Dinner Bell Restaurant
About This Spot
Stepping into Dinner Bell Restaurant in Berea feels like coming home after a long day on the road or a morning spent exploring Kentucky’s scenic surroundings. There’s a gentle ease here — unhurried and welcoming — where the hum of friendly conversation blends with the warmth of familiar comfort food filling the air. Spacious tables invite guests to settle in without feeling crowded, a thoughtful touch that makes the place feel both lively and relaxed.
The atmosphere strikes a balance between casual and cozy, echoing the charm of a classic country eatery without feeling staged. Soft light filters through the windows, highlighting wood accents and a gift shop tucked inside, where local crafts and nostalgic finds add an extra layer of discovery to the visit. It’s the kind of spot where you can take a moment, sip your coffee, and soak in surroundings that remind you of shared meals with family and friends.
Meal choices here are rooted in tradition and heartiness, offering a familiar kind of comfort that embraces you with every bite. Whether it’s the tender slow-roasted beef piled high or the deep-fried catfish crisped to golden perfection, the food feels lovingly prepared and generous. Side dishes like creamy macaroni and cheese, fried okra, or home-cooked beans and cornbread come together in a way that honors Southern roots without fuss. Breakfast, too, carries a gentle promise of a fresh start — think French toast or bacon and eggs served with a side of calm, unpretentious hospitality.
For those traveling through or locals looking for a reliable, down-to-earth meal, Dinner Bell quietly shines as a place where good food and thoughtful service meet. The staff’s attentiveness and the restaurant’s neat, orderly pace create a welcoming environment that encourages lingering just a little longer — whether it’s for a weekend brunch, a quick lunch stop, or a casual dinner shared amid familiar faces and warm smiles.
What’s Available Here
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Delivery
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On-site services
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Takeaway
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Dine-in
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Fast service
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Fireplace
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Great coffee
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Great dessert
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Great tea selection
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Serves local specialty
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Breakfast
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Solo dining
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Wheelchair-accessible car park
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
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Wheelchair-accessible seating
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Wheelchair-accessible toilet
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Coffee
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Comfort food
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Healthy options
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Quick bite
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Small plates
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Vegetarian options
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Breakfast
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Brunch
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Catering
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Dessert
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Seating
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Table service
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Toilet
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Casual
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Cosy
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Quiet
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Family friendly
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Groups
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Tourists
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Accepts reservations
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
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NFC mobile payments
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Credit cards
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Good for kids
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Has changing table(s)
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High chairs
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Kids' menu
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Free of charge street parking
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Free parking lot
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Parking
Location & Hours
| Monday | Closed | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 07:00 AM - 08:00 PM | |
| Wednesday | 07:00 AM - 08:00 PM | |
| Thursday | 07:00 AM - 08:00 PM | |
| Friday | 07:00 AM - 08:00 PM | |
| Saturday | 07:00 AM - 08:00 PM | |
| Sunday | 07:00 AM - 08:00 PM |
Herbert Sharp 19 Dec 2025
Traveling to the Bera Craft Fair and stopped for lunch. The place reminds me of Cracker Barrel, but the dining area is not crowded with ample sized tables. Two of us had the turkey dinner and portions were large. They loved the flavor! I had the pork dinner and it was very good. The pork was tender and moist. Server was quick and attentive. A very good overall experience!
Melissa Napier 17 Dec 2025
The food was good and it has a little store inside similar to Cracker Barrel. It was clean and the service was good. We had a group of 11 for a birthday party and didn't get to sit together though. Only 6 people could sit at a table and they separated us into two groups in two completely separate rooms. Nice place but not good for a large group since you can't even sit in the same room together.
Stephanie Nichols 10 Dec 2025
This was our 2nd time stopping here and sure it won’t be the last! Great place to stop and eat good home cooked tasting meals! From burgers, meat loaf meal, potato soup, beans and cornbread, to breakfast, there’s much to choose from! We had the blackberry cobbler ala mode and oh my goodness!Great atmosphere! Nice sized gift shop as well! Great food and staff! **They do charge a 3.95% fee on all credit/debit card transactions! Just a forewarning!
Delisa Goodman 03 Dec 2025
On a road trip and stopped to get gas. We saw the Dinner Bell, and decided to get a "meal" instead of fast food for lunch. They did not disappoint. I got country ham, green beans, baked sweet potato and fried cornbread. Hubby got chopped sirloin, sweet potato, Mac and cheese, and fried cornbread. Everything tasted great. My potato was a little hard in the middle, but the waitress, Kristin, who was really nice,quickly brought me another one that was just right. So if you're coming from central Indiana headed to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, they are located at about the halfway point on I-75.
Liz W 21 Nov 2025
Located right off I-75, this restaurant was very easy to get to. And, ironically, it's just across the highway from Cracker Barrel. But with all due respect to Cracker Barrel, this place is worth visiting instead. They serve the same style of country/comfort food, and it's comparable to the big chain, but this is a local place. The server was fantastic, very friendly and attentive. They also have a small shop of home decor items, and even some pottery made by local artists. I recommend paying with cash if you can, but they do accept credit cards with a small surcharge. Overall, the atmosphere was very comfortable and welcoming. I checked out the bathrooms as well, and can confirm it was clean and well stocked.
Karen Mckinney 30 Oct 2025
My husband and I love this place. I’m a huge fan of the fried chicken Asian salad. The servers and hostess and very helpful and friendly this establishment is very clean and I’ll be ordering one of these salads tomorrow. The hubby always has breakfast and eats every bite. Highly recommend!!
Andi C 11 Oct 2025
We've passed Dinner Bell for years. Since we were staying over night at a nearby campground we thought we would try it. We had a good experience. My husband and I both ordered the Aunt Bonnie's open faced turkey with coleslaw. We both liked our meals. The service was good. It's an older restaurant but it was clean. I asked our server how long they had been in business and she said they just celebrated their 40th anniversary.