5 New Louisville Restaurants to Try This Month

Derby season is officially underway, and the Louisville restaurant scene is rising to the occasion, offering new spots to enjoy between festivities. You might opt for a quick, counter-service stop to maximize your track time, or settle in for a one-of-a-kind multi-course dinner worthy of an entire evening. Either way, there’s no shortage of ways to eat well this time of year!

The Deli

Neighborhood: St. Matthews
More Info: thedelilou.com

The space formerly occupied by Kayrouz Café — which closed in January after more than 20 years — is now home to a build-your-own sandwich spot dubbed The Deli. Bruce White & Julie Erwin (of Cookie Cabin food truck fame) opened The Deli on March 16, and it’s already becoming a local fave.

A hand holds a chocolate chip cookie in a paper sleeve in front of a building with a sign that reads "THE DELI. — The Deli also serves cookies, brownies, and other specialty desserts. Image: Facebook

Promising classic sandwiches without any fuss or frills, Bruce and Julie offer two primary menu options: the $8.95 Build-Your-Own, which invites guests to get creative with a variety of breads, proteins, cheeses, toppings, and condiments. There’s also the Pick-Two combo, a weekly-rotating half-sandwich /soup combo for $9.50. The Deli is open for lunch Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Dining Room at Murray’s Creole Pub

Neighborhood: Deer Park
More Info: murrayscreolepub.com

As of April 9, the second floor of Murray’s Creole Pub offers a chef-driven concept centered around a seasonal, multi-course tasting menu. The refined, intimate experience draws from James Beard semifinalist Chef Lawrence Weeks’ Creole roots.

Guests can expect dishes like the Coal Grilled Daube, featuring dry-aged Princeton beef that’s slow-braised in marchand de vin, black garlic tare, pommes purée, and wood-roasted apples; and the Maque Choux Risotto, made with Anson Mills heirloom rice, fire-roasted sweet corn, Creole trinity, locally grown mushrooms from Frondosa Farms, and Viet-Cajun curry.

A white tablecloth with five plated dishes, two drinks, and silverware set around them; dishes include salad, fried cutlet, mashed potatoes, dessert, and appetizers. — Rooted in Creole cooking and Southern foodways, Murray’s Creole Pub’s menu changes regularly. Image: Murray’s Creole Pub

House cocktails range from Creole coffee and a dirty rice martini to peanut punch and a banana old-fashioned. And don’t skip dessert — we like the sticky toffee pudding with dates, butterscotch, and whipped cream. (SB Tip: Limited seating is available, and reservations are recommended.)

Trellis Foods

Neighborhood: Smoketown
More Info: trellisbrewing.com

Trellis Brewing — a local brewery that sources its malt exclusively from Kentucky and Indiana — is expanding its taproom experience with the launch of Trellis Foods. The new, in-house kitchen opened on April 10 and features a menu by Chef James Andrews, formerly of Red Hog Restaurant & Butcher Shop. It emphasizes locally sourced ingredients, with products from Fischer Farms in Indiana and Rootbound Farms in Crestwood.

“Our goal wasn’t to open a restaurant inside a brewery,” says Kyle Jahn, owner of Trellis Brewing. “It was to build food that actually belongs here. Everything on the menu is designed to work with the beer, not distract from it.”

A stacked breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese, sausage, and chives sits next to a can of Plant Juice Hazy IPA on a wooden table at an outdoor market. — Trellis Foods is centered on one idea: food built for beer. Image: Trellis Brewing

Offerings include starters like housemade beer cheese with pretzel chips, chili cheese fries, and rotating frito misto; and main dishes such as steak frites and a variety of hot dog options. Dinner is served Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Brunch is also served on weekends, with picks like the Monte Cristo Dog, featuring layers of French toast batter, gruyère, and raspberry jam; and the Breakfast Dog, with egg, cheese, and sausage.

SAME VIBES, NEW ADDRESS

Cultured

Neighborhood: Butchertown
More Info: culturedcheeseshop.com

Jessica Mattingly closed her charcuterie shop and tasting room in March 2026 and reopened at Copper & Kings in April. A continuation of the Mattingly family’s dairy farm in Austin, KY — well-known around the Louisville restaurant scene as the producer of Kenny’s Farmstead Cheese — Cultured offers more of a complete meal than a typical meat and cheese snack tray.

Four assorted charcuterie boards with cheeses, crackers, fruits, nuts, dips, and vegetables arranged on a wooden table. — Cultured specializes in local and unique farmstead cheeses and offers a plethora of charcuterie board options. Image: Cultured

Jessica’s boards boast hefty amounts of fruits and veggies, now served with a rooftop view and access to a variety of brandy-based craft cocktails and other tasty concoctions. Cultured’s new dine-in hours are Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. To-go orders are still available, too.

Eden & Kissi

Neighborhood: Newburg
More Info: edenandkissi.com

What began 14 years ago as a booth at the Flea Off Market grew into a food truck and, finally, a brick-and-mortar location. And after six years at its original spot, Eden & Kissi has moved to 6006 Shepherdsville Road. Guests can now find all their Afro-Caribbean favorites — like curry chicken, jerk wings, oxtails, and more — in a fresh space with more parking, additional seating, and large barbecue pits that smoke all day.

A bowl of stewed meat with three sauces in small bowls and a plate of rice with a small vegetable garnish on a patterned tablecloth. — Eden & Kissi owner Kissi Gnamba learned to cook alongside her mother and aunties, preparing daily meals for a household of 20! Today, she brings the flavors of her Ivory Coast home to Louisville. Image: Facebook

Try the top-selling, fully loaded jerk chicken pita, stuffed with jerk chicken, mayo, yellow rice, lettuce, pico de gallo, plantains, and a special sauce; or pop in for one of the daily specials. Wash it down with a fresh, made-from-scratch hibiscus, ginger, or mango hibiscus juice and taste why it earned a Kentucky Proud product distinction!

Craving more? Keep scrolling to see more recent restaurant openings!

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UPDATES FROM MARCH 2026

The warm-weather days of spring are an open invitation to get out and about around town. In between the festivals, fairs, and sporting events, be sure to check out some of these new Louisville restaurants — and new menus at old favorites. From fresh empanadas to a new take on omakase, there’s a little something for every craving.

Clifton Tavern

Neighborhood: Clifton
More Info: Instagram

After roughly 14 years in business, Hilltop Tavern shut its doors in September 2025, leaving yet another gap on the once-bustling Clifton corner. Thankfully, the space has since been revived. Former Hilltop Tavern employee Dan Regneri and longtime friend Britton Richardson opened Clifton Tavern in early March, bringing back affordable drinks and bites to the spot on the corner of Frankfort Avenue and Pope Street.

Two fish tacos with creamy sauce, chopped herbs, and lime wedges on a white plate. — These tacos — featuring fried cod, housemade slaw, and chipotle aioli — were a recent special at Clifton Tavern. Image: Facebook

Open daily from 5 p.m. to midnight, Clifton Tavern serves a variety of appetizers, salads, sides, and smashburgers, as well as sandwiches and tacos made with smoked-in-house meats. House cocktails include an Old Fashioned, an Astral Margarita, and a Lemon Drop. Keep an eye on social media for their latest food and drink specials.

Helm & Honey

Neighborhood: Cherokee Triangle
More Info: Instagram

The space formerly occupied by La Chasse is now home to the upscale eatery Helm & Honey. Jesse Helm Jones opened the restaurant in mid-March alongside Chef Erik Abraham, promising a sophisticated yet soulful exploration of modern Southern cuisine. The menu celebrates Kentucky’s rich heritage with an emphasis on hyper-local sourcing and seasonal ingredients.

A plate of crispy wonton chips topped with diced tuna, garnished with chopped green onions and black sesame seeds. — The yellowfin tuna tartare at Helm & Honey is served on golden wonton chips. Image: Instagram

Here you can enjoy elevated classics like a 50-layer lasagna with wagyu bolognese, mornay sauce, and stracciatella. Or dive into a dry-aged brisket burger made with DKenny’s cheddar, aioli, and Habagardil relish, made with Habagardil pickles — a unique brand of Pops’ Pepper Patch gourmet bread-and-butter that blends habañero peppers, garlic, and dill. The brand-new dinner destination is accepting reservations on OpenTable, with seatings filling up fast.

Lucia’s Cafecito y Mas

Neighborhood: Cherokee Triangle
More Info: luciascafecito.com

The former Drip N Dough space on Bardstown Road is now Lucia’s Cafecito y Mas, a coffee shop and café that opened at the end of February. The spot is owned by Ecuador native Melina Seifried, whose parents previously operated an Ecuadorian and Colombian restaurant in New York.

Melina’s menu focuses on coffee and light cafe fare with a Latin/Spanish-inspired angle. Offerings include coffee drinks, along with bagels, doughnuts, teas, croissants, and empanadas. Try one of the specialty bevvies, like the banana, cookie butter, or raspberry latte, or the Spanish latte, which boasts more espresso than a traditional latte for a stronger, richer flavor.

Person holding balloons stands behind an "We are OPEN!" sign inside a café with baked goods on display, plants, and sunlight streaming through the windows. — Owner Melina Seifried is all smiles on the opening day of Lucia’s Cafecito y Mas. Image: Instagram

Oma

Neighborhood: Shelby Park
More Info: omatable.com

A culinary journey dubbed “hombrekase” — a Latin omakase experience — has arrived on Logan Street. The spot is owned and operated by Adam Burress, who is also known for Hammerheads, Migo, Game, and Ostra. Adam’s 14-seat dining experience features an ever-changing menu that draws from Latin coastal and equatorial flavors in a live-fire tasting format.

Nightly seatings are available at 5:30 and 8 p.m., with each course prepared and plated in front of guests at the chef’s table for an intimate, immersive dining experience.

A hand holds an oyster topped with garnish over a bed of ice, with other small dishes and utensils on a table in the background. — Oma offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience, combining the Japanese dining style of Omakase with a blend of Asian and Latin flavors. Image: Facebook

Recent offerings have included everything from West Coast oysters with coconut and shoyu pearl to bison tartare in pani puri, and a duck confit enchilada wrapped in kimchi. Prepaid reservations of $110 per person are required in advance, and spots fill up quickly — so book early!

TRIED AND TRUE WITH SOMETHING NEW

Con Huevos

Multiple Locations
More Info: conhuevos.com

Beloved Mexican brunch spot Con Huevos has been serving favorites like tres leches pancakes for more than 10 years, but this spring brings even more to enjoy! Beginning in early March, all five of the restaurant’s Louisville locations debuted new spring specials. New offerings include the sweet berries-and-cream French toast and the savory enfrijoladas con huevos, a dish made with tortillas dipped or coated in a bean sauce and served with eggs. Wash it all down with the new strawberry cold foam matcha.

A plate of enchiladas topped with black bean sauce, a sunny side up egg, avocado slices, pickled onions, crema, cheese, and fresh cilantro. — Enfrijoladas con huevos is kind of like the bean-sauced cousin of enchiladas: softer, simpler, and super comforting. Image: Instagram

Crave Wave

Neighborhood: Shelby Park
More Info: Instagram

Food truck Crave Wave opened its permanent spot at Atrium Brewing last fall, giving brewery guests the chance to enjoy innovative pours — like Spicy Meatball, Apple Cider Donut, and Peach Melba Mama’s Boy — with tasty Crave Wave bites. The menu features appetizers like fries, wings, and dips, plus smashburgers, sandwiches, and street tacos — with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free substitutions available. Customers can check Instagram for weekly specials and new menu debuts, including one just announced on March 10.

A fried chicken sandwich with sauce and pickles sits on a tray next to a mug of beer, with a colorful mural in the background. — Crave Wave announces weekly specials — like this Strawberry Smokehouse Chicken — on Instagram. Image: Instagram

The eatery launched nearly a dozen new offerings, including the French Onion Smash, made with Swiss cheese, grilled onions, crispy fried onions, and French onion aioli on a toasted brioche bun; and the Crave Chopped Cheese, a seasoned beef sandwich with grilled onions, American cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, and Crave Sauce on a toasted hoagie.

Still hungry? Keep scrolling for more recent restaurant openings!

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UPDATES FROM FEBRUARY 2026

When Louisville teases us with a stretch of “false spring,” we take that as a signal to step outside and soak up what’s happening around town. Thankfully, our dining scene offers no shortage of fun new ways to explore. From a cozy pastry shop to a trendy new dinner destination, these new restaurants offer plenty of reasons to get out and about.

Chica’s Cantina

Neighborhood: Butchertown
More Info: chicascantina.com

Now open in the space formerly occupied by Butcher Block Barbershop, Chica’s Cantina brings a bold take on modern Mexican cooking to the neighborhood. It’s the latest concept by husband-and-wife team Vikrant Multani and Christian Nava — the duo behind vegan restaurant Shahar.

“Opening Chica’s Cantina has been a labor of love,” Vikrant says. “We wanted to create a space that feels joyful, welcoming, and full of life — where great food, cocktails, and community come together in the historic Butcher Block neighborhood. We’re excited to finally open our doors and share it with Louisville.”

Two tacos, one with grilled cactus, onions, and pickled onions, and one with beef, onions, and cilantro, are served with lime wedges next to a pink drink in a glass labeled "Chica's Cantina. — Chica Cantina’s offerings blend Mexican roots with contemporary flair. Image: Krista Prak

The menu features homemade tortillas that house everything from ribeye tacos and steak and al pastor trompo to crispy mushroom tacos, all designed for sharing.

“When I moved to Louisville from California, I couldn’t find the street-style tacos I grew up with — so I wanted to bring that energy here,” Christian explains. “And the name ‘Chica’ is personal: it’s what my little sisters have called me since they were toddlers. It felt like the perfect heart behind the restaurant.”

Bar manager Bentley Harrell offers a margarita-forward cocktail program, perfect for late-night weekend outings, as Chica’s Cantina is open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The intimate taqueria seats 15 guests on the main level, with additional upstairs seating and a spacious patio slated to open this spring.

European Patisserie

Neighborhood: Hurstbourne
More Info: epatisserie.com

The space formerly occupied by Vinaigrette Salad Kitchen is now European Patisserie, a new East Louisville spot that offers sweet treats inspired by the charm of Parisian cafés and Italian bakeries. Open Tuesday through Sunday, the shop serves a range of desserts and café items, including apple strudel, poppy seed pastries, tea cakes, and sponge rolls, as well as hearty European-style breads such as rye, challah, and sourdough.

A layered cake with chopped nuts on top, garnished with chocolate curls and fresh raspberries, sits on a round marble platter. A slice has been cut to show the cake’s layers. — This classic honey cake from European Patisserie features sour cream, a layer of juicy raspberry confit, and toasted nuts. Image: Instagram

Larger celebration cakes — including honey cake, Napoleon cake, and Spartak cake — are also available by special order. Guests can relax and enjoy their pastries with coffee and espresso drinks like flat whites, cappuccinos, and lattes, or pick up a box of treats to go. Though the shop specializes in traditional pastries, select gluten-free options are also available.

Greenside

Neighborhood: Butchertown
More Info: greensidepizza.com

Greenside brings a fresh, design-forward take on New York-style pizza to East Main Street. The pizzeria, which opened on February 12, anchors a multi-million-dollar redevelopment at the corner of Main and Campbell. The modern, sit-down spot is the latest hospitality concept from Nathaniel Gravely, founder of Gravely Brewing.

“Greenside is about intention,” Nathaniel says. “From the dough to the room itself, everything is designed to feel confident but approachable — a place where people want to sit, share a pie, and stay awhile.”

A close-up of a pepperoni pizza topped with sliced green and red jalapeños, displayed on a metal tray. — Dubbed “The Heatwave,” this subtly spicy Greenside pie is loaded with pepperoni, pickled jalapeño, Fresno chilies, and Calabrian chili oil. Image: Instagram

Nathaniel created the menu with the help of Max Balliet of Pizza Lupo. It is guided by a dough-first philosophy, spotlighting long-fermented dough that produces thin, foldable crusts. Guests can pair one of nine 18-inch pizzas — or a build-your-own pie — with Gravely Brewing favorites, as well as exclusive brews made specifically for the pizzeria. A robust wine list and a mix of classic and signature cocktails are also available.

Mill Iron 4

Neighborhood: Clifton
More Info: milliron4.com

Named as a tribute to pitmaster Dustin Olsen’s grandfather’s cattle brand and Wyoming ranching roots, dinner destination Mill Iron 4 has opened on Frankfort Avenue in the space formerly occupied by Southern-Japanese eatery Enso.

The new concept was brought to life by the owners of award-winning North of Bourbon and features a menu by executive chef Noam Biliitzer — the James Beard Award semifinalist behind MeeshMeesh Mediterranean — with dishes that focus on sourcing whole animals from trusted ranches, practicing in-house European seam butchery, dry-aging on site, and cooking over traditional smokers.

A cooked steak with green onion in a metal dish, served with mashed potatoes, salad, hash browns, and a baked dish on a wooden table set for dining at one of the best Louisville restaurants. — Mill Iron 4 is centered around whole-animal butchery, traditional smoking, and direct ranch sourcing. Image: Kento Kobayashi

Guests can expect large shareable plates featuring everything from dry-aged steaks to underutilized cuts, with every offering on-theme. Start your meal with a beef tallow old-fashioned, made with beef tallow wash, apricot, tobacco bitters, and blackstrap bitters, and end it with a salted soft serve, featuring a waffle cone and bone marrow magic shell.

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