Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Old Talbott Tavern

    3.3 (682 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

    The Old Talbott Tavern Photos

    Business Info

    THE OLD TALBOTT TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Touristy
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Live music

    You might also consider

    More like The Old Talbott Tavern

    Recommended Reviews - The Old Talbott Tavern

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Reading spot
    Agustin S.

    an absolute must-visit if you're in Bardstown. This place perfectly blends rich Kentucky history with a great dining experience. The atmosphere alone is worth the stop -- you can truly feel the history the moment you walk in, from the preserved architecture to the well-kept interior spaces that make the tavern feel both authentic and welcoming. The food is just as impressive. There's a delicious variety on the menu, with something for everyone, and the prices are very reasonable for the quality and portion sizes you get. Everything we tried was fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. One of the highlights is the famous Jesse James Room, which adds a unique historical touch to your visit. Knowing the stories tied to the tavern while you dine really makes the experience stand out from anywhere else. Between the great food, fair prices, friendly service, and the incredible history behind the building, Talbott Tavern delivers on every level. Highly recommend for both locals and visitors looking for a true Bardstown experience!

    Kentucky burgoo
    Liz J.

    Husband found The Old Talbott Tavern when he was planning on our trip. He likes to try popular restaurants in the area we are passing through as we travel. This restaurant says established in 1779- wow! When you walk in, you are initially greeted with warm southern hospitality. There's a gift shop as you enter and you will find really cool stuff to look at. We were greeted by our sweet server who answered a lot of our questions to get a feel of the long history of this place. The structure was well preserved with some upgrades due to a fire years ago. Wonderful place! Our order- Kentucky burgoo and Kentucky brown. The server had me try the soup first which was so sweet of her. Husband ended up having the burgoo and we shared the Kentucky brown. The soup was very rich in flavor and I enjoyed a few spoons with crackers- very good! The Kentucky brown is a must-have dish from this place. The serving is good for two people. It is very savory and so comforting especially if you come hungry. We love the foods, hospitality, and the ambiance of this restaurant. If I remember it right, our server's name is Christine and she was originally from California and we had a sweet conversation. What a sweet lady!

    Ryan B.

    Came here on a Monday at 4:30pm. Not crazy busy. We ate in the one dining room but they do have a bar area with its own entrance too. It was great to visit here with all its history. I had an old fashioned to celebrate my last day as a 49 year old. The food was good. We walked about .3 miles to eat here so I think the have street parking and possibly a lot as well.

    Winter Apple Salad
    Michael H.

    Stopped for a wet and rainy lunch on my way out of town. This place was on my list so I was excited to be able to work it in. I had seen the soup and so had to try. The soup was delicious. Very hardy and filled. Excellent on a cold rainy day. The salad was very delicious also and I loved the house made dressing. I was greater upon entry. Due t the holiday season was asked what group I was with and then promptly seated in a front dining room with a great waitress. Very knowledgeable and super friendly. The place is an old historic working inn. Super neat and all the history was amazing. Definitely a place I want to return for non-work trip.

    Chess Pie
    Jennifer K.

    This place was such a good experience!! The Old Talbott Tavern is rich in history and offers a self guided tour. The service was excellent and our server was very friendly. The prices were very reasonable too. I highly recommend the cornbread!!! OMGoosh I could have eaten the whole basket! The Hot Brown was good although the Walnut crusted chicken that my friend ordered was way better. We ended the meal with bread pudding which was pretty good. Loved this place!

    Salmon with dill sauce, baked potato and zucchini-squash.
    Denny K.

    I read a news/travel article about the "oldest restaurants" in each state and found that the Old Talbott Tavern was not a afar drive from our home. Historically speaking this place is a real gem that is well-maintained after all these years. (5 stars) Service was courteous and for the most part & prompt. (4 stars) But we had to wait for the check. Food - both at dinner and breakfast (albeit complementary with our room next door at the Talbott Inn) was somewhat of a disappointment. (Granted, there are a lot of delicious-sounding items on the menus....so a second or third visit would be warranted for a more complete review.) My "Hot Brown," (an open-faced sandwich of turkey breast and ham covered in Mornay sauce, baked or broiled (yes) and topped with a slice of tomato and two slices of very crispy bacon)...came swimming in a bowlful of the sauce. (see my photo) The underlying toast (or in some cases served with toast points) was nothing more than an indiscernible slab of soggy white bread. Flavor - meh. My partner's salmon was very good; sides fine. Breakfast - limited selections, but fair - was just average...Oh, but they ran out of coffee (45 minutes before closing service - so I got none to start the day. Uh-uh. Sadly, while the historic atmosphere and ambiance was absolutely wonderful, the food just didn't live up to our expectations this time.

    David C.

    The oldest Bourbon bar in the country! Great food and drinks. They even have Burgoo soup, hot brown, and chess pie! Fantastic!

    Sheppard's pot pie
    William F.

    The wait for the food appears to be the longest that we've ever had to wait. The ambience is really nice, But it has taken way too long to get our food. When we finally received our dinner 1 hour and 14 minutes later, the Shepards pot pie and pulled pork dinner was nothing to brag about. I do not recommend this place. Go to Mammy's instead!!!

    Exterior
    Bob S.

    We stopped here for lunch on our way south and were glad we did. This historic 18th century building has been providing hospitality for many years and continues to do so today. We tried the traditional Hot Brown and a Rachel and both were top notch. Portions were more than generous and prices were reasonable. Service was good and parking is free outside on the street or in their small lot beside the building. Our only negative comment was the background music. They were playing 60's rock and it might have been appropriate for the customers who were mostly retired folks but it just didn't fit with the historical significance of the place but that was a minor annoyance. Over it's 5 stars in my book and highly recommended. Bardstown has a lot of other small, good restaurants but if you have to choose only one, this should be your choice IMHO.

    Cocktails and beer
    Joshua W.

    Joe was a great member of the staff and we enjoyed chatting with him as we enjoyed our drinks and the live music.

    Entree and Burger Menu
    Tara J.

    The ambiance is absolutely gorgeous! We went Jan 1st to celebrate our first Anniversary and went for the "known" items as food choices. Had the Burgoo Stew, Kentucky Hot Brown & the Talbots Tavern Pie. The service was good and friendly. The stew was a tad spicy for me but tasted amazing. The Kentucky Hot Brown was ok but was my first one so not sure what to compare to. The pie was 20/20 amazing! The cocktail we had was Southern Tea and was amazing also!

    Lunch menu

    See all

    13 years ago

    Great old place, mango pork chop was awesome. Went to the bar side afterwards and they had live music.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike E.
    77
    40
    26

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Troy S.
    129
    12
    0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kim W.
    50
    7
    4

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ellena B.

    Ellena B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Angel G.
    230
    46
    34

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rob S.
    52
    20
    0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    OK I need to retract my last review. Everyone has a bad day. I found this place to be enchanting.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ellena B.

    Ellena B.

    Thanks Marykim M., we hope to serve you again soon!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rod B.
    4
    14
    3

    10 years ago

    Went on a Monday night. Neat building (walk through it all! ) very good staff, drinks and food, especially the pies.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ellena B.

    Ellena B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kat V.
    0
    172
    4

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ellena B.

    Ellena B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Hal R.
    142
    23
    14

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jon G.
    9
    54
    89

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of MJ K.
    10
    7
    1

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amy S.
    0
    10
    3

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bruce H.
    23
    47
    29

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M T.
    1
    171
    29

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Great selection of bourbon. Nice decor, and very friendly staff. The food was amazing too, probably the best catfish I've ever had.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Ellena B.

    Ellena B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Paige H.
    257
    17
    10

    11 years ago

    Cool atmosphere and history. The chicken fried steak was one of the best I've had. Highly recommend!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Didn't even get to eat here. After waiting an hour to be seated we decided to leave and go across the street to mammy's. Much better choice!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    I ordered the fried chicken big mistake!!!! Walmart makes a better dried out chicken never going back

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 15 of 18

    Ask the Community - The Old Talbott Tavern

    Review Highlights - The Old Talbott Tavern

    We had read about this Tavern and Inn as being super old and both Jesse James and Daniel Boone stayed there.

    Mentioned in 42 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Toogie’s Table - fall menu

    Toogie’s Table

    4.2(102 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    The food and service was excellent! The salmon was one of the best and most unique salmon dishes…read moreI've ever had. Our server, Autumn, was incredible, fast, and went to extraordinary lengths to make sure we had everything to our preferences. Will visit again!

    So I will give this place 5 stars despite a couple issues because the food was soooo good. Finding…read moreplace to eat in Bardstown while on our bourbon trail vacation was a struggle and we made reservations here for 7 on a Sunday. Um, when I double checked where it was, I noticed the close at 7?!?? So we left as soon as we could and got there at 6:35 and yes,, they close at 7:00. But the one waiter there was fine with seating us and he did a good job and was so nice and calm. The place reminded mr of old school supper club type places your grandparents would take you too. Nothing splashy but cute. Upstairs there was a bar and seating area too. The food was soooo good. I got their chicken special and my husband got the steak special for the night. It was so much food but it was just good old cooking yet not just "plain". My husband said the mushrooms he got with the steak were easily the best he has ever had. We ate until we were going to burst. And it was getting late but the staff was not pushing us or anything (we tried to get done as quick as we could though for their sake). It was a really nice experience.

    Photos
    Toogie’s Table - View from left corner against the wall of main dining room.

    View from left corner against the wall of main dining room.

    Toogie’s Table - Dessert. I don't remember but it was amazing.

    Dessert. I don't remember but it was amazing.

    Toogie’s Table - Fall menu

    See all

    Fall menu

    The Old Talbott Tavern - bars - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...