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Soul foodOld Louisville
Edward Lee's 610 Magnolia in Louisville runs a weekly tasting menu out of an Old Louisville Victorian, the chef's Southern-Korean flagship since 2003.
OrderWhatever the night's tasting menu opens with, then a bourbon pairing flight from the cellar.
TipBook on OpenTable for parties of six or fewer. Wednesday and Thursday seats open up first.
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Soul foodDowntown
Proof on Main in Louisville pairs chef Cody Stone's Ohio Valley plates with a deep bourbon list, set inside the 21c Museum Hotel on West Main Street.
OrderThe bison burger from the local grass-fed herd, plus a bourbon flight built by the bar team.
TipWalk in for the bar menu before 18:00, then dinner reservations land easier on weeknights.
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LevantineNulu
Chef Noam Bilitzer's MeeshMeesh in Louisville took a 2025 James Beard finalist nod with Levantine plates from his NuLu kitchen on East Market Street.
OrderThe Shefha shareable tasting menu with a group of four, plus the wood-grilled lamb.
TipResy opens 60 days ahead at 11:00 for dinner Tuesday to Sunday. The patio takes walk-ins in warm months.
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YucatecanNulu
Chef Bruce Ucan's Mayan Cafe in Louisville cooks Yucatecan plates with Kentucky farm produce, the East Market NuLu room locals recommend to first-timers.
OrderThe tok-sel lima beans wok-seared with pumpkin seeds, the dish locals rave about.
TipBook on Resy. The new patio bar takes walk-ins for a quick plate and a mezcal before dinner service.
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New AmericanHighlands
Jack Fry's has run on Bardstown Road in Louisville since 1933, the Highlands dining bar where the counter takes walk-ins for the full menu. Priced at $$$.
OrderThe lamb chops, the dish that has anchored the menu for decades.
TipBook on OpenTable a week ahead. First-come bar seats turn over for walk-ins.
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Soul foodNulu
Lou Lou on Market in Louisville moved into the former Decca space, a New Orleans-rooted NuLu kitchen running shrimp and grits and Bananas Foster.
OrderThe shrimp and grits, the kitchen's loudest plate.
TipPatio seats are first-come on weekends. Book the dining room on OpenTable for Friday and Saturday.