Decided to take my girlfriend here on one of the nicer days we've had recently. It was definitely the right decision! Most of the seating is indoor inside of the Micher's Greenhouse there, so even if the weather hadn't of been nice it would have been a great time. There was great live music as well. We decided to get a bavarian pretzel to split, as well as her getting their raspberry crepe while I decided on their lemon curd crepe. Everything we had to eat was fantastic. Everything else I saw on the menu sounded delicious. Service was also quick and fantastic. The kitchen was pumping out food quick and the wait staff had it out to us as soon as possible. I'll always recommend this as a nice date spot for others. read more

Weird experience. The food is fine, healthy-ish, but nothing to write home about. My husband's noodle salad was my favorite, followed by my cauliflower salad. I thought the beet & giant bean salad was meh, the pieces are cut huge so you really get about 4 beans and 6 pieces of beet. The grilled cheese is actually half a grilled cheese, which didn't have much cheese on it, and tasted faintly of horseradish. I couldn't finish mine. The hummus was good, you just don't get very much. Focaccia was alright, would have been better warmed. We ordered a Bavarian pretzel plate, which also came out room temp. I think that's a first for me at a restaurant. The focaccia, ok, it's for dipping and that's easier when it isn't so soft. But the pretzel? Like did it just get pulled out of a bag and tossed on the plate? I can't speak to the cheese because I tried it with mustard. There was so much horseradish in the mustard it almost blew my head off. I'm sure some people love that but I'm not one of them. Speaking of blowing up, a woman on a laptop had a kid that was goofing off around her table. He laid down on the bench and started sweeping rocks at some old lady. The old lady turns around to tell him to stop and the mom lost it on her. Like screeching. Idk, I get it to a certain extent but if you're trusting the world to watch your kid while you work, don't be surprised when the world asks your kid to not throw rocks at them. Then when I bussed my table (which I thought was what we are supposed to do here), there's a single bus tub to the right of the ordering window. To get there, I cut across the line sideways and not one but several people are giving side-eye because they had to *gasp* make way for someone to take their plates up. That's also where the bathroom is, so good luck if you sit to the left of the line, because apparently the other patrons expect you to walk through a maze of tables behind the line to get to the far side of the cafe. Summary: the food is fine, but not worth the rest of the experience. It's surprisingly unorganized and while it is beautiful, you can get better health food at the co-op or Whole Foods. The clientele on a Thursday morning was so uppity I would never come back. read more

Kentucky Native Cafe - Bland beets, ok cauliflower, toast. I mean, grilled cheese. - Cafes Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

I haven't been there in 3 years. Too long to give current review. It was neat to eat under the canopy of trees. read more

Meandering through the glorious glass gardens of the Michler Forest, there is a secret garden of the Native Cafe. Atmosphere is all 5 stars (going to the aforementioned nursery), but service and food were disappointing for the price. I would have been better off choosing to pick-2 with BYO water bottle ($3+ on sparkling water from the tap). Better luck next time! read more

I wasn't sure what to think of the place when looking at the menu. It looked a little eclectic. Luckily I wasn't picking the place and I had to come here anyway. What a cool place!! We entered through some sort of greenhouse and it wound around and then tah-duh we were in this outdoor area with these amazing tree canopies. You have to wait on the menu to be posted at 11 and then you better get in line. Maybe it was different because it was Mother's Day but something tells me it's the norm. A local got us all rhubarb soda and it was delicious! I picked 3. An egg salad which was light and airy, a lox toast with goat cheese and a chocolate croissant which had a nice amount of chocolate. Everything was so good! Now I wouldn't hesitate to come back if in the area and would actually seek it out. read more

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Kentucky Native Cafe was a perfect date brunch choice. I'm patting myself on the back cause it was a first time for both of us. I honestly would've drove right by it. I actually walked in and said "uhm I'm looking for...". She said "the cafe?" Yes..... and let me tell you I have found a GEM of a place. After my visit there I guess I'm the last one in the loop because it was busy later. If you love outdoors and you love plants you'll be in heaven just like I was. The aesthetic is perfection. Super cool place to visit. I will most definitely make the drive because the vibe is so me. Even with the rain we had a great time. Bring your camera you can get some great shots. Food wise everything we had was amazing. I ordered the Carrot, Apple and Ginger Soup. My companion had the Chicken & Wild Rice Soup & Herbed Egg Salad. They play music from 12-2 which was wonderful. I'll have to go back and have a beer and pretzel sometime. It's a beautiful space and I can't wait to go back!!!!! read more

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I'm always on the lookout for very unique places to dine at and here at the Kentucky Native Cafe you'll find exactly that. Now don't come here expecting to fill up on a meal but rather be genuinely surprised at how lost you'll get exploring this beautiful greenhouse as that is what you'll find yourself truly enjoying here. The menu is a bit limited and does change frequently and you're able to even call ahead if you don't want to be surprised when you arrived. They have a few things to chose from such as various soups and salads but I ended up going with on this trip their Bavarian Pretzels with Chive Obatza in which you'll receive two pretzels. This dish was delicious but outside of the food as I'd mentioned earlier you'll definitely find yourself more pleased with walking around and discovering all of the various plants and maybe even some wildlife as well. The Kentucky Native Cafe is deceptively large as when you enter you'll walk through various plants and more up to a main cabin where you'll order. There are plenty of places to sit even if you find yourself on a very rainy day such as on this day that I made my visit. I went expecting to receive a filling meal but instead got a very nice surprise of how much greenery there happens to be so if that is something you particularly enjoy you won't leave disappointed. I'd say that this is such a pleasant surprise here in Lexington and one I'll find myself returning to for a relaxing time and a quick bite to eat. read more

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Awesome atmosphere and food! Beautiful scenery-affogato was great! Mushroom hummus must have:) read more

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Of course if you put a cafe in a greenhouse you win the ambiance category. Add a bar menu and you know you'll go home with a new plant (or two- see photos of the newly acquired Loretta and Jolene the cactus plant below). You order at the counter and wander around or wait at your table for your food. The menu may be small, but the options are high quality. I got the sweet potato and onion side dish that was amazing. I had a rhubarb prosecco as well which was a fun deviation from the normal OJ pairing. Needless to say, I can't wait till the weather improves to go back again and again. read more

Kentucky Native Cafe - Three plants we purchased and a rhubarb prosecco - Cafes Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Great place to relax and have a beer. Bar service only when we were there. Natural setting in the middle of a garden. read more

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This was a great experience! The food was amazing and the atmosphere was the best. Perfect spot for me and my daughter to have dinner. read more

Kentucky Native Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

45 minutes waiting for a pretzel is just way too long. Pretty location, terribly inefficient. Update-we told the staff and they made it right. These things happen. Staff was very helpful and went out of their way. read more

Absolutely lovely having lunch surrounded by the sounds of nature and the lush foliage of the adjoining Michler's greenhouse! The kitchen is set up to look like a small cabin, which is also where you place your order at the walk-up window. Friendly & eclectic staff just adds to the vibe. The menu seems to rotate with seasonal local foods, and all the dishes have an imaginative twist. It's more a of a tapas-style restaurant but if you order a few things you can definitely get full! There was a pretty long line on this beautifully sunny Spring Day, so everyone likely had the same idea. However, either the wait wasn't that bad or I was just pleasantly distracted by the dogs & cute kids. Can't wait to return! read more

Kentucky Native Cafe - Hummus bowl, Pick 2 (tomato soup, couscous) - Cafes Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. Outside seating, like a beer garden, with a great selection of vegetarian menu items. They even have live music sometimes. Highly recommended. read more

Eating outdoors under tree cover is wonderful and peaceful. It's amazing that this restaurant exists in the middle of a city. You order from a counter and pick up your food there as well. There can be a wait, both to order and get the food, but I find that it's well worth it. The vegetable-forward menu is delicious and healthy. read more

The ambiance here is always so peaceful and laid back. It was a steady stream of customers, even for a weeknight in September. The food is always so-so, acceptable, not great, and I really wish they would add some simple meat options like chicken salad or ham and Brie sandwiches. I did have something from their new bakery (chocolate croissant) and it was good. read more

This was my first time at Kentucky Native Cafe and while everyone raves about this place I wasn't really impressed with the food. Of course the seating area is pretty and I love that it's all outside under the trees. We ordered the egg & herb butter sandwich with kale shredded brussels sprouts salad and the goat cheese & olives plate. The sandwich had maybe 1/4 of a hard boiled egg with one slice of radish. So I felt like I had a ciabatta roll with a salad on the side. Luckily I had the goat cheese to spread on the ciabatta since there was nothing else on the sandwich. The service was good and helpful. I would consider going back to see if they have better food options. It was a nice experience I just wish the food was better. read more

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What an amazing hidden gem! Tucked behind the nursery, this place feels like stepping into a little oasis. On a perfect September afternoon, the weather was just right--cool breeze through the trees, dappled sunlight overhead, and the most inviting outdoor seating under the canopy. The atmosphere is magical. People gathered around, chatting, laughing, and simply enjoying being together--it's the kind of place that makes you want to linger. As for the food? Absolutely delicious. We tried the barada and pear with lavender--so fresh and flavorful. The apricot danish was light, flaky, and perfect, and the salmon on avocado toast was spot-on. Everything felt thoughtfully prepared without being overwhelming. If you're ever in the area and want a relaxing spot to unwind, sip something good, and enjoy a Sunday afternoon surrounded by nature and community, this is the place to go. If we are ever back in Lexington, we'll stop in for a drink and a treat. read more

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Such a wonderful place. Love the blend of cafe, coffeehouse and greenhouse. My grandchildren enjoy digging in the dirt and building after they ate. read more

Kentucky Native Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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One of my favorite spots in Lex. They have fun, creative, healthy food (with plenty of veg options), delightful coffee and baked selections, and beer and wine. It's the perfect spot for a catch up with friends, a date, or even a solo retreat. Nestled inside Michler's nursery, the verdant surroundings make for a transportive experience. You are set away from traffic and the sounds of the rest of the world. At the holidays, they host a lovely holiday market with a gift fair and bake sale. It's always lovely. read more

This place is a VIBE! Love that this a working garden center & a cafe. The seating is nestled in between trees & gardens. The food is fresh & healthy. They have drink options that are non alcoholic & alcoholic. Such a great place to visit in the middle of the city. read more

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Hard to ask for a cooler outdoor hang. Bites are so fresh with personality and I am obsessed with the nitro cold brew read more

Kentucky Native Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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Lots of parking in the front and back. The atmosphere alone is worth coming. Secluded, green space, and plenty of seating. The food is good, however if you come too late there will be limited options. I would recommend the pretzel and beer cheese to share. The beers are good as well! Friendly staff and you order at the counter. read more

Went with my mom and sister for a Mother's Day outing on Saturday 16th. The space is BEAUTIFUL! We ordered from the Cafe and got their Reisling, lemonade, and rhubarb prosecco to drink. We also got the soft pretzels with beer cheese, the potato salad, the strawberries with creme, and lox on toast to eat. Prices were reasonable. We shared the plates between the three of us, for a Lunch date it was perfect. Service was okay, they are not Overly friendly(which is something I enjoy as a service worker, over the top friendly comes across as ingenuine) They did seem to be a bit distracted, I think they were training someone new, but it was not a bad service experience. The service is not why you come to a place like this, its the food/drink and atmosphere that really seal the deal here! Overall we really enjoyed our Mothers Day outing and we plan to come back! I only wish we would have thought to take pictures but the vibe really sucks you in. read more

I have been to Naive Café numerous times and I have had good and bad experiences. At this point the bad out weigh the good for me. The food is pretty good, but I have the gene where cilantro tastes like soap and unfortunately unless you ask what is in the food, you don't know until your food is ready. Last time I went was an evening for dinner and they were just as busy as normal. When I asked two questions the person taking my order spoke very rudely to me. My friend and I order the burrata plate and it was supposed to come with peaches and another fruit, when it was ready it had tomatoes instead. The upsetting part was they did not tell us it switched. I like Native Café for the atmosphere, and it is worth checking out at least once! If you plan to go, go with the mindset that you are there for the green house and to hang out in a pretty area and if you feel like eating, then they have food and drinks available. read more

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Met up with some people at the Kentucky Native Cafe. Haven't been in ages. Was a perfect day under the tree canopy with a nice breeze. Didn't eat, Just had a lemonade spritzer. Musical duo One Lane Bridge played. Unfamiliar with them, but the folksy music suited the environs. A very nice afternoon. 55 read more

Kentucky Native Cafe - Refreshing lemonade spritzer - Cafes Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

I love love love this place. Michlers is full of gorgeous plant options but if you want something that is not just visually satisfying but also physically satiating, you need to go to the cafe for so many options! There's a bunch of drinks and cooler options (the gelato cart in the summer is so worth it). Food has never been disappointing for us but it can be a little unique (wild mushroom hummus bowl, burrata and fruit appetizer tray). Service is pretty quick, they're constantly hopping around in the kitchen! Also, if youte lucky, you'll see some pups that are up for pats, and maybe even a neighborhood cat! read more

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Not only are you eating some freshhhh bites but you experience truly, a freshhhh environment. read more

Kentucky Native Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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Don't come hungry and expect to leave full and satisfied because this place is strictly for the vibes. That being said, the vibes are absolutely immaculate. I very really audibly gasped when we got there, through the greenhouse, and saw the locale. It is absolutely stunning, like out of a fairy tale. The tree canopy is to die for. My dear friend and I were in the Lexington area and were looking for a place to eat. I had heard only good things about this place so we decided to check it out. Again, the locale is gorgeous with plenty of shaded outdoor eating space. There were all sorts of people there, from a girl group having a baby shower, to students, to Lexington locals. We ordered pretzels and a couple of pick-twos. The food was pretty tasty and thoughtfully made, but the portions leave a lot to be desired. Also, they call out your name when your food is ready. Given how spacious it was, it was really hard to hear. So hard that we missed our name and were waiting longer than we needed to. I would absolutely recommend this place! It is so beautiful and serene. Just make sure to eat either before or after. read more

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A extermely unique and beatuiful experience, The place offers a house beer for winter and summer months. Glasshouse Helles is our house beer for the winter, and Michler Weisse is our summer house beer. All other beers rotate with an emphasis on local breweries. Coffee and tea are always availble. The limitied table menu offering a rotating menu of salad, soups and various sandwichs. The menu only is posted on the chalboard and it not available online. Seating is on a first come first serve based. Depending on weather coever seating is very limited in the Spring and Summer times. One of the most pouplar cheese is they offer, is Raclette, a tradition popular in Alpine countries. This is where cheese are melted under an open heat source and scraped onto bread or potatoes. A average meal is between $12-$16. We starterd off with a Bavaerian Pretzel with Obatzdal Beer Cheese. The hummus w/roasted red pepper is also amazing. I had the Bruch Crepie w/Side Salad coupled with Goat Cheese Honey and Carmaelized Walnuts. My wife had the Bowl of Soup w/a Side Salad with a Carrot-Apple and ginger. We topped it all of with a Carmel Apple Crepe w/ salted carmamel Gelato. Wow, what a place for having our evening tea. Fully under Mother Nature' Lap. Hot piping coffee and food. Wine and Liquor also served. Service with broad smile. Food prepared in open kitchen. Seating arrangement merges with landscape; all under the open sky. This place has the most unique and naturalistic backdrops in downtown Lexington, KY. While customers may take persoanl, nonprofessional photographs as loing as the follow the photography rules. Others are required to purchase photography permit. The property is amalgamated with a nursery. Big parking behind and small one in front. This place is absolutely wonderful! Beautiful plants all around, even running up the walls. The greenhouse is amazing, and the entire place is filled with clean, fresh air. The service is lovely and attitudes are friendly. Overall, very inviting atmosphere. read more

This spot was amazing! While visiting UK, my son and I, along with his friend, met for dinner. Three hours later the sun set and we'd closed the place down. The food menu offers small bites and if you're hungry you need to order a few things or you'll leave hungry. The pretzels were amazing and a great starter to share although the cheese was a bit subtle on flavor. We indulged in almost one of every option - quinoa, couscous, potatoes, hummus. Oh, the hummus! It was some of the best I'd had. Beer and wine, plus a few nonalcoholic drinks are available. For dessert, a super cute gelato cart serving delicious flavors. My crew had a great time exploring the space, from its small trail and kids play area to the interior seating surrounded by books and another dumping into the plant shop. Service was friendly. They kept the line moving and cleared off tables. Even when we asked about gelato later in the evening, we were immediately taken care of even though it was more dishes to clean up. Parking is available on both sides of the restaurant. This space is tucked into a neighborhood and you'll never imagine what's inside based on the exterior entrances. I'm excited to visit again while in Lexington! read more

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An absolutely beautiful restaurant/cafe. Went while passing through Lexington and SOO glad we did. Took a stroll through the greenhouses and then ordered a delicious meal and ate in the garden! There was live Celtic music playing and truly made the experience magical! Will 100% recommend this place to anyone!! Hopefully will be back soon! read more

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We've both been to Kentucky Native Cafe separately while visiting our friends in Lexington, but last week, we went together for the first time along with our daughter. This really has to be one of the most picturesque cafes in the country--it's like a bucolic Nancy Meyers film set. We also love the little play area that they have for kids that seems to be in the Scandinavian style: give the kids some sand, some wooden boards, and let them go to town. The folks working here are patient and chill. There's been a line every time we've come, so be prepared to wait, but the food is indeed worth it. We started with the pretzels (kid's choice; mostly just OK) but their hummus bowl is wonderful, and the za'atar roll it was served with was an ideal accompaniment. We each got the "3 dishes" meals, and were pretty happy with all six choices. The jammy eggs with asparagus was a personal favorite, and our only major complaint is that the kale-brussels salad had cranberries in it. Ugh, why? Keep the sweet out of the savory! The lentils were slightly undercooked but well flavored, and the golden beet and gigante bean salad was a hit all around. Honestly, we would have been giving the place five starts because we're such fans, but then...we ordered the gelato. Imagine a tiny little ramekin; now imagine that tiny ramekin has two sample-sized servings in it; and now imagine that that mouse-sized portion costs $4.25! FOUR DOLLARS AND TWENTY-FIVE CENTS to sample their precious gelato. We ordered three and were almost in shock at how ridiculous the situation was (FTR, the cherry was not very cherry, but the caramel chip was good. We can't even remember the third one probably because it was so minuscule to taste!). One of us was so pissed she wanted to really lower the Yelp score of this place, but time has dissipated some of the outrage so we're settling on 4 stars. We really hope someone reads this and either changes the price or the portion size of the gelato. All other things considered, this place is a real special destination. read more

This is a unique gem. Just outside of downtown Lexington, well within the bustle of the city is this beautiful little oasis. You'll wander through a greenery and florist to the back of the building where you'll find the charming outdoor seating area and small cafe/beer bar. The tables are casual and are scattered amongst the woods. There are paths meandering amongst the foliage. The food and drinks rotate so you have to call ahead if you want the details. The website indicates rotating cocktails which we didn't see on the menu--we also didn't ask them. There are a handful of wines and plenty of beer. The food appears to be vegetarian and was delicious. It is more like a tapas so order more than you might otherwise. Highly recommend!! Just realized that we came in through the back. So there's a front entry directly into the cafe. Take the time to wander through the florist and nursery! read more

Kentucky Native Cafe - Seating - Cafes Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Wow !!! I could lick my plate, the food and atmosphere is amazing!!! We will b back with friends

Very awesome idea. A cafe connected to a greenhouse. Have a drink and a snack amongst the trees and garden. When you leave stop and pick up a plant or two at the adjoining greenhouse. The service was good. read more

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We've visited Kentucky Native Café several times before and always enjoyed it, so when my in-laws were in town we brought them here. Unfortunately, this visit was very different. While we were there, my 7-year-old son asked to use the restroom, and after a few minutes hadn't come back. When I went to check, both of my kids ran up to me looking scared. At that moment, a man (I assume worker or owner) approached me and asked if they were my children. I said yes, and he told me that I needed to keep them in the play area or accompany them. Apparently, he had been following them around the café asking where their parents were. My kids were clearly upset by the interaction. It felt intrusive and inappropriate for an adult to behave that way toward children. This place used to feel like a great family spot, but after this experience I can't say I feel comfortable bringing my kids back. There are better spots nearby without creeps. read more

Lucked into this place during Octoberfest, complete with German Oompah band. Place was packed to capacity. Long lines for food and drinks but probably due to the special event. The atmosphere is so relaxing - Outdoors under the stars with lots of string lighting. Literally so many nooks and crannies to find seating. Picnic sized tables all the way down to tables for two. There is a sandpit for children to play in but the fact that many children were running around unsupervised was a turn off for us. Food menu is scant or at least it was the night we were there. They were serving giant pretzels as big as your face. We were disappointed to find out that they were out of them after waiting for a very long time in the food line. Apparently, the mixer broke down but an announcement would have been appreciated. Beer & wine choices were excellent. Menu consists of kale, quinoa, Brussel sprouts, etc. We tried the buffalo mozzarella appetizer with pears and honey. The garlic toast baguettes kind of took over the mild flavors of the cheese and pears. A plain or herbed toast would be a better pairing, IMO. Would love to go back on a normal night to experience this unusual and lovely spot in downtown Lexington. read more

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What a unique and beautiful place to relax and have a drink. I've take a friend for the first time on two separate occasions and they are so blown away at the atmosphere. They can't believe something so quaint exists in downtown Lexington. Pictures don't do it justice. You have to go to experience the outdoor cafe for yourself. read more

This is an outside eatery and some inside too. I say outside cuz you sit out under the trees. Nice concept and loved the atmosphere. Limited food . There is a large sand pit for the kids... so stop at McDonald s for them first then come by here for a lite bit and a beer. Located behind Michlers green house. Small parking on site otherwise patrons on street. read more

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