The Eater Louisville Heatmap: Where to Eat Right Now

by Zach Everson Jan 3, 2013, 8:00am EST

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by Zach Everson Jan 3, 2013, 8:00am EST

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 rank, but in the order in which this editor got around to finishing their descriptions.)

Added: Feast BBQ, Guaca Mole and Relish—all of which Eater's friends singled out for praise in our survey of the top newcomers of 2012.
Removed: None.

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

Seviche: A Latin Restaurant

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Yep, Anthony Lamas's restaurant is in its seventh year. But it's still as hot as some of its blistered shishito peppers, especially having debuted a new menu in November. One weekend evening last month, the bar area was three-deep, causing would-be diners to cross the street to Café Mimosa to drink away their hour-plus wait for a table.

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1538 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40205

(502) 473-8560

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Decca

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Called "an icon in the making," in April 2012 by LEO Weekly, one of the hottest restaurants in the city's hottest neighborhoods is still packing them in.

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812 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206

(502) 749-8128

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Rye On Market

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"Is Yelp Really for Morons?" Time magazine asks. That this NuLu hotspot only nets 3.5 stars on that user-review site answers Time's question with a resounding "fuck yeah."

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900 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206

(502) 749-6200

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The Silver Dollar

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Open for barely a year, this East End honky-tonk's success already has spawned one local imitator.

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1761 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206

(502) 259-9540

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Proof on Main

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Because plopping a 30-foot-tall golden naked David (penis) in front of its entrance wasn't surprising enough, in August, this top Louisville restaurant changed executive chefs. While the reviews of David are mixed (penis), Levon Wallace's menu has drawn near universal praise.

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702 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202

(502) 217-6360

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St. Charles Exchange

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Executive chef Mitch Prensky must have sold his soul for that deviled eggs recipe.

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113 S. 7th Street, Louisville, KY 40202

(502) 618-1917

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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.

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921 Swan St, Louisville, KY 40204

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Harvest

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Two newer restaurants (Decca and Rye) have opened just down the street, but Harvest's commitment to all-things local still attracts Louisvillians to dine under the eyes of the watchful farmers.

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624 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40202

(502) 384-9090

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Holy Grale

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Sure this converted Unitarian Church is more bar than restaurant, but its elevated pub food (like the cassoulet dog) attracts even teetotalers. And its gradual expansion (first the choir loft, then the beer garden), keeps it fresh.

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1034 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40204

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610 Magnolia

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Probably the only way 610 Magnolia won't rank among Louisville's hottest restaurants will be when its chef/owner Edward Lee opens a new spot (which is set to be early 2013 at Actors Theatre).