Eight Can’t-Miss Restaurants in Louisville, Kentucky

Beyond fried chicken, the Hot Brown, and Derby Pie, I knew very little about Louisville’s cuisine before I started planning my trip to the city. With famous dishes like those, I can honestly say I wasn’t expecting to find so much international flavor in a landlocked state – but I soon found myself seated at some of the city’s best tables, yet often dreaming of far-flung destinations.

To me, Louisville’s restaurant scene is defined by two features: its willingness to explore the globe through cuisine, and its ability to do the classics justice for modern tastes. The result is a city full of diners hungry for more, and willing to shell out for the experience. While I on occasion am willing to shell out triple digits for an excellent meal (see examples A, B, and C), the truth is, I’m generally more excited about restaurants that provide diners a one-of-a-kind experience at a more accessible price point.

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This list is handpicked, and this post is not produced in partnership with any of the restaurants below

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Today I’m bringing you a round-up of eight restaurants that I consider to be essential Louisville dining experiences. The restaurants on this list offer diners the chance to enjoy local flavors in a comfortable atmosphere and are priced at a point that allows you to return. Find your next favorite Louisville meal below!

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8 ESSENTIAL RESTAURANTS IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

1. Gralehaus

I’m kicking off this restaurant roundup with what might be the most charming brunch spot in all of Louisville: Gralehaus. Set inside an early 1900s home in the Original Highlands neighborhood (like so many of the city’s great restaurants), Gralehaus serves excellent brunch fare daily from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Find items on the menu like their popular Shroom n’ Grits and breakfast sandwiches, and don’t skip the coffee cake (indeed, it is damn good). If you enjoyed your experience so much that you don’t want to leave, there’s no need to worry! The Grales also operates a three-room bed-and-beverage upstairs. No reservations.

→Gralehaus // 1001 Baxter Ave, Louisville, KY 40204

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2. V-Grits

Vegan friends, rejoice, for I have found you a vegan restaurant in this (admittedly meat-centric) part of the country! V-Grits is located in Logan Street Market and though you might not know it at first glance, everything on the comfort-food-driven menu is 100% vegan (with items like an Animal Burger, Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, and a sausage egg and cheese biscuit on the menu, you’d be forgiven for wondering!). The pumpkin curry served as a warming bowl of comfort on a chilly day, but I have a hard time believing you could go wrong here. Best of all, V-Grits stands for so much more than just delicious plant-based food; the restaurant also operates with the mighty missions of “social justice, racial equity, access to healthy food for all, animal rights, and sustainability.”

→V-Grits // 1001 Logan St, Louisville, KY 40204

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3. Full Arepa

Also located in Logan Street Market, Full Arepa dishes out authentic Venezuelan cuisine. As the name implies, you’ll find a full range of arepas on the menu, but you’ll also find hearty rice bowls, sandwiches, and empanadas. A filling rice bowl like the Pernil Bowl gives you a taste of the restaurant’s flavors in an easy-to-eat package, but be sure to add a plain arepa on the side for a little treat (they’re gluten-free!).

→Full Arepa // 1001 Logan St, Louisville, KY 40204

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4. Mayan Cafe

If you asked me to guess where I might find an authentic Mayan restaurant in the U.S., I don’t know that I ever would have landed on Louisville. And yet, Mayan Cafe has been delivering authentic Mayan cuisine from Chef Bruce Ucán’s native Yucatán peninsula to the NuLu neighborhood since 2007. Start your journey with the restaurant’s popular Sikil-pak. This puree of pumpkin seeds, tomatoes, and cilantro is so much more than the sum of its parts. Bringing more pumpkin to the party is the Papadzules, some of the most delicious enchiladas I’ve ever had in my life. And I barely managed to sneak a bite of Michael’s Cochinita Pibil, which is testament enough to the dish’s deliciousness – but I did manage to skewer a few lima beans before he had a go at them. All weekend long, all I heard from anyone was how delicious Mayan Cafe’s lima beans are, and they were correct. Polish off your meal knowing you just had an only-in-Louisville experience; Mayan Cafe takes strides to source the ingredients for its menu locally. Reservations are a must.

→Mayan Cafe // 813 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206

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5. The Lobby Bar at The Brown Hotel

The Brown Hotel is an iconic building among Louisville’s cityscape, and it’s also where you’ll find the iconic Hot Brown, a bubbly open-faced turkey sandwich smothered in creamy bechamel. The Lobby Bar is a sight to behold, decadent with the glamour of a bygone era. As a pair of travelers who always seek to balance out indulging in the classic cuisine of a destination with exploring the latest and greatest of the local culinary scene, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try three of the city’s most famous delights: the Mint Julep, Hot Brown, and Derby Pie. Strong, filling, and sweet, respectively (or perhaps those words apply to all three), you really can’t miss your chance to try these famous menu items all in one stunning place.

→The Lobby Bar at The Brown Hotel // 335 W Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202

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6. Dragon King’s Daughter

Tacos or sushi tonight? Dragon King’s Daughter is the answer. It’s rare to find fusion restaurants that do everything well (I mean, something has to give, right?), but DKD manages to pull it off. Inside the cavernous interior, you’ll find several dining rooms with seemingly different vibes – this place is much larger than it appears from the outside – and I bet it would be a great place for a large group. As just a pair, we sadly only had so much stomach space; a few small bites (plus a quesadilla for Michael) still offered a great tour of the menu.

→Dragon King's Daughter // 1543 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40205

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7. Pizza Lupo

I feel like it should only take a few words to convince you to give Pizza Lupo a try (that’s all that it took to get me in the door!): sourdough, wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizza. There’s something almost primal about the call of a tangy, naturally fermented dough cooked by fire until it blisters, and Pizza Lupo executes its pies beautifully. The pizza menu is short and sweet; for a mix of sweet, spicy, and savory, try the Sting Like a Bee. Paired with a natural wine from a well-curated list, dinner here is a must for date night (or any night).

→Pizza Lupo // 1540 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206

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8. Jack Fry’s

I bet you were wondering if Jack Fry’s would make an appearance on this list! The 90-year-old restaurant looks great for its age and has managed to keep up with the times, continuing to offer locals and visitors alike a wonderful dining experience. Dinner is the go-to here, but those looking to save a little money (raises hand) or maximize their time visiting Louisville restaurants (raises hand again) should take note of Jack Fry’s weekday lunch offerings. The menu is comfortingly old-school with a few fun surprises. Reservations are essential.

→Jack Fry's // 1007 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40204

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FINAL THOUGHTS ON DINING IN LOUISVILLE

A weekend in Louisville affords visitors enough time to dine on the city’s classic dishes and the chance to try a world of cuisine in Louisville. Personally, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to return to the city one day, both for the chance to revisit these great restaurants and to continue exploring Louisville through its restaurant tables and booths. Travel hungry, friends!

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Questions for you

Visiting Louisville? Which restaurant are you most excited to try?

Louisville locals, what restaurant(s) would you add to this list?

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