Excellent comfort food. You would never know this jewel of a place is tucked away in the heart of downtown Bardstown. Kreso's, family-owned by an older Bosnian couple, serving European food cooked to perfection. The sweet wife provided excellent service while the husband does all the cooking. When we arrived we did not realize they were getting ready to close but they stayed open just for us. He said "Hold on-- I'll cook for you!" I ordered the Cordon Bleu and hubby ordered Weiner Schnitzel. Both dishes were breaded and fried to a golden brown and the seasoning was right on point, even the broccoli. They were so nice and even invited us back for their "Speak Easy" event on September 15th. This made for a great meal on my birthday. We will be back. Thank you Mr. And Mrs. Kreso! read more

See all

BOURBON DRINKERS BEWARE!!! First off, the bourbon selection is very good. That being said, you will OVER pay for anything behind the bar. When you are offering Weller 12 for $40, or Eagle Rare for $12 is just out right robbery. We came last year, and the prices were great, food was decent, and loved the staff. When you have bourbon on the shelf that isn't available to the public (with multiple bottles present) is a cruel joke. Walking out was the best choice we made. Mammy's and The Rickhouse are better choices for drinks. read more

Fantastic lunch with great service very accommodating and cordial staff. Took my mother in law for lunch and she was very happy with her experience. read more

Kreso's Restaurant - New American Near Me - Bardstown, Kentucky

First, I want to say that I am rating this after only 1 visit. I try to avoid that unless a place is obviously awesome or obviously horrible, but while I visit Bardstown often, I don't usually dine out while there so it might be awhile before a return visit to Kreso's Also, this is to some degree being scaled in comparison to other available dining choices in town. Weekday lunch, party of 9. 1 hour time frame due to work commitments. Some people doubted the restaurant could get us in and out in time, but I figured they would or at least it was a decent gamble. We were the only customers when we arrived just before noon. Nice decor, clean and classy with comfortable chairs and old world art on the walls. The tables were set with cloth napkins and water goblets, putting it a step above the average fast casual chain type place. Food-- good, reasonably priced, fresh. Club sandwich wasn't overdone with mayo, the tomato was crisp, the turkey tasty. Others enjoyed their Kreso burgers (burger meets Rueben basically) and the chicken sandwiches. No one ordered any of the specialties so I cannot speak for that portion of the menu. Service was friendly and yes, we did get in and out within the hour. I'd return and if it was dinner, I'd check out that extensive bar selection too. read more

Very disappointed with our experience. We were hoping for a really nice dinner. We paid a lot of money $32+ per person for an average meal. The apps and dinners were average at best. My meal was very salty and greasy. The atmosphere is really dated. The menu is a mixing many different nationalities with no real identity. We were the only ones in the place. The server was the only really nice part of the experience. read more

We were worried when we arrived here on a Tuesday night at 6:30 and absolutely no one was here. Business eventually did pick up halfway through the meal. Our dining selections were fine. While my order of Chicken Masala seemed to lack a certain punch, my wife's selection of grilled trout was excellent. Out of the three places we ate during our stay in Bardstown - though none were exceptional - I think this one was probably the best. read more

Compelling story of the owner and great selection bourbon. Bourbon prices are high so be prepared for that. It is on the trail so i get the reason for wanting to keep the prices high. I thought the food was ok but nothing to write home about. I will say the bar tender (blanking on his name) was really awesome, showcased his knowledge of bourbon and made the overall experience pretty solid. I would probably try more places before going back here but since I heard Circa closed this may be the only option. read more

This was by far the worst dinning experiences I have ever had. Food was obscenely over price, portion were small and bland. The food had gone bad but they served it anyway. The crab cakes were so fishy smelling we couldn't get them down. The mushrooms clearly had expired too. All of us (9) were either sick after or sick the next day. The carpese salad was one tomato with one slice of mozzarella cut into 4's. Are you kidding me 11$. The tomato soup was their pasta sauce with under cooked noodles, it had the meat in it. They cross contaminated the food, our friend had a sever allergic reaction. Almost $70 for 4 apps and 2 drinks. Shrimp cocktail was the only thing edible and it was $10 for 4 shrimp with canned cocktail sauce. I guess the first clue should have been how empty it was on a Saturday evening. read more

As others have said, to find a European establishment in the midst of Bardstown was a pleasant surprise. Very good, attentive service. The menu is straightforward and simple, highlighting what the restaurant does well and eliminating anything it doesn't. The way it should be. The atmosphere is dark but warm. Excellent selection at the bar. Food was quite good, the schnitzel nataral was excellent. Also delicious was the soup du jour, spicy chicken of some sort. Definitely recommend at the very least for some variety and to escape the endless assault of boring burgers and bar food. read more

Had an allergic reaction from their food. If your allergic to mushrooms, do not eat here! While I'm sure the bar was great, spending $3.50 on a single coca-cola is insane. The food was ridiculously over-priced for the cost. The crab cakes were mostly bread (pretty sure they just dumped clam juice on top to make it smell like crab). While I have been spoiled by some truly great crab cakes in Maryland, even in Maryland they don't have the gaul to charge $10 for two small crab cakes, made mostly out of bread and what I suspect is a mix of real and imitation crab meat. The shrimp cocktail is nice, but not at that price. Go elsewhere if your looking for a family restaurant, this isn't that kind of place. Our family clearly wasn't their preferred clientele, as we felt like we were a nuisance to them, while the server fawned over the other customers and roundly ignored us. read more

This place was in a really cool old theater but other than that it was awful. The lady in charge is so rude that it's unbelievable. She brought a salad to the table that no one asked for then charged everyone for it even though I didn't have any. She wouldn't believe me when I told her that I didn't have any. The menu is very limited and when they're out of something for night you just don't get any. It's pretty lame. I wouldn't suggest this place to anyone unless it was telling them to stay away. read more

Warning...We were a party of 11. (But only 2 other parties in the whole restaurant. Thank goodness). Our server was the waitress the bartender AND the cook. Food was good and hot but salty. Ordered the schnitzel. It was good but came with potatoes and egg noodles. Not a green vegetable to be had in the entire restaurant. For the money, go to The Rickhouse. read more

We stopped for a terrific lunch. Their burgers and Rueben sandwiches were delicious. A lovely atmosphere with an attentive owner as our waitress. Enjoy! read more

We visited Kreso's last evening after trying 2 other places in town to find one closed & the other with a long waiting list. That was our good fortune. We found a parking place on the street almost at Kreso's front door. The white tablecloths & classic wooden bar can be a bit intimidating, but the local posters, indicating strong community ties, along with the wall-covering with 50's silver screen idols, welcomes patrons to a unique place. The food is also unique. The owners (cooks & chefs, apparently) immigrated from Bosnia, I believe, have taken their native cuisine & added Kentucky flairs. I had the Kreso Chicken, and it is positively delightful. The sauce, made by the owner, is very tasty. The chicken was perfectly panfried, & the spinach was fresh. My husband had the Wiener schnitzel, and he was quite satisfied. Both dishes were served with a side of egg noodles. We also had a Caprese salad, but it really was the wrong time of year for tomatoes, and we failed to ask about the basalmic vinegar which was served on the salad, and neither of us care for that. I wish we could have tried a dessert; they sound scrumptious, but we had an appointment elsewhere. For those who enjoy them, they offer a wide range of Kentucky bourbons. read more

My wife and I are small town Nebraska folks and we've had a few steaks and bourbons along the way. If you're looking for good food this place is great, one of the best Ribeyes I have ever had! Seemed like the service was okay only, nothing over the top at all. Drinks........well it's bourbon country and why is the bourbon so expensive!? Blanton's for $25 per shot?!?! I can buy a whole bottle for their 3 shots worth. Food amazing, service ok, drinks expensive. We were not offered dessert, just given our bill. So the Baskin Robbins down the block got our dessert money. It was 6:30 or so on a Wednesday and we were the only ones there the whole time. read more

The decor is quite dated and a bit run down. We were seated quickly and the server was very nice. The menu was weird.. German, French and Italian made up the majority of their offerings but sadly we didn't make it past the drinks to try any of their food. The back bar is an unorganized mess but we found a few bourbons we were happy to try. The server said she had to check with the owner to see if it was ok?? Hmm, weird. She came back and said we couldn't try the ones we selected. We picked two more, waited for her to run back and ask permission, no dice. The owner came out and we went through roughly 15 bottles that were "her private bottles". Here is a hint, if they are private, KEEP THEM AT HOME! Don't stock your bar with bottles you have no intention of serving. It false advertising and rude read more

We've waited over an hour for our food. The service is poor but it appears that she is doing multiple jobs such as hostess, waitress and bartender on a Saturday night. She seems frazzled - which is understandable. I can't comment on the food as I haven't gotten it yet. But we did receive rolls and they appear to be pre-bought/frozen and not homemade. read more

Normally I wouldn't return to the scene of a crime, I'm not your average criminal, but Kreso's deserved an update. I'm not really in fan territory yet, but sometimes you have to give credit where credit's due and there has been some improvement. Kreso's atmosphere is its strongpoint. It's a beautiful place on the interior, romantic I would say, and worth checking out for this element alone. Soft music (let's call it adult contemporary) playing in the background, very soft lighting if not a bit dark. The bar is fairly well-stocked with the local bourbons, as any Bardstown restaurant worth their salt must be. The service is improved and still friendly. The food is better, at least it was for lunch. With a large party during the lunch hour, the order was taken quickly, the Bosnian salad was good (It's really just a salad ;-) with raisins and a vinaigrette) and our orders came out timely, hot, with sizable portions. I had the Kreso Burger (Angus burger, Kaiser roll, sauerkraut, swiss cheese with a sweet dressing) was actually very good and extremely juicy. I could only eat half and I am not a light eater. Everyone else seemed very pleased with their choices. So, I'm upping it a star to give it an average 3-1/2 on my part, which seems about right. read more

This is the best steak I've had in the states. Juicy and tender. My wife got a chicken spinach dish with noodles that was also very good. The menu has some goulage and snitzle dishes that people around us got - they looked good. It's a bit pricey but for good reason! We didn't have bar drinks but did notice a large variety of bourbon. read more

The Kreso's have done a wonderful job converting this old theater into a great restaurant. The only place in town to get schnitzels the selection of food is really nice and offers a few European dishes and more basic dishes such as a steaks, fish, and salads. The bar in this place is fantastic and was hand carved, furthermore it has a great selection of spirits and beers on tap. At lunch time they offer a dish they call the Kreso Burger. Imagine a reuben and a hamburger had a child and this is what you get. It's really good. For dinner I love the Kentucky Cordon Bleu, they have an interesting take on the traditional Cordon Bleu, they use schnitzel instead of chicken and country ham instead of just regular ham. Paired up with a side of noodles with their special seasoning and you got a winner. read more

Great food and atmosphere!! The service was great and very friendly. We had a conference here for about 80 guest. They served the food fast and everyone was eating in minutes. The food aside, the owners are some of the most loving, genuine people I've ever had the privilege to work with! read more

the restaurant atmosphere is very dated, it doesn't seem that anyone has put any effort into it for a while. The food was okay enough, but we waited over forty minutes just to get it- too long for food that doesn't meet expectations read more

One of my favorite places to dine in Bardstown. A wonderful dining atmosphere and a great menu, all inside of a historic theatre.

This restaurant is seriously underrated. We tried a few more highly-rated establishments in Bardstown, and this place put them in the shade! Great atmosphere (music and paintings), unique menu (schnitzels and goulash), and wonderful, friendly service. Also, they mix a good Old Fashioned and Manhattan! I got the goulash and a Bosnian salad (delicious!) and my wife got Creso's Chicken and a Greek salad, which she loved. We will return. read more

Had lunch here today - the hot brown pizza was very good ' excellent attentive wait staff

Was there about a month ago 20 minutes before they were closing, turned us away and said they were already closed and woman at the cash register was very rude read more

Excellent food, the best in Bardstown I think. The service is great, ambiance is good and the bar is very well stocked. The owner will usually stop by your table, a nice touch. Try the schnitzel. read more

Went to this place After bourbon tasting. What a disappointment. Host could not get off the cell phone to seat us, then lead us back to a dark corner when there was nobody else in the entire restaurant. We wanted to sit near the front window to people watch. Menu was old and boring. Do Not waste your time here. read more

This has got to be the restaurant with the best bourbon selection in Bardstown! Go for a drink. Stay for a delicious supper. Not a lot of healthy food choices, but the Kreso's chicken was good as were the pasta and schnitzel. The service was great and the owners are super nice! read more

The food gets three stars, but the overall rating gets a bump for the dignified atmosphere. We'll visit here again. Chicken as clearly overdone, brocolli was fresh and perfectly done, scalloped potatoes were good, and the salad was adequate. read more

Kreso's was recommended by the locals at Xavier's Pub and what a pleasant surprise to find such a wonderful "European" establishment on the main drag of Bardstown. The story of the owners' escape from Serbia is worth the price of admission! The restaurant is in the former theatre and the manager gave us a tour to include the theature where they often hold wedding receptions. Kreso's has a super bar, large and well stocked. My wife had the chicken marsala and I the ribeye. Both were cooked to perfection and our sides were great. All in all, a great place and a super dinner. read more

Order the goulash. It's absolutely fabulous. Service a little slow. Very full of Bourbon bar

Quaint restaurant in the center of Bardstown's Historic district. We stopped for lunch and the owner was very friendly and accommodated us even though he was just about to close for his afternoon break. We had a wonderful meal and chat with the owner who told us the history of this converted Theatre from the 1930's which is evident in some of the grand décor. All in all a DELIGHTFUL experience and one of the highlights of our trip to Bourbon country! read more

As will all places in the area, Kreso's has a great bourbon selection. The goulash was just okay (although, my friend had another dish and enjoyed it), and the service was spotty - the family that owns the place provides more attention and knowledge than the rest of the staff. It was a big surprise to learn that the place is a former theatre. Ask to see the back, which is actually the old theatre itself (the restaurant portion is what used to be the lobby). Soccer fans will be interested to know that the owner was once a professional soccer player in his home country of Bosnia - there is a picture of his team hanging behind the bar. read more

Best restaurant in Bardstown and the Surrounding area. Beautiful waitresses and excellent food!!! I would eat here every day if I could!!

Who would have thought you would find a neat European restaurant in downtown Bardstown, Kentucky that would make you think you were in a quaint European dining room somewhere in Europe. We were told we had to visit the place and to take lots of money. The restaurant is in the downtown main street area (actually Third Street). We parked on the street about a block away as there were lost of people just out walking the street and dropping into various restaurants and there are several in that small area. The restaurant is typical European style and the prices on the high side I think for a small town. Not so much so for a large city. Try the Wiener Schnitzel for about $17 or the Cordon Blue for around $18. Many customers were ordering the Kreso Angus Burger. Also available are steaks and seafood.Both are very good. Order the scalloped potatoes.The wait service is very good and the dining room a pleasant experience. There is a complete bar with most any Kentucky whiskey available. After all we are in Kentucky. read more

Kreso's Restaurant - Kreso's Bardstown, Kentucky - New American Near Me - Bardstown, Kentucky

See all

The food was not bad! Both the wife and I enjoyed the Schnitzel (she the Wiener and I the Jagger) and we shared a Shrimp Coctail appetizer. The service was somewhat troubling. We walked in at approximately 6pm on a Friday and caused some confussion as to where to seat us (place did not appear to be busy). Once seated my wifes water glass had lipstick on the glass...when my wife asked if the table had been reset she was assured it had been. Our table (a two seater) also was mechanically loose at the bottom and requred a balancing act between the wife and I to keep glasses from sloshing over when the balance would shift. We should have asked for another table, but based on the trouble we had on arrival thought it better to just work thru the meal and keep the table balanced as best we could. The two star rating would probably be a 3 or 4 if not for the service and wobbling table issues....food was tasty. We wil probably try Kreso's again. read more

Terrible service though I wouldn't blame the waitstaff. They were severely shorted because of a large private party in the back room for the Bourbon Fest. While the food did taste good my dish that was supposed to be chicken-shrimp-prosciutto pasta had exactly one shrimp and no prosciutto. Next time they host such a party I recommend they close the restaurant. read more

Went this weekend for lunch and had a very disappointing experience. My in-laws chose this restaurant based on some "best of KY" list but that is certainly not the case. There was dated decor and it seemed to be a ghost town inside. The menu was limited and a confusing combination of cuisines. Our waitress, though friendly, seemed to be the only one on staff. She didn't know the specials, wasn't clear about the dessert menu and didn't serve the correct drinks. On that note, the desserts were very much over-priced and certainly didn't seem homemade. The bathrooms were also not clean. Not worth the visit, I'm sorry to say. read more

After reading the reviews, I was really looking forward to having a great dinner at Kreso"s. Loved the atmosphere the bar is beautiful as well as the old theater. I wish I could say the same for the food. I had a the house salad which was fair and the ribeye steak ordered medium with potatoes. The steak wasn't much more than paper thin cooked well over done,dry as a bone and tough. Didn't bother to tell our waiter who was mediocre at best. Never once ask how anything was and you had to wait forever to get a refill or anything else you might need. Needless to say I paid over thirty dollars for a non meal. Very,very disappointed. read more