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

Varanese

4.8
4.8
4656 Reviews
$30 and under
Contemporary American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 20 times today
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for live music
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
    Christmas Eve Mon 11:00 am–10:00 pm New Year's Eve Mon 4:00 pm–12:00 am Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–12:00 am
  • 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.
  • Neighbourhood
    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 4,656 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

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 "wonderful dining experience" with "delicious food" and "excellent service." Guests rave about the "amazing atmosphere" enhanced by live jazz. Standout dishes include "butter fish," "salmon," and "beef tips and tortellini." The restaurant is celebrated for special occasions, with personalized touches for events like birthdays and anniversaries.
4,656 Reviews
  1. Jared

    Cincinnati

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food, great atmosphere, very friendly staff.

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  2. Stefano

    VIP

    Louisville

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Very crowded and loud on a busy day. I wouldn’t come here for Valentine’s Day

    Is this helpful?

  3. Miranda

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined today

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The food was amazing! I got the lamb shank and my boyfriend got the filet, we both loved our meals. We had the avocado crab cake for an appetizer that was sooo yummy. And for dessert we had their bread pudding which was incredible, only note we had about that is we wished they gave us more ice cream with it. We also had really great drinks his was something with gin and mine was called breakfast @ the V. The service was great. Only downside we were a foot away from the table next to us so we could hear each others conversations.

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  4. Stormie

    Coastal Georgia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Valentine’s Day was our 1st experience at Varanese. It was excellent on a very busy bight. The fried oysters were phenomenal and the steak course was prepared perfectly. Morgan was our server and did not disappoint, she was on top of everything.

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  5. Karen

    Louisville

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was delicious. The live music was really nice. A wonderful Valentine's Day dinner.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Traci

    VIP

    Louisville

    40 reviews

    5.0

    40 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was fantastic! Some of the best scallops I’ve had!!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Donna

    Louisville

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Varanese is a hidden gem! This is our second time coming here and we weren’t disappointed. They are still as good as the first time we visited. Everything from being greeted at the door to our server, the bartender, the ambiance and the food! The Bourbon Barrel Smoked Pork Chop is worth every penny. Kudos to the chef! Can’t wait for our next visit!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Jamie

    VIP

    Louisville

    45 reviews

    5.0

    45 reviews

    Dined on February 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It had been a couple of years since dining at Varanese, which was way too long. Everything was spectacular from beginning to end. Excellent service and food was outstanding. My salmon was perfectly prepared and you must order the Brussel sprouts, you'll thank me later! Nothing like live Jazz to top off the evening.

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  9. M.

    Louisville

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 7, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent experience with the live music. The service and food met expectations. Ambience was perfect for my wife birthday dinner.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Sheila and Jeff

    Louisville

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on February 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Varanese is our favorite restaurant. Consistently good. Never had a bad experience. Staff is very pleasant. They offer a special menu along with their regular menu.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

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

Varanese is rated 4.8 stars by 4656 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 p.m.
Booked 20 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Varanese

2106 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, KY 40206

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Vernon
  • Neighbourhood
    Frankfort Ave - Crescent Hill
  • Hours of Operation
    Christmas Eve Mon 11:00 am–10:00 pm New Year's Eve Mon 4:00 pm–12:00 am Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–12:00 am
  • 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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