• Asahi Japanese Restaurant
    Sushi chef Yong Tak, formerly of Osaka, brings his sushi skills to Lexington Road, where he serves up food like the Asahi roll, the house specialty, and chicken teriyaki.
    895-1130
    $$ | St. Matthews | Japanese
  • Thai Siam
    Some dishes on Thai Siam’s expansive menu will make you break a sweat, but items can be modified to diner’s spiciness preferences. Chef’s specialties include crispy red snapper with Thai chili sauce, Jungle Curry, and spicy string beans.
    458-6871
    thaisiam-ky.com
    $$ | Highlands | Thai
  • Martini Italian Bistro
    A sleek locale and new interpretations of classic Italian are highlights of this chain. It also boasts an extensive martini menu of candy-colored drinks with names like All That Razz and Jolly Rancher.
    394-9797
    martini-italian-bistro.com
    $$ | Springhurst/Summit | Italian
  • Third Avenue Cafe
    The decor may be a throwback to Elvis and the 1970s, but the menu is a modern mix loaded with vegetarian and vegan offerings. Try the black bean burger or the 'vegan meatloaf' with lentils, bulgur wheat, vegetables, herbs and spices served with a tomato sauce.
    585-CAFE
    thirdavecafe.com
    $$ | Old Louisville | Cafes
  • Michele's on Goss
    Chef Michele Brinke offers a selection of soups, salads and sandwiches to the lunch crowd at the Goss Avenue Antique Mall. On weekends the brunch menu includes four different kinds of eggs Benedict, pancakes that sound like dessert (S'mores and Peanut Butter Cup), and crepes with sweet or savory fillings.
    409-5909
    michelesongoss.com
    $$ | Germantown | Cafes
  • Cafe Lou Lou
    This funky cafe has art lining the walls and a wide-ranging menu tinged with Italian and Cajun flavors. Try the signature Lou Lou’s Pizza or one of the calzones jam-packed with flavorful ingredients.
    893-7776
    cafeloulou.com
    $$ | St. Matthews | Cafes
  • Dragon King’s Daughter
    A second venue opened by Maido’s Toki Masabuchi puts the emphasis on playful. This Bardstown Road location offers some sushi rolls and other Japanese staples, but fills out the menu with creative takes on tacos and other non-Asian standards.
    632-2444
    dragonkingsdaughter.com
    $$ | Highlands | Japanese
  • The Bard’s Town
    A recently opened restaurant, lounge and live theater in the Highlands. The menu is eclectic with Shakespearean-named items like the Filet-dy MacBeth, Taming of the Stew and the Duke of Bourbon Brisket. The theater features poetry readings, live music, and plays.
    749-5275
    thebardstown.com
    $$ | Highlands | Bistros
  • New Albanian Brewing Co.
    Lite beer drinkers need not apply. However, beer geeks (and we mean that in the nicest possible way) flock here for the house-made brews as well as the extensive selection of microbrews from all over the world. If beer sampling makes you hungry, they offer pizza, pasta, and sandwiches.
    944-2577
    newalbanian.com
    $$ | Southern Indiana | Brewpubs
  • Austin’s
    A wide-ranging menu based on contemporary Southern cuisine is nudged up a bit in preparation and presentation from the typical American bistro. Be sure to try the Maker’s Mark bourbon sirloin or the cedar plank salmon.
    423-1990
    austinslou.com
    $$ | Brownsboro Road/U.S. 42 | Upscale Casual