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The Eater Louisville Heatmap: Where to Eat Right Now

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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

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Seviche: A Latin Restaurant

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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.
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.

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.

The Silver Dollar

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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.

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 chef Levon Wallace's menu.

Harvest

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Its dedication to local ingredients makes this New American restaurant stand out, even in a neighborhood full of competitors.

Holy Grale

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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.
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.

Feast BBQ

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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.

Guaca Mole

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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.

Mussel & Burger Bar

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This February 2013 opening, one of the few reasons to eat in Jtown, has quickly thrust itself into "best burger in town" conversations.

MilkWood

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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).
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...

The Exchange Pub + Kitchen

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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.

La Coop: Bistro à Vins

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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.

Garage Bar

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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]

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Seviche: A Latin Restaurant

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.

Decca

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.

Rye On Market

"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.

The Silver Dollar

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.

Proof on Main

"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.

Harvest

Its dedication to local ingredients makes this New American restaurant stand out, even in a neighborhood full of competitors.

Holy Grale

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.

Relish

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.

Feast BBQ

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.

Guaca Mole

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.

Mussel & Burger Bar

This February 2013 opening, one of the few reasons to eat in Jtown, has quickly thrust itself into "best burger in town" conversations.

MilkWood

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).

Game

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...

The Exchange Pub + Kitchen

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.

La Coop: Bistro à Vins

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.

Garage Bar

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]