Kentucky may be known throughout the world for its namesake fried chicken, but those seeking culinary adventure mixed with comfort foods are sure to find something new at some of the most popular restaurants in the state.

Lynn's Paradise Cafe: A nationally acclaimed eatery and a local gem, Lynn's Paradise Cafe has been a Louisville hotspot for over a decade, and has been featured on scores of television broadcasts including "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and Food Network's "Throwdown with Bobby Flay." Regarded for her unique approach to "down home" southern cuisine, proprietor Lynn Winter has successfully incorporated a fun and quirky atmosphere into the family-style restaurant that also boasts the World of Swirl gift shop.

Moonlight Bar-B-Q Inn: The Moonlight Bar-B-Q Inn has been a guilty pleasure in Owensboro for more than 40 years -- perfecting the process of slow cooking over hickory logs for a flavor unique to the region. But that's not all the Moonlight is acclaimed for. The eatery also specializes in country ham and burgoo: a hearty soup made with beef, chicken, mutton and vegetables with roots to the earliest of Kentucky settlers who would forge stews from any game they could catch. The restaurant -- which has been featured in a number of national magazines -- traditionally serves its meats without sauce, but those with a penchant for enjoying their barbecue wet can pour away with the Moonlight's house sauces or the legendary mutton dip, used to baste the meat as it cooks.

J. Graham's Cafe at the Brown Hotel: A visit to Kentucky wouldn't be complete without a stop in Louisville to feast on a "Hot Brown" at J. Graham's Cafe within the Brown Hotel. The legendary Hot Brown is a baked open-faced turkey sandwich with bacon and Mornay sauce that has been served at the hotel since the 1920s. Highly acclaimed in magazines, newspapers and television shows, the sandwich was originally intended as a recovery meal for late-night revelers, but can equally be enjoyed by the visiting lunch crowd.

The Mansion at Griffin Gate: As the only four-star restaurant in Kentucky, the Mansion at Griffin Gate sets a new standard for dining elegance where crystal chandeliers and rare antiques compliment a seasonally changing menu of national acclaim. Nowhere else can visitors dine in an authentic antebellum mansion alongside celebrities and the area's elite, as well as the spirits of former residents -- who are said to still demonstrate their presence with flickering lights.

Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum: Eastern Kentucky may not be the usual destination for vacationing diners looking for a unique culinary experience, but the city of Corbin does offer the opportunity to dine in the one of the most famous locations in the world: the first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant. The Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum is the original location of the worldwide franchise founded by the legendary Col. Harland Sanders. While the building was rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1939, it still serves chicken meals according to the colonel's exacting standards. The eatery also maintains a collection of artifacts from the early days of the Sanders' business, and also includes a replica of his original kitchen.