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The 18 Essential Louisville Restaurants, July 2013

by Zach Everson
17 comments / new
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by Zach Everson
17 comments / new

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Welcome to the Louisville Eater 18, our answer to any question that begins, "Can you recommend a restaurant?" This elite group covers the entire area, spans myriad cuisines and should satisfy all of your restaurant needs. Every couple of months, we'll be adding restaurants that were omitted or have stepped up their game.

These are the places that you think of when you think of Louisville. Not necessarily the newest and hottest spots on the block (for that, there's the Eater Louisville Heatmap), but the classics (yes, there's some overlap). To be included here, all restaurants must be over a year old. And, no, this list isn't in any order.

No changes

For those of you readying the pitchforks because your favorite restaurant isn't included, wouldn't it just be more productive to leave your thoughts in the comments?


Eater Louisville 18 history

·January 8, 2013: Initial Eater Louisville 18
·April 9, 2013: Added Corbett's: An American Place and Holy Grale, removed Dragon King's Daughter and El Mundo
·July 9, 2013: No changes

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Basa

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Michael and Stephen Ton's modern Vietnamese restaurant has been a top draw since it opened in 2007.
2244 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 896-1016
(502) 896-1016

Rye On Market

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"We would love to establish ourselves based on our chef-driven menu and ingredient-focused philosophy," Rye's general manager wrote recently in an email. Based on the crowds at this NuLu New American restaurant, however, it's already done so. (Of course, a deep craft cocktail menu doesn't hurt either.)
900 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206
502-749-6200
502-749-6200

Holy Grale

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Chef Joshua Lehman's elevated bar food (try the burger) has made this converted Unitarian church a destination for eats as well as drinks (it has 26 craft beers on tap).
1034 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40204

Eiderdown

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Experience Germantown's unique flavor via spaetzle, wurst and half a litter of Spaten Pils.
983 Goss Ave., Louisville, KY 40217
(502) 290-2390
(502) 290-2390

The Blind Pig

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Catch a whiff of Butchertown's neighborhood slaughterhouse before entering to oink out on a pig-centric menu. Its pork rillettes might be the best appetizer in the city.
1076 East Washington Street, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 618-0600
(502) 618-0600

Bistro Le Relais

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This Bowman Field bistro's take on traditional French cuisine—a whiff of the beef bourguignon can transport you instantly to Pont Neuf—stands out in a city named for Louis XVI.
2817 Taylorsville Rd, Louisville, KY 40205
(502) 451-9020
(502) 451-9020

Proof on Main

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"Holy shit, I can't believe I'm in Kentucky," the diner said, marrow from the roasted bones appetizer dripping from his mouth. Lest there be any doubt to this New American restaurant's whereabouts, note the Kentucky Proud logo and thank you to local suppliers at the bottom of the menu. A favorite since it opened, the kudos have become even louder since Levon Wallace became executive chef.
702 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 217-6360
(502) 217-6360

Hillbilly Tea

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Despite having only opened in 2010, this downtown cafe—which focuses on "organic teas, mountain-inspired tea cuisine and tea hooch"—is as quintessential Kentucky as it gets.
120 South 1st Street, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 587-7350
(502) 587-7350

Seviche: A Latin Restaurant

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Ceviche? In Kentucky? Anthony Lamas's original take on the traditional Latin American dish (try the tuna old fashioned) proves it's possible here.
1538 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40205
(502) 473-8560
(502) 473-8560

Wiltshire on Market

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It doesn't get as much press as some of its East Market neighbors, but what does the media know anyway? Its menu changes weekly but fresh and local are staples.
636 E. Market, Louisville, KY
(502) 589-5224
(502) 589-5224

Jack Fry's

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If this clubby traditional American restaurant were any more quintessential Louisville, diners would eat on a thoroughbred while brandishing a baseball bat and quoting Muhammad Ali.
1007 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 452-9244
(502) 452-9244

Harvest

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Harvest and chef Coby Lee Ming's commitment to all-things local still attracts Louisvillians to dine under the eyes of the watchful farmers.
624 E Market St., Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 384-9090
(502) 384-9090

Hammerheads

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Diners were walking into this former walkout basement for chicken and waffles before that dish was cool (again). And three of our industry experts listed it as one of their top standbys of 2012.
921 Swan St, Louisville, KY 40204

610 Magnolia

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A contender on Bravo's "Top Chef," Edward Lee's "contemporary approach to the Southern table" is among the top restaurants in his adopted hometown too.
610 W Magnolia Ave, Louisville, KY 40208
(502) 636-0783
(502) 636-0783

Mayan Café

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Start with chef Bruce Ucán's tok-sel lima beans. Then move on to discussing how the existence of an authentic Mayan restaurant shows just what a great food city Louisville is.
813 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 566-0651
(502) 566-0651

Decca

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Called "an icon in the making," in April 2012 by LEO Weekly, this modern American restaurant is still winning over skeptics a year later. Chef Annie Pettry's menu focuses on "locally farmed and small production ingredients," and the bar's Waysider gives a modern take on the iconic mint julep.
812 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206
502-749-8128
502-749-8128

Corbett's: An American Place

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Located in a restored 19th century mansion, the New American cuisine at the flagship restaurant of one of the city's marquee chefs, Dean Corbett, draws praise from national media.
5050 Norton Healthcare Blvd, Louisville, KY 40241
(502) 327-5058
(502) 327-5058

Wagner's Pharmacy

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It is what it is—a pharmacy with a lunch counter right across the street from Churchill Downs' backside—and that's Louisville.
3113 South Fourth St., Louisville, KY

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Basa

2244 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
Michael and Stephen Ton's modern Vietnamese restaurant has been a top draw since it opened in 2007.
2244 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 896-1016
(502) 896-1016

Rye On Market

900 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206
"We would love to establish ourselves based on our chef-driven menu and ingredient-focused philosophy," Rye's general manager wrote recently in an email. Based on the crowds at this NuLu New American restaurant, however, it's already done so. (Of course, a deep craft cocktail menu doesn't hurt either.)
900 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206
502-749-6200
502-749-6200

Holy Grale

1034 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40204
Chef Joshua Lehman's elevated bar food (try the burger) has made this converted Unitarian church a destination for eats as well as drinks (it has 26 craft beers on tap).
1034 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40204

Eiderdown

983 Goss Ave., Louisville, KY 40217
Experience Germantown's unique flavor via spaetzle, wurst and half a litter of Spaten Pils.
983 Goss Ave., Louisville, KY 40217
(502) 290-2390
(502) 290-2390

The Blind Pig

1076 East Washington Street, Louisville, KY 40206
Catch a whiff of Butchertown's neighborhood slaughterhouse before entering to oink out on a pig-centric menu. Its pork rillettes might be the best appetizer in the city.
1076 East Washington Street, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 618-0600
(502) 618-0600

Bistro Le Relais

2817 Taylorsville Rd, Louisville, KY 40205
This Bowman Field bistro's take on traditional French cuisine—a whiff of the beef bourguignon can transport you instantly to Pont Neuf—stands out in a city named for Louis XVI.
2817 Taylorsville Rd, Louisville, KY 40205
(502) 451-9020
(502) 451-9020

Proof on Main

702 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
"Holy shit, I can't believe I'm in Kentucky," the diner said, marrow from the roasted bones appetizer dripping from his mouth. Lest there be any doubt to this New American restaurant's whereabouts, note the Kentucky Proud logo and thank you to local suppliers at the bottom of the menu. A favorite since it opened, the kudos have become even louder since Levon Wallace became executive chef.
702 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 217-6360
(502) 217-6360

Hillbilly Tea

120 South 1st Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Despite having only opened in 2010, this downtown cafe—which focuses on "organic teas, mountain-inspired tea cuisine and tea hooch"—is as quintessential Kentucky as it gets.
120 South 1st Street, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 587-7350
(502) 587-7350

Seviche: A Latin Restaurant

1538 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40205
Ceviche? In Kentucky? Anthony Lamas's original take on the traditional Latin American dish (try the tuna old fashioned) proves it's possible here.
1538 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40205
(502) 473-8560
(502) 473-8560

Wiltshire on Market

636 E. Market, Louisville, KY
It doesn't get as much press as some of its East Market neighbors, but what does the media know anyway? Its menu changes weekly but fresh and local are staples.
636 E. Market, Louisville, KY
(502) 589-5224
(502) 589-5224

Jack Fry's

1007 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40204
If this clubby traditional American restaurant were any more quintessential Louisville, diners would eat on a thoroughbred while brandishing a baseball bat and quoting Muhammad Ali.
1007 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 452-9244
(502) 452-9244

Harvest

624 E Market St., Louisville, KY 40202
Harvest and chef Coby Lee Ming's commitment to all-things local still attracts Louisvillians to dine under the eyes of the watchful farmers.
624 E Market St., Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 384-9090
(502) 384-9090

Hammerheads

921 Swan St, Louisville, KY 40204
Diners were walking into this former walkout basement for chicken and waffles before that dish was cool (again). And three of our industry experts listed it as one of their top standbys of 2012.
921 Swan St, Louisville, KY 40204

610 Magnolia

610 W Magnolia Ave, Louisville, KY 40208
A contender on Bravo's "Top Chef," Edward Lee's "contemporary approach to the Southern table" is among the top restaurants in his adopted hometown too.
610 W Magnolia Ave, Louisville, KY 40208
(502) 636-0783
(502) 636-0783

Mayan Café

813 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206
Start with chef Bruce Ucán's tok-sel lima beans. Then move on to discussing how the existence of an authentic Mayan restaurant shows just what a great food city Louisville is.
813 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 566-0651
(502) 566-0651

Decca

812 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206
Called "an icon in the making," in April 2012 by LEO Weekly, this modern American restaurant is still winning over skeptics a year later. Chef Annie Pettry's menu focuses on "locally farmed and small production ingredients," and the bar's Waysider gives a modern take on the iconic mint julep.
812 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206
502-749-8128
502-749-8128

Corbett's: An American Place

5050 Norton Healthcare Blvd, Louisville, KY 40241
Located in a restored 19th century mansion, the New American cuisine at the flagship restaurant of one of the city's marquee chefs, Dean Corbett, draws praise from national media.
5050 Norton Healthcare Blvd, Louisville, KY 40241
(502) 327-5058
(502) 327-5058

Wagner's Pharmacy

3113 South Fourth St., Louisville, KY
It is what it is—a pharmacy with a lunch counter right across the street from Churchill Downs' backside—and that's Louisville.
3113 South Fourth St., Louisville, KY