It’s time to bring on the summer days spent on the lake, boating, fishing, relaxing, and, our personal favorite: dining by the water in Kentucky! Whether you spend a lot of time on the waters of Kentucky, or maybe you’d like to plan a couple days at the lake soon, you may want to consider a spot that is close to some fabulous lakeside dining. Many of Kentucky’s larger lakes have marinas and resorts that include incredible restaurants, and some of our wonderful state parks have eateries right on a lake. Even if you are not staying at these places, you can still visit the restaurants! So if you enjoy dining with a waterfront view, you simply must visit these eight lakeside restaurants in Kentucky, especially this time of year.

1. Dockers Bayside Grille
Facebook/Green Turtle Bay Resort
280 Green Turtle Bay Dr, Grand Rivers, KY 42045, USA
Facebook/Green Turtle Bay Resort
Dockers Bayside Grille is situated on the banks of picturesque Lake Barkley within the Green Turtle Bay Resort. (Lake Barkley, is, in our humble opinion, one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the Bluegrass State!) It's a great little spot for a tasty breakfast or lunch, and the views make it a true vacation dining destination.

You can find Dockers at 280 Green Turtle Bay Drive, Grand Rivers, KY, 42045.
2. Thirsty Turtle Tavern
Facebook/Thirsty Turtle Tavern
Thirsty Turtle Tavern, 265 Nautical Dr, Grand Rivers, KY 42045, USA
Facebook/Thirsty Turtle Tavern
Also within Green Turtle Bay Resort on Lake Barkley, the Thirsty Turtle Tavern has everything you could want in a lakefront restaurant. You can drive, walk, or boat right on up to it (they have a dock where you can tie up), and enjoy a mouthwatering pizza or burger right on the water. They also have live music on the weekends and larger-than-life lawn games to keep everyone entertained. We've loved this tavern since the minute it opened and you can read more about it in our previous feature article about Thirsty Turtler Tavern.

The Thirsty Turtle Tavern is located at 265 Nautical Dr., Grand Rivers, KY, 42045. Of course, while you're in Grand Rivers, definitely stop by Patti's 1880!
3. Ralph's Harborview Bar & Grill
Facebook/Ralph's Harborview Bar & Grill
Ralph's Harborview Bar & Grill, 570 Moors Rd, Gilbertsville, KY 42044, USA
Facebook/Ralph's Harborview Bar & Grill
Ralph's Harborview Bar & Grill is located at Moors Resort & Marina on Kentucky Lake and will have you feeling like you are on vacation from the minute you step inside. They serve all three meals of the day, and you'll probably want to experience all of them when you're in the area. The food and drinks here are outstanding and the atmosphere is pure waterfront happiness.

Ralph's is located at 570 Moors Rd. in lovely Gilbertsville, Kentucky.
4. Buzzard Rock Cafe
Facebook/Buzzard Rock
Facebook/Buzzard Rock
Buzzard Rock Marina Resort on Lake Barkley has a lakefront cafe with some of the best views in the state. Sit out on the large deck and enjoy a tasty sandwich and a cold drink and watch the boats head out onto the lake. You can dock your boat right there and even visit the gift shop or take part in a trivia night.

Buzzard Rock Cafe is located at 985 Buzzard Rock Rd., Kuttawa, KY, 42055.

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5. Echo Charlie's
Facebook/Eddy Creek Marina Resort
Echo Charlie's Bayside Restaurant, 7612 KY-93, Eddyville, KY 42038, USA
Facebook/Echo Charlie's - Eddy Creek's Bayside Restaurant
Echo Charlie's is a bayside restaurant in Kentucky located on the northern end of Lake Barkley within Eddy Creek Marina Resort. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the food is wonderful and the views from the deck are incredible. Catch a famous lake sunset while dining on any number of menu favorites.

Echo Charlie's is located at 7612 State Route 93 S., Eddyville, KY, 42038.
6. Harbor Lights Restaurant at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park
TripAdvisor/management
TripAdvisor/LisaWayne
Harbor Lights is beautifully located within the Village Inn Lodge of WordKentucky Dam Village State Resort Park in western Kentucky. The restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the food is fresh and delicious. The sweeping water views from the wall of windows make this a lovely spot to dine with the entire family.

Harbor Lights Restaurant is located at 116 Upper Village Inn Dr., Gilbertsville, KY, 42044.
7. Fishtales at Wolf Creek Marina
Facebook/Fishtales at Wolf Creek Marina
TripAdvisor/Tyler M
Fishtales is a unique restaurant right on Lake Cumberland within Wolf Creek Marina, and it's really one of the best places to dine on the water in Kentucky. The outdoor tiki hut is the perfect spot to enjoy the Key West-inspired menu and the sunset views are to die for. The food is delicious, the ambiance is relaxed and fun, and Fishtales is a must-try when boating on Lake Cumberland.

Fishtales can be found at 782 Island Ramp Rd., Nancy, KY, 42544.
8. The Harbor Restaurant
Facebook/The Harbor Restaurant
451 Lee's Ford Dock Rd, Nancy, KY 42544, USA
Facebook/The Harbor Restaurant
Just because you're dining on the lakefront doesn't mean it has to be a casual experience! When you want a special meal out, check out The Harbor Restaurant on Lake Cumberland in Lee's Ford Marina. Here, you can enjoy a mouthwatering steak as well as scenic views of the water and marina. Though the restaurant is more upscale than others on this list, don't feel like you need a suit and tie; while the food at The Harbor Restaurant is top-notch, the atmosphere is still inviting and comfortable. If you need help deciding where to stay at the Marina, check out our previous article about this wondrous place.

The Harbor Restaurant is located at 451 Lees Ford Dock Rd., Nancy, KY, 42544.

Lakeside dining always feels like a vacation, so whether you are taking a trip or just happen to live near a lake, check out these delightful waterfront spots in Kentucky this season. Did your favorite lakeside restaurant make the list? What are your favorite spots for dining by the water in Kentucky? Feel free to share others you love in the comments!

If you want to plan a camping trip near some of these restaurants, check out seven spectacular spots in Kentucky where you can camp right on the lake … and we bet some of them are hidden gems you didn’t know about!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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dining by the water in Kentucky

Sarah M. | May 28, 2022

What are some other amazing spots for dining by the water in Kentucky?

A waterfront view can be very soothing, and dining by water makes for a very enjoyable meal. And in the Bluegrass State, there's certainly no shortage of amazing waterfront views. For those looking for epic places for dining on the water in Kentucky, these 10 restaurants are a great place to start. Cunningham’s Creek Side in Louisville, Fishtales at Wolf Creek in Nancy, and Captain’s Quarters Riverside Grill in Prospect are some perennial favorites for waterfront dining in Kentucky. Of course, with the mighty Ohio River serving as the boundary between Kentucky and our neighbor to the north, Northern Kentucky is home to some amazing places for dining by the water. One of our favorites is Eighteen at the Radisson, a revolving restaurant located, as its moniker suggests, 18 floors up! The restaurant revolves slowly as you dine, making for an amazing and varied scenic experience unlike any other!

What are some beautiful lakes in Kentucky?

Waterfront dining in Kentucky isn't the only way to take in our gorgeous waterfront views; there are so many wonderful ways to experience the lakes of the Bluegrass State! Looking for a getaway? For an "all-inclusive tropical resort" type of getaway in the Bluegrass State, there's Pine Paradise. Situated on the banks of Nolin Lake, Pine Paradise is 10 acres of pure summer bliss, featuring calm waters, boat rentals, stunning accommodations, and even a floating tiki bar! If you're pining for "paradises near me in Kentucky," this is quite literally it! Craving a beach day by the water in Kentucky? Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park is simply perfect. This beautiful beachfront attraction in Kentucky boasts pristine, white-sand shores and dazzling turquoise waters. Not only that, but Pennyrile also offers an abundance of water recreation, including fishing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and swimming. It really is a place that will make you feel as though you're on a tropical vacation!

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