It would make sense that the biggest city in Kentucky is also a major foodie destination. More than just the home of Derby and Muhammad Ali, Louisville offers a seemingly endless supply of restaurants. Try one of these recently opened eateries the next time you’re looking for something new.
5 New Louisville Restaurants to Try (Updated November 2021)
Back Deck BBQ
801 Kenwood Dr., Louisville, KY 40214 • (502) 705-7662
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
Open for indoor dining and carryout.
After running a food-truck-only operation for six years, Back Deck BBQ owner Chan Nelson opened his brick-and-mortar location in the Iroquois neighborhood in June. Drawing inspiration from barbecue across the country, Chan serves up brisket that’s smoked and cut Texas-style; burnt ends influenced by the barbecue of Kansas City; and ribs inspired by Memphis dry rub, to name a few.
Meats can be purchased a la carte or by the pound; there is also a variety of plates, platters, and sides available. Signature sandwiches — such as the Double Trouble, made up of pulled pork, brisket, coleslaw, bread & butter pickles, and BBQ sauce — come with a drink and one side. Customers can choose from smoky beans, smoked mac & cheese, sweet potato fries, and more. Catering is also available, and the food truck is still in operation, serving up barbecue at various spots throughout the week. Check the website for locations.
Burnt ends and tasty sides are up for grabs at Back Deck BBQ. Image: Facebook
Or go for the brisket! Image: Facebook
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Classico Takeout & Empanadas
104 S. Preston St., Louisville, KY 40202 • (502) 489-1380
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; closed Saturday and Sunday
Open for carryout.
A carryout-only rendition of the Clifton neighborhood’s 19-year-old Café Classico, dubbed Classico Takeout & Empanadas, began welcoming customers in October. “We’re just a takeout kiosk featuring oven-baked, Argentinian empanadas,” says owner Tommie Mudd. His newest concept focuses on said empanadas, with more than a dozen varieties available. From beef or chicken, to smoked barbecue or veggie, there’s a version of the baked turnover for everyone.
The carryout spot also offers a selection of paninis, soups, salads, and pizzas, as well as wine, beer, and specialty coffee drinks. Try a spicy egg, cheddar, and salsa empanada with your morning espresso, or grab a BLT or a turkey-and-Swiss for lunch. “We also have a spicy shrimp and pork empanada that’s amazing,” Tommie adds. “Everybody’s coming back for it.”
Options at Classico Takeout & Empanadas include the BLT, turkey-Swiss, feta panini, and veggie sandwich. Image: Instagram
Or try one of the breakfast sandwiches, topped with egg, cheese, and bacon or prosciutto. Image: Instagram
Square Cut Pizza
741 E. Oak St., Louisville, KY 40203 • (502) 290-5721
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 5 to 10 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday
Open for indoor dining and carryout.
Emil David, owner of the Hot Buns food truck — which serves bao, dumplings, and rice bowls — now has a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Shelby Park. But rather than serve bao from a new location, Emil went a totally different direction and opened Square Cut Pizza, drawing inspiration from his time spent living in Italy. “I fell in love with Roman-style pizza,” he says. “It’s so crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle. It was enjoyable for me. [Shelby Park] didn’t have a pizzeria, so I thought I would share that experience with the neighborhood.”
The eatery opened at the end of October, serving up Roman-style pizza, charcuterie, starters, and more. All the vinegar, soft cheeses, dough, and cured meats are made in-house. A selection of cocktails, beer, and wine are also available. “The most popular pizza right now is the sausage pizza,” Emil says. “It’s a white pizza with shredded mozzarella, roasted potato, and house-made sausage. We finish it with house-made Stracciatella and burnt rosemary.”
The Nduja pizza features butternut squash and smoked mozzarella. Image: Square Cut Pizza
Appetizer options include juniper salumi with pickled vegetables, house-made stracciatella with olive crumble and burnt rosemary, and a gem lettuce wedge with a salumi vinaigrette. Image: Square Cut Pizza
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Sugar Room
1150 S. Shelby St., Louisville, KY 40203 • (502) 290-5701
Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 11 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 10 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday
Open for indoor dining and carryout.
Located on the other side of Square Cut Pizza is Emil David’s ice cream parlor, Sugar Room, which opened in July. Like the pizzeria, Emil’s decision to create an ice cream shop was based on the lack of anything like it in the area. “They didn’t have an ice cream shop in this neighborhood,” he says, adding that since the space was formerly a bakery, the setup of the space was ideal.
“I wanted to do a little play on American flavors,” he says of the menu. “Typically, when you go to soft-serve places, [there’s] a chocolate and vanilla swirl. I created combinations to make a third flavor.” Combos include burnt marshmallow and chocolate sea salt for a swirled s’mores flavor; condensed milk and lime to create key lime pie; and blueberry and cheesecake for — you guessed it — blueberry cheesecake.
Emil adds that Sugar Room also provides atypical topping options. Rather than pour chocolate or strawberry syrup over their ice cream creations, customers can choose from a variety of unique add-ons, including nostalgic candies, cereals, and generally fun toppings like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Nerds, graham crackers, and frosted animal cookies. “It’s more crafty, and fun, and original,” Emil says.
Pictured is the blueberry soft serve with Froot Loops and rainbow sprinkles. Image: Sugar Room
Here, the lime soft serve is topped with unicorn bark. Image: Sugar Room
Tha Drippin Crab
1219 West Jefferson St., Louisville, KY 40203 • (502) 749-6005
Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday
Open for indoor dining and carryout.
Chef Darnell Ferguson — seen on Guy Fieri’s “Tournament of Champions,” Giada De Laurentiis’ “Ultimate Thanksgiving Challenge,” as well as “Beat Bobby Flay” — has a new seafood restaurant in the Russell neighborhood. Tha Drippin Crab opened its doors in October, serving up a variety of gourmet seafood dishes, including appetizers, entrées, salads, sandwiches, and more. Specialties include seafood lasagna, glazed salmon, fried cod, and seafood pizza, to name a few. There is also a selection of vegan options, a kids’ menu, and 24K Wings — crispy gold honey barbecue wings that are finished with real 24-karat gold.
As the restaurant name would suggest, menu items are crafted for guests to get a “drip” with every bite. Try the Signature Drip Combo — one pound of snow crab, sausage, and corn of your choice, crispy potatoes, and an egg — or create your own drip combo. Choose from eight proteins, three types of sausage, two styles of corn, and five drips, from garlic or lemon to Korean BBQ or Caribbean.
This crab leg flight is simply mouthwatering! Image: Facebook
Enjoy “tha drip” on the Drippin’ Chicken. Image: Facebook
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Published October 2021
Written by Lennie Omalza
From sandwiches and pizza to Scottish salmon and Moroccan lamb chops, Derby City’s food scene always has something new and interesting to offer. Check out these five new eateries that recently opened their doors in the Louisville area.
5 New Louisville Restaurants to Try (Updated October 2021)
AtG Sandwich Emporium
119 South Seventh St., Louisville, KY 40202 • (502) 653-7577
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Open for indoor dining and carryout. Online pre-ordering available.
Ten years ago, Jerry Gnagy, Sam Cruz, Adam Watson, and Andrew Ott opened the city’s first brewer-owned-and-operated brewery, Against the Grain Brewery and Smokehouse. On October 1, the quartet debuted their newest venture in downtown Louisville. They took over the space formerly occupied by longtime eatery Another Place Sandwich Shop, decked out the walls with art by local illustrator Matthew McDole, and opened the doors to AtG Sandwich Emporium. Open seven days a week, the shop offers breakfast until 10:30 a.m. on weekdays; soup, sides, and of course, sandwiches and beer are served daily. Among the 13 sandwiches available are the “Shru”ben, a marinated portabella mushroom, roasted red pepper spread, caramelized onion, and balsamic drizzle, served on sourdough bread; and the turkey club, a double-decked option with smoked turkey, aged cheddar, bacon, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and Duke’s mayo on sourdough.
The turkey club at AtG Sandwich Emporium is just one of 13 winning sandwich options. Image: Instagram
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Decca Lounge and Restaurant
812 E. Market St., Louisville, KY 40206 • (502) 749-8128
Hours: Thursday through Monday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; closed Sunday through Wednesday
Open for indoor dining and outside seating.
After closing in December amid a rise in COVID-19 cases, NuLu’s Mediterranean-inspired fine-dining restaurant Decca Lounge and Restaurant reopened on September 23. Owners and husband-and-wife pairs Clay and Amy Reynolds and Chad Sheffield and Kelsey Norris, have since made several interior updates and added patio space for outdoor seating and live music. They also have plans to open a small retail shop on the second floor dubbed “B Side,” which will sell wine as well as records and books from locally owned Carmichael’s Bookstore. Among one of the many changes to the eatery is the reimagined menu, which is now organized by small, medium, and large options — most of which now have more of an Italian influence. Chef Andy Myers and Chef de Cuisine Matt Johnson are serving up everything from charred octopus and hand-cut pappardelle to cauliflower a la plancha and shrimp cannelloni. Decca also has an extensive selection of cocktails, beer, and wine.
Enjoy dinner and a glass of wine on the Decca Lounge and Restaurant patio, now open. Image: Instagram
Germantown Social
1318 McHenry St., Louisville, KY 40217 • (502) 709-7669
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
Open for indoor dining, carryout, and delivery via DoorDash. Online pre-ordering available.
On Friday, September 3, aptly named eatery Germantown Social opened on the same property as apartment complex Germantown Mill Lofts. The space, formerly occupied by Cajun restaurant Couvillon, is designed to be a place for congregating and socializing. It features an area for live music, as well as a large, dog-friendly patio. Guests can dine inside or out, and apartment residents can opt for poolside delivery when the weather allows. The menu features a mix of snacks, salads, sandwiches, sides, and tacos, as well as a few main dinner courses — including the grilled pork tenderloin with fingerling potatoes, asparagus, and pineapple jalapeno chutney; and the shrimp and grits, made with sauteed shrimp, Wiesenberger cheddar grits, andouille sausage, trinity veggies, and Cajun cream sauce. A kids’ menu is available for ages 11 and younger, and a brunch menu is in the works.
Germantown Social has a wide and varied selection of options, including mussels and an amazing artichoke dip. Image: Instagram
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MozzaPi at TEN20 Craft Brewery
1020 E. Washington St., Louisville, KY 40206 • (502) 890-4832
Hours: Daily, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. or until sellout
Open for indoor dining, outdoor seating, and carryout.
Though it was recently announced that MozzaPi’s original location in Anchorage is temporarily closed, customers can enjoy its Neapolitan and wood-fired oven pizza at its new spot in TEN20 Craft Brewery in Butchertown. On Wednesday, September 1, it became the first restaurant within the brewery with a permanent space and hours. “Pizza and beer pairs so well,” says MozzaPi General Manager Megan Edwards. “We’re just so happy to be a part of a new community in the heart of Louisville, and we can’t wait to meet all of our new customers.” She adds that so far, the most popular picks at the TEN20 location have been the sweet onion marmalade pizza, which has caramelized onions, mozzarella, blue cheese, andouille sausage, bourbon cherries, and rosemary; and the spicy giardiniera pizza, made with red sauce, mixed cheese, pepperoni, and a mixture of pickled vegetables.
Grab a MozzaPi pizza and a craft beer from TEN20 for the ultimate Louisville meal! Image: Lennie Omalza
Ramsi’s Café on the World
10639 Meeting St., Prospect, KY 40059 • (502) 357-0005
Hours: Daily, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Open for indoor dining, outdoor seating, and carryout. Online pre-ordering available.
Known for its extensive offerings of international dishes, Ramsi’s Café on the World has opened a second location. Taking over the space formerly occupied by Verbena Café, Ramsi’s owner Ramsi Kumar branched out to the Norton Commons neighborhood on July 19 after running his original restaurant on Bardstown Road for 27 years. The Ramsi’s menu features more than 100 items and types of fare, including Cuban, Egyptian, Jamaican, and Thai cuisine, just to name a few. There’s something for everyone: Try the salmon Sonesta made with blackened Scottish salmon and sundried tomato cream sauce and served with mashed potatoes and stir-fried vegetables; the vegan bayou burger, made with a char-grilled vegan burger, Jakarta rings, creole remoulade, and vegan cheese; or Moroccan pan-seared lamb chops, made with Moroccan millet pilaf, bourbon tomato jam, and pumpkin mint sauce.
Start your Ramsi’s Café on the World experience with the pork belly appetizer. Image: Instagram
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Published September 2021
Written by Lennie Omalza
There’s so much more to Louisville food and drink than hot browns and bourbon. Whether you’re in search of a healthy lunch, decadent dessert, or family-friendly sports bar, Derby City has you covered. Here are five new spots to check out this fall.
4 New Louisville Restaurants to Try (Updated September 2021)
About Time Bar and Grill
12406 La Grange Rd., Ste. 101, Louisville, KY 40245 • (502) 742-3113
Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Open for indoor dining and carryout.
The name of Louisville’s newest family-friendly sports bar has a romantic origin story. General manager Charles Wade explains that the owner and his wife met 17 years ago at a place called About Time. “He promised her that when he opened his first restaurant, he would name it after their first date,” says Charles.
As of August 26, About Time Bar and Grill has been up and running, serving burgers, tacos, salads, and more — but so far, customers’ go-to menu item is the Philly cheesesteak. “That’s one thing that’s a signature here,” Charles says, adding that they also support Kentucky breweries and have a wide selection of local beers available. All college football, NFL, NBA, and MLB games, as well as UFC fights, will be played at About Time — but Charles notes that the space is unlike other bars around town. “We’re very family orientated,” he says. “There won’t be any vulgarities going on, and we try to hire people with very good character. Customers can come and sit down with their kids and their grandparents and know that they can have a good meal at a good price in a very good environment.”
Wings are tossed in the house sauce, which is a blend of garlic Parmesan sauce, hot buffalo sauce, and sweet BBQ sauce. Image: About Time Bar and Grill
About Time Salad, which is a version of a Californian salad, has crisp romaine, red onions, cucumbers, dried cranberries, candied pecans, and crumbled blue cheese. Image: About Time Bar and Grill
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The Fuelery
2011 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, KY 40206 • (502) 618-0677
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
Open for indoor dining and carryout.
Farm-to-table health café The Fuelery opened earlier this year, with a seasonal menu that features fresh, local ingredients. “Some of our most popular items from the previous menu made it onto this one because we had people request that they not go away,” says executive chef and general manager Devon Rosenblatt. One such item is the salmon bites, which are made with Blue Dog Bakery baguettes; prosciutto; gravlax that’s cured in-house; and locally sourced goat cheese, red onions, garnet mustard microgreens, and honey. “[The honey] comes from a 14-year-old kid over in Shively who runs his own bee-keeping and honey operation,” Devon adds.
In addition to plated meals, sandwiches, and salads, The Fuelery also offers smoothies, nutritional supplements, and healthy snacks. “[We] make every single thing fresh,” Devon says. “No matter what you eat or what you drink, it’s fresh, it’s wholesome, it’s nutritious. Not only is it going to taste good, but it’s going to make you feel good — and I think that’s what sets us apart from everyone else here in town. That, plus our commitment to working with local farms and local businesses to continue to foster the growth of our local economy.”
The salmon bites are a popular menu item at The Fuelery. Image: The Fuelery
Fuel your day with a fresh smoothie. Image: The Fuelery
Malone’s
4370 Summit Plaza Dr., Louisville, KY 40241 • (502) 618-0702
Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Open for indoor dining and carryout.
After more than two decades in Lexington, Malone’s finally expanded to Louisville this past June, with a multilevel location at the Paddock Shops. “Malone’s opened in Lexington in 1998 and has become a fan-favorite [there], serving over-the-top hospitality and celebrating meals and milestones with guests for over 20 years,” says Marketing Director Amber Cook. “[It] was a natural addition to the great city of Louisville.”
The menu features USDA prime beef, a variety of fish and seafood selections, as well as salads and sushi. Popular picks include the USDA Prime Manhattan NY Strip, Hot Baked Crab Dip, Baked Lava Roll, Steakhouse Kobe Burger, Bottomless Lexingtonian Salad, and Harry’s Mini Cheeseburgers and Fries. “Malone’s Louisville provides a unique dining experience for each guest, no matter the occasion,” Amber adds. “In addition to a diverse menu and extensive bourbon and wine lists, it houses three additional concepts: Malone’s Prime Events & Receptions [the private dining venue], Harry’s American Bar and Grill [the two level, year-round patio experience], and Aqua Sushi.”
The Steakhouse Kobe Burger comes with thick steakhouse fries. Image: Malone’s
Sushi fans will delight in Aqua Sushi at Malone’s. Image: Malone’s
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Phantom Café Modern Eatery & Catering Co.
1813 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, KY 40206 • (502) 442-9878
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.; closed Monday
Open for indoor dining and carryout.
Nick Bean, owner and Executive Chef of Phantom Café Modern Eatery & Catering Co., says his time in the industry inspired the restaurant’s name. “I always found myself outside the box,” he says, adding that he often hopped from one job to the next, working in different kitchens around town. “I’m like a ghost — sometimes I’m here and the next thing you know, I’m gone.”
For the time being, however, Nick is staying put, building upon a menu he describes as modern-eclectic Southern. His unique offerings, which are inspired by his time working in New York restaurants, include everything from smoked gouda carbonara with candied bacon sprinkles and bacon fat powder, to honey bun glazed strawberry shortcake dessert biscuits. “There is a lot of love and passion that goes into the food,” he says. “My goal is to one day have a fine-dining café. I’m striving for a Michelin star … [I have] New York standards — the best of the best.”
Smoked gouda carbonara with candied bacon sprinkles and bacon fat powder is a dish unlike any other in Louisville. Image: Phantom Café Modern Eatery & Catering Co.
Cheesecake served in an edible glass bowl? Sign us up! Image: Phantom Café Modern Eatery & Catering Co.
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Published August 2021
Written by Lennie Omalza
It has been said that if you dined at two Louisville restaurants every day for a month, you’d still cover only a fraction of the city’s culinary scene. That’s easy to believe since new eateries are popping up in Derby City all the time. Here are five new ones to consider for your next meal.
5 New Louisville Restaurants to Try (Updated August 2021)
502 Crab House
5023 Mud Ln., Ste. 160, Louisville, KY 40229 • (502) 963-5848
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m; Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.
Open for indoor dining, outside seating, and carryout.
Inspired by his wife, Miki Pham, Shawn Tran opened 502 Crab House with this brother, Peter Tran. “I’m from Alabama, and seafood — especially crawfish — is a big thing out there,” Miki says. “We want to bring that concept to the Louisville area, because not everybody around here is familiar with [seafood] boils.”
The Tran brothers offer everything from crawfish etouffee and lobster bisque, to fresh raw oysters and po’boy sandwiches — in addition to their seafood boils, of course. Those can be made mild, spicy, or hot, and are served with melted butter or a choice of five sauces. Miki says the garlic butter, as well as their special 502 Tasty-Licious Sauce, are not to be missed. She adds that though there are chain restaurants offering a similar menu, 502 Crab House is locally owned and operated. “[We’re] different from our competitors — local is always better.”
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The 502 Crab House shrimp po’boy sandwich is divine! Image: 502 Crab House
Enjoy an authentic seafood boil, complete with snow crab legs — customized with your preferred level of heat. Image: 502 Crab House
Cadillac’s Chicken & Fish
7105 Fegenbush Ln., Louisville, KY 40228 • (502) 287-3437
Hours: Monday and Tuesday, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Open for indoor dining, outside seating, carryout, curbside pickup, and delivery via Grubhub.
What began as a food truck in 2018 led to a brick-and-mortar location that was set to open in March of last year. But when the pandemic hit, their plans came to a standstill. Fast forward to 2021, when owners Marsha Buchanan and her stepson, Terrance Buchanan, were finally able to open their Highview neighborhood restaurant, serving Southern seafood, chicken, and more.
Marsha says their cod and catfish have been especially popular, though customers seem to really enjoy the fish tacos and alligator as well. Most of the recipes served in this family-run restaurant have been handed down from generation to generation, she explains, but her son and chef, Patrick Greenwell, has made modifications as needed. “Patrick [came] up with the breading recipes, and he perfected them,” she says. “It took us a little while to perfect each one, but I think we got it now.”
Enjoy a variety of freshly made family recipes at Cadillac’s. You can almost hear the crunch on those onion rings, can’t you? Image: Cadillac’s Chicken & Fish
Minnies Pizza & Paint Shop
St Andrews Church Rd., Louisville, KY 40214 • (502) 890-4025
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, noon to 8 p.m.; Thursday and Saturday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
Open for indoor dining and carryout.
When Nick and Amanda Boals each had an idea for a business but couldn’t fathom starting two separate enterprises, they decided to combine their ventures. “My wife wanted a paint shop where she could teach canvas painting, or individuals could come in and follow step-by-step [directions to] paint,” Nick explains. “But there was no way that we could do two different businesses, so we decided to combine them both together into a pizza and paint shop.”
Named after Nick’s grandmother, Minnies Pizza & Paint Shop was born. One side of the business is a restaurant, serving up pizzas, pasta, salads, and more, while the other side is a painting space where customers can dine, paint, or both. The restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays to accommodate private parties. “Minnies [is] a laid-back area,” Nick adds. “It’s where a family can come in and just enjoy each other. Me and Amanda have six kids, so we are all about family, and we just want people to be able to come in and enjoy delicious food, and also enjoy their kids — or enjoy any other member of their family — and just feel like they’re at home.”
All ages can enjoy the food and painting opportunities at Minnies. Image: Minnies Pizza & Paint Shop
A freshly made pizza is all part of the plan at Minnies! Image: Minnies Pizza & Paint Shop
Señora Arepa
721 East Market St., Louisville, KY 40202
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 9 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
Open for indoor dining, outdoor seating, and carryout.
Chefs Fernando and Yaniel Martinez, owners of Louisville’s Olé Hospitality Group, have opened a fast-casual Venezuelan eatery located just behind their Cuban restaurant, La Bodeguita de Mima. Señora Arepa is open for lunch and dinner, serving arepas, salads, various appetizers, and more — including featured menu items like Reina Pepiada, which is made of griddled cornmeal patties that are baked and stuffed with chicken salad made with avocado mayo; and Pabellón Criollo, the national dish of Venezuela, which contains black beans and shredded beef under a bed of plantain chips.
There is also a full selection of Latin coffees including classics like café con leche and cortadito, which will be offered with optional sweet rims in flavors like dulce de leche, Nutella, and chocolate. Desserts include Sweet Arepita, a pan mixed with sugar and cocoa powder, then fried and stuffed with Nutella and dulce de leche; Bien Me Sabe — which translates to “tastes good to me” — which is a rich coconut cake with layers of cream and meringue; and Casillo, a denser version of Bien Me Sabe.
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The Arepa Pabellón is just one of the delicious, authentic items you’ll find on the menu at Señora Arepa. Image: Olé Hospitality Group
There’s a definite tropical vibe at Señora Arepa. Image: Olé Hospitality Group
Wild Swann
601 W. Main St., Louisville, KY 40202 • (502) 434-3777
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. to midnight
Open for indoor dining.
Tucked away in The Grady Hotel in downtown Louisville, Wild Swann is an homage to two of the building’s former tenants: The Swann-Abram Hat Co., which was the original tenant of the building as well as the designer of the world-famous Kentucky Derby hats, and J.B. Wilder, who was the owner of the apothecary and bourbon distillery located in the building’s basement.
Wild Swann’s dinner menu includes sharable appetizers like flatbread, Kentucky lamb chops, and charcuterie selections; soups, salads, and a selection of small plates, and finally, three dessert options. The cocktail menu was designed to evoke true Southern charm, with offerings such as The Apothecary, a whiskey-based cocktail that resembles J.B. Wilder’s whiskey and elixirs, and The Swann Song cocktail, Wild Swann’s brandy-based beverage created in remembrance of Swann-Abram Hat Co.
A menu including sharable options like this delectable charcuterie will get your meal at Wild Swann off to a great start. Image: The Grady Hotel
The lamb chops look almost too good to eat! Image: The Grady Hotel
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Published June 2021
Written by Lennie Omalza
Whether you’re in search of a new breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert destination, Louisville has you covered. These five eateries recently opened, adding even more dining options to this nationally recognized foodie city.
5 New Louisville Restaurants to Try (Updated July 2021)
Fry Daddy’s
5905 Terry Rd., Louisville, KY 40216 • (502) 384-4012
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
Just four months after opening their first location in Clifton Heights, Troy King and Selena Johnson opened their second Fry Daddy’s space in June, bringing their French fry-focused eatery to South Louisville. The restaurant concept was born during a trip the couple took to California, and though Troy says he didn’t know if Louisville would be ready for such a place, it has been well received in the Bluegrass State. They serve up clear-coated tin roof fries — which can hold their crunch for 40 minutes — with chicken, bacon, steak, shrimp, pork, lobster, vegan chicken, and more. There are also 13 different sauces available to add extra flavor to any fry combination. The lemon garlic sauce is a popular pick, though Troy says that between the protein options and variety of sauces, the combinations are virtually endless.
South Louisvillians can now customize their own loaded French fries at the new Fry Daddy’s location on Terry Road. Image: Facebook
Gelato Gilberto
2240 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, KY 40206 • (502) 423-7751
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 11 p.m.; closed Monday
Fifteen years after opening their first location, Kristin and Justin Gilbert have expanded, bringing their artisanal Italian gelato to Frankfort Avenue. “We had a lot of time to think during the pandemic,” Kristin explains. “We live in the Clifton neighborhood, so we walked the area constantly because we had nothing else to do … and we thought about how nice it [would be to] have a store here.”
The new Gelato Gilberto is significantly larger than their Norton Commons location — it seats 28 and includes a room that will be used for Italian language and pasta-making classes and can also be reserved for parties. Kristin says the Frankfort Avenue menu will start with gelato only, but crêpes and other items will eventually be offered as well. “One thing we’re hoping to do,” she adds, “is turn a big part of the front part of the parking lot into a gelato garden … we are hoping to have really extensive outdoor seating that’ll be really fun and creative.”
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Gelato Gilberto now serves its artisanal Italian gelato to Louisville’s Clifton neighborhood. Image: Gelato Gilberto
Look at all those gelato flavors! Image: Gelato Gilberto
Milano Italian Restaurant
11300 Westport Rd., Louisville, KY 40241 • (502) 742-2926
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
After serving Kentucky for nearly 20 years with locations in Shelbyville and Mount Washington, Milano Italian Restaurant opened its first Louisville space in June. Like its first two restaurants, the Westport Road location boasts a variety of handmade pastas made from scratch — from penne and fettuccine to ravioli and tortellini and more. The family-owned restaurant’s recipes come from owner Jonathan Balderas’ grandmother, Alicia.
In addition to pastas, pizzas, calzones, subs, and seafood dishes on the regular menu, Milano also offers lunch specials on weekdays, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., as well as weekday happy hour specials from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. And don’t forget dessert — homemade options include cannoli cake, spumoni, tiramisu, mascarpone cheesecake, tuxedo cheesecake, limoncello mascarpone, and chocolate indulgence.
Get your pasta fix at Milano Italian Restaurant‘s new Louisville location. Image: Milano Italian Restaurant
Don’t forget dessert! Pictured here is Milano’s tiramisu. Image: Milano Italian Restaurant
Riot Café
574 S. 4th St., Louisville, KY 40202 • (502) 709-5654
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Riot Café, a social justice café and community center, opened in downtown Louisville in February. Serving coffee, grab-and-go breakfasts, snacks, and pastries, owner Olivia Rose Griffin also offers locally made bodega items as well as packaged beer, wine, and spirits. Many of the menu items are Hawaii-inspired — similar to the dishes that can be found at Olivia’s restaurant The Limbo — but Riot Café focuses a bit more on Korean and Japanese-influenced cuisine and drinks. “I like to push people a little bit beyond their boundaries and their edges,” Olivia says. “I don’t want to just do what everyone else is doing here … I’m taking these traditional Hawaiian recipes, and I’m tweaking them a little bit to make them a little bit more accessible to the Kentucky palate.” Some of her unique offerings include taiyaki, a fish-shaped Japanese cake traditionally filled with red bean paste but is served at Riot Café stuffed with Nutella or marshmallows, and green eggs and SPAM, a Hawaii-inspired take on green eggs and ham.
Operating as a social justice café and community center, Riot Café offers goodies like parfaits, coffee, snacks, wine, beer, and more. Image: Facebook
Pictured here are the café’s Shroomin’ Bacon Rolls. Yum! Image: Facebook
Trifecta
1971 Brownsboro Rd., Louisville, KY 40206 • (502) 618-3970
Hours: Daily, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
A fast-casual restaurant that opened in April, Trifecta boasts three food counters with one common seating area. “It’s kind of like a food court,” says co-owner Christopher Seckman. “We have the salad station counter; we have the pizza counter, where you can get slices or order whole pies; then we have the burrito counter where we can customize burritos for you.”
Though customers can build their own salads, pizzas, burritos, and burrito bowls, the Trifecta menu also offers some set items, including breakfast burritos and kids’ meals. Favorites include the Cobb salad, club salad, and Tex-Mex salad, but Christopher says that burritos have been, by far, the top sellers.
“We [also] have a drive-up window,” he adds, “so you can pull up to the drive-up window… and be done fast — in five minutes or less, usually. It’s kind of fun; it’s fresh cooking for the people.”
RELATED: Move Over, Bourbon — Louisville’s Brewery Scene is Booming
Can’t decide what you want to eat? Trifecta makes it easy, offering everything from burritos to salads to pizza. Image: Facebook
To explore more of Louisville and its dining hotspots, visit our archives.
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Published June 2021
Written by Lennie Omalza
There’s never a shortage of restaurants in Louisville. In addition to being the home of boxer Muhammad Ali, the Kentucky Derby, Louisville Slugger baseball bats, and more, there is also always a new place to eat. Try one of these recently opened eateries the next time you’re looking for something new to try.
5 New Louisville Restaurants to Try (Updated June 2021)
B.A. Colonial
818 W. Kenwood Dr., Louisville, KY 40214 • (502) 242-8686
Hours: Wednesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 8 p.m..; closed Monday and Tuesday
Open for indoor dining and carryout.
On May 2, B.A. Colonial opened in the original Colonial Gardens building, a property that has historical ties to South Louisville. Shay Tinsley, a partner in B.A. Colonial, explains that the restaurant’s name is a nod to its past. “The gentleman that bought it from the original family … and turned it into what became Colonial Gardens in 1940 — his name was B.A.,” Shay explains. “[We serve] classic American fare … stuff we grew up on. And we’ve got some coastal flavor to it to keep with that colonial theme.”
B.A. Colonial’s menu features a plethora of seafood options — including raw oysters, mussels, and mahi — as well as steak, burgers, Hot Brown sandwiches, and homemade Sloppy Joes. “I’ve got a great chef, Nate Gibson,” Shay adds. Nate is known in the Louisville restaurant industry, having worked at well-known eateries including Biscuit Belly and LouVino. As far as popular dishes go, Shay says, “The burger is #1. [It’s] a premium blend on a potato bun.”
The shrimp & grits at B.A. Colonial is definitely worth a try! Image: Facebook
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The Bayou
434 W. Market St., Louisville, KY 40202
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Monday
Open for indoor dining and carryout.
Lisa Rainey and Paul Nelson, owners of the former Geechee Bayou restaurant, opened a new eatery in downtown Louisville on May 1. The Bayou offers a Cajun-creole menu, including jambalaya, gumbo, seafood platters, crab boils, and more. Dessert options include fried cherry pie, fried apple pie, and fried sweet potato pie, as well as a turtle sundae. Lisa and Paul also offer a soul food Sunday buffet and are in the process of obtaining their liquor license.
Striving to provide Louisville residents and visitors with a “taste of Louisiana,” the pair has also spiced up the restaurant’s interior with Mardi Gras décor. Splashes of green, purple, and gold can be seen throughout, while masks and murals are pinned up on multiple walls.
The Deluxe Seafood Boil at The Bayou features snow crab, crawfish, shrimp, mussels, corn and potatoes, and rings in at $45. Image: Facebook
The club sandwich is equally as satisfying. Find it for $12. Image: Facebook
Everyday Kitchen
552 E. Market St., Louisville, KY 40202 • (502) 805-7345
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
Open for indoor dining only.
Open since April 1 in Lodgic Louisville, a suite of five businesses that operate adjacently, Everyday Kitchen offers an upscale approach to American comfort food. “[We provide] a comfortable, everyday feel, but you get to elevate your experience with the quality of the food,” says Managing Director Andrew Held. “It was based around this idea that the heartland’s important, but it doesn’t keep you [from] having the best things possible.”
In addition to having a special relationship with a fishing boat, which allows him to plan the menu around fresh catches, Chef Mike Wajda also whips up various one-of-a-kind dishes. A popular pick that Andrew says customers often return for is the brûléed hummus. “It’s a warm presentation of hummus with caramelized onion and crunchy bits on top of it,” he says. “It is amazing.” He adds that among his personal favorites is the lambchetta, a rolled and stuffed lamb roast. “We are here to shorten the distance between gourmet cuisine and comfortable dining,” he says.
Cheers to delicious but approachable dining at Everyday Kitchen. Image: Sarah Jane Webb Photography
The mead-lacquered duck breast features a parsnip puree, crispy rice, kale, and pomegranate and rings in at $41. Image: Sarah Jane Webb Photography
RELATED: 16 Healthy Louisville Restaurants with Delicious Eats for All Diets
Flora Kitchenette
1004 Barret Ave., Louisville, KY 40204 • 502-742-3843
Hours: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday through Monday; closed Tuesday and Wednesday
Open for indoor dining and carryout.
The COVID pandemic forced Flora Kitchenette to shut its doors in December, but vegan couple Nancy “Sultra” Smith and Jeremy “Wize” Brown purchased the business and reopened in April. Nancy had been selling vegan meals under the name Sultra’s Vegan Kitchen while her daughter was an employee at Flora Kitchenette. When she was presented with the opportunity to take over Flora Kitchenette, it made sense to fold Sultra’s Vegan Kitchen items into the revamped Flora Kitchenette menu.
Previously a vegan and vegetarian restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and baked goods, the new Flora Kitchenette is completely vegan. New items include soups, salads, avocado toast, and biscuits and gravy. There is also still a plethora of bakery items available, including everything from orange cranberry scones and chocolate chip banana bars to birthday cakes and donuts.
The BBQ plate features seitan brisket in a smoky BBQ sauce, creamy potato salad, baked beans, and watermelon arugula salad with orange champagne vinaigrette. For dessert, try a gluten-friendly lemon bar with coconut whip. Image: Facebook
Gluten-friendly and regular banana bars with chocolate chips and pumpkin seeds are the vegan sweet treat you’ve been looking for. Image: Facebook
Philly’s Best Frozen Desserts
307 Wallace Ave., Louisville, KY 40207 • (502) 916-2022
Hours: daily, noon to 8 p.m.
Open for carryout and limited outdoor seating.
Italian water ice is not a dessert commonly seen around the Bluegrass State, but Rodney Daisey and his wife Tonya have been serving it up to residents and visitors alike for the past year. After operating out of a mobile food truck then opening their first brick-and-mortar location last June, they are now welcoming guests to their second shop in the St. Matthews neighborhood.
A smoother and creamier version of shaved ice, Italian water ice — better known as “Water Ice” back in Philly — is something the Daiseys grew up with. They offer both water ice and homemade ice cream, as well as prepackaged gelati — a combination of water ice and ice cream. Additional treats include fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies (perfect for ice cream cookie sandwiches!) and fresh-baked, Philly-style pretzels.
Strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla ice cream are all made in-house. Image: Facebook
Premium strawberry ice cream or strawberry Italian water ice offer a cool treat on a hot summer day. Image: Facebook
We hope you enjoy exploring these new Louisville restaurants!
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