At StyleBlueprint, we partnered with only the best businesses in town to create our SB Guide. It’s filled with everything you’d like to know as a local or as a tourist. From the best hair salons to the best antiques stores to the best interior designers, boutiques and restaurants, we’ve got you covered. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the best restaurants in Louisville. Intrigued? You’ve got to download our SB App so that you have the best of the best at your fingertips …
Best Restaurants in Louisville
Atlantic No. 5
605 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In the heart of Museum Row, you’ll find this cozy little spot perfect for breakfast and lunch. Atlantic No. 5 provides Louisville with a beautiful space to relax and step away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Offering fresh baked goods, creative twists on classic sandwiches and Sunergos Coffee complimented by housemade syrups, this is a go-to spot for many locals to get their daily dose of delicious. The A5 Grilled Cheese with balsamic caramelized onions and smoked gouda melted impeccably between two slices of fresh asiago bread is a house favorite. Stop in to find out what delectable treat they have for their dessert of the day and take home a special something from the market while you’re at it! You’ll feel as if you’re right at home at Atlantic No. 5!
Designed with meetings and professionals in mind, Atlantic No. 5 is a great space for working away from the office. The atmosphere is quiet and there are plenty of charging stations to go around!
Harvest
624 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40202
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
A pioneer in the farm-to-table movement in Louisville, Harvest offers relaxed fine dining, with outdoor and bar seating. With an emphasis on foods cultivated within a one hundred mile radius, their talented culinary team creates dishes that emphasize fresh, seasonal flavors. Harvest specializes in southern, comfort food with a contemporary twist. From biscuits and gravy on their brunch menu to buttermilk fried chicken and homemade poundcake for dinner, Harvest brings you simple but elegant interpretations of real Kentucky cooking.
Harvest is one of the most celebrated restaurants in Louisville, and has remained a downtown favorite for locals and visitors alike.
LouVino
Highlands: 1606 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40205 | Douglass Hills: 11400 Main St, Louisville, KY 40243
Hours: Douglass Hills: Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Highlands: Tuesday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday brunch, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A locally owned restaurant and wine bar, LouVino is best known for its award-winning wine list. With over 60 wines served by the glass, bottle or as part of a flight, you’re sure to find something to please every palate. There is also a notable selection of craft beers, bourbon and cocktails. The menu, which is compromised of shared plates, has a heavy Southern influence and changes seasonally. If you’re looking to host a private party, look to the Douglass Hills location; Their event space accommodates up to 45 guests for lunch, brunch or dinner! Using seasonal and fresh ingredients, Executive Chefs at each location are given the freedom to bring their imagination to life on the LouVino menu, which creates a unique culinary experience!
Enjoy $2 mimosas at every brunch service!
The Cheddar Box
3909 Chenoweth Square, Louisville, KY 40207
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Cheddar Box is your solution to weeknight dinner doldrums! Specializing in gourmet meals, they offer fantastic casseroles, delicious entrees, fresh salads and sides and homemade desserts, all of which can be picked up. Founded over 25 years ago in Chenoweth Square, The Cheddar Box has maintained a tradition of quality, excellence and friendly service. With some of the tastiest treats in town, they have everything you need for a laid-back lunch or a festive dinner party. Let The Cheddar Box take the stress out of entertaining with their full-service catering options!
Stop by The Cheddar Box Cafe during the day for a delicious and casual lunch!
Lilly’s Bistro
1147 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40204
Hours: Lunch – Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, having a romantic evening or grabbing a casual lunch with an old friend, Lilly’s Bistro offers a comfortable ambiance and a rich dining experience. There modern menu features a unique blend of flavors and dishes, all created with high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients and gourmet techniques. They offer exceptional handcrafted cocktails as well as a great selection of bourbon, wine and beer. Enjoy small plates with fantastic drinks early in the evening or savor the full menu finished off with a handmade dessert. Whatever you choose at Lilly’s Bistro, you’re bound to be pleased!
Enjoy your next night out at Lilly’s Bistro! Image: Lilly’s Bistro
Proof on Main
702 West Main St., Louisville, KY 40202 • (502) 217-6360
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m to 12:30 a.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Mix with locals and visitors alike at this award-winning restaurant located inside Louisville’s contemporary art-filled 21c Museum Hotel. This eatery will have you pleased! Snag a romantic seat and be sure to take a walk through the always-engaging museum gallery, when you aren’t busy gazing into each other’s eyes, of course!
We love the romantic seating lineup at Proof on Main. Image: Proof on Main
Rye
900 East Market, Louisville, KY 40206 • (502) 749-6200
Hours: Sunday and Monday, closed; Tuesday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to midnight
The moment you step into Rye you will notice all of the beautiful wooden interior! The menu is deceptively simple and perfect for sharing – especially their raw oysters – but their cocktail menu is really where Rye shines. You are sure to not go wrong with any choice!
This wooden interior is everything. Image: Rye
Lola
1076 East Washington St., Louisville, KY 40206 • (502) 742-8315
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Sunday, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Located in Butchertown Grocery’s historic upstairs bar, Lola brings life to a late-night lounge by offering cocktails, comfort and the permission to be who you want to be. The “living room” to Butchertown Grocery’s “dining room,” Lola’s century-old building offers up a cozy atmosphere to sip and celebrate with a poetically named cocktail (we recommend Lola’s Negroni or the bourbon-based Happiness Does Not Wait), midnight snacks, live music and the always fascinating crowd.
Lola’s dimly lit lounge area. Image: Lola
Jack Fry’s
1007 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40204 • (502)452-9244
Hours: Monday thru Friday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Located in the Highlands, Jack Frys’ dark and rustic charm has something to offer for everyone. Try Executive Chef Eric Shaw’s take on shrimp and grits, lamb chops or the classic Jack’s Burger, and definitely do not skip dessert. We can never pass up their always perfect crème caramel accompanied by the sounds of a jazz trio. Sigh.
A Louisville favorite! Image: Jack Fry’s
La Chasse
1359 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40204 • (502) 822-3963
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
With its simple white brick walls and serene, earth-toned decor, La Chasse is inviting from the start. This Highlands neighborhood restaurant features innovative dishes by Chef Kristina Dyer — with distinct Southern French and Spanish influences — boutique wines, artisan cocktails and craft beer. We recommend their seared crab cake, or their braised bison short rib as crowd pleasers everyone would enjoy.
A lovely pour from La Chasse | Image: La Chasse
Wiltshire on Market
636 East Market St., Louisville, KY 40202 • (502) 589-5224
Hours: Thursday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Wiltshire is known for their weekly changing menu so you can always be ready for a fresh surprise. Nestled between NuLu galleries and shops on East Market Street, this lovely spot fits the aesthetic perfectly from the original art, organic stoneware dishes and one-of-a-kind tables made from rough-hewn wood.
We love Wiltshires warm and inviting restaurant front. Image: Lindsay McClave
River House
3015 River House Road, Louisville, KY 40207 • (502) 897-5000
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
We couldn’t call this a complete list of romantic Louisville restaurants without including a spot with an Ohio River view. Not only are the views swoon-worthy, this restaurant and raw bar led by Chef John Varanese definitely lives up to his creative standard.
Roasted oysters from River House. Image: Dan Dry
8UP
350 W Chestnut Street (rooftop), Louisville, Ky 40202 • (502) 631-4180
Hours: Sunday, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to midnight; Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Louisville’s very own rooftop bar is among one of our favorites. Led by Executive Chef James Moran, 8UP’s menu is unparalleled. 8UP offers a wide variety of drinking and dining experiences that were designed to please the sophisticated palates and celebrate the spirit of fun that defines Louisville.
Amazing lighting fixtures. Image: 8UpP
Le Moo
2300 Lexington Rd, Louisville, KY 40206 • (502) 458- 8888
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Le Moo is an award-winning Louisville steakhouse. Dine in a vintage Louis Vuitton booth by reservation and agreement to meet the minimum spending price for an exquisite and classy experience. Le Moo also offers a brunch (including $1 mimosas) everyday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.!
Entree at Le Moo | Image: Le Moo
Artesano Vino Tapas y Mas
1321 Herr Lane Suite 130 Louisville, Kentucky 40222 • (502) 708-2196
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 8:30 p.m.
Artesano offers authentic Spanish tapas and entrees and their deals never disappoint. With their bottomless sangria available from open to 3 p.m. come with friends and savor a delicious lunch. For dinner — Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. — their happy hour includes $5 red and white wine as well as $2 off tapas and $1 draft beer.
Interior view of the colorful Artesano Vino Tapas y Mas. Image: Artesano Vino Tapas y Mas
Napa River Grille
1211 Herr Lane, Louisville, KY 40222
Hours: Sunday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
With Napa River’s great location in Westport village and consistent service, this restaurant remains and tried and true favorite. Their fall menu has launched and it’s sure to not disappoint. We recommend their baked shrimp scampi or lasagna!
Lasagna for Napa River’s fall menu!
Grind Burger Kitchen
829 E. Market St, Louisville, KY 40206
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m to 8p.m.
Ever in the mood for a big juicy burger and a cold brew? Grind Burger has got you covered! With more than five specialty burgers and the option to create your own, your options are limitless. Each burger or sandwich comes with your choice of hand-cut fries, kale salad or (our favorite) the brown butter Brussels sprouts.
Try bacon on your burger, we promise you won’t regret it! Image: Grind Burger
Against the Grain Brewery
401 E Main St, Louisville, KY 40202 • (502) 515-0174
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Located next to Slugger Field, Against the Gain Brewery is known to be a hit for everyone! Their wide selection of on-tap and on-deck beers will satisfy anyone every beer lover. Stop by for a few of their yummy starters or an entree with a brew for a happy tummy!
Against the Grain specialty Louisville brews | Image: Against the Grain
Dragon King’s Daughter
1126 Bardstown Road Louisville, Kentucky 40204 • 502-632-2444
Hours: Monday through Wednesday, noon to 11 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday, noon to midnight; Sunday, noon to 10 p.m.
Dragon King’s Daughter makes the list for their combination of sushi, tacos, and beer. We enjoy DKD for the Bento boxes commonly served for lunch. Their mix of quesadillas, salads, flatbreads and sushi make an menu option for everyone in your family!
Enjoy sushi topped with bacon! Image: Dragon King’s Daughter
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