What's 'The Best Thing I Ate' in Louisville in 2025? See our top recommendations
Where’s the best place to eat in Louisville? With so many options, it can be hard to choose.
Starting 2023, we have been documenting some eateries, bars, distilleries, dessert shops, and marketplaces in our weekly video series, “The Best Thing I Ate This Week.”
With some help from Louisville residents, owners, and our Instagram followers, we’ve found some amazing places to eat and drink. See all the places we’ve been to and declared “the best” in 2025.
Did we miss a place? Tell us which place we should feature in “The Best Thing I Ate” series.
WEEK 26: June 29 - July 5: YachtSea
If not for being anchored to the ground in the middle of Butchertown, you could mistake the navy building with boarded up windows and small portholes for some kind of boat.
And inside YachtSea, the new bar and restaurant’s nautical vibes stay plenty afloat.
YachtSea opened in late May in a former house at 111 N. Wenzel St., following years of renovating, brainstorming and collecting from co-owners JC Denison and Leslee Macpherson. Denison, who has a tiki bar in his home garage, drew from his personal décor collection to fill some of the walls of YachtSea with seahorse lamps, paintings of sailboats or birds, and buoys.
WEEK 25: June 22 - June 28: Barn 8
Not every restaurant shows a front-row seat to how Kentucky’s seasons change quite like Barn8.
The farm-to-table restaurant, inside a renovated barn on a nearly 700-acre farm in Oldham County, decorates with Christmas wreathes and red roses in vases for winter, when hearty dishes and bourbon-fueled drinks warm you up. But when it’s summer, you’ll turn a corner off a little road to see once-leafless trees flourishing with green and a bright sun lighting up the black structure, formerly a dairy and horse barn.
The menu, always sourced with ingredients from around Hermitage Farm and nearby farms, matches the mood.
That’s how it’s been since Barn8 opened in 2020, owner Steve Wilson told The Courier Journal.
WEEK 24: June 15 - June 21: Gravely Brewing
Before Gravely Brewing moves to NuLu, let’s take a moment to say goodbye to the brewery’s epic patio as we know it.
When Nathaniel Gravely opened the music-themed brewery in Phoenix Hill in 2017, he was drawn to the Baxter Avenue building partly because of two limestone caverns that came with the property. As a bonus bit for a new brewery, the caverns were once used to age barrels of beer.
Eight years later, the duo of hollows nestled within a grassy hillside still wow as a backdrop for beer-sipping on a busy street.
And that’s just the first tier.
WEEK 23: June 8 - June 14: Sidebar at Whiskey Row
It would be fair to pause before biting into something called “Death Penalty.”
But, Sidebar at Whiskey Row has stayed alive in downtown Louisville for 12 years partly by serving such burgers, paired with legal-inspired names such as “The 5th,” “Jailbird,” and “Hot vs. Brown.”
The cheeky monikers, along with matching decorations like an indoor mural of the opening words of the U.S. Constitution, are more than a randomly-chosen restaurant theme. It’s all meant to pay homage to the late Larry Jones, a longtime Louisville attorney and professional magician who performed regularly at the former Squirrelly's Tea Room in the same building where Sidebar now sits.
WEEK 22: June 1 - June 7: La Pana Bakery y Cafe
If you’re seeking a way to brighten your day, just look for those yellow stripes.
The sunshine-shaded awning above La Pana Bakery y Cafe’s walk-up window could easily throw a bounce in one’s steps. Cartoony drawings of a loaf of bread, a frosted doughnut, and a coffee cup with legs appear to dance on a pink backdrop, also inviting patrons to this happy corner of Logan and Kentucky streets.
It helps, too, that a handmade pastry and caffeine boost awaits on the other side.
When La Pana Bakery y Cafe moved from a stall inside Logan Street Market, co-owner Joshua Gonzalez said he knew they had to keep true to the bakery’s roots. And that meant a walk-up window.
WEEK 21: May 25 - May 31: Wiltshire Pantry
If it’s a Saturday morning at Wiltshire Pantry, things start out quiet.
You have your pick of the full pastry case and you can probably still snag a coveted spot by the window or on the small patio out front.
Within minutes, though, the pace picks up. The door hinges barely ever get a break, as seemingly everyone in the neighborhood woke up at once and walked right on over to this Barret Avenue favorite. A line forms quickly and can weave to the back of the small cafe and loop out the door. Sometimes, the line stretches down the block. Plates behind glass that once displayed pillowy chocolate croissants or pop-tarts topped with scribbly swatches of color go empty. Every seat in the cozy house fills up.
WEEK 20: May 18 -May 24: Outcast Fish & Oyster Bar
There's a few ways to reel in the name of this New Albany restaurant.
When restaurateur Ian Hall brainstormed monikers for his latest catch, his team tinkered with the idea of “casting” a fishing line.
Hall also thought about how serving oysters in southern Indiana, without coastal waters nearby, could be seen as out of the box.
The New Albany native also happens to love the hip hop duo, OutKast.
And, so Outcast Fish & Oyster Bar was born.
WEEK 19: May 11 -May 17: Retta's
The sunshine-colored bicycle cart out front is your first sign that Retta’s is not your regular ice cream shop.
Retta’s started out of that bright bicycle cart last year, after owner and pastry chef Ben Deutsch moved here from Brooklyn. That’s because he and his wife “were pretty much over living in New York,” he told the Courier Journal.
The chef then won a scholarship from the 2024 Kroger Chef Space program, allowing the launch of Retta’s from Chef Space, the food business accelerator located in Louisville's West End.
WEEK 18: May 4 -May 10: Safai Coffee
Unlike Louisville’s other quintessential coffee reliables that have been around for a certain number of years, there is only one Safai Coffee.
Well, two, if you count the coffee bar inside Logan Street Market in Shelby Park.
The main location of Safai, recognized for its adorable black-and-white mural of a bird couple (who resemble dressed-up cardinals ready for a coffee date) and another exterior painting of woodland creatures playing cards over cups of coffee, has become a Highlands-area staple.
WEEK 17: April 27-May 3: Hip Hop Sweet Shop
Amid decor depicting stereos and headphones, framed vintage music magazines, and a neon sign reading, “good vibes only,” one piece of artwork stands out on the walls of Hip Hop Sweet Shop. It shows a vibrant, multi-colored phoenix with outstretched wings.
“It’s symbolic,” said Jessie Johnson-Hardison, who owns the dessert shop with her wife, Lafesa.
It’s a reminder of what the couple ― and their business ― has been through.
After starting the hip-hop-themed shop from a renovated school bus, it expanded to a brick-and-mortar location in a strip mall at South 18th and West Jefferson streets in the Russell neighborhood.
WEEK 16: April 20-April 26: Bourbons Bistro
One of the first T-shirts sold at Bourbons Bistro plainly printed the restaurant’s goal.
“Bringing bourbon back one sip at a time,” the shirt read.
If that merch were fresh on shelves today, the adorned saying wouldn’t make as much sense given the bourbon boom of recent years.
Bourbon-themed bars and restaurants, not to mention events, groups, and at least one huge music festival celebrating the spirit by name, are aplenty in Louisville and beyond.
WEEK 15: April 13-April 19: äta Restaurant
About six months into operating his new restaurant, chef David Danielson faced a problem.
“Tuesdays were horrible,” he told the Courier Journal. “Just very slow.”
This observation came after months of reinventing the menu and space at 4864 Brownsboro Road, formerly home to Anoosh Bistro, which was run by legendary Louisville chef Anoosh Shariat, who died in Oct. 2024 following a multi-year battle with cancer.
When Shariat was looking to retire and sell his long-standing eatery, he thought of Danielson, previously the executive chef at Churchill Downs of 11 years.
WEEK 14: April 6-April 12: Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse
There’s more than one showstopper at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse in downtown Louisville.
And we’re not even talking about steaks.
There’s plenty pleasing the eye at the elegant restaurant adorned with shiny chandeliers, red velvet booths, a bountiful display of red roses, a red piano atop the bar, and art deco-inspired pieces on the walls. But, heads really tend to turn at the sight of the “Ruby Vuitton” cake.
When a rectangular box full of smoke appears at a table and opens to reveal what looks like a Louis Vuitton purse on a plate, how could you not look?
WEEK 13: March 30-April 5: Whiskey Thief Distilling
Nearly 90 years after the mint julep became the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, it’s still the talk of the town.
That’s especially true during Mint Julep Month, which is presented by Louisville Tourism and runs throughout April in Louisville with the Mint Julep Trail, reminiscent of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Several spots join in on Mint Julep Month, celebrating the cocktail synonymous with the world’s most famous horse race.
The Franklin County-based Whiskey Thief Distilling, which opened a NuLu tasting room and bar in October 2024, wasted no time getting in on the mint julep fun.
WEEK 12: March 23-March 29: The Bar at Willett
The dark room with wooden tables, leather chairs, vintage artwork, and rows of bottles on display has all the fixings you’d expect from a classic bourbon bar.
But you may not expect this cozy spot at Willett Distillery to serve what many regard as the best egg salad sandwich in Kentucky (or anywhere).
Of the surprises up The Bar at Willett’s sleeves, this one has little to do with the whiskey made day and night on the property in Bardstown, 1869 Loretto Road, where Willett was founded in 1936.
WEEK 11: March 16-March 22: The Hungry Pelican
The Hungry Pelican recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. The building has operated as a seafood restaurant since 1974 and The Hungry Pelican previously had four locations. The one off Bardstown Road is the only one that remains.Owner Christie Stumler describes this current season as “the busiest Lent we’ve ever had,” partly because The Hungry Pelican provides fish for 28 churches and at least a dozen organizations around Louisville that host Lenten fish fries. That adds up to supplying more than 20,000 pieces of fish per week, Stumler said.
WEEK 11: March 9-March 15: Yonutz
Since launching in 2018, Yonutz has gone nuts on social media and become internet famous for its whimsical, over-the-top smashed doughnuts.
The buzz traveled here, with the Florida-based chain opening its first Louisville location, 12939 Shelbyville Road, Suite 101, in late February from local franchisees Ben and Amanda Hiner. The husband and wife have another business partner in their 21-year-old son, Austin, whose love of doughnuts inspired the family’s involvement with Yonutz.
WEEK 10: March 2-March 8: Naïve
The view outside the grey corner building and the name attached to it may not show it, but things have changed a lot at Naïve.
The vegetarian-focused Butchertown restaurant temporarily closed in November after owner Catherine MacDowall stepped away from the business she started in 2016. MacDowall announced the “new era” for Naive via an Instagram post, after also closing Nostalgic, her Highlands bar and restaurant.
Since The Last Place closed on the bottom floor of Number 15, the five-level Whiskey Row entertainment venue at 122 W Washington St., Jessica and David Richter were looking for another gig in Louisville. Naïve going up for sale fit the bill.
WEEK 9: Feb. 23-March 1: The Original Barry's Cheesesteaks
Barry Washington is still serving up his home state’s staples at the Original Barry’s Cheesesteaks.
“We add flavor to our stuff,” Washington told the Courier Journal. “It’s great comfort food.”
The menu features stuffed sandwiches such as the standard Philly Cheesesteak, filled with strips of steak, white American cheese, and onions. Variations on the classic come in the form of a hoagie or club, with chicken or vegetables instead of steak, and topped with mushrooms. If you can’t decide, “Big Barry's Cheesesteak” offers a little bit of everything, including steak, Italian sausage, bacon, pepperoni, onion, peppers, white American cheese, and cheese sauce. French fries tossed in a house-made seasoning or topped with chili cheese and chicken wings are also popular.
WEEK 8: Feb. 16- Feb. 22: Doc Crow's
If you visit Doc Crow’s, on an especially cold day, some of the Whiskey Row fixture’s favorites may not exactly fit the mood.
Even though peel-and-eat shrimp and fresh oysters would still warm a seafood lover's heart, the deceivingly huge restaurant and bar offers cozier options for when the temperature drops.
Take the Southern gumbo, for example, filled with andouille sausage, chicken, and vegetables, and pile of rice in the middle of the hearty sunset orange-colored stew. For extra comfort, that comes with a mini loaf of crumbling cornbread.
WEEK 7: Feb. 9- Feb. 15: Locals Food Hub & Pizza Hub
Among rows of squares showing slices of pizza, pans of biscuits, and plates of chicken wings, a different kind of post appeared on a Louisville restaurant’s Instagram page.
For over three minutes, the camera pointed at Birch Bragg, co-owner of Locals Food Hub & Pizza Pub, as he talked about the pizzeria and market he opened in Smoketown at 822 E. Broadway in late 2024.
Bragg’s mission began as a farmer in Bowling Green, where he helped start an indoor farmers market. That’s also where Bragg and his wife, Michelle, started serving woodfired pizzas out of a trailer.
WEEK 6: Feb. 2- Feb. 8: Darling's
Of all the gin joints in all the towns, this Louisville spot didn’t really mean to be known just for gin.
But Darling’s, 1765 Bardstown Road, is stocked with about 100 types of the spirit at any given time. The bar’s house gin and tonic — or G&T for those in the know — has grown a cult-like following as one of the best in town. Made with Bombay Dry gin, a refreshing house-made tonic that’s always on tap, and a lime wedge, the simple delight gets more points from patrons for costing only $5 during happy hour.
WEEK 5: Jan. 26- Feb. 1: Cold Smoke Bagels, 721 Mint It
For the Courier Journal’s latest installment of our “Best Thing I Ate This Week" series, we tried two popular spots at Logan Street Market, including Cold Smoke Bagels and 721 Mint It.
Cold Smoke Bagels, which has been a vendor since Logan Street Market opened, has a small, but mighty menu serving what it is described as “Louisville’s only place for authentic Jewish comfort food.”
Over at 721 Mint It, another staple of Logan Street Market, you’ll find cute neon signs saying, “Treat Yourself” and “Love You, Mint It.” This juice bar serves health-focused items such as teas, acai bowls, and cold-pressed shots.
WEEK 4: Jan. 19-25: The Last Refuge
Walking out of the cold temps and into the warmth of this Louisville bar and restaurant on a recent day, it's fitting to hear a familiar song over the speaker, with lyrics asking, "How does it feel?"
The iconic Bob Dylan tune, released in1965, called "Like A Rolling Stone" got a recent rebirth thanks to the biopic "A Complete Unknown." The film heavily features a cover of the song by actor Timothée Chalamet, who plays Dylan. As was announced Jan. 23, the movie and Chalamet are up both nominated for an Oscar.
So it's a fitting time to visit The Last Refuge, 600 E. Market St., a restaurant, whiskey bar, and live music venue with Bob Dylan connections.
WEEK 3: Jan. 12-18: Darling's, Moonsong Bar + Cafe
Bars, such as Moonsong Bar + Cafe inside the Tempo by Hilton Louisville, 710 E. Jefferson St., and Darling's, 1765 Bardstown Road, are mixing up mocktail menus for Dry January and beyond.
“We're really leaning into those that may be sober curious or sober all the time,” Amanda Hawkins, director of sales and marketing at Tempo, told the Courier Journal. “It gives people options to go out and socialize, have fun with their friends and family, and connect, while not having to participate in libations if they don't want to.”
Two popular mocktails at Moonsong include the “Toki-o Drift,” made with Lyre’s Traditional Reserve, tart cherry, and pomegranate, and the "Amalfi Toast," made with Lyre’s Italian Spritz, white cranberry, Lyre’s Italian Orange and lime.
“The free spirited cocktails are really meant to look and mimic the cocktails that we feature,” Will Jones, Jones, the beverage and restaurant manager at Tempo, said.
Calvin Philley, co-owner and operator of Darling’s, said he’s noticed the trend of “people drinking less in general.”
One of the most popular offerings at Darling’s is a nonalcoholic Aperol Spritz, made with a booze-free aperitif and a bright blood orange coloring.
WEEK 2: Jan. 5-11: Oddbird Bakery
From rye sugar cookies to curry yogurt parfaits, normal isn’t the specialty at Oddbird Bakery. At least that’s the goal for the newish Highland spot for coffee and treats, according to executive pastry chef Amanda Hammad.
The bakery opened in late November as a new concept from Quills Coffee, the beloved Louisville-based roaster with eight locations.
Among the most popular items so far? Cinnamon rolls.
Hammad says Oddbird’s take on the classic treat stands out beyond being “giant and fluffy.” They’re baked individually as opposed to together in a pan. The cinnamon rolls are also served with a side of cream cheese frosting.
“Who doesn’t love a good cinnamon roll?” she said. “They’re so comforting.”
WEEK 1: Dec. 29, 2024 to Jan. 4, 2025: Byrdie's
The Courier Journal recently got a first look at Byrdie’s on the first floor of Hotel Genevieve in NuLu.
Byrdie’s is described as “French elegance meets Southern soul,” and you’ll find hints of both influences on the menu, which has seven sections, including hors d’oeuvres, soups, main plates, plates for two, salads, raw dishes, and dessert.
Some of the featured starter dishes include deviled eggs with potato salad, ham, and tarragon, fried oysters and pig ears, as well as the visual standout of the Scallops St. Jacques, served on a shiny shell with the scallop at the center.
Main plates include steak frites, pithivier with 48-hour cooked short rib, and Tournerdos Rossini, served with American wagyu tenderloin. Three salads and two soups, including an onion soup, complete the menu.
Where should we go next week?
Which place should we feature in "The Best Thing I Ate This Week" series? Fill out the form below to submit a location that you want to see us try:
Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at ahancock@courier-journal.com.