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Louisville: Dine & Sip

Lynn’s Paradise Cafe

Louisville has plenty of dining options to satisfy any palate. Historical hotel restaurants abound, and hole-in-the-wall local favorites are easy to find. Venture outside 21c’s house restaurant for a true taste of Louisville.

The Brown Hotel

No trip to Kentucky is complete without sampling a hot brown—a broiled, open-face turkey sandwich topped with mornay sauce, bacon and tomato. And according to Susan Dallas, communications manager for the Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau, the best place for this staple is the Brown Hotel, where it originated. And while you’re there, Dallas suggests trying a mint julep, the official drink of the Kentucky Derby.

Harvest

For a more modern, down-home dining experience, head to Harvest in the trendy NuLu district. This farmer-owned restaurant features a seasonal menu that focuses on Southern-style cooking. The restaurant’s owners pledge to source at least 80 percent of their food from growers located within a 100-mile radius of the city and who are committed to sustainable farming practices and high standards of animal welfare. But don’t think the down-home attitude of this restaurant makes it hokey; Bon Appetit magazine named it one of the top 50 restaurants in the country.

The Seelbach Hotel

F. Scott Fitzgerald fans will recognize the name of this hotel from “The Great Gatsby”—it’s where Tom and Daisy Buchanan were wed. In real life, the hotel is known for its Seelbach cocktail, which is made with champagne, bitters and bourbon.

Muth’s Candy

Sugar addicts will feel right at home at this 90-year-old candy shop. It’s best known for its Modjeskas, which are caramel-dipped marshmallows, though it sells fantastic chocolate-covered bourbon balls, taffy, boxed chocolates and malted milk balls—all made in-house—as well.

Jack Fry’s

If you’re looking for a classy establishment with the locals’ stamp of approval, look no farther. The menu features upscale twists on Southern favorites, like duck breast over bourbon and bacon braised collard greens with roasted fingerling potatoes, an orange gastrique and pan-seared foie gras.

Lynn’s Paradise Cafe

This eclectic, wildly decorated little spot takes reservations for any size group … even if you’re dining alone. And with a home-style menu chock-full of Southern staples like fried green tomatoes, meatloaf and all-day breakfast, it’s not hard to see why. Dallas recommends making a reservation, particularly if you’re trying to grab breakfast on the weekend.