Louisville is full of amazing restaurants, whether you’re looking for BBQ, Italian, tacos or something a little weirder. But we all have a favorite, and sure that favorite might just be based around the food, but we think it goes deeper than that.
There are a lot of other factors that go into what makes one restaurant your favorite: the dining experience, the atmosphere, the company, the memories you made there… These all play a role in making a place our favorite, and they’re something we can’t ignore.
Keep scrolling to see what your favorite Louisville restaurant says about you.
Blue Dog Bakery & Cafe2868 Frankfort Ave.You’re cultured, you’re worldly, but you somehow wound up in Kentucky, whether by birth or happenstance. Though you love Louisville’s food scene, the rest of Frankfort Avenue and St. James Art Fair, let’s be honest, you probably wish you were in Europe right now. Until you’re next hop across the pond, Blue Dog’s freshly baked baguettes and sidewalk patio will do the trick.Koreana III
5009 Preston Hwy.
You either study Korean, you are Korean, or you’re a massive K-Pop junkie. Either way, you know the gem that is K-comfort food and boy oh boy did you really do yourself a favor there.The Irish Rover
2319 Frankfort Ave.
Forget being made of 75% water, you’re 50% potatoes and 50% beer. You tolerate bourbon, but you love Irish whiskey, and St. Patrick’s Day is undoubtedly your favorite day of the year.Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse
325 W. Main St.
You’re a little bit flashy — maybe even a LOT flashy — but you have champagne tastes, appreciate grandeur and know life is meant to be lived, baby. The opulence of Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse and its menu of the finest steaks, sushi, drinks and desserts sets your bejeweled soul on fire, and you can’t wait to share a photo of it all on Insta later.House of Marigold
You have a very aesthetic Instagram (or wish you did) and you’re equally as excited for the photo opps, the pink walls and the flowers as you are for the actual brunch at House of Marigold. Whether you get boozy with a cocktail or you go for their homemade cream sodas, you’re definitely going to look cute when you roll up for your reservation. Sydney CatinnaProof on Main
702 W Main St.
You’re either a professional who “does” lunch and puts it on the corporate card every chance you get or you secretly wish you were a wealthy and eccentric art collector (don’t we all, though?) who constantly dreams of redecorating your home. Proof on MainCaptain’s Quarters
Your personality is like Ken’s job in the Barbie movie: Just. Beach. However, you live in Louisville, nowhere near an actual beach. But Captain’s Quarters sunsets and waterfront views can scratch the itch until you can get your ass on a plane somewhere where you can be your saltwatered, suntanned, sandy-footed best self.Naive Kitchen + Bar
1001 E. Washington St.
In 2022, Naive won Best Butchertown Restaurant and third place in the Best Vegetarian Restaurant category in LEO’s Readers’ Choice Awards. The chic eatery’s menus include a plethora of vegan options including butternut squash bruschetta, kohlrabi curry, pumpkin orecchiette, and avocado toast. Naive Kitchen + Bar via InstagramAgave & Rye
426 Baxter Ave.
Maybe you’re a little bit weird, a little bit eccentric, but, hey, that’s okay! There’s nothing wrong with putting kangaroo meat or mac-and-cheese in a taco, people. Your culinary tastes are just somewhat out-of-the-box. Plus those margaritas are strong enough to really get you to expand your mind.Toasty’s Tavern
You’ve made some questionable choices at some point in your life. It may have been earlier tonight or it could even be after your glorious smashburger and fries. But either way, rest assured, a meal Toasty’s is never a mistake.Burger Girl
You might be a college student, a creative, or some drunk dude, but either way, you’re definitely a night owl who thrives when the sun goes down. You know the value of a good meal that doesn’t break the bank, and you appreciate the simplicity of a no-frills, satisfying burger and fries.Mellwood TavernYou’re all about keeping things simple and authentic. Flashy isn’t your style—you’re here for the good stuff, like the live music and their seriously underrated fried chicken only served on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You appreciate the charm of Louisville’s oldest bar, where live music and good vibes are always on tap.Havana Rumba
12003 Shelbyville Rd. and 2210 Bardstown Rd.
You’re the life of the party, and all your friends know it. You love Latin music, bold flavors, and tables packed with your favorite people. You’ve probably ordered the biggest margarita on the menu more than once, just to see if you could drink it all. (You could.)The Village Anchor
11507 Park Rd.
If Village Anchor is your go-to, there’s a good chance you call the East End home. Brunch is your favorite sport, and you’ve mastered the art of the $1 mimosa, always ordering the orange juice on the side for good measure. Wouldn’t want the wrong spoiling your champagne or your day drinking buzz!The MerryWeather
1101 Lydia St.You’re a true neighborhood bar enthusiast who values the comfort of a familiar haunt. You’ve got your routine down. You always show up early for the Poco Pop-up kitchens because you know firsthand how fast they sell out. You drink PBRs even though you’re well into your 30s and you’re not even embarrassed about it.Enso1756 Frankfort Ave.You’re the trendsetter in your friend group, always on the hunt for the next big thing in the food scene. Your creativity knows no bounds, and neither does your palate—you love exploring unique fusions like Enso’s Southern-Japanese cuisine, and the raw bar is another adventure you’d never say no to.Shirley Mae’s Cafe
802 S Clay St.
You’re a connoisseur of authentic Southern comfort, where the food is as soulful as the atmosphere. You know that some of the best places are cash-only, and you’re more than willing to hit the ATM for a taste of this iconic joint. Somehow, Shirley Mae’s manages to be both a famous landmark and a hidden gem, even with that Food Channel feature under its belt.Dragon King’s Daughter
1126 Bardstown Road; 129 W. Market St., New Albany, Indiana
You don’t just love sushi, you love Dragon King’s Daughter sushi. We’re talking rolls wrapped in prosciutto or stuffed with bacon or mango. You’re all about originality and creativity, even if it does mean paying a little extra. You appreciate the sleek vibes of their new location, but deep down, you kind of miss the charm of the original spot, even though it only moved a few blocks.Four PegsYou’re a true BBQ aficionado who knows that the wings here are worth every bit of the adventure. You’re not fazed by the occasional spotty service or the maze of a sidewalk you have to navigate to get inside—because you know the payoff is worth it. And let’s be real, you never skip the beer cheese mac and cheese.Hauck’s
You finally found a place that both your hipster and non-hipster friends can agree on. You come for the old school vibes and stay for the dog friendly patio. You’ve definitely taken a selfie in the bathroom (IYKYK) and the nostalgia keeps you dishing it out for the good, but overpriced bar food. After all, where else are you going to find a $15 fried bologna sandwich?Your favorite Louisville restaurant can say a lot about you. (Ps: Like this print? Purchase now from local artist Bri Bowers.) Bri Bowers
Sign up. We hope you like us, but if you don't, you can unsubscribe by following the links in the email, or by dropping us a note at leo@leoweekly.com.
Signup
By clicking “subscribe” above, you consent to allow us to contact you via email, and store your information using our third-party Service Provider. To see more information about how your information is stored and privacy protected, visit our policies page.
Subscribe to LEO Weekly Newsletters
Sign up. We hope you like us, but if you don't, you can unsubscribe by following the links in the email, or by dropping us a note at leo@leoweekly.com.
To sign up now, enter your email address in the field below and click the Subscribe button.
By clicking “Subscribe” above, you consent to allow us to contact you via email, and store your information using our third-party Service Provider. To see more information about how your information is stored and privacy protected, visit our policies page.
Sydney is a native Louisvillian who spent her twenties in Los Angeles working in Hollywood. When off duty, she blogs about her adventures at Sydney to Anywhere. An avid explorer, the only thing she loves...
More by Sydney Catinna
