Where’s the best place to eat in Louisville? With so many options, it can be hard to choose.
Starting last summer, we decided to document some eateries, bars, distilleries, dessert shops, and marketplaces to feature in our weekly video series, “The Best Thing I Ate This Week.”
With some help from Louisville residents, owners, and our Instagram followers, we’ve found some amazing places to eat and drink. See all the places we’ve been to and declared “the best” in 2024.
Did we miss a place? Tell us which place we should feature in “The Best Thing I Ate” series.
Week 26, June 23-29: Brown Hotel
The iconic Brown Hotel in downtown Louisville will never get rid of its namesake dish, the Hot Brown.
But, now and then over the past 100 years, it has made some changes to the menu.
Upcoming changes to the upscale and historic hotel's food offerings come on the heels of the hiring of a new executive chef.
Chef Gary Palm, who has more than 30 years of international culinary experience and has worked at five-star hotels and Michelin-star restaurants around the world, joined The Brown Hotel, 335 W. Broadway, in downtown Louisville in late May.
More:With new chef, The Brown Hotel will soon unveil revamped menu items. Here's a sneak peek.
Where should we go next week?
Which place should we feature in "The Best Thing I Ate This Week" series? Fill out the form below to submit a location that you want to see us try.
Week 25, June 16-22: Spotz Gelato
At home in her Scott County kitchen, Beth Richardson taught herself how to make gelato. Then her husband built a food truck.
That was the start ofSpotz Gelato, which has grown from a single pink truck in 2013 to eight mobile units — vintage trucks, a wagon and indoor miniature gelato bars — as well as five brick-and-mortar locations in downtowns of small Kentucky towns.
After opening spots in Midway, Shelbyville, Georgetown and Versailles, the newest location opened two years ago on Main Street in La Grange. Each one is open from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday seasonally, from St. Patrick’s Day to Halloween.
“This was supposed to be a side gig on the weekends,” Richardson told the Courier Journal. “But we love it.”
More:Is this the best gelato in Kentucky? Check out this sweet spot only open seasonally
Week 24, June 9-15: Noche Mexican BBQ
1838 Bardstown Road, Suite 100
Hannah Ross, bar manager atNoche Mexican BBQ, described how she prepares the Highlands spot’s new fat-washed co*cktails.
One creation, called Uncle Brisket’s Last Stand at the Noche Corral, is inspired by Noche’s smoked brisket, which is cooked in-house for 18 hours. Ross places a pan under the brisket to catch any fat drippings.
She then strains the fat and combines it withUncle Nearest 1856, the aged Tennessee whiskey of choice for the drink.
“I let that infuse for about 24 hours and freeze it,” she said. “All the fat solidifies, and you can get the whiskey out without having that oily fat still attached to it.”
It’s complete with stave-infused demerara, angostura, and a smoked orange.
More:Heard of fat-washed co*cktails? This Louisville spot uses brisket, avocado in its drinks
Week 23, June 2-8: Elderberry Provisions
3909 Chenoweth Square
Elderberry Provisions opened in April, after years of talks between Tim Dulac and his daughter, Brittany Dulac, about wanting to turn their love of family and food into something. They also wanted to blend their experiences in professional kitchens and corporate jobs.
So Brittany took a leap of faith and moved to Louisville from Los Angeles to open this space with her father.
“It seemed like an amazing way to swing and make the dream true, you know?” she told the Courier Journal.
Whether in the form of a chocolate chip cookie or a chicken sandwich, this place is about the many forms of family.
Elderberry Provisions is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
More:A community cornerstone: opening St. Matthews cafe is dream come true for father, daughter duo
Week 22, May 26 - June 1: Garage Bar
700 E. Market St.
Garage Bar aims to be a go-to spot for outdoor hangs, complete with plenty of patio seating, views of two colliding cars, rustic ping pong tables and menu items made with warm temperatures in mind.
The NuLu restaurant recently announced it will be keeping its lights on a little later ahead of the summer season, with expanded hours and a new late-night food menu.
The post-dinner menu will be available 10 p.m. to midnight Thursday-Saturday and include chef Richard Sible’s “playful take on your favorite late-night crave-ables and munchies, executed with the same high-quality ingredients and delicious delivery that guests know and love,” according to a press release.
The late-night menu includes waffle fries ($7), a falafel with tofu ($7), spiced cheese sauce ($4), a steam burger ($9), a garage dog with kimchi ($9), and a hot hand pie filled with pepperoni ($9).
More:Garage Bar in NuLu extends hours, announces late-night menu for summer. Here's what to try
Week 21, May 19-25: Ensō
1758 Frankfort Ave.
Ensō opened on Frankfort Avenue in late 2023, so you might forget it’s something new.
The Clifton restaurant’s menu, offering surprising blends of Japanese and Southern cuisines, certainly tries to introduce new tastes to Louisville.
This is one goal proclaimed by chef Lawrence Weeks, also known for his chops at North of Bourbon who was recognized earlier this year on the long list of semifinalists for the 2024 James Beard Awards in the Emerging Chef category.
Recently, Ensō launched some vegetarian options, including a rendition of the Frito pie, made with a base of Sea Island red pea chili and Charleston gold rice. Other menu options include mushroom skewers, sesame turnip greens, and an egg sandwich on Texas toast.
More:Enso in Louisville serves southern cuisine with Japanese flavors. Here's what to order
Week 20, May 12-18: The Kitchen Table
522 Happy Hollow Road, Clermont
This place has a name you know.
And it’s the kind of place that you’d like to get to know better.
Upon entering the narrow roads leading to James B. Beam Distillery in Clermont, you see the beautiful scenery and you sense the history.
And you see that the recently-renovated campus has some new things up its sleeves, including a “whiskey-forward dining experience unlike anything else,” as is said on the website.
That dining experience, called The Kitchen Table, champions flavors surrounded by the land its on, including menu items such as burgoo, pork rinds, pimento cheese, fried chicken, a hot brown pizza and, for dessert, bourbon balls.
The Kitchen Table, 522 Happy Hollow Road, Clermont, is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday-Sunday.
More:This iconic Kentucky distillery's restaurant is worth a summertime trip
Week 19, May 5-11: Pretty Decent
2235 Frankfort Ave.
At first, all you see is a sea of green.
Then pops of purple, pink, and other shades and shapes of beauty that plants show up as.
Walk a few more steps, and you see this is not just a place to peruse or purchase plants. There’s a cozy bar back there, too.
This happens a lot atPretty Decent, a boutique plant shop and mezcal bar at 2235 Frankfort Ave. First-timers checking out the spot in the Clifton neighborhood often get a pretty nice surprise that there are two concepts in one room.
More:This mezcal bar and plant shop aims to be different in Louisville
Week 18, April 28-May 4: The B.A. Colonial
818 W Kenwood Drive
The colorful silks spark quite the view walking in. No, this scene is not seen from down the stretch at Churchill Downs, but hanging from above at The B.A. Colonial.
Ahead of the 150th Kentucky Derby, the bar and restaurant at Colonial Gardens, 818 Kenwood Drive, held an inaugural jockey silk painting party. More than 100 people showed up to show their skills and the resulting wooden silks now hang from the ceiling to create fitting Derby-themed decorations.
More:Louisville restaurant's Kentucky Derby party has Pappy Van Winkle giveaway. What to know
Week 17, April 21-27: Kentucky Derby Festival Bourbonville
829 W Main St.
Last week, the Kentucky Derby Festival held the Republic Bank BourbonVille at the Frazier History Museum — the Official Starting Point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Get a taste of these specialty drinks and be sure to mark it in your calendar for next year.
More:Looking for a new bourbon? Here are three new releases you should try this month
Week 16, April 14-20: Taste of Derby Festival
401 E Main St.
Sometimes you don't have to go to more than one place for a glimpse of Louisville's food scene.
That goes for the Taste of Derby Festival.
The 35th run of the event, held Tuesday at Louisville Slugger Field, featured bites and sips from more than 70 vendors.
More:Taste of Derby Festival returns with tastes of Louisville: Here's what we tried
Week 15, April 7-13: Board & You Bistro & Wine Bar
434 Pearl St, New Albany
A full-scale restaurant,, opened in 2020 in New Albany, Indiana, and then came a next-door cheese shop. A couple of other locations opened and closed and, thanks to its delivery operation, the area’s charcuterie pioneer thrived during the pandemic.
The local charcuterie brand will provide catering services atChurchill Downs during Kentucky Derby Week.
More:Local charcuterie brand lands catering gig at Churchill Downs during Kentucky Derby Week
Week 14, March 31-April 6: Tikka Tacos
3311 Preston Hwy
Whether you’re in the mood for Mexican or Indian food, Tikka Tacos is the way to go.
The wide-ranging menu is described as Indo-Mexi fusion. On it, you'll find a little bit of everything, from dumplings to chips and queso, lamb tacos, a Philly cheesesteak, chicken tikka masala, and loaded nachos.
More:In the mood for Mexican and Indian food? Find two cuisines in one at Tikka Tacos in Louisville
Week 13, March 24-30: Phalcha Coffee
1001 Mary St.
Between the neon sign reading “good vibes only,” chill background music, and hanging plants, this new Germantown spot might look like your average coffee shop.
Upon closer look, you’ll see ingredients not found anywhere else in Louisville.
Consider colorful drinks made with ube, a type of purple yam, or a strawberry-rose latte with Nutella.
Yes, avocado toast pops up on the menu. So does tuna toast and a prosciutto sandwich. If you’re in search of something sweeter, waffles and freshly scooped ice cream are available.
This is some of what you’ll find atPhalcha Coffee, which opened in early March, alongside classic coffees and tea.
More:New Nepali coffee shop serves purple drinks, ice cream and 'good vibes' in Germantown
Week 12, March 17-23: Hi-Five Doughnuts
1940 Harvard Drive
BeforeHi-Five Doughnuts found its new sweet spot in the Highlands, a lot had to happen.
The owners of Louisville’s popular specialty doughnut shop had to find a new location after the lease to their Butchertown brick-and-mortar was not renewed in late 2022. Then they had to battle a year of renovations and construction to the new digs at 1940 Harvard Drive.
Their new home comes with a larger food menu, including a fried chicken doughnut sandwich, and a full-service coffee program that includes lattes made with Hi-Five’s doughnut glaze recipe. The coffee comes from City Girl Coffee Company, a Minneapolis-based business.
Also on the menu is a hint to “Mini Widoughmaker Food Challenge,” consisting of three stacked doughnuts with a pound of fried chicken, a pound of bacon, and sausage gravy all topped with cornflakes and a grape drizzle. Customers can order a miniature version for $20.
You may like:Hi-Five Doughnuts to open in new location. Here's the story behind their sweet success
Week 11, March 10-16: Irish Rover
2319 Frankfort Ave.
Get a glimpse at why Irish Rover has been around for more than 30 years in the Clifton-Crescent Hill neighborhood, where the cozy restaurant/bar serves Irish brews such as Guinness and Harp Lager on tap. Popular plates include Scotch eggs, smoked salmon, cordon bleu fritters, fish and chips, and cottage pie.
The pub features dark wooden booths for dining and its walls are covered with Irish-themed artwork. Depending on the day, you may hear the sounds of live music near the bar.
Green beer and Irish bars:Why you should celebrate St. Patrick's Day at this longtime Louisville Irish bar
Week 10, March 3-9: St. Augustine
1310 W. Broadway
It's fried fish season!
Lent, which this year begins on Feb. 14, is here and that means fish on Fridays, with dine-in, carryout, and drive-thru available at a majority of churches in the Louisville area for the 40-day duration of Lent.
Check your church's website or theArchdiocese of Louisvillewebsite for the most updated information. Here is our list of more than 40 local fish fries taking place in Louisville for Lent.
More:It's fried fish season! Here are 44 Louisville places to get your fill during Lent 2024
Week 9, Feb. 25-March 2: Louisville Cream
632 E Market St.
Some of the ice cream flavors change with the seasons atLouisville Cream, such as strawberry cookies and cream or pistachio honeycomb.
But there’s one flavor that will never leave the menu: banana pudding.
“It was immediately very popular,” the shop’s co-owner Darryl Goodner told the Courier Journal. “I think it’s because it really tastes like banana pudding. And it looks pretty.”
More:Find unique flavors at this Louisville shop known for making 'best ice cream in Kentucky'
Week 8, Feb. 18-24: Cask Southern Kitchen & Bar
9980 Linn Station Road
Upon walking intoCask Southern Kitchen & Bar, the little chalkboard sign welcomes you with a handwritten message: “We’re happy you’re here!”
The restaurant opened in late 2019 at 9980 Linn Station Road as a different concept and turned into Cask Southern Kitchen & Bar amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The menu covers a wide span of options, from a cup of gumbo to a smoked meatloaf sandwich to a pan-seared ribeye. There are midday specials called “Lunch Box,” including bowls, smaller starters and the option to order a half-sized sandwich and soup or salad.
Popular items include the pulled pork nachos, topped with pico de gallo, pimento cheese queso, pickled red onions, pickled jalapenos, and avocado. Cask also has a weekly special on oysters, which cost $1.25 every Thursday.
More:Hunting for a new happy hour spot? Try this Louisville restaurant for nachos, oysters and more
Week 7, Feb. 11-17: The Fishery
3624 Lexington Road
After 40 years, not much has changed about The Fishery — it's part of the reason so many people enjoy coming back to the restaurant.
That’s what owners Matt Clark and Carol Clark-Kassai are going for. Thirty years ago, the siblings walked into the little seafood stop with their father to ask if The Fishery’s owner would be open to franchising.
“He said, ‘No, but you can have this one,’” Matt Clark told the Courier Journal about that conversation in 1992. “Within about two weeks, we made a deal.”
Read more:This 40-year-old seafood joint known for 'best fish sandwich' is a favorite during Lent
Week 6, Feb. 4-10: Muth's Candies
630 E Market St.
Maybe it’s the date on the calendar, telling you it’s almost Valentine’s Day, but atMuth’s Candies holidays like Valentine’s Day are celebrated with candy.
The storefront’s seasonal decorations signal that this is a good place to go for something sweet. Window shoppers along East Market Street in NuLu will see an overload of pink, red, hearts and old-timey decor. Once inside, not much changes, except for the rows and rows of chocolates and colorful candy from which to choose.
Week 5, Jan. 28-Feb. 3: Lou Lou on Market
812 E. Market St.
Lou Lou on Marketwas made with Mardi Gras in mind.
The New Orleans-themed restaurant at 812 E Market St. has upped its festive decor ahead of Fat Tuesday celebrations on Feb. 13.You’ll find lots of carnival masks, colorful beads, and purple, green, and gold touches around the NuLu eatery, which serves Louisiana-inspired dishes such as jambalaya, shrimp-n-grits, gumbo, red beans and rice, and, for dessert, a bundle of beignets. The menu offers a little bit of everything, including a bone-in pork chop, cheeseburger, chicken wings, pizzas and calzones.
Read More:Ready for Fat Tuesday? Here's a sneak peek at what Lou Lou on Market is planning for Mardi Gras
Week 4, Jan. 21-27: Costa del Sol at Colonial Gardens
818 W Kenwood Drive
A new restaurant serving Latin cuisine has opened atColonial Gardens, the restored historic property in south Louisville.
The food complex near Iroquois Park includes spaces for four restaurants,two of which are currently not operating.Costa del Soltakes over the spot off New Cut Road formerly occupied byTaco Luchador.
Read more:Latin restaurant opens at Colonial Gardens in south Louisville. Here's what to expect
Week 3, Jan. 14-20: The Misfit Lou
119 S 7th St.
Walking intoThe Misfit Loufeels like walking into a time machine.Or, a helter-skelter museum dedicated to beer and Bigfoot.
Or, it might just feel like an artsy sandwich shop.
In reality, the newest bar and restaurant to open in downtown Louisville doesn’t fit in just one box.
Read more:Meet The Misfit - Sandwiches and live music return to downtown in site of former beloved staple
Week 2, Jan. 7-13: Watch Hill Proper
11201 River Beauty Loop
On this bourbon club and restaurant’swebsite, there’s an option to take a virtual tour as if to say, “This is a place you gotta see.”
When you step insideWatch Hill Proper in Prospect there’s indeed plenty to see. Your eyes might bounce from the towering shelves of bourbon behind the bar to the premium bottles behind glass to the luxury-style leather seats.
And that’s before anything has been ordered.
Read more:A co*cktail tribute to Jennifer Lawrence, 1,900 bottles of whiskey and more at this Louisville restaurant
Week 1, Jan. 1-6: Kiwa
2235 Frankfort Ave.
Upon opening the doors of Kiwa, you’ll be greeted with a white wall and a message in small, black font.Underneath the cafe’s name, the words read: “Live, Dine, Love. All Under One Roof.”
This is the tone owner Soo Young Cho hopes to set atKiwa, her Korean coffee and tea shop that recently opened in the Clifton neighborhood.
Read more:Korean cafe specializing in tea, coffee, desserts and art opens in Clifton. Take a peek
Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hanco*ck at ahanco*ck@courier-journal.com.
