If you are spending a day enjoying the outdoor activities in Shelbyville, Kentucky, you’ll work up an appetite. While exploring around town I chatted with the locals to find their favorite restaurants. I prefer to experience “local flavor” when I’m in an area, rather than rely on the chain restaurants I can find anywhere. Of course, I had to sample the restaurants to see if they lived up to the recommendations. And, they did. Here are three restaurants in Shelbyville, Kentucky you’ll want to try.
Exploring the historic downtown area, we found Harvest Coffee & Cafe. It’s a quaint little building, with bottles lining the walls, wicker chairs outside for lounging, and antiques in the back. We stopped in for breakfast and helped ourselves to a Cheddar and Bacon Scone and a Berry Bliss Scone. We had a seat at a cozy table while our perky waitress brought out our food and drinks. Tip: They offer gluten free options too! I’ve heard good things about their frozen coffee drinks and their coffee drinks, but I want to go back to try one of their milkshakes. Too bad it was too early in the morning!
If you are looking for Mexican food, large portions and an extensive menu, visit La Cocina de Mama, located in downtown Shelbyville. (It’s almost directly across from Harvest Coffee & Cafe. When we arrived the place was packed, but we were seated almost immediately and a waiter appeared as soon as we had been seated with chips and salsa. The atmosphere was quaint, with exposed brick walls. I chose the Burrito Deluxe, including a beef or Chicken burrito served with a side of beans, fresh lettuce, and sour cream. Ashton chose the Chimichanga, with the option of a soft or fried tortilla filled with beef or chicken, served with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, red sauce, nacho cheese and beans.
The food was tasty and I loved the cute touch of adding the toppings in a small tortilla bowl.
If you are passing by on the interstate, you can’t miss Cattleman’s Roadhouse, located beside the Ramada Inn. It’s a nondescript building, but offers good service and good food. We arrived minutes before the early bird special ended. We decided to sample the “2 for $24” special. I chose the 6 ounce Cattleman’s 6 ounce Top Sirloin, with the vegetable of the day. Ashton was quick to choose the Country Fried Steak with Red Skin Mashed Potatoes. Both meals were served with rolls and salad bar. Note: Our rolls were served with a cinnamon butter spread. It’s good, but don’t be surprised at the sweet taste when you try it.
Usually when I order a steak, I choose rare as my preferred method of cooking. Usually I end up with a steak somewhere between medium and well done. I mumble under my breath for a few minutes and eat my steak. Imagine my surprise to find my steak was prepared exactly as ordered! To say I was thrilled was an understatement.
Another surprise came with Ashton’s meal. The Country Fried Steak was actually sirloin steak, breaded and deep fried, just like the home style Southern cooking we only get to enjoy on occasion! The red skin mashed potatoes were creamy and fluffy, just the way I like. I managed to sneak in a few bites for myself. Our server, Rhonda, was very attentive and checked on us often, making sure we had everything we needed.
If you are planning a visit to Shelbyville, be sure to check out:
Horses and History Shelbyville, KY
Eating Our Way Around Kentucky; Harrodsburg and Shelbyville
Want to learn more? Check out their website VisitShelbyKY.com.
All of these restaurants look amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Oh, the steak makes me hungry. I haven’t been to Kentucky but will keep this restaurant in mind.
Thanks, Now I Know Where To Go When I am next in Kentucky!
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly
That chimichanga looks delicious! I’d love to find a gluten-free chimi someday!
I like the burrito with side dish! I will take these restaurants in my list, maybe I can go to Kentucky in the future.
These sound amazing! I need to visit just so I can go and eat at some of these places!
Yes, I am definitely drooling! I need to plan a vacation and tour these yummy restaurants
Oh man that country fried steak looks delish. I will have to keep these in mind if I am ever in the area.
I’m laughing about your steak ordering. My husband always has the same woes, so I can share your excitement to get it right with him. Everything looks awesome!
That steak looks delicious. I have never been to Kentucky but would love to travel there someday.
I have never been to Shelbyville but Kuntucky has amazing food! I am so ready for lunch after reading this post.
I love going to restaurants. Really nice place but too far from me though.
Yum, yum! – these pictures look fantastic.
They make my mouth water just looking at them 🙂
Yum! We love to try new places, especially when we travel. Looks like we know where to go when we are in the area.
That Mexican food looks so great! I love seeing about local restaurants and they cuisine.
What I love about traveling is being able to try the food that’s offered in the place that I’m going to. And it never disappoints! I like these recommendations and it would awesome to be able to try them all if I ever find myself in Shelbyville!
All this food is making really hungry and now I want a burger at 6am.
All of this food is making me so hungry! Yum, it all looks so good! I’ve never been to Kentucky but it’s on my list!
I have never been to that part of the country, but as a foodie, I like to know where to go should I decide to!
Omg so many yummy restaurants!!! That steak looked delicious!!! I will have to give these places a try!
What a grea tlist! I am definitely going to have to stop at all of these places!
I will keep this in mind next time I am in Kentucky. All the food looked wonderful. I could almost taste it right through my computer!
Everything looks delicious. It’s always nice when you get the food exactly as you ordered it. I will keep these places in mind when I visit Kentucky.
Looks like Shelbyville, Kentucky is a great place to visit and dine out at! This restaurant looks fabulous!
What a treat to get the steak you requested. I have this same issue with it always being prepared wrong. You are holding you breath as you cut into it.
Thank you for sharing this! All these food look and sound delicious! Really a must try!
I will admit, Mexican food is not what I typically think of when I hear Kentucky, but everything sounds delish! I can never pass up a good scone either.
Oh man! You are always getting me with posting all this delicious food! I could go for that Country Fried Steak right about now. oh mama!
Some Mexican food at La Cocina de Mama would be great. These would be some really nice restaurants to try out.
These look like great restaurants to check out in that town, I love the options you shared here and the place is just so wonderful looking.
I will have to keep this in mind the next time we venture to this area. My husband likes to go camping in KY and my daughters have sleep away summer camp there.
I’m so hungry now! That all sounds so good. I’m really impressed with the country fried steak. Most restaurants use a grisly, terrible cut for that.