Looking for a restaurant to try? Here are 12+ places where you can eat on an outside patio
As of May 28, Kentucky bars and restaurants no longer need to abide by a curfew and bar seating will be allowed. And while masks are still required until June 11, people are ready to get out and dine at their favorite restaurants. With warm weather already here as Louisville slides into the summer season, we rounded up some restaurants in the Louisville area with good outdoor patio seating.
Keep in mind that capacity is limited to 75% until June 11, as well.
Do you know of another restaurant with an outdoor or patio space that is open? Send an email to Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.
80/20 at Kaelin's
1801 Newburg Road, 8020atkaelins.com, 502-200-8020. Hours: Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; closed Monday.
This popular burger joint and malt shop has a spacious patio for customers as well as a modern and trendy vibe inside.
A nod to the typical ratio of fat to lean meat in ground chuck, 80/20 speaks to the fact that burgers still hold center stage, as they did at the original Kaelin’s. The new lineup paints outside of the typical burger lines, however, with chorizo ($14), ribeye ($16), and bratwurst ($14) burgers on offer in addition to the Kaelin’s Famous Original Cheeseburger ($10), former Courier Journal restaurant critic Lindsey McClave wrote previously.
Served on a butter bun and topped simply with thinly sliced onions, a generous helping of pickles, American cheese and a swirl of Dusseldorf mustard, the Original Cheeseburger is uncomplicated and speaks to what a classic, griddled burger should be — it is easy to understand why it was so popular for so many years.
The Black Jockeys Lounge
600 S. Fourth St.; 502-587-0526; blackjockeyslounge.com; Hours: 5-10 p.m., Thursday through Saturday for dinner; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday for brunch; closed Monday through Wednesday
What used to be Encore on 4th has been rebranded as The Black Jockeys Lounge at 600 S. Fourth St. The new restaurant concept, owned by Tawana Bain, features original artwork and a menu inspired by what jockeys may have ordered themselves. The downtown restaurant also has served as a haven for Louisville protesters who used the space to recharge while advocating for social justice.
"We now have this historical site where people can learn about the Black jockeys, but we also serve as a site during this historic moment," Bain previously told The Courier Journal. "I feel like there's something here that the community and those outside of the community can embrace when they visit. Not only can they learn about the history, but they can also visit a site that's served history well during a very tough time in our community."
The menu features build-your-own omelets ($13-$17), salads ($14-$16), appetizers like chicken and waffles, crab cakes and baby back ribs ($12-$20), and entrees like grilled prime rib, pan-seared salmon and shrimp and grits ($18-$25).
Bourbons Bistro
2255 Frankfort Ave., bourbonsbistro.com, 502-894-8838. Kitchen & Bar hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 4:30-10 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 4:30-11 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday.
Guests at this Frankfort Avenue favorite will be able to enjoy the bar, main dining room, upstairs private dining room, an outdoor side patio and front sidewalk seating. Bourbons Bistro pours more than 130 bourbons and is both close to heaven for bourbon aficionados, and a delightful tasting ground for novice bourbon drinkers who want to explore Kentucky's signature spirit.
Bourbons Bistro chef Jereme McFarland's menu is seasonal, bourbon-inspired and locally sourced.
Captain's Quarters Riverside Grill
5700 Captains Quarters Road, cqriverside.com, 502-228-1651, Hours: Monday-Thursday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 pm.; Friday; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
People who love Captain's Quarters love Captain's Quarters. Head east for the views over the Ohio River, stay for the flowing drinks and camaraderie — and plan to stay awhile.
Former Courier Journal restaurant critic Nancy Miller urged Louisvillians to “Throw on some shorts and sandals, or a sundress, or a jacket paired with loafers — no socks, unless you want to look like you didn't get the memo about dressing cool — and you're ready for lunch, dinner or brunch, no matter who you are or who you know. Chances are high that you'll leave knowing more people than when you arrived. Captain's Quarters is where you bond over food, drink and boats and — as silly as it may sound to out-of-towners — the spirit that is all-Louisville.”
Chik'n & Mi
1765 Mellwood Ave., chiknandmi.com, 502-890-5731. Outdoor dining & carryout: Monday through Thursday, 4-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4-10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday brunch 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Chik'n & Mi specializes in making Asian-inspired comfort foods, from Laotian spiced fried chicken to hearty and flavorful ramen noodle soups. The bar features an extensive sake, craft beer and cocktail menu featuring local ingredients and house infusions.
You'll find starters including oysters on the half-shell, a kimchi plate, pickle plate and banana flower salad, which features bibb lettuce, avocado, banana flowers, tofu curry dressing, rice crisp, fried shallots; along with main course dishes such as a variety of noodle soups, sandwiches and Asian Fried FreeBird Chicken Tossed in your choice of Sweet Soy, Hot Jeaw Bong, or X-tra Hot sauces or served Naked with Peppercorn Ranch.
The Eagle
1314 Bardstown Road, 502-498-8420, eaglerestaurant.com. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Known for its fried chicken, which has a little kick and is served with house-made hot honey. Also home to a variety of southern sides and numerous beer and cocktail offerings. Look for menu items including brown sugar bacon, hush puppies, a pimento cheese plate, a fried chicken BLT, blackened shrimp po boy, iron skillet cornbread with maple butter, a variety of fresh salads and more.
El Mundo
1767 Bardstown Road; 2345 Frankfort Ave., 502elmundo.com. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 4-9 p.m.; carry, noon-9 p.m.
El Mundo specializes in made-from-scratch Mexican food and drinks since 1995. You'll find a covered patio at both locations. El Mundo earned a three-star Courier Journal review in 2017 that described the restaurant as a "multi-sensory experience" with hectic service, generous portions and popular margaritas. A from-scratch take on Mexican-American classics, El Mundo serves dishes such as grilled fish tacos with chipotle aioli ($15), mole poblano enchiladas with ground Kentucky bison ($12), carnitas with pasture-raised pork ($15) and mango-chipotle glazed wild-caught shrimp fajitas ($19).
Le Moo
2300 Lexington Road, lemoorestaurant.com, 502-458-8888. Hours: Brunch, Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Dinner, Tuesday-Sunday, 5-9 p.m.
This high-end steakhouse has a huge patio space on Lexington Road and boasts the most eclectic steak menu in Louisville. Also a variety of non-beef selections, including lamb, chicken, seafood and pasta. Bourbon-infused sides, gluten-free options, kid's Menu, and much more. Dine-in and pickup. Of note, all staff at this restaurant have been American Restaurant Associated ServeSave COVID Certified.
"From the get-go, our customers have rallied behind us and are the core reason we have made it thus far, and why we will get through what will likely be difficult times ahead," owner Kevin Grainger said in 2020. They have been flexible and accommodating, and certainly empathetic. We have grown our curbside pickup business, and it will be a more significant element of our business model moving forward.
Mike Linnig's
9308 Cane Run Road, mikelinnigsrestaurant.com, 502-937-9888. Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday, 12-9 p.m., Closed Monday.
This iconic Louisville location is synonymous with outdoor dining. Seafood is the name of the game at Mike Linnig’s and may be ordered individually with french fries and coleslaw on the side or, for the truly hungry, as a platter with a little bit of everything, including fish nuggets in both regular and spicy form, salmon, oysters, shrimp, scallops, cod, crab cakes and frog legs, McClave wrote in a previous Courier Journal restaurant review.
The family-friendly setting, congenial service, and rich roots are what make it such a favorite among area families. The tradition of heading to Mike Linnig’s for a plate of breaded cod and a cold beer is one that has been — and will surely continue to be — passed down for generations throughout Louisville and beyond.
Monnik Beer Co.
1036 E. Burnett Ave., monnikbeer.com, 502-742-6564. Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight.
This brewpub in the heart of Schnitzelburg has an upstairs dining room and patio space in addition to its main dining room. Monnik brews its own beer and serves up tasty pub bites from pork belly flatbread to its variety of so gross they’re delicious fries, including War Fries, made with house mayo, peanut sauce and onion.
Monnik Beer Co. opened a second location in New Albany recently, at 415 Bank St., previously New Albanian Brewing Co.'s Bank Street Brewhouse. Co-owner Brian Holton said he was attracted to the space because it already had brewing equipment in place, which almost doubled Monnik's capacity.
"It's a great community with a great downtown that's very walkable," Holton said in a previous interview. "While there are breweries down here — good breweries — we felt like there was room for another, and we felt like we offered something unique and different."
The 5,100-square-foot space has indoor and outdoor seating and 15 beers on tap, including its six flagship beers, Churchill Best, King George, Eagle Skull Saison, IPA, Hauck's American Pilsner and His Dark Materials. Menu items include bar snacks, sandwiches, seared burgers, house-cut loaded fries and salads, and the cocktail menu includes gin, rum, agave, vodka and bourbon drinks, the Courier Journal previously reported.
Old Louisville Tavern
1532 S. 4th Street, oldlouisvilletavern.com, 502-409-6281. Hours: daily 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
This Old Louisville favorite has indoor and outdoor patio seating will be first come, first serve. Restaurateur Dan Borsch is the guiding light behind Old Louisville Tavern, along with Toonerville Deli, Old Louisville Pizza Company and Burger Boy Diner, all located in the historic neighborhood.
The four restaurants play a vital role in the neighborhood, Borsch said, offering a place for socializing.
“They facilitate conversations – unexpected random interactions that lead to relationships and neighborliness,” he previously told the Courier Journal. “It's so easy in the modern world to live next to someone and never see them. Here, people can walk to a bunch of different restaurants and run into neighbors, talk about what's going on. It just adds to what's great about Old Louisville.”
Ramsi's Cafe on the World
1293 Bardstown Road, ramsiscafe.com, 502-451-0700. Hours: Every day 4-11 p.m. carry out and dine-in.
Ramsi's, the eclectic Mediterranean comfort food joint on Bardstown Road, is lucky to have an expansive and mostly covered outdoor dining area. And something new — after 27 years in the Highlands, Ramsi Kamar opened a second location of his restaurant Ramsi's Cafe on the World. The 4,000-square-foot restaurant in Norton Commons has about 70 seats and 15 tables outside. It's open for dinner only for now, from 4-11 p.m. daily, the Courier Journal previously reported.
Dining at Ramsi's is a global experience. The menu has items like poblano chilaquiles and quesadillas, chipotle queso, Old World hummus, Spanish paella and Egyptian falafel.
The staff also hails from different parts of the world: Sudan, Syria, Cuba, Mexico, Senegal, Ethiopia and Gambia, to name a few. Kamar said it was his "definition of success" to have his staff look like "everyone in America."
River House Restaurant & Raw Bar
3015 River Road, riverhouselouisville.com, 502-897-5000. Hours: Monday-Thursday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Louisville’s premier riverfront dining destination boasts regional cuisine with a southern flair featuring fresh seafood daily. River House has great outdoor dining options with its patio overlooking the Ohio River and in the past year, added a 4,000-square-foot enclosed patio with heating and river views.
Owner John Varanese previously said that "Diver scallops have been the most-requested dish since before the pandemic — they are very popular. When we reopened, there was a significant increase in raw bar options for the first month."
Of operating during the pandemic, Varanese added "our hope is the guests have more respect for how the restaurant industry runs and everything that happens behind the scenes in order to deliver a great experience. Despite operating with a loss in profits and greater expenses, we have managed to stay open and be successful. We’re really proud to be able to say that. Many restaurants couldn’t survive the challenges."
Village Anchor
11507 Park Place, villageanchor.com, 502-708-1850. Hours: Brunch, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch, Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner, Sunday-Thursday, 5-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5-10 p.m.
The Village Anchor is a cozy village bistro with a southern-inspired menu served amidst artful decor. Here you'll find dishes including Sweet Potato Fries with Marshmallow Creme, Fried Green Tomatoes, a Fried Brussels Sprouts Salad, Shrimp & Grits, a Hotter Brown and more.
Dessert is a must at this place, too. Don't pass on the Peanut Butter Chocolate Silk Pie or Mom's Hot Banana Pudding Meringue.