We might be slightly biased, but we think Louisville's food scene is comparable to that of New York City. Yet, with a population of around 620,000 people, the good food is super accessible! Being missionaries, we've tried flavors from around the world and often have cravings while back here in the 'Ville to taste those same flavors again. We've ventured out to find places that bring us back to those beautiful outreach memories and are using this blog to share them with you. We also love the creativity in our local restaurant chefs and enjoy trying new restaurants and new flavors as well as good ol' American food as much as we can. We hope this list is helpful for you whether you're stopping by for a day, or moving to Louisville long-term!
Breakfast & Brunch
1. Blue Dog
It’s the weekend and a relaxing brunch with friends sounds like a good plan. But where? No worries, Blue Dog is the way to go. This bakery and cafe has mouth-watering options, a nice beverage menu and freshly baked goods. We go for the Cafe Du Monde. Win, win, win!
Check out their website, menu, facebook and instagram.
Located at:
2. SuperChefs
“Faith, food & Superheroes.” That's their motto. The owner is a Christian and it's evident as he brings faith into the way he does business. That and his love for superheroes make this place unique. With a menu that looks like a comic book and specials that include candied bacon, quesadillas with superhero names, and a red waffle sandwich called, "the juggernaut," this is sure to be a meal to remember.
Check out their website, menu, facebook and instagram.
Located at:
3. Highland Morning
Definitely a favorite local Saturday brunch spot for us. They have all of your traditional fixes but also offer rotating specials. You just might find some traditional Kentucky foods from time to time!
Check out their facebook and Instagram!
Our favorite location:
111 Saint Matthews Ave
Louisville, KY 40207
BONUS: The location in St. Matthews is next door to Quills so grab yourself a yummy capp or latte while you wait for your table, or grab one to continue your conversation after your meal!
4. Wiltshire Pantry
A great spot for a light breakfast, brunch, or quick lunch! They also have the capacity to brew up some espresso drinks if you want one to compliment your pastry, or grab a cold soda pop to add a refreshing drink to your lunch. Explore their other locations to see where you can try dinner items. They keep their menu small on purpose, and we're glad!
Check out their website, facebook and instagram.
Located at:
Local Flavors
5. Royals
While hot chicken is a Nashville tradition, Royals is local to Louisville! Serving up some of the best hot chicken and hot tofu any of us have ever had. They're also one of the only other places we can get waffle fries besides the grocery store and Chick-fil-a. The Nulu location is close to a lot of fun places to shop for local craft!
Check out their website, menu, facebook and instagram.
Our favorite location:
6. Joella's
Another place for hot chicken (which apparently we love). There are a few locations around our city so it will be easy to find one that's convenient for you. We love the sides here as they remind of good southern cookin'! If you don’t like spicy food, you can get your chicken with no heat. There truly is something for everyone.
Check out their website, menu, Facebook and instagram.
Our favorite location:
7. Game
Next to birds, there’s not much to hunt in Louisville besides deer. Luckily, Game offers fare like no other place around! Interested in trying frog legs? What about wagyu beef? Maybe some kangaroo? Game’s got you covered! With an extensive meat menu, you’re sure to try something you’d never imagine you’d eat, and you’re sure to love it, too!
Check out their website, menu, and facebook.
Located at:
8. The Post
Pizza isn’t hard to come by, but looking for pizza you can’t get anywhere else? The Post is your place! We only know of one location in the whole world and it’s in the cute Germantown neighborhood. Some of our favorites are the "liberty bell" and the "chicken dinner." It’s all new york style and the service tends to be pretty fast once you’re seated!
Check out their website, menu, facebook and instagram.
Located at:
9. Hammerheads
Don’t let the exterior fool you. This place might seem unconventional with the huge hammer head shark on the storefront, but don't let it stop you from walking inside. The food here is one of a kind. The menu offers a variety of options ranging from your traditional smoked ribs and pulled pork, to something more out of the ordinary like an Elk burger, duck tacos or crispy cat fish. If you choose to give it try, it sure won’t disappoint!
Check out their website, menu, facebook and instagram.
Located at:
10. FAB D Smokehouse
11. Feast
While owned by the same people as Royals, Feast offers a totally different type of menu. Rather than chicken, their big thing is pig, and provide a modern twist on traditional BBQ plates, while still offering all of the traditional goods. Let us know what you think!
Check out their website, facebook and instagram.
Located at:
12. Grind
What’s better than a burger made from cows down the street? It can’t get much fresher than that. Grind offers locally sourced everything and their burger combos are unlike anywhere else! Try their "old fashioned" or "B&B" if you’re feeling adventurous. Love a good ol’ classic cheeseburger? They have a "chain" that’s bound to put on a smile on your face AND your tastebuds!
Check out their website, menu, facebook and instagram.
Located at:
13. Captain's Quarters
One of our favorite spots on the river! We love their brunch, but, what we really love here is the fish tacos. Seriously, we’ve had staff through out the years try fish tacos at many places around the city and all of them have claimed Captains Quarters to have the best! They have a nice patio that’s fun to sit out on during the warmer months, as well as a gorgeous lawn!
Check out their website, menu, facebook and instagram.
Located at:
Foreign Bites
14. El Mariachi
When it comes to Mexican food, El Mariachi is the place to go, especially if you’re craving tacos. We believe they have the best in Louisville (shhh). If you’re hungry for something other than tacos, don’t fret, the rest of their menu is delicious too. The food here is authentic and tasty AND a great price. Needless to say, it is really is a favorite around here!
Check out their website, menu, and facebook.
Located at:
15. Taco Trucks
Another great option if your heart is calling for tacos is to find a taco truck near by. This one requires a little more planning, since they are not available every day, but you will be rewarded with some mouth-watering tacos that will make the extra thinking ahead worth it. Take them to go or eat them in the parking lot, your call!
Our favorite taco truck:
16. El Taco Luchador
Did we mention we LOVE tacos? But then again, who doesn’t? (We’re not judging you if you don’t.) El Taco Luchador adds a yummy twist on your traditional Mexican food. We’re huge fans of all of their tacos, as well as their salads, guac, plantains, mole fries and, well, basically their whole menu. If you’re looking for gourmet, this is your spot!
Check out their website, menu, facebook and instagram.
Our favorite location:
17. The Irish Rover
Located in a historic neighborhood in Louisville, this restaurant offers a taste of Ireland and a very welcoming atmosphere. Feeling adventurous? Try the lamb stuffed cabbage. Want something more familiar? Have some fish and chips. They have something for every palate! We give it 5 stars.
Check out their website, menu, facebook and instagram.
Located at:
18. Dragon King's Daughter
While there are many places for Asian fusion around Louisville, a favorite for our staff is Dragon King’s Daughter. They have many meat and vegetarian options and the prices aren’t too shabby! A huge draw for us here is their bento box… you can get a little taste of everything!
Check out their website, menu, facebook and instagram.
Located at:
19. Shiraz
As missionaries, we’ve grown to love food from all over, including the mediteranean region of the world. Shiraz has been passed down through generations of staff. When it comes to quality Mediterranean that tastes as close as possible to eating a gyro on the coast of Greece without actually being on the coast of Greece, we think of here.
Check out their website, menu, and facebook.
Our favorite location:
20. Vietnam Kitchen
Are you Phoreal? Vietnamese food? YES. Did you know there’s a big Vietnamese population in Louisville? With this comes many places you can get pho and other Vietnamese dishes. We’ve fallen in love with Vietnam Kitchen. It’s a little bit of a drive for us, but we think it’s worth it. What do we love? Shrimp spring rolls, mi xao, and of course, pho.
Check out their website, menu, facebook and instagram.
Located at:
21. Oriental House
Whether you’re wanting americanized chinese food or the real deal, this is your place! We LOVE the orange chicken (it’s cooked with real orange peels) or, of course, General Tso’s but what sets this place apart for us is their Dim Sum! It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s a great experience. We think everyone should try it at least once!
Check out their website, menu, and facebook.
Located at:
Coffee Shops
22. Sunergos
We’ll all tell you that Sunergos is the best for coffee beans around here. When you go for your beans, make sure to grab a drink, too! They’re known for having uniquely amazing seasonal drink options. For espresso options, we really dig their black & white, as well as their mocha shake.
Check out their website, facebook and instagram.
Our favorite location:
2122 S Preston St
Louisville, KY 40217
BONUS: The Sunergos on Preston is right next to Nord’s. Make it an early Saturday, pop in to grab some donuts then step over to Sunergos to grab yourself a delicious coffee drink and sit a while.
23. Fix Coffeehouse
This coffee shop is located inside a super cute newer neighborhood. They serve sunergos coffee (see, we told you they’re the best!) but offer a totally different environment. This place is a lot closer to us than any Sunergos location which is an added bonus. Try their baked goods, too!
Check out their facebook and instagram.
Located at:
24. Quills
Quills is the type of coffee shop that won’t put something on their menu unless they know they can make it well, and that they do! Most of us agree this is the place to go if you're wanting some afternoon espresso. They have the best matcha latte in Louisville (we said it) and a bourbon caramel latte that’s unlike anywhere else. Although, all of their syrups are homemade (yum!). For those with an acquired taste, we really love the espresso tonic, too!
Check out their website, facebook and instagram.
Our favorite location:
25. Please & Thank You
Please & Thank You offers specialty drinks we can’t find anywhere else in the city like a Spanish style espresso drink (contains sweetened condensed milk), a ganache latte, and rosemary lemonade! Not only are their drinks unique and super delicious, they have THE BEST chocolate chip cookies. Don’t believe us? You’ll just have to go and try one!
Check out their website, menu, facebook and instagram.
Our favorite location:
Sweet Treats
26. Comfy Cow
Do you want some crazy good ice cream? Comfy Cow is a staple in Louisville and with good reason. Their handcrafted desserts, which by the way are not JUST ice cream, have earned a high place in our hearts. Plus, it’s a great place to hangout with friends and family. You don’t want to miss the chance to try it!
Check out their website, menu, facebook and instagram.
Our favorite location:
1301 Herr Ln
Louisville, KY 40222
27. Nords
The perfect bakery on the perfect corner. They offer a wide variety of bread, pastries, cookies, and cakes… but they are best known (especially by us) for their DONUTS. And listen, they are AMAZING. Worth-standing-in-a-long-line-waiting-for-them kind of amazing. Fortunately, the line always moves fast and the donuts make you forget you ever had to wait. Did you read what we said about Sunergos? These two are a sweet duo!
Check out their website, facebook and instagram.
Located at:
2118 S Preston St
Louisville, KY 40217
28. North Lime
From the outside, you might not realize this is a donut shop. As soon as you walk inside, that all changes. The atmosphere is chill and the place has cool architecture and lots of seating. It's a perfect place for getting some work done or catching up with a friend. They also offer gluten free and vegan options on a regular basis. All their ingredients are simple and their coffee is also locally roasted. It's all made with quality and care. We highly recommend it.
Check out their website, donut schedule, facebook and instagram.
Located at:
1228 S 7th St
Louisville, KY 40203
29. Steel City Pops
When we first heard about this concept, it sounded intriguing. A popsicle store? We tried it as fast as we could and it quickly became a favorite. The variety of their menu-- flavors, toppings and drizzles-- will blow your mind. Wether you like your popsicles creamy or fruity, dipped in peanut butter or drizzled with white chocolate, gluten free and/or dairy free, you are bound to find your perfect pop. The combinations are endless!
Check out their website, facebook and instagram.
Our favorite location:
1021 Bardstown Rd
Louisville, KY 40204
30. Louisville Cream
If the name doesn’t already give it away, this is a local ice cream shop! All of their ingredients are locally sourced from farmers close by and you might find some super unique, as well as unique to Kentucky culture, flavors. If your taste buds are feeling adventurous, they have plenty of flavors for you to wet your taste buds with. Don't shy away from the ones that might sound weird! They often are the ones we want to go back for.
Check out their website, facebook and instagram.
Located at:
632 E Market St
Louisville, KY 40202
First Watch is also a REALLY good breakfast place! One of my favorites.