"Where should I eat lunch in Louisville?"

It's probably the email, text, Facebook message, etc., question that I get the most often. What are the tried-and true favorite spots for lunch in Louisville? Where are the hottest new restaurants in the Derby City? Where can I grab a quick bite in a particular Louisville neighborhood?

That's quite a question, y'all, but I've narrowed it down to thirty of the very best. Click here to download a printable version, and let me know if you agree with my choices!

Downtown

Dine with the penguins at Proof on Main.

J.Graham’s Café at the Brown Hotel
Home of the Hot Brown.
The Brown Hotel, 335 W Broadway
Sun-Sat 7am – 3pm

Proof on Main
The best burger in Louisville.
21C Museum Hotel 702 W Main St
Mon-Thu 11am - 1 am; Fri 11am - 2 am;
Sat 12 pm-2am; Sun 12 pm-12 am

Mussel & Burger Bar
Don’t miss the truffle oil steak fries.
113 S. 7th St
Mon-Thu 11 am – 9:30 pm; Fri 11 am – 10:30 pm;
Sat 12 pm – 10:30 pm; Sun: 12 pm – 8:30 pm

Main Eatery
The Blue Plate Special is always great!
643 W Main St
Mon-Fri 11 am – 2 pm; closed weekends

Atlantic No. 5
Don’t miss the latte!!
605 W Main St
Mon-Fri 7 am – 4 pm; closed weekends

NuLu/ Butchertown

Grind Burger Kitchen
Order the Southern Burger!!
829 E. Market St
Tue – Sat 11 am – 10 pm

Butchertown Grocery
Have the BLT!
1076 E. Washington St.
Wed – Sun: 11 am – 10 pm (Sat & Sun brunch 11 am – 3 pm); Closed Mon and Tues

Ghyslain on Market
A macaron and a French press are a must!
721 E Market St
November - March: Mon - Sun 9AM - 8PM;
April - October: Mon - Sun 9AM - 9PM

Feast BBQ
Have the pork cake appetizer, mac & cheese or collard greens!
909 E Market St
Tues-Thurs 11 am -10 pm; Friday-Sat 11am-12am; closed Sun-Mon

Royal’s Hot Chicken
Louisville’s only legit Nashville-style hot chicken. Don’t miss the fries and cheese grits!
736 E Market St
Tues-Thurs 11:30 am-10 Friday-Sat 11:30 am-11 pm; closed Sun-Mon

Royal's Hot Chicken is a Louisville can't-miss!

Old Louisville

Seafood Lady
Amazing Cajun seafood! Portions are huge!
617 W. Oak St.
Wed, Fri, and Sat: 11 am – 9 pm; closed Sun-Tues and Thurs

Buck’s Restaurant & Bar
An elegant Old Louisville institution!
425 W Ormsby Ave
Mon-Fri 11 am-3 pm, 5-11 pm; Sat 5-11 pm; closed Sun

Ollie’s Trolley
You need an Ollieburger!
Mon-Fri 10:30 am – 4:25 pm; closed Sat & Sun

Germantown

The Post
Fabulous New York Style Pizza!
1045 Goss Ave
Mon -Wed 11 am – 12 am; Thurs- Fri 11 am – 2 am; Sat 12 pm – 2 am; Sun 12 pm – 12 am

The Highlands

Bacon & Benedictine from Stevens and Stevens Deli

Gralehaus
Fabulous espresso beverages!
1001 Baxter Ave
Mon-Sun 8 am – 4 pm

Stevens & Stevens Deli
You don’t want to miss the bacon and Benedictine sandwich!
1114 Bardstown Road
Mon – Sat 10 am – 4 pm; closed Sunday

LeMoo
Reserve the Louis Vuitton booth!
2300 Lexington Road
Mon – Wed 11 am – 2 pm; Thur- Fri 11 am- 10 pm; Sat 10 am- 3pm, 5 pm – 11 pm; Sun 10 am- 3pm, 5 pm – 11 pm

El Taco Lunchador
The chicken mole taco is superb!
938 Baxter Ave
Mon- Thurs 11 am – 9:30 pm; Fri 11 am – 10:30 pm; Sat 12 – 10:30 pm; Sun 12- 9 pm.

Molly Malone’s
Famous fish and chips!
933 Baxter Ave
Mon – Sun 11 am – 4 am

Frankfort Avenue

The Irish Rover
Order fish and chips and a pint or seafood pie!
2319 Frankfort Ave
Mon-Thurs 11:30 am – 11 pm; Fri-Sat 11:30 am – 12 am; closed Sun

Blue Dog Bakery & Café
Fabulous salads and breads!
2868 Frankfort Ave
Tues-Sat Bakery 7-am-4 pm; Tues-Fri Lunch 11 am – 2 pm; Sat Brunch 9 am – 12 pm; closed Sun and Mon

North End Café
Go for all-day breakfast!
1722 Frankfort Ave
Mon 8 am – 2:30 pm; Tue- Thurs 8 am – 9 pm; Fri- Sat 8 am – 10 pm; Sun 8 am – 9 pm

El Mundo
Louisville’s favorite tacos!
2345 Frankfort Ave
Mon 5-10 pm; Tues – Sat 11:30 am – 10 pm

St. Matthews

namnam café
Fantastic Pho!
318 Wallace Ave
Tues – Sat 11 am – 2:30 pm, 4:30 – 9 pm; Sun 4-9 pm; closed Mon

Coals Artisan Pizza
Wood-fired pies with regionally sourced ingredients!
3730 Frankfort Ave
Mon – Thurs 11 am – 10 pm; Fri-Sat 11 am – 11 pm; Sun 12 – 9 pm

Cheddar Box
Don’t miss their country ham sandwich and pimento cheese!
3909 Chenoweth Square
Tues-Fri 9 am – 6 pm; Sat 9 am – 4 pm; Closed Sun and Mon

Local Chains

Shiraz Mediterranean Grill
Go for the hummus!
3501 Poplar Level; 205 N Hurstborne; 2210 Holiday Manor Suite 1; 237 5th St; 4614 Chamberlin
Hours vary

Bristol Bar & Grill
The green chili wontons are everyone’s favorite!
1321 Bardstown Rd; 614 W Main; 300 N Hurstborne Pkwy
Hours vary

Impellizzeri’s
Incredible deep dish pizza!
110 W Main; 1381 Bardstown Rd; 4933 Brownsboro Rd
Hours vary

Wick’s Pizza
The calzone is amazing!
975 Baxter Ave; 2927 Goose Creek Rd; 12717 Shelbyville Rd
Hours vary

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