A well-planned secret garden tucked in the middle of town, a place like Kentucky Native Café would simply not be possible if not for the multi-generational history of a family who deeply understands the intrinsic value of nature. For over 100 years, the Michler family has owned a beloved florist and nursery, Michler’s Florist, Greenhouses & Garden Design, nestled on a single acre between Maxwell and High Streets. Though situated in a central location near campus and downtown, Kentucky Native Café, the German-style beer garden the family opened behind their long-running greenhouse operation in 2015, feels like an escape to the woods, with simple tables spaced thoughtfully among winding wooden walkways, mature trees and native plants. A historic shell of an old greenhouse provides a partial canopy over a walk-up window, where guests can place their orders before stealing away to a table of their choosing to forget about the state of the world for a while.
The concise but lovingly crafted menu changes often, and focuses on small plates and salads using seasonal ingredients, inviting guests to pick two or three items for their plate. Wine, fruit spritzers, local craft beer, espresso and gelato are also available
