Josh's guide to the city!
Nearby food/bars
Any of the burgers are a must, the fries are a must, the apps are a must, the signature cocktails are a must, going for every meal after 5PM is a must.
23 locals recommend
Toasty's Tavern
1258 South Shelby StreetAny of the burgers are a must, the fries are a must, the apps are a must, the signature cocktails are a must, going for every meal after 5PM is a must.
A great late-night spot for a giant slice, be sure to check out their pizza of the month on their instagram!
155 locals recommend
The Post
1045 Goss AveA great late-night spot for a giant slice, be sure to check out their pizza of the month on their instagram!
Great cocktails, frequently has guest chef pop-ups like Chopped winning chef Noam Bilitzer's Meesh Meesh or Connie Hartstock/Matt Pope's POCO 502
23 locals recommend
the MerryWeather
1101 Lydia StGreat cocktails, frequently has guest chef pop-ups like Chopped winning chef Noam Bilitzer's Meesh Meesh or Connie Hartstock/Matt Pope's POCO 502
Historic bar/restaurant for the neighborhood. Can you hear people having a good time on a nearby patio? This is where they are. Stop in on Friday nights to watch people older than your parents embarass you at karaoke.
50 locals recommend
Check's Cafe
1101 E Burnett AveHistoric bar/restaurant for the neighborhood. Can you hear people having a good time on a nearby patio? This is where they are. Stop in on Friday nights to watch people older than your parents embarass you at karaoke.
Monnik Beer Company
1036 E Burnett AveThe closest brewery to you with solid German-inspired food.
Good Italian food at a great price. The owners are sons of arguably Louisville's best Italian restaurant, Vincenzo's. Very walkable.
22 locals recommend
Sarino
1030 Goss AveGood Italian food at a great price. The owners are sons of arguably Louisville's best Italian restaurant, Vincenzo's. Very walkable.
Amazing gastropub, at one point was one of the hardest places in the city to get a seat with no reservations or call ahead seating. Your whole party will have to be there to be seated. The venison burger is to die for if that's your thing, the Grippo seasoned fries are a must, tons of draft options... Expect aloof service.
158 locals recommend
Hammerheads
921 Swan StAmazing gastropub, at one point was one of the hardest places in the city to get a seat with no reservations or call ahead seating. Your whole party will have to be there to be seated. The venison burger is to die for if that's your thing, the Grippo seasoned fries are a must, tons of draft options... Expect aloof service.
Hard to say who has the best donuts in town, but easy to say Nord's maple bacon donut is THE best donut in town. Go early if you plan to get one. Stop at the original Sunergos for coffee right after.
121 locals recommend
Nord's Bakery
2118 S Preston StHard to say who has the best donuts in town, but easy to say Nord's maple bacon donut is THE best donut in town. Go early if you plan to get one. Stop at the original Sunergos for coffee right after.
The closest brewery to you. Solid IPAs especially if you’re into milkshake IPAs. Daryk’s (a food truck in the beer garden out back) is also a slept on local eat, solid fried chicken.
24 locals recommend
Atrium Brewing
1154 Logan StreetThe closest brewery to you. Solid IPAs especially if you’re into milkshake IPAs. Daryk’s (a food truck in the beer garden out back) is also a slept on local eat, solid fried chicken.
Great dive with a great patio (partially heated). Solid beer selection but don't expect much from the bathrooms.
85 locals recommend
Nachbar
969 Charles StGreat dive with a great patio (partially heated). Solid beer selection but don't expect much from the bathrooms.
Great local dive to start or finish a night out, if we see you there you can spin the wheel on us!
39 locals recommend
The Pearl Of Germantown
1151 Goss AveGreat local dive to start or finish a night out, if we see you there you can spin the wheel on us!
A little bit of everything under one roof. A butcher, a fishmonger, a cheese shop, fresh produce, restaurants, occasional cooking classes, beer/cocktail bar, wine bar, coffee bar, shops, etc. All local.
86 locals recommend
Logan Street Market
1001 Logan StA little bit of everything under one roof. A butcher, a fishmonger, a cheese shop, fresh produce, restaurants, occasional cooking classes, beer/cocktail bar, wine bar, coffee bar, shops, etc. All local.
Our favorite place inside the market. Great bagles, lox, egg and cheese rolls (or sub a bagel). They have a super kind and creative owner who puts out a great, quick, breakfast/brunch.
Cold Smoke Bagels in the Logan Street Market
1001 Logan StOur favorite place inside the market. Great bagles, lox, egg and cheese rolls (or sub a bagel). They have a super kind and creative owner who puts out a great, quick, breakfast/brunch.
New and hip bar created by the Breeze wine bar originally located inside the market. Now they have their own stand alone shop, with this bar attached. Great small splates and easily the best wine selection nearby.
Canary Club
New and hip bar created by the Breeze wine bar originally located inside the market. Now they have their own stand alone shop, with this bar attached. Great small splates and easily the best wine selection nearby.
Great food outside of the neighborhood
These are noteworthy restaurants that are worth leaving our neighborhood for! There are plenty of other great restaurants in the city, we are either trying to be brief or haven't tried something else you may have found.
This is our favorite Nashville hot chicken place in town, and maybe out of town too! Conveniently located on Market St in NuLu.
80 locals recommend
Royals Hot Chicken
736 E Market StThis is our favorite Nashville hot chicken place in town, and maybe out of town too! Conveniently located on Market St in NuLu.
Celebrity chef Edward Lee's flagship restaurant. Outstanding menu that changes weekly. You will need reservations and the 5 course menu (the only option but 2 choices per course) is over $100 per person.
42 locals recommend
610 Magnolia
610 W Magnolia AveCelebrity chef Edward Lee's flagship restaurant. Outstanding menu that changes weekly. You will need reservations and the 5 course menu (the only option but 2 choices per course) is over $100 per person.
Our personal favorite sushi place. Nothing fancy just great raw sushi and other Japanese dishes. If a more Americanized version of sushi is your pace we recommend Dragon Kings Daughter.
21 locals recommend
Osaka
2039 Frankfort AveOur personal favorite sushi place. Nothing fancy just great raw sushi and other Japanese dishes. If a more Americanized version of sushi is your pace we recommend Dragon Kings Daughter.
Great Cuban restaurant with multiple locations, this is the closest. They also have Mojito in Havana that has a similar menu but is more tapas focused, we recommend it too!
78 locals recommend
Havana Rumba Bardstown Rd
2210 Bardstown RdGreat Cuban restaurant with multiple locations, this is the closest. They also have Mojito in Havana that has a similar menu but is more tapas focused, we recommend it too!
Owned by the same owner of Havana Rumba. Similar menus but obviously more focused on tapas! Have a swirl margarita for us (but be careful ordering a second).
48 locals recommend
Mojito Tapas Restaurant
2231 Holiday Manor CenterOwned by the same owner of Havana Rumba. Similar menus but obviously more focused on tapas! Have a swirl margarita for us (but be careful ordering a second).
A very modern Vietnamese restaurant with excellent pho, apps, and cocktails. The outstanding short rib pho is nicknamed "dino beef rib" and at the very least is worth looking up the photo.
6 locals recommend
District 6
3930 Shelbyville RoadA very modern Vietnamese restaurant with excellent pho, apps, and cocktails. The outstanding short rib pho is nicknamed "dino beef rib" and at the very least is worth looking up the photo.
Excellent authentic Mediterranean food. Great for carryout! They only make their biryani on Fridays but it is the best we've had.
Safier Mediterranean Deli
641 S 4th StExcellent authentic Mediterranean food. Great for carryout! They only make their biryani on Fridays but it is the best we've had.
Located in NuLu, this is a modern upscale approach on Mayan cuisine. It is very good but not cheap. They also have tacos and salbutes inside of Gravely, a local brewery.
125 locals recommend
Mayan Cafe
813 E Market StLocated in NuLu, this is a modern upscale approach on Mayan cuisine. It is very good but not cheap. They also have tacos and salbutes inside of Gravely, a local brewery.
My favorite pizza place in town. It is definitely upscale and vegetarian focused, but you can add their pepperoni cups or sausage to any pizza. If you're a fan of doughy crust you will not want to miss this. Definitely get the chili oil on the side.
28 locals recommend
Pizza LUPO
1540 Frankfort AveMy favorite pizza place in town. It is definitely upscale and vegetarian focused, but you can add their pepperoni cups or sausage to any pizza. If you're a fan of doughy crust you will not want to miss this. Definitely get the chili oil on the side.
Mediterranean-American fusion with excellent cocktails. This is one of our favorite places to take friends who visit us for a nice meal.
59 locals recommend
Varanese Restaurant
2106 Frankfort AveMediterranean-American fusion with excellent cocktails. This is one of our favorite places to take friends who visit us for a nice meal.
Upscale restaurant with great cocktails and outstanding French cuisine. We spend a lot of birthdays and anniversaries here.
21 locals recommend
La Chasse
1359 Bardstown RdUpscale restaurant with great cocktails and outstanding French cuisine. We spend a lot of birthdays and anniversaries here.
Just across the bridge is a new location for Upland, originally from Bloomington, IN. Good beers, great apps, incredible sours!
11 locals recommend
Upland Jeffersonville
707 West Riverside DriveJust across the bridge is a new location for Upland, originally from Bloomington, IN. Good beers, great apps, incredible sours!
Sightseeing
A little bit of everything under one roof. A butcher, a fishmonger, a cheese shop, fresh produce, restaurants, occasional cooking classes, beer/cocktail bar, wine bar, coffee bar, shops, etc. All local.
86 locals recommend
Logan Street Market
1001 Logan StA little bit of everything under one roof. A butcher, a fishmonger, a cheese shop, fresh produce, restaurants, occasional cooking classes, beer/cocktail bar, wine bar, coffee bar, shops, etc. All local.
The museum attached to Churchill Downs for any horse racing fans.
180 locals recommend
Kentucky Derby Museum
704 Central AvenueThe museum attached to Churchill Downs for any horse racing fans.
Kentucky Kingdom & Hurricane Bay
937 Phillips LnA relatively new bridge designed for pedestrians attached to Water Front Park. Indiana has built up their side as well and it has quite a few restaurants and bars on the other side!
214 locals recommend
Big Four Bridge
1101 River RdA relatively new bridge designed for pedestrians attached to Water Front Park. Indiana has built up their side as well and it has quite a few restaurants and bars on the other side!
Angel's Envy Distillery
500 E Main StCool tours and tasting if that's your thing!
Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
528 W Main StFun tour with a lot of history.
Louisville Zoo
1100 Trevilian WayCool tour. Old Forester is the only distilling company with a cooperage in the city, so you can see the whole barrel making process.
88 locals recommend
Old Forester Distilling
119 W Main StCool tour. Old Forester is the only distilling company with a cooperage in the city, so you can see the whole barrel making process.
Slugger Museum
800 West Main StreetA must for baseball fans and very family friendly!
Coffee
We have a lot of great local coffee shops!
We love the Bean. It’s not our favorite place in town but that is a credit to the stiff competition not a knock on them. Cute little space + solid coffee + an 8 minute walk makes this place a great convenient option!
1138 Goss Ave
1138 Goss AvenueWe love the Bean. It’s not our favorite place in town but that is a credit to the stiff competition not a knock on them. Cute little space + solid coffee + an 8 minute walk makes this place a great convenient option!
Safai has our favorite coffee drink hands down (and it’s their best seller so it’s not just us!) with their Black Magic. A creamy latte with white chocolate and blackberry (we thought it was strange at first too, trust the process). They have incredible pour-over coffee too if that’s more your speed. In the picture is their flagship location on Bardstown Rd. But they have a spot inside the Logan Street Market as well!
49 locals recommend
Safai Coffee Shop
1707 Bardstown RdSafai has our favorite coffee drink hands down (and it’s their best seller so it’s not just us!) with their Black Magic. A creamy latte with white chocolate and blackberry (we thought it was strange at first too, trust the process). They have incredible pour-over coffee too if that’s more your speed. In the picture is their flagship location on Bardstown Rd. But they have a spot inside the Logan Street Market as well!
A top competitor for the best cup of coffee in town. This spot also boasts my favorite miel called the Honey Boy. They advertise Kentuckys best chocolate chip cookie and we’ve not had anything come close to proving them wrong. This is definitely the coolest and the loudest coffee shop in town. They have a few locations and they are very consistent, but the NuLu location is the most fun! Don’t sleep on the homemade oatmeal crème pies if you make a trip!
145 locals recommend
Please & Thank You
800 E Market StA top competitor for the best cup of coffee in town. This spot also boasts my favorite miel called the Honey Boy. They advertise Kentuckys best chocolate chip cookie and we’ve not had anything come close to proving them wrong. This is definitely the coolest and the loudest coffee shop in town. They have a few locations and they are very consistent, but the NuLu location is the most fun! Don’t sleep on the homemade oatmeal crème pies if you make a trip!
My personal favorite cup of fresh brewed coffee. A very distinct and delicious aftertaste make this place signature. I’ve honestly never had any of the other drinks they make because I can’t bring myself to order anything but it and then cold brew. They have a few roasts to choose from and everyone who works there is happy to help you pick the one they think you’ll love if you’re an aficionado. The flagship location (listed here) is also right next door to Nord’s Bakery making it a great early morning corner in town, but they have 4-5 locations all over downtown Louisville and neighboring ‘hoods.
163 locals recommend
Sunergos Coffee
2122 S Preston StMy personal favorite cup of fresh brewed coffee. A very distinct and delicious aftertaste make this place signature. I’ve honestly never had any of the other drinks they make because I can’t bring myself to order anything but it and then cold brew. They have a few roasts to choose from and everyone who works there is happy to help you pick the one they think you’ll love if you’re an aficionado. The flagship location (listed here) is also right next door to Nord’s Bakery making it a great early morning corner in town, but they have 4-5 locations all over downtown Louisville and neighboring ‘hoods.
Brunch
My personal favorite brunch place. It can take a bit to get seated if they're busy but there is a good coffee shop next door you can kill time in while you wait. Try the grits of the day if the combo sounds appealing!
81 locals recommend
Highland Morning
1416 Bardstown RdMy personal favorite brunch place. It can take a bit to get seated if they're busy but there is a good coffee shop next door you can kill time in while you wait. Try the grits of the day if the combo sounds appealing!
Currently they have three locations, this one is the closest. Great biscuits primarily served with fried chicken. The lines can get long here, but if you're set on it we recommend the location near Iroquois, its typically less busy.
34 locals recommend
Biscuit Belly - Nulu
900 E Main StCurrently they have three locations, this one is the closest. Great biscuits primarily served with fried chicken. The lines can get long here, but if you're set on it we recommend the location near Iroquois, its typically less busy.
Another location from this Birmingham based breakfast chain. you can hop on their waiting list directly from yelp to help minimize the wait.
25 locals recommend
Big Bad Breakfast Louisville
984 Barret AvenueAnother location from this Birmingham based breakfast chain. you can hop on their waiting list directly from yelp to help minimize the wait.
Multiple locations from this chain that's from Louisville. A little bit of everything so good for any crowd. We love the Surfer Girl omelette.
140 locals recommend
Wild Eggs
121 S Floyd StMultiple locations from this chain that's from Louisville. A little bit of everything so good for any crowd. We love the Surfer Girl omelette.
A Louisville staple that's finally back open after a long COVID hiatus, and back with a new menu. It will be busy, try to get there early!
76 locals recommend
Gralehaus
1001 Baxter AveA Louisville staple that's finally back open after a long COVID hiatus, and back with a new menu. It will be busy, try to get there early!
A lot of takes on coffee and great breakfast tacos make this place a solid choice for brunch.
107 locals recommend
Con Huevos Restaurant
2339 Frankfort AveA lot of takes on coffee and great breakfast tacos make this place a solid choice for brunch.
A close friends favorite place to brunch. Nothing fancy but great hashes, good coffee, and probably the best prices of anyone on the list.
23 locals recommend
Eggs Over Frankfort
2712 Frankfort AveA close friends favorite place to brunch. Nothing fancy but great hashes, good coffee, and probably the best prices of anyone on the list.
Great bars outside of the neighborhood
Cool bar that has an intended vintage feel. It's only a few years old but it will feel like walking back in time.
12 locals recommend
High Horse
1032 Story AveCool bar that has an intended vintage feel. It's only a few years old but it will feel like walking back in time.
A Louisville staple dive bar with solid bar food. Five pool tables among other games as well. Known for their strong pours and cheaper prices. If you visit enough they might just put you on the wall!
61 locals recommend
The Back Door
1250 Bardstown RdA Louisville staple dive bar with solid bar food. Five pool tables among other games as well. Known for their strong pours and cheaper prices. If you visit enough they might just put you on the wall!
Great margaritas and other cocktails as well. Solid tacos if you're there before the kitchen closes. Great place for music/dance/events. Between Thanksgiving and New Years Eve they also have a holiday bar in the back called Miracle!
55 locals recommend
Galaxie
732 E Market StGreat margaritas and other cocktails as well. Solid tacos if you're there before the kitchen closes. Great place for music/dance/events. Between Thanksgiving and New Years Eve they also have a holiday bar in the back called Miracle!
Food scene
Absolutely incredible, elevated Mediterranean food. I want to give suggestions on what to order but its all honestly so good I wouldn't want to cause you to stray away from what you're interested in. This place is special and if it is within your budget for the evening we can't recommend it enough!
MeeshMeesh Mediterranean
Absolutely incredible, elevated Mediterranean food. I want to give suggestions on what to order but its all honestly so good I wouldn't want to cause you to stray away from what you're interested in. This place is special and if it is within your budget for the evening we can't recommend it enough!