep 27, 2024

Date night was a blast. We had a lovely time and our server was fantastic. We are planning a return trip soon.

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Experience

Social Hour

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