10 Must-Eat Restaurants this Valentine's Day

Louisville is the foodiest of foodie towns and there is no better way to spend Valentine’s Day than stuffing your face in front of the one you love. Can’t decide where to eat? We’ve listed our top 10 favorites to take your Valentine.

In no particular order, we’ll start with some of the well known spots…

Butchertown Grocery has quickly become a staple in Louisville for fine dining. Located in the historic Butchertown neighborhood, the masterminds behind the project took a modest 19th-century brick building, that was once a family-owned grocery, and turned it into one of nation’s best restaurants, per USA Today. Giving off some very modern New York City vibes, BG calls for an intimate evening of craft cocktails and delectable dishes. They know their aesthetic, they know their crowd, and Chef Bobby Benjamin knows how to cook. They are dishing up great authentic pasta plates, Atlantic salmon, filet, and vegetarian eats for those who choose so. Great date night spot, especially for V-day.

Pat’s Steakhouse has been around the block — since 1958 to be precise. If you visit their website (we encourage you to) it looks like it may have been built around the same time as well, which says a lot about its impact on Louisville. Either they don’t care about their digital presence, or they are so dang busy it’s an afterthought. For Pat’s, it’s the latter. This place is grilling up some of the finest hand-trimmed steaks in town. If you’re looking for a slower, more authentic v-day this year, give Pat’s a try.

Decca is one of those restaurants you leave saying, “What the hell did we just eat” in the best way possible. The food without question has some of the best flavors we’ve ever tasted. Chef @annie_pettry knows what she is doing in that kitchen of hers. Situated on Market Street in the vibrant Nulu neighborhood, Decca is the ultimate date night spot. Valentine’s Day is on Friday this year, so hit Taj Bar afterwards with your Valentine for a night cap.

Mayan Cafe, also on Market Street, is offering some of the best and unique eats in the city. It has been serving the food by Bruce Ucán, a Mayan Indian from Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, for over 20 years. What started as food truck has turned into the dream, a brick and mortar in the bustling Nulu neighborhood. Farm-to-table dining is how Chef Bruce grew up eating, which you can see in his dishes. You and your date may not recognize anything on the menu but that’s the fun of it. The food is unique and everything is crafted with a thoughtful Mayan twist, made for a memorable evening. We would highly recommend it anytime of the year.

Hearth took that ugly yellow building on Mellwood and gave it an upgrade. Chef McCollum is dishing up new American cuisine with an emphasis on seasonal, sustainable agriculture in Kentucky. This place is new, so we recommend giving it a try!

Repeal is that new upscale restaurant at the bottom of Hotel Distil, which you must check out. Repeal is an oak-fired steakhouse that won’t disappoint. The ambiance is very Louisville and the experience is perfect for you and that special someone.

Harvest was built on the foundation of farm-to-table dining. They take the local approach, sourcing their ingredients within 100 miles from Louisville. If that’s not brownie points for the millennials, we’re not sure what is. It’s located on Market Street, so it’s walking distance to Nouvelle for a glass of wine afterwards.

LouVino… wine bars are the best bars, especially ones that make the tastiest Brussels sprouts. Perfect setting for you and your Valentine as it is a dimly-lit wine bar offering small plates and fine wine. We went last weekend and it was great. If you have a second, go read their history page. Started in Louisville and now expanding to our neighboring cities.

Fat Lamb offers something none of the others can, a chef that has won Food Network’s prime-time show “Chopped;” chef and owner Dallas McGarity appeared in season 37, back in February 2019. With that accolade, this open-kitchen concept will be sure to wow your valentine. Give them a try on Bardstown Road.

Varanese is white tablecloth, but has a vintage vibe. Their food selection is vast, drink choices are great, and most importantly it offers a romantic setting for you and that special someone. Located on Frankfort Avenue, we recommend this place for a great Valentine’s date. Get the pork dish, it’s insane!