The Absolute Nicest Restaurants in Louisville to Have Dinner

If you are looking for the nicest restaurants in Louisville Kentucky then you’ll want to be sure to check out one of Louisville’s fine upscale and high end restaurants and eating establishments that appear on our list today. With many different styles and cultures of cuisines, and a myriad of upscale atmospheres, the restaurants in Louisville have more to offer than meets the eye. 

Although there are many options to choose from, in this article today we have compiled a list of some of the top rated and nicest restaurants in the whole Louisville area. The list includes the restaurant's location, a Yelp review, a summary of the restaurant's style, and even a convenient link to the restaurant's website in case you want to order takeout or just want to preview the menu before you go in person. We’ve even included links where you can get a GiftYa E-Gift Card for each and every one of the participating restaurants.

As a reminder, a GiftYa digital gift card is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. A gift card that functions just like every other gift card. It lets you make purchases at a participating bar, restaurant, or store, up to the face value of the gift card. However, unlike traditional gift cards. GiftYa digital gift cards come with a few additional benefits. For instance, unlike your traditional gift cards, a GiftYa card can be sent digitally straight to someone’s phone in seconds. That way you don’t even need to deliver a GiftYa in person if you want to give them as a gift to someone special. You can just visit the GiftYa website and get one today.

Since GiftYa cards are sent directly to your phone, you never have to worry about misplacing them or forgetting to take them with you. In most instances you are going to have your phone with you so in most instances you will have your GiftYa cards right in your pocket. In addition to that, your GiftYa also keeps track of the balance for you. Which is so much nicer than having to try to remember how much was left over on those antiquated plastic gift cards. I mean you can’t write it on them very easily so idk what you’re supposed to do if you don’t use the total value the first time? Just guess the next time you are in town? 

610 Magnolia

Probably the Nicest Restaurant Louisville, but You’ll Need A Reservation.

610 W Magnolia Ave | Old Louisville | 610magnolia.com

There's so many great things about 610 Magnolia that bring it to the top of our list today. But perhaps the greatest thing about it is that with its location in the heart of downtown old Louisville, it brings a modern approach to all the classics of the Southern dinner table. 610 Magnolia is a great representation of Louisville itself, and honestly the best of what makes Louisville great in the first place.The best that it has to offer. 

Louisville sits right at theof the intersection of many different cultures, heritages, and histories and both the menu, and the ambiance, at 610 Magnolia are a celebration of everything that makes Louisville simultaneously both historic and progressive. And the flavors you can expect are just as diverse and complex as the people who make up the history of Louisville itself. 

With all that being said, you can expect that 610 Magnolia is going to require a reservation in advance if you want to get a seat so be sure to call ahead well in advance.

“We had a fantastic night at 610 Magnolia and it's one of the best meals I've ever had. Getting a reservation was easy via email and we spoke directly with the restaurant manager, Liz, who reconfirmed our visit a few days before. Liz also made a point of stopping by our table to welcome us to the restaurant and thank us for coming in!” - Yelp Review.

You can’t get a digital GiftYa gift card to 610 Magnolia at the moment but be sure to check back soon as new nicest restaurants and locations in Louisville are added all the time!

Repeal

Authentic. Historic. Oak-Fired. Steakhouse.

101 West Main St | Downtown/East Main| repeallouisville.com

Repeal is the restaurant on this list that I would personally most like to spend an evening at. The restaurant is housed in the famous J.T.S. Brown and Son’s wholesale warehouse right in the middle of Louisville’s historic Whiskey Row. The same warehouse that oversaw the bottling company saw itself explode into bar rooms around the country. And the same warehouse where the 18th amendment allowed the federal government to shut them down in the pursuit of the newly passed prohibition laws. The same warehouse where the founding family fought against the prohibition and marched on towards its repeal.

Hence the very namesake of the restaurant. At Repeal they are reclaiming that lost history, and those lost freedoms. That’s why with a sense of poetic irony they prepare theirtheirs steaks over the flames of oak-aged barrels. So if you or someone you know has a taste for experience and history, Repeal is probably the place for you. They have The Rooftop opened up for seating and they have even more (newly expanded!) outdoor seating than ever before. I’m not sure what else you could be looking for when it comes to having one of the nicest dinners you can while you are in Louisville.   

“The best steak we've ever had! Loved everything about Repeal. Started off with drinks... for dinner we had Petite Filet with horseradish sauce, and one with red wine jus.... Both were excellent, but the steak alone was phenomenal. We had the asparagus and mushrooms as side dishes... the servings were very generous. Our waiter was attentive and informative, great service!” - Yelp Review

Repeal is one of the nicest restaurants in Louisville and they accept GiftYa digital gift cards and you can grab one for you or someone on your list by following the link!

Volare Italian Ristorante

The Nicest Italian Restaurant You Can Find When You Are In Louisville

2300 Frankfort Ave | Clifton (The Avenue) | volare-restaurant.com

Volare Italian Ristorante is an upscale dining experience that serves up a modern take on classic Italian dishes which they couple with the very best of what Southern Hospitality has to offer. You can expect an experience at Volare Italian Ristorante which fits its namesake.Volare  literally means “to fly” in the original Italian, but the meaning is actually much closer to soar. Or to ascend beyond the ordinary. And that is exactly what Volare has to offer you. An experience that goes beyond the ordinary in every way that it can. It’s definitely one of the nicest restaurants in Louisville. 

And that’s exactly what you’re looking for isn’t it? Come on, it’s me. You don’t have to lie about it. This is the 21st Century after all. The only way you ended up here was by going to your favorite search engine and searching (Googling) something like “list of the nicest restaurants in Louisville Kentucky” or maybe you went with something like “fanciest place to have dinner in Louisville” or maybe “what is the nicest restaurant in Louisville”... It had to be something like that because that’s how the internet works. 

So you are obviously here because you are looking to have an elegant or upscale meal while you are in Louisville. And while there’s lots of good options for high end dining in Louisville, there is no other Italian restaurant in Louisville that can stand against everything that Volare has to offer. The only question you have to ask yourself before calling in a reservation is if you'reyour in the mood for Italian for dinner. Or more specifically, if you are in the mood for the best Italian meal you have ever had for dinner.

“What a great experience! First and foremost, the service was PHENOMENAL! Every member of staff was attentive and friendly. Genuinely was such an amazing experience because of them. The food was absolutely incredible. It was difficult to even choose what we wanted because everything sounded so good.” - Yelp Review 

Get a GiftYa digital gift card for yourself or a loved one to Volare Italian Ristorante and enjoy one of the nicest restaurants in Louisville by following the link!

Jack Fry’s

The Most Vintage and Historic Upscale Restaurant in Louisville

1007 Bardstown Rd | Highlands (Cherokee Triangle) | jackfrys.com

Jack Fry’s is getting close to being nearlyto nearly one hundred years old. Established in 1933 by Jack Fry and his wonderful wife Flossie. Old Jack Fry was the kind of guy who loved gambling almost as much as he enjoyed amatuer boxing and the horse tracks. As a result of Jack’s rambling and gambling style the restaurant became quite the hangout for local sportsmen. And they have the evidence to back it up. With the classic atmosphere inside the restaurant being adorned with countless historic photographs of famous sportsmen who spent their time there. And if the fun didn’t stop there with ‘Ol Jack, he also happened to run his bookmaking and bootlegging affairs “discreetly” from the ‘back room.’. Jack was a well loved character though, and was known to always be able to spot a free meal to someone who was in need and was going to go to bed hungry that night.

Jack finally closed down his business in 1972, and after renting out the space to a Mexican restaurant during the 70’s and early 80’s, it was reestablished as Jack Fry’s classic dive bar. But in 1987, the year dear old Jack met his maker, the location was purchased by a woman named Susan Seller and it was Susan’s personal mission to transform Jack’s from its glory days as a bootlegging establishment, into an upscale fine dining experience.  Which was something she achieved in spectacular fashion. I mean obviously she succeeded, otherwise you wouldn’t see this restaurant appearing on a list of the nicest restaurants that you can find in Louisville.

However, Susan passed her ownership to Stephanie Meeks in February of 2008. Stephanie had started at an entry level position in 1996 but quickly worked her way up to general manager. And aAfter years of running the restaurant, her hard work was rewarded when Susan sold her the rights to the restaurant and she became the new and current owner.  

“Fantastic experience! And I really do want to emphasize the word experience. Their staff and service was incredible. It's a very nice restaurant, so expect the courses to arrive with ample time for you to chat, imbibe & enjoy in between… I will definitely be going back for a date night or special occasion. Make sure you make reservations in advance!” - Yelp Review 

Treat yourself or a loved one to Jack Fry’s  and enjoy one of the nicest restaurants Louisville has to offer  by grabbing a GiftYa digital gift by following the link!

Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse

Enjoy an Elegant, Elevated, Exclusive Dining Experience at One of Louisville’s Nice Restaurants

325 W Main St | Downtown (West Main)| jeffruby.com

Jeff Ruby’s comes in at the bottom of our list today but it’s really only because the other steakhouse appealed to my personal sensibilities so much, and since I’m writing the article, I decide what goes where, I have the power, my words are law. Or at least they are the law until the end of this article. But my insatiable ego aside, you really won’t be able to go wrong with Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse. Consistency and quality is what the brand stands for across their more than five restaurants.

They have literally, Critically-Acclaimed, U.S.D.A. Prime Steaks. So if you are in the mood for the highest quality cut of meat you can find for dinner then Jeff Ruby’s is the right place for you. On top of their excellent steaks though, they have something that will fit everybody’s palate. With a wide selection of seafood and sushi to accompany their extensive steak menu. Not to mention live entertainment and impeccable service every night of the week.

“Bottom Line Up Front: It is worth it. From the food to the service, it is so worth it!... From the moment we showed up, we were taken care of. Our waiter, Chad, was wonderful. He walked us through the menu, gave us suggestions, and was there (almost like a ninja) everytime we needed anything.

The food was amazing. Period.” - Yelp Review 

Grab a digital GiftYa gift card to Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse and treat yo self to one of the nicest steak restaurants Louisville has to offer!.

There you are, friendoyou friendo. You have done it. You have finally obtained the long fabled list of the nicest restaurants in Louisville Kentucky. After such an arduous journey to retrieve your mythical prize you will surely be rewarded by finding something that fits your appetite and your desire for extravagance and culture. And don’t worry this list is comprised of some of the best reviewed, highest rated, and nicests restaurants in Louisville on the internet. So you can be sure everything on the list has been well vetted. 

In fact nothing on the list today has less than four and a half stars on their Yelp! Page. Which is the first time that many restaurants have been so highly rated in one of my articles before. But even if you didn’t find what you’re looking for here, GiftYa has something to offer for everybody when they are in Louisville looking for the nicest restaurants. And remember you can grab a GiftYa digital gift card to the participating restaurants for you or a loved one and send them instantly and keep track of everything digitally..