Post-Hike Grub: Our favorite (year-round) restaurants in RRG
“The table is a meeting place, a gathering ground, the source of sustenance and nourishment, festivity, safety, and satisfaction. A person cooking is a person giving: Even the simplest food is a gift.”
― Laurie Colwin
From left to right: Michael (the Dappled property manager) and Jackie (his fiancee) enjoying a breakfast date at Daniel Boone Coffee, a burger and chips, Sky Bridge Station style, and a meal at Miguel’s (peep that vintage Dappled Light sticker!).
Imagine you just finished an incredible hike up to Sky Bridge Arch. As you’re walking back to your car, sipping from your water bottle and relaxing into that springy, freshly-worked-out feeling in your legs, you hear something…
What was that? You think to yourself. Starting to wonder if there might be an animal nearby you didn’t clock. You hear it again, louder this time.
“gggGGrrRRRRRRrr”
That’s when you realize that it was your stomach the whole time!
Here is a list of our favorite year-round restaurants in the Red River Gorge area. Don’t worry, we also love our seasonal friends! Check back for a separate post about them.
Some year-round favorites (listed in no particular order):
Sky Bridge Station. This place just gives and gives and gives. Not only are you greeted with a sweet tavern-like feel when you walk in, but they also have an incredible rotation of local beers, some of the best burgers, quesadillas, and dogs around.
Not to mention, they have regular activities (trivia night anyone?) and live music. Check them out next time you visit us!
P.S. There’s an amazing cafe/ice cream shop next door called The Brick - grab some dessert there to finish yourself off.
Website: www.facebook.com/SkyBridgeStationThatcher BBQ. This spot is on the main drag soon after you get off of the Slade exit! You’re greeted with the smell of the tastiest, most succulent meat you’ve ever tried, some of the nicest folks around taking care of you, AND their food is locally sourced! Did we mention the beer and the sides? (Hashbrown casserole and cornbread muffins always treat us right) . The fact that they have an incredible selection of both is just sauce on the ribs!
Want something to do while you work off those meat sweats? Right next door is a music venue, owned by the same people. They might have a show for you to dance it all out at! The Pit House, “boasts amazing grassroots and Americana bands both nationally known and Kentucky bred.”
Website: thatbbqco.comDaniel Boone Coffee Shop. The Rains family is a coffee family, so the thought of leaving the city where there’s a fancy schmancy coffee shop on every corner was a bit of a scary prospect for some members of the family (Hey, Momma Rains!). There’s nothing to fear, though! Even this close to the forest, we’re taken care of thanks to DBCS!
They have artisanal coffee, breakfast, and lunch options, not to mention a sweet gift shop with all kinds of locally-made goods. At the back, there’s even an information desk where you can ask questions and get recommendations for the area.
Website: www.danielboonecoffeeshop.comLa Cabaña. Who would expect a Mexican restaurant in the middle of some KY woods to be one of the most popular spots around? Well, after eating their food for the last couple of years, and experiencing the atmosphere inside their indoor/outdoor patio area (tie-dye bar? Uhh… yes!), we completely understand why!
They’re open year-round, and boast a huge menu, as well as fantastic drinks, crispy chips, and some of the coolest merch around! Be warned, you might have to be rolled out in a wheelbarrow, though.
Website: www.lacabanaofslade.comMiguel’s. Last, but certainly not least, this place is a Red River Gorge staple. In fact, for a lot of hikers, climbers, and travelers RRG and Miguel’s go hand in hand! Offering food, a gift shop, and a ton of fairly priced camping space (with a shower house), they’ve been a natural haven for visitors to this area since 1984.
After a full, hard day of climbing, hiking, or “meditating” (we know you were sleeping) in your tent, there’s absolutely nothing like sitting down with a piping hot, freshly made pepperoni pizza and ice cold Ale8 or draft beer! They have a massive, fresh list of ingredients and amazing options for everyone, no matter what your eating style.
Website: www.miguelspizza.com
When we say this list was hard to make, we mean it! There are some amazing local restaurants to eat at in Red River Gorge and the surrounding areas. A bonus is that they’re all small, locally-owned businesses, which means you’re directly supporting the community you’re visiting by choosing to eat at one of these places vs. the golden arches or DQ.
Ate too much? Can’t fathom the long drive home? We have plenty of luxury glamping options that are within 15 minutes of these restaurants! If you want to book a discounted stay before March 1st, enter the code: CAMPFIRE when you check out on our website.
- Questions? Please reach out! We want your glamping experience to be as lovely as possible -
From the whole Dappled Light team, thank you for reading!
We look forward to hosting you soon,
Izaac Rains
