Before fast-food restaurants lined our streets and highways, locals ventured out to their neighborhood diner for a quick, tasty meal at a place that felt like home. These retro diners are becoming few and far between, but thankfully Kentucky is still home to many that are worth the drive to visit. In our state’s capitol, Cliffside Diner is such a spot where you’ll find simple, yet delicious food, friendly service and a bit of Kentucky history.
Located literally along a cliff that sits next to the Kentucky River, Cliffside Diner is near our state’s capital building and also is home to plenty of history.
Yelp/Shannah H. The building that now houses Cliffside has been home to a dining establishment since 1948. It’s maintained the same classic diner feel it had decades ago, giving it that unique retro charm.
The interior of Cliffside is exactly what you’d expect from a 50’s style diner.
Facebook/Cliffside Diner Black and white checkered floors, formica tables, and a long bar with stools fill the small, intimate space. When you walk in, you’ll be greeted with a smile and told to find a seat wherever you’d like. If it’s busy, just hang out for a few minutes, as the service is fairly quick.
The retro-status of this diner can be found in every detail.
Yelp/Stacie W.
Yelp/Dana L. The menu could be straight out of 1955, which may actually be the case. You’ll find typical diner classics on the menu - cheeseburgers, open-faced sandwiches and daily specials. But there are also Kentucky staples like the Hot Brown and a Pimento Cheese Sandwich.
If you go with the burger - or anything really - order it with a side of fried potatoes.
Yelp/Shannah H. They have regular fries and onion rings, but these sliced, fried potatoes are a favorite and are perfectly cooked every time.
Breakfast is also a favorite at the diner and is served all day.
Yelp/Mark G. The biscuits and gravy are made in house and the eggs and bacon are breakfast perfection.
Cliffside Diner is perhaps most famous for its milkshakes and malts, along with the retro atmosphere.
TripAdvisor/TrishA4 A cold, creamy malt is the perfect ending to any meal at this diner destination.
Cliffside Diner is a Kentucky establishment and worth the drive for any meal of the day.
TrishA4/Tripadvisor The Diner is open Monday - Thursday 9am - 7pm, Friday 9am - 8pm, Saturday 7:30am - 8pm, and Sunday 7:30am - 3pm. The next time you find yourself in Frankfort, or anywhere really, and you’re craving a juicy cheeseburger and malt with a side of retro charm, check out Frankfort’s Cliffside Diner.
Hopefully Cliffside diner will continue to serve cheeseburgers and shakes for years to come. Have you enjoyed this roadside eatery? Share your experience with us in the comments! And as always, let us know which hidden gems we should check out next!
Yelp/Shannah H.
The building that now houses Cliffside has been home to a dining establishment since 1948. It’s maintained the same classic diner feel it had decades ago, giving it that unique retro charm.
Facebook/Cliffside Diner
Black and white checkered floors, formica tables, and a long bar with stools fill the small, intimate space. When you walk in, you’ll be greeted with a smile and told to find a seat wherever you’d like. If it’s busy, just hang out for a few minutes, as the service is fairly quick.
Yelp/Stacie W.
Yelp/Dana L.
The menu could be straight out of 1955, which may actually be the case. You’ll find typical diner classics on the menu - cheeseburgers, open-faced sandwiches and daily specials. But there are also Kentucky staples like the Hot Brown and a Pimento Cheese Sandwich.
They have regular fries and onion rings, but these sliced, fried potatoes are a favorite and are perfectly cooked every time.
Yelp/Mark G.
The biscuits and gravy are made in house and the eggs and bacon are breakfast perfection.
TripAdvisor/TrishA4
A cold, creamy malt is the perfect ending to any meal at this diner destination.
TrishA4/Tripadvisor
The Diner is open Monday - Thursday 9am - 7pm, Friday 9am - 8pm, Saturday 7:30am - 8pm, and Sunday 7:30am - 3pm. The next time you find yourself in Frankfort, or anywhere really, and you’re craving a juicy cheeseburger and malt with a side of retro charm, check out Frankfort’s Cliffside Diner.
Cliffside Diner is located at 175 Old Lawrenceburg Rd. Frankfort, KY 40601. For more information, follow along with them on Facebook here.
And for more diners located throughout Kentucky, check out our previous article here.
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