Independent Restaurants in Berea, Ky.

My Brother & Sister-in-laws and their two elementary aged children will be travelling to Berea this weekend. They are staying at Boone Tavern & Inn Saturday night. Since they will be having Sunday lunch at the Inn they need some advice on where to dine Saturday evening. They prefer independents. I'm only familiar with Berea Inn so I turn to you for help.

Thanks!

Boone Tavern. They should eat every meal there. The place rocks.

I love the Boone Tavern, with one significant caveat. It's extremely slow, and if you're going with school aged children, the wait might be a bit much for them.

To entertain them during the wait, there are some hand-made games in the lobby of the hotel, and there are often musicians. There's also a small store selling locally-produced items. You know your nieces and nephews and how they'll deal with the wait, but keep it in mind. My daughter is 3 and she did well, but we did have to do a couple of tours of the lobby and the store.

If you don't want such a long wait, there's a cafe around the corner from the hotel serving sandwiches, burgers, and salads. It's good, if not memorable, food. There's also a cute coffee shop for dessert/relaxing. My daughter split a really rich brownie with the entire table.

I grew up in Berea, and worked at Boone Tavern for a few years in high school before moving here for culinary school...


The cafe Eliza mentions is Papaleno's, which has a nice bill of fare by way of pizza, subs, salads, etc. It sits on the opposite side of college square.

Wan Pen is an interesting little asian spot (just off I-75, exit 76... near the walmart) The owners are Thai,
and although it's a bit like any other americanized asian restaurant in a any town, the thai dishes are pretty tasty, and there's plenty of stuff kids would love.


Rio Grande Mexican, nothing more than tex-mex... but never ever had a bad meal here.

Dinner Bell Restaurant, think cracker barrel... but independently owned.


Mario's Pizza is always good for a sit down pizza place.


and the aforementioned Boone Tavern is always a solid option,
and between there and Papaleno's is Berea Coffee & Tea Co. (which Eliza mentioned... also in college square.)



Berea, KY Official Website - Area Dining



hope any of this helped!

Oh, Ethan, of course you're from Berea. Makes perfect sense.

Thanks Ron, Eliza and Ethan for the help. I have forwarded all on to the family.

Oh, Ethan, of course you're from Berea. Makes perfect sense.

Dare i ask why this 'makes perfect sense', Jackie?


...cause i'm at a lost right now.

I have the highest regard for all things and people produced by Berea. Just a simple compliment to your character my man.

I have the highest regard for all things and people produced by Berea. Just a simple compliment to your character my man.

okaaaay.


i'm not entirely sure what you mean by that, but i'll take it as far as i can in compliment.

Berea is an awesome town. My daughter went to college there and loved it. Before she went to school there I mistakenly judged it as a college town that just made pottery and brooms. Boy was I wrong! The college was full of neat kids from all walks of life (except the monetary wealthy) from all over the world. I loved my visits to Sarah there.