Eat & Swig [1]

To sum up 2014 in Louisville from a foodie's perspective: we got everything our greedy little hearts desired. We got $2 tacos. We got a ramen shop. We got new options for every taste bud and price point. 2014 was a great year. Here are the 25 most notable restaurants that opened in and around Louisville in 2014, with pertinent information and a vaguely tweet-length description. That’s 140 characters, tops, to describe a hot new restaurant—should be enough. 

 

El Taco is a much-welcome Highlands taqueria. The small, previously "cursed" space serves big, exciting flavors from the Martinez dynasty.

 

Joy Luck has wonderfully inventive cocktails and family-recipe Taiwanese food. Warm red walls, warm happy staff, warm, perfect duck. 

 

In 2014 Grind went from drive to  dive, and it was a such a success they're giving up the truck. At least we don't have to chase them down!

 

Soft serve, top-notch espresso, an amazing and changing menu: Gralehaus has it all, and as a bonus makes you feel exponentially hip. 

 

Great rotisserie meats and a very popular Whiskey Wednesday has shown Louisville that Loop 22 is an evolving force to be reckoned with.

 

Sprung from the ashes of the Place Downstairs, Cena is incredibly underrated family-style Italian in the basement of Mussel & Burger Bar.

 

Bringing the flavors of NOLA to Louisville, Roux has also brought the party of Mardi Gras to a Derby City. A rainbow of colorful characters.

 

Louvino courageously brought a wine bar to bourbon country, to great success. Small plates, big wines, long and worth-it waits. 

 

A second location for one of Louisville's farm-to-table favorites. Hillbilly Tea Shack has offerings from kettle, creek and field. 

 

Everyone wanted  a ramen shop, and we got one, and everyone complained about the wait times. Uh...guys? Shut up and slurp. 

 

Bentuhua Tea House serves Boba milk teas (and more!) and Taiwanese street food. A relaxed Crescent Hill haven. 

 

Pork will never, ever be unpopular and this masterpiece of a menu is rife with meat candy, which is what we're calling bacon now. 

 

Fast-casual Italian food means build-your-own lasagna, pasta, or salad. There's even spaghetti squash and gluten-free options! 

 

Swanky is the name of the game at this multi-menu bar and restaurant. The rooftop bar is sure to be the hottest ticket of warmer weather. 

 

40 taps of local beer and a menu with awesome vegan and vegetarian options. Also beer-battered cheese curds. Also those. 

 

Louisvillians are crazy for brunch, and something about Eggs Over Frankfort has really tapped into that millennial obsession. Eggs-citing. 

 

Bar none the sexiest pop-up of 2014, A5 has found a permanent home in the evenings at Atlantic No. 5. Japanese small plates and romance. 

 

Chef Shawn Ward and the Louisville Eats Good team re-vamped the Brewery into this "regionally inspired distinctly Southern" eatery. 

 

Wild Rita's (from the people who brought Louisville Wild Eggs!) has tons o' tequila and a gorgeous, convenient downtown space. 

 

Now you don't have to cross the river to get your Feast BBQ fix. The NuLu Feast is much bigger with grand plans for the future. Can't wait!

 

One of the more interesting concepts to open in 2014: small shareable plates and skewers, plus sushi and sashimi. 

 

Another Martinez juggernaut, this one super-close to UofL and serving $2 tacos and inexpensive pitchers of beer. It just makes sense. 

 

The Ville Taqueria is the "champion of fresh-Mex" in Louisville.  The little St. Matthews Taqueria has earned giant raves! 

 

24. Brazeiros Churrascaria  [27]

All-you-can-eat meat for a fixed price at 4th St. Live. There are many jokes to be made here, but Brazeiros serves seriously amazing steak. 

 

A Germantown Dive for the ages, with fun craft cocktails, tapas, and pierogis, not to mention a great back deck and dance floor. 

 

 

Please note, these are in no particular order. If your favorite isn't mentioned, put it in the comments!