10 Good Restaurants in Louisville, Kentucky
Beyond its bourbon and horse derby scene, Kentucky is steadily growing to become one of the hottest culinary destinations in the South. There is a dynamic culinary scene with restaurants offering unique delicacies. Nearly all the restaurants have invested time, passion and craft to make their offerings irresistible, but for a traveler constrained by time, below is a summary of ten most inspiring dining venues in Louisville, KY.
1. Proof on Main
If you are searching for the most authentic taste of the South, look no further than Proof of Main located on 702 West Main Street, Louisville, KY. With an extensive menu that includes mountain inspired dishes and local ingredients, you will be in for a great of sorts. The best part about this restaurant is that it sits within the 21C Museum Hotel which is surrounded by art galleries.
The restaurant also comes with a mini-bar with 50 different flavors of bourbon. This restaurant is the perfect place to indulge both your artistic desires and adventurous appetites. Favorites here include the charred octopus, roasted bones and duck rillette.
2. Pat’s Steakhouse
This an old setting, rich with history and stylish cuisine on 2437 Brownsboro Road, Louisville KY. The menu is extensive, from grass-fed beef to frog legs and oysters. And there is an array of side dishes to accompany that.
Pat’s Steakhouse veers off the beaten ala carte menu, to offer old school complete meals served family style. And there is an outside garden for those seeking a tranquil dining setting. Birds of passage can also erch’ here temporarily as there are three private rooms all with hospitable facilities.
3. Hammerheads
Located on 921 Swan Street, Louisville, Hammerheads is among the highly rated dining places in the town. Vaunted lamb ribs will keep you coming back for more, but there is also a lip-smacking pork belly served with lettuce and tomato sandwich, a duck breast taco and Grippo’s fries. The restaurant also offers craft beers and ciders. There is a friendly team of staff who will go out of the way to enhance your experience.
4. Vietnam Kitchen
How about a plate of Vietnam’s best dishes after a tedious shopping experience? That is what you get with Vietnam Kitchen. It is located between Laundromat and the drive bar in Iroquois, Louisville. This restaurant is one the best Vietnamese dining place in Louisville, KY.
Hot offerings here include Bánh cuốn chả lụa which (steamed rice cake filled with grounded pork and pork rolls) Xíu Mai (pork and shrimp dumplings) and Bò xào đậu (sautéed beef with green beans in a special hot and spicy sauce).
5. 610 Magnolia
This restaurant, under the stewardship of Chef Edward, has customized a modern menu out of traditional Southern delicacies. But you will need reservations to indulge in the four course and six-course menu offerings of this restaurant on 610 Magnolia Avenue, Louisville, KY.
The restaurant’s cuisines are made from locally farmed animals and greens from the greenhouse in the premises. The fresh seasonal menu changes weekly and comes with boutique wine pairings and original cocktails.
6. Mayan Café
Mayan Café is a vibrant dining setting in Louisville, offering uniquely crafted dishes from local produce. Chef Bruce Ugan brings a Mayan culinary culture to this Southern locale with flavors, fresh ingredients and unique cooking techniques.
Beyond the regular Latin-American menu, there is a monthly special that takes several themes for instance bets for September and ginger for October. Notable dishes here include the cochinita public and chilaquiles. Mayan Café sits on 813 E Market St, Louisville, KY.
7. Seviche
Fancy some more Latin food? Head down to the Seviche on 1538 Bardstown Road. Here you will encounter authentic Brazilian Feijoada, smoked meats, black beans, farofa, chorizo, and greens. Seviche attempts to marry Latin traditions with traditional Southern ingredients. The result is a burst of flavors and aroma that will warm the cockles of your heart. And special culinary needs are addressed in vegan and gluten-free menus.
Seviche also offers private dining for business and couples. The private dining rooms are intimate and warmly decorated to modern standards. The inner and a movie’ event series hosted by the restaurant fuses entertainment with movie-themed menu and cocktails.
8. The Oakroom
It is part of the Seelbach Hilton hotel. The Oakroom is undoubtedly the most elegant comfortable dining place in Louisville. The dark wood armchairs create exude, and high ceilings exude a beautiful, inviting calm setting for any events and family dinners. Here you can expect favorite dishes such as the Kobe short rib, Australian Ostrich Tartare an assortment of seafood, cured meats, salads, terrine, and local cheeses. The restaurant also has an impressive array of bourbon flavors. Oakroom is found on 500 South Fourth Avenue, Louisville, KY.
9. Wild Eggs
A unique creation such as the Kalamity Katie’s Border Benedict makes this venue a worthwhile place to visit. The culinary staff is always working on the new innovative dish, and you will tell that from their dynamic menu. Everything is prepared with precision, from the bacon, eggs fresh juice and signature muffins and apple Bourbon Crepes. The list also caters for those that want gluten-free meals, and kids. For birthday parties and other special day celebrations, you can ask for a customized meal. Wild Eggs is found on 1311 Herr Lane and 153 South English Station Road.
10. Morels Cafe
Found on 619 Baxter Ave, Louisville, KY. Here, even vegans can indulge in sweet delicacies that include soy, seitan, and other alternatives to meat. Top on the list is Philly Cheesesteak Fries and Farbys. Morels Café is revolutionizing Vegan food, adding a punch of great taste to otherwise healthy dishes.
You can also try options like Buffalo chicken dip and comfort food sandwich options like the vegan muffulettas.
Louisville is a city with dozens of culinary venues for you to experience.