The Essential Clifton Neighborhood Dining Guide in Louisville, KY
Clifton is a truly charming neighborhood right in the heart of metro Louisville. It’s characterized by beautiful historic architecture, street art, and some incredible restaurants. We have the perfect Clifton dining guide that you can count on to ensure you get a great meal when you find yourself wandering this eclectic neighborhood in Louisville, KY.
1. Café Classico
2144 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 895-0076
Café Classico is a bright and vibrant European restaurant with plenty of casual seating throughout. Lunch and dinner are served, all with the best ingredients. You’ll find paninis and such for lunch. At dinner, the menu goes a bit more gourmet with such things as salmon, garlic shrimp, and chicken roulade. A full bar awaits you to make anything you want – from espresso drinks to classic cocktails. You’ll also find an array of beers and wines to accompany your meal. You won’t be able to make reservations, so be sure to get there early enough to secure a table.
2. Con Huevos!
2339 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 384-3027
This Mexican breakfast place is open for lunch and dinner with a creative menu. Chilaquiles con huevos is one of our favorite items, though they also have breakfast tacos, sandwiches, and more. It’s a small dining space, so be sure that you get here early enough to grab a table. There’s seating at the counter, around the dining room, as well as on a small patio. Every meal is incredible and packed with flavor.
3. The Grape Leaf
2217 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 897-1774
Another great spot in Clifton is The Grape Leaf, a Mediterranean gem where you can find lunch and dinner being served. And on the weekend, you can even grab a late breakfast. The relaxed dining room is small, though there’s a large outdoor courtyard for even more seating. An impressive menu features everything from falafel to tabouli to lamb kabobs. You’ll also find a children’s menu featuring chicken fingers and even a kid’s gyro. Everything is top-notch, and if you really want a treat, be sure to order their frozen pomegranate mint lemonade to sip on while you wait for your meal to be served.
4. Hilltop Tavern
1800 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 742-2908
The Hilltop Tavern has been around for years, and it’s not going anywhere because it has become a popular place for pub eats as well as watching games. Foosball and various bar games are scattered about. You can sit at the bar, grab a table in the rustic dining room, or enjoy your foot at one of the outdoor picnic tables. The menu offers more than your average pub. Enjoy everything from burgers to chicken tacos. And if you just want a snack, ask for a basket of fries along with a side of beer cheese.
5. The Irish Rover
2319 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 899-3544
The Irish Rover is a cozy pub where you can get a number of Irish favorites including Scotch eggs and fish & chips. The bar also has a number of ales and stouts on hand that pair well with everything on the menu. The multiple rooms in the dining room have a homey feel, and all of the wait staff treat you as though they’ve known you for years. There’s also a patio area, which can be the best way to enjoy the vibes of the Clifton neighborhood.
6. The Manhattan Project
2101 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 749-8925
The Manhattan Project manages to be two things at the same time: a modern bistro as well as a sports pub. The result is delicious food that you can enjoy while watching the many screens showing sports games. You’ll find mac and cheese that you can customize, burgers, sandwiches, and even boards that are ideal for sharing with everyone at your table. The bar will churn out all sorts of specialty cocktails with a big emphasis on bourbon. No matter what you order, it will come out looking like a work of art.
7. The Silver Dollar
1761 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 259-9540
The Silver Dollar is all about southern eats. They’re open for dinner only through the week, but they open for lunch, too, on the weekends. It’s definitely easy to describe this place as a modern-day honky-tonk hangout with its rustic atmosphere. The menu is impressive with such things as beer can hens, chicken & waffles, and collard greens. Don’t forget to check out the expansive bar menu, too, which tends to be very bourbon-focused.
8. Taqueria Los Gorditos
2017 Brownsboro Rd, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 509-8676
In our search to find Mexican food that goes beyond tacos, we stumbled upon this taqueria. They offer a wide array of foods, including gorditas, chimichangas, and even freshly made soups. Street corn on the cob is one of our favorite sides, and they also have some incredible desserts. There’s nothing quite like finishing a meal than with tres leche. It’s a laid-back atmosphere in the dining room, and it’s also kid friendly.
For more recommendations on where to eat and drink in the city, check out our Louisville dining guide, here!
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