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  5. Frankfort Ave - Crescent Hill
Varanese, Louisville, KY

Varanese

4.7
4.7
4580 Reviews
$30 and under
Contemporary American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 28 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for live music
  • Neighborhood gem
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

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Seafood, Steak
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner: Sunday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm Friday & Saturday: 5:00pm - 12:00pm Christmas Eve 11am-10pm Christmas Day CLOSED New Year's Eve 4pm-12pm New Year's Day CLOSED
  • Phone number
    (502) 899-9904
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    John Varanese
  • Catering
    Catering is offered depending on Chef Varanese's availability. Call to inquire.
  • Private party facilities
    With the addition of two new private dining room spaces, Varanese can accommodate groups of up to 80 people. Minimum sales requirement for each room applies. Call 502-899-9904 or email letsdine@varanese.com to inquire.
  • Neighborhood
    Frankfort Ave - Crescent Hill
  • Cross street
    Vernon
  • Parking details
    Varanese provides on-premise parking along with additional parking across the street at Nancy's Bagel Grounds along with street parking.
  • Public transit
    Varanese has a TARC stop in front along with a Frankfort Ave. Trolly Hop Stop.
  • Entertainment
    Live jazz seven nights from the Jeff Sherman band 6-10pm.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 4,580 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.6Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Central Kentucky

    Hot spot

  • Central Kentucky

    Contemporary American

  • Louisville

    Hot spot

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Varanese offers a delightful dining experience with "phenomenal food" and a "wonderful atmosphere." Guests rave about the "amazing food," attentive service, and enchanting live jazz music. The restaurant excels in creating a perfect ambiance with open-air seating. Although music volume can be high, the overall experience remains top-notch and memorable.

4,581 Reviews
  1. KayDee

    Louisville

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    It was our first dining experience at Varanese and we were all delighted with the food. We ordered an appetizer, entrees and received a complimentary dessert for our anniversary. It was a lovely night and just short of perfection. The only criticism I have is we were seated beside the duo playing music and it was a little loud. Had we been sitting further away, I think it would have been fine. Enjoyed the music other than it being a little loud. We will definitely be back.

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  2. Jeff

    Louisville

    79 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    79 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We always LOVE Varanese and last night did not dissappoint! Excellent food and atmosphere! Love the live music.

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  3. Anna

    Louisville

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Simply outstanding. The food, service and atmosphere are all beyond expectation. Who else can make a vegetable plate taste like a culinary delight, or make me believe their potato soup is top in class. Plus their servers make you feel like a special guest. Will be back for more!

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  4. Carol

    Edinburgh

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 2, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 5
    Enjoyed our food very much and ambiance was great. Service was not good. Server was very friendly but very slow. Took forever for her to take our order. Maybe she had too many tables. Won’t keep us from coming back. Overall a great experience.

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  5. Mike

    Louisville

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on September 29, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a lovely evening there celebrating our 23rd anniversary. The service was outstanding, and the menu is great... lots to choose from and reasonable prices. Would recommend.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Joe

    Western NC

    34 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    34 reviews

    Dined on September 27, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The cuisine and service never disappoints at Varanese. We enjoyed another perfect dinner tonight!

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  7. Andy

    Tampa

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 25, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Good food, attentive wait staff, and some good live music.

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  8. BryanM

    Louisville

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on September 25, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Really good food. Best shrimp and grits I’ve ever had. They had a jazz duet playing that made the night perfect. Service was great as well. We will return.

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  9. Jennifer

    Cincinnati

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on September 24, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Recommended by a friend, not sure how I have not been here before. The food was beyond expectation, perfectly cooked, presented, and proportioned. Service was top notch, very attentive. Do not leave without a bourbon flight and the marshmallow bread pudding!

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  10. Bob

    Louisville

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 21, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was our wedding anniversary and we had a wonderful experience at Varanese. Service was attentive and not overbearing. Food - Brussels sprouts appetizer, salmon pasta & pork chop entrees - was well prepared, well presented, and delicious! As an amateur musician, kudos to the guitar jazz trio!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Varanese offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (502) 899-9904.

Varanese is rated 4.7 stars by 4580 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 28 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Varanese

2106 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, KY 40206

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Vernon
  • Neighborhood
    Frankfort Ave - Crescent Hill
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner: Sunday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm Friday & Saturday: 5:00pm - 12:00pm Christmas Eve 11am-10pm Christmas Day CLOSED New Year's Eve 4pm-12pm New Year's Day CLOSED
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Seafood, Steak
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Varanese provides on-premise parking along with additional parking across the street at Nancy's Bagel Grounds along with street parking.
  • Public transit
    Varanese has a TARC stop in front along with a Frankfort Ave. Trolly Hop Stop.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    John Varanese
  • Entertainment
    Live jazz seven nights from the Jeff Sherman band 6-10pm.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (502) 899-9904
  • Catering
    Catering is offered depending on Chef Varanese's availability. Call to inquire.
  • Private party facilities
    With the addition of two new private dining room spaces, Varanese can accommodate groups of up to 80 people. Minimum sales requirement for each room applies. Call 502-899-9904 or email letsdine@varanese.com to inquire.
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