Off Beat Restaurants in Louisville
Louisville has no shortage of restaurants, and it's easy to drive down most main streets and find a number of different options. If you're looking for a restaurant off the beaten track, here are ten options that locals love.
Located downtown but hidden around the corner from the restaurants and bars on Whiskey Row, Hillbilly Tea is a teashop serving Appalachian breakfast, lunch and dinner. With exposed brick walls, clothespin napkin holders and antique teacups, Hillbilly Tea creates a trendy atmosphere and offers flavorful, inventive organic meals (with vegan options).
If you really want to get lost, head south to Vietnam Kitchen. Located off the main road in a strip mall, Vietnam Kitchen serves affordable, simple Vietnamese cuisine. The location isn't attractive, but it's well worth a trip.
Venture across the river into Indiana for New Albanian Bank Street Brewhouse's beer and food. Go on Sunday and build your own Bloody Mary (a meal in itself). The frites come with a range of sauces, and food is locally sourced when possible. This is another trip well worth making.
Heading out on Frankfort Avenue, visit El Mundo for tasty, affordable Mexican food and the best margaritas in town. With all the restaurant options on Frankfort, it's easy to miss this place. It's counter service downstairs and table service in the back and the tight upstairs quarters.
If you miss El Mundo, continue on Frankfort until you reach the St. Matthew's neighborhood. Here, find the best Thai food in Louisville at the new Simply Thai location, or head to Havana Rumba to try one of Louisville's Cuban restaurants (excellent fried plantains and mojitos).
Finally, Queen of Sheba, an Ethiopian restaurant across from Louisville's smaller airport, Bowman Field, makes for a fun excursion with friends, especially if they're willing to share a plate and eat with their hands.
Located downtown but hidden around the corner from the restaurants and bars on Whiskey Row, Hillbilly Tea is a teashop serving Appalachian breakfast, lunch and dinner. With exposed brick walls, clothespin napkin holders and antique teacups, Hillbilly Tea creates a trendy atmosphere and offers flavorful, inventive organic meals (with vegan options).
If you really want to get lost, head south to Vietnam Kitchen. Located off the main road in a strip mall, Vietnam Kitchen serves affordable, simple Vietnamese cuisine. The location isn't attractive, but it's well worth a trip.
Venture across the river into Indiana for New Albanian Bank Street Brewhouse's beer and food. Go on Sunday and build your own Bloody Mary (a meal in itself). The frites come with a range of sauces, and food is locally sourced when possible. This is another trip well worth making.
Heading out on Frankfort Avenue, visit El Mundo for tasty, affordable Mexican food and the best margaritas in town. With all the restaurant options on Frankfort, it's easy to miss this place. It's counter service downstairs and table service in the back and the tight upstairs quarters.
If you miss El Mundo, continue on Frankfort until you reach the St. Matthew's neighborhood. Here, find the best Thai food in Louisville at the new Simply Thai location, or head to Havana Rumba to try one of Louisville's Cuban restaurants (excellent fried plantains and mojitos).
Finally, Queen of Sheba, an Ethiopian restaurant across from Louisville's smaller airport, Bowman Field, makes for a fun excursion with friends, especially if they're willing to share a plate and eat with their hands.
New Albanian Bank St Brewhouse
415 Bank Street
Gastropub in New Albany; Build-Your-Own-Bloody-Mary bar on Sundays...
Hammerheads
921 Swan Street
Affordable restaurant and bar with beer specials, sandwiches, burgers and fancy fries...
