Where To Eat In Louisville Kentucky

Perhaps best known as the host of the Kentucky Derby, Louisville also boasts numerous restaurants along the banks of the Ohio River. From dining in an art gallery to sampling some hillbilly tea with your meal, the dining scene here is eclectic and vibrant. We explore ten must-try restaurants in Louisville.

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Bistro Le Relais

Bistro, Restaurant, French, $$

Bistro Le Relais can be found in the historic airport terminal of Bowman Field. Serving French cuisine, the restaurant offers a one-of-a-kind atmosphere with the interior reminiscent of the set of Casablanca and outdoor dining with a view of airplanes taking off and landing. Charles Lindbergh landed the ‘Spirit of St. Louis’ at Bowman Field in 1927, and Bistro Le Relais takes its diners back to this era. On Sunday evenings, the Bistro offers live jazz to complete the ambiance. Accompanied by an extensive wine list, highlights of the menu include bouillabaisse and steak au poivre. Additionally, guests can choose a four-course Chef’s choice prix fixe dinner

The Brown Hotel

The Brown Hotel is where it all began for the Kentucky Hot Brown sandwich, introduced by chef Fred K. Schmidt in 1926. The dish consists of an open-faced turkey and bacon sandwich topped with Mornay sauce, which is then baked until the bread and sauce begin to brown. The Hot Brown quickly became popular with the hotel’s guests and is now a staple of Kentucky cuisine. Opening its doors three years before the birth of the Hot Brown to compete with the Seelbach Hilton downtown, The Brown Hotel is now on the National Register of Historic Places and houses two restaurants, the casual J. Graham’s Cafe and the more formal English Grill.

Vincenzo’s Italian Restaurant

Restaurant, Italian, $$
Also located downtown, Vincenzo’s is a fine dining restaurant specializing in Italian dishes. Gourmet pastas, veal, steak, and seafood are all served in a romantic setting that Vincenzo’s describes as ‘classic old world wining and dining’. Given this old world appeal, the restaurant is quite formal and perfect for a special occasion; celebrity guests have included the likes of Muhammad Ali, Sylvester Stallone, and Stephen Spielberg.

Proof on Main

Restaurant, Bar, Charcuterie, American, $$
Proof on Main is housed inside the 21C Museum Hotel and is thus part contemporary art gallery and all upscale casual dining experience. Fusing the concept of a trendy, modern hotel and contemporary art museum, the regional 21C chain began in Louisville. Proof on Main hosts changing exhibitions, creating a chic ambiance more often found in a much bigger city. Much of the fresh produce and meat used to create the locally flavored cuisine is sourced from the owners’ own Woodland Farm; enjoy the bison burger or Skuna Bay salmon with farm braised greens or ‘sizzlin’ grits’, and top off the evening with one of the more than fifty bourbons on the menu.

Jack Fry’s

Restaurant, American, $$
Jack Fry’s offers modern Southern and American fare and a relaxed dining experience. Advertising ‘the best night in town’, Jack Fry’s has been a part of the Louisville establishment since 1933. Harking back to a time when Al Capone was a frequent guest in the city, the restaurant is a frequent winner of the local Best in Louisville awards. Jack Fry himself was a massive fan of sports, and the framed photos adorning the walls pay homage to his passion. Try the warm brie salad, shrimp, and grits or signature Jack’s burger.

Seviche: A Latin Restaurant

Restaurant, South American, $$
Seviche serves ample vegetarian options and a gluten-free menu as well as delicious seafood. Try dishes such as fava bean succotash, lemon jalapeño butter, and house bacon complement the sea scallops, and wild Alaskan salmon is served with black lentils, jalapeño basil pesto, artichoke, capriole goat cheese and sweet peppers.

Havana Rumba

Restaurant, Cuban, $

Marcos Lorenzo emigrated from Cuba and opened three locations of Havana Rumba to showcase the delicious fare of his native land. Authentic Cuban dishes include empanadas, pork tamales and papa rellenas, but guests can also enjoy Havana Rumba’s exquisite mojitos and tapas, or choose from the wide selection of entrees, including vegetarian options. The house specialty is the parrilla habanera: Palomilla steak, roasted chicken and grilled Spanish chorizo served with tostones, rice, black beans and sweet plantains. The dining room atmosphere is casual, but festive, perfect for a large group outing. Finish the meal with a Cuban coffee to kick-start post-dinner festivities.

About the author

Michelle Combs

Michelle Combs was born in Somerset and raised in London by family not far removed from the outskirts of Manchester… all in Kentucky, USA. While studying at the University of Kentucky, Michelle changed her major four times before graduating with a BA in Art History and near-degrees in Anthropology and Photography. More recently, she transplanted herself to London, England to earn her MA in Contemporary Art from the Sotheby’s Institute of Art. As an art historian, she is fascinated by medieval illuminated manuscripts, contemporary documentary and landscape photography, and 19th century French painting. Now residing in Lexington, Kentucky, Michelle enjoys travelling in the USA and making an effort not to take the same route twice. Her recent travel destinations include West Virginia, Detroit, Michigan, and Marseille, France.