Restaurants in ShelbyKY (Shelbyville, Simpsonville, and Shelby County, Kentucky) have been heralded as some of the Commonwealth’s best. With a diverse selection of food, expert chefs with decades of experience, and beautiful buildings that are filled with history, you truly could spend an entire two days doing nothing but eating in ShelbyKY — and loving every second.
Let’s say you got an early flight, or left your house early in the morning to drive to ShelbyKY to make it here for breakfast at 9 AM on Friday. You have lodging reservations for the next two nights and will head home Sunday morning. Here’s how you could map out your foodie adventures within that timespan.
9 AM on Friday - Breakfast at Weathered Oak Farms: We’re starting in Simpsonville, where you can freshen up with a great cup of coffee, a cinnamon roll, and a breakfast sandwich. Weathered Oak has become famous for Pop’s sourdough as well, which was an inspiration for Shalane, the owner, after her father unexpectedly passed away. He taught Shalane how to make it when she was a child, and now the tradition carries on when you try it yourself. It’s an impactful locally-owned business that will immediately instill the sense of southern hospitality in your chest, and give you a happy belly as you embark on your journey.
10 AM on Friday - Wander through Little Mount Lavender: Take a short walk across the street to explore this gift shop that, among many other things, carries snacks and treats that you could eat right there on the spot, or save to have when you get back home. Pastries, cannoli, muffins, and cookies are among the delectable options that await you. While you’re at it, pick up a candle, soap, bath bomb, or many of the other beautifully-scented products for some personal wellness. (On your next visit, don’t miss their full cafe with a menu full of French-inspired dishes!)
Noon on Friday - Lunch at Chi-Pie: No, this isn’t Chicago, but you might think for a moment you are in the Windy City when you eat a deep-dish pizza here. Since its opening in the fall of 2025, people who crave deep-dish pizza have been flocking to Chi-Pie to satisfy their taste buds. The owner’s roots are in Chicago, and his knowledge of making deep-dish, plus his own love for eating it, suggest this might just be the best deep-dish pizza you’ll find anywhere in the bluegrass.
3 PM on Friday - Shop at The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass: After a quick nap from eating all that pizza, you can burn off some calories by walking at Kentucky’s only designer outlet mall. It’s got plenty to offer foodies with Auntie Anne’s, Ghirardelli, Great American Cookies, and Beef Jerky Experience among their food-centric destinations.
5 PM on Friday - Dinner at Dos Mundos: Start off the evening by celebrating happy hour with their full drink menu, then immerse yourself in a unique food experience that will grab any foodie’s intrigue. First-generation Americans combined their love of eating with their desire to better understand culture, blending Peruvian and Asian foods as a result. Subsequently, these eclectic dishes cover all the bases. Steak, ramen, corn ribs, potatoes, tuna, guacamole… the list goes on and on. You could come back to Dos Mundos many times and get something vastly different than what you got on your previous outing, but it all delivers. Female foodies, especially circle this one on your list as this kitchen is fully women-operated!
8 PM on Friday - Dessert at Spotz Gelato: As you leave Simpsonville, get a sneak peek of Shelbyville, where you’ll be spending the next day, and enjoy some ice cream. Spotz’s treats are made from ingredients produced right here in Kentucky, providing a rich, satisfying taste.
That’s a cap on day one. Hit the hay in horse country at the lodging hub of your choice, sleep tight, and get ready for another full day of eating.
9 AM on Saturday - Breakfast at The Paddock: The historic Shelby Main Street will greet you with a relaxing place to kickstart the day. Lots of coffee options and a delicious bakery serve you with many choices on how you want to wake up your stomach. You’ll feel some good in your heart while you’re here, as The Paddock provides employment opportunities in partnership with Awake Ministries to those recovering from drug and alcohol abuse. As one program graduate said, “(The Paddock) helped me see how there’s more to life than addiction.” You’ll be full in more ways than one after a meal here.
10 AM on Saturday - Peruse Something Cheesy: We’re not speaking in generalities. There is a store called Something Cheesy, and it is a treasure trove of cheesy products. They have your popular ones like provolone, cheddar, and Swiss that will satisfy your cravings, but you can also get out of the box. Pepperoni cheese? Done. Cheddar mango fire? You bet. Muenster jalapeno? Of course. We could continue with their dozens upon dozens of options, but you just have to see it for yourself. Beyond cheese, they also have meats, sauces, and specialty snacks for sale as well.
Noon on Saturday - Lunch at B&N Food Market: We briefly recommend you leave the Shelby Main Street for a little bit, which may seem confusing at first, especially when you appear to be driving through pretty farmland for a while with no restaurants in sight. But then you’ll come across B&N, and likely a crowd of people around it. Located in Bagdad, Kentucky, the tongue-in-cheek slogan from the owners is “Not bad for Bagdad!” With a population of under 2,000, it doesn’t immediately seem like a place where you’d find some of the best meat you’ve ever eaten. But hundreds and thousands of people have come to check it out in their 50+ years of being open, and many more will follow. Ask yourself, do you want one of the best burgers you’ve ever had, some of the best meatloaf you’ve ever had, or amazing ice cream flavors you’ve never tried before? If you answered all of the above, we understand.
2 PM on Saturday - Explore Mulberry Orchard: Today’s calorie-burning activity will take you on a short drive to Mulberry Orchard, where you can pick fruits and vegetables, explore a farmers market, and enjoy a cafe, of course. This beautiful space is often what people imagine when they picture an idyllic Kentucky day. Follow that with a nap, and you’ll be ready for a wonderful evening in the heart of the town.
5 PM on Saturday - Dinner at The Bell House: Make a reservation! The Bell House is a cherished destination for locals and frequent visitors alike. So be sure you’ll have a seat at the table first, then start the evening with a glass of wine or another beverage from their expansive bar menu. Then you’re faced with the struggle of deciding which savory entree you’ll want. For a classic that’s rooted in Kentucky, try the hot brown. For a unique spin on a popular dish worldwide, get the lasagna. Your server will be able to point you in the proper direction if you need some advice, but you can’t go wrong with anything here. The vibe and ambiance will match the quality of the meal, too.
8 PM on Saturday - Nightcap at Last Stop Brewing: At this point, sadness might be starting to set in, knowing that your foodie vacation is nearing its end. Don’t call it finished just yet, though. Take a short walk from Bell House to Last Stop Brewing — the county’s first and only microbrewery. You can enjoy a nice pour from one of their signature in-house creations, then strike up a conversation with members of a lively but friendly crowd. You never know who you’ll run into.
8 AM on Sunday - Sixth & Main Coffeehouse: You can’t go home without a coffee first, right? As a final treat, get a brew from Sixth & Main and a snack to hold you over for the flight or drive back home. It’s a quintessential ShelbyKY cafe to end the trip in style.
Already been to some of these stops, or seeking another type of restaurant while you’re in town? Don’t worry, there are plenty more options. You can explore the full list of Places to Eat on our website for more ideas on where to go.
For foodie journeys and all other kinds of vacations, you can plan your trip to ShelbyKY with our visitor guide. It's free and contains wonderful information about how to spend your time in ShelbyKY.
