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.
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.
Lou Lou On Market
812 E Market St., Louisville, KY 40206
Distance from Churchill Downs: 4.9 Miles
A fun, lively 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: 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.
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!
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
Wright 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)
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 610 Magnolia. 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.
610 Magnolia
610 W Magnolia Ave, Louisville, KY 40208
Distance from Churchill Downs: 2.5 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!
Kentucky Derby Official Ticket Packages
