Restaurants

Craving Something Exciting for Dinner? Try the Ropa Vieja at Havana Rumba

January 28, 2016 by greystar

With a convenient location in the heart of Louisville and a colorful, welcoming decor style that will make you feel like you hopped a plane to Cuba, you simply can’t miss Havana Rumba. This authentic Cuban restaurant specializes in all of the island’s most popular dishes, from Ropa Vieja to Vaca Frita and even fried plantains to go along with any meal. There is a full bar that serves expertly prepared mojitos that perfectly complement any Cuban meal, as well as other cocktails and beers that are just as refreshing.

Havana Rumba’s live music is the perfect backdrop to its spicy drinks and dishes, and the impressive happy hour is a great option for anyone looking for a more lively dining experience.

Havana Rumba
4115 Oechsli Avenue
Louisville, KY 40207
(502) 897-1959
www.havanarumbaonline.com

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr Jodimichelle

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Dining in Louisville, Havana Rumba, Louisville Restaurants

Dine Like Royalty at Queen of Sheba, an Ethiopian Eatery in Louisville

January 7, 2016 by greystar

What’s more fun than eating with your hands? How about eating flavorful Ethiopian dishes with your hands at Queen of Sheba? This Louisville favorite specializes in traditional Ethiopian fare served with the cuisine’s signature injera bread, which resembles a thin, spongy crepe. Instead of using a fork and a knife to enjoy the meat and vegetable dishes, diners are instructed to scoop things up using the delicious injera.

The extensive menu of Ethiopian fare favorites promises something for everyone. Choose from spicy lentils called Kik Wot, Lega D’oro Tips for chicken lovers, and sambussa pastries stuffed with savory meats and veggies. Queen of Sheba offers an impressive selection of Ethiopian honey wine and domestic beers, and its elegant atmosphere will make you feel truly relaxed and pampered while you eat.

Queen of Sheba
2804 Taylorsville Road
Louisville, KY 40257
(502) 459-6301
www.queenofshebalouisville.com

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr *_*

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Dining in Louisville, Louisville Restaurants, Queen of Sheba

Hammerheads: The Kind of Bar Where Everyone Knows Your Name

December 23, 2015 by greystar

If you really want to eat like a local, visit Hammerheads, the type of pub where it feels like everyone knows your name. This longtime favorite is nothing fancy, but its narrow bar, numerous dining tables, and rowdy atmosphere will make you feel right at home!

For lunch and dinner, Hammerheads offers a menu of classic American bar food mixed with Southern fare favorites, like pork belly sandwiches, brisket sliders, and lamb ribs. You’ll also find unique styles of burgers made with elk, venison, and other meats. Macaroni and cheese balls and duck tacos are delicious to share amongst the table, while the full bar churns out handcrafted cocktails and craft beers to quench your thirst.

While the compact restaurant fills up quickly, at peak hours, locals would say that it’s worth the wait to try out Hammerheads’ unique blend of dive bar charm and Southern cuisine!

Hammerheads
921 Swan St
Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 365-1112
www.louisvillehammerheads.com

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr pasa47

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Hammerheads, Louisville Dining, Restaurants in Louisville

Fill Up on Mexican Fare Without Emptying Your Wallet at El Taco Luchador

November 27, 2015 by greystar

Stroll through Louisville’s hip Highlands neighborhood and you can’t miss El Taco Luchador, a colorful Mexican eatery that almost always draws a crowd on its outdoor sidewalk patio. Once you get inside, you’ll find an equally colorful dining room filled with neon green stools a rainbow-hued chalkboard menu boasting the day’s current selection.

True to its name, El Taco Luchador specializes in tacos in all styles; barbacoa, carnitas, Baja fish and marinated chicken all make an appearance, and there are even vegetarian options for meat-free diners. In addition to tacos, you’ll also find Mexican torta sandwiches topped with the same meats and veggies, and you can add your own additional toppings to any torta or taco. Add a side of sweet potato fries, plantains or Mexican street corn to your meal, and be sure to order a basket of salty tortilla chips and homemade guacamole to go along with it.

El Taco Luchador
938 Baxter Avenue
Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 583-0440
www.facebook.com/eltacoluchador
www.yelp.com/biz/el-taco-luchador-louisville

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Rusty Clark – On the Air M-F 8am-noon

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: El Taco Luchador, Louisville Dining, Restaurants in Louisville

Enjoy Global Dishes at Pesto’s Italian & Persian Cuisine

October 29, 2015 by greystar

If you’re looking for a quick lunch in downtown Louisville that’s still fresh and delicious, you’ll find it at Pesto’s Italian & Persian Cuisine. This eclectic eatery blends Italian and Persian cooking styles in a way that is completely seamless, offering two different menus for each type of cuisine. Choose from the menu of Italian fare if you’re in the mood for hearty pastas, chopped steaks, and eggplant parmigiana, or browse the Persian fare menu for specialties like the Koobideh wrap, tender gyros, and grilled, marinated kebabs.

While the atmosphere at Pesto’s is quick and convenient on weekdays, if you stop in for dinner on the weekends, the vibe is much more elegant and relaxed. Admire the local artwork on the walls and enjoy a unique blend of global dishes at Pesto’s Italian & Persian Cuisine, a longtime favorite in downtown Louisville.

Pesto’s Italian & Persian Cuisine
566 S Fifth St
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 584-0567
www.pestositalian.com

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Au Kirk

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Louisville Dining, Pesto's Italian and Persian Cuisine, Restaurants in Louisville

Doc Crow’s Smokehouse & Raw Bar: Southern Cuisine Right on Whiskey Row

September 24, 2015 by greystar

Wander down Louisville’s historic Whiskey Row and you’ll stumble upon Doc Crow’s Smokehouse & Raw Bar, an authentic Southern eatery that offers a true taste of Kentucky. This upscale yet comfortable restaurant is dimly lit and furnished with spacious, comfortable booths, and wall-to-wall windows that offer great opportunities for people watching in this busy area.

Take a seat near the front and order from the expansive menu of classic coastal seafood dishes, slow-and-low barbecue fare, and the long list of whiskies that give the area its name. The raw bar is filled with fresh oysters flown in from all across North America, including styles like Kumamoto, Pacific, Atlantic, Olympia, and European flat oysters. There are sandwiches and burgers for those who don’t prefer seafood, and the decadent dessert options are a can't-miss.

Doc Crow’s Smokehouse & Raw Bar
127 West Main Street
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 587-1626
www.doccrows.com

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr tedmurphy

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Doc Crow’s Smokehouse and Raw Bar, Louisville Dining, Restaurants in Louisville

Jack Fry’s: Travel Back in Time to Louisville’s Elegant Past

August 27, 2015 by greystar

While many upscale American restaurants attempt to channel an old-fashioned feel into both their menu and their appearance, Jack Fry’s doesn’t have to imitate that historic look. This longtime Louisville staple first opened its doors in 1933, and although it has changed hands multiple times since then, it remains a local tradition.

Jack Fry's still hosts a handsome wooden bar where guests can sip a handcrafted cocktail or enjoy an ice cold beer while gazing at framed photos of the restaurant’s early years. The dimly lit dining area is furnished with wooden tables covered in white tablecloths, and there you’ll find even more black and white photographs lining the walls.

Jack Fry’s menu focuses on traditional American dishes done in an expert fashion, from cheese ravioli and fried oysters to pork Wellington with accompanying side dishes. If you’re looking to explore a piece of Louisville's culinary history, Jack Fry’s is a must-try!

Jack Fry’s
1007 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 452-9244
www.jackfrys.com
www.yelp.com/biz/jack-frys-louisville

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/wikidave

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Jack Fry’s, Louisville Dining, Restaurants in Louisville

Cotton Candy Concludes Every Meal at Proof on Main

July 30, 2015 by greystar

Fluffy tufts of pink cotton candy conclude every meal at Proof on Main, the house restaurant of Louisville's 21c Museum Hotel. The throwback treat arrives with the check, but you won't find it listed on your bill: The sweet finish is courtesy of the chef.

Consider it the finishing touch to a dining experience at the upscale-casual New American eatery, which serves modern takes on traditional Southern fare. Think goat cheese-studded grits, a Gulf shrimp roll served on brioche, and a "hog chop" presented on a bed of sweet potato and kale. The farm-to-table menu relies on the current offerings of area farmers and artisans, so it's known to change with the season.

Also in rotation here? Exhibitions of contemporary art, which shine a spotlight on the talent of local artists and serve as Proof on Main's decor, from the bar to the bathrooms.

Proof on Main
21C Museum Hotel
702 W. Main St.
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 217-6360
www.proofonmain.com
www.yelp.com/biz/proof-on-main-louisville

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/stu_spivack

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Louisville Dining, Proof on Main, Restaurants in Louisville

El Taco Lunchador: A Fierce Competitor in Louisville’s Taco Scene

June 25, 2015 by greystar

If you encounter a bright red masked face on the streets of Louisville, it means you’ve made your way to some of the city's most delicious tacos! El Taco Lunchador is housed in a small white building with bright yellow accents, and its colorful sign featuring the traditional Mexican lucha libre wrestler logo sets this casual eatery apart from the other options in the area.

There are a few small tables scattered across the outdoor patio, while the bright, eclectic interior features even more seating for El Taco Lunchador’s frequent crowds. The handwritten chalkboard menu at the restaurant’s taco bar boasts a variety of types of tacos, mole French fries, fried plantains, and Mexican street corn, and everything is very reasonably priced.

While Louisville’s taco scene has grown in recent years, El Taco Lunchador is certainly a fierce competitor.

El Taco Lunchador
938 Baxter Avenue
Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 583-0440
www.facebook.com/eltacoluchador
www.yelp.com/biz/el-taco-luchador-louisville

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/jeffreyww

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: El Taco Lunchador, Louisville Dining, Restaurants in Louisville