The Best Brunches in Louisville: 13 Must-Try Spots
Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or looking to ease the effects of last night's revelry, brunch is a beloved Southern tradition. These are some of the best brunches Louisville has to offer! Image: Facebook / Con Huevos Louisville
Some cities are brunch cities, and Derby City certainly qualifies. With so many great restaurants to choose from, it’s hard to know where to go for your mid-day feast, but we’re here to help. These are our favorite spots to grab a table for brunch in Louisville!
bar Vetti
Neighborhood: NuLu
More Info: barvetti.com
Though bar Vetti is known for its fresh pasta, pizza, and cocktails for lunch and dinner, don’t sleep on the Saturday and Sunday brunch options. With four buttermilk pancake picks — including a classic stack, gravy cakes, tiramisu, and Nutella — and lots of savory dishes to choose from, there’s something to satisfy every mid-morning craving.
You also have the “Make It Brunchy” option of adding Jake’s Country Sausage gravy or a 3D Valley Farm sunny egg to any sandwich or plate.
We like the McVetti, a 3D Valley Farm egg custard sandwich on a potato bun, made with provolone cheese and mayo or Calabrian aioli and served with crispy potatoes, plus an order of tiramisu pancakes — featuring whipped mascarpone, espresso, and cocoa powder — to share (or not!).
Big Bad Breakfast
Neighborhoods: Highlands, Middletown & Norton Commons
More Info: bigbadbreakfast.com
James Beard Award-winning chef and New Orleans native John Currence, who has more than a dozen other Big Bad Breakfast locations throughout the South, expanded his love for the most important meal of the day by opening three Big Bad Breakfast spots in Louisville.
Though many of the eatery’s staples (like biscuits and gravy or steak ‘n eggs) are consistent from one location to the next, the Derby City stores are bringing local flavor with a few Louisville-specific menu items.
The Big Bad Hot Brown, for example, is the BBB version of a Kentucky classic. It’s made with a crumbled buttermilk biscuit, roasted turkey breast, Chef John’s signature roasted tomatoes, cheesy Dijon mornay, and Parmesan. And then it’s all baked to a bubbly golden brown and topped with a fried egg and Tabasco-cured bacon.
CASK Southern Kitchen & Bar
Neighborhood: Jeffersontown
More Info: cask-louisville.com
Offering an updated take on traditional Southern cuisine, CASK Southern Kitchen & Bar features an extensive brunch menu, including healthy options such as a beet salad and an ancient grain bowl.
If you’re in the mood for heartier brunch fare, try the Tres Leches Churro Waffle with cinnamon sugar, chocolate espresso sauce, and whipped cream; or the Smoked Benedict, with grilled corn cakes, poached eggs, chipotle hollandaise, smoked pulled pork, and avocado.
Don’t forget to top it off with a brunch cocktail — CASK has a list of 20 delicious brunch beverages to choose from!
Con Huevos
Neighborhoods: Clifton, Downtown, Holiday Manor, Hurstbourne & Norton Commons
More Info: conhuevos.com
Con Huevos is a Louisville classic serving mid-day fare with a Mexican flair. You can’t go wrong with any of the creative takes on standard dishes, including the Huevos Rancheros made with local farm-fresh eggs and Mexican sopes. You’re sure to become a Con Huevos regular if you like your brunch with a spicy kick.
FOKO
Neighborhood: Smoketown
More Info: fokofamilia.com
Southern-inspired Mexican eatery FOKO is a daytime concept serving yummy brunch, craft coffee, and cocktails six days a week. Handmade tortillas are used in everything from breakfast tacos to burritos, and the menu offers a wide range of other options.
Start with a couple of appetizers for the table, then move on to the Chilakiles (FOKO’s playful spin on chilaquiles) with chorizo or chicken. All mains can also be made extra spicy with a side of housemade salsa. Wash it all down with a cafe drink or a craft cocktail like the Carajillo, made with espresso, Licor 43, vanilla bean, and mole bitters.
Highland Morning
Neighborhoods: Highlands & St. Matthews
More Info: highlandmorning.org
Highland Morning is the place to be if you’re looking for flavorful twists on brunch classics. From the Ultimate Crab Cake Benedict to Sarah’s Southern Pecan Waffles, the eatery has something for everyone.
Round up your friends and order some plates to share, because you’ll want to try a little of everything. Be sure to check out the Biscuits’ N’ Gravy, a regular winner of the People’s Choice Award for “Best Biscuits and Gravy” at Louisville’s annual Gravy Cook-Off.
The House of Marigold
Neighborhood: Middletown
More Info: thehouseofmarigold.com
Since its 2023 opening, The House of Marigold’s avocado toast — made with toasted wheat berry bread, mashed avocados, grapefruit, sliced radish, torn herbs, microgreens, a farm-fried egg, and “everything crumb ” — has been a crowd-pleaser.
For guests who enjoy a mix of sweet and savory, we suggest ordering the Farmhouse Breakfast Plate, an elevated take on the typical American breakfast. It even comes with a piece of challah French toast, served with maple syrup, fresh berry compote, and powdered sugar. And don’t skip the build-your-own deviled eggs tray to share!
J. Graham’s at The Brown Hotel
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: brownhotel.com
The Brown Hotel looks, feels, and tastes like luxury, and it’s perfect for entertaining your out-of-town guests or treating yourself to a fancy meal. Home of the classic Louisville Hot Brown, it’s safe to say that J. Graham’s is a must-visit for Sunday brunch. (The Lobster Mac And Cheese and Bluegrass B.L.T. are pretty drool-inducing, too.)
Le Moo
Neighborhood: Irish Hill
More Info: lemoorestaurant.com
Le Moo is well known for being a great steak house (peep that Miyazaki, Grade A-5 world-class Wagyu on the menu!), but it’s also the place to be for weekend brunch and a show. Every Saturday and Sunday, the restaurant features a themed performance with a decadent brunch buffet. Previous themes have included Beyoncé, Cher, Harry Potter, and Disney.
The weekday brunch menu is delightful, too. Try the Blueberry Waffle, a Belgian waffle served with housemade syrup, vanilla bean ice cream, and fresh blueberries. Savory choices include breakfast burritos, shrimp and grits, and multiple Benedict options. Whichever way you go with your brunch order, don’t miss the $1 mimosas!
LouVino
Neighborhood: Douglass Hills
More Info: louvino.com
LouVino is a Louisville classic steeped in local flair and hometown charm. Enjoy $2 mimosas, classic biscuits and gravy, or creative options like chicken biscuit sliders (pictured below) and pancake tacos (pancakes piled with bacon, sausage, and cheesy eggs). This tapas restaurant is perfect for ordering lots of small plates for everyone to try and share. Trust us, you’ll want a bite of it all!
Morning Fork
Neighborhood: Clifton
More Info: morningforklouisville.com
Striving to make brunch an everyday experience rather than something reserved for weekends, Morning Fork offers brunch Wednesday through Sunday, plus monthly themed brunches (think Star Wars, fairy tales, and Hawaiian luau). The Short Rib Benedict, with a hash brown base and béarnaise sauce, is especially popular.
Still, the full brunch menu boasts a plethora of other savory items, including corned beef hash with sweet potatoes and a veggie breakfast burrito. There are also various options to satisfy your sweet tooth, from liège waffles with tasty toppings to brioche French toast with fruit.
Noosh Nosh
Neighborhood: East Louisville
More Info: nooshnosh.com
If you’re headed to brunch with kids in tow, Noosh Nosh is the family-friendly restaurant to visit. With its colorful interior and mosaic oven named “Maria,” Noosh Nosh scores high on both food and atmosphere. Come with a big appetite because you’ll want to try one of everything on the menu. We recommend starting with the Strawberry and Cream Crepes, or, for the veggie-friendly crowd, the Tofu Florentine.
The Village Anchor
Neighborhood: Anchorage
More Info: villageanchor.com
Located in Louisville’s East End, The Village Anchor offers a unique atmosphere that transports you to a faraway seaside town. The Village Anchor has two levels. On the main floor, you’ll find The Village Anchor Restaurant and Anchor Bar, with its stone, leather, and rich woods. The lower level houses the Sea Hag bar, a casual pub setting.
On weekends, The Village Anchor restaurant offers a menu of decadent brunch favorites like red velvet pancakes and grilled filet mignon on bleu cheese biscuits, plus lots of lunch-y options like salads, sandwiches, and fish tacos.
Happy brunching, Louisville!
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Lennie Omalza
Originally from Hawaii, Lennie Omalza is a Louisville-based freelance writer of over 18 years. Lennie is a yoga-loving foodie who travels as often as she can and enjoys writing about food, homes, and weddings. You can find more of Lennie's work at Eater, Hawaii Home & Remodeling, and The Louisville Courier-Journal.