Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Central Kentucky

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

La Chasse

4.8

4.8 (1387)

$30 and under

French

Highlands - Bardstown Rd / Taylorsville Rd

About the restaurant

Rustic, wood-fired European cuisine located in the heart of the Highlands, with boutique wines, artisan cocktails, and craft beers.

Top review

Debra

Dined 4 days ago

The food and the service were really good, but we were seated a table in the back by the kitchen and the bathroom, so I kept getting whiffs of the bathroom and cleaning fluid smells … besides that, it was great 😁

Guacamole Modern Mexican

4.8

4.8 (1789)

$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

MelissaVIP

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

The food was truly amazing!!! The portion size of the guacamole was kind of pitiful, but everything else was amazing.

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Popular dish

Carne Asada

Popular dish

Carne Asada al Carbon

Popular dish

Nachos

The Eagle - Highlands

4.7

4.7 (1171)

$31 to $50

Southern

Highlands - Bardstown Rd / Taylorsville Rd

About the restaurant

We start with free range, all natural amish chicken. It’s brined, dredged, then dropped into custom-built fryers. Its got a little kick and is served with our house made hot honey.

Top review

Debbie

Dined on Dec 20, 2024

Everything was delicious and our server was great.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Lexington

4.6

4.6 (202)

$30 and under

American

Lexington

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

KellyVIP

Dined on Dec 25, 2024

Angel was our sever for the second time and she makes our experience 10x better.

Four Pegs

4.5

4.5 (168)

$30 and under

American

Germantown

About the restaurant

Serving award winning BBQ meticulously smoked by Chef/Owner Chris Williams. A top notch craft beer selection, with 12 rotating drafts and 40 cans and bottles. Featured on the Food Network and the Cooking Channel. Winner of 15 Leo Weekly Readers Choice awards in 2021. Situated in the heart of historic Germantown. Laid back environment with excellent service and food. Join us on the outdoor patio or the main dining area, for the larger parties there is a private dining area which can accommodate up to 40 guests.

Top review

Kendra

Dined on Dec 27, 2024

Our server was super sweet and managed to be attentive but not smothering. The food was delicious. A good experience, for sure.

The Eagle - Oxmoor

4.5

4.5 (102)

$30 and under

American

St Matthews

About the restaurant

We start with cage free, free roaming, all natural chicken. It’s brined, dredged, then dropped into custom-built fryers. It's got a little kick and is served with our house made hot honey. To accompany our award-winning chicken we have a variety of Southern style snacks and sides including mashed potatoes, grits, collard greens, spoon bread, Mac & Cheese and many more!

Top review

BonitaVIP

Dined on Jan 3, 2025

We had a good meal tonight. We were fortunate to have a reservation as we were seated right away while others had to wait. Our server was pleasant and efficient. The food was delicious. We will return.

The Still at Blue Rook Distillery

4.4

4.4 (465)

$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

JamesVIP

Dined on Dec 21, 2024

The revised menu has several new dishes and some favorites from before, so there are a lot of great choices. We had the sweet potato wedges and smoked chicken wings for appetizers, and then had potato pierogies and the grilled pork chop as entrees. Everything was delicious and prepared perfectly. Service was attentive but not intrusive to our conversation. Everyone enjoyed their cachaca drinks as well. Excellent all the way around.

The Rackhouse Tavern

4.4

4.4 (331)

$31 to $50

American

Lexington

About the restaurant

Our restaurant is ideally situated along the famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail, inviting patrons to embark on a journey through the world of bourbon. The restaurant becomes a hub for bourbon enthusiasts, offering guided tastings, flights, and an extensive bourbon selection to satisfy the cravings of connoisseurs and beginners alike.

We take immense pride in crafting a menu that pays homage to southern culinary traditions. Dishes such as fried chicken, grits, biscuits and the famous Hot Brown transport diners to the heart of the South. Our chef, TJ Harville, blend flavors, spices, and ingredients, ensuring an authentic taste experience.

The restaurant offers various dining environments to cater to different moods and occasions. From a cozy bourbon lounge with a roaring fireplace to a lively outdoor patio for those warm Kentucky evenings, our venue adapts to your needs.

Top review

MikeVIP

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

Excellent location with great food, Bourbon flight options fantastic!

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Experience

Paying Homage to Bourbon

Experience

Monthly Bourbon Experience

Experience

A Valentine's Dinner Experience

The Troll Pub Under the Bridge

4.2

4.2 (1023)

$30 and under

American

Downtown Louisville

About the restaurant

The Troll Pub opened on October 19th 2011, underneath the 2nd Street Bridge in a 135 year old space directly next to the YUM Center on historic Whiskey Row. The Troll Pub is a subterranean retreat that features a Gastro-pub style menu with a wide selection of great tasting food items, craft beer, local artwork, and an overall atmosphere unique to Louisville. We are just blocks from the Louisville Convention Center and only steps away from many of the hottest attractions and hotels situated downtown. Just look for the Troll on the corner of 2nd and Washington, he will show you the way.

Top review

Jennifer

Dined 1 day ago

Fantastic find. Superb menu and a unique location. The staff was knowledgeable,friendly and fun. The house burger special, chefs 💋. Chicken and waffles one of the best in the south. All sauces are homemade which is a rarity and just adds to an amazing culinary experience.

Tinsel Tavern at Pizza Bar

3.5

3.5 (90)

$30 and under

Pizza Bar

West Louisville

About the restaurant

Tinsel Tavern is an immersive holiday pop-up bar featuring floor-to-ceiling decor, festive small bites, and seasonal cocktails at Fourth Street Live! Open Tuesday - Saturday from November 29 - December 31. Reservations are encouraged but not required, walk-ins welcome. Entry is $10 per person Wednesday - Saturday. No cover charge applies on Tuesday. Tinsel Tavern is 21+ after 9:00PM. Visit TinselTavernLouisville.com for more info on weekly events and holiday happenings.

Top review

Kristina

Dined on Dec 28, 2024

It’s was a great experience for Xmas we enjoyed everything excited for next year

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