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

OpenTable

Updated December 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 favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Chalet

4.9

4.9 (315)

$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

Angela

Dined 5 days ago

The Chalet never disappoints! The quality of food is superb! All the staff is professional and attentive. The bartender makes one of the best Old Fashioned I have had.

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211 Clover Lane Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1176)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

St Matthews

About the restaurant

211 Clover Lane is an intimate, hidden gem in the heart of St. Matthews. Using the finest ingredients from local purveyors and fish from both coasts. The menu changes weekly and the wine selections are all boutique. French country decor and beautifully presented dishes are found at 211 Clover Lane.

Top review

Fred

Dined 4 days ago

This is a fantastic restaurant. The ambience is elegant, but old school although I have been here many times the food seems better than ever. It was very busy when we were there so the service was a little slow, but attentive and knowledgeable all the same. This is clearly a top five restaurant in Louisville

Enso

4.8

4.8 (264)

$50 and over

Regional American (Southern)

Frankfort Ave - Crescent Hill

About the restaurant

A Southern restaurant using Japanese technique and style to connect the parallels in culture between Japan and the American South. All service is a la carte and come out as they are prepared to insure they are served at their peak. Share the table with family and friends. We are honored to welcome all guests.

Top review

WendyVIP

Dined on Oct 16, 2024

We had a delightful evening - completely unhurried (were there 2 ½ hours). Food was amazing and we shared everything we ordered - portions are all appetizer size and its more like ordering a bunch of tapas. We all agreed that our favorites were the Sorghum Ginger Salad, Sesame Broccoluni, Japanese Fried Chicken, Nashville Hot Oysters, Mushroom Yakisoba. Lamb and Beef Skewers, and the Egg Custard. We also had cocktails and the Brandy Umeshu and Sake:) It was a treat for all the senses. Our servers were delightful and helpful but not hovering and one diner with Celiac had plenty of options. We will definitely be back.

The Village Anchor

4.7

4.7 (3877)

$30 and under

American

Anchorage

About the restaurant

The Village Anchor offers a unique setting in Louisville’s east end, both for personal and professional occasions. The Village Anchor Restaurant and Anchor Bar on the main floor bring together stone, red leathers, rich worn velvets, wrought iron, dark woods, Italian appointments, Carrera marble, and the original crimson red beer taps from Churchill Down’s Silks Bar. It offers an upscale-casual, fun environment with an inimitable European flavor and exotic French flair. The lower level Sea Hag Pub offers a completely different look and feel. The “Hag” brings together brick, worn woods, hand-wrought iron, stone, and copper. The 30-foot copper bar with built-in ice troughs chill your favorite brew or wine.

Please recognize that we do our best to accommodate patio dining reservations, though seating is based on weather and availability.

Top review

Rita

Dined 4 days ago

This is my favorite place to have lunch with friends. Great food and the atmosphere is so pleasant. They never rush you and the staff are so very friendly. I have eaten at this establishment for several years and plan on continuing it for many more.

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River House Restaurant & Raw Bar

4.7

4.7 (7381)

$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

JeanneVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Lunch is always good at the Riverhouse. Kim is just the best manager and always makes me feel so welcome. Our server was wonderful too.

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Popular dish

Seafood Platter

Popular dish

Seared Diver Scallops

Popular dish

JV Seafood Trio

Paseo

4.7

4.7 (223)

$31 to $50

Global, International

Highlands - Bardstown Rd / Taylorsville Rd

About the restaurant

Inspired by the opulent flavors of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, our dishes are comprised of fresh ingredients sourced from over 25 different local purveyors including Field Day Farm, Freedom Run Farm, 3D Valley Farm, Frondosa Farms, and Barr Farms.
The menu includes made in house pastas, breads paired alongside land and sea paella dishes, vegetarian and omnivore centric entrees, and sharable sides.
Innovative yet simple signature dishes include:
Spicy Greens & Charred Beans Salad with crispy caper and onion vinaigrette;
Harissa Cauliflower Steak with smoked olive, toasted sunflower, coriander gremolata and torn herbs;
Freedom Run Farm Lamb Burger & Potato Wedges with Mahón, Harissa onion jam and Berbère aioli;
NY Strip Steak with patatas bravas, zhug oil and watercress.
Chef Jeremy Frederiksen and his team use our wood fire cookery alongside our favorite spices to create a balanced and authentic culinary experience.

Top review

Brittany

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent spot for a date night. We truly enjoyed our meal and service was great. The food was delicious and fresh. We loved the open kitchen layout and the music for the evening was delightful.

Senora Arepa - St Matthews

4.7

4.7 (274)

$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

Diana

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

Server explained each menu item to help us make our decision

Captains Quarters Riverside Grille

4.6

4.6 (469)

$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

James

Dined on Dec 1, 2024

Excellent choice for a first date. We were seated immediately and near the fireplace. Food was excellent and staff was wonderful. Best ribeye I have had in a restaurant this year. The key lime pie is excellent.

Jean Farris Winery & Bistro

4.5

4.5 (2395)

$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

MarionVIP

Dined 7 days ago

We love to go to Jean Farris Winery and Bistro. And, Sunday evenings are especially nice. The atmosphere was calm and the food and drink were wonderful. It's our favorite dining establishment.

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Experience

Feast of the Seven Fishes

Experience

New Year's Eve on the Farm

LouVino - Douglass Hills

4.3

4.3 (672)

$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

Martha

Dined 7 days ago

Live music was very loud, made conversation a little difficult.

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Popular dish

Fried Green Tomatoes

Experience

NYE 4-Course Experience

Experience

NYD Brunch! 10-2

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