13 New Louisville Restaurants — Your Hit List for Fall 2018

The Kentuckiana and Greater Louisville metro areas are known for a wide variety of entertainment, nightlife and, thankfully, plenty of places to satisfy your hunger and quench your thirst. We’re serving up a list of new restaurants that have opened during the past six months — offering everything from tasty tacos and perfect pizza to Creole, Cajun and comfort food. Let’s take a gastronomic gander at what’s for dinner (or breakfast or lunch) at 13 of the freshest restaurants in Louisville.

13 New Restaurants in Louisville

Taco City Louisville

1283 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40204 • (502) 409-9565
Hours: Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.

There’s no need to travel out of the country to find a mouthwatering array of tacos when you have Taco City on Bardstown Road. This authentic Mexican taqueria does it up right, with so many different options, you’ll have a difficult time selecting what you want, which means you’ll have to come back time and time again. If “turf” is your game, order the sirloin tacos, paired with sautéed onions, poblano peppers, queso cotija, radishes, crema Mexicana and cilantro. If “surf” is more to your liking, then the tacos with grilled shrimp, roasted calabacita (squash), roasted corn, jicama slaw, chipotle aioli and cilantro might be up your alley. There are also roasted pork tacos, or try the California burrito with grilled steak or chicken, white rice and black or pinto beans. For your sweet tooth, try the homemade flan or churros. Top off the evening with strawberry or lime margaritas.

Couvillion

1318 McHenry St, Louisville, KY 40217 • (502) 365-1813
Hours: Monday and Wednesday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Closed Tuesday

This fun New Orleans-inspired restaurant brings a bit of the true South to Louisville. Look up the word couvillion, and the definition is “a mixture of super cool and ultra-superior.” Decorated to look like a hot spot in The Big Easy, Couvillion showcases lively art from New Orleans artists as well as a few from Louisville. There’s no way you’ll leave hungry after a night here. Cajun- and Creole-inspired dishes include duck Creole, roasted cauliflower, smoked cornbread, dirty rice and shrimp and grits. Prices are reasonable, from $5 to $20, and the place is great for all ages — kids to grandparents.

Ostra

Chef Adam Burress — known for his local restaurants, including Game, Migo and Hammerheads — has opened a fourth eatery, Ostra, Spanish for oysters. The restaurant offers an eclectic array of sustainable entrées that change throughout the year depending upon what proteins and produce are available at the time. Though often asked if Ostra is a ‘seafood joint,’ Adam describes it as more of a fusion restaurant. There are oyster dishes, but he mixes it up with other entrées that include poke, kinilaw, ceviche and tiradito which are found under the ‘raw’ section of the menu. Chicken chorizo pambazo, rabbit empanada and poblano duck stroganoff are also favorites at Ostra. If you have an adventurous side, try the cricket flour brownie, accompanied by candied insects, for dessert. Top off the evening with a Nickelodeon-inspired cocktail like the Kablam or the Double Dare. It’s truly an evening you’ll never forget.

RELATED: Ostra: An Innovative Menu Where Creative Flavors Abound

The Pine Room

6325 River Rd, Harrods Creek, KY 40027 • (502) 528-4422
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Closed Monday

This neighborhood restaurant helmed by Augusta Holland and the Harrods Creek Hospitality Group is located in historic Harrods Creek and serves classic American dishes using seasonal local ingredients. Start your meal at The Pine Room with an order of fried artichoke hearts served with comeback sauce, a versatile spiced Southern condiment originating in Jackson, Mississippi, often referred to as the “kissing cousin” of remoulade. Or indulge in sautéed Florida shrimp served with a bourbon-lobster reduction, cheese grits, micro arugula and crispy shallots. Continue with an entrée of heavenly buttermilk fried chicken paired with toasted black pepper pan biscuit, whipped cauliflower puree and arugula, finished off with a drizzle of hot honey sauce. Burger lovers will be pleased to find the Pine Room Burger topped with melting house-made American cheese, Dijonnaise, onion jam, romaine lettuce and spicy pickles on a toasted potato bun, served with a side of fries. End the night with something sweet, such as the seasonal mini Bundt cake, mini pie or chocolate Florentine cookie.

Boujie Biscuit

1813 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40207 • (502) 269-8526
Hours: Wednesday through Friday, 8 a.m to 3 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Closed Monday and Tuesday

If you’re craving warm, flaky biscuits topped with oh-so-good comfort food, then make your next stop Boujie Biscuit, a fast-casual restaurant serving up scratch-made American and globally influenced cuisine on a square buttermilk biscuit. Owner and chef Cyndi Joyner offers mouthwatering delights such as the chicken pot pie with chicken breast chunks, veggies and gravy on a biscuit; the Gravy Train with chunky sausage gravy on a biscuit; and the Georgia Peach, peaches cooked in a buttery brown sugar sauce, served on a biscuit. This is the perfect spot for moms, dads, kids — anyone!

Pints and Union

114 E Market St, New Albany, IN 47150 • (812) 913-4647
Hours: Tuesday, 4 p.m. to midnight; Wednesday through Saturday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.

“A progressively old world public house” is how Pints and Union is billed. This laid-back old-meets-new concept is great for families, a date night or anyone who’s out for a good time. They have an extensive beer menu, including foreign labels like Guinness Stout, Fuller’s London Pride, Sun King Wee Mac and domestics like Miller Lite, North Coast Old Rasputin and Stroh’s. Plus, there’s an extensive pub menu with the Curry Sloppy Joe; “Wangs,” fried chicken wings with house-made Michelada hot sauce, Ohio Valley ranch and pickled chiles; and the Union Burger, an Oklahoma-style onion smashed burger with Pints’ ketchup and Upland Wheat Beer mustard on a poppy seed bun. This two-story restaurant is filled with interactive fun. There are board games and books, but no TVs — it’s their intent that guests engage with each other while enjoying their meal.

Pizza Bar

445 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40202 • (502) 915-8113
Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to midnight

Pizza with pizzazz is what’s on the menu at the Pizza Bar. From the Big Papa, an 18-inch pizza featuring pepperoni, ham, salami, bacon, meatball and fresh mozzarella, to giant slices of pepperoni pizza served through the day, it’s guaranteed your cravings for an Italian pie will be satisfied. The Pizza Bar has a whole menu of events as well, including Pizza with a Purpose, where every Sunday they partner with a charity to donate proceeds on pizza and beer sales, and their Slice of Art, showcasing local artwork in their private event space as part of the Republic Bank First Friday Hop. A private room is available for parties — birthdays, corporate functions and everything in between. They also have fun games like Skee-ball and pinball.

CoreLife Eatery

1225 Veterans Pkwy #100, Clarksville, IN 47129 • (812) 670-5680
Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

With a menu bursting with flavor, color and nutritional value, you’ll be tempted to try CoreLife Eatery’s green bowls, grain bowls, broth bowls and rice bowls time and time again. Popular items are the kale Caesar chicken bowl with shredded kale and chopped romaine, antibiotic-free chicken, Parmesan crisps, tomatoes and shaved Parmesan; the tuna poke bowl with ahi tuna, cabbage, cucumber, carrots, scallions, avocado and kale; and the spicy ginger steak and rice noodle bowl with beef broth, grass-fed steak, rice noodles, broccoli, carrots and sliced almonds. You can also make your own bowl, and they even have kids’ power bowls. It’s clean, green eating for a new generation!

Storming Crab

1360 Veterans Pkwy, Clarksville, IN 47129 • (831) 590-3773
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m to 11 p.m.

If it’s boiled Cajun seafood you’re craving, then you’re in luck because Storming Crab fits the bill. The Clarksville, TN-based restaurant is playfully decorated with lots of logs and rope, but the focus is on the food. Fried baskets offer calamari, shrimp, oysters, catfish, tilapia or chicken. Heartier appetites will appreciate the combo platter, where you can devour the likes of Dungeness crab, shrimp, clams, sausage, red potatoes and corn. You can choose your spiciness level and flavor level — crab house Cajun, garlic butter or plain. Top off your meal with vanilla, chocolate or strawberry ice cream, or possibly cheesecake or mochi, a Japanese confection made of pounded sticky rice with an ice cream filling.

Nancy’s Bagel Grounds

225 S Spring St, Louisville, KY 40206 • (502) 895-8323
Hours: Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

It’s a deli, a restaurant and a coffee shop all rolled into one, serving bagels, sandwiches, wraps, sides, snacks, refreshing beverages and desserts. Nancy’s Bagel Grounds‘ new location opened just months ago at the corner of Spring and Payne in the Clifton neighborhood. Bagel flavors are plentiful, sweet and savory, including cinnamon-raisin, tomato-herb, poppy, garlic, onion, cranberry-bran and rosemary-Parmesan. It wouldn’t be a true bagel experience without a dollop of a tasty spread like their veggie, herb, honey-walnut, jalapeño or spinach cream cheese. Bagel sandwiches are plentiful — the lox filet, the chicken salad and hummus are just a few of the offerings. No time to cook for a big party? There’s catering available, too!

Longboard’s Taco & Tiki

302 Pearl St Suite C, New Albany, IN 47150 • (812) 924-7510
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

What do you get when you mix a splash of the tropics, a dash of California and top it off with some spicy international flavor? Longboard’s Taco & Tiki restaurant, of course! You’d expect to find this cool new eatery on the shores of Oahu — not the Ohio. Owners Ian and Nikki Hall, and their chef Alex Mikel, took the plunge to bring a cool twist to this Kentuckiana hangout. Featuring fast-casual chef-driven tacos and carefully crafted cocktails, the creative menu abounds with delights, such as the Korean BBQ taco with steak and house-made Korean barbecue sauce, kimchi, chipotle aioli, cotija and crispy wontons — or the pastor taco with braised pork, jalapeño-cilantro aioli, pineapple and pickled corn relish. Thirsty? Try Longboard’s Margarita, the Green Means Go, the Creamy Colada or the Freaky Diki Tiki which serves three to four people. This joint is great for anyone who loves phenomenal tacos!

Havana Salsa Cuban Cuisine

9909 Taylorsville Rd, Jeffersontown, KY 40299 • (502) 290-8133
Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 8:30 p.m.; Closed Monday

Havana Salsa Cuban Cuisine is a locally owned and operated family restaurant serving an impressive array of authentic Cuban cuisine. They serve pollo (chicken), carne (beef), lechón (pork) and pescado and mariscos (fish and seafood) dishes, along with salads, sides and chef specials. Several standout favorites are the Skinny Havana, grilled chicken breast served with seasonal vegetables; the Vaca Frita, shredded beef, pepper, rice, beans and yucca con mojo (marinated yucca root in garlic, lime and olive oil); Lechón Asado, slow-roasted pork in mojo-Creole congri; and red snapper, a grilled fillet in white vodka sauce served with seasonal vegetables. Desserts and cocktails are also readily available.

The Seafood Lady

3201 Fern Valley Road, Ste. 113, Louisville, KY 40213 • (502) 907-5251
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m to 10 p.m., Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.

“Spreading love across the world, one plate at time,” is the motto on The Seafood Lady’s website, and the love is certainly being spread across Louisville. Chef and owner Nichelle Thurston and her husband Luke have opened their second location in the Okolona area, much to the delight of their loyal customers. Their specialty is Florida-style seafood featuring all of the favorites: jumbo Cajun Gulf Shrimp, snow crab, crawfish, gator tail, catfish, lobster — you name it. Good old Southern sides like hushpuppies, Cajun corn, Cajun fries and even a Cajun boiled egg are sure to delight. The Thurston’s original location was featured on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” receiving high praise from host Guy Fieri. There’s no doubt that seafood enthusiasts will find plenty to love at this new location, too.

Make sure to try these 13 new restaurants in Louisville this fall. Sample these suggestions and let us know if we missed any!

Check out all our restaurant reviews and recipes in our Food and Dining section on StyleBlueprint!

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New Louisville Restaurants to Try for Spring 2018

Published March 2018 | Author: Anna Kate Goshko

Springtime is here, and we all know what that means. Besides the rollercoaster ride of temperatures and weather conditions (who knew you could have all four seasons in one week!), spring 2018 brings a slew of recent restaurant openings.

Louisville, KY, may be one of the last places in the country you would be able to find authentic French cuisine right next to the highest ranking place for chicken and waffles. That’s what makes our food scene so incredibly dynamic, unique and ever-changing.

In fall of 2017, Louisvillians experienced some incredible players coming onto the food scene, such as Butchertown Pizza Hall, Mac’s Dough House and El Taco Luchador. Well, 2018 is expected to be no different. Big players such as Chef Edward Lee and other culinary creatives are on par to further enhance our food scene. Here are some fabulous new eateries you must try this spring!

bar Vetti

800 S. Fourth St., Louisville, KY 40203 • (502) 883-3331
Hours: Dinner — Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Brunch — Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Pizza, pasta and shared plates. What more could you possibly want out of life? bar Vetti is a neighborhood Italian restaurant located in SoBro of downtown Louisville. Chef Andrew McCabe is putting a serious spin on Italian classics with Kentucky ingredients. Think: Broadbent country ham pizza with mascarpone, red onion, fig mostarda, arugula and balsamic. In addition to their authentic Italian pizzas and pastas, bar Vetti also offers creative small bites like “flaming hot fried chickpeas” and plates like chicken liver crostino, salt-cured sea trout and black hawk beef tartare. And don’t forget to pair those dishes with a tasty cocktail, glass of vino or cold pint.

One unique fact about bar Vetti that warrants discussion is that the restaurant does not accept tips. With this new hospitality-included model, the excellent service provided is included in the price of all food and drink items. We spoke with Ryan Rogers, founder of HiCotton Hospitality and partner at bar Vetti, about the forward-thinking concept:

“We currently operate bar Vetti on a hospitality-included model,” Ryan shares. “Both Andrew [McCabe] and myself have worked in restaurants our entire lives, and we understand the reality, which is that it can be difficult to make ends meet working in restaurants. We want to make sure that we can pay all of our employees as fair and equitable a wage as possible in addition to offering better benefits and a real career path for those who choose to follow their passion and stay in the restaurant business.”

Porch Kitchen & Bar

280 W. Jefferson St., Louisville, KY 40202 • (502) 671-4246
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Sunday, 6:30 a.m. to midnight

How about sitting for a spell? The neighborhood’s front porch just got a whole lot bigger — and tastier. Porch Kitchen & Bar has been open for just over two weeks in downtown Louisville. Chefs Josh Carter and Graham Weber had the idea of the old neighborhood front porch, where everyone gathers, as the concept behind the restaurant. With the large windows cascading around the restaurant from the sitting areas to the full bar, this “porch” is the new neighborhood watering hole. “The neighborhood porch coincides with a feeling of community,” says Chef Weber. “It’s the iconic American gathering place.”

As one might have guessed, with a concept such as this, Kentucky’s iconic meal will be on the menu. Both chefs tested their own versions of the Kentucky Fried Chicken for one year before adding it to the menu. “This is more than just a restaurant or a bar — it’s an experience,” says Chef Carter. “There is thought put into every single ingredient.”

With more than 500 different ingredients across the menu, including sourced cheeses from Mexico, this may be the most intentional concept yet.

Joe’s Older Than Dirt

8131 New La Grange Road, Louisville, KY 40222 • (502) 434-7470
Hours: Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 a.m.

This is the Muhammad Ali of all comebacks. Joe’s Older Than Dirt isn’t actually new at all. Joe’s stems from a long tenure of serving up affordable all-American dishes in an easy down-home atmosphere since 1937. Back in 2015, Joe’s closed and reopened as Red Barn BBQ. After a two-year stint as a barbecue joint, the cards showed that legends never die, and thus Joe’s Older Than Dirt was brought back to life. Inside, you can find an array of eclectic decor including antlered wall mounts and Louisville Cardinal paraphernalia. But don’t let that fool you … Joe’s embodies a heartwarming “Cheers”-like following of longtime workers and patrons just swinging by for a brewsky and burger.

Whiskey Dry

412 S. Fourth St., Louisville, KY 40202 • (502) 749-7933
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.

As one of “2018’s Most Anticipated American Restaurant Openings” by VOGUE magazine, Whiskey Dry is your ticket to diner-style entrées with high-class whiskey cocktails and beverages. Chef Ed Lee introduces a stylish yet approachable whiskey and burger bar to Louisville. On top of the 200 whiskeys from around the world, this eatery will knock the socks off of your grandma’s diner. The concept of pairing burgers and whiskey may leave you scratching your head, but Chef Lee was onto something from the beginning. “I love the idea of infinite variety within a single concept,” he says. “Whiskey is just a distilled spirit aged in wood barrels, but it has infinite variations in age, color, flavors, mashbills and expressions. A burger is very similar. We all know what a burger is, and we’ve all had many of them, but there are so many things we can do with that single concept. I wanted to explore the idea of pairing them together. And naturally they go well together.”

So, which whiskey pairs well with which burger? Don’t worry, Chef Lee has done the dirty work for us. “The best pairing that we recommend is the fried chicken burger with kimchi paired with a Hibiki Japanese whiskey,” he says, adding, “It is absolutely brilliant.”

Interestingly enough, the famous Big Mac came into play when creating the menu items. When Chef Lee created a burger that rivaled McDonald’s, he found an interesting opportunity for some humor.

The Big Ed is a burger that pays homage to the Big Mac, and originally the burger had a different name. “Once Eater ran a story about it, McDonald’s stepped in and immediately sent me a cease-and-desist letter from using the original name for the burger. I found that funny, and I renamed the burger. When we opened, I told the story to a local reporter, and she wrote about it in her article. The story kind of went viral, and now it is our best-selling burger.”

Big Mac or not, we cannot wait to try a glass of whiskey paired with a big, juicy burger.

Milantoni Italian Restaurant

1600 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy., Louisville, KY 40220 • (502) 742-8210
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Milantoni Italian Restaurant is a fast-casual Italian joint located in the heart of J-town. It’s like swinging through an Italian Grandma’s kitchen for a quick bite. You can find everything from charcuterie plates with a selection of Italian meats and cheeses, to Italian classics like puttanesca and eggplant parmesan. Other menu items, such as the lobster ravioli, bring crowds from all around Louisville. Right off of Hurstbourne Parkway, this Italian eatery is a hidden gem. Styled with classic Italian touches, like red-and-white checkered tablecloths, this restaurant will instantly charm you. And word has it that all the breads, sauces, dressings and desserts are made in-house. Don’t miss it!

RELATED: Small-Town Kentucky Eateries with Big-Time Personalities

Sarino

1030 Goss Ave., Louisville, KY 40217 • (502) 822-3777
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to midnight; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Sunday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Sarino of Louisville is located in the kitschy neighborhood of Germantown, and, nestled among the down-home pubs, this new Italian joint is the star of the show! Fresh pasta, Neapolitan pizzas and classic Italian fare boasts Old World charm with an edge in this modern set up. Sarino offers a fantastic range of entrées, such as veal or eggplant Parmigiano, swordfish and pork Milanese. And don’t miss their killer Happy Hour, Tuesday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., when they offer up $10 margherita pizzas, $1 off all draft beers and $1 off all wines by the glass.

There you have it — plenty of new places to try in Louisville this spring. Sample these suggestions and let us know if we missed any!

 

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Check out all our restaurant reviews and recipes in our Food and Dining section on StyleBlueprint!