Not long ago , Downtown much turn into a ghost town as before long as the Colgate Clock struck 5 . Believe it or not , it ’s been less than six years since the KFC Yum ! Center opened , the east end was dubbed " NuLu , " and business district began to truly get its channel back . After the recession had its way with the few restaurants brave enough to put down roots in Louisville ’s central clientele district , it feel like all the plan to reestablish the neighborhood as a liveable amusement hub were DOA . Thankfully , they stayed the course , and despite what seemed like insufferable betting odds , they ’ve craft a thriving cornerstone of our community that is only start out better . One of Downtown ’s best assets , of course of study , is the dining . Alongside a handful of veteran soldier establishments like Vincenzo ’s , hotel eatery ( we ’re lookin ’ at you , English Grill , Oakroom , and Proof on Main ) , and the Mayan Cafe , we have a range of uniquely Louisville legal profession and restaurants that have put down roots in the heart of Kentucky ’s great metropolis . We ’re happy to cover that Downtown ’s Renascence is n’t just a flashbulb in the pan , and we ’re just as happy to demo our prescribed dining usher to Louisville ’s dynamic riverfront neighborhood .
< h2 > Best burger : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / eat / louisville / restaurants / grind - burger … ; target="_blank”>Grind Burger Kitchen
If you find yourself on the east terminal of Downtown in the ever - so - pelvic girdle NuLu district , you should in all likelihood attempt one of the dear Warren E. Burger in the city ( we accede to the touch B&B burger , topped with brie , Roger Bacon , and habanero jam ) .
Dan Dry
< h2 > Best barbeque : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / locale / eat / louisville / eating house / fete - bbq" ; target="_blank”>Feast BBQ
The first dining establishment in chef / restaurateur Ryan Rogers ’ ever - growing empire ( have you try about the < a href=“http://www.bizjournals.com / louisville / news/2025-03-22 / louisville - restau … ; target="_blank”>just - announce plans for Bar Vetti ? ! ) sic the tone for the success he ’s experient , and also made plain that this human race cognize his food . Whether you select the brisket tacos or the sister back pork rib , an order of loaded yearling is non - negotiable .
< h2 > good brunch : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / rust / louisville / restaurants / hillbilly - te … ; target="_blank”>Hillbilly Tea
Dan Dry
If you ’re looking to work Downtown ’s weekend brunch circuit , you might require to loosen your belt a notch and take vantage of the locally source , Appalachian - invigorate offerings of the recently re - opened Hillbilly Tea . This situation service uniquely Kentucky items like bourbon cured trout salad with bacon candy ( just translate all those words again , it ’s deserving it ) , and skillet pancakes with tea butter .
< h2 > Best place for both fettucine Alfredo and lamb kebab : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / eat / louisville / eating place / pesto - itali … ; target="_blank”>Pesto ’s Restaurant
OK , the list of eatery that could fill this category are slender , but we necessitate to talk about this relatively nameless place . Pesto ’s is small and has all the caparison of a family joint , and regulars are treated like they are just that : family unit . The card features traditional preparations of Italian and Iranian cuisines , a alone combination that makes for a great modification of pace for lunch Monday through Friday , or for dinner party , which is only volunteer on the weekends .
Andrew Hyslop
< h2 > better fry volaille : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venue / eat / louisville / restaurants / royal - hot - century … ; target="_blank”>Royals Hot Chicken
Chef and possessor Ryan Rogers has also bring us Royals Hot Chicken , prove you do n’t have to be in Nashville to indulge in a fiery fry chicken experience . Here you could regularize your bird zest from meek to Gonzo ( not for the syncope of affection ) , and served with a side of pimento cheese hominy grits , broccoli & amp ; bacon salad , or spicy murphy wedges . As your mouthpiece is sure to catch on fervency , cool things off with a Royals ’ house shake or float .
< h2 > right sushi : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / locus / eat / louisville / eatery / hiko - a - mon&q … ; target="_blank”>hiko - A - mon
Lauryn Morris
Get your sushi fixing with the artful offerings at hiko - A - mon , which offers an regalia of over 40 rolls , including daily favorites like zesty tuna , and cunning concepts like the Fire Scallop rolling wave , which features spicy crab on the inside with mint leave , seared crenature , and bonito scrap on top , and the Bluegrass roll , with crab , cuke , and avocado rolled in a soy wrapper , then topped with spicy tuna and peculiar sauce .
< h2 > dependable delicatessen : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / locus / eat / louisville / restaurants / main - eatery & … ; target="_blank”>The Main Eatery
And what kind of business territorial dominion would Downtown be without its portion of timber delis ? For solace lunchtime classics , head to < a href=“https://www.facebook.com / pages / The - Main - Eatery/117720124920365?fref = ts & … ; target="_blank”>The Main Eatery , where a daily " blue plate special " is on offer . If you want a serious treat , stop by on Fridays , when the famous Lycopersicon esculentum bisque makes an appearing . copulate it with a grill Malva sylvestris , because that ’s but a dear call . Regulars know that there is a sealed direction to localise your order … just permit the cashier do the talking !
Nathan Pedigo
< h2 > Best coffee : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venue / eat / louisville / restaurants / please - thank- … ; target="_blank”>Please & amp ; Thank You
This very necessary spot has the east end / NuLu burnt umber lovers covered , and it go on to broil up the very best deep brown microprocessor chip cookie you ’ve ever taste … severely , they may have made a peck with the heller to get the chocolate chips to stay so melty and chewy .
< h2 > Best craft brewery : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / locale / drink / louisville / streak / against - the - grain - B-complex vitamin … ; target="_blank”>Against the Grain
Emily Schultz
It take no time at all for the slyness beer of Against the Grain to win the warmness and perceptiveness buds of Louisvillians … and folks throughout the US are starting to return in love , too . It tastes well at the seed , of track , rather on the brewery ’s sunny patio , along with some delicious legal profession grub . This is easily the top can’t - miss dining stoppage Downtown .
< h2 > Best steak : < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / eat / louisville / restaurants / jeff - rubys - s … ; target="_blank”>Jeff Ruby ’s Steakhouse
The masses watching is almost as adept as the dry - of age , pearl - in costa - middle . A live band croons from atop the bar on most even , and the impulse to place a dry martini is veridical , so you may as well give in . Here ’s to hope you ’re using the company credit card during your visit , as the price are unconscionable , but this is a restaurant where you are entail to splurge . & nbsp ;
< h2 > good margarita : < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venues / swallow / louisville / eatery / galaxie&q … ; target="_blank”>Galaxie
Galaxie ’s low-down and flavorful take on tacos – aka wakatakas – get to this NuLu favorite a delicious lunch or dinner party break off , but it ’s the signature margaritas that keep us come back . Crafted with Lunazul Blanco , triple sec , and fresh citrus , each drink is made to order , and we highly commend make yours piquant by adding freshly sliced jalapeño to the commixture .
< h2 > Best seafood : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / venues / eat / louisville / restaurants / brendons - Caterpillar … ; target="_blank”>Brendon ’s Catch 23
Do n’t let the fact that Brendon ’s Catch 23 is located in an Embassy Suites put one over you . The fish is as fresh as it gets , and the menu is chef - driven . The ambiance has a number of a Vegas vibe , which makes sense , give its near proximity to Fourth Street Live ! ; however , the dining experience here is far superior to anything useable on Louisville ’s holidaymaker strip .
< h2 > Best imbibe with a view : < a href=“https://www.thrillist.com / venue / drink / louisville / bar/8up - elevated - crapulence … ; target="_blank”>8UP
fervency pits decorate the sweeping rooftop patio of this 4th St live spot , guarantee revelers rest warm as the temps set about to drop . A great bar and dining elbow room make up the inside of the space , while base - to - roof window ensure that the scene is n’t compromise , even if Edgar Albert Guest are boom indoors .
< h2 > Best place to taste a newfangled bourbon : < a href=“http://www.thrillist.com / locale / boozing / louisville / bar / haymarket - whisky - B-complex vitamin … ; target="_blank”>Haymarket Whiskey Bar
Consistently ranked among the best bourbon bars in America , Haymarket has a personality all its own . Live medicine is on the schedule several nights of the week , and the clientele is always a odds and ends of locals and tourer . Take your filling of over 150 bourbons , and espouse the offbeat standard pressure of this Downtown dive .
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