Oustanding Black Owned Restaurants in Louisville, KY
Restaurants in Louisville, Kentucky are well-known for their savory southern cooking and unique regional flavors found in everything, from the iconic Hot Brown sandwiches to flavorful pulled pork BBQ dinners. And some of the best meals in Kentucky can be found in one of the many Black owned spots in this southern town. Let’s take a look at the best Black-owned restaurants in Louisville to try next time you are in the Kentucky Derby’s hometown.
photo credit: nashvillesmls.com
Southern Restaurant & Lounge
301 W Market St Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 632-1080
This upscale dining experience is located right in the heart of downtown. Southern Restaurant & Lounge serves up delicious lunches, four-course dinners or drinks and music in the lounge in the evenings. Locals and visitors who are lucky enough to find this gem can choose from tasty lunch options like shrimp and grits and rib tips while guests who join for dinner might be serenaded by the sounds of local jazz or blues live music while they nosh and enjoy this swanky spot.
photo credit: usarestaurants.info
Six Forks Burger
1039 Ash St Louisville, KY 40217
(502) 565-9750
This Germantown burger spot is located in a renovated old home and that just adds to the charm of a place that knows how to deliver a delicious burger. Six Forks caters to just about everyone with their vegan burger as well as a huge variety of meat options including the alligator tail burger, bison burger, salmon burger and of course the wagyu beef burger. A counter service, casual joint, Six Forks is one of the best Black-owned restaurants in Louisville that no one with a taste for good burgers could dispute.
photo credit: usarestaurants.info
Shirley Mae’s Cafe
802 S Clay St Louisville, KY 40203
(502) 589-5295
The historic building that Shirley Mae’s calls home has been the site of grocers and food bars since the early 1900’s, but its most recent turn as a soul food spot has been around since the late 1980s. This cash-only spot specializes in southern tastes like chitterlings, pigs feet, southern fried wings and hot water cornbread. Go early, and be prepared to wait because everything is made fresh to order here at one of the very best Black-owned restaurants in Louisville.
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Four Pegs Smokehouse & Bar
1053 Goss Ave Louisville, KY 40217
(502) 634-1447
This historic Germantown spot has a back patio perfect for bringing along your pup to enjoy the atmosphere and tasty food at Four Pegs. As a gastropub and smokehouse restaurant, Four Pegs consistently serves up delicious foods proven by their chef and owner’s many culinary titles like the Food Network’s Big Bad BBQ Brawl. Get a taste of the winning ‘cue flavor with their smoked baby back ribs or their pulled pork sandwich.
Keke’s Southern Cooking & BBQ
5258 Bardstown Rd Louisville, KY 40291
(502) 996-3162
One of the new Black-owned restaurants in Louisville called Keke’s has only been around since 2020, but already Keke’s BBQ flavors are making waves. Make sure to check them out online before you head over because they are only open on Sundays currently. Look for the tent and smoker outside to order melt-in-your-mouth smoked meats like the 16-hour smoked pulled pork, the smoked sausage and the slab of ribs. Order a side of savory Italian green beans and some jalapeño cornbread to go along with your meal like the locals do.
photo credit: usarestaurants.info
Superchefs
1702 Bardstown Rd Louisville, KY 40205
(502) 409-8103
This breakfast and brunch spot is well-known for its Wakanda Platter, a combo plate of one each of the creative waffles served up here: the peanut-buttery Elvis, the triple (berry) threat, the bourbon caramel pecan and the cereal-inspired cinnamon toast crunch. But waffles are only one of the many reasons Louisville Metro area locals and visitors flock to Superchefs. A playful mural graces the wall of this industrial feel, Black-owned restaurant in Louisville, and the innovative mastermind in the kitchen here continues to crank out delicious and gorgeous food that would be just as tasty any time of day (but don’t forget to arrive before they close mid-afternoon).
photo credit: usarestaurants.info
Fry Daddy’s
1991 Brownsboro Rd Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 742-4596
A small location churns out big fried flavors here at Fry Daddy’s just east of downtown Louisville. Small booths here for dining in are available at this counter-service spot since most visitors are ready to dive right into the fried goodness that Fry Daddy’s is whipping up. Smothered fries are the mainstay and can be ordered with everything from shrimp, chicken and pulled pork then topped with cheese and a choice of sauces. Not waistline friendly but absolutely worth the calories, Fry Daddy’s is one of the Black-owned restaurants in Louisville you need to visit.
photo credit: Ubereats
Barry’s Cheesesteaks and More
1161 S 2nd St Louisville, KY 40203
(502) 618-2288
Patronizing Barry’s will give you more than just an unbelievably good cheesesteak. Barry’s also will renew your faith in humanity when you learn about the founder’s story of redemption and renewal and how his restaurants literally signaled the turnaround in his life. But be sure to snag a Big Barry to taste the real flavor of a Philly cheesesteak sandwich and you might even have leftovers for later because of this of the restaurant’s generous portion sizes.
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