Looking for the next new restaurant hitting Derby City’s food scene? Check out these buzzy places to eat and drink in Louisville — plus, some spots coming soon. Keep tabs on this list to stay ahead of the cuisine curve. And don’t forget to bookmark it.
March
Lucia’s Cafecito y Más, 1433 Bardstown Road | Get your coffee and a fresh-baked treat at this new cafe, serving doughnuts, empanadas, bagels, and more.
Clifton Tavern, 1800 Frankfort Ave. | Taking over the location of the long-running Hilltop Tavern, this new tavern features drinks, bar bites, BBQ, and smashburgers.
Oma, 1116 Logan St. | This new Asian-Latin fusion restaurant serves just two dinner services each night to a very limited audience. No need to pick what you eat, it’s all chef’s choice.
February
American Kolache, 2306 Bardstown Rd. | These eastern European pastries take center stage at this new locally-owned branch of a national franchise.
Chica’s Cantina, 1015 E. Main St. | From the people behind Shahar comes this new taqueria serving soft-shelled tacos and a robust cocktail menu.
Greenside Pizzeria, 901 E. Main St. | New York-style slices and pies are on the menu at this new concept from Gravely Brewing.
Mill Iron 4, 1758 Frankfort Ave. | The team behind MeeshMeesh and North of Bourbon have come together to launch a new restaurant in the former Enso space. It features live-fire cooking and is set to open early next year.
2025
Murray’s Creole Pub, 1576 Bardstown Rd. | Lawrence Weeks’ new restaurant features casual dining on the first floor, with dinner service and a cocktail program on the upper level coming in April
Gaucho Urbano, 2103 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy | A new Brazillian steakhouse is coming to Louisville’s East End. Gaucho Urbano, which first opened in Tennessee, will open a second location on South Hurstbourne Parkway this fall.
Grale Goods | 1004 Bardstown Rd.
The latest venture from the team behind Gralehaus, Holy Gale, and Bar Grale and will serve smoothies, baked goods, sandwiches, and more. Check it out at the split between Baxter Avenue and Bardstown Road.
Acai-Ville Café | 305 W Cardinal Blvd.
Acai-Ville Café is now open in the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center on Muhammad Ali Boulevard. The new fruit bowl and smoothie place also has a location coming to Broadway, with an opening date TBD.
Great Bagel + Bakery | 12905 Shelbyville Rd #4
This Lexington-based breakfast place mills its grain in-house + focuses on fresh ingredients sourced directly from farmers.
Cinnaholic | 4204 Shelbyville Rd.
Everything is vegan and fresh at this top-your-own cinnamon roll shop. You can customize your fixings, or just get one as-is.
Sweet Colada | 1113 Logan St.
Coffee and pastries are on the menu at this new Cuban shop.
Haifry, 1126 Bardstown Rd. | A new Japanese restaurant from the owner of Dragon King’s Daughter with a range of non-sushi Japanese food, including noodles, skewers, and savory pancakes.
Good Morning Breakfast & Brunch, 1971 Brownsboro Rd. | The owner of Chilakiles, a Mexican restaurant which closed during the pandemic, opened a new place on Brownsboro Road. Good Morning has some of the same menu items as Chilakiles, including golden tres leches pancakes.
Pizza Jones, 126 Breckenridge Lane | Delivery-only pizza
This delivery-only store also function as a ghost kitchen for a wings restaurant, a potato restaurant, and a hot dog restaurant.
YachtSea, 111 N. Wenzel St. | Oysters + hot dogs
From the minds behind The Merryweather comes this new nautical-themed Butchertown bar. YachtSea features nautical-themed drinks, an oyster bar, and hot dogs — along with pinball.
Sake A Go Go, 620 E. Market St. | This new Japanese restaurant is in the former Toast on Market space, and comes from the restaurateur behind Village Anchor, Le Moo, and Steakhouse Bourré Bonne, among others.
Elliment Restaurant and Lounge, 707 S. 3rd St. | This Jamaican restaurant is now open in the Weissinger Gaulbert building. Expect jerk chicken plates, sides like rice + peas, apple slaw, and fries, and entres like oxtail and curry goat.
Retta’s, 2011 Frankfort Ave Unit 101 | A new ice cream spot in Clifton is serving up unique flavors like toasted hay sorghum chip and coconut lemongrass. It started as a bike cart, but now has a permanent home in the former Harvey’s space
SmashD, 2109 Frankfort Ave. | Casual smash burgers
A new smash burger place is now open in the former J Gumbo’s space on Frankfort Avenue. SmashD is open seven days a week with dine-in and take-out — we have our eyes on the onion rings with citrus mustard sauce.
Mi Ranchito Grill, 505 W. Broadway | Mexican
The second location of this Owensboro-based restaurant is now open in the former Brew & Sip Coffee Bar space downtown. The family-owned and operated restaurant features tacos, burritos, nachos, and other specials.
Mashup Food Hall, 750 E. Jefferson St. | Food hall
Wiltshire Pantry will be one of the first food vendors to open in the food hall, which will be paired with a coworking space.
Yummy Bowl, 2060 Hurstbourne Pkwy | Sushi, ramen, and stir-fry | Projected opening: TBD
This national chain has a location opening in Hurstborne acres — eventually. The company is planning a second area location in Clarksville as well.
Franny’s Seafood, 998 Goss Ave
Located across the street from Hauck’s Corner, this seafood restaurant is still under construction. It is planned to feature 80 seats inside, along with an outdoor patio, and a menu focused on fresh oysters.
Yonutz, 12939 Shelbyville Road
This viral donut shop is on a mission to open multiple local franchise locations, with the first coming to Middletown.
Coming soon
Gladwell Dinette, Shelby Park | Projected opening: TBD | Former Redbud, Decca, and 610 Magnolia chef Nick Taylor is planning a permanent spot building on the success of his ongoing popups.
The Exchange, NuLu | This popular New Albany gastropub is bringing its second location across the river to NuLu.
Cook Out, 2412 Preston Highway | Projected opening: TBD
This national chain has 22 locations in Kentucky, but none in Louisville — for now. Documents filed with the Louisville Metro in summer 2024 indicate the chain is interested in constructing a drive-thru and restaurant on Preston Highway.
Maynila | The chef behind Perso will be bringing his Philipino roots to the table at this new restaurant across from Fleur de Flea
Helm and Honey | Heads up, foodies. This “wood fire neighborhood fine dining” spot, is coming soon to the Highlands. The new restaurant will open inside the former La Chasse space on Bardstown Road.
