However, there are A LOT of wonderful places to eat in Owensboro, Kentucky that are just as good as Moonlite Barbecue. In fact, we have several barbecue restaurants that’ll lead to many licked fingers and very happy faces. Below is a list of the best places to eat in Owensboro, Kentucky. I’ve linked each to the appropriate website so you can check out the menu, the hours of operation, and (of course) the directions.
Naturally, we also have plenty of McDonald’s restaurants, Burger Kings, Wendy’s, Dairy Queens, Taco Bells, Waffle Houses, and KFC’s. Check each restaurant’s website for the locations of each in Owensboro. A few words of advice from a local: The best KFC is the one on Frederica (it’s excellent) and the best Taco Bell is on Parrish (always clean and neat as a pin). Each of our Wendy’s, Waffle Houses, Ritzy’s, Dairy Queens, McDonald’s, and Burger Kings are great.
For a more detailed list of Owensboro Restaurants and Restaurant Reviews, click the link.
Applebee’s – One of the best Applebee’s anywhere. Trust me, we’ve eaten at just about all of them.
5120 Frederica
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 926-3472
O’Charley’s – Delicious steak and unbelievable rolls.
5205 Frederica Street
Owensboro , KY 42301
(270) 686-8780
Chick Fil A
4000 Frederica St
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 975-4565
Texas Roadhouse
943 Mosely Rd
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 689-0086
Old Hickory BBQ – Delicious barbecue! The barbecued ham is something I’ve fallen in love with, too – but I can’t “pull” myself away from their pulled pork very often. Really, really, good!
338 Washington Avenue
Owensboro, KY 42301-5450
(270) 926-9000
Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn – Famous for a reason. You can taste the excellence and it’s outstanding!
2840 West Parrish Avenue
Owensboro, KY 42301
1-800-322-8989
Beef O’ Brady’s – Our oldest daughter Emily’s favorite place in town. Very warm and friendly servers and outstanding food.
3189 Fairview Dr
Owensboro, KY 42303
(270) 685-4969
Bee Bops – Fun 50’s Diner (Downtown)
122A West 2nd Street
Owensboro, KY 42303
(270) 663-0623
Bob Evans – Fantastic meals with the home-cooked flavor that Bob Evans is famous for.
3123 Hwy-54
Owensboro, KY 42303
(270) 683-3515
Big Dipper – A “throwback” drive in/drive thru with the best hot dog in all of Kentucky… possibly the world. The burgers and BLT are also out of this world.
2820 W Parrish Ave
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 684-4806
Buffalo Wild Wings – As locals, we just call it B-Dubs and we’re all completely obsessed with the killer wings and onion rings.
4736 Frederica Street
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 686-7800
Culvers Butter Burgers and Frozen Custards
3020 Highland Pointe Drive
Owensboro, KY 42303
(270) 689-4040
Red Lobster – As good as it gets. The cheese bread, alone, is worth the trip.
3410 Frederica St
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 926-4044
Denny’s
4545 Frederica St
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 684-5488
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
5311 Frederica St
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 684-4118
Panera Bread – Everything on the menu is outstanding and you wouldn’t believe how addicted I am to the iced green tea. Amazing!
4600 Frederica Street
Owensboro, KY 42301-7496
(270) 683-9033
Famous Bistro – Downtown restaurant that everyone loves to distraction. Big city taste – without the big city traffic or headaches!
102 W 2nd St
Owensboro, KY 42303
(270) 686-8202
Fazoli’s
5116 Frederica St
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 926-8767
Five Guys Burger and Fries
2660 Frederica St
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 684-7888
Fuji of Japan
4028 Frederica St
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 685-0046
Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken
1800 Carter Rd
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 683-0584
T.G.I. Friday’s – One of the best T.G.I. Friday’s in the state. They have some of the friendliest, most colorful servers you’ll ever have the fortune of meeting. And if you’ve never tried the Crispy Green Bean Fries (appetizer), you don’t know what you’re missing. Great, now I’ve given myself an intense craving…
5135 Frederica Street
Owensboro, KY 42301-7443
(270) 686-1910
Olive Garden – Gorgeous restaurant with excellent food and one of the best staffs in town.
5204 Frederica St
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 683-4848
Ninki’s Japanese Restaurant – You can read what I really think of this restaurant by clicking the link!
3500 Villa Pt
Owensboro, KY 42303
(270) 685-9913
Pangea Cafe and Catering – The Asian Vegetable Wrap is a very close friend of mine. It has to be tasted to be believed – I honestly don’t think mere words could do it justice. Pangea Cafe is one in a million and you’ll love everything about it.
1320 CARTER RD.
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 689-9824
Tokyo – Excellent Japanese food without the typical prices. We eat at Tokyo’s regularly and love it. We think of it as Japanese fast food.
3415 Frederica Street
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 926-1020
Ole South Barbeque – Outstanding barbecue! The baked beans are also exceptional. I live in Owensboro and eat barbecue at Ole South Barbecue more than anyplace else.
3523 Hwy 54 E (across from Kohl’s)
Owensboro, KY 42303
(270) 926-6464
Real Hacienda Mexican Restaurant (Click the link for my review of Owensboro’s Real Hacienda Restaurants)
636 Southtown Blvd
Owensboro, KY 42303
(270) 685-5950
Shogun of Japan Steakhouse
5010 Wildcat Way
Owensboro, KY 42303
(270) 685-9980
Hong Kong – My husband and I get “take out” from Hong Kong at least once a week. You can also eat in, which we occasionally. Outstanding food and plenty of it. The fried rice, Shrimp Lo Mein, Won Tons, and House Special Soup are a few favorites.
1650 Starlite Dr
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 852-7777
Pizza Hut
4127 Frederica St
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 684-0040
Sonic Drive-In
3107 Frederica Street
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 688-5999
Starbucks in Owensboro
We have 2 Starbucks in Owensboro and I more than do my part to keep them both in business. Our main Starbucks is located at 5151 Frederica St. We also have a Starbucks in our beautiful Target on Frederica.
B-dubs, Bee Bops, Ninki’s, TGI Fridays, Shogun, Fugi, Tokyo, Lee’s, Pizza Hut, and Shakers are my favorites (wow thats a lot.. we’ve got it good here in the ‘Boro). O’Charleys, Tumbleweed, Cracker Barrel are amazing too!! and you cant go wrong with a Java Chip Frappe from Starbucks. yum yum yum!!
We have many, many more than this. Three particularly fine ones are The Miller House, Z’s, and Colbys. Talk about awesome food! Look,up the menus online and try them! You won’t be sorry!
Two locally owned are Briarpatch – great steaks, chicken & fabulous salad bar on Veatch Rd and Capones, located downtown on Allen- small, but great Italian food.
Downtown Owensboro is coming alive with opportunities says Mark Calitri. The new convention hotel is going to be a crucial piece of the puzzle for Visit Owensboro to attract larger, more profitable groups. New restaurants are being planned that will add to the value of booking major conventions. The center attraction is the amazing Riverwalk scene. Our guests will be amazed!