Some cities are brunch cities — and Louisville 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. Here’s our list of where to find the best brunch in Louisville!
North of Bourbon
Neighborhood: Germantown
More info: northofbourbon.com
North of Bourbon has been serving up more than 300 bourbon selections since its opening in December 2021, but as of July 2022, guests can enjoy Sunday brunch, too! Chef Lawrence Weeks brings his Southern flair to the special, once-a-week menu of unique brunch items. A few of the offerings include Pappaw’s Breakfast, which comes with Anson Mills cheese grits, a sunny-side-up egg, Gifford’s bacon, collard greens, and house hot sauce; Breakfast Fried Rice, made with Anson Mills Carolina gold rice, Gifford’s bacon, the Cajun trinity, local eggs, and turnip greens; and of course, beignets made with chicory coffee Anglaise.
CASK Southern Kitchen & Bar
Neighborhood: East End
More info: cask-louisville.com
Offering an updated take on traditional Southern foods, CASK Southern Kitchen & Bar has a brunch menu that boasts a variety of sweet and savory dishes — including nutritious options like beet salad and an ancient grain bowl. If you’re in the mood for traditionally hearty brunch fare, try the tres leches churro waffle made 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!
Big Bad Breakfast
Neighborhood: Highlands
More info: bigbadbreakfast.com
James Beard Award-winning chef and New Orleans native John Currence has expanded his love for the most important meal of the day with the opening of Big Bad Breakfast in Louisville. With 10 other locations spread throughout the South, this is a first for the Bluegrass State. Though many of the eatery’s staples — like biscuits and gravy or steak ‘n eggs — are consistent from one location to the next, the Barrett Avenue store is bringing local flavor to Derby City 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 — all baked to a bubbly golden brown, then topped with a fried egg and Tabasco-cured bacon.
Le Moo
Neighborhood: East End
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 show with a decadent brunch buffet. Previous themes have included everything from Beyonce and Cher to Harry Potter and Disney.
The weekday brunch menu is delightful, too. Try the blueberry waffle, a Belgian waffle served with house-made blueberry 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!
Morning Fork
Neighborhood: Clifton & Crescent Hill
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 an especially popular order. Still, the full brunch menu boasts a plethora of other savory items, too, such as corned beef hash with sweet potatoes and a veggie breakfast burrito. There are also various choices to satisfy your sweet tooth, from the liège waffles with tasty toppings or the brioche French toast with fruit.
Highland Morning
Neighborhood: 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 both sweet and savory fans. Round up your friends and order some plates to share because you’re going to want to try a little of everything. Just 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.
LouVino
Neighborhood: Highlands & 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!
Garage Bar
Neighborhood: NuLu
More info: garageonmarket.com
Garage Bar is sure to become your favorite brunch spot if you like your bacon and Bloody Marys with a funky, urban vibe. The rock-and-roll soundtrack and homespun leather seats offer the perfect backdrop for delectable menu items like Warm Beignets and Smoked Salmon. Garage Bar also serves up brick oven pizzas during lunch, and the Brussels sprouts pie is definitely the best way to hit your daily veggie quota.
Noosh Nosh
Neighborhood: East Louisville
More info: Facebook
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 will 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.
Con Huevos
Neighborhood: Clifton & Crescent Hill
More info: conhuevos.com
Con Huevos is the Louisville classic serving up mid-day fare with a Mexican flair. You can’t go wrong with any of the creative takes on standard dishes, including 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.
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-worthy, too.)
The Village Anchor
Neighborhood: East End
More info: villageanchor.com
Located in Louisville’s East End, The Village Anchor offers a unique atmosphere that transports you out of Louisville 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, appointed in stone, leather, and rich woods. The lower level houses the Sea Hag bar, a traditionally 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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