Dine on classic Southern cuisine

Colonel Sanders' — yes, that one — original recipe is alive and well in ShelbyKY. Find it and plenty of other Southern cuisine to whet your appetite.

Food & Drink

Bluegrass Country, Thoroughbred horse farms, Bourbon Trail getaways, and legendary Kentucky Southern cooking — that’s ShelbyKY, right in the middle of the American Saddlebred Capital of the World and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®.

In Shelbyville and nearby Simpsonville, locally owned eateries serve up fantastic local and regional fare from breakfast and brunch to fine dining. If it's legendary fried chicken and down-home family-style dining you’re craving, Claudia Sanders Dinner House is your place to be. For a classic Kentucky Hot Brown or other Southern specialties and a big serving of Southern hospitality, plan on the historic Bell House Restaurant. Don't miss their desserts, made daily by the in-house pastry chef. McKinley’s Café is a great place to pick up a quick bite on Shelbyville's historic Main Street with a great selection of sandwiches, freshly baked bread, soups, salads, and desserts made from scratch every day.

Wet your whistle at The Barrel Room with your favorite (or newly discovered favorite) spirits – beer, wine, bourbon, and cocktails.

Whatever your taste, Shelby County has a selection of restaurants for every palate, including Mexican, Chinese, a steak house, and two hidden barbecue gems!

Whether you’re visiting for Shelby County Kentucky events, horse farm tours near Louisville, or planning a bourbon trail trip, you’ll find plenty of places to stay in Shelby County and a great selection of dining choices for all appetites.