There are many reasons to visit the small towns in Kentucky, and one of the most delicious is to try the incredible restaurants you’ll find there. Our state offers so much wonderful food, and much of it can be found in eateries in tiny towns where you’d least expect it. Almost every small town in Kentucky has a great local restaurant or two, but we rounded up seven of the best. These small-town Kentucky restaurants will serve you the best meal of your life – whether that’s fresh seafood or a juicy burger, they are all worth a try.
- Holly Hill Inn
Facebook/Holly Hill Inn
Facebook/Holly Hill Inn
Holly Hill Inn is a beautiful restaurant in the small town of Midway and true fine dining experience in horse country. The menu is seasonal and delicious and the refined, yet relaxed atmosphere is perfect for a special meal out. Consider a reservation here to top off a memorable visit to this area of Kentucky. Read more about this lovely restaurant here.
Address: 426 North Winter Street, Midway, KY, 40347
- Beehive Augusta Tavern
GoogleMaps
Facebook/Beehive Augusta Tavern
Beehive Augusta Tavern, as its name suggests, is located in the riverfront town of Augusta. It’s housed inside a historic building that has seen many transformations over the years, and a local family has brought it back to life as a must-try restaurant. The menu is filled with both classics and innovative dishes and the history and modern touches here make this one of the best “new” small town restaurants in Kentucky. Read more about this riverfront eatery here.
Address: 101 West Riverside Drive, Augusta, KY, 41002
- Trotta’s Steak and Seafood
Facebook/Trotta’s Steak and Seafood
Facebook/Trotta’s Steak and Seafood
If you’re in the mood for steak and potatoes or fresh seafood, head to this gem in Dayton, Kentucky. This small town is located along the Ohio River and you wouldn’t really expect to find a popular steakhouse in this neighborhood. The steaks and seafood are the stars here, but you’ll also find exceptional service and a relaxed atmosphere that you often don’t find at an upscale steak house. For more information on Trotta’s, visit its website here.
Address: 441 6th Avenue, Dayton, KY, 41074
- The Blue Raven
Facebook/The Blue Raven & Sliced by The Blue Raven
Facebook/The Blue Raven & Sliced by The Blue Raven
The Blue Raven has made our lists a few times, and that’s because it is a wonderfully delicious restaurant tucked away in a small mountain town. If you’re ever exploring eastern Kentucky (which you should), be sure to plan a stop in Pikeville to grab a meal at The Blue Raven. They offer both a sit-down restaurant (try the specials!) and a pizza and sandwich shop that’s just as tasty. If you’re going to be around for a while, it’s the perfect spot to visit more than once. See more of this small town dining destination in our previous article here.
Address: 211 Main Street, Pikeville, KY, 41501
- One Nineteen West Main
Facebook/One Nineteen West Main
Facebook/One Nineteen West Main
If you’re looking for a family-friendly restaurant in Kentucky with a huge menu, check out One Nineteen West Main in LaGrange. This delightful restaurant has a delicious meal that everyone will enjoy and the atmosphere is downright fun. As its name suggests, the restaurant is right on Main Street, so you may get lucky and see and hear the train chug by during your visit. See more of this charming small town in Kentucky here.
Address: 119 West Main Street, La Grange, KY, 40031
- Brenda’s Snack Shack
Facebook/Brenda’s Snack Shack
Facebook/Brenda’s Snack Shack
One of the newer small town restaurants on our list, Brenda’s Snack Shack is already a favorite in Hopkinsville. It is the definition of a retro diner, as you can see in the photo above, but the food is just as appealing as the atmosphere. Go for a filling and homemade breakfast, try a sandwich at lunch, or a classic burger and shake for dinner. This diner is the real deal and is worth checking out when you’re near Hopkinsville! Read more about this diner here.
Address: 3141 Canton Pike, Hopkinsville, KY, 42240
- Country Store
Facebook/Country Store
Facebook/Country Store
Bradfordsville may be a small town, but it is home to a restaurant with the biggest flavors and portions you’ll find anywhere. Country Store is a family-owned restaurant that is as charming as it is delicious. It’s typically only open for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, but you’ll still want to stop by for one of the best home-cooked meals in Kentucky. For more information, follow along with them on Facebook here.
Address: 205 West Main Street, Bradfordsville, KY, 40009
Of course, big cities in the Bluegrass State have a lot to offer, but so do our small towns do. These seven small-town Kentucky restaurants will serve you some of the best meals of your life, and this list is just the beginning. Did one of your favorite small-town restaurants make the list? What places should we check out next? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Facebook/Holly Hill Inn
Holly Hill Inn is a beautiful restaurant in the small town of Midway and true fine dining experience in horse country. The menu is seasonal and delicious and the refined, yet relaxed atmosphere is perfect for a special meal out. Consider a reservation here to top off a memorable visit to this area of Kentucky. Read more about this lovely restaurant here.
Address: 426 North Winter Street, Midway, KY, 40347
GoogleMaps
Facebook/Beehive Augusta Tavern
Beehive Augusta Tavern, as its name suggests, is located in the riverfront town of Augusta. It’s housed inside a historic building that has seen many transformations over the years, and a local family has brought it back to life as a must-try restaurant. The menu is filled with both classics and innovative dishes and the history and modern touches here make this one of the best “new” small town restaurants in Kentucky. Read more about this riverfront eatery here.
Address: 101 West Riverside Drive, Augusta, KY, 41002
Facebook/Trotta’s Steak and Seafood
If you’re in the mood for steak and potatoes or fresh seafood, head to this gem in Dayton, Kentucky. This small town is located along the Ohio River and you wouldn’t really expect to find a popular steakhouse in this neighborhood. The steaks and seafood are the stars here, but you’ll also find exceptional service and a relaxed atmosphere that you often don’t find at an upscale steak house. For more information on Trotta’s, visit its website here.
Address: 441 6th Avenue, Dayton, KY, 41074
Facebook/The Blue Raven & Sliced by The Blue Raven
The Blue Raven has made our lists a few times, and that’s because it is a wonderfully delicious restaurant tucked away in a small mountain town. If you’re ever exploring eastern Kentucky (which you should), be sure to plan a stop in Pikeville to grab a meal at The Blue Raven. They offer both a sit-down restaurant (try the specials!) and a pizza and sandwich shop that’s just as tasty. If you’re going to be around for a while, it’s the perfect spot to visit more than once. See more of this small town dining destination in our previous article here.
Address: 211 Main Street, Pikeville, KY, 41501
Facebook/One Nineteen West Main
If you’re looking for a family-friendly restaurant in Kentucky with a huge menu, check out One Nineteen West Main in LaGrange. This delightful restaurant has a delicious meal that everyone will enjoy and the atmosphere is downright fun. As its name suggests, the restaurant is right on Main Street, so you may get lucky and see and hear the train chug by during your visit. See more of this charming small town in Kentucky here.
Address: 119 West Main Street, La Grange, KY, 40031
Facebook/Brenda’s Snack Shack
One of the newer small town restaurants on our list, Brenda’s Snack Shack is already a favorite in Hopkinsville. It is the definition of a retro diner, as you can see in the photo above, but the food is just as appealing as the atmosphere. Go for a filling and homemade breakfast, try a sandwich at lunch, or a classic burger and shake for dinner. This diner is the real deal and is worth checking out when you’re near Hopkinsville! Read more about this diner here.
Address: 3141 Canton Pike, Hopkinsville, KY, 42240
Facebook/Country Store
Bradfordsville may be a small town, but it is home to a restaurant with the biggest flavors and portions you’ll find anywhere. Country Store is a family-owned restaurant that is as charming as it is delicious. It’s typically only open for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, but you’ll still want to stop by for one of the best home-cooked meals in Kentucky. For more information, follow along with them on Facebook here.
Address: 205 West Main Street, Bradfordsville, KY, 40009
And for more small towns that have wonderful restaurants, check out our previous article here.
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