Casual Restaurants in Louisville, KY

Main image courtesy of Visit the USA. 

Going out to eat doesn’t always have to involve fine dining and dressing up nice. Sometimes, you just need a casual place to enjoy a meal with friends and family. That’s why today we’re going to share with you the best casual restaurants in Louisville with a wide variety of food options. This list includes lots of local favorites, from breakfast joints to BBQ spots. No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’re sure to find something on this list that interests you! 

If any of these restaurants interest you, consider purchasing a virtual gift card on GiftYa and treat yourself to a night out to eat! Or, if you’ve tried out one of these restaurants, why not send an E-gift card to a friend or family member so they can try it for themselves? GiftYa gift cards are a great option because they’re easy to buy and convenient to use — they’re stored right on your phone, so you never have to worry about leaving your gift card at home! 

Here are some of the best casual restaurants we found in Louisville. 

Hammerheads

A small, casual restaurant in Louisville with an impressive menu! 

Sit down for a burger at Hammerheads! Image courtesy of Hammerheads. 

921 Swan St | Louisville | louisvillehammerheads.com

This is the perfect restaurant for a casual night out. They have a small space but a lot of food to offer. Their menu is made up of Southern cuisine, specifically smoked meats and BBQ. There are also vegetarian options for those who prefer to eat plant-based! The cozy atmosphere is great for a casual dinner with friends. Other diners recommend the Pork Belly Tacos, Roasted Duck Tacos, and the Beef Brisket sandwich. 

“Was really impressed with Hammerheads! Great “classic bar” vibes but with an impressive menu and craft beer offering … They smoke a lot of their meats in house so it makes ordering your entree pretty straightforward.” -Yelp Review 

District 6 

Try out Vietnamese cuisine at this casual restaurant in Louisville! 

The Jasmine Combination Rice Platter at District 6 is great when you can’t decide whether you want chicken, pork, or beef! Image courtesy of District 6.

3930 Shelbyville Rd | Louisville | eatdistrict6.wixsite.com 

The motto of District 6 is that when you walk through their doors, you are family. And you’ll definitely feel that way once you try out their menu! This restaurant is described as a gastropub serving Vietnamese flavors. They have a Vietnamese-inspired cocktail menu. This is a great, casual place to try something new if you’re not familiar with Vietnamese cuisine! Their popular menu items include Short Rib Pho, Spring Rolls, and Pagoda Noodles. 

“Loved the atmosphere and the food was simply amazing! I asked for my pho with shrimp and vegetables and it was perfect! I also loved the cocktail options. Can’t believe I hadn’t been to this gem of a restaurant before, but will definitely be back.” -Yelp Review

The Eagle

Enjoy Southern comfort food at this restaurant in Louisville! 

The Eagle specializes in all things chicken! Image courtesy of The Eagle.

1314 Bardstown Rd | Louisville | eaglerestaurant.com

If you’ve had a long week, sometimes the best way to relax is with some Southern comfort food. That’s exactly what you’ll find at The Eagle! Their food will give you the homecooked feel you’re looking for, and if you’re a fan of fried chicken, you’ll have no choice but to love this place! They also have outdoor seating for warmer days. Menu items you should definitely try include the Fried Chicken Sandwich, Blackened Shrimp Po Boy, and the Pork Sandwich.

“If you’re looking for good fried chicken, this is it. Can’t go wrong with a quarter or half bird but the fried chicken sandwich is the best in my opinion. The hush puppies are awesome, and be sure to save the sauce that comes with them for your fries…This place is consistent and I love that about them.” -Yelp Review  

Noche Mexican BBQ 

You’ll be intrigued by this restaurant’s menu! 

You’ll definitely enjoy the tacos from Noche. Image courtesy of Noche Mexican BBQ. 

1838 Bardstown Rd | Louisville | nochemexicanbbq.com

You’ll be fascinated by Noche Mexican BBQ from the moment you step inside. The stained glass windows make it a fun and aesthetic environment to enjoy some delicious food. You will also love their weekday specials: $4 margaritas on Monday, half off tacos on Tuesday, and $5 sangria on Wednesday. Plus, they have happy hour Monday-Friday from 3-5 p.m. If you give this place a try, check out other customers’ favorites such as the Brisket Tacos, Pulled Pork, or the Smoked Wings. 

“So thrilled with this beautiful Mexican Barbecue restaurant! … Everything is super fresh and tasty. We can’t wait to bring friends and family here to try it!!” -Yelp Review 

Sidebar at Whiskey Row 

Enjoy a burger at this restaurant in Louisville! 

129 N 2nd St | Louisville | facebook.com/SidebarLou 

If you enjoy bourbon, burgers, and/or beer, you’ll feel right at home in Sidebar at Whiskey Row. This unique restaurant offers a super fun atmosphere to relax with friends and unwind after a long day. On Wednesday nights, they have “Burger and a Pint Night,” where you get to keep the pint glass! On Thursdays, enjoy “Bourbon Flight Night,” where you’re able to try several one ounce pours of bourbon. If you’re more interested in the food, try one of their popular burgers: the Hung Jury, the Ambulance Chaser, or the Jail Bird. 

“Hands down, the BEST burger in Louisville! I’ve been there twice and, if it were closer to my house, I’d be there every week…Great atmosphere, excellent service, and the drinks are good, too. Definitely going back soon!” -Yelp Review

Big Bad Breakfast

Looking for casual breakfast or brunch? This is the place for you! 

If you’ve never tried deep fried French toast, you’ll want to give it a try! Image courtesy of Big Bad Breakfast.

984 Barret Ave | Louisville | bigbadbreakfast.com

Who doesn’t love brunch? We certainly do! For those extra-hungry mornings, Big Bad Breakfast is the place for you. This casual brunch restaurant not only offers a stellar breakfast menu, but they also have a full bar with happy hour specials. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so you should do it right! Big Bad Breakfast’s popular menu items include the Creole Omelet, KeKe’s Breakfast Wrap, and the Chicken and Waffle. 

“All the staff are extremely attentive and aware of their surroundings and do a wonderful job at making you feel welcome. If I wasn’t already a fan of the food I’d be back based on that alone…We are looking forward to coming here again and again and you best believe I’ll be telling everyone about this spot as well.” -Yelp Review 

Catfish Haven Lake Bar and Grill 

This restaurant in Louisville is the perfect spot for casual dining.

7208 Whipple Rd | Louisville | catfishhavenlakebarandgrillky.com 

At Catfish Haven Lake Bar and Grill, the motto is “We’re not fancy, but we’re friendly.” So if you’re looking for a casual spot for a bite to eat, you know you’ve found the right place. Plus, they have outdoor seating overlooking the lake, so you couldn’t ask for a better spot to enjoy a meal! Returning customers recommend the Fried Pickles, Catfish Nuggets, and Blackened Shrimp. 

“Catfish Haven Lake Bar and Grill is a wonderful restaurant with great food and great service owned and ran by a local Valley Station family. They have both indoor and outdoor dining by a beautiful lake. I give five stars.” -Yelp Review 

The Manhattan Project 

This restaurant has great sports bar vibes! 

You won’t be disappointed by the burger options at this restaurant! Image courtesy of The Manhattan Project.  

210B Frankfort Ave | Louisville | themanhattanprojectky.com

If you’re in the mood for a burger and a beer while watching the game, this is the perfect spot for you. They have a great atmosphere for kicking back and relaxing with friends. Plus, they have trivia nights! You won’t be disappointed with your meal here. Their popular menu items are Crab Cakes, the Clifton Burger, and the Popcorn Chicken. 

“Both the service and the quality of the food here are quite impressive; the atmosphere is really nice as well. The staff’s focus on customer service is palpable; everyone is very friendly and willing to go the extra mile to make their customers happy!” -Yelp Review

Royals Hot Chicken

Another great spot for fried chicken! 

You’ll definitely want to try this crispy fried chicken sandwich. Image courtesy of Royals Hot Chicken.

736 E Market St | Louisville | royalshotchicken.com  

When you’re in Kentucky, you should probably make sure to try some fried chicken at some point. Royals Hot Chicken is the perfect place to do so! They have fast service and delicious menu options to choose from. Customers especially love the Loaded Potato Wedges, Cheesy Chicken Poppers, and the Fried Chicken Sandwich.

“This place was great…we ordered, got our food quickly, and we’re overly impressed with the taste and quality!” -Yelp Review 

So, if you’re in the mood for a casual night out, any one of these restaurants will be perfect for you. Some nights you just don’t feel like getting dressed up for a fancy evening out, but you still want the convenience of a meal out. These restaurants are perfect for those nights! 

And don’t forget, if you’ve tried any of these restaurants and want to give your friends a chance to try them out, consider sending them a virtual gift card through GiftYa. These are the perfect, convenient way to have gift cards sent immediately to your phone! 

If you have a favorite casual restaurant in Louisville that wasn’t on this list, let us know!