Merle's Whiskey Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4 (880) • $$

"I'm always looking for a great place that serves southern food and when you live in the South you expect to find some top notch southern food. Tonight, I visited Merle's Whiskey Kitchen which is right in the heart of Downtown Louisville. This establishment is known for their rather large selection of bourbon whiskey as you'll find every type of bourbon whiskey featured from Kentucky and also other various bourbon whiskey to choose from. On this trip however, I decided to it try the whiskey but instead make having dinner my priority. What surprised me is that the menu here gets right to the point and isn't pages and pages of food but instead a very appropriate selection of food to choose from. With chicken to tacos and more, I firmly believe you won't have a problem finding something that will tickle your taste buds and satisfy your hunger. Being as I'm a big fan of chicken and waffles, that was my main course on this trip. The chicken and waffles are some very well each with three separate decently sized Belgian waffles each topped with its own chicken tender with some bourbon maple syrup on the side. The chicken tenders were very juicy and tender and the waffles along with the syrup I poured on them as well as the chicken was so very good. For the sides I tried their shareable Mac and cheese which is definitely a shareable portion for two (and since my wife was with me we got quite a lot out of it). The Mac and cheese was very creamy and quite good. We also tried their pretzels and queso and I have to say that I've never had queso quite like this. It almost had a sort of a hummus texture if you were to keep mixing the queso. It's absolutely delicious and I could've ate just it straight from the bowl. The atmosphere here is very welcoming and that of a very medium tone when it comes to the lighting which is very pleasing to the eyes and not too bright at all. It makes whatever you're enjoying from a cocktail to some food a very pleasurable experience plus, the staff are all very knowledgeable and very friendly when it comes to answering any questions you may have. I absolutely recommend checking out Merle's Whiskey Kitchen if you're ever in the Louisville area as I know it's certainly a place I will be frequenting again and again."

The Exchange Pub + Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.3 (620) • $$

"Stopped at The Exchange for lunch and everything from the food to the service was top notch. The burgers were great as was the beer. Kelsey was fantastic and she took excellent care of us. We will absolutely come back."

Crown Republic Gastropub

★★★★★ 4.5 (523) • $$

"Service was fantastic. It was clean, organized and everything we ordered was excellent. Definitely a level above for Bistro! Can't wait to go back"

Agave & Rye - Louisville

★★★★☆ 4.2 (586) • $$

"Pros: a lot of unique options. Not your traditional fair. The latte is probably the best item on the menu. A little spicy for those who are sensitive to heat. The Crown jewel which is macaroni and cheese and lobster was delicious but a little on the heavy side.Cons: the wait staff here, including bartenders are absolutely horrendous. A few weeks ago, we sat at the bar and the bartender literally acted like we were bothering her. We went this past weekend with friends, and our waiter was awful. We had to get his attention to order a second round of drinks and when we were finished and he asked us if we were all set, we said yes, and he just walked away. Rather than clearing the plates from our table, we sat with dirty dishes in front of our table until we flagged him down again to ask for our checks. Waiting at least 10 minutes to pay our bills. We ended up walking to the bar to pay them ourselves because he never came back to take our credit cards. We were a small group of 4. I can't imagine how long it would take to get anything with a larger group. If you don't mind terrible service, the food is pretty good."

Repeal Oak Fired Steakhouse

★★★★☆ 4.4 (518) • $$$$

"Oh my god! So very good. Andre was exquisite in his service! Food was perfectly prepared. You must have the bread so awesome. Tuna tartar superb some the best we have had ever.Steak and Scallops were to die for.Great cheesecake and coffee ended a wonderful dining experience. Highly recommended."

Porch Kitchen & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.8 (610) • $$

"I saw an article about holiday pop up bars and Porch was on the list so we checked it out! It was actually the lobby bar with the holiday selection, not the Porch but it was no biggie! We approached the bar and it was VERY busy but that did not stop the bartenders from being incredibly efficient. I approached the completely full bar and was greeted + my order taken within maybe 20 seconds. All four cocktails were then prepared within a few minutes. We were all very impressed with how quick service was. We all got seasonal cocktails, Gingerbread Old Fashioned, Peppermint Espresso Martini and the Sugar Cookie Martini. Those might not be the exact names but thats the gist of what they were. Now let me say, we were in Louisville for the bourbon trail so we had been doing a lot of drinking throughout the weekend. We had a lot of seasonal cocktails and these (all of them!) were on the top of our list! They were all so wonderful! You know when you get a drink that has an amazing description and then when you taste it, it doesn't taste like the description? Well, this wasn't the case here! Our drinks tasted just like they were described! We loved our drinks so much we considered going back to this bar again later in the night! Take advantage of their seasonal menu while you can!"

Brendon's Catch 23

★★★★☆ 4 (488) • $$$

"Brendon's Catch was fantastic. The food was outstanding. Flavors were amazing. Not greasy. Good size portions. I didn't think I had room for desert but our fabulous waiter Jamie suggested the butter cake and it was simply amazing. It was big enough for two but I managed to eat most of it myself lol Everyone was pleasant and friendly from the moment we walked in. The atmosphere was great for date night or a relaxing night out with friends. I could see someone renting the whole place for an event as well. Sorry no pics because I like to enjoy my evening more than I like to document it. We will definitely be back."

Agave & Rye - Rookwood

★★★★☆ 4.1 (463) • $$

"Didn't know what to expect. I call it eclectic Mexican. Tacos galore along with burritos and quesadillas. They are not traditional. They have many twists in them. Lots of sauces and creams. You can even get a burger here. Great specials each night food and drinks. Free arcade games in the back, but didn't have time to play."

Bourbon On Main

★★★★☆ 4 (430) • $$

"This place came recommended from our Buffalo Trace tour guide, and it was easy to understand why once we were there. Great hospitality from the bartender who we later learned was the owner. We enjoyed having a drink outside on the deck overlooking the river. We came back a second time and found the same great service."

Novo Dolce

★★★★☆ 4.4 (333) • $$

"It was a little tricky to find, tucked back in a little strip mall. We were in town for a conference and looking for something different. We got the Reuben egg rolls, and I don't even like sauerkraut and I thought they were delicious! I got the Voodoo Pasta and it was the perfect amount of spicy and there was so much of it! My husband got the Bulgogi bowl and it was really good too! It was also our anniversary so we splurged and got dessert as well, both the Limoncello and the chocolate mousse cake were delicious! Lastly, after having their Lavender blueberry lemonade, any other lemonade is ruined for me! A must try if you are in the area! The server was super sweet and attentive too."

Agave & Rye - Lexington Square

★★★★☆ 4.4 (285) • $$

"What an epic meal in every sense of the word!!!! The food, the service, the ambiance!!!Emily is a gem of a server, and the food was absolutely fantastic! So glad we were all in town for a conference to come here!"

Hell or High Water

★★★★☆ 4.2 (299) • $$$

"Cool and calm ambiance. Really friendly staff and their drink recommendations were good."

Brooklyn and The Butcher

★★★★☆ 4.1 (286) • $$$

"I was so hopeful but it just didn't deliver. My husband and I drove over an hour for our date night. We showed up early so we accepted a seat in the bar instead of the dining room, which turned out to be a good thing due to the amount of kiddos in the dr! Love kids, just not that night! We were looking forward to the live music posted on their website but were told it's only on the patio during warmer days, so no music.The bartender was our server and seemed annoyed that we were there. My hubs ordered a steak and broccoli, I ordered a wedge salad and lobster bisque as well as the "thyme cocktail ". The cocktail was OVERWHELMINGLY thyme. Like whoa!!!! Nearly undrinkable, so I switched to wine. My husband was underwhelmed with the steak given the price, yet overwhelmed with the side of broccoli as it could've fed 4 people!!!!! The lobster bisque hit the spot for sure but I was disappointed that the wedge salad had bagged bacon bits on it and not fresh bacon, especially given the price point.The kicker was when the server dropped the dessert menu at the table, and said, I'm obligated to give you this!"..... interesting. When we hollered at him that we would like to take the bread pudding to go, he looked at us surprisingly, and said, "oh! It worked!"...We ate the bread pudding when we got home and it was delish!!!Also noticed a gentleman that came to sit at bar while we were there and asked to have channel on tv changed. Visibly annoyed, the bartender went to ask the hostess to change it. The man was never asked what he wanted to drink, and I noticed shortly after, he was gone. I assume he left. Poor guy!!Wanted to love it, especially given the drive, but it just turned into an expensive night out with nothing in return except for the bread pudding in bed!!"

Cedar

★★★★☆ 4.3 (259) • $$

"Absolutely Delicious! Sitting at the bar for brunch - it was perfect! Service was amazing!"

Gander An American Grill

★★★★☆ 4.1 (280) • $$

"Just had lunch there this past Thursday with a client. The steak tacos and the mushrooms are absolutely amazing!!Highly recommend!"

Mi Casita on 4th

★★★★☆ 4 (264) • $$

"Super yummy Mexican. Some of the best I've ever had. Currently living in Wisconsin and here to visit for a day. I would recommend this place to anyone."

La Chasse

★★★★☆ 4.4 (181) • $$$

"This restaurant has been around a while but they posted a reel on IG so I had to check it out!We made a reservation for the following week. It wasn't all that busy on a weekday night but there were a few groups dining in as well.Most of us started with wine. Delicious! We also shared the crab cake. It was well-seasoned with some kind of tomato sauce. So good! They also gave us complimentary bread and butter. Was it rosemary? Not sure the herbs they put in the butter but it was standout!For entrees, I decided on the burger since our server said it's the best in town. My burger was juicy, but the patty itself wasn't the most flavorful. Maybe I like a lot of salt lol The bacon onion jam and Gruyère on it were a nice sweet and savory combo! My friends got the lobster grilled cheese and the cauliflower steak. They really enjoyed everything!The menu is small, but the workers really know the menu. I wouldn't mind coming back to get escargot or steak since it's a French restaurant.It's got a cozy vibe which was nice. It's not a large space but there are a good number of tables. Service was good. There was only one server but she never seemed stressed! She was helpful giving recommendations and explaining the menu.They do have a parking lot at the back, but we found parallel parking right in front of the skate shop next door without an issue."

The Hive

★★★★☆ 4.1 (205) • $$

"I needed to put in a couple hours of work in Northern Kentucky before heading to the airport and came across The Hive while searching Yelp. From the outside, it looks like a house, but on the inside is a cool vibe and atmosphere.Do you want nice breakfast options? They've got that. Do you want nice bakery options? They've got that too. Coffee options? Yup, they have them. The restaurant is downstairs and the coffee shop is upstairs.I really liked the vibe of the coffee shop! There were several seating options...a couch, comfy chairs, or sitting at a table. The art work was super cool to look at. The baristas were welcoming, and let me know that you can order off the restaurant menu and they'll bring it right to your table.Logging onto their wifi was easy...and I checked their Internet speed, over 90 Mbps, which isn't bad for a busy coffee shop. I grabbed a breakfast plate with eggs over easy, turkey sausage, hash brown potatoes, and whole wheat toast. Good to the last bite!This is a great place to work remote, work on school work, or relax with family/friends. I look forward to going back and trying other things off their menu!"

Gerard's 1907 Tavern

★★★★★ 4.5 (170) • $$

"We arrived just in time without reservations. They seated us quickly and the place began to fill up. Most folks knew to get reservations. The line was out the door when we left.The food was delicious and a good selection of local beers on tap. The Hostess stopped to talk with us and told us more about their locally sourced ingredients. They also had some tempting specials on the board.This was a great dining experience in a casual atmosphere."

Brown Dog Cafe

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (356) • $$

"It was a busy Saturday night so we had to wait a little longer than usual. We got the hummus platter as an appetizer, burgers, and tofu on salad. The hummus platter is wonderful. 4 out of 5 of us enjoyed it. (My husband doesn't eat hummus.) The curried tofu on salad was filling, but I didn't expect one large piece of tofu. The guys really liked the fries - those were finished but the burgers weren't. We shared the chocolate banana bread for dessert for our daughter's Birthday. The liquid ganache in the center was a really nice touch. My daughter liked the Caramelized banana."

Soul Secrets

★★★★☆ 4.2 (190) • $$

"Absolutely a great experience. Catfish was excellent. Fried chicken delicious. We tried several sides and enjoyed everything. The server was great and we met the owner. She told us all the food was based off her grandmother's recipes."

Ditto's Grill

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (256) • $$

"I come to dittos for special occasions. While it may not be the most fancy place, the food, the place and the staff are all amazing. Dittos has so many menu options available. On our visit today we ordered the meatloaf, the chicken carbonara and the chicken salad. Our waitress was kind and got us a kids meal ordered before leaving with our drink order. We were given refills on bread and drinks without even asking. Our food was delivered quickly and very fresh.We will continue to visit dittos as it is one of our favorites places in Louisville!"

Minglewood

★★★★☆ 4.2 (150) • $$

"The food, decor and service are stellar! I was born and raised in Lexington, but moved to Georgia after graduating undergrad where I have remained since. We didn't have anything as unique, inviting with such engaging service when I was growing up and going to school in Lex! This collage is from a trip in 2017 and I still think of this place often 7 years later. I only wish I could stop in at least once a week for a bite and the exceptional, kind and genuine people that work and tend to patronize this one of a kind place! Can't recommend enough - if you're considering just do it!"

Blue Heron Steakhouse

★★★★☆ 3.7 (187) • $$$

"First and foremost, The Blue Heron Steakhouse is locally owned and operated. It's been my experience that locally owned and operated is always a wonderful event. More inviting, great service, delicious meals/drinks and an overall "take care of the customer" attitude. The Blue Heron Steakhouse hit all of these marks. A very charming old home that's been renovated with original fireplace, and stately bar and seating area. The Loaded Baked Potato soup is an understatement. There was so much toppings you couldn't see the soup! (See pic). And what flavor. I'm so glad I took the servers recommendation on the "Commanders Fish of the Day" what a fabulous dish and a virtual taste bud explosion! Lol. And what 5 star review would be complete without mentioning what great service that was provided and well crafted cocktails they have."

Queen City Radio

★★★★☆ 4 (159) • $$

"It's a cool place, but a little woke. If you want to be surrounded by pride flags come on in! The slushies are good. The staff is very nice!"

Behle Street by Sheli

★★★★☆ 4 (151) • $$

"Oh my goodness. What a gem this place is. I had no idea a restaurant like this was close by. Even sitting outside, I was nice and cozy. I had a glass of white wine and ordered the mushroom appetizer and the lobster penne. My server was so attentive with filling waters and drinks and clearing plates as the night went on. I can't wait to come back."

La Suerte Louisville

★★★★☆ 4.2 (128) • $$

"La Suerte is a hidden gem that consistently delivers on every front. This brunch spot boasts abundant outdoor seating, making it perfect for a relaxed meal in the sun. Their breakfast menu shines with standout options like the vegetarian omelet, biscuits and gravy, cornmeal pancakes, and huevos benedictos--each dish is thoughtfully crafted and packed with flavor. To pair, the Bloody Maria and margaritas are exceptional choices, adding a refreshing twist to any meal.As the day transitions to night, La Suerte's charm remains. Their ceviche, particularly the aguachile ceviche, is a must-try--fresh, vibrant, and perfectly balanced. The service here deserves special mention: friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, which enhances the overall experience.Despite its many merits, La Suerte somehow avoids the overwhelming crowds that often plague great spots, making it an ideal destination any time of day. Whether you're craving a hearty brunch, a delightful dinner, or a casual drink, La Suerte never disappoints."

Cultured

★★★★★ 4.7 (97) • $$

"I discovered Cultured on my trip to Louisville in 2021, and even though I was only in Louisville for four days, I went twice because Cultured is SO GOOD. Cultured was one of the places I was most looking forward to going when I went back to Louisville in 2023, and it did not disappoint.Cultured serves drinks (beer, wine, cocktails, and mocktails -- there's something for everyone), and they specialize in charcuterie boards. You can get charcuterie boards of various sizes, and you can select which cheese and meats you want (you're not forced to have a cheese or meat you dislike). The cheese and meat selection rotates, so there's always something new to try, and they add an assortment of fruits, vegetables, nuts, crackers, pickles, and more. Their charcuterie boards are truly AMAZING. And if in the mood for something lighter, you can just order an assortment of cheese and meat, without all the other items.Once again, we went to Cultured twice, once for lunch and once for a small snack. For lunch, we had a charcuterie board with Asiago, Chipotle Colby, Pimento, and "Ted: cheeses (Ted is an aged white cheddar made locally), and smoked salmon and beef salami. DELICIOUS!If in Louisville, stopping at Cultured is a must![Yelp collections: Louisville, KY 2021; Louisville/Indianapolis 2023; Louisville, KY 2023]"

The Sage Rabbit

★★★★☆ 3.9 (130) • $$

"I visited with my spouse for the first time tonight. Everything was great!The atmosphere inside was laid back but still elegant. Nothing pretentious. Just nice, with dark blue tablecloths and good music in the background.We started with cocktails. My spouse had the raspberry mojito and I had a negroni. Both were excellent. We shared a starter of panzanella (toasty seasoned bread cubes with roasted tomatoes & red onion with shaved asiago). Delicious and appetizing.For entrees: my spouse had pasta with chicken (homemade pasta with chunks of flavorful chicken and fresh tomatoes); she said it was great. I had pan roasted redfish over vegetables: the fish was cooked perfectly with a crispy exterior, seasoning correct, tasty sauteed fresh vegetables. Very nice.We finished with the two special desserts: zeppole with mocha gelato (killer!) and warm strawberry crisp with cream (quite good).Service was attentive. Pricing typical (about $100 before tip). We'll be back."

Tuscany Italian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.6 (150) • $$

"I was very pleasantly surprised with our visit to Tuscany. Every aspect of this visit was excellent. First of all, the hostess was very polite and showed us to our seat. We were promptly greeted by our server. We ordered cheese sticks and beers. Both of those items came quickly. The cheese sticks were unique. Something about the bread. The best I can describe, it was like a really soft flatbread with cheese. We really liked them! With our entrees, we got a hot steak sandwich and also baked cheese manicotti. We each liked our meals A LOT. my husband does not love Italian food like I do. So I try to choose the Italian restaurants that have a good selection of not just pasta. My husband said he would be happy to go back and try other things. So I felt like that was a win!!! We will absolutely be back!!!"

Drake's - Hamburg

★★★★☆ 3.8 (132) • $$

"We were driving from Atlanta Cincinnati and were looking for a place to stop for dinner and to watch college football.Drake's was perfect! We enjoyed patty melts and beer at the bar. Delicious melts and lots of beers on tap!! Pro tip, there are 2 big bars, as well as tables available. It is a huge place.The servers and bartenders are SUPER NICE!! Never let our glasses go empty, even when we had switched to Diet Coke and water (had another hour to drive).Will definitely return!! Cheers!!"

Voodoo Brewing

★★★★★ 4.5 (91) • $$

"If you're in Cincinnati and hunting for a post-workout feast (bulking season or not), Voodoo is the move. My son and I stumbled in looking for gains-friendly grub, and boy, did we hit the jackpot. We started with the Three Little Pigs pizza, featuring the spiciest, most flavorful sauce that had us both questioning if it was the secret to PRs. That pizza was so good, it deserved its own workout playlist.For the main course, my son demolished The Hangover in 7 bites flat--a record even for post-leg day. The smash burger paired with homemade chips? Chef's kiss. Meanwhile, I took on the patty melt, which was seasoned so perfectly it felt like a symphony was playing on my taste buds.Shoutout to the attentive staff who tried (valiantly) to lure me into trying their brews. I had to pass because it was only 1 PM, but their soda pop was refreshingly on point. Voodoo's a vibe--10/10, y'all. Let me know how the brews are!"

Perso

★★★★★ 4.5 (89) • $$

"Perso was the final stop on my restaurant hop during #louisvillerestaurantweek. I definitely know what I'm doing because this was an awesome choice. I dined alone, so I sat bellied up at the bar. My beverage of choice is wine, but Perso's cocktail menu was too interesting to pass over. I opted for the Lavender Manhattan. Either this bartender is one-of-a-kind or this drink is from another dimension. Or both. When I saw the genie floating up from the glass in a cloud of smoke, I knew this was going to be the beginning of a blissful dining experience. Perso had a special menu for Restaurant Week, and because I was teetering between the Pasta E Fagoli and the Crostino di Tonno for my first course, my bartender helped me decide. The Pasta E Fagoli was cranberry-beany and delicious, and had me wishing I had a spoon to scoop up and savor every bit of the soup that remained after I ate all the campanelle and fagoli. A small warning, though. Although it wasn't super spicy, I struggle with spiciness, which even when mild sometimes sends me into an eye-watering coughing fit. Once I get beyond it with a few sips of water though, I'm able finish it off like a respectable foodie would. For the second course, I went with the Cast Iron Baked Pasta. I doubt you can ever go wrong with baked pasta but I went all the way right with this dish. By the time I was halfway through its incredible cheesaliciousness and beginning to feel full, I had to will myself to put the fork down and allow the rest to be boxed so that I could handle the third course. It wasn't easy. My options included Ice Cream of the Day or Chef's Choice. Well, that was easy. Chef knows best. When I say my mind was blown by the tender, flaky, perfectly-flavoured fig strudel.... With the house-made mascarpone on the side?Just go and try it if you don't believe me. I enjoyed the chill atmosphere at this place as well. The food service and bar service were both attentive and pleasant. Did I already mention the Lavender Manhattan that's mixed using the handmade Tito vodka? Oh, and how that leftover baked pasta hit the next day. Whew! I will be back to see you all soon, Perso."

Blondie & Jim’s Bistro

★★★★★ 4.5 (84) • $$

"Great food! Great atmosphere! The service was fast and professional. They even had everyone sing happy birthday to my daughter."

Drake's - Clarksville

★★★★☆ 3.5 (135) • $$

"Great experience! Food is good and prices were too! Nice portions and good service. Nice selection of draft and bottled beers and a good place to catch the game.Only negative is floor is pretty slippery in some places so may be challenging for people with mobility issues."