Classic Louisville Area Restaurants To Put On Your Bucket List

By LEO Weekly Staff on Fri, Jun 2, 2023 at 3:38 pm

Robin Garr's Piece about Forgotten Restaurants is a great trip down memory lane about some local places that we dearly loved and miss. However, Louisville still has many classic restaurants that are local staples and have survived well past the 20-year mark. From Ditto's Thai wings to Bristol's Green Chili Wontons to Fried Chicken and Burgers at The Chicken House, there is no shortage of local restaurants that have stood the test of time.

As a foodie city, it is easy to get caught up in the latest dining spot but a revisit to some of our favorite classic dining spots is a good practice so we don't speak about them as places we "remember."

Remember them now! Get out and visit one of these classic Louisville restaurants and tell 'em LEO sent ya!

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Classic Louisville Area Restaurants To Put On Your Bucket List

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Buck’s

425 West Ormsby
Buck’s Restaurant and Bar is another great fine dining hit and located right in the heart of Old Louisville.
Photo via Buck’s

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Come Back Inn

909 Swan St
Come Back Inn is an Italian-American pub that’s been serving Louisville for over 21 years, and they’ve won a few reader’s choice awards for LEO.
Photo via Come Back Inn

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Captain’s Quarters Riverside Grille

5700 Captain’s Quarters Rd, Prospect
Captain’s Quarters Riverside Grille offers a variety of seafood, salads, sandwiches and desserts, all served with a frontrow view of the Ohio River.
Photo via Captain’s Quarters Riverside Grille

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Check’s

1101 East Burnett Ave
Comfort food galore! Check’s has fried catfish, pork chops, burgers and even has a bar.
Photo via Check’s

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Le Relais

2817 Taylorsville Rd
Le Relais is a French fine-dining restaurant in the airport terminal of Bowman Field. They say the interior will remind you of “Casablanca” with its 1940s decor.
Photo via Open Table

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Bristol Bar & Grille

1321 Bardstown Rd (Multiple locations)
Bristol Bar & Grille has locations in the Highlands, Downtown and the East End. They offer both lunch and dinner with lots of food choices and an extensive alcohol menu.
Photo via Bristol Bar & Grille

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Arni’s

1208 State St, New Albany (multiple locations)
This Indiana restaurant has been around for over 50 years, serving up pizza, stromboli and sandwiches.
Photo via Arni’s

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Joe’s Older Than Dirt

8131 New La Grange Rd
Joe’s Older Than Dirt is a sports bar and restaurant with live music, great food and an even better atmosphere.
Photo via Joe’s Older Than Dirt

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Chicken House

7180 County Rd 111, Sellersburg, IN
Another great place for homemade southern meals, Chicken House in Indiana says their food “will have you remembering grandma’s.”
Photo via Chicken House

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80/20 at Kaelin’s

1801 Newburg Rd
According to a Louisville urban legend, 80/20 at Kaelin’s is the home of the original cheeseburger. Whether it is or not, it’s a great place to go grab a bite to eat.
Photo via 80/20 at Kaelin’s

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610 Magnolia

610 Magnolia Ave
This reservation-required restaurant has a rotating menu of delectable meals and beverage pairings.
Photo via 610 Magnolia

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Jack Fry’s

1007 Bardstown Rd
An American bistro with live jazz music, Jack Fry’s is a Louisville institution and guarantees the “best night in town.”
Photo via Jack Fry’s

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Old Spaghetti Factory

235 West Market St
While not a local institution, the Old Spaghetti Factory has become a dining staple in Downtown Louisville.
Photo via https://www.osf.com/

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Cottage Inn

570 Eastern Pkwy
Cottage Inn has been “keeping the Southern comfort food tradition” alive in Louisville, KY since 1929.
Photo via Cottage Inn

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Oriental House

4302 Shelbyville Rd
Oriental House’s menu is extensive and it can be delivered right to you.
Photo via Oriental House

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Mr. G’s Lounge

10432 Shelbyville Rd
Mr. G’s Lounge is a great place for a night of fun. Between karaoke, DJ nights, and happy hour, it’s always a good time.
Photo via Mr. G’s Lounge

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Lee’s Korean

1941 Bishop Ln, Suite 107
Lee’s Korean has plenty of Korean cuisine options, with lots of appetizers, platters, soup, stir fry and casserole.
Photo via Emily S. taken from Yelp

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Dizzy Whizz

217 West Saint Catherine St
Dizzy Whizz, home to the Whizzburger, has been in Louisville for more than 70 years. With both indoor and curbside seating, the diner has breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, and event a dairy bar with plenty of sweets to pick.
Photo via JT C. from Yelp

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