The Artisan Center is a perfect place to stop for a break. The upscale center is filled with handmade products made by Kentucky artisans. Berea is famous for their school that trains artisans hand crafting. . I saw lovely hand crafted jewelry, pottery, quilts and more. I purchased Stone Ground Grits and my granddaughter bought a cute metal crafted animal. The cafe is fun with down home sandwiches at reasonable prices. The fried bologna sandwich is made to order with toppings of your choice. My husband and I shared one and also had the chicken salad on croissant. The chicken was creamy and quite good. (They also serve ice cream.) The staff in the cafe and the shop are welcoming and nice. There is plenty of parking in the beautiful tree lined lot. Outdoor rocking chairs are a nice touch. The restrooms are upscale, lovely and clean. Overall, great stop. read more

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We finally stopped off at the Kentucky Artisan Center! It was a refreshing stop, with plenty to look at and hand made artisan items available for purchase! There was a cafe and even a take a book library. I was very impressed at how much they have stocked here. You must swing through, easy on, easy off 75! read more

Kentucky Artisan Center At Berea - Leave a book, take a book! - Cafes Near Me - Berea, Kentucky

All things Kentucky in a nice environment. It was busy on our day with a couple tour buses. A nice cafeteria and clean bathrooms make it a great tourist stop. Just down the street is Berea, home of Berea College. read more

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My wife encouraged me to stop here on our way back to Illinois since we drove past it on the way over to Tennessee . This place had plenty of parking spaces but as a person that visits Artisan Markets all the time. I was truly unimpressed. Don't get me wrong, this place has some great food selection here as well , very friendly people and really clean restrooms. It's pretty quiet but the selection of merchandise from local Artisans are just overpriced. It was great that we came here during Black Friday because they had items 20% off. Overall, it's a casual place to check out. read more

Stopped in here for a RR break on our way home to Ohio. Nice quiet place to walk around, go inside and look at the gift shop inside. The items in the gift shop were nice but a little pricey. There is an area in the parking lot where you can walk you dog, etc. We didnt try the cafe here as we were not hungry at the time and it seemed to be closed when we were there. read more

Super fun stop. Outside gardens are lovely, bathrooms seem pretty clean. Cafe has sandwiches, drinks, and some other different options (Taylor Belle's ice cream anyone?). All the pieces are delightful and very pretty! read more

This place was a wonderful stop on our trip! The building is beautiful, clean, and full of gorgeous art. Outside they had all kinds of flowers including sunflowers, zinnias, and crepe myrtles. Then on top of that it had a cafe with delicious food. We had two Fried Bologna Sandwiches on a Bun with Pickles, Lettuce, and Tomato, a Hot Dog with Mustard, and a Turkey, Lettuce, Onion, Mayo on White Bread Sandwich. Two bags of Lay's Chips and four drinks. It came to about $40 and was worth every penny. The bologna sandwiches had two slices of bologna that were crispy and flavorful. The buns were buttered and toasted, and toppings were fresh. The hot dog was juicy, well cooked, and packed with flavor. The bun was also toasted and buttered. Lastly the turkey sandwich was delicious and very fresh. Overall, I highly recommend stopping by for a visit! read more

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Great Display of the Kentucky Artisans and great Kentucky Proud Food Options too! Apothecary items and a cafe also. read more

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Absolutely loved this place! It was the perfect spot to find some unique last minute Christmas gifts. It has a nice variety of things to browse through. The employees were all friendly and helpful. If you get the chance check this cool center out! read more

Kentucky Artisan Center At Berea - Cafes Near Me - Berea, Kentucky

Holy cannoli Batman! The cafe here is top notch, we got chicken salad on a croissant with the tomato pickle and lettuce! WOW so good, absolutely need this recipe! Who knew a simple sandwich would give us so much happiness. Super cute items to peruse also in the rest of the building while you wait the 4 seconds for your order to be done. All around great experience on our road trip. Super pretty outside too to take a break from driving. read more

Kentucky Artisan Center At Berea - Happy customers! - Cafes Near Me - Berea, Kentucky

Nice place to visit. Has something for everyone! We really enjoyed the show outside a few weeks ago. The grand kids enjoyed it also. Highly recommend this place. read more

Stopped here on the way to Maryville Tenessee, and this truly was a hidden jem. This artisan center with art work, local products, candles, borboun products, and an adorable cafe , travel brochures and helpful information desk. Clean bathrooms, friendly staff and recommened to stop if you found yourself traveling in the area. read more

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Been a good number of years since I've been to Berea. Stopped at the Kentucky Artisan Center on the way into town. I had forgotten how large it is and the amazing amount of merchandise. A good place to find little gifts (or big gifts), even for yourself, that say "Kentucky". There's a small cafe in the back, but I didn't walk in there. 49 read more

We like this Kentucky Artisan showroom, and we display several objects in our Ohio home. This morning we decide to visit for breakfast. We eschew the nearby Buc ees as too loud, chaotic and unorganized. We shall inspect the Sevierville Buc ees later today. Sadly the proximity of Buc ees to the Kentucky Artisan Kentucky Artisan Center has resulted in far fewer visitors to the Kentucky Artisan Center. Previously this Center offered excellent local dining - this is no longer the case. Someone has decided to imitate fast food restaurant fare; the breakfast choices are terrible, and so is the "breakfast burrito." Restaurant rates a 2 of 5. The beautiful dining room remains largely empty. The Art center is First Rate and merits 5 of 5. read more

A great stop if you're interested in fine arts and crafts! It's also a nice alternative to the typical rest stop - you'll find clean bathrooms, a café, a visitor information center and a remarkable, large gift shop featuring art, books and crafts from throughout Kentucky. read more

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Adorable stop for a bite to eat and a restroom break. We did not expect the wide variety of artisan goods for sale at this stop! If you have time, come by and support them. There are also have a place to walk your dog and to grab maps and brochures for those looking for something like a welcome center. read more

Kentucky Artisan Center At Berea - Seating are for cafe - Cafes Near Me - Berea, Kentucky

Lovely craftsmenship. One of a kinds for wonderful gifts. Easy on and off for shopping and browsing this art center in KY. SHOP LOCAL Grab a bite in the on site cafe too. read more

Kentucky Artisan Center At Berea - Wood bow ties - Cafes Near Me - Berea, Kentucky

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Really pretty area. Lots of room to walk around inside and outside. Lots of choices of gifts from furniture down to postcards. We wanted to buy more but our car was full of our son's belongings from Berea's dorms. read more

If you're traveling or a local resident, this is a must stop. The atmosphere and food is superb. It's an artisan's paradise with a mix of traditional, Appalachian and contemporary arts, paintings and sculptures. Great selection of local foods and drinks. The restaurant food is delicious. I've been here many times and tried several menu items, all of them exceeded my expectations. read more

Great stop for the weary traveler. Lots of Artisan items and a cafe. Big restrooms which is a major plus!

The quality of the crafts and art sold here is excellent. Sculpture (stone, metalwork, wood and clay), jewelry, paintings, blown glass, various foods, paperwork, books, music CDs, tapestries, furniture and more, all made by Kentuckians. A great place for unique, one of a kind gifts for Christmas, weddings, host presents and other special occasions. There is also a little cafe for breakfast or lunch. read more

Kentucky Artisan Center At Berea - Kentucky Artisan Center of Berea - Cafes Near Me - Berea, Kentucky

It's a nice rest area just off the interstate. They have plenty of parking, clean restrooms, a reasonably priced Cafe with many options, and a gift shop that appears expensiveb though it supports artisans and the state. My bologna on thick wheat toast is $4, large coffee $2. They also have a grill and an entree dinner bar that's $8 including sides. For a rest area this is more than just nice. Several kids are having scooped ice cream here, none of that prepackaged stuff. The service is good and the staff keep it clean. Cafe 930 to 4 daily. Facility 9 to 6 daily. read more

I've visited the Artisan Canter a couple times now and if you're looking to drop $$$$ or more on art, then this is the place for you. :) They have numerous and sundry types of art from the straightforward to the weirdly abstract to the bizarre. Make no mistake, the art at the Artisan Center is not cheap by any means but it is a great place to at least visit and it's free to browse. While you're browsing the art works you might be lucky to visit of a day when their food place is operating as well, it's been closed during both of my visits but it seems to be a rather high cost snacking, kind of like Disney World food in Kentucky with less of a tasty variety. The takeaway: The Artisan Center is a great visual sight to behold for sure but wait till afterwards to eat where it's more reasonable. LOL read more

This place holds a dear spot in my heart. I stopped here with a group of people in 2011, and I bought a handmade mug for my girlfriend (now my wife). Today, we got a tip from a Kentucky-dwelling friend that this would be a good rest stop. How surprised I was to recognize the shop!! They even have the same type of mug 9 years later! This place is FULL of amazing local pieces from skilled artists. It is definitely worth checking out! read more

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Stopped here because finding a bathroom was paramount. They have an area for sitting to eat or picnic, and nice large bathroom. They also have tons of work from artists to peruse. I actually considered purchasing a couple of wooden utensils (a nice rolling pin, for example), but realized I'd left my wallet in the car. They also had a really beautiful counter-height table, and three chairs, that at first I didn't even realize was a piece for sale but saw a tiny tag hanging from it. If I had had space in the car, it may have come home with me; it was gorgeous, and made of cherry wood, and I would have loved it even if I don't know where I might have put it. read more

Throw everything that you may be thinking about this spot out the window. This isn't just your typical little country store with quilts and wood carvings. Yes, they do have those things (and they are fantastic!) but there is actually quite a large artists' collaborative due to the local art school. We saw handcrafted glass, handmade dolls, stunning jewelry, textiles like you wouldn't believe and so many more things that after about an hour, we had to get out of there. At one point I was walking around with four different gift ideas for an upcoming baby shower and had to be reigned back in. Oh and don't forget the Kentucky Bourbon Balls! Yum! The art pieces on display are so interesting that it's almost museum like (see photos). Their restrooms were very clean. There's a cafe with coffee and food although we didn't eat, we saw people eating. You could literally spend hours here shopping or just taking a break from the road. I highly recommend stopping if in the area. There is no limit to the possibility of what you can find here! read more

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This rest stop isn't too far from the highway, but it purports to offer more than the usual, with several rooms full of various local art items. It was an interesting aesthetic to peruse, but the objects I actually looked at were out of my price range. Still, there's nothing wrong with trying to make the typical road stop more lively. As a place to park and use the bathroom it's quite pleasant, and it gives you a local vibe. read more

It's a big place with unusual arts and crafts by local artists Pricey merchandise and lots of candles, lotions and soaps Amish made Adirondack chairs that are pretty and comfortable Nice place to visit for some unusual gifts read more

This is my second visit and I can see going back again when I'm in the area (which I am generally not). As a newish resident to Kentucky I have found many Made in Kentucky/Kentucky Proud products that I have bought as gifts (food, tea and candle products) that have garnered very favorable comments. In this age of COVID-19 I am making an extra effort to support small businesses which this center proudly displays. Bottom line is the products that I have purchased have been very good in quality/taste and supports small businesses. If you're cruising down. I-75 it's worth a stop. Props to the clean bathrooms there too! Note, at the time of writing, the Cafe was closed. read more

My mom and I stopped here on our road trip to stretch and get some steps and we enjoyed our short visit. The art on display included wood working, jewelry making, mixed media, different types of paintings, photography/prints, glasswork, soaps/lotions, food/canned goods/sauces/rubs/chocolate, t-shirts, and so much more! I got a jar of pickled beets and my Mom got a jar of pear jam before getting back on the road. Of note, the bathrooms were clean and they have a small food court if you are hungry. Great pit-stop if you are passing through. read more

Always a great place to stop on the way to Knoxville. Fine art as well as folk art in every direction. Good prices, and many lovely gifts. Beautiful holiday decorations. The cafe has a pretty extensive menu with some old fashioned "comfort" foods... southern favorites! read more

Kentucky Artisan Center At Berea - A wonder fine arts shop - Cafes Near Me - Berea, Kentucky

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What appears to just be a rest area is actually a co-op of a lot of artisans across the state. I LOVE this idea and wish that more states would get behind this. SO much wonderful art is out there that you aren't exposed to because the artists have no way to share it with you. The restrooms were clean, the cafe was awesome. I was able to pick up a few gifts here as well as a few books on Kentucky Hauntings - books are something I try to pick up in every state. read more

I've been once to the Kentucky Artisan Center several years ago and I loved it. I was looking forward to coming back when I was in the area. It's such a fun shop with beautiful artwork from local artists. The atmosphere is clean and the staff is friendly. I was surprised to find that a lot of the artwork seemed reasonably priced. I hope to go back soon! read more

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This place has some beautiful things for sale. I found myself saying "wow" a couple of times. True artisans are the source of what they have there. The building is modern, clean, well-organized and beautifully landscaped. Truly of the highest quality inventory in the entire city. You can read about most of the artisans next to their items which was very nice. There was a cafe, too. Paintings, jewelry, wood-turned items, fused glass, stunning stitched items, etc. The only downside would be the high prices on quite a few items. However, if you are looking for a finely crafted, unique item and have the money to spend, this would be your place to go. read more

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What a fantastic rest stop. We rolled through here on tour and mostly were just looking for a place to pee and stretch our legs. We initially had some trouble finding the Center and when we finally parked, it was 5:52. The KAC closes at 6. Upon entering, I was shocked to find a giant room filled with what I assume must have been locally made crafts...but there were no people in sight. A nice man at the front desk said "Please let me know if you have any questions" -- I had many -- "and we also close in 8 minutes." I dashed to the bathroom and back with just enough time to escape before they locked the doors, but not before trying on some hats. I did some pushups in the empty parking lot and we were on our way. Overall a very calm and restful 8 minute pee stop, would stop here again! read more

Kentucky Artisan Center At Berea - Cafes Near Me - Berea, Kentucky

Way better than your average rest stop. Lots of parking, clean restrooms, a lovely cafe, and a spacious store stocked with artisanal works by KY craftsmen and artisans; this isn't just more country store stuff and definitely not another roadside attraction! This place is a gem and highlights some of the finer things that KY has to offer. What a wonderful idea and definitely the place to stop if you are driving through Berea. read more

What a nice art center. The staff was very friendly . The restrooms were very clean. The cafe was very nice. My mom got some coffee and she said it tasted really good. The artwork was all amazing. The location was good right before Berea,KY. The prices were very reasonable for what you recieve. read more

I found myself driving out to the Artisan Center here in Berea on a Tuesday for a meeting over lunch with the strategic planning group of the 20th Annual Mountain Mushroom Festival planned for April 24 and 25, 2010 in Irvine, KY. Irvine is located in Estill County, "Where the Bluegrass Kisses the Mountains." On Saturday April 24, the festival opens at 9 a.m. and begins with a Pancake Breakfast, 7 - 11 a.m. at the Masonic Lodge on Broadway for $5. There is a $1 discount for 5K run participants. The Fungus 5K Run/Walk registration ends at 8:45 a.m. and the run starts promptly at 9 a.m. with awards at 10 a.m. at Broadway and Estill Ave. I wish I could be there but I'll be in California running my 25th consecutive Big Sur International Marathon. The Mushroom Cook-off/Mushroom Cake Decorating Contest is at 11 a.m. I met the team organizing the Kruzerz Antique Car Club cruise-in. That event is from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. This should be a blast. This is a fabulous group of civic entrepreneurs and leaders. I had my first Hot Brown - a stack of turkey slices, cheese sauce and bacon over toast at lunch. The Hot Brown originated at the Brown Hotel in Louisville KY around 1926. It has undergone numerous revisions since then. This version is the one used at the hotel when it was renovated and reopened in 1985. The Artisan Center serves them on Tuesday. I can say that I have had one but it's not going to be regular item in my diet. read more

Skip the other rest stops and stretch your legs for a bit while looking at local crafts. Really top end artisan stuff. I passed this for 15 years and wish I would have stopped sooner. read more

This place is part rest-stop, part craft show. It has a large selection of awesome Kentucky-made art, food, and clothing/jewelry (not to mention a cafe and clean bathrooms). The building itself is beautiful, with stained glass windows and dark stone. My only complaint is that everything there is really expensive. The food, which I have bought other places, seems to be $2-3 more than I have paid for it other places. The crafts are all about $10-$20 more than I'm willing to pay for them. While I believe an artist should receive fair compensation for his or her efforts, I'm unwilling to pay an extra $20 for something I could buy on Etsy for less. I really suggest stopping in, especially on a road trip. You may find that perfect thing that you just can't live without. Even if you don't, it's awfully fun to browse! read more