CALLING ALL FOODIES : TOP 25 LOCALLY OWNED RESTAURANTS

Louisville, KY and bordering Indiana cities such as Jeffersonvillle and New Albany are amazing places to be if you love to be wowed by amazing food and dining. Allison Stines with Louisville Business First complied as list of the top 25 locally owned restaurants based on their Yelp ranking. Some of these restaurants turned out to be personal favorites of mine and others I can not wait to try out. What about you?

#1 AND #2 MUSSEL AND BURGER BAR

#1 AND #2 ranked locally owned restaurant is none other than Mussel & Burger Bar. This restaurant is located in both downtown Louisville, KY and on Taylorsville Rd. in Louisville. Downtown is rank #1 and the 2nd location is ranked #2. They're best known for exactly what you would expect - Burgers, Seafood, and a Bar! Some of their dinner menu items include a Cubano Burger, Truffle Pomme Fries, Curry Cream Mussels, and much more. Check out their full menus at mussel-burger-bar.com

Downtown Location Taylorsville Rd. Location

# of Reviews: 349 # of Reviews: 578

Rating: 4.5 Rating: 4.5

#3 LOUVINO

Ranked #3 on the list is Kentucky's Louvino. This great restaurant has three locations spanning Louisville and Fishers, IN with two more locations opening in 2018 in Indianapolis and Cincinnati. Louvino is known for their wine bar, tapas bars, and for great Southern food. Reservations can be made at their website at louvino.com

Main St. Location in Middletown

# of Reviews: 128

Rating: 4.5

#4 ABYSSINIA AUTHENTIC ETHIOPIAN CUISINE RESTAURANT & BAR

If you find yourself in downtown Louisville on 5th Street you will find a small but very tasty authentic Ethiopian restaurant called Abyssinia. They have an descriptive menu with something for everyone. More common menu items include Lamb Tips, Beef Tips, or Tilapia. However there are a large number of amazing Ethiopian dishes to try such as Spicy Kitfo, Vegan Shiro, Girgiro, and much more. Check out their full menu and make reservations at abyssinialouisville.com

# of Reviews: 94

Rating: 4.5

#5 BUTCHERTOWN GROCERY

This great restaurant is located in none other than the Butchertown area of Louisville, KY off Story Ave. They are known for their cocktail bar as well as American and French dishes. Enjoy Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Dessert, or Drinks! Items from each menu include Chicken & Waffles, Grapefruit Mimosas, Tuna Tartare, New Orleans BBQ Shrimp, Ravioli, Classic Burger, Red and White Wine, Beignets, Creme Brulee, and much more. Check out even more menu items at butchertowngrocery.com

# of Reviews: 352

Rating: 4.5

#6 GASTHAUS

Coming in at number 6 is Gasthaus German Restaurant. They are known for their truly authentic German cuisine. You will find this restaurant in the Brownsboro-Northfield area of Louisville, KY. Menu items include Chicken Cordon Bleu, Spatzle, Gulasch, Jager Schnitzel, Kase Kuchen (German Cheese Cake) and much more. This is definitely a place you need to try out! See their full menu, beer/wine list, gluten free menu, dessert menu, and also catering menu at gasthausdining.com

# of Reviews: 76

Rating: 4.5

#7 MONNIK BEER CO.

Located in the Schnitzelburg area of Louisville, KY is a fantastic Brewery/Gastropub known as Monnik Beer Co. Their website is full of great information about their "BrewPub". Watch a video about their story, buy merch, see their impressive list of Brews on tap. Menu items here include Beer Cheese, KY Cuban, Vegetable Shepherd's Pie, Bier Burger, Pub-Style Curry Chicken, Root Beer Floats and more. See it all at monnikbeer.com

# of Reviews: 178

Rating: 4.5

#8 VIETNAM KITCHEN

Ranked at #8 is Vietnam Kitchen located in the Iroquois area of Louisville. They're known for their authentic Vitetnamese cuisine as well their vegetarian menu items. Menu items include Pho tai (rice noodle soup with beef), Mi xao (stir fry egg noodles), General Tso Chicken, Tofu Pad Thai, and much more. Their online menu at vietnamkitchen.net gives descriptions on all their soups, noodles, rice, and vegetarian dishes. We've heard this restaurant fills up for dinner and people are willing to wait in lines for the delicious meals.

# of Reviews: 323

Rating: 4.5

#9 LA COCINA DE MAMA

La Cocina de Mama is located on Hurstbourne Pkwy. in the Westport area of Louisville, KY. They are known for farm to kitchen ingredients in their Mexican food as well as desserts and sandwiches. Menu items include Carne Asada, Pollo Rice, Gluten Free Salmon Primavera, Burrito Gigante, Steak Sandwich, and much more. Popular desserts are Tres Leche Cake, Churros, Fried Ice Cream, and Molten Chocolate Cake. See it all at lacocinademamaky.com

# of Reviews: 82

Rating: 4.5

#10 WILTSHIRE ON MARKET

Come ready to dine on some sophisticated American food at Wiltshire on Market! This restaurant is located in the hip NuLu area of Louisville, KY. Wiltshire has three other locations in Louisville including a bakery. Dinner menu items here include Halibut Tacos, Butternut Squash Bisque, Fried Chicken, Grilled Floridian Octopus, Baba Ganoush and more. To see drink menus, locations, and more visit wiltshirepantry.com

# of Reviews: 57

Rating: 4.5

#11 THE FAT LAMB

The Fat Lamb is a modern American kitchen and cocktail bar. You will find this great place in the Highlands area of Louisville near Cherokee Triangle and Bardstown Road. You can choose from ordering appetizers such as soy braised pork belly, baked goat cheese, caramelized onion and mushroom mac & cheese. Or dishes such as seared duck breast, shrimp & grits, hot sauce marinated friend chicken breast. Make reservations and see both lunch and dinner menus at fathlamblouisville.com

# of Reviews: 83

Rating: 4.5

#12 LE MOO FINE STEAK HOUSE

Le Moo is a popular American Steakhouse. However, they are also very well known for their breakfast and brunch menu. To enjoy their delicious cuisine travel to their location in the Irish Hill area of Louisville on Lexington Rd. Dinner menu items include Famous Spinach Queso, Steak (Ribeye, New York Strip, and Filet), Jumbo Sea Scallops, Burger & Fries, Wedge Salad, and more. Brunch menu includes Prime Tenderloin Omelette, "Not Just for Crazy People" Breakfast Burger, Chicken and Waffles, Cereal, PB&J and more. See it all at lemoorestaurant.com

# of Reviews: 261

Rating: 4

#13 AT THE ITALIAN TABLE

Located in the Avenue/Clifton area of Louisville, KY on Frankfort Ave. Their menu items include Sauteed Muscles, Fried Calamari, Charcuterie (Duck Tortellini), Fior de Zucca Ripieno (Gnocchi), Crespelle in Brodo (Ravioli), and more. Check out their website at attheitaliantable.com and be ready to enjoy High End Dining!

# of Reviews: 29

Rating: 4.5

#14 LOUVINO

Also featured as #3 on this list is Louvino. Once again they are known for their specialty food, wine bar, and tapas/small plates. #3 on the list was their Middletown location. Leading the charts again is their Bardstown Road location in the Highlands area. Sunday Brunch menu items include Loaded Tot Benedict, Stuffed French Toast, Steak & Eggs. Dinner menu items include Seared Scallops, Lobster Mac & Cheese, Lentil Chili, Steak Frites, and much more. Make reservations, see happy hour information, and more menu items at louvino.com

# of Reviews: 198

Rating: 4.5

#15 GUACA MOLE COCINA MEXICANA

Guca Mole is a fantastic and popular Mexican restaurant located in the Hurstbourne area of Louisville, KY on Ornsby Station Rd. Lunch and dinner menu items include chips and homemade salsa, guacamole sampler, shrimp seviches, tacos, Mexican sandwiches, moles, sopes, enchiladas, burritos, and more. See more at guaca-mole-restaurant.com

# of Reviews: 249

Rating: 4

#16 PORTAGE HOUSE

Across the bridge from Louisville are the wonderful cities of Jeffersonville and New Albany, IN. Foodies are seriously impressed with their selection of delicious restaurants. Located in Jeffersonville, IN is Portage House known for their American cuisine and creative cocktails. Menu items include garlic fries, fried chicken sandwich, curried black bean fritter, panko breaded fried cod, griddled double cheese burger and more. Check out their website at eatportagehouse.com

# of Reviews: 82

Rating: 4.5

#17 Momma's Pizza and More

Once again located in Jeffersonville, IN, you will find an awesome Pizza and Salad restaurant. They serve delicious garlic dots, cheese stick pizza, deep dish pizza, thin crust ,and more. We recommend that you check out their Facebook page for incredible reviews of their service and photos of the food.

# of Reviews: 60

Rating: 4.5

#18 Chik'n & Mi

How delicious does an Asian Fried Chicken and Noodle Shop sound? That's exactly what you would find at Chik'n & Mi in Louisville, KY. It is located in the Clifton Heights area on Brownsboro Road. Brunch items include Monkey Bread, Biscuits and Gravy, Spicy Garlic Miso Ramen. Dinner items include Pork Belly Steam Buns, Kimchi Mac & Cheese, Vegetarian Ramen, Fried Chicken Nuggets tossed in your choice of sauce, and more. Visit their website at chiknandmi.com

# of Reviews: 85

Rating: 4.5

#19 Artesano Vino Tapas Y Mas

Artesano is a great restaurant located in the Westport area of Louisville, KY on Herr Ln. It is known for their Tapas/Small Plates, Wine Bar, and Spanish cuisine. Dinner menu items include a Mediterranean Salad, Sirloin Skewer, Chicken Empanadas, Salmon, and more. For dessert you can enjoy Chocolate Churros, Goat Cheese Flan, and Olive Oil Cake with caramel, pistachio, and a berry compote. Visit their website to see more at artesano-restaurant.com

# of Reviews: 129

Rating: 4.5

#20 The Post

The Post is a pizza, salad, and cocktail bar in the Germantown area of Louisville. They have a large amount of great reviews. Menu items include New York Style Pizza with specialty combinations, Subs (Rubens, Chicken Parm, Italian,etcc.) A variety of Salads, Calzones, Giant Pizza by the Slice, and Sides (cheese sticks, beer cheese, and chicken bites, etc.) Visit their website at thepostlouisville.com to see more.

# of Reviews: 289

Rating: 4

#21 The Village Anchor

This popular restaurant is known for their Southern Comfort food, sandwiches, and pub style. It is located in the beautiful Anchorage area of Louisville on Park Rd. Brunch menu items include Red Velvet Pancakes, California Benedict, Grilled Filet Mignon on Bleu Cheese Biscuits, and more. Lunch/Dinner at The Village Anchor could include Fried Brussel Sprout Salad, Elk & Beef Chili, Sweet Potato Fries with Marshmallow Creme, Blackened Fish Tacos, Meatloaf Burger, or the Hotter Brown. See more on their website at villageanchor.com

# of Reviews: 242

Rating: 4

#22 Game

Located in the Irish Hill area of Louisville is a delicious Burger restaurant called Game. Here you will find menu items such as Buttermilk Fried Frog Legs, Wild Boar Chorizo, Venison, Alpaca, Kangaroo, and extensive choices for a Build Your Own Burger. See all the options at wildgameburger.com

# of Reviews: 241

Rating: 4

#23 Recbar

Recbar is an American (traditional) Bar located in the Jeffersontown area of

Louisville on Taylorsville Rd. Recbar is known not only for their delicious food but for their large arcade and cool setting. Play some games and enjoy food such as Frosted Flake Tenders, Philly Style Taco, PB & J between two waffles dusted with cinnamon sugar, Grilled Mac & Cheese between Texas Toast, Breakfast Burger, and much more. See all the hype at recbarlouisville.com

# of Reviews: 126

Rating: 4.5

#24 Crescent Hill Craft House

Crescent Hill is located on Frankfort Ave in Louisville. It is known for it's Cocktail Bar, American food, and gastropub style. For Brunch you can enjoy a Breakfast Burrito, Biscuits & Gravy, Hot Brown, or a Farmer's Platter. At Dinner treat yourself to Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower, Kettle Chip Nachos, Quinoa Salad, Beer Battered Cod Sandwich, Shrimp & Grits, Seared Salmon & Mussels, or much more. See the lists of beers, as well, at crafthousebrews.com

# of Reviews: 216

Rating: 4

#25 Brooklyn & The Butcher

Make your way over to Market St. in downtown New Albany, IN for a great meal at Brooklyn & the Butcher. They are known for their Seafood, Steak, and Cocktails. Menu items include Oysters Rockefeller, Korean BBQ, Manhattan Strip, Braised Short Rib, Whipped Potatoes, Grits, Dry Aged Ribeye and much more. They have delicious dessert options as well that include Green Tea Creme Brulee, Bourbon Bread Pudding, and NY Style Cheesecake. You can check out their drink menu and more at brooklynandthebutcher.com

# of Reviews: 82

Rating: 4.5