The Louisville food scene is always on the move, and this summer is no exception. Filling our city with culture and craft, these new restaurants and cafés bring us unique takes on Kentucky classics, mouth-watering food and drink menus, and foreign delicacies that will transport you across the world. Here are 10 new Louisville restaurants to check out.
New Restaurants in Louisville to Try
Las Margaritas
12220 Shelbyville Rd., Louisville, KY 40243 • (502) 963-5503
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.
The name says it all. Get ready to indulge in specialty margaritas and authentic Mexican cuisine at Las Margaritas. With original recipes and fresh ingredients imported from Mexico, the menu features traditional items like mole poblano, pipián con pollo, carnitas and tamales, along with seafood and vegetarian options. And, of course, guests can choose from more than 11 different margarita options, including the tequila, mezcal and bourbon house margaritas. Cheers to that!
Las Margaritas offers traditional Mexican dishes like Las Mayas, which are enchiladas served with shredded chicken or ground beef. Image: Las Margaritas
Steak & Bourbon
1321 Herr Lane, Suite 130 Louisville, KY 40222 • (502) 708-2196Hours: Monday through Saturday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday Brunch, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
From Chefs Fernando and Yaniel Martinez, the creators of local favorites like Havana Rumba and Mussel & Burger Bar, comes Steak & Bourbon, a premium steakhouse that specializes in meat, bourbon and unmatched hospitality. Offering a topnotch dining experience at an affordable price, Steak & Bourbon serves up savory steaks that will blow your taste buds away. Choose from a variety of hand-cut steaks with add-ons like crab cake or garlic shrimp and top off your meal with potato au gratin or the colossal baked potato. Come back for the bourbon French toast or the steakhouse omelet on Sundays for brunch.
RELATED: Your Louisville Brunch Bucket List: 11 Must-Try Spots
Pho Phi
4600 Shelbyville Rd Ste 602, Louisville, KY 40207 • (502) 290-3019
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Family-owned restaurant Pho Phi offers some of the best new authentic Vietnamese food in The Ville with their tasty rice plates and pho. Each bowl of pho, a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup, can be customized to individual guest needs with the options of either beef or vegetable broth and a variety of meats and vegetables. Enjoy an array of fried rice or Vietnamese egg rolls to complete your meal in a comfy, casual environment located in Shelbyville Road Plaza.
Pho Phi specializes in pho bowls and offers over a dozen options, including this brisket pho. Image: Pho Phi
The Silly Axe Cafe
2216 Dundee Rd, Louisville, KY 40205 • (502) 290-7197
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
As the only strictly gluten-free restaurant in Louisville, The Silly Axe Cafe strives to provide those with gluten or allergy needs with tasty and delicious food. Chef Angela Pike has dedicated her career to helping those with specific food needs and has created a gluten-free, nut-free, and lactose-free menu. Enjoy classic sandwiches like the hot brown and the Italian sub, or specialty sandwiches like the Smart Axe, which includes hummus, cheese, grilled veggies and Italian dressing. Choose from a wide range of side options like Brussels sprouts hash and banana pudding. Plus, you won’t want to miss out on their quesadilla of the day.
The Silly Axe Cafe is the only restaurant in Louisville where all food items are completely gluten-free — including this Hawaiian chicken sandwich with grilled pineapple and melted gouda. Image: The Silly Axe Cafe
21st Amendment Tavern
1481 S Shelby St., Louisville, KY 40217 • (502) 654-7221
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 a.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to midnight
Housed in a building built in 1887 that once had the most famous dance floor in Louisville, the 21st Amendment Tavern is the oldest and longest continually operating tavern in the city. The Tavern combines food and play for a lively dining experience, offering flavorful foods and a craft cocktail and beer menu to enjoy along with live music, trivia and karaoke. Start with the Great Balls of Fire Grits or the Pride of Kentucky Wontons, and follow up with one of their specialty burgers or sandwiches.
The Pride of Kentucky Wontons are filled with house-made pimento cheese and country ham and served over a bed of green tomato red-eyed jam. Image: 21st Amendment Tavern
Biscuit Belly
900 E Main St Suite 101, Louisville, KY 40206 • (502) 409-5729
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Biscuit Belly mixes Southern cooking with unexpected flavors to satisfy your belly. Located in booming NuLu, choose from more than a dozen different biscuit sandwiches, including The Rockwell with fried chicken and sausage gravy, or The Love Shack, complete with brie, smoked honey, berry jam and candied pecans. Enjoy classics like biscuits and gravy, and for non-biscuit options, check out the loaded breakfast tots or the praline beignets. Plus, treat yourself to a breakfast cocktail like the Kentucky Coffee or top-shelf mimosa.
We recommend The Rockwell to start off your morning at Biscuit Belly. Image: Biscuit Belly
RELATED: 13 To-Die-For Comfort Food Dishes in Louisville
Alhamra Buffet
1250 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40204 • (502) 384-4801
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
For food with a Mediterranean spin, check out Alhamra Buffet located in Mid City Mall in the Highlands. The buffet offers authentic Middle Eastern food with favorites like chicken kababs and homemade Arabic cheese, along with additional vegan, vegetarian, halal and kosher options. Their buffet choices are constantly changing to include different flavorful dishes, so you’ll always find something new to satisfy your hunger!
The buffet offers an array of Mediterranean foods, including classics like this oven-roasted chicken and selection of vegetables. Image: Claire Hamilton
Shahar Cafe
1511 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40205 • (502) 653-7083
Hours: Wednesday & Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Nestled on busy Bardstown Road is the quaint Shahar Cafe. The Euro-Asian dining spot offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere with their bright yellow exterior and hand-written signs. The eclectic menu features a mouth-watering vegan burger served with fries and foreign favorites such as poutine (fries with cheese curds and gravy) and samosa, a traditional Indian fried dish with spicy potato stuffing. Plus, choose from a variety of lattes and teas to be enjoyed along with fresh bakery items at the counter!
The vegan burger is a staple of the menu at Shahar and is served with fries. Image: Shahar Cafe
RELATED: 16 Healthy Louisville Restaurants with Delicious Eats for All Diets
Boomtown Kitchen
114 E Main St, New Albany, IN 47150 • (812) 944-4032
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. <
Located just across the river in New Albany, Boomtown Kitchen boasts a tasty menu with American favorites and a Wild West flair. With a pub-like feel, Boomtown Kitchen is the perfect place to gather with friends around a pretzel and beer cheese or some smokey mac-n-cheese balls. Choose from a variety of meat entrees or one of their burgers like the wild game burger, which is constantly giving guests a new surprise with exotic meats like camel and antelope.
Yamato
345 New Albany Plaza, New Albany, IN 47150 • (812) 590-1380
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Another New Albany newcomer is Yamato, a traditional Japanese steakhouse with a cozy atmosphere and tasty hibachi options. Customize your hibachi dinner and combine entrees, or go for the bento dinner, which includes a main meat and sushi. Or, simply indulge in a variety of sushi rolls like the traditional California roll or one of the specialty rolls like the Rainbow Roll or the Yum Yum Roll. Sounds yum-yummy to us!
Now go out and treat yourself to the new tastes and flavors that Louisville has to offer!
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