Wine Spectator honors 3 Central Kentucky restaurants. See who won for 2026
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- Wine Spectator honored 13 Kentucky restaurants in its 2026 Restaurant Awards.
- Three Louisville restaurants received Best of Award of Excellence in the 2026 awards.
- The awards list includes newcomers and Kentucky entries that date back to 2002.
More than a dozen Kentucky restaurant were honored by Wine Spectator magazine for excellence in their wine programs.
Among the 4,012 dining destinations celebrated by the 2026 Restaurant Awards, which honor the world’s best restaurants for wine service around the globe, were 13 in Kentucky, including two in Lexington, two in Covington, one in Midway and the rest in Louisville.
The restaurants are featured in the magazine’s special Restaurant Awards issue available on newsstands on July 21.
Three Kentucky restaurants, all in Louisville, received Best of Award of Excellence honors, a step up from the Award of Excellence received by the others.
The winning Central Kentucky restaurants are:
Camel Club
This newcomer, a private members-only club at 509 E. Main St. in Lexington, was named to the list for the first time.
Holly Hill Inn
Celebrating its 25 anniversary this year, this highly regarded restaurant anchors chef Ouita Michel’s businesses, and has been on “Wine Spectator’s” list since 2002.
Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse
The Lexington location at 101 W. Vine St. has been on the list since 2020.
Other Kentucky restaurants on the list:
- Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, 325 W. Main St. in Louisville, on the list since 2014 and a Best of Award of Excellence winner.
- Nouvelle Bar & Bottle, 214 S. Clay St. in Louisville, on the list for the first time and a Best of Award of Excellence winner.
- Repeal Oak-Fired Steakhouse, 101 W. Main St. in Louisville, on the list since 2021 and a Best of Award of Excellence winner.
- The Capital Grille, 7600 Shelbyveill Rd. in Louisville, on the list for the first time.
- Cuvée Wine Table, 3598 Springhurst Blvd. in Louisville, on the list since 2019.
- Morton’s, The Steakhouse, 626 W. Main St. in Louisville, on the list since 2016.
- Noche, 701 Madison Ave. in Covington, on the list for the first time.
- Ripple Wine Bar, 4 W. Pike St. in Covington, on the list since 2025.
- Steakhouse Bourré Bonne, 133 W. Market St. in Louisville, on the list for the first time.
- Swizzle Dinner & Drinks, 140 N. Fourth St. in Louisville, on the list since 2023.
