Welcome to Holly Hill Inn
Holly Hill Inn, nestled in Midway, Kentucky, embodies the essence of New American cuisine, curated by the esteemed Chef Ouita Michel. Housed in a historic mansion, the inn offers a warm and inviting atmosphere complemented by local artwork. Its seasonal menu features a delightful range of dishes, from rich white bean soup to perfectly roasted kabocha squash, showcasing fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Patrons rave about the exquisite flavors and impeccable service, creating a dining experience that is both memorable and heartwarming. Holly Hill Inn is more than a restaurant; it is a culinary journey steeped in history and warmth.
- 426 N Winter St, Midway, KY 40347 Hotline: (859) 846-4732
Welcome to Holly Hill Inn, where culinary artistry meets the rich heritage of Midway, Kentucky. Nestled at 426 N Winter St, this charming establishment is more than just a restaurant; it’s a destination for food lovers seeking a taste of New American cuisine enhanced by local flavors and ingredients. With a reputation that has garnered attention, including a nomination for a prestigious James Beard Award, Holly Hill Inn stands out as a beacon of fine dining in central Kentucky.
Stepping inside this historic venue, guests are enveloped in a warm and inviting atmosphere, where vintage decor meets modern culinary innovation. The inn, steeped in history, also serves as an art gallery with captivating artwork gracing its walls, creating a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.
The menu, expertly crafted under the guidance of renowned chef Ouita Michel, showcases a variety of dishes that delight and surprise. From the tantalizing Spicy Deviled Eggs featuring farmer Joe's eggs paired with smoked trout to the exquisite Scallop au Whiskey—jumbo sea scallops flamed in bourbon and finished with crème fraîche—there's no shortage of flavor explorations. Each dish is a testament to the chef's dedication to quality and creativity, expertly combining traditional and contemporary elements.
Guests rave about the Bitter Greens and Winter Citrus salad, uniquely dressed with extra virgin olive oil and fresh pomegranate juice—it's a vibrant, refreshing dish that exemplifies the thoughtfulness in menu design. For those seeking a heartier fare, the Beef Carpaccio or Roasted Kabocha are must-tries, each showcasing local produce and innovative cooking techniques that elevate simple ingredients to extraordinary heights.
But it’s not just the food that shines at Holly Hill Inn. The service is consistently praised for being attentive and welcoming, creating a dining experience that feels both special and intimate. Guests like 'Randy C.' have described their visits as transformative, highlighting the cozy environment and impeccable service as integral to their enjoyment. Whether indulging in the prix fixe brunch or savoring a holiday meal, patrons are treated to dishes that are not only exquisite in flavor but also rich in storytelling.
The dessert menu brings a sweet conclusion to the dining experience, where dishes like the Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie and Kentucky Jam Cake evoke nostalgia and joy, reminding guests of cherished family recipes. Each bite offers a trip down memory lane, making every visit to Holly Hill Inn a heartfelt experience.
In a culinary landscape where extraordinary dining experiences can be hard to come by, Holly Hill Inn stands out as a premier destination. If you’re seeking a venue that combines history, artistry, and delectable cuisine, look no further than this charming inn. Whether you’re dining with friends, family, or that special someone, every meal at Holly Hill Inn is destined to be unforgettable.
For reservations and inquiries, contact them at (859) 846-4732. Don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in a world of culinary delight!

Absolutely loved our visit to this warm and cozy joint in Midway Kentucky... Arrived early, but the staff let me in through the bar area because I was lost... Very friendly and kind. The location is steeped in history and they provide some reading material that gives you the sense of how historic this location is. Artwork hangs on the wall, so the location serves as a sort of gallery, which can be enjoyed by the patrons. Forget about all the wonderful things I've already said... The food was perfect and the portions were perfect as well. We had the prix fixe brunch, so the three course meal was worth the $35 that it cost and I would've paid much more for the experience as well as the food. Bravo to the owners for having the wherewithal to employ such wonderful people and an amazing chef, we will be back.

After learning they were nominated for a James Beard award, we had to visit! The space is beautiful, the brunch was delicious and the service was warm and welcoming.

We had the pleasure of eating holiday brunch at this cozy restaurant today. Beautifully decorated for Christmas with classic Christmas music softly playing, the atmosphere was perfect on this rainy Sunday. We started with the sweet potato beignets which were delicious served on a bed of whipped cranberry spread with a slight kick of heat from red pepper honey drizzle and topped off with toasted pecan pieces. Our first course included a winter green salad with beets, Gorgonzola and a maple bacon vinaigrette for myself. My husband chose the Zupa Di Napoli squash bisque. A rich, creamy delight! Our entrees were the equally delicious braised berry beef flat iron steak with Brussels sprouts and potatoes.The steak was tender and flavorful. I chose baked Idaho trout with broccolini Amandine. The trout was perfectly cooked with a crabmeat dressing and burre blanc sauce on top. Our chosen desserts were bourbon chocolate pecan pie for my husband and Kentucky jam cake for myself. My mother used to make homemade jam cake with caramel frosting every Christmas. I have not had anything that tasted like hers since she passed away almost 11 years ago. I hesitated to order it fearing disappointment but I am so happy I decided to try it!! I literally teared up with the first bite because it tasted so much like my momma used to make. The caramel frosting was the perfect texture. This dessert evoked priceless memories for me. What a wonderful treat!!! The meal was made even better by the accompanying French press pot of Nate's coffee we shared. Our server was wonderful, kind and attentive. So glad we booked the holiday brunch here!!

Holly Hill is Quita's little gem. The house may be old but not the food. I've enjoyed everything I've ever had here, and I can be a tough critic! They offer lots of salads, cornbread, and well thought out dishes. The service can be a bit slow but it's always pleasant. I've seen Quita there herself working. With all of her restaurants I don't see how she does it all! The porch is my fav place to sit and eat. Very pleasant decor inside.

The food was very interesting mixing flavors and playing around with combining non-traditional foods. Most the dishes were fantastic, some were unique and definitely something I had never had before. If you want something fancy and different I'd recommend this place. The service was good and we took our time enjoying our experience.

This is a fine dining destination in central Kentucky. We went a couple of weeks ago, the first time since before Covid. The atmosphere is muted country luxury. An old mansion, wood floors, nice drapes, copious artwork. Fresh flowers at the tables. Service impeccable. These are professionals, providing top notch hospitality, hands down. The food: we started with coconut sunchoke soup. This was inspired, absolutely delicious, and the star of the meal. Light, perfect combination of flavors and textures. Fantastic. The second course I chose was a ribeye with horseradish and greens on the side. The greens were great--a mixture of fresh greens au gratined, perfectly seasoned. Unfortunately, the ribeye was served overcooked, tough with ample gristle. This is the reason for four stars instead of five. I wish I had ordered scallops. My wife had steak diane and duck fat potatoes. The potatoes were underwhelming, just okay. The steak diane was good, but too rich for her tastes. Dessert was chocolate cake with cherries and cream. This was excellent. I ordered the wine pairing. The selections were tasty, worked well. The final I ordered was a double oaked bourbon with dessert. Excellent pairing. Overall, a very nice meal at a special place. Unfortunately, the lack of attention on the main courses knocks it down a bit. Considering the price, fairly steep for this area, we expected near perfection. Total bill for two with drinks and good tip was over $260. It's fine to pay that for fine dining, but excellent execution is expected.

We've been to Holly hill inn both for a themed Kaiseki dinner that was outstanding but this review, I want to feature their take home New Year's Eve menu. This menu was $80 for enough food for two. The food even lasted into the next day. Started with delectable kale salad and tomato and artichoke soup. A boule bread bowl came with perfectly seasoned olive oil and aged balsamic. Following, the mains were a vol au vent with the most perfect shrimp and lobster newburg and a short rib with roasted vegetables and a delicious jus. We were so stuffed we couldn't finish dessert until a few hours later. A moist jam cake with blackberry topping. It was a beautiful meal.

This food was amazing. We went for Christmas Eve brunch. I had eggs Benedict (my fav), which had pimento cheese and country ham and the grits were perfecccct. My husband had the pork chop, which was also great. The first dishes and desserts were perfect also. I don't usually care for apple pie, but it was the best I've ever had. So delicious. Highly recommend brunch and probably any meal here! The cocktails were also spectacular!

Wow!! I can't wait to return. Is it possible to give more than 5 stars? Just continues to be an unbelievable experience when dining at a restaurant by one of the best Kentucky chefs. Quida I believe now owns 5 restaurants each with their own personality and style. Holly Hill remains my favorite. The service and location are world class. Our three course meal with starters were just amazing. So good in fact that I was so immersed in the experience I forgot to take some pictures of my three courses. All I can say is if you haven't experienced Holly Hill or Chef Quida's restaurants you are missing out. Run don't walk. You will thank me because you did! I'm still full!

Attended the opening of the Ray Papka Art Gallery/reception at Holly Hill Inn. As it happens, Ray is Ouita's delightful dad. She has decided to host a permanent collection of his very interesting mixed media works. Stop by for dinner and take a stroll upstairs to see them. 71