Limewater is a family-owned and -operated bistro and bar in Frankfort, Kentucky. We went here for lunch while on a bourbon tour and the food, ambiance, and service were all exceptional. The name 'Limewater' is an ode to the Kentucky River as well as the limestone-rich soil that makes the Bluegrass Region so green. Limewater is located in the historic Glen Willis house, which sits on the banks of the Kentucky River. The brick home was built in 1815 and the building itself is stunningly beautiful. Coming from California, where you often don't see brick buildings or really anything that it preserved to last, it was a stunning sight to see! This restaurant is also in an amazing location if you are doing a bourbon tour in the area as it is extremely close to both Buffalo Trace Distillery and J Mattingly Distillery. We ate here for lunch, although this would be an amazing place for dinner as well. We love how this place was designed and decorated, which created such a beautiful setting to have lunch in. The restaurant is owned and operated by husband and wife team, chef Axl and Isabelle Wheeler. I love that this is a locally owned restaurant and not a chain restaurant because I think that is one of the many things that makes this place so special! Everything our group had, they loved. I had the Caprese Panini with mozzarella, tomato, basil, balsamic reduction, housemade ciabatta. It was absolutely delicious and the food was so fresh and flavorful. Two of the group had the 1815 {their version of an old fashioned} with brown butter-washed four roses bourbon, marmalade simple, angostura bitters, cherry and shared that it was delicious! If you are in the Frankfort area, this is definitely a place that you have to check out! Highly recommend and look forward to coming back next time I am in the area! read more

Limewater - Salad Near Me - Frankfort, Kentucky

What a great find! Stopped for lunch after tasting at Buffalo Trace (almost next door) and sat on the back porch with our dog overlooking the river. Service and food were awesome, had the pork schnitzel with spaetzle and red cabbage, delicious! Wife had a Mediterranean platter with roasted red pepper, fresh pita, Greek salad and some of the best falafels ever. Highly recommend for more interesting dishes, great service and views. read more

This restaurant is situated in a beautiful old house and it has so much charm. The service was a little slow but the food made up for it. I highly recommend trying the beets! My steak was perfectly cooked and the parsnip puree paired perfectly with it. So glad I gave this place a try. read more

Limewater - Menu - Salad Near Me - Frankfort, Kentucky

Wow...what an amazing, intimate dining experience. I loved everything about Limewater. Located in an old house on the banks of the river, they have created a unique experience. The staff is wonderful and very attentive. We ate in the dining room and enjoyed everything about it as it was very comfortable. You can also eat in bar area or on the patio overlooking the river. We had amazing cocktails. Get the Limewater. It may very well be the best gin cocktail I have ever had. We enjoyed the shrimp and grits and Greek meatballs for our appetizers. I ordered the strip lion for my entree and was not disappointed. It was cooked to perfection. If you are in Frankfort this is a must stop for dinner! read more

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Food, service, ambience- all amazing. Right on the Kentucky river in a restored house. Great cocktails and menu options with German and middle eastern flare. Soo good!! read more

I found this restaurant while searching for a spot for lunch while on the Bourbon Trail. Thanks Google. What a pleasant surprise to find this restaurant. It really is a hidden gem. The restaurant is in an old 1815 home. Each room is beautifully decorated. The restaurant closes between lunch and dinner, and we were lucky enough that they allowed us in just before closing. We sat at the bar and Stephanie took great care of us. She was friendly and engaging. Of course, there were bourbon cocktails ordered. For lunch, we all ordered the BLTs. The bacon on that sandwich was insane. So good! If I'm ever on the Bourbon Trail again, I would love to come back for dinner. I think that this restaurant is romantic and special. read more

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Amazing dinner! This is a lovely restaurant for a date night or special occasion. Best meal we had during our week in Frankfort. The weather was lovely so we ate outside and enjoyed the view of the Kentucky River. The best Caesar salad I've ever had! So flavorful. My entree was a gorgeous schnitzel and Spätzle. So tender on the inside and crisp on the outside, and the cabbage on top was perfect. The mushroom gravy was phenomenal. My boyfriend loved his risotto. Delicious cocktails! We each had an old fashioned. Beautiful ambiance. Upscale decor inside. Friendly service. read more

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Fine, wine and dine! Take your hot date to Limewater! Nice cozy old home, great food, desserts and drink options! Sit indoors or back patio facing the Kentucky river! read more

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We were recommended this place by multiple people but were extremely disappointed. All 4 of us were not impressed with our meals - 2 of us had the burger and ordered medium rare but they came out well done, I ordered the Caesar salad and half of it was red cabbage and the chicken was bland and dry, the other ordered the fettuccine and the chicken was also bland and dry and so was the sauce. I just don't understand the hype when nothing we ordered had any flavor or came out as ordered. read more

I'm glad we couldn't get in at the place we went to for anniversary because we discovered this gem. Everything was wonderful! Our cocktail,our appetizer and dinner The service, perfect! I loved the look of the place and how friendly the folks were. My husband went bonkers over the clam linguine so I think it will be easy to get a return visit read more

Looked for something special to meet family coming from Lexington halfway and stumbled upon Limewater on my Yelp search. If you haven't been, go! Let me tell you why... 1st star - location is beautiful on the banks of the river with a grassy knoll and view 2nd star - top notch service from the staff, including extra attention for allergy issues in our party (identified during reservation and confirmed in person). They even talked about it during prep to be ready for us! For the meal, they specialize the course and made sure everyone was OK. 3rd star - drink list was extensive and affordable. I had a "seasonal shrub" that was a fun surprise to find on the menu and really nice touch with the food. They have some interesting wines and other things too. Plenty of NA drink options ("mocktails") if that's your speed. 4th star - food was amazing - lots of thoughtful options and courses. I started with the whipped goat cheese and beets, then moved into the pasta Primavera. SO MUCH GOOD FOOD. But you'd be missing out if you don't also try the dessert options, including the chocolate cake with housemade bourbon whipped cream (yup) or the blondie chocolate chip pie thing (it's small but mighty and comes with white chocolate vanilla ice cream). 5th star - overall atmosphere in a house from the early 1800s, gender neutral restroom, porch or inside seating, and a lovely venue for celebration events in your life. So, like I said, what are you waiting for? Go give Limewater a chance! read more

Limewater - Beet and whipped cheese starter - Salad Near Me - Frankfort, Kentucky

Service was attentive and impeccable . Food was worth the price and beautifully presented. The ambiance was upscale quiet and easy. Who doesn't like to be greeted by Pink Martini? read more

Limewater - Schnitzel-authentic and a very generous portion! - Salad Near Me - Frankfort, Kentucky

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What a hidden jewel. If you go to Frankfort, you have to try this place. It's along the River. I had lunch there. The beet salad with balsamic and goat cheese - best beets I've ever had. Unbelievable. The pork schnitzel was also excellent- crispy fried golden brown with a mushroom gravy. The atmosphere was graceful and hip. The service was great. She was knowledgeable and offered helpful suggestions. read more

Amazing, service was excellent, food leaves you wanting more, so tasty. Ambience, service, food. What more could one ask. Have been back, will again. read more

Wow! A gem in Kentucky's capital! We met my dad here for lunch today and it was spectacular! Atmosphere, service, food - this place has it all! read more

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If you are in Frankfort, Limewater is an essential visit. We eat here every time we come to Frankfort... and sometimes we come to Frankfort just for Limewater! The menu is limited, but they have daily specials to keep things interesting. The Limewater cocktail is up there with the best of them. Service is good and atmosphere is quaint, perfect Kentucky vibe. read more

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This place was a pleasant surprise. When I looked at their menu, I didn't expect much, but little did I know! I ordered the pasta Primavera and added shrimp. It was absolutely delicious! This is a place I would absolutely recommend. read more

The menu had some very tasty sounding dishes but I wanted to eat light and go vegetarian for the meal. I was very happy with what I ordered. And the service was first class. I don't often get to Frankfort but when I do, I'll be back. read more

Limewater - Falafel dish was delish - Salad Near Me - Frankfort, Kentucky

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Deb found this place as our nice dinner spot on this visit to Kentucky. Great old house right on the river. We had a reservation which is highly recommended. We weren't sure of the weather so we initially took a table in the bar but it was so nice we asked to move out side and were accommodated quickly. So we started our dining with some fritters. Nice and crunchy and cheesy on the inside. Delicious. For our mains I got the Asian inspired pad Thai. Very interesting dish. Great flavors but seemed to be missing something. Maybe I needed to add soy? Deb had the schnitzel. Great breading and the chicken was cooked perfectly. The venue was very nice and the bar and bartenders were awesome. Our server was awesome however the food was just ok. Nothing really screamed awesome. read more

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We sat outside and were glad we did. The food was good and the service was great. Be warned that the dessert is awesome!

Charming restaurant in the old Glen Willis house on the Kentucky River. You can dine both upstairs, downstairs or on the patio. Dinning areas a split into the different rooms of the house. Atmosphere in the dining area was comfortable Service was very good Portions were large so a value to the pricing. I took away a star for food because even though the food had unique flavor infusions that were delicous and was plated nice, the pork was a little dry and seemed more like a breaded pork chop vs a pounded thin Schnitzel. The gnocchi were large and denser than expected for ricotta based vs potato What we ate: Mixed green salad Roasted cauliflower Pork Schnitzel with spaetzle, cabbage and gravy Mushroom with Ricotta Gnocchi +1 Service + .5 Food~Taste/flavor/quality +1. Presentation +1. Atmosphere/vibe +1. Value read more

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A little pricey, but you get what you pay for. Good food and very nice ambiance. A rare dining experience for Frankfort, which doesn't have very much going on in the culinary world overall. read more

Are you looking for a fun, yet slightly elegant experience? Limewater is a delight! We highly recommend the beet salad, and service was very good. read more

Limewater was our favorite meal of a vacation filled with great food. The whole experience from the atmosphere to the service to the food was top-notch! It's the kind of restaurant I wish I had found closer to home because I want to go back again and again. I will be craving more of the delicious pork schnitzel for a long time! read more

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Our first time to Limewater and we will be back. The food - I had the halibut - was as good as anything I've had in the past year. Our party of 10 said the same about their meals as well as the desserts. Service was efficient and helpful. read more

Great ambiance Great drinks Great service Great food Great staff Love this place! We have eaten here three times in the last two weeks and we love the food. Limewater does a great job! read more

If there was a way to give more than 5 stars, Limewater Bistro would deserve it! We discovered this culinary gem on a couples' trip and absolutely loved it. Owners chef Axl Wheeler and wife/general manager Isabelle Hay run this beautiful bistro on the banks of the Kentucky River in Frankfort, Kentucky. Originally built in 1815, this Glen Willis House was decorated by the award-winning Kathleen Hay Designs. Literally everything on the menu will make your tastebuds dance. Don't hesitate to order the specials of the day created with seasonal ingredients and share some appetizers, you won't regret it. read more

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We had Happy Hour here- food and drinks on the porch was wonderful! Loved the pork belly lettuce wraps!

Went here for lunch on Black Friday, we were impressed with everything from the atmosphere to the food and the service as well. Highly recommend as a place to enjoy a relaxing afternoon or evening. read more

Date night at Limewater in Frankfort Kentucky was perfect. Limewater is located in the historic Glen Willis house and words cannot do it justice. I love architecture and the beauty of this place is beyond amazing. I was smiling from ear to ear. It's stunning inside & out. The staff was amazing. The atmosphere was beyond anything I've ever seen and the food was excellent. I will say if you're the diner who likes to "get in & get out" this isn't for you. It's an experience and I didn't mind waiting for our food because I was too busy looking around and wondering what these walls have seen. Let's get to the food. The menu offers a pretty good selection of starters (see attached menu). We ordered the mixed green salad with lemon oil dressing. It was dressed perfectly. The greens were the star. I'm not a fan of overdressed salads. For the entree we ordered the Bourbon Burger and Pork Fried Rice. The Bourbon Burger was served with bourbon caramelized onions, cheddar cheese on an English muffin alongside aujus and fresh cut fries. So full of flavor and delish!!!! The pork fried rice was excellent as well. The pork was tender and the amount of sauce was perfect. You can tell that the chefs are thoughtful on every detail of the dish. Both dishes were composed and really showcased the ingredients. We ate so much I didn't have room for dessert. But we will most definitely be back. It's such a wonderful place. read more

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Stopped here after a visit to Buffalo Trace Distillery. It's only about a half mile away and we were a bit early for dinner but were able to order off the happy hour menu. We ordered the burger, scallion fritters and pork belly lettuce cups. All were amazing. The old fashioned was so good I had two and my wife had the Capital Tea for only four dollars. She also had two. We will definitely be back and next time we will do the prix fixe menu. It contains a three course meal and is changed weekly.We were bummed we didn't wait for 5 o'clock to try it. Sounded amazing. Highly recommend. read more

The lovely Glen Willis house, built in 1815, sits on the Kentucky River in Frankfort. Now a restaurant, it is a very pleasant spot for brunch, lunch, and dinner. We started out with a delightful cocktail of Castle & Key Gin with basil and lime. We both had the Shrimp and Grits and shared the Scallion Fritters, which went together quite well. Friendly service. A delight. 105 read more

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An Unexpected Pleasure This is small town central Kentucky (not withstanding it being the State capital). You expect fried, steaks, and the like. Not here. We started with the Chinese Five-Spice Ribs; tender off the bone, salty, with a delightful house-made pickle to cut the salt. They have a limited wine list, but the Sauvignon Blanc was good. I had their mixed green salad with soy ginger dressing; very light and refreshing. My wife enjoyed the romaine+radicchio Caesar salad. My entree was the Lo Mein Stir Fry with shiitake mushrooms and I added shrimp. Excellent (but as a spicy person, I could have done with a garnish of crushed pepper flakes). My wife had the New England-style Halibut that apparently means grilled and stuffed. Perfectly cooked, and she really enjoyed it. It was accompanied by precisely cooked haricot verts. The dining is casual with an observant and helpful wait staff. This isn't a place for a KFC budget, but if you are looking for an unexpected finer-dining experience, try Limewater. read more

I had the pasta primavera with shrimp. It was without a doubt the best I have had. Sensational!

We had a great evening at Limewater - was a birthday dinner ! Love love the ambiance, Great service , food and the views outside!! We sat on the Patio. Savanah our server was wonderful and had a couple good recommendations for appetizers and drinks. The is was a pleasant surprise in this town of Frankfort. I most definitely recommend this place- if you're looking for a relaxing evening with some good food and drinks. read more

I have NEVER had such light Falafel. My husband had the schnitzel and raved about how good it was. He lived in Germany 12 years, so he's a good judge of schnitzel. It is definitely a good value for the quality of the meal. I highly recommend Limewater Bistro. And it's right next to Buffalo Trace Distillery... win, win. read more

I want to apologize to the owner and staff for waiting a few days to write this review. We were traveling and just got back home. The cocktails that Flannery made were top shelf. She did a great job and was very helpful. The setting was elegant and sexy, in a Gone with the Wind way. The waitress was super friendly and helpful (and ma'am if you see this send me a PM so I can add your name). The food was simply outstanding. If you are in the Frankfort area of Kentucky, and don't dine here, you are missing out. This was absolutely the best meal that my Washington DC group of six enjoyed on our mini get away. read more

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I have been here several times and always leave impressed. The atmosphere and ambience of this place is unmatched by any other restaurant in the area. The food is great, the staff is phenomenal and they make a fantastic French 75 read more

We had a terrific experience here. Both the server and the bartender were very knowledgeable about bourbon and were kind enough to give us great recommendations. The food was really delicious; we ordered halibut and the pork belly lettuce cups, which were both wonderful. Terrific bourbon selection and the server was able to describe each one. read more

This place was very fancy feeling - a big house on a river - and it felt a little much for me for lunch. The food was decent - pork belly lettuce cups and pork schnitzel were our dishes. It felt like I wanted some soups on the menu or more salad options. Servers were very kind. Bathrooms were clean. It was a quick jaunt from Buffalo Trace Distillery. read more