Take it from me: Louisville’s best restaurants do not get enough hype. I was born and raised in Hawaii, and I had the privilege of growing up with a variety of cuisines available at virtually any time—fresh seafood often went straight into my mother’s frying pan from my father’s fishing pole. As an adult, I’ve been lucky to travel the world and enjoy gourmet meals at some of the world’s finest five-star hotels. Access to good food has never been negotiable in my day-to-day life, either. Which is why it may surprise you to learn that I’ve landed in Louisville, Kentucky, the home of bourbon and the Kentucky Derby, and why it’s a place that I consider to be among the top-tier dining destinations in the United States.
Over the last decade, I’ve enjoyed hundreds of meals at Louisville restaurants and can confirm that the Derby City dining scene doesn’t disappoint. Below are what I consider to be the very best. They showcase the diversity of Louisville’s dining scene, without any of the tropes and tourist traps: There are tasting menu-only eateries serving dishes combining the flavors of the American South and Korea plus hole-in-the-wall spots long popular with locals. Trust me, these eight restaurants represent a range of Louisville’s culinary offerings and are worth a visit during your next trip.
610 Magnolia
10 W Magnolia Ave., Old Louisville, Louisville, KY
Don’t miss: the optional, five-course wine pairing option to complete your tasting menu feast…