30 of Our Favorite Places to Eat in Louisville

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!

Know you're looking for a particular style of food? Click on one of these boxes and jump straight to that section!
Highland Morning

Brekky + Brunch

Coffee

Coffee Shops

Joella's

Local Flavors

Nords Bakery

Sweet Treats

Shiraz

International Bites

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:

2868 Frankfort Ave,
Louisville, KY 40206

Blue Dog
Biscuit Belly 2

2. Biscuit Belly

Take a bite of new twists on Southern comfort favorites or order your old faithful. Their scratch-made biscuits are baked fresh around the clock using an in-house recipe. You can't go wrong with biscuits this good!

Located at:

Multiple Locations

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!

Location:

111 Saint Matthews Ave
Louisville, KY 40207

BONUS: The location in St. Matthews is across the street from 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!

Highland Morning
Wiltshire Pantry-- Bakery & Cafe

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:

901 Barrett Ave
Louisville, KY 40204

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.

Location:

736 E Market St
Louisville, KY  40202

Royals
Joella's

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.

Location:

13401 Shelbyville Rd
Louisville, KY  40223

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:

2295 Lexington Rd
Louisville, KY 40206

Game
The Post

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:

1045 Goss Ave
Louisville, KY  40217

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:

921 Swan St
Louisville, KY  40204

Hammerheads
F.A.B.D. Smokehouse

10. FAB D Smokehouse

BBQ is also something that’s not hard to come by, but FAB D’s is a crowd favorite for us. You might even see them catered around here. They offer a variety of meats smoked daily. They also have free mini golf!

Check out their website, menu, facebook and instagram.

Location:

3204 Frankfort Ave, 
Louisville, KY 40206

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:

909 W Market St
Louisville, KY  40202

Feast
Grind

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:

829 E Market St
Louisville, KY  40206

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:

5700 Captains Quarters Rd
Prospect, KY 40059

Captain's Quarters

International 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:

9901 La Grange Rd
Louisville, KY  40223

Screen Shot 2020-01-30 at 6.42.59 PM
Tacos N Madres 1

15. Tacos N Madres

Another great option if your heart is calling for tacos is Tacos N Madres. With plenty of options and delicious agua frescas, this restaurant is a win. On top of that, it's right down the road from us, which makes it a quick, mouthwatering stop!
 

Location:

2840 Goosecreek Road Louisville, KY 40242

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.

Location:

112 Meridian Ave
Louisville, KY 40207

Taco Luchador
Irish Rover

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:

2319 Frankfort Ave
Louisville, KY  40206

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:

1126 Bardstown Rd
Louisville, KY  40204

Dragon King's Daughter
Shiraz

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.

Location:

2226 Holiday Manor Ctr
Louisville, KY  40222

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:

5339 Mitscher Ave
Louisville, KY 40214

Vietnam Kitchen
Oriental House

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:

4302 Shelbyville Rd
Louisville, KY  40207

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.

Multiple locations:

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.

Sunergros
Bamboo 1

23. Bamboo Coffee & Donuts

This coffee shop offers some fun flavors in drinks from their Bee's Knees Latte to their Vietnamese Coffee to a Mushroom Latte. Not only that but they are also serving up some unique, handcrafted donuts too! This is the perfect place to get your caffeine fix and a sweet treat too. If you have 10 minutes to stop in, this is your go to shop!

 

Located at:

2400 Lime Kiln Lane A1 Louisville, KY 40222

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.

Multiple locations:

930 Baxter Ave
Louisville, KY 40204

Quills
Please & Thank You

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.

Multiple locations:

800 East Market Street
Louisville, KY 40202

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.

Multiple locations:

1301 Herr Ln
Louisville, KY  40222

Comfy Cow
Nords Bakery

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

North Lime
Paris Banh Mi 1

29. Paris Bánh Mi

Paris Bánh Mi is a unique bakery shop here in town serving up delicious Vietnamese snacks (& full meals too if you're into it). They've got plenty of options but we know you can't go wrong with their boba drinks. Stop by, get a fun drink, and maybe try a new bite too!

Location:

 1237 Bardstown Road 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

Louisville Cream

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