European-style brunch cafe$12-20Tue to Sat 07:00 to 16:00, Sun 08:00 to 14:00, closed MonWalk-in only
Blue Dog Bakery and Cafe on Frankfort Avenue in Louisville bakes European-style hearth breads and runs a Sunday brunch from a Crescent Hill kitchen with house sourdough.
Order: Croque madame on house sourdough with a side of pickled vegetables.
Tip: Walk-in. Bread sells out by 13:00; arrive earlier for breakfast pastries.
Hotel brunch, Hot Brown$18-28Daily 11:00 to 22:00Resy
J. Graham's Cafe in the Brown Hotel serves Louisville's original Hot Brown for brunch and lunch, the open-faced turkey-and-Mornay sandwich invented in this kitchen in 1926.
Order: The Hot Brown, the original 1926 recipe with house Mornay sauce.
Tip: Walk-in for the bar. The dining room takes reservations on Resy through the hotel.
Diner brunch$8-14Tue to Sat 07:00 to 14:30, Sun 08:00 to 14:30Walk-in only
Wagner's Pharmacy in Louisville has cooked diner breakfast since 1922, the Derby-week racetrack canteen across from Churchill Downs with breakfast plates under $14.
Order: Country ham, two eggs, biscuits and gravy, sweet tea.
Tip: Walk-in counter. Closed Mondays. Breakfast all day Sunday.
21c Museum Hotel brunch, bourbon$22-35Sat to Sun brunch 10:00 to 14:00OpenTable
Proof on Main inside the 21c Museum Hotel runs weekend brunch with bison burgers and Ohio Valley plates, the city's most-photographed brunch room with rotating contemporary art.
Order: Bison burger with house pickles and a bourbon flight on the side.
Tip: Book on OpenTable. The bar takes walk-ins for the brunch menu.
Southern biscuit sandwich brunch$10-16Mon to Thu 07:30 to 14:00, Fri to Sun 07:30 to 15:00Walk-in only
Biscuit Belly NuLu on East Main in Louisville stacks Southern biscuit sandwiches at the chain's original NuLu storefront, the weekend brunch counter for fried chicken biscuits and cheddar grits.
Order: Sweet Heat biscuit sandwich with fried chicken, plus a side of cheddar grits.
Tip: Walk-in only. Weekend mornings draw 20 to 40-minute waits; arrive before 09:30 to skip the queue.
New Orleans-inspired brunch$15-28Tue to Sat 17:00 to 22:00, Sun brunch 10:00 to 14:00OpenTable
Lou Lou on Market in Louisville cooks Sunday brunch with shrimp and grits, New Orleans-rooted plates and bourbon cocktails on East Market in the former Decca space.
Order: Shrimp and grits with andouille sausage and a mimosa.
Tip: Book the dining room on OpenTable. Bar takes walk-ins for brunch.