Best Historic Restaurants in Downtown Louisville

Price

€€
€€€
€€€€

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSeafoodFrenchPizzeriaBarbecue

Regions

Louisville

Areas

Downtown LouisvilleEast LouisvilleEast Market St - NuLuFrankfort Ave - Crescent HillGermantownHighlands - Bardstown Rd / Taylorsville Rd

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeaway only

Seating options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral toiletWheelchair access

21 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Lobby Bar & Grill at the Brown Hotel restaurant

1. Lobby Bar & Grill at the Brown Hotel

4.7

Exceptional(1154)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Downtown Louisville

Booked 20 times today

Come enjoy the historic lobby of The Brown Hotel in our Lobby Bar and Grill. Contemporary cuisine meets historic opulence at The Brown Hotel’s spectacularly beautiful, and classic lobby setting. A popular spot for the next generation of Louisville merrymakers, this glamorous, gilded space balances its history with modern touches and sophisticated tastes. Our menu includes a mix of classic and contemporary dishes, but our signature Hot Brown is rated as Kentucky's most popular dish. Enjoy our Hot Brown, and other signature items with a classic Old Fashion. Our bar features well-crafted cocktails and an highly rated bourbon menu. Finish your experience with Louisville's original dessert, the Derby pie. Reservations are for the Lobby Bar and Grill.

2. The Last Refuge

4.5

Awesome(109)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service • West Louisville

Booked 28 times today

Join us at The Last Refuge for a first look into Kentucky's High Church of Bourbon. Enjoy a sneak peek of our beautiful craft cocktails, featuring Bob Dylan's Heaven's Door Bourbon, accompanied with small plates and shareable pizzas. View our one-of-a-kind event space, located in a historic church adorned with original stained-glass windows and ornate woodwork from 1880. Cool off on our shaded patio and sip on a cocktail while listening to live music. Don't forget to follow us on social media @lastrefugeky to get the latest updates on our Grand Opening and launch of our incredible bourbon bar, featuring an 800-bottle whiskey portfolio! The Last Refuge is a 21+ establishment, persons under the age of 21 will not be admitted.

3. Proof on Main

4.6

Exceptional(3801)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Downtown Louisville

Booked 28 times today

The ingredients in our menus reflect the region’s sustainable farmers and producers with a soulful and honest approach showcasing the bounty of the Ohio River Valley. Housed in five historic buildings in downtown Louisville, Proof on Main is part of 21c Museum Hotels, the award-winning boutique hotel and restaurant group. The dining room is one of the most striking public spaces in the city, with rotating, contemporary art exhibitions by local and internationally-acclaimed artists alike.

A photo of Doc Crow's Southern Smokehouse & Raw Bar restaurant

4. Doc Crow's Southern Smokehouse & Raw Bar

4.5

Awesome(1554)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Southern • Downtown Louisville

Booked 34 times today

Nestled in Louisville's historic Whiskey Row, Doc Crow's Southern Smokehouse & Raw Bar masterfully blends traditional Southern fare with fresh seafood in a restored 1870s building. Now serving breakfast daily, start your morning with locally roasted coffee and Southern classics like Kentucky Derby Hot Browns. Our scratch kitchen serves Memphis-style BBQ, house-smoked meats, and fresh oysters, alongside Kentucky's largest bourbon collection—over 2,500 bourbon, rye, and whiskey expressions, including exclusive barrel-aged selections from local distillers. From baby back ribs to daily-sourced seafood, we offer a distinctive fusion of land and sea. The warm, exposed-brick atmosphere, with bourbon barrel accents, pays homage to Louisville's whiskey heritage. Steps from the KFC Yum! Center, Doc Crow's provides authentic Southern hospitality in Bourbon Country. Whether you're an early bird, bourbon enthusiast, or visiting food lover, our award-winning menu makes every meal memorable.

A photo of The Troll Pub Under the Bridge restaurant

5. The Troll Pub Under the Bridge

4.4

Awesome(1038)

€€€€Price: Moderate

• American • Downtown Louisville

Booked 21 times today

The Troll Pub opened on October 19th 2011, underneath the 2nd Street Bridge in a 135 year old space directly next to the YUM Center on historic Whiskey Row. The Troll Pub is a subterranean retreat that features a Gastro-pub style menu with a wide selection of great tasting food items, craft beer, local artwork, and an overall atmosphere unique to Louisville. We are just blocks from the Louisville Convention Center and only steps away from many of the hottest attractions and hotels situated downtown. Just look for the Troll on the corner of 2nd and Washington, he will show you the way.

6. Hop Atomica

4.7

Exceptional(46)

€€€€Price: Moderate

• Pizzeria • Germantown

Booked 12 times today

Welcome to Hop Atomica, Louisville's only brewery, distillery, & restaurant. Our hand-tossed, wood-fired, made to order pizzas, are simply incredible. Most similar to a Neapolitan Style, we proudly provide the best pizza around. Oh yea, the smoked wings are mind-blowing, too. Our 20+ craft beers, made on site, are high quality and poured ice-cold. Prefer spirits? Hop Atomica has an amazing craft cocktail program featuring over two dozen classics, a handful of seasonal libations, 30+ bourbons & whiskey's, house-made gins, rums, vodka, and 100% Blue Agave Spirit. Is wine more your speed? Hop Atomica carefully curated a highly intentional wine program with over 40 wines from around the world. Hop Atomica is nestled perfectly at the intersection of the historic Schnitzelburg, Germantown & Paristown, Meriwether-Fort Hill, and Shelby Park neighborhoods, just off Goss Avenue, only a five-minute drive from downtown Louisville. We can't wait to see you!

7. Porcini

4.8

Exceptional(2922)

€€€€Price: Expensive

• Italian • Frankfort Ave - Crescent Hill

Booked 31 times today

Established in 1992, Porcini is an independent, award-winning restaurant located in the Historic Crescent Hill neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky. We specialize in Northern Italian cuisine, excellent service, and offer an extensive selection of fine wines, bourbons, and signature cocktails. Over the last 30 years, we have been privileged to be a part of so many great memories here in our dining room, bar, private dining room, and patio. * For Parties of 8 or more, please contact the restaurant at (502) 894-8686 to make a reservation.

8. J Graham's Cafe

4.8

Exceptional(1269)

€€€€Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Downtown Louisville

Booked 14 times today

J. Graham's is the home of the legendary Hot Brown and offers guests bistro-style, casual dining in the hotel and features the freshest local produce and highlights Kentucky products. Serving breakfast and lunch, the Café offers guests a contemporary a la carte menu throughout the week and a delectable brunch buffet on Sundays. Non-smoking. Parking: Self Parking in the connected, city garage. Valet parking by the Brown Hotel staff.

A photo of Nic & Normans - Louisville restaurant

9. Nic & Normans - Louisville

4.0

Excellent(282)

€€€€Price: Moderate

• American • West Louisville

Booked 17 times today

As artists, we are passionate about creating special moments. Beyond the screen, we recognize that this often happens while enjoying a great meal in the company of family and friends. When the opportunity came to open a restaurant in Senoia, we knew it was a natural extension of our passion. We hope you capture a few of those special moments here. Thanks for joining us on this journey we call Nic & Norman’s.

10. Lou Lou on Market

4.6

Exceptional(761)

€€€€Price: Moderate

• Cajun • East Market St - NuLu

Booked 39 times today

A walk down Bourbon Street in NuLu! An eatery serving Southern Cuisine, incorporating influences from New Orleans & Italy. Two areas for outdoor dining, two levels of inside dining, private rooms, and a hidden underground Bourbon Lounge called Stave.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

DO
DavidOVIP
Western Kentucky / SW Indiana •2 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
I highly recommend this place for its originality, quality of food and service, as well as its ambiance. It was my first visit to this kinda hidden Louisville gem & I will certainly go there again. It was very much a positive experience.
More info
The Last RefugePrice: Expensive• Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service• West Louisville
•
4.5
K
KenVIP
Chicago / Illinois •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Really interesting menu and all dishes were very good. The amuse bouche with paired shot was really delicious, unique and fun.
More info
Proof on MainPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Downtown Louisville
•
4.6
SH
StephanyH
San Francisco Bay Area •4 reviews
4.0
Dined 5 days ago
The vibe in this place is so cool! Parking is a little weird, and don’t accidentally go across the bridge when trying to find this place! My husband had the chicken and waffle sandwich and absolutely loved it. I had the club and it was just OK.
More info
The Troll Pub Under the BridgePrice: Moderate• American• Downtown Louisville
•
4.4
T
Tara
New York City •1 review
4.0
Dined 5 days ago
Caesar salad was small and only had green leaves so no crispness. Had the Brown and Duck Breast all were good but noting to write home about. Very beautiful dining room and the staff was very pleasant.
More info
Lobby Bar & Grill at the Brown HotelPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Downtown Louisville
•
4.7
S
Stacy
Las Vegas •1 review
4.0
Dined 7 days ago
The food and drinks were excellent! Jake was an amazing waiter full of knowledge and energy! Thank you for the great evening!
More info
Doc Crow's Southern Smokehouse & Raw BarPrice: Expensive• Southern• Downtown Louisville
•
4.5

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Area
Historic

Downtown Louisville

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Prospect
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Westport Rd - Lyndon
Downtown Louisville
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