3 New Louisville Restaurants to Try (Plus 3 New Menus!)
The Louisville area’s latest eateries are bringing pan-Asian cuisine, Italian fare, and fresh new Creole offerings to your next night out. Image: High Stakes Rooftop
If you’re hungry for something new, the Louisville area has plenty of restaurants worth adding to your list. Local dining spots are serving up Italian fare, pan-Asian cuisine, creative takes on familiar favorites, and plenty of other tempting options. Give one of these new spots a try during your next night out!
Basilico Café
Area: Lyndon
More Info: basilicolouisville.com
The space that was home to The Corner Café for 40 years is now Basilico Café, which celebrated its grand opening on July 18. Created by Clay Oven Indian Restaurant owner Raj Bhujel and Manish Shrestha — one of the owners of Tikka House — Basilico Café has retained its Italian flair, offering some similarities known to longtime customers of The Corner Café.
Featured items include chicken parmigiana, blackened spinach dip, and a meatball sub — but the extensive menu offers nearly 40 other options, including pizzas, pastas, soups, salads, and other entrées.
The Lot
Area: Shelbyville
More Info: visitthelot.com
If you’re looking for a one-stop shop to try all kinds of cuisines at once, Shelbyville’s new food truck park has you covered. After seeing a similar property during a trip to Hawaii, owners Rebecca and Derrick Mullins were inspired to create something like it — and thousands of people have visited since its opening.
The Mullinses strive to bring a variety of food trucks to the Seventh Street spot so diners can enjoy everything from barbecue and seafood to coffee and Asian fusion fare. An online calendar lists each day’s lineup about a month in advance and includes the food truck schedule and special events, such as karaoke and bingo.
Wasabi
Neighborhood: Windy Hills
More Info: wasabilouisville.com
The space formerly occupied by Anoosh Bistro — then äta, and then Hen House Café & Provisions — is now Wasabi, a pan-Asian restaurant and sushi bar that opened on August 10 after a four-month renovation. Its current menu features primarily Japanese and Japanese-American dishes, with a few Chinese-American entrées sprinkled throughout.
Options include everything from nigiri, sashimi, and poke bowls to lo mein, fried rice, ramen, and bento boxes. The Brownsboro Road space also offers a full bar with a variety of cocktails and Japanese whiskies.
TRIED AND TRUE WITH SOMETHING NEW
High Stakes Rooftop
Neighborhood: Phoenix Hill
More Info: highstakesrooftop.com
After scaling down to offer primarily bar bites, High Stakes Rooftop has brought back a more robust menu, giving guests more reasons to dine al fresco. Newly added items include bourbon-glazed salmon with smashed fingerling potatoes, grilled asparagus, and fennel and apple slaw; a grilled lamb lollipop, which features a New Zealand lamb rack, confit garlic hummus, mint gremolata, a bourbon honey glaze, and pistachio dukkah; and a house chicken sandwich with crispy or grilled chicken, buffalo lime slaw, bread-and-butter pickles, and cheddar on brioche.
Sweet treats — like cappuccino cheesecake and strawberry shortcake — as well as several new cocktails, have also been added to the offerings.
Murray’s Creole Pub
Neighborhood: Deer Park
More Info: murrayscreolepub.com
Several new dishes are coming out of this French Creole-inspired eatery run by James Beard-nominated Chef Lawrence Weeks. From Tuesday through Friday, Murray’s Creole Pub offers daily specials, including: rotating tikka and curry specials on Tuesdays; $2 oysters and $5 glasses of bubbles all night on Wednesdays; prime rib with two sides, gravy, and Yorkshire pudding for $55 on Thursdays; and a $22 Creole fried chicken plate with mashed potatoes and buttered cabbage on Fridays.
Shahar
Neighborhood: Shelby Park
More Info: shahareats.com
Known as one of the few vegan restaurants in Louisville, Shahar has launched an updated menu that offers two new protein options: locally sourced grass-fed beef and organic chicken smash patties. Though these fresh picks mark major changes for the Shelby Park spot, owners Vikrant Multani and Christian Nava are determined to keep Shahar primarily a vegan destination. It will also continue to operate as completely dairy- and nut-free.
“We want to be known as a vegan restaurant with meat options, not a meat restaurant with vegan options,” Vikrant says. “As rising costs continue to impact the restaurant industry, these changes allow us to keep our menu more accessible, support our team, and ensure Shahar remains a Louisville staple for years to come.”
The updated menu still boasts the familiar vegan dishes that regulars have come to know and love, including signature burgers, sandwiches, wings, and all-day breakfast offerings — but guests can now substitute Impossible meat, locally sourced grass-fed beef, or organic chicken smash patties on select items.
Craving more? Keep scrolling for more recent restaurant openings!
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UPDATES FROM JULY 2026
It’s summer, and the local culinary scene is heating up right along with the temperatures. In fact, it’s working overtime with an exciting mix of cuisines and concepts, including Italian-Cuban fusion and New American Taiwanese fare. Take a break from outdoor activities this month to explore the new Louisville restaurants popping up around town.
Bae’s Baekery
Neighborhood: Cherokee Triangle
More Info: baesbaekerylou.com
Louisville native Abigail McGreevy has moved her beloved cake and pastry shop to a larger location on Bardstown Road. The 3,200-square-foot space that once housed OddBird Bakery and Café (and Steel City Pops before that) allows Abigail, her husband Griffin, and the rest of the Bae’s team to significantly expand their offerings, broadening both the pastry and coffee selections.
Pop in for a drink and a brownie, scone, breakfast pastry, French-style pastry, or cake by the slice. Or treat yourself to a jumbo stuffed cookie, usually available in more than 10 rotating flavors. Bae’s offers wedding and custom celebration cakes, too — though they require at least a two-week notice.
Plans for the new digs include “Hearth,” a nighttime cooking-and-baking classroom where you can hone your own baking skills. Learning never tasted so sweet.
Jump Start Smoothies
Neighborhood: Norton Commons
More Info: jumpstartsmoothies.com
With stores in Lexington and Louisville’s NuLu neighborhood, Jump Start Smoothies recently expanded to include a third location in Norton Commons. Using real fruit and fresh ingredients rather than artificial flavors or pre-made mixes, the locally owned smoothie and juice bar offers a variety of made-to-order smoothies and bowls, as well as café picks like breakfast sandwiches, muffins, and toast.
Unlike the NuLu location, the Norton Commons spot isn’t dedicated to gluten-free options. But there are plenty of those on the menu, too! Try the Sherbert Dreamsicle, a refreshing summery treat made with mangos, pineapple, orange, lime, and raspberry sherbets, peach juice, and soy milk. It’s sure to bring back fond childhood memories.
For a protein-packed snack, try the Almondy Green Power featuring almond butter, kale, banana, plant protein, and almond milk. It’ll keep you going strong all day long.
Prado 264 Restaurant
Neighborhood: Deer Park
More Info: prado264.com
On July 15, husband-and-wife team Luis Gonzalez and Lisanne Garcia held a soft opening for their Italian-Cuban fusion restaurant that pays homage to a once-popular spot in Havana, Cuba. Led by Chef Michael Garcia from Miami, the menu is anchored by Italian classics like handmade pasta and artisan pizza, while ropa vieja, oxtail, and rum-based flavors add a bit of Cuban flair.
You can expect to find dishes such as short-rib ragù pappardelle, Cuban ropa vieja ravioli, spicy rum penne, and Cuban pizza. The restaurant currently accepts dinner reservations Wednesday through Sunday, but seven-day dinner service, weekend brunch, and weekend lunch are slated to begin in August.
For now, operations are limited to the first floor, but plans are already in place to transform the second floor into a speakeasy-style space and private event venue.
Sweet Haven Bakery
Neighborhood: Middletown
More Info: Instagram
Set in a former bank space, this bakery, café, and deli began welcoming guests in May 2026. Owned by long-time friends Laisa González and Yunayky Pertierra, this new daytime destination blends the Cuban and Spanish culinary traditions from their respective backgrounds.
Pop in Tuesday through Sunday to enjoy everything from Cuban pastries, sandwiches, and coffee to chicken empanadas, croquetas, and specialty drinks.
We suggest sinking your teeth into a Sweet Haven Sandwich, made with ham and cheese on Cuban bread with optional tomato, lettuce, and onion. Save room for an espresso affogato or a dulce de leche latte for a sweet pick-me-up.
TANA
Neighborhood: Germantown
More Info: tanalou.com
Opened by Chef Ming Pu and his wife, Courtney, TANA serves dinner Wednesday through Monday nights. The name is an acronym for “Taiwanese New American,” and a nod to the island’s native tana plant, and the eatery is the first of its kind in Derby City.
Offering a menu inspired by Ming’s Taiwanese upbringing and travels, each dish is a mouthwatering blend of Guangdong (Cantonese), Fujian, and Jiangsu cuisines from China, mixed with an American twist.
The menu features a variety of plates for sharing, with dumplings as a standout. Bigger plates include the LuRou Fan, a Berkshire pork belly stew served over Kokuho Rose rice with a soy egg and pickled veggies. Or try the T.F.C. (Taiwanese Fried Chicken), a whole, semi-deboned bird with plum salt, Sichuan potato salad, and sea mountain sauce. Both are filling and delicious!
Craving more? Keep scrolling for more recent restaurant openings.
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JUNE 2026 UPDATES
Summertime calls for a celebration — and what better way to cool down in the heat than with a sweet treat? These new Louisville restaurants boast everything from fruit-filled desserts and soft sugar cookies to tasty espresso brownies and one-of-a-kind cakes. Grab a drink and a bite, then head outside to enjoy some sunshine!
Mixmix Café
Neighborhood: Highlands Douglass
More Info: mixmixcafe.com
This Filipino coffee shop and café recently opened its doors, offering a coffee-forward menu featuring Filipino-inspired desserts, ube specialties, and, of course, halo-halo, which means “mix-mix” in Tagalog.
This popular Filipino dessert features finely shaved ice, evaporated or sweetened milk, and layers of sweetened fruits, beans, and other toppings. The Mixmix version is crowned with leche flan and ube, then finished with milk. As the name suggests, the entire treat is meant to be mixed, so every layer becomes one.
You can also enjoy a variety of sandwiches served on toasty sourdough or flaky croissants, as well as waffles, croffles, and affogato. The shop connects to My Tindahan, a grocery store that offers kitchen staples, snacks, and drinks from the Philippines — so you can try your hand at making some of your favorite Filipino treats at home.
Norma Jean’s Baked Goods
Neighborhood: New Albany, IN
More Info: normajeansbakery.com
Jerrica Tinsley opened Norma Jean’s Baked Goods, a brick-and-mortar located just over the bridge in Indiana. Named after her grandmother, the shop offers banana pudding cookies, caramel cake, cobblers, chess bars, and cakes by the slice, among other treats. In addition to tasty offerings, you can expect a retro, mid-century vibe, with Jerrica often dressing in vintage-inspired attire.
The weekly menu is usually announced on social media and includes $8 cake slices, $6 brownies, and $6 peach cobblers, which are available on Fridays. Pro tip: Arrive early! There’s often a line down the street, and many desserts sell out within a few hours.
Secret Recipe
Neighborhood: Downtown
More Info: secretrecipellc.com
Tucked into a small spot on West Market Street, Secret Recipe promises made-from-scratch desserts worth driving across town for. The one-of-a-kind spot was opened by chef Brenna Peters, who has been running Secret Recipe from her home for the past year. Her Derby City Lofts brick-and-mortar location offers everything from thick sugar cookies topped with rich buttercream to delicate French macarons with crisp shells and soft, flavorful centers.
The shop also serves a variety of specialty cookies, custom cakes, and other exclusive items, including bourbon balls, espresso brownies, and cinnamon rolls. If you want a little sip with your sweets, the bakery features a secret door leading to the future speakeasy Sole, a nod to the historic building’s previous life as a shoe store. Once opened, Sole will serve a variety of cocktails perfect for pairing with your favorite dessert.
TRIED AND TRUE WITH SOMETHING NEW
Con Huevos
Neighborhoods: multiple
More Info: conhuevos.com
One of Louisville’s best brunch spots, Con Huevos, recently unveiled its summer menu, featuring three fun new dishes and two refreshing beverages. For a savory morning meal, try hot honey chicken and waffles or the sweet potato hash, made with sweet potatoes, chorizo, peppers, queso fresco, eggs, and avocado mousse.
Those with a sweet tooth — and all fans of the original tres leches pancakes — will enjoy the matcha version, served with bananas, strawberries, and pistachios. Wash it all down with a mojito, an Aperol spritz, or a coconut cloud matcha.
The House of Marigold
Area: Middletown
More Info: thehouseofmarigold.com
Another popular brunch spot, The House of Marigold, added a few new dishes to its offerings, including a veggie hash, collard green gumbo, shrimp and grits, and the Greenhouse Frittata, which features goat cheese, roasted tomato, pink peppercorn aioli, arugula, citrus, and collard greens.
Adrienne Cole, who co-owns the eatery with her husband, Kris, says dishes like the collard green frittata are playful takes that they expect to carry over to the dinner menu at their soon-to-open NuLu location. The restaurant also recently installed a can-sealing machine, so guests can now order freshly sealed iced coffees, matchas, or cocktails to go.
Dig in, 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.
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