• The Cafe
    The perennially popular eatery offers outdoor seating and a brunch menu served all day Saturday and Sunday. The tomato-dill soup is a house specialty, and salads and sandwiches include names like The Naturalistic and The Louis XIV (chicken salad with apple slices and lettuce).
    589-9191
    thecafetogo.com
    $ | Downtown | Cafes
  • Tiffany Cellar Cafe
    Watch your step when you duck into this lower-level lunch spot: Its cozy dining rooms are crammed with antiques from Head House Antiques and Uniques, which is located upstairs. Try the Benedictine, bread pudding with bourbon sauce or homemade soups.
    245-4411
    $ | Middletown/Eastwood | Cafes
  • Famous Dave's
    Famous Dave’s serves up St. Louis-style ribs, pulled pork, and its often-requested bread pudding. We recommend you don’t wear your nice white shirt.
    493-2812
    famousdaves.com
    $$ | Jeffersontown | Barbecue
  • Frankfort Avenue Beer Depot
    This unpretentious place will appeal to people who love two things: meat and beer. They cook pulled pork, ribs, chicken, and salmon in a smoker out front and offer a nice beer selection. Don’t miss “Beerhalla,” the backyard filled with putt-putt, cornhole, and beer pong games.
    895-3223
    frankfortavenuebeerdepot.com
    Clifton/Crescent Hill | Barbecue
  • Intermezzo Cafe and Cabaret
    Actors Theatre's Intermezzo evokes a French bistro with its menu and decor. Popular dishes include Parmesan-crusted tilapia and crepes du jour. When the theater is dark, so is the restaurant.
    561-3344
    intermezzolouisville.com
    $$$ | Downtown | Upscale Casual
  • Ruth's Chris Steak House
    This deluxe national chain’s perch atop the Kaden Tower makes it a prime dinner destination. Enjoy tender signature steaks, Maine lobster, and an award-winning wine list along with a view of the city.
    479-0026
    ruthschris.com
    $$$$$ | DuPont/Hikes Point | Fine Dining
  • Shiraz
    Shiraz offers fast, fresh Mediterranean food. Choose from char-grilled meat, fish, or veggies and other ala carte items like hummus or spicy avocado bruschetta.
    891-8854
    shirazmg.net
    $ | Clifton/Crescent Hill | Middle Eastern
  • The Back Door
    This friendly bar on the side of Mid-Coty Mall is much larger than it appears. Along with pool tables and other games, it offers every kind of bar grub — wings, burgers, quesadillas, pizzas and more.
    451-0659
    thebackdoorlouisville.com
    $ | Bar-and-Grills
  • The Bard’s Town
    A recently opened restaurant, lounge and live theater in the Highlands. The menu is eclectic with Shakespearean-named items like the Filet-dy MacBeth, Taming of the Stew and the Duke of Bourbon Brisket. The theater features poetry readings, live music, and plays.
    749-5275
    thebardstown.com
    $$ | Highlands | Bistros
  • The Bodega at Felice
    Tucked away in the Felice Winery complex, this cafe and coffee bar serves breakfast, lunch and take-home meals, including soups, salads, specialty sandwiches and paninis, pasta and Italian-style thin-crust pizza. Enjoy wine and cheese (or your meal) on the grapevine patio.
    569-4100
    thebodegaatfelice.com
    $ | NuLu/East Market | Cafes