Louisville, Kentucky is a one-of-a-kind city with so much to explore. There is Churchill Downs®: home of the Kentucky Derby®, the Louisville Slugger Museum where Major League baseball bats are made and so many astounding places to dine. Whether you’re an annual racegoer to the Kentucky Derby or in town to cross it off your bucket list, prepare to make room for at least one of these restaurants in your schedule:
Downtown Louisville
The Brown Hotel
355 W Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202
Distance from Churchill Downs: 3.8
When in Louisville, it’s only right to enjoy a hot brown at one point or another. The Louisville tradition was created in 1926 at the Brown Hotel. Prepare to enjoy a baked golden brown, open-faced sandwich with roasted turkey breast, mornay sauce, pecorino romano cheese and topped with bacon and tomatoes. Yum!
Proof On Main
702 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
Distance from Churchill Downs: 5.4 miles
Located in Louisville’s 21c Museum Hotel, Proof On Main offers local Southern cuisine in the presence of contemporary artwork. The atmosphere only heightens the experience of this brunch to dessert restaurant.
8UP Elevated Drinkery & Kitchen
350 W Chestnut St, Louisville, KY 40202
Distance from Churchill Downs: 4 miles
Enjoy premium drinks and food on 8UP’s rooftop balcony. Surrounded by the Louisville skyscrapers, sit back and enjoy the firepits and company of friends and family while taking in unparalleled views of the city.
Bar Vetti
800 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40203
Distance from Churchill Downs: 3.7 miles
Dine at Bar Vetti for housemade pastas, pizzas and shareable plates while enjoying the modern and trendy environment. Try the Rigatoni Cacio E Pepe pasta with the Italian donughts for dessert!
NuLu
This new, hip East Market District also known as NuLu is a dining hub with restaurants spanning upscale American cuisine to casual barbeque and burger joints.
Butchertown Grocery
1076 E Washington St, Louisville, KY 40206
Distance from Churchill Downs: 7 miles
Located in the heart of Louisville’s trendiest neighborhood, Butchertown Grocery serves refined food and cocktails in a former family market. With a brunch, lunch, dinner, dessert and drink menu, Butchertown Grocery is a perfect option for any time of the day. (Pictured to the right: Catelli Bros. Lamb Rack)
Lou Lou On Market
812 E Market St., Louisville, KY 40206
Distance from Churchill Downs: 4.9 Miles
A fun, lively new restaurant in a popular part of Louisville. New Orleans focused, but features a wide variety of cuisine such as Cajun, pizza, pasta, Mediterranean, and everything in between!
Royals Hot Chicken
736 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40202
Distance from Churchill Downs: 5.9 miles
Despite its name, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is not where you should go for great Southern fried chicken. Do yourself a favor and go to Royals Hot Chicken. The menu features juicy, jumbo, fried chicken tenders, sandwiches and tacos with an assortment of heat levels to choose from if you want to spice your meal up. Top off the night with a side and a sweet!
Feast BBQ
909 E Market St #100, Louisville, KY 40206
Distance from Churchill Downs: 6 miles
Feast BBQ is easily the best BBQ in Louisville. The appetizer options are plentiful, but it doesn’t stop there. The menu features pulled pork, brisket, chopped chicken, baby back ribs and crispy smoked tofu as its main entrées. These can be ordered as a sandwich or by a half pound plate! The side selections are amazing which will make for a hard decision. I can guarantee you will not leave Feast BBQ disappointed or hungry. (Pictured from left to right: Mac ‘n Cheese & Loaded Brisket Tater Tots)
Garage Bar
700 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40202
Distance from Churchill Downs: 5.9 miles
In what used to be a former garage, Garage Bar is a hip restaurant and bar featuring brick-oven pizzas and Southern specialties. Take advantage of Garage Bar’s huge patio where you can relax with friends and family while enjoying craft beers, Kentucky bourbons, cocktails, and wines
Grind Burger Kitchen
829 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206
Distance from Churchill Downs: 6 miles
Grind Burger is the go-to place for a burger and fries in Louisville. What once was a food truck has grown into an established, thriving restaurant that receives local and national attention. Any burger on the menu is an amazing choice, and the sides are just as good as the entrées. Elevate your experience by enjoying the food and the on-tap craft beer in the outside dining area.
East End
Capital Grille
7600 Shelbyville Rd, Louisville, KY 40222
Distance from Churchill Downs: 11.3 miles
Best known for their expertly prepared steaks, which are dry aged in house for 18 to 24 hours and then hand-cut by the restaurant's on-premise butcher. The Capital Grille's wine list features more than 350 selections, and its floor-to-ceiling wine kiosk regularly houses 3,500 bottles. Reservations are recommended but not required.
River House
3015 River Road Louisville, KY 40207
Distance from Churchill Downs: 8.5 miles
Louisville's Premier Riverfront Dining Destination. Known for its regional cuisine and fresh seafood. Everything is made with fresh ingredients and prepared creatively and culturally. Some of the signature entrees are: the Bourbon Barrel smoked porkchop, fried green tomato salad, and a caramelized orange bourbon salmon.
Bardstown Road
Jack Fry’s
1007 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40204
Distance from Churchill Downs: 5.6 miles
Jack Fry’s is a historic and classic up-scale Southern fare restaurant serving high-end dishes from lunch to dessert. Make a reservation because you don’t want to risk missing dining here.
LouVino Restaurant & Wine Bar
1606 Bardstown Road, Louisville KY, 40205
Distance from Churchill Downs: 4.9 miles
There isn't a wrong time of day to eat at LouVino—a chill, fashionable restaurant with Southern-style plates and an impressive wine selection. However, for brunch recommendations, try the Stuffed French Toast (pictured to the left) or the Chicken Biscuits Sliders (pictured to the right).
Seviche
1538 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40205
Distance from Churchill Downs: 4.8 miles
Seviche explores the merging of Latin traditions with the use of Southern ingredients. Dine at this stylish restaurant—either inside or on the patio—while enjoying craft cocktails and exquisite food. A sure fire winner is the Sapphire Salmon or the Churrascos de Argentina (skirt steak).
Sapporo
1706 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40205
Distance from Churchill Downs: 5 miles
Sapporo is not like any other Hibachi restaurant. This sleek, modern Japanese restaurant is one of the most popular go-to dinner locations in the Highlands neighborhood. It’s physically impossible to stop eating the garlic edamame until the bowl is empty. The house ginger salad dressing is so good that guests like to add it on all dishes. Then there’s the sushi. You really can’t go wrong with the playboy, crunch munch and spicy spider roll.
ROC
1327 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40204
Distance from Churchill Downs: 4.7 miles
Try the freshest homemade pasta and most delicious seafood around, all infused with authentic Italian flavors and premium ingredients. Ciao a presto!
Mexican Eats
Taco Luchador
938 Baxter Ave, Louisville, KY 40204
Distance from Churchill Downs: 5.6 miles
Enjoy tacos (pictured to the left), tortas, margaritas and sangria at one of Louisville’s best Mexican restaurants.
El Mundo
2345 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
Distance from Churchill Downs: 7.9 miles
EL Mundo is a casual Mexican restaurant that’s been serving tequila cocktails and made-from-scratch, delicious food since 1995.
Other Local Eateries
Porcini
2730 Frankfurt Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
Distance from Churchill Downs: 6.7 miles
Established in 1992, Porcini is an independent, award-winning restaurant located in the Historic Crescent Hill. Specializing in Northern Italian Cuisine, excellent service and an intimate Tuscan-style atmosphere + extensive selection of fine wines, bourbons, and signature cocktails.
Mesh
3608 Brownsboro Road, Louisville, KY 40207
Distance from Churchill Downs: 9.9 miles
Mesh blends elegance and comfort with innovative cuisine and excellent service. The original menu and unique decor make Mesh an ideal settling for lunch or dinner after a day at Churchill Downs. A meal at Mesh is one you won't forget.
Ruth's Chris Steak House
Kaden Tower - 16th Floor, 6100 Dutchmans Ln, Louisville, KY 40205
Distance from Churchill Downs: 10.5 miles
Known for their signature steaks, and hand-crafted cocktails. Enjoy the Ruth's Chris experience with warm hospitality and good times that never stop rolling.
Malones
4370 Summit Plaza Dr, Louisville, KY 40241
Distance from Churchill Downs: 16.2 miles
Established in 1998, Malones is filled with history and heritage. Guests will experience an unmatched dining experience and atmosphere.
The Most Important Meal of the Day: Breakfast/Brunch
LeMoo
2300 Lexington Rd, Louisville, KY 40206
Distance from Churchill Downs: 9.4 miles
Start your day at LeMoo. LeMoo offers a dinner menu, but it’s the brunch and the incredible selection of entrées that will get you to stay. Prepare to be indecisive when choosing from LeMoo’s menu. Some menu options include biscuits & gravy, a decadent PB&J (pictured below) and tater tot casserole.*Note: Minimum $250 per person required during Kentucky Derby weekend.
Celebrity Chef: Edward Lee
Edward Lee is a professional chef and owner of several Louisville restaurants-- 610 Magnolia and Whisky Dry. Lee first fell in love with Louisville and it’s Southern cooking during his trip to the 2001 Kentucky Derby. 10 years later, Lee was a contestant on season 9 of Top Chef and the host chef in the third season of The Mind of a Chef. Located on the vibrant 4th street, Whisky Dry is Lee’s vision of a fun whiskey and burger bar. Any of Lee’s 3 restaurants are extraordinary places to dine.
610 Magnolia
610 W Magnolia Ave, Louisville, KY 40208
Distance from Churchill Downs: 2.5 miles
Whisky Dry
412 S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40202
Distance from Churchill Downs: 4.5 miles
When is your next trip to Louisville?
Dine at any and all of these incredible restaurants during a trip to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby. Enjoy amazing food at any of these restaurants AND enjoy a memorable Derby weekend with Derby Experiences.
Join Derby Experiences for the Kentucky Derby with an Official Ticket Package featuring premium seating, exclusive hospitality, and more!
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