10 Must Try Affordable & Casual Restaurants in Louisville, KY

When you don’t want drive-thru food but don’t want to drop a lot of money on a meal, it’s important to explore the casual and affordable restaurants of Louisville, KY. Luckily, there are quite a few allowing you to enjoy a great atmosphere and delicious food. Be sure to check out our list of casual and affordable restaurants in Louisville, KY before going out this weekend.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on September 19, 2022 and last updated on July 2, 2023. Please refer to restaurant websites and social media pages for the most up-to-date information.

For more recommendations on where to eat and drink around Louisville, check out our city page.

Bristol Bar & Grille

614 W Main St #4211, Louisville, KY 40202

502) 582-1995

Enjoy a few beers ($3 drafts on Thursdays!) and a couple of light appetizers like the Buffalo Cauliflower or West Sixth Beer Cheese, but the true star of the show is the Green Chili Wontons. Those bad boys are fried and stuffed with Monterey Jack and green chilies and served with a guacamole dipping sauce, light and unassuming until you take a bite and are hit with a jab-cross combination of steamy and flavorful. Like a certain Louisville icon, these wontons floated like a butterfly but stung like a bee.

photo credit: usarestaurants.info

Hammerheads

921 Swan St, Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 365-1112

Hammerheads may be a small location, but they’re big on flavor. You’ll find pub grub reimagined with such options as duck fat fries and house-smoked lamb ribs. There’s a large beer menu, showing off everything from ales to sour beer. It’s easy to miss the location because it’s in a basement. Once you find it, though, it may become one of your new favorite spots. They’re open for dinner only and closed Sunday, so be sure to check their hours online before arriving.

 

photo credit: courier-journal.com

Fork & Barrel

1722 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 830-9500

Fork & Barrel is the kind of place where you can enjoy refined food while still dressing casually. The rustic-chic space allows you to settle in at the bar, in the dining room, or out on the patio. The menu includes some creative takes on stroganoff, short ribs, chicken livers, and more. When you want to explore a bit, try the cornbread salad or the fried Brussel sprouts. Craft cocktails are regularly featured, too, which can pair expertly with your entrée.

 

photo credit: usarestaurants.info

Grassa Gramma

2210 Holiday Manor Center, Louisville, KY 40222
(502) 333-9595

Grassa Gramma is a casual, affordable Italian restaurant located in the Holiday Manor Shopping Center. The yellow building will tell you that you’ve arrived. Enjoy seating inside where the dining room looks like an old-world beer hall, or choose the outside to embrace the beautiful Louisville weather. The menu will delight you with such items as the pesto primavera or the chicken parmigiana. You can pair your meal with wine by the glass or a house cocktail. You’ll want to save room for the tiramisu, too.

 

photo credit: businessyab.com

The Village Anchor

11507 Park Rd, Louisville, KY 40223
(502) 708-1850

The Village Anchor is open for lunch and dinner, though they do close in between the meal services for a reset. The dining room is cozy, complete with a fireplace that adds warmth and ambiance. Southern cuisine is on the menu, with such options as fish tacos and beef chili. The décor is luxurious, though the prices are affordable. You can sit inside or outside. You may also want to head downstairs to check out their bar. Saturdays and Sundays feature a brunch menu, which is something you’ll surely want to explore.

 

photo credit: courier-journal.com

Malone’s

4370 Summit Plaza Dr, Louisville, KY 40241
(502) 618-0702

Malone’s is located in the Paddock Shops and offers an informal dining room where you can enjoy prime cuts of beef. There’s a bottomless-salad deal along with plenty of gluten-free options. The two-story dining room can accommodate groups of any size. There’s a large selection of whiskey along with a full bar so that you can enjoy the cocktail of your choosing. While steak is the main thing that’s ordered, you’ll also have such entrees as salmon and pork to explore.

 

photo credit: usarestaurants.info

Mark’s Feed Store

1514 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40205
(502) 458-1570

Don’t let the name fool you, this is actually a local chain known for BBQ and fish. You’ll find classic comfort sides inside of the café that offers a down-home country vibe. Dine-in, carryout, and catering are all available. You’ll find chicken fingers, pork, chicken, brisket, and so much more. Dessert is a must-have while you’re at Mark’s Feed Store, especially with such items as Oreo banana pudding and homemade buttermilk pie tempting you.

 

photo credit: guaca-mole-restaurant.com

Guaca Mole Modern Mexican

900 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 212-8225

Guaca Mole is a Mexican restaurant, and they’re very clear that it’s not Tex-Mex. They’re found within the NuLu District of downtown Louisville, and you can spot them from the butterfly mural on the side of the building. Inside, there’s a modern, artsy feel. Chips are served with three sauces to dip into, and you can expect greatness from their guacamole. Plenty of classic Mexican dishes are available, and the best deals at the bar are found Monday through Thursday during happy hour.

 

photo credit: usarestaurants.info

Lou Lou Food & Drink

108 Sears Ave, Louisville, KY 40207
(502) 893-7776

Lou Lou is a casual café and bar that serves up Southern food that is inspired by both New Orleans and Italy. Lunch and dinner are served all week long, with prices that are often described as “reasonable.” With art on the wall and a full bar to choose from, you’ll be able to enjoy the atmosphere. You’ll have your choice of sandwiches, pasta, entrees, as well as items “from the bayou” including jambalaya and crawfish etouffee.

Royals Hot Chicken

736 E. Market St, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 919-7068

You walk a fine line when eating hot chicken between ruining your day and enjoying a perfectly spicy meal…Royals provides the former. You can get your juicy, crispy, and perfectly-seasoned chicken in a variety of formats, like a sandwich, tenders, or even tacos, which topped with pickled onions, lettuce, and ranch. For a lighter sidekick, check out the Broccoli and Bacon Salad, a nice blend of fresh veggie with smokey bacon, that classic southern combo that takes a healthy boring thing and makes it tasty.