Old Louisville may be the neighborhood of choice for most UofL students, but common perception is that it lacks the local cuisine options that Louisvillians have come to expect from their city. I’m here to banish that myth—Old Louisville has a growing list of places to eat that are not only easy on the wallet, but also (perhaps surprisingly) pleasing to the palate.
Buck’s Restaurant – Inside the Mayflower
This could be the all-around best restaurant in Old Louisville. A menu full of unique Southern specialty dishes with plenty of Louisville twists makes eating at Buck’s an absolute charm. While dinner here may be on the pricier side, lunchtime entrees are within the budget of most anyone who’s after a classy, satisfying dining experience.
Amici Cafe –3rd and Ormsby
Here’s a place to bring your loved one for dinner. With a comfortable-but-romantic Italian ambiance found nowhere else in the area, you won’t mind the slightly above-average prices—especially not after you try their pizza margherita.
Burger Boy – Brook and Burnett
A loyal clientele has kept this true Old Louisville treasure in business for decades doing what it does best: cheap, fried, made-to-order American food done right. It’s open 24/7 and serves breakfast all day, so no matter what your drinking habits are (looking at you, college kids) you have no excuse not to indulge.
The Old Louisville Tavern – 4th and Gaulbert
Burger Boy’s newly revived sister establishment a few blocks over may be more bar than restaurant, but it’s also a relatively undiscovered gem. I suggest starting out with a great, cheap craft beer and a kickin’ chicken sandwich with frickle spears, but anything on the menu will have you crawling back for more after you’ve realized what I have: bar food has never been this good.
Pizza Donisi – 2nd and Magnolia
Donisi is the Mag Bar’s new pizza-toting neighbor, and it is wonderful. Thin, light crust and enough mouthwatering topping choices to make your head spin are the reasons Old Louisville has welcomed its (arguably) first legitimate pizza place with open arms.
Ollie’s Trolley – 3rd and Kentucky
While closer to downtown than the others on this list, it’s hard to beat an Ollie burger and fries. This trolley/food truck is a staple in the student diet, and for good reason. The good but typical American food is outshined by the fact that this place is downright adorable.
