When people consider moving to Murray, Kentucky, they usually ask about the housing market, schools, Murray State University and the cost of living. But sooner or later, another important question always comes up:

Where are the best places to eat in Murray?

After living in Calloway County for most of our lives, we have eaten at restaurants throughout Murray for decades. We know the places where local families gather, where Murray State students grab a quick meal and where we take friends when they visit from out of town.

This is not intended to be a ranking from best to worst. Murray has too many different kinds of restaurants for that. Instead, we are sharing some of the places we recommend based on the type of food, atmosphere and dining experience you are looking for.

We are also going to be honest about our own experiences. Some restaurants are longtime favorites where we know exactly what we are ordering before we sit down. Others are popular with Murray residents, even if we have not visited often enough to claim a favorite dish.

Whether you are relocating to Murray, visiting your student at Murray State University or simply looking for somewhere different to eat, this local guide will help you find a place to start.

Restaurant menus, hours and availability can change. Check directly with the restaurant before making a special trip.

Where to Get Pizza in Murray, Kentucky

Murray has several locally owned pizza restaurants, and each offers something different. Whether you want a thin and crispy pizza, a giant slice near Murray State or a brick-oven pizza served alongside a full dinner menu, these three restaurants deserve a place on the list.

Pagliai’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant

Pagliai’s Pizza has been a Murray tradition since 1979. Pronounced “Polly-Eyes,” it is known for pizzas cooked directly on brick at a high temperature, creating the thin, firm and crunchy crust that distinguishes Pagliai’s from other pizza restaurants in Murray.

The restaurant makes its dough fresh daily, slices its vegetables by hand and prepares its own Italian sausage and ground beef. In addition to pizza, the menu includes pasta, sandwiches, salads and a pizza buffet.

Pagliai’s is especially popular with families. Its spacious dining areas, arcade games and indoor play area make it a natural choice for birthday parties, ball teams and larger groups.

Our regular order is a pizza with pepperoni, ground beef and onion. When eating pizza at Pagliai’s, you cannot forget the ranch dressing for dipping. For us, the combination of the crispy crust, toppings and ranch is part of the complete Pagliai’s experience.

Best for: Families, large groups, the pizza buffet and anyone who likes a thin, crispy crust

Location: 970 Chestnut Street, Murray, KY

Matt B’s Main Street Pizza

Located near Murray State University, Matt B’s Main Street Pizza is a casual local favorite known for its oversized slices and signature honey-infused crust.

Customers can order an entire pizza or stop in for a slice, making Matt B’s especially convenient for Murray State students, university employees and anyone looking for a quick lunch near campus. The menu includes familiar choices such as cheese and pepperoni, along with specialty pizzas, calzones, salads, breadsticks and cheese sticks.

We generally order a honey-crust pepperoni pizza. The honey in the crust gives it a slightly sweet flavor, but the honey butter served for dipping the crust is what finishes it. Do not leave without the honey butter.

Matt B’s is a good example of a restaurant that feels connected to Murray State and the surrounding neighborhood. It is relaxed, convenient and distinctly Murray.

Best for: Giant slices, honey crust, casual lunches and eating near Murray State

Location: 1411 Main Street, Murray, KY

Tom’s Grille

Tom’s Grille is not exclusively a pizza restaurant, but its brick-oven specialty pizzas earn it a place in this section.

This is a good choice when some people in the group want pizza while others prefer steak, seafood, pasta or another full dinner entrée. Tom’s offers more of a traditional sit-down dining experience than Murray’s casual pizza restaurants, making it suitable for a date night, family dinner or evening out with friends.

When we order pizza at Tom’s, we usually choose pepperoni, ground beef and onion or pepperoni and mushroom. Just like at Pagliai’s, ranch dressing for dipping is part of the order.

Tom’s also offers specialty combinations for diners who want something different from a traditional pizza. It provides a nice middle ground between going out for pizza and going out for a complete dinner.

Best for: Brick-oven pizza, sit-down dinners and groups wanting several types of entrées

Location: 1501 North 12th Street, Murray, KY

Website: Tom’s Grille

Mexican Restaurants in Murray, Kentucky

Murray residents have several choices for Mexican food, ranging from longtime local favorites to restaurants with extensive menus and distinctive house specialties.

These three restaurants each have loyal customers, but our most frequent orders come from Los Portales and Don Sol.

Los Portales Mexican Restaurant

Los Portales has been one of Murray’s dependable Mexican restaurants for years. It is known for quick service, generous portions and a large menu containing familiar favorites such as fajitas, tacos, burritos, enchiladas, combination dinners and seafood dishes.

Keith usually orders the cheesesteak, while Tracy’s regular choice is the Pechuga Frita. Those may not be the first two dishes everyone associates with a Mexican restaurant, but they have become our dependable favorites.

We also believe Los Portales is better when you sit down and eat at the restaurant. Mexican food is best when it arrives hot from the kitchen, and that is especially true of the meals we order here.

The extensive menu makes Los Portales a good option for groups because nearly everyone can find something they like, including diners who may not want a traditional combination plate.

Best for: Generous portions, quick service, an extensive menu and a dependable casual dinner

Location: 1506 Lowes Drive, Murray, KY

Don Sol Mexican Grill

Don Sol combines a broad Mexican and Tex-Mex menu with a colorful, lively dining atmosphere. Its location near Murray State University makes it convenient for students, university families and visitors spending time around campus.

The menu includes fajitas, burritos, tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, combination dinners and several specialty dishes. It also has enough variety to accommodate diners looking for meatless choices.

Keith normally orders the Veggie Potato Fajita Bowl, which combines vegetables and potatoes in a filling fajita-style meal. Tracy tends to order the Pollo Loco.

Don Sol works equally well for a weekday lunch, a casual family dinner or a meal with friends. Its large menu and upbeat atmosphere make it one of Murray’s more energetic Mexican dining options.

Best for: A lively atmosphere, broad menu, lunch and convenient dining near Murray State

Location: 1203 Chestnut Street, Murray, KY

La Cocina Mexicana

La Cocina Mexicana is a family-owned restaurant with a large menu of Mexican favorites, combination meals and house specialties. Its selections include tacos, fajitas, burritos, quesadillas and chimichangas, along with distinctive house dishes.

Many Murray residents enjoy La Cocina and have their own favorite meals. We have not eaten there often enough to honestly name a regular order, and we would rather say that than pretend otherwise.

Its loyal local following and extensive menu still make it worthy of inclusion among Murray’s Mexican dining options. Someone looking to compare the different Mexican restaurants in town should consider giving La Cocina a try and deciding for themselves.

Best for: A large selection, combination dinners and distinctive house specialties

Location: 106 South 12th Street, Murray, KY

Breakfast and Homestyle Plate Lunches in Murray, Kentucky

For a traditional breakfast or a sit-down plate lunch, Murray has several longtime local restaurants serving Southern comfort food in a casual, welcoming atmosphere.

Rudy’s on the Square, Hih-Burger Inn and Martha’s Restaurant are not just breakfast stops. They are also dependable choices for homestyle lunches featuring meat, vegetables, daily specials and the kind of straightforward cooking people expect from a local diner. Dumplin’s of Murray is a lunch-focused favorite known for homemade rolls, chicken dumplins and oversized cakes.

Tracy and I rarely go out for breakfast, so we cannot honestly claim a favorite among these three. However, you cannot go wrong with classic choices such as eggs and bacon, pancakes or biscuits and gravy at any of them.

Rudy’s on the Square

Located just off Murray’s historic Court Square, Rudy’s is an iconic local diner with a history stretching back more than 80 years. It specializes in traditional Southern homestyle cooking and serves breakfast throughout the day.

Rudy’s is a good place to enjoy a traditional breakfast in a small-town diner atmosphere. Beyond breakfast, its daily specials and Southern favorites make it equally suitable for a sit-down plate lunch or dinner.

Its downtown location also makes Rudy’s convenient for anyone visiting the Court Square, shopping downtown or exploring Murray for the first time.

Best for: All-day breakfast, daily plate lunches, Southern comfort food and a traditional downtown diner experience

Location: 104 South 5th Street, Murray, KY

Renfro’s Hih-Burger Inn

Renfro’s Hih-Burger Inn is one of Murray’s classic neighborhood diners. It is known for traditional breakfasts, burgers, plate lunches and Southern-style meals.

This is the type of unpretentious local restaurant where diners can start the morning with eggs, bacon, pancakes or biscuits and gravy, then return another day for a homestyle lunch special.

Its old-fashioned diner atmosphere makes Hih-Burger part of Murray’s local dining character.

Best for: Traditional breakfast, burgers, plate lunches and an old-fashioned neighborhood diner experience

Location: 413 South 4th Street, Murray, KY

Martha’s Restaurant

Martha’s Restaurant serves breakfast throughout the day, along with plate lunches, dinner specials and a broad selection of homestyle meals.

Its breakfast menu includes familiar favorites such as eggs with bacon or sausage, pancakes, omelets, country ham, breakfast sandwiches, hash browns and biscuits and gravy.

Martha’s is a practical choice for families or groups whose members may not all want the same type of meal. Someone can order breakfast while another person chooses a burger, sandwich, meat-and-vegetable plate or another comfort-food favorite.

Best for: All-day breakfast, homestyle plate lunches, a large menu and families wanting plenty of choices

Location: 1407 North 12th Street, Murray, KY

Dumplin’s of Murray

Dumplin’s of Murray has been serving the community for more than 30 years. It is a longtime local lunch destination known for homemade breads and rolls, chicken dumplins, soups, salads, sandwiches and large homemade cakes.

Its lunch specials include a freshly made yeast roll with honey butter and a choice of soup, chicken dumplins or a side salad. Sandwiches are served on homemade bread or rolls, giving the restaurant a made-from-scratch character that distinguishes it from a typical quick lunch stop.

Dumplin’s is also well known locally for its oversized cakes, making it a place people think of for both lunch and dessert. It is a good option when you want a relaxed sit-down meal built around familiar comfort food.

Best for: Chicken dumplins, homemade rolls with honey butter, sandwiches, lunch specials and oversized cakes

Location: 305 South 12th Street, Murray, KY

Website: Dumplin’s of Murray

Local Favorites for a Casual Lunch or Dinner

Some Murray restaurants are difficult to place into only one category because their menus offer a little bit of everything. Whether you want a steak dinner, seafood, pizza, sandwiches or an easy meal to take home, these are dependable local favorites.

Sirloin Stockade

Sirloin Stockade may be best known for its large buffet, salad bar and dessert selection, but it also offers individually prepared entrées for diners who prefer a traditional sit-down dinner.

Keith’s favorite is the ribeye dinner with a baked potato, while Tracy usually chooses the sirloin tips with grilled onions.

On evenings when we want something simple without cooking, we will often call in an order for a cheeseburger and fries along with a chicken sandwich.

The combination of the buffet and full-menu entrées makes Sirloin Stockade particularly convenient for families and groups. Everyone can choose what they want, whether that means steak, vegetables, fried chicken, salad or dessert.

Best for: Steak dinners, the buffet, families, large groups and convenient carryout meals

Location: 932 South 12th Street, Murray, KY

The Keg

The Keg is a locally owned Murray restaurant with a broad menu featuring Cajun seafood, barbecue, steaks, burgers, sandwiches and other American favorites.

It is one of those restaurants where it can be difficult to settle on just one favorite. You cannot go wrong with the grilled pork chops or fried catfish, while Tracy especially enjoys the Racer Chicken.

The Keg works well for a casual lunch, family dinner or evening out with friends. Its wide variety is also helpful when everyone in the group is craving something different. One person can order seafood, another can choose barbecue and someone else can have steak, chicken or a sandwich.

Best for: Grilled pork chops, fried catfish, Cajun seafood, barbecue and groups wanting plenty of choices

Location: 1051 North 16th Street, Murray, KY

Tap 216

Located just steps from Murray State University, Tap 216 is a locally owned neighborhood restaurant and bar with a casual, family-friendly atmosphere.

We enjoy its sandwiches and pizzas, but the appetizer selection also makes Tap 216 a good place to meet friends and share several items around the table. Its menu also includes wings, burgers, wraps and salads, giving families and groups plenty of choices.

Tap 216 is a particularly good option for Murray State students, parents visiting campus and anyone who wants a relaxed meal near the university. The restaurant’s entertainment and gathering-place atmosphere can make it feel like more than simply a place to eat.

Best for: Sandwiches, pizza, appetizers, wings and casual dining near Murray State

Location: 216 North 15th Street, Murray, KY

Big Apple Grill & Bar

Big Apple Grill & Bar has been a Murray tradition since 1983. Its broad menu includes burgers, sandwiches, barbecue, ribs, wings, nachos and salads, but the restaurant is especially known for its signature bean rolls.

We love going to Big Apple for the bean rolls. They are one of those distinctive local foods that longtime Murray residents know, but someone visiting or relocating to the area might never think to order without a recommendation.

With its casual atmosphere and varied menu, Big Apple works well for lunch, dinner, meeting friends or watching a game. It is another dependable choice when everyone at the table wants something different.

Best for: Signature bean rolls, burgers, barbecue, sandwiches and a casual local atmosphere

Location: 1005 Arcadia Circle, Murray, KY

The Willow Bistro

The Willow Bistro is a locally owned restaurant near Murray State University with a menu that is difficult to place in only one category. Its selections include soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, house specialties, Thai rice plates, smoothies and fresh-pressed juices.

The restaurant is located in a house built in 1929, giving it a quieter and more personal atmosphere than a typical commercial dining space. It works well for lunch, a relaxed dinner or a date night when you want something different from Murray’s larger casual restaurants.

We have not eaten at The Willow Bistro, so we cannot honestly recommend a personal favorite. However, its distinctive setting and varied menu make it an important locally owned Murray restaurant to include in this guide.

Best for: Soups, salads, sandwiches, Thai rice plates, fresh juices and a quieter locally owned dining experience

Location: 124 North 15th Street, Murray, KY

Website: The Willow Bistro

Kentucky Lake Glamping Café

Tucked away on Kentucky Lake in New Concord, the Kentucky Lake Glamping Café is one of the area’s genuine hidden gems.

Located approximately 16 miles from Murray in the back of Blood River, finding it feels like discovering a place most visitors would never know to look for. You do not have to be staying at the campground to eat at the café.

The menu includes handmade pizzas, sandwiches, wings, chicken tenders, desserts and other casual favorites.

Keith’s favorite is the Philly cheesesteak sandwich, while Tracy always orders a cauliflower-crust pizza with pepperoni. The cauliflower crust also makes it a useful option for diners seeking an alternative to traditional pizza crust.

The lakeside location is a major part of the experience. It is worth the drive from Murray when you want a relaxed meal away from town or something convenient while spending time around Kentucky Lake.

Best for: Philly cheesesteaks, handmade pizza, cauliflower crust, lakeside dining and discovering a hidden local favorite

Location: 45 Riverside Road, New Concord, KY

If lake living is part of what brings you to Western Kentucky, compare the communities and lifestyles in our guide to Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.

Barbecue Restaurants in Murray, Kentucky

When the craving is for smoked meat and traditional barbecue sides, Bad Bob’s Bar-B-Q and Pit Stop BBQ are two dependable local choices. Tracy and I enjoy the barbecue at both restaurants, although we do not have one regular order that we choose every time.

Bad Bob’s Bar-B-Q

Bad Bob’s is a convenient choice for barbecue in the middle of Murray. Its menu features barbecue and chicken smoked fresh daily, along with sandwiches and traditional sides.

The restaurant has indoor dining and a drive-through, making it easy to stop for lunch, sit down for a casual dinner or pick up barbecue to take home. Its Chestnut Street location is also convenient to Murray State University and much of central Murray.

We enjoy the barbecue at Bad Bob’s, but we tend to change our order depending on what sounds good that day. It is a dependable option when you want traditional Western Kentucky barbecue without leaving town.

Best for: Smoked barbecue, chicken, traditional sides and convenient drive-through service

Location: 806 Chestnut Street, Murray, KY

Pit Stop BBQ

Located south of Murray on Highway 121, Pit Stop BBQ has the comfortable, unpretentious character people often associate with a locally owned barbecue restaurant.

Pit Stop offers a variety of smoked meats and homestyle sides, giving diners plenty of ways to put together a traditional barbecue meal. Its location outside Murray’s busiest commercial areas adds to the local, off-the-beaten-path experience.

Tracy and I enjoy the barbecue at Pit Stop, although we do not have a single favorite order to recommend. This is another place where the choice often depends on which meat and sides sound best that day.

Best for: Traditional barbecue, smoked meats, homestyle sides and a casual local atmosphere

Location: 2393 State Route 121 South, Murray, KY

The Keg and Big Apple Grill & Bar also serve barbecue alongside their broader menus. They are worth considering when you want barbecue but are dining with a group whose members may prefer burgers, sandwiches, seafood, pizza or other choices.

Asian Restaurants in Murray, Kentucky

Murray has several Asian dining options offering Chinese, Thai and Japanese cuisine. August Moon, Jasmine and Shogun each provide a different type of experience, from a casual Chinese meal to sushi or a hibachi dinner.

Tracy and I do not eat at these restaurants regularly enough to recommend a personal favorite or regular order. However, all three are established Murray restaurants worth knowing about, especially for newcomers looking for Asian food in the area.

August Moon

August Moon is a longtime Murray restaurant serving Chinese favorites such as sweet-and-sour chicken, General Tso’s chicken, orange chicken, fried rice, chow mein and lo mein.

Its large menu also includes beef, pork, shrimp and vegetable dishes, along with soups, appetizers and combination meals. The variety makes August Moon a practical option for lunch, dinner or takeout.

Since we do not eat at August Moon often, we cannot honestly recommend a particular dish. However, its extensive menu and convenient location make it one of Murray’s primary choices for Chinese food.

Best for: Chinese food, combination meals, a broad menu and convenient takeout

Location: 1550 Lowes Drive, Murray, KY

Website: August Moon

Jasmine Thai Cuisine and Sushi Bar

Jasmine offers a combination of Thai cuisine and sushi, giving it one of the most varied Asian menus in Murray.

Diners can choose from sushi rolls, curries, noodle dishes, fried rice, stir-fries, soups and Thai specialties. Its variety makes it helpful for groups when some diners want sushi and others prefer a cooked entrée, curry or noodle dish.

We do not visit Jasmine frequently enough to name a personal favorite, but its combination of Thai food and sushi makes it a distinctive choice in Murray.

Best for: Thai cuisine, sushi, curries, noodle dishes and groups wanting a varied menu

Location: 506 North 12th Street, Suite E, Murray, KY

Website: Jasmine Thai Cuisine and Sushi Bar

Shogun Japanese Steak & Sushi

Shogun offers Japanese cuisine in both traditional dining and hibachi-style settings. Its menu includes sushi, teriyaki, tempura, fried rice and hibachi dinners featuring steak, chicken, seafood and vegetables.

The hibachi experience makes Shogun especially suitable for a birthday, family dinner or evening out with friends. Guests can watch their meals being prepared, while diners who prefer a quieter experience can choose regular seating or order sushi and other menu items.

Although Tracy and I do not eat at Shogun often enough to recommend a regular order, it provides a dining experience that is different from Murray’s other Asian restaurants.

Best for: Hibachi dinners, sushi, Japanese cuisine, celebrations and group dining

Location: 706 North 12th Street, Murray, KY

Website: Shogun Japanese Steak & Sushi

Italian Restaurants in Murray, Kentucky

Two locally owned Italian restaurants immediately come to mind in Murray: Pagliai’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant and Stephano’s Trattoria.

Each offers a different experience. Pagliai’s is a longtime family favorite with pizza, pasta and a casual atmosphere, while Stephano’s offers a quieter, dinner-focused experience.

Pagliai’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant

Pagliai’s was already featured in our pizza section, but it deserves another mention for its Italian dishes. Its menu extends beyond pizza to include spaghetti, lasagna and other pasta selections.

The spaghetti and lasagna are two of our favorites. Either is a good choice when you want a traditional Italian meal instead of pizza.

Because Pagliai’s already has a complete profile earlier in this guide, we will not repeat all the details here. Just remember that it is not only one of Murray’s best-known pizza restaurants. It is also a dependable place for pasta and a casual family dinner.

Best for: Spaghetti, lasagna, pizza, family meals and casual Italian dining

Location: 970 Chestnut Street, Murray, KY

Website: Pagliai’s Pizza

Stephano’s Trattoria

Stephano’s Trattoria offers classic Italian cuisine in a more intimate, dinner-focused setting. Its menu includes pasta and other Italian-inspired dishes, along with steaks, seafood, appetizers and desserts.

Tracy and I have not eaten at Stephano’s often enough to claim several regular favorites. However, I do love their charcoal-grilled ribeye. It may not be the first dish someone expects to hear recommended at an Italian restaurant, but it is the meal that stands out most from my visits.

Stephano’s is a natural choice for a date night, anniversary dinner, celebration or quieter evening meal.

Best for: Italian cuisine, charcoal-grilled ribeye, date nights and special-occasion dinners

Location: 200 North 15th Street, Murray, KY

Website: Stephano’s Trattoria

Local Coffee Shops and Doughnuts in Murray, Kentucky

Murray has several locally owned places where residents can enjoy coffee, meet friends, study or pick up breakfast. The Blend by Avery, Shaffer Coffee Co., 5th & Main Coffees and Murray Donuts each offer something different.

Tracy especially enjoys flavored coffees, whether served iced or hot. Keith does not drink coffee, so when we stop at a local coffee shop, Tracy is the one choosing the drink while Keith looks for something from the food or pastry menu. Because Tracy enjoys trying different flavors, we do not have one particular coffee drink that we order every time.

The Blend by Avery

The Blend by Avery is a locally owned coffeehouse and café. In addition to traditional coffee and espresso drinks, it offers flavored beverages made with homemade syrups, matcha, açaí bowls, salads, wraps, paninis, pastries and New York-style bagels.

Its combination of coffee and fresh food makes The Blend more than a place to stop for a morning drink. It also works well for breakfast, lunch or meeting someone over coffee.

Best for: Handcrafted coffee, homemade syrups, açaí bowls, bagels and a light breakfast or lunch

Location: 506 North 12th Street, Suite N, Murray, KY

Website: The Blend by Avery

Shaffer Coffee Co.

Shaffer Coffee Co. is a locally owned neighborhood coffee shop serving espresso drinks, brewed coffee and seasonal specialties.

Its North Fourth Street location places it away from Murray’s busiest commercial corridor and gives it the feel of a genuine neighborhood coffeehouse. It is a good option for anyone wanting to slow down, visit with friends or try a seasonal coffee creation.

Best for: Espresso drinks, seasonal coffee creations and a neighborhood coffee-shop atmosphere

Location: 404 North 4th Street, Suite A, Murray, KY

Website: Shaffer Coffee Co.

5th & Main Coffees

Located on Murray’s historic Court Square, 5th & Main Coffees is a longtime downtown destination for coffee, tea and baked goods.

The shop offers brewed and specialty coffees, teas and whole-bean coffee for customers who want to make it at home. Its comfortable seating and downtown location also make it a good place to read, study, work or meet someone.

Because it is located inside New Life Christian Bookstore, visitors can browse books, gifts and other merchandise during their visit. It is especially convenient while shopping downtown or visiting the Court Square.

Best for: Coffee, tea, baked goods, quiet meetings and relaxing downtown

Location: 100 South 5th Street, Murray, KY

Murray Donuts

Murray Donuts is the place to visit when you want a fresh doughnut and coffee without turning breakfast into a complicated decision.

Its assortment includes familiar doughnut varieties, along with breakfast sandwiches. It is especially convenient when you need to pick up a box of doughnuts for the office, a meeting, Sunday school or the family.

Best for: Fresh doughnuts, coffee, breakfast sandwiches and doughnuts by the dozen

Location: 201 North 12th Street, Suite A, Murray, KY

Ice Cream and Desserts in Murray, Kentucky

Everyone loves ice cream, and Murray has several good options depending on what kind of frozen treat you are craving.

Dairy Queen and Cold Stone Creamery each have their own niche. Dairy Queen is the place for familiar soft-serve favorites, while Cold Stone lets customers build customized ice cream creations with their choice of flavors and mix-ins.

However, our newest favorite is somewhere visitors and even some Murray residents might not think to look for ice cream: Pocket’s Convenience Store on Kingdom Court.

Dairy Queen

Murray’s Dairy Queen is a classic walk-up ice cream stand located near Murray State University. It has been part of the community since 1949 and is traditionally open from March through October. For many local residents, opening day is one of the first signs that spring is on the way.

Its menu includes familiar favorites such as Blizzards, dipped cones, sundaes, shakes, malts, banana splits and Peanut Buster Parfaits. Murray’s location is also known for using the original, richer DQ mix.

Dairy Queen fills the niche for traditional soft-serve ice cream and the recognizable frozen treats generations of local families have grown up enjoying. Its walk-up windows and outdoor seating make it a popular stop for Murray State students, families and anyone looking for a quick treat on a warm afternoon or evening.

Best for: Blizzards, soft-serve cones, sundaes, shakes and a true Murray tradition

Location: 1303 Main Street, Murray, KY

Website: Murray Dairy Queen

Cold Stone Creamery

Cold Stone Creamery offers a different kind of ice cream experience. Customers choose an ice cream flavor and then personalize it with candy, cookies, fruit, brownies, nuts, fudge and other mix-ins blended together on a frozen granite stone.

It is a good choice when everyone wants to create something different. Cold Stone also offers signature combinations, shakes, smoothies, ice cream cakes and other specialty desserts.

Best for: Customized ice cream, mix-ins, signature creations, shakes and ice cream cakes

Location: 201 North 12th Street, Suite C, Murray, KY

Pocket’s Convenience Store

Some of the best local discoveries are found in unexpected places. Pocket’s Convenience Store on Kingdom Court has become our new favorite place for hand-dipped ice cream.

Dairy Queen and Cold Stone each serve a particular kind of ice cream experience, but the hand-dipped ice cream at Pocket’s is amazing. It is exactly what you want when you are craving generous scoops of traditional ice cream without needing to visit a dedicated dessert shop.

Pocket’s may not be the first place a visitor thinks to look for ice cream, which is precisely why it belongs in a local guide. This is the kind of recommendation people usually learn from someone who lives here.

Best for: Hand-dipped ice cream, traditional scoops and an unexpected local find

Location: 101 Kingdom Court, Murray, KY

Website: Pocket’s Convenience Stores

Choosing a Murray Restaurant for the Occasion

If you still are not sure where to go, these quick suggestions may help:

Pizza with the family: Pagliai’s

A giant slice near Murray State: Matt B’s

A lively Mexican dinner: Don Sol

A traditional downtown breakfast: Rudy’s on the Square

Homemade rolls and chicken dumplins: Dumplin’s of Murray

A buffet with plenty of choices: Sirloin Stockade

Cajun seafood or fried catfish: The Keg

A distinctive local appetizer: Big Apple’s bean rolls

A meal near Murray State: Tap 216

A hidden lakeside stop: Kentucky Lake Glamping Café

Hibachi for a celebration: Shogun

A quieter date night: Stephano’s or The Willow Bistro

A neighborhood coffee-shop atmosphere: Shaffer Coffee Co.

A traditional Murray ice cream stop: Dairy Queen

Hand-dipped ice cream: Pocket’s on Kingdom Court

Frequently Asked Questions About Restaurants in Murray, KY

What food is Murray, Kentucky known for?

Murray does not have only one signature cuisine. Its dining scene reflects the community itself, with Southern plate lunches, barbecue, locally owned pizza restaurants, Mexican food, casual college-town favorites and longtime family establishments. Distinctive local orders include Big Apple’s bean rolls, Pagliai’s thin and crispy pizza, Matt B’s honey crust and Murray Dairy Queen’s richer original soft-serve mix.

What are the best locally owned restaurants in Murray, KY?

The best choice depends on what you want to eat. Pagliai’s, Tom’s Grille, Los Portales, The Keg, Tap 216, Big Apple, Rudy’s, Dumplin’s, The Willow Bistro, Stephano’s and many of the other restaurants in this guide are popular local choices. This guide is organized by food and experience rather than ranking every restaurant from first to last.

Where should families eat in Murray?

Pagliai’s is a strong family option because of its pizza, buffet, spacious dining area and children’s play area. Sirloin Stockade works well when everyone wants something different, while Los Portales, The Keg and Tom’s Grille all offer broad menus suitable for groups.

Where can parents eat near Murray State University?

Matt B’s Main Street Pizza, Tap 216, Don Sol, Bad Bob’s and Dairy Queen are all convenient to Murray State. Families visiting campus can also find many additional restaurants along 12th Street and Chestnut Street.

If your restaurant search is part of a campus visit or a possible move, our Murray State University Housing Guide for Parents and Students explains the local housing options and important university rules.

Where can I go for a date night or special occasion in Murray?

Stephano’s Trattoria is a natural choice for an intimate Italian dinner, while The Willow Bistro offers a quieter locally owned setting near Murray State. Tom’s Grille serves steak, seafood, pasta and brick-oven pizza in a sit-down setting, and Shogun’s hibachi experience works well for birthdays and group celebrations.

Where can I find breakfast in Murray?

Rudy’s on the Square, Renfro’s Hih-Burger Inn and Martha’s Restaurant offer traditional breakfast and homestyle food. Murray Donuts is convenient when you want doughnuts or a breakfast sandwich to go.

What are some restaurants unique to Murray?

Longtime local establishments such as Pagliai’s, Rudy’s on the Square, Dumplin’s, The Keg, Big Apple, Tom’s Grille and the seasonal walk-up Dairy Queen are closely connected to Murray’s identity. The Willow Bistro’s setting in a 1929 house, Pocket’s hand-dipped ice cream and the Kentucky Lake Glamping Café are more unexpected local discoveries.

Does Murray have vegetarian dining options?

Many Murray restaurants offer meatless choices, although selections vary. Don Sol’s Veggie Potato Fajita Bowl is one of Keith’s regular orders. Asian restaurants, Mexican restaurants, coffeehouse cafés and pizza restaurants also commonly have vegetable-based dishes. Diners with specific dietary needs should confirm ingredients and preparation directly with the restaurant.

Are there restaurants near Kentucky Lake outside Murray?

Yes. The Kentucky Lake Glamping Café in New Concord is approximately 16 miles from Murray and offers a casual lakeside setting. Other dining options can be found throughout the Kentucky Lake area, particularly near marinas, resorts and lake communities.

More Than a List of Places to Eat

The restaurants people choose become part of how they experience a community. They are where families celebrate birthdays, Murray State parents meet their students for dinner, friends catch up over coffee and longtime residents run into people they have known for years.

That is one of the things we appreciate about living in Murray. We have enough variety to satisfy almost any craving, but many restaurants still feel personal and connected to the community.

This guide is not meant to claim that one restaurant is best for everyone or that we have included every place in Calloway County. It is our honest starting point based on the restaurants we know, the meals we order and the local establishments newcomers should know about.

If you are considering a move, explore our complete guide to living in Murray and Calloway County. You can also browse the latest Murray and Western Kentucky real estate articles for housing-market updates, community guides and local events.

Thinking About Moving to Murray, Kentucky?

Knowing where to eat is only one part of learning whether a community feels like home.

We are Keith and Tracy Williams, the local real estate team behind Williams Property Group. We live and work in this community, and we help buyers and sellers throughout Murray, Calloway County and Western Kentucky.

Whether you are purchasing your first home, relocating from another state, buying a home for a Murray State student, searching for property near Kentucky Lake or preparing to sell, we provide knowledgeable local guidance, clear communication and personal service throughout the process.

Search homes for sale and learn more about Williams Property Group, or contact Keith and Tracy when you are ready to talk about your real estate plans.

Williams Property Group | Keith & Tracy Williams

Benchmark Realty

Serving Murray, Calloway County and Western Kentucky

Tracy: 270-293-3467

Keith: 270-293-3468

Website: SellingMurrayKY.com