clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

The Eater Louisville Heatmap: Where to Eat Right Now

by Zach Everson
6 comments / new
View as Map
by Zach Everson
6 comments / new

More often than not, tipsters, readers, friends and family of Eater have one question: Where should I eat right now? Restaurant obsessives want to know what's new, what's hot, which favorite chef just launched a sophomore effort, where to sip the it cocktail. Thus, we offer the Eater Heatmap, which will change often to highlight where the Louisville foodie crowds are flocking to at the moment. (The restaurants are listed not by any rank.)

Added: None.
Removed:None

Have any suggestions? Any vital omissions? Leave 'em in the comments.


Eater Louisville Heatmap history

·Dec 6, 2012: Initial Eater Louisville Heatmap
·Jan. 3, 2013: Added Feast BBQ, Guaca Mole and Relish
·Feb. 7, 2013: Added Mussel & Burger Bar
·March 7, 2013: Added MilkWood and Game, removed 610 Magnolia and Hammerheads
·April 4, 2013: Added The Exchange Pub + Kitchen
·May 2, 2013: No changes
·June 6, 2013: Removed St. Charles Exchange
·July 11, 2013: Added La Coop: Bistro à Vins
·Aug. 1, 2013: Added Garage Bar
·Sept. 5, 2013: No changes

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Seviche: A Latin Restaurant

Copy Link
Ceviche is a dish best served cold. But chef Anthony Lamas's Nuevo Latino restaurant is still hot, even after seven years. Make sure the Tuna Old Fashioned is on your five-dish ceviche tasting to see how well Kentucky and Latin American flavors can get along.
1538 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40205
(502) 473-8560
(502) 473-8560

Decca

Copy Link
A San Francisco transplant, chef Annie Pettry's NuLu kitchen has quickly impressed in Louisville with its "commitment to locally farmed and small production ingredients." With the warmer weather, its spacious patio makes it even more of a draw.
812 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 749-8128
(502) 749-8128

Rye On Market

Copy Link
"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.
900 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 749-6200
(502) 749-6200

The Silver Dollar

Copy Link
This East End honky-tonk, "centered around Bakersfield Sound music and Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey," was recently named one of the top 10 whiskey bars in America by GQ. It's also a hot spot for brunch.
1761 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 259-9540
(502) 259-9540

Proof on Main

Copy Link
"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 chef Levon Wallace's menu.
702 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 217-6360
(502) 217-6360

Harvest

Copy Link
Its dedication to local ingredients makes this New American restaurant stand out, even in a neighborhood full of competitors.
624 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 384-9090
(502) 384-9090

Holy Grale

Copy Link
Sure this converted Unitarian Church is more bar than restaurant, but its elevated pub food (including one of the city's best burgers) attracts even teetotalers. Plus, it just opened for lunch on Fridays Saturdays and Sundays.
1034 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40204

Relish

Copy Link
Former Jack Frye's owner Susan Seiller's ditches clubby for clean and simple (think pressed ropa vieja—Cuban-style brisket, manchego, Cuban roll) to rave reviews. It just added dinner service too.
1346 River Road, Louisville, KY 40206

Feast BBQ

Copy Link
Dishes like its barbecued tofu and brisket provide a reason to ford the Ohio (other than to play the slots or see the naked ladies, of course). Tater tots, vinegar slaw and collard greens sides pair well with everything.
116 West Main Street, New Albany, IN 47150
(812) 920-0454
(812) 920-0454

Guaca Mole

Copy Link
Our experts called this Mexican restaurant, best known for its namesake dish, one of the city's top newcomers in 2012—and Urbanspoon proclaimed it among the best in the nation.
9921 Ormsby Station Road, Louisville, KY 40223
(502) 365-4822
(502) 365-4822

Mussel & Burger Bar

Copy Link
This February 2013 opening, one of the few reasons to eat in Jtown, has quickly thrust itself into "best burger in town" conversations.
9200 Taylorsville Rd., Louisville, KY 40299
502-499-7666
502-499-7666

MilkWood

Copy Link
The "comfort bar food with an Asian pantry" at 610 Magnolia's Edward Lee's new Actors Theatre spot appeals to diners with tastes as traditional as Shakespeare (go with the burger) and as experimental as Pinter (make it the two days-cooked veal).
316 West Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202

Game

Copy Link
The Hammerheads' guys' February 2013 opening is just another burger joint off the highway. Except for the kangaroo meat. And the ostrich meat. And the wild boar meat. And the...
2295 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40206

The Exchange Pub + Kitchen

Copy Link
Rave reviews in LEO Weekly and Louisville Courier-Journal help explain why this New Albany gastropub is drawing big crowds, even in the middle of the week.
118 West Main Street, New Albany, IN 47150

La Coop: Bistro à Vins

Copy Link
Its Southern twist on traditional French cuisine, paired with the deep wine list you'd expect, made this Green Building spot Louisville Magazine's readers' choice for the best new restaurant.
732 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 410-2888
(502) 410-2888

Garage Bar

Copy Link
Crowds at the auto mechanic garage turned pizza restaurant on a weekend night regularly engulf the front patio. It's not just a place to be seen though, as the wood-fired pizza, craft cocktails and beer, and ham bar attest. [Photo: Jessica Fey]
700 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 749-7100
(502) 749-7100

Loading comments...

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Seviche: A Latin Restaurant

1538 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40205
Ceviche is a dish best served cold. But chef Anthony Lamas's Nuevo Latino restaurant is still hot, even after seven years. Make sure the Tuna Old Fashioned is on your five-dish ceviche tasting to see how well Kentucky and Latin American flavors can get along.
1538 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40205
(502) 473-8560
(502) 473-8560

Decca

812 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206
A San Francisco transplant, chef Annie Pettry's NuLu kitchen has quickly impressed in Louisville with its "commitment to locally farmed and small production ingredients." With the warmer weather, its spacious patio makes it even more of a draw.
812 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 749-8128
(502) 749-8128

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.
900 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 749-6200
(502) 749-6200

The Silver Dollar

1761 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
This East End honky-tonk, "centered around Bakersfield Sound music and Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey," was recently named one of the top 10 whiskey bars in America by GQ. It's also a hot spot for brunch.
1761 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 259-9540
(502) 259-9540

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 chef Levon Wallace's menu.
702 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 217-6360
(502) 217-6360

Harvest

624 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40202
Its dedication to local ingredients makes this New American restaurant stand out, even in a neighborhood full of competitors.
624 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 384-9090
(502) 384-9090

Holy Grale

1034 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40204
Sure this converted Unitarian Church is more bar than restaurant, but its elevated pub food (including one of the city's best burgers) attracts even teetotalers. Plus, it just opened for lunch on Fridays Saturdays and Sundays.
1034 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40204

Relish

1346 River Road, Louisville, KY 40206
Former Jack Frye's owner Susan Seiller's ditches clubby for clean and simple (think pressed ropa vieja—Cuban-style brisket, manchego, Cuban roll) to rave reviews. It just added dinner service too.
1346 River Road, Louisville, KY 40206

Feast BBQ

116 West Main Street, New Albany, IN 47150
Dishes like its barbecued tofu and brisket provide a reason to ford the Ohio (other than to play the slots or see the naked ladies, of course). Tater tots, vinegar slaw and collard greens sides pair well with everything.
116 West Main Street, New Albany, IN 47150
(812) 920-0454
(812) 920-0454

Guaca Mole

9921 Ormsby Station Road, Louisville, KY 40223
Our experts called this Mexican restaurant, best known for its namesake dish, one of the city's top newcomers in 2012—and Urbanspoon proclaimed it among the best in the nation.
9921 Ormsby Station Road, Louisville, KY 40223
(502) 365-4822
(502) 365-4822

Mussel & Burger Bar

9200 Taylorsville Rd., Louisville, KY 40299
This February 2013 opening, one of the few reasons to eat in Jtown, has quickly thrust itself into "best burger in town" conversations.
9200 Taylorsville Rd., Louisville, KY 40299
502-499-7666
502-499-7666

MilkWood

316 West Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202
The "comfort bar food with an Asian pantry" at 610 Magnolia's Edward Lee's new Actors Theatre spot appeals to diners with tastes as traditional as Shakespeare (go with the burger) and as experimental as Pinter (make it the two days-cooked veal).
316 West Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202

Game

2295 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40206
The Hammerheads' guys' February 2013 opening is just another burger joint off the highway. Except for the kangaroo meat. And the ostrich meat. And the wild boar meat. And the...
2295 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40206

The Exchange Pub + Kitchen

118 West Main Street, New Albany, IN 47150
Rave reviews in LEO Weekly and Louisville Courier-Journal help explain why this New Albany gastropub is drawing big crowds, even in the middle of the week.
118 West Main Street, New Albany, IN 47150

La Coop: Bistro à Vins

732 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40202
Its Southern twist on traditional French cuisine, paired with the deep wine list you'd expect, made this Green Building spot Louisville Magazine's readers' choice for the best new restaurant.
732 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 410-2888
(502) 410-2888

Garage Bar

700 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40202
Crowds at the auto mechanic garage turned pizza restaurant on a weekend night regularly engulf the front patio. It's not just a place to be seen though, as the wood-fired pizza, craft cocktails and beer, and ham bar attest. [Photo: Jessica Fey]
700 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 749-7100
(502) 749-7100