We have lived in New Albany for over a decade and are thrilled to share with you our favorite restaurants and places to find a drink and enjoy what the New Albany/Louisville region has to offer!
New Albany Restaurants
Mickey’s Coffee Shop – Just a short walk from the Bough House, this is a great coffee shop with a relaxing atmosphere. It’s also a used bookstore, so if you forgot your book, or just looking for another great read, Mickey’s is your place! Google map.
The Exchange Pub & Kitchen – This is one of our “go to” places in New Albany. Our favorite spot is on the bar side (where you can still get the full menu). The restaurant side can handle large parties and also has it’s own bar. If the weather is nice, don’t miss the outside patio! Google map.
Brooklyn and the Butcher – If you like a good steak, this is the place for you. For Tiffany and Brian, this is popular spot for a special occasion or a birthday dinner. Arrive early for your reservation and visit the speak-easy-type bar downstairs for a drink. Google map.
Pints and Union – Right in the heart of downtown New Albany, their motto perfectly explains the atmosphere, “Progressively old world public house, creative small plates, classic cocktails and comfort beers.” The upstairs section has room for large groups. Google map.
Leaven Bakery – A great place for breakfast, brunch, and lunch! In addition to that, they have pastries, cakes, and daily breads. They have indoor and outdoor dining and it’s only 0.6 miles from the Bough House. What’s not to love?! Google map.
Legacy Pizza and Bakery – At only a half a mile from the Bough House, Legacy Pizza and Bakery is a great option if you want some delicious pizza only minutes away. We’ve never dined in at Legacy (because of the pandemic), but we’ve ordered curbside and it was really good! They have a surprisingly large menu – everything from pizza to canolis and everything we’ve had there has been great. Find the menu HERE. Google map.
MESA Collaborative Kitchen – Located in the heart of downtown New Albany, this unique dining option features well known local and regional chefs cooking meals live in front of you, all while engaging with you and teaching you their tricks! There are only about 20 seats each night, so reservations are required in advance. We had dinner here with friends one night for a meal with Peruvian Chef, Vanessa Felix, and it was fantastic. Each event is themed, so check out the schedule of events here. There’s also a great video on Youtube here that explains their mission and unique dining experience. Google map.
RecBar – This place has hundreds of video games and pinball machines and you can get food and beer there as well! One block from the Carnegie Center in downtown New Albany, it’s a great place to go after catching an art opening or if you just want to take a trip down memory lane with your favorite pinball game. You can find them on Instagram here. Google map.
Dragon Kings Daughter – This Asian-fusion cuisine combines things like tacos and sushi. If you’re not into that, the traditional sushi options are amazing. There are two locations, one in downtown New Albany and another on Bardstown Road in Louisville. Our favorites are the Crunchy Munchy roll and the Robert Deniroll. Google map.
La Catrina Mexican Kitchen – This spot offers great Mexican food, outdoor dining, and shareable plates. It has a bright and colorful atmosphere and there is a full bar for all your beverage needs. Google map.
Habana Blues Tapas Restaurant – This is a great restaurant for Cuban and Spanish style tapas. The empanadas and albondigas are amazing. It’s a large place and can accommodate big groups if you need to. Google map.
Floyd County Brewing Company – For us, the great thing about this place is the very large outdoor area behind the indoor part of the restaurant. It’s mostly shaded and while the food isn’t necessarily our favorite (just our humble opinion), the selection of beer is good and the outdoor area is awesome. Google map.
Board and You Bistro & Wine Bar – Disclaimer: We haven’t been to this place YET (our excuse is an ongoing global pandemic), but we’ve heard good things. They write, “At Board and You Bistro, we strive to provide our customers with quality focused entrees, professionally crafted cocktails, and premier wine tastings from all around the world. We’ve worked hard to create something unique and we truly believe it will show in the experience. We are so much more than just charcuterie and a wine bar.” All that sounds good to us, so as soon as Covid is fading into the rear view mirror, we’re headed to Board and You! Google map.
Louisville Restaurants
Proof on Main – It’s pricey, but this is one of the best restaurants in Louisville. For us, it’s a special occasion type of place, but if you’re looking for a meal you won’t forget, this is your place. Located at 21C Museum and Hotel, the art galleries flow into the restaurant with artwork everywhere in the dining area. Eating here is truly a unique experience. While you’re there, don’t miss seeing the galleries in the museum – they are free and open 24/7. Google map.
Garage Bar – An old auto garage converted into a restaurant by the owners of 21C, this is an eclectic eatery in the heart of the NULU district. They serve great wood-fired pizzas, locally grown ham plates, and oysters, along with a good selection of craft beer and cocktails. If the weather is nice, play a game of ping-pong on the outdoor glass-topped ping-pong tables (which are mounted to crushed automobiles). Google map.
Monnik Beer Co. – The beer here is delicious – some of our favorite in the region. If you like IPA’s, you won’t be let down if you try theirs. And the food is great too. Give the Jackfruit Chorizo Papas Tacos or their Bier Burger a try. Monnik is in the Germantown neighborhood of Louisville. Google map.
LEO’s List of Best Breweries – Here is a quick run-down, compiled by LEO Weekly, of some of the best breweries in the Louisville/New Albany area. Find the list HERE. Some of our favorites are on the list, like Monnik, New Albanian, Great Flood, and Gravely. All of them on the list are great, though!
Hammerheads – Hands down, this is one our favorite restaurants in town. If you love BBQ, you have to try this spot. It’s a locals type of place, so you won’t see many tourists here. The pork belly PBLT is to die for, the ribs are amazing, and the duck sliders are delicious. It’s a casual hole-in-the-wall kind of place so no need to wear your finest. Google map.
Holy Grale – This restaurant and bar is housed in a small church built in 1905. As they say on their website, “Good beer, food and company is the only thing we pray for in this house of worship.” Here you’ll find 27 taps of some of the most eclectic beer selections in the area, along with a rotating selection of dishes with seasonal, local ingredients made southern style. It’s a small place, so it can be tough to bring large parties there, but there’s more room upstairs in the choir loft. Google map.
Joy Luck – In the heart of the Bardstown Road area of Louisville, Joy Luck serves fusion “far-east faire”. You’ll find dishes like Taiwanese Boneless Duck, Honey Walnut Shrimp, and Sweet & Spicy Ginger Fish on the menu. Our favorite is to start with the Pork Buns appetizer and then order the Beijing Roast Duck. There are also lots of boutique shops, bookstores, bars and restaurants in this area, so if the weather is nice, spend some time walking on Bardstown Road in either direction from Joy Luck. Google map.
Gravely Brewing Co. – At Gravely, you’ll find lots of great locally brewed beer and delicious food from Mayan Street Food. Snack on their Mexican Street Corn and Fried Plantains while you wait for the Black Bean or Chorizo Salbutes. This is good spot if you have a large group of people, too. Google map.
Mayan Cafe – The Mayan Cafe is known for traditional Mayan dishes, while also using local sustainable ingredients. It has been a staple in the Louisville restaurant scene for a long time, so make sure and get a reservation! Google map