The Bluegrass is nothing if not a melting pot – of accents, cultures, and most certainly cuisines. Many people make their way to Central Kentucky as undergraduate students to attend UK, Transylvania, Centre College, and the like, then never leave. Likewise, many native Kentuckians – anxious to spread their homegrown wings – relocate to neighboring states, but continue to the call the Bluegrass ‘home.’ This post pays homage to the brunchers belonging to both groups: The ones who were born here and the ones we adopted. Every major news outlet, media network, food blogger, and travel junkie has an opinion about where you can find the ‘best’ something, and in this case the subject is clear: BRUNCH! I compiled this list of the best brunches in and around the Bluegrass, and while some favorites appeared more than once (as denoted by + signs), some stood out loud and proud. Dig in!
- Kentucky: Otto’s (Covington)
- Ohio: Red Feather Kitchen (Cincinnati)
- Tennessee: Monell’s (Nashville)
- Indiana: Milktooth (Indianapolis)
- Kentucky: Otto’s (Covington) +1
- Ohio: The Original Pancake House (Woodmere)
- Tennessee: Aretha Frankenstein’s (Chattanooga)
- Indiana: Nada (Indianapolis)
- Kentucky: Butchertown Grocery (Louisville)
- Ohio: Blue Door Café & Bakery (Cuyahoga Falls)
- Tennessee: Loveless Cafe (Nashville)
- Indiana: Milktooth (Indianapolis) +1
- Kentucky: Con Huevos (Louisville)
- Ohio: Blue Door Café & Bakery (Cuyahoga Falls) +1
- Tennessee: Monell’s (Nashville) +1
- Indiana: Rize (Indianapolis)
- Kentucky: Harvest (Louisville)
- Ohio: The Greenhouse Tavern (Cleveland)
- Tennessee: Pinewood Social (Nashville)
- Indiana: Eggshell Bistro (Carmel)
- Kentucky: Harvest (Louisville) +1
- Ohio: Maplewood Kitchen and Bar (Cincinnati)
- Tennessee: The Stillery (Nashville)
- Indiana: Milktooth (Indianapolis) +2
Last but not least, I loooooove this list, compiled by none other than Lexington’s own Yelp Ambassador, Heather Preece! And girlfriend has good taste, because here again we find Con Huevos (Louisville) +1 and Otto’s (Covington) +2 among the best of the best.
Great review. Do you know of anyone who would like to open a restaurant or bakery _ Cafe in the former Melissa’s southern cafe 167 S. Main in the historic center of Versailles, Ky, next door to Amsden Coffee Club. Owner retired, and community needs a good restaurant. William Shatner, actor of Star Trek fame and horse farm owner in Versailles was a regular customer. 2000 sq ft, 14 ft high original tin ceiling, some kitchen equipment. 6 months no rent while remodeling and opening. Grossed $1million, and did not open for breakfast or on Sundays when needed to be