Where to Eat Near Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville
When an event, game, or activity takes you down to the Kentucky Expo Center, finding a great place to snag a meal while you’re there should be a top priority with so many options around the corner! We have rounded up nine of our favorite restaurants to try when you want something yummy to eat, but need to stay close by the Kentucky Expo Center. Take a look at our list!
Doc Crow’s
127 W Main St Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 587-1626
This Southern smokehouse in the heart of Whiskey Row cranks out FANTASTIC barbeque like their beef brisket sandwich, bulled pork or the St. Louis-style rib platters. But if you love seafood, Doc Crow’s also is a great place to sample their famous po-Boys which come with shrimp, oysters, catfish or a combo sandwich. Be sure to sample one of Doc’s popular bourbon cocktails, too, to really get the flavor of this iconic spot while you are near the KEC.
Louisville StrEatery
304 W Woodlawn Ave Louisville, KY 40214
(502) 0398-5777
One of the most interesting concepts in Louisville, the StrEatery is an Asian quick dining spot that is now adding pop-up dining options and transitioning to a food hall setup. Check out their website before arriving to find out the latest food options. Their home kitchen offers tasty options like Spam Musubi as an appetizer or BiBimBap with a choice of seven different protein options, but pop-ups have brought such delicious food choices as Smoked Pork Belly Fry Bread and a vegan Three Sister’s Stew.
Louie’s Hot Chicken & Barbeque
4222 Poplar Level Rd Louisville, KY 40213
(502) 709-4274
For a spicy chicken meal or even some tender smoked barbeque, Louie’s is the place to go. We love Louie’s Smoked Brisket, but you can’t go wrong with any version of the Hot Chicken served at Louie’s. Open midday through early evening, Louie’s is a hidden gem you need to try near the KEC.
Hammerheads
921 Swan St Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 365-1112
Located in the basement of a house on the east side of downtown, Hammerheads is a place everyone who visits the KEC area should go at least once. With the relaxed atmosphere and the interesting variety of menu items, Hammerheads is somewhere everyone in your group will love. We love to order the Crispy Soft Shell Crab Tacos, the Elk Burger with a side of Truffle Fries and the Lamb Smoked Ribs when we stop in at Hammerheads.
Big Bad Breakfast
984 Barret Ave Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 289-1922
If you need an early morning meal, Big Bad Breakfast is a perfect place to fill your belly with delicious food near the KEC. The BBB has a huge menu that even includes a Breakfast Margarita option if you are feeling adventurous, but the Cathead Chicken Biscuit and the Big Bad Hot Brown breakfast sandwich are two of the most popular dishes at this fantastic breakfast spot.
Monnik Beer
1036 E Burnett Ave Louisville, KY 40217
(502) 742-6564
Monnik, Dutch for “monk,” is a brewery and restaurant that always rotates 20 beers on tap alongside their really unique and tasty food. Some of our favorites at Monnik are the Beer Battered Artichokes, the Beet & Goat Cheese salad and the Bier Burger topped with bier cheese sauce and a beer-battered onion ring on a delicious pretzel bun.
The Eagle
1314 Bardstown Rd Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 498-8420
If you are looking for a fun spot with a lively patio, the Eagle is a food and beer hall to try. For consistently great comfort food, the Eagle is the restaurant near the Kentucky Exposition Center to try when a plate of Mac and Cheese or Fried Chicken is what you are craving. They even offer a family meal perfect for groups of 6 or more featuring their crispy chicken and tasty sides.
Derby City Pizza Co.
2500 Crittenden Dr Louisville, KY 40217
(502) 384-4777
This location of the popular Derby City Pizza Co is near the Louisville campus, and college students, as well as everyday guests here, rave about the thin-crust pizza Derby cooks up. We always love to order The Champ because it comes with everything but the kitchen sink, but if you are craving a healthy pie, Derby offers gluten-free, low carb and even a broccoli and cheese crust option.
Six Forks Burgers
1039 Ash St Louisville, KY 40217
(502) 565-9750
This fantastic family-friendly foodie spot gets its name from the owner’s six children at home, their motivation for flipping from years as food truck food operators to their popular brick-and-mortar burger spot. The fun part about Six Forks is picking which meat you want for your burger. Choose from Burmese Python (really!), Camel, Alligator, Salmon and other more traditional protein options. Six Forks has a big list of delicious sauces to add zing to your burger like Maple Bacon Glaze or the tropical and spicy Mango Habanero, and everything in between.
For more recommendations on the best spots to eat and drink in the city, check out our Louisville page, here!
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