Guidebook for Louisville

Rachel
Guidebook for Louisville

Food Scene

Delicious eats & cocktails.
44 locals recommend
Rye
900 E Market St
44 locals recommend
Delicious eats & cocktails.
Started by the previous chef of renowned Jack Fry's, the food is beyond delicious. If they have it on the menu, try the pistachio cake!
11 locals recommend
Ward 426
426 Baxter Ave
11 locals recommend
Started by the previous chef of renowned Jack Fry's, the food is beyond delicious. If they have it on the menu, try the pistachio cake!
Walking distance from home, the restaurant boasts a cushy lounge area (good for game watching as well) and outdoor seating for people-watching on Bardstown Road.
113 locals recommend
Seviche A Latin Restaurant
1538 Bardstown Rd
113 locals recommend
Walking distance from home, the restaurant boasts a cushy lounge area (good for game watching as well) and outdoor seating for people-watching on Bardstown Road.
Affordable Taiwan-Infusion food with craft cocktails. Best for when weather permits dining on the patio.
21 locals recommend
The Joy Luck
1285 Bardstown Rd
21 locals recommend
Affordable Taiwan-Infusion food with craft cocktails. Best for when weather permits dining on the patio.
Tasty eats.
24 locals recommend
MilkWood Restaurant
316 W Main St
24 locals recommend
Tasty eats.
Great for dining or late-night drinks; close to home & boasts a great patio area.
29 locals recommend
El Camino
1314 Bardstown Road
29 locals recommend
Great for dining or late-night drinks; close to home & boasts a great patio area.
Great matcha & coffee; try their crepes!
49 locals recommend
Safai Coffee Shop
1707 Bardstown Rd
49 locals recommend
Great matcha & coffee; try their crepes!
Budget-friendly with a wide array to choose from, breakfast is served all day.
74 locals recommend
North End Cafe
1722 Frankfort Ave
74 locals recommend
Budget-friendly with a wide array to choose from, breakfast is served all day.
Located in an old firehouse, Silver Dollar serves delectable southern-inspired food & bourbon by the glass. Solid brunch offerings.
169 locals recommend
The Green Building Gallery
732 E Market St
169 locals recommend
Located in an old firehouse, Silver Dollar serves delectable southern-inspired food & bourbon by the glass. Solid brunch offerings.
Great java & snacks; connects to Carmichael's Bookstore for added fun.
28 locals recommend
Heine Brothers' Coffee - Longest Ave In The Highlands
1250 Bardstown Rd
28 locals recommend
Great java & snacks; connects to Carmichael's Bookstore for added fun.
French deli; great for lunch. Check out their chocolate & macaron selection.
10 locals recommend
Ghyslain on Market
721 East Market Street
10 locals recommend
French deli; great for lunch. Check out their chocolate & macaron selection.
Authentic, out-of-this-world eats. This is a smaller restaurant with limited seating, so be sure to call ahead for lunch or dinner reservations.
125 locals recommend
Mayan Cafe
813 E Market St
125 locals recommend
Authentic, out-of-this-world eats. This is a smaller restaurant with limited seating, so be sure to call ahead for lunch or dinner reservations.
Great food with a cozy basement bar.
61 locals recommend
Decca Restaurant
812 E Market St
61 locals recommend
Great food with a cozy basement bar.
Great for brunch or lunch – grab a beer at Holy Grale, which conjoins in the back.
76 locals recommend
Gralehaus
1001 Baxter Ave
76 locals recommend
Great for brunch or lunch – grab a beer at Holy Grale, which conjoins in the back.
Vast array of food from around the world, with budget-friendly and veg options.
87 locals recommend
Ramsis Cafe On The World
1293 Bardstown Rd
87 locals recommend
Vast array of food from around the world, with budget-friendly and veg options.
Stellar sushi & hibachi eats.
61 locals recommend
Sapporo
1706 Bardstown Rd
61 locals recommend
Stellar sushi & hibachi eats.
Vegetarian / vegan restaurant with asian-inspired food – delicious whether you're a plant-based eater or not! (Note: this restaurant does not serve alcohol)
17 locals recommend
Roots
1216 Bardstown Rd
17 locals recommend
Vegetarian / vegan restaurant with asian-inspired food – delicious whether you're a plant-based eater or not! (Note: this restaurant does not serve alcohol)
If you're into BBQ, this is your joint (they also offer a solid veg option).
158 locals recommend
Hammerheads
921 Swan St
158 locals recommend
If you're into BBQ, this is your joint (they also offer a solid veg option).
Super tasty tacos – be sure to try their yuca tots!
27 locals recommend
Migo
2222 Dundee Rd
27 locals recommend
Super tasty tacos – be sure to try their yuca tots!
Every kind of pancake & french toast you can imagine – decadent.
77 locals recommend
Toast On Market
620 E Market St
77 locals recommend
Every kind of pancake & french toast you can imagine – decadent.
Delectable coffee.
110 locals recommend
Quills Coffee
930 Baxter Ave
110 locals recommend
Delectable coffee.
Tasty pizza & drinks!
155 locals recommend
The Post
1045 Goss Ave
155 locals recommend
Tasty pizza & drinks!
Long delivery time, but for those post-bar snacks, Spinelli's is open late. If you're feeling especially indulgent, try their fried oreos.
15 locals recommend
Spinelli's Highlands
614 Baxter Ave
15 locals recommend
Long delivery time, but for those post-bar snacks, Spinelli's is open late. If you're feeling especially indulgent, try their fried oreos.
Nice restaurant, delicious eats, cool vibes.
75 locals recommend
Le Moo
2300 Lexington Rd
75 locals recommend
Nice restaurant, delicious eats, cool vibes.
Walking distance – tasty food and libations; bottomless mimosa brunches.
78 locals recommend
LouVino Restaurant & Wine Bar
1606 Bardstown Rd
78 locals recommend
Walking distance – tasty food and libations; bottomless mimosa brunches.
Cheap, tasty, quick tacos & tortas – great for lunch or drive-by snacking.
141 locals recommend
Taco Luchador
938 Baxter Ave
141 locals recommend
Cheap, tasty, quick tacos & tortas – great for lunch or drive-by snacking.

Drinks & Nightlife

Located in trendy NULU, this bar is a hot-spot for cocktails and indoor / outdoor libations. Go in the door to the right of the entrance, and mosey through their galleries, which lead you to their warehouse / garage in the back, complete with bumpin' DJ beats.
55 locals recommend
Galaxie
732 E Market St
55 locals recommend
Located in trendy NULU, this bar is a hot-spot for cocktails and indoor / outdoor libations. Go in the door to the right of the entrance, and mosey through their galleries, which lead you to their warehouse / garage in the back, complete with bumpin' DJ beats.
A swanky, hidden speak-easy bar located upstairs of the Butchertown Grocery restaurant (entrance on the side). This craft cocktail joint is fantastic for sultry evenings, conversation, or watching stellar music performances. (Owned by the drummer of My Morning Jacket)
106 locals recommend
Butchertown Grocery
743 E Washington St
106 locals recommend
A swanky, hidden speak-easy bar located upstairs of the Butchertown Grocery restaurant (entrance on the side). This craft cocktail joint is fantastic for sultry evenings, conversation, or watching stellar music performances. (Owned by the drummer of My Morning Jacket)
Located in 21C, this bar has nice cocktails & cool vibes. Tour the hotel-museum after imbibing for added fun.
124 locals recommend
Proof On Main
702 W Main St
124 locals recommend
Located in 21C, this bar has nice cocktails & cool vibes. Tour the hotel-museum after imbibing for added fun.
Solid offering of concerts – be sure to review their latest acts.
14 locals recommend
The Mercury Ballroom
611 S 4th St
14 locals recommend
Solid offering of concerts – be sure to review their latest acts.
Music Venue – be sure to review their upcoming shows.
37 locals recommend
Headliners Music Hall
1386 Lexington Rd
37 locals recommend
Music Venue – be sure to review their upcoming shows.
Craft cocktails with an interesting array of patrons; boasting live music or vinyl nights.
23 locals recommend
Meta
425 W Chestnut St
23 locals recommend
Craft cocktails with an interesting array of patrons; boasting live music or vinyl nights.
Intimately small bar with a pinball collection, electronic music every Saturday, and an impressive array of musical performances & artists. Be sure to check their music schedule before arriving.
90 locals recommend
Zanzabar
2100 S Preston St
90 locals recommend
Intimately small bar with a pinball collection, electronic music every Saturday, and an impressive array of musical performances & artists. Be sure to check their music schedule before arriving.
A converted church with an awesome, revolving beer selection from around the world. Check out their biergarten out back, or for a cozier time, the choir loft upstairs.
128 locals recommend
Holy Grale
1034 Bardstown Rd
128 locals recommend
A converted church with an awesome, revolving beer selection from around the world. Check out their biergarten out back, or for a cozier time, the choir loft upstairs.
Alternative hipster-ish, dive bar with an eclectic, fun crowd. Great for dancing to vinyl, a DJ, or hip-hop – the bar doesn't start hopping until late-night (1am or later).
14 locals recommend
Seidenfaden's
1134 E Breckinridge St
14 locals recommend
Alternative hipster-ish, dive bar with an eclectic, fun crowd. Great for dancing to vinyl, a DJ, or hip-hop – the bar doesn't start hopping until late-night (1am or later).
Vinyl, DJ, or theme nights, karaoke, you name it – an asian inspired bar with an array of revolving events.
27 locals recommend
Kaiju
1004 E Oak St
27 locals recommend
Vinyl, DJ, or theme nights, karaoke, you name it – an asian inspired bar with an array of revolving events.
A Louisville dive staple, where the drinks are strong, cheap, and the crowd eclectic (from bikers to brain surgeons is their tagline). Chill out on the patio, play pool, or hang by the bar. Solid bar food, should you find yourself snacky.
61 locals recommend
The Back Door
1250 Bardstown Rd
61 locals recommend
A Louisville dive staple, where the drinks are strong, cheap, and the crowd eclectic (from bikers to brain surgeons is their tagline). Chill out on the patio, play pool, or hang by the bar. Solid bar food, should you find yourself snacky.
Bourbon bar with occasional live music.
Haymarket Bistro
300 E Market St
Bourbon bar with occasional live music.
Pool tables & brews.
14 locals recommend
The Outlook Inn
916 Baxter Ave
14 locals recommend
Pool tables & brews.
Iconic hotel with a swanky bar & lounge.
17 locals recommend
The Brown Hotel
335 W Broadway
17 locals recommend
Iconic hotel with a swanky bar & lounge.
LBGT & hetereosexual friendly club / bar.
59 locals recommend
Nowhere Bar Louisville
1133 Bardstown Rd
59 locals recommend
LBGT & hetereosexual friendly club / bar.

Shopping

Solid selection of vinyl.
Modern Cult Records
1036 Bardstown Rd
Solid selection of vinyl.
Great selection of new & vintage clothing.
16 locals recommend
Dot Fox
1567 Bardstown Rd
16 locals recommend
Great selection of new & vintage clothing.
Interesting vintage clothing for men & women. Rentable costumes & men's clothing on the second floor!
14 locals recommend
The Nitty Gritty
996 Barret Ave
14 locals recommend
Interesting vintage clothing for men & women. Rentable costumes & men's clothing on the second floor!
Gallery / gift boutique – there's something here for everyone.
49 locals recommend
Revelry Boutique Gallery
742 E Market St
49 locals recommend
Gallery / gift boutique – there's something here for everyone.
Vintage threads.
7 locals recommend
Acorn Apparel
1602 Bardstown Rd
7 locals recommend
Vintage threads.
Owned by the singer of Houndmouth, this is a music oriented clothing store for men and women. Musical artists are featured monthly who hand-select an assortment of items to be sold.
Bermuda Highway
811 E Market St
Owned by the singer of Houndmouth, this is a music oriented clothing store for men and women. Musical artists are featured monthly who hand-select an assortment of items to be sold.
Locally-owned, cozy bookstore with a selection to suit most everyone.
39 locals recommend
Carmichael's Bookstore
1295 Bardstown Rd
39 locals recommend
Locally-owned, cozy bookstore with a selection to suit most everyone.
Awesome children's bookstore! Great for gifts, a visit with the kids, or for exploring your inner child.
7 locals recommend
Carmichael's Kids
1313 Bardstown Rd
7 locals recommend
Awesome children's bookstore! Great for gifts, a visit with the kids, or for exploring your inner child.
Art store with unique items, jewelry, etc. – great for gifts.
21 locals recommend
Edenside Gallery
1422 Bardstown Rd
21 locals recommend
Art store with unique items, jewelry, etc. – great for gifts.
Jewelry from around the world or made by local artists.
15 locals recommend
Discoveries
1315 Bardstown Rd
15 locals recommend
Jewelry from around the world or made by local artists.
The mother of all thrift / antique stores.
Unique Thrift Stores
617 Carter St
The mother of all thrift / antique stores.
Unique plants, flowers, gifts, and cards; this place is magical.
31 locals recommend
Mahonia
822 E Market St
31 locals recommend
Unique plants, flowers, gifts, and cards; this place is magical.

Essentials

125 locals recommend
Kroger
2440 Bardstown Rd
125 locals recommend
All natural health food grocery store, locally owned!
17 locals recommend
Rainbow Blossom Natural Food Market
3046 Bardstown Rd
17 locals recommend
All natural health food grocery store, locally owned!
30 locals recommend
CVS
2222 Bardstown Rd
30 locals recommend
15 locals recommend
Highland Cleaners
1401 Bardstown Rd
15 locals recommend
Fantastic liquor store with a substantial beer cave. If you're unsure what to get, the employees provide great advice.
17 locals recommend
Old Town Liquors
1529 Bardstown Rd
17 locals recommend
Fantastic liquor store with a substantial beer cave. If you're unsure what to get, the employees provide great advice.

Parks & Nature

Hiking, running, nature, dog hill, jungle gyms – great escape from the city, designed by Olmstead (designer of Central Park in NYC)
383 locals recommend
Cherokee Park
745 Cochran Hill Rd
383 locals recommend
Hiking, running, nature, dog hill, jungle gyms – great escape from the city, designed by Olmstead (designer of Central Park in NYC)
Cute park, walking distance from home. Swing sets, tennis courts, the works.
Tyler Park
Cute park, walking distance from home. Swing sets, tennis courts, the works.

Arts & Culture

Interactive museum-hotel of art and fun.
122 locals recommend
21 US-31E
21 US-31E
122 locals recommend
Interactive museum-hotel of art and fun.
Recently renovated & absolutely stunning – great collection of varying art throughout the ages.
289 locals recommend
The Speed Art Museum
2035 S 3rd St
289 locals recommend
Recently renovated & absolutely stunning – great collection of varying art throughout the ages.

Sightseeing

Surrounding area is a haven of Victorian homes.
19 locals recommend
Saint James Court
Saint James Court
19 locals recommend
Surrounding area is a haven of Victorian homes.
The iconic Derby! You can tour the museum – meets run every weekend. Check out "Downs After Dark"
544 locals recommend
Churchill Downs
700 Central Ave
544 locals recommend
The iconic Derby! You can tour the museum – meets run every weekend. Check out "Downs After Dark"
A walking bridge converted from a train trestle, spanning across the Ohio River. Awesome rainbow LED’s and stellar views of the city. I recommend stashing beverages, and sipping while you stroll.
214 locals recommend
Big Four Bridge
1101 River Rd
214 locals recommend
A walking bridge converted from a train trestle, spanning across the Ohio River. Awesome rainbow LED’s and stellar views of the city. I recommend stashing beverages, and sipping while you stroll.