Proof on Main is a farm-to-table southern brunch spot in Downtown, Louisville.
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.
Must 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.
Address: 702 West Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202
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.
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.
Highland Morning on Bardstown Road in Louisville cooks all-day brunch and stuffed French toast in the Highlands, named one of USA Today's best brunch spots in America.
Order: Stuffed French toast with bourbon syrup and a side of bacon.
Tip: Walk-in only. Get there before 10:00 on weekends to skip the 30-minute wait.
Con Huevos on Frankfort Avenue in Louisville cooks fresh Mexican breakfasts and brunch out of a Clifton corner kitchen, with chilaquiles, breakfast tacos and tortas.
Order: Chilaquiles con huevos with green sauce, plus a horchata.
Tip: Walk-in only. Weekend waits run 20 to 40 minutes; weekday mornings are easier.
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.
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.
