If you live in Kentucky or Southern Indiana, new restaurants are constantly opening up for us to try. Supporting local restaurants during the pandemic is so important. It also gives us something to do while many other social activities are on hold. As a local food photographer, I enjoy working with restaurants in Louisville and New Albany and trying new foods!

How do I find out about new restaurants in the area?

On social media, there are great Facebook groups like Louisville City Dining Club or Instagram pages like Yelp Louisville/Southern Indiana. You can also follow hashtags on Instagram like: #louisvillefoodies #louisvillefoodanddrink #newalbanyrestaurants #highlandsrestaurants #gosoin, etc. to see posts that people tag.

Local news outlets or papers like Leo Weekly and The Courier Journal also do foodie features. Check out the 2020 Reader’s Choice Awards or this comprehensive Tacos of Louisville list!

Read on for some of my favorite restaurants in Southern Indiana and Kentucky!

New Albany + Jeffersonville Restaurants

Pub fare: Pints & Union

This English-style pub has amazing food and local beers. While you’d expect typical burgers and fries and fish and chips (which they have) and other pub fare, my favorite item on the menu is the Chicken Tikka Masala. They’ve also got other unique items like Bar Bim Bop, Tikka Wangs, a Vegan Dog, and more. Plus, P&U is also a huge supporter of our local soccer team, Louisville City FC!

A social experience: MESA

MESA Collaborative Kitchen is a rare dining experience. Local chefs are invited to craft a one of a kind menu. A limited number of guests (even pre-COVID) make for an intimate experience, while the chef takes you step by step through the recipe. Sip on your drink of choice, ask questions, and enjoy the cooking secrets and aroma of your dinner being cooked in front of you. Typically, these include several course meals and dessert. If you’re looking for a carefree date night that requires no cooking and is tons of fun, check out MESA’s upcoming events! 

Latin food: Habana Blues

Habana Blues serves up delicious Cuban food, great cocktails and has a full-sized old car reminiscent of La Habana’s historic streets within the restaurant. Try my personal favorite, bistec chimichurri, or the traditional Cubano Sandwich. Their desserts might be the best part: they have the only CHOCOLATE tres leches cake I’ve found in the area as well as a delicious flan de coco.

Pizza: The Parlour

If you’re looking for food and a great patio to enjoy in the nice weather, you’ll love The Parlour in New Albany! I love walking across the Big Four Bridge from Louisville over to the Parlour at sunset. The string lights on the patio and outdoor games make for a great night. When you go, try the Buffalo Chicken Pizza – it is the best! They just recently opened a new location on Frankfort Avenue in Louisville.

Small bites: Board & You

Charcuterie is trending right now! This is a great place to go for small bites – Board and You offers a variety of graze boxes to go, or you can also enjoy them before your meal at their bistro. They’ve got some tasty food and drink options you won’t want to pass up!

Louisville restaurants you’ve got to try

Logan Street Market: Great date night location

Perfect for people who can never decide what they want to eat, Logan Street Market houses a variety of local eateries, bars, and shops! Order from one or multiple places and shop while you wait, or afterwards. They’ve got an outdoor patio as well as indoor, food court style seating. 
My favorites are Foko (get some pastries, a fried chicken sandwich, or whatever burrito is on the menu) and PureBlendz for a tasty smoothie!

Brunch: Con Huevos

If you haven’t been to Con Huevos, you haven’t properly brunched in Louisville. They serve up hearty portions and the ambiance is really inviting and bright, with some of the best customer service around! There is a location on Frankfort and one off of Brownsboro Road. Try the Chipotle poached huevos that comes with a side of fresh fruits. Their fresh squeezed OJ is unbelievable!

Oysters + ambiance: Ostra

A hidden gem on Frankfort Avenue, Ostra features unique menu items like oyster shooters, a duck grilled cheese, and ribeye tacos. They also do some great Taco Tuesday + cocktail specials for $33 a couple. I had a delicious Dragon Fruit Margarita that I can’t wait to have again!

For the carnivores: Game

Craving something adventurous? Game offers a wide selection of meats that you can get as individual meatball samplers, pretzel sliders or as a burger. 
Wagyu, alpaca, boar, kangaroo, elk, rabbit, and more – and they also have some delicious vegetarian options!

Galaxie: Out of this world

This is my go-to spot!!! Their Wakatakas (think pita tacos) are the best! Located in the trendy Nulu area, they’ve also got an awesome patio area as well as their “Outer Space”, which pre-COVID featured DJs on the weekends. 
My favorites are the Vader Fries with the Spicy Fried Chicken Wakataka and the Sunny Side Egg Wakataka. They’re famous for their margaritas, but personally I like to order a cold can of Tecate with lime and salt on the rim.

Take your tastebuds on a trip: Noche Mexican BBQ

Combining Texan bbq with authentic Mexican flavors, this truly is a religious experience. Noche Mexican BBQ is built in a historic church, and you can see the harmony of the old architectural features fused with modern cultural touches. 
Whether you’re sitting on the first floor looking up at La Catrina mural, upstairs in the balcony area next to the organ pipes and string lights, or out on the patio, each view is spectacular. 
Since Texan BBQ is their trademark, you’ll want to try the smoked meats. The meats (Carnes) come on a large platter with a variety of toppings and tortillas for you to customize your own meal, as well as your choice of salsas and moles. 

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Here is my list of favorites (you can tell I eat here a lot):
Appetizers: Armadillo Eggs, Trio de Tostadas, Smoked wings (a Noche specialty), guacamole (obviously)
Tacos: I love the vegan tacos
Entrees: the Torta and the Smoked Brisket
Sides: Elote, plátanos fritos, poblano pasta verde (a fan favorite)
To drink, try the signature Top Shelf Margarita or my favorite, the Paloma!

That’s a wrap for now on some of my favorite places to visit in New Albany and Louisville, I’ll definitely have to add to this list as new restaurants pop up.

Have a favorite you think should be on this list? Comment below and I will make plans to visit!