These 7 Restaurants in Kentucky Don’t Look Like Much but WOW They Are Good

Choosing a place to dine out can be a task, especially with the unique spread of restaurants in Kentucky. There are quite a few diners, cafes, and such that don’t shine with fresh paint or have outdated advertising that are getting skipped over. That might be the biggest dining mistake you ever make, as many of these shabby looking establishments serve up the best food in The Bluegrass State. If you’re craving comfort food, check out the 7 best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Kentucky.

Here are seven restaurants that serve homemade meals you’ll come back for:

1. CedarWood Restaurant

This home style cooking restaurant in Lebanon is known for its fried green tomatoes and amazing homemade pies. All their food is quite good, but the pies are actually unforgettable. CedarWood Restaurant belongs on any local bucket list! Dig in at 660 E Main St, Lebanon, KY 40033.

2. Lexington Diner

Located in Downtown Lexington, Kentucky, Lexington Diner is a dining destination that’s full of charm. This eatery specializes in made-from-scratch meals with an all-American twist, and there’s something on their menu to cater to your unique palate. You can never go wrong with bacon cheddar tots or old fashioned chicken wings! Visit Lexington Diner at 841 Lane Allen Rd, Lexington, KY 40504.

3. Lisa’s Fifth Street Diner

This Bowling Green diner is said to be the very best in town. Located on Center Street, it serves up the freshest meats, fruits, and vegetables in the city, and all are “country” cooked to perfection. This place is highly recommended by many locals. Don’t pass it by! This is one of the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Kentucky. Lisa’s Fifth Street Diner is calling your name! Visit it at 430 Center St, Bowling Green, KY 42101.

4. Jackson’s Restaurant

This family diner in Richmond offers generous portions for reasonable pricing and everything is homemade. Singles who want a home cooked meal make this a regular watering hole, as do families ready to take a break from cooking. Meals vary from chicken and dumplings to salmon, but ALL servings are delicious. Jackson’s Restaurant is located at 203 S 3rd St, Richmond, KY 40475.

5. Longhunter Coffee & Tea Co

This Greensburg coffee house serves up more than just coffee and tea. They have a variety of soups and sandwiches available daily, plus hot breakfasts or lunches. They have an amazing Hot Brown that is good anytime and a portion of their menu is named after famous people, such as General Nathienal Greene, which is an excellent turkey sandwich, or the Jane Todd Crawford, which is a vegetarian sandwich with artichokes. Excellent variety on the menu and everything is delicious. You’ll realize in just one visit why locals so adore Longhunter Coffee & Tea Co! Give it a try at 115 Cs-1061, Greensburg, KY 42743.

6 Callie’s Homestyle

Versailles is home to this old fashioned diner where service is friendly and food is great. This is not a health food restaurant and the menu is primarily things like burgers and AMAZING breakfast foods. Eggs any way you want them with generous portions and good pricing. Callie’s Homestyle Restaurant has something for everyone! Bring your appetite and swing by at 447 Lexington Rd, Versailles, KY 40383.

7. Betty’s Ok Country Cooking

This cafeteria style restaurant off Campbellsville Road in Columbia serves your food directly onto your tray as you pick it. They create goodies like real mashed potatoes, green beans with ham, pinto beans and cornbread, meatloaf, fried fish, Salisbury steak, chicken and dumplings, and more. They might be most famous for their Sand Pie. It is easily worth making the trip just to get a slice. Betty’s Country Cooking is calling your name… and it’s just like grandma used to make! Pay it a visit at 2339 Campbellsville Rd, Columbia, KY 42728.

If you love good, ole’ fashioned cooking, but either cannot do it, or don’t have the time, check out one or more of the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Kentucky. The term greasy spoon doesn’t apply here unless it is meant as a compliment. Each one of these restaurants offers great food, generous portions, and reasonable pricing. There are wonderful cafes like these all across the state, so please feel free to share your own favorite diner experiences in the comment section below.

Craving more? Dine an enjoy an unusual milieu at the quirkiest restaurants in Kentucky.