Best Quick and Local Lunch in Louisville, Kentucky

We’ve been in the process of renovating for about 3 months now and as of recently – we’re without a kitchen! This means we’re out grabbing something for lunch almost every day right now. Here’s a list of our absolute favorite quick, healthy(ish), and local spots for lunch in Louisville! Since eating lunch is arguably the best part of my workday, {besides getting home and throwing off the bra that has been holding me captive for a solid 9 hours}, I’m only sending you to my favorite spots!

If you click the restaurant name- it will either take you to their website or the Yelp listing. Sometimes the hole in the wall places don’t have a website and that’s justtt fine!

Maira Mediterranean Grill

1907-C S 4th St, Louisville, KY 40208

Hours: M-F: 10:30 – 9, Sa: 11-8:30, Su: 12-6

Oh Mairas. If there was ever a time when we had to move away, you would be in our top 5 restaurants we’d miss the most. Truly this local spot is some of the best Mediterranean food in Louisville, putting it at number 1 on my favorite local lunch spots. I probably eat here 2-3 times a week since we haven’t had a kitchen. They’re fast and I can’t get sick of it, whether I eat in house or get it to go. Not to mention that the prices are hard to beat. The chicken schwarma wrap is literally $5.50?!!!

Our favorites from the menu:

– Schwarma Sandwich ( Chicken, no pickles + special ordered ‘spicy’ — they make their own hot sauce! You need to try it if you like spicy food!)

– Schwarma Plate ( Beef /just like it comes + side of garlic sauce – again they make this in house and it’s very much a must-have! Also the jasmine rice is mouthwatering!)

– Hands down the best falafel in town. It’s perfectly crispy and moist every time! (The only acceptable use of the word moist right there!)

** I would also like to note that when this place opened a few years ago, Ev and I started coming in about once a week and the owner started to recognize us. He’s probably one of the kindest and most humble people we’ve ever met!

Atlantic No.5

605 West Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202 | Hours: M-F: 7-4

If I don’t want to think- this is my go-to for lunch. There really aren’t enough good things to say about a local place that offers a quick, hassle-free, quality sammich and soup for lunch. From the fact that they have their own app to order online, to their perfectly simple and straightforward menu: Atlantic No.5 is an easy addition to the list.

Favorites from the menu:

– Powerhouse Salad

– The Vegetarian Sandwich w/ Creamy Tomato Soup

– The Hummus Bowl w/ Smoked Salmon (You’ll thank me later!)

The Cafe

712 Brent Street, Louisville, KY 40204 | Hours: M-Sa: 7-4, Sun: 9-3

This is one of those places that you get to early because it’s worth it to sit down and enjoy before the lunch rush hits! (As a foodie city, lunch in Louisville is very important – and the lunch rush hits hard!) First things first: The atmosphere. I can’t explain it but the restaurant itself feels like a hippie, eclectic and perfect Louisvillian hodgepodge -with really good food. While they do offer soups and sammiches like Atlantic No.5, they offer a lot more!

Favorites from the menu:

– Old Faithful Soup w/ The Neoclassical Sandwich ( Really just a good clean combination! )

-The Art Deco Sandwich

– The Pimita ( When I’m feeling like a cheat day- It’s like a hug in a pizza! )

Vietnam Kitchen

5339 Mitscher Avenue, Louisville, KY 40214 | Hours: M-Th: 11-9, F 11-10, Sa 4-10, Su 12-9

(Closed Wednesday)

Vietnam Kitchen is another one of those Louisville spots where you truly get an authentic experience. Overall, if it sounds good to you – it will be good. The owners are actually Vietnamese and have steered clear of that ‘Americanized’ feel!

Favorites from the menu:

F4: Basically yellow curry with veggies!

A6: Steamed Pork and Shrimp Dumplings. Sooo mouthwateringly good!

La Rosita

8730 Westport Rd, Louisville, KY 40242 | Hours: M-Th: 9-8, F-Sa: 9-8:30 Su: 9-7

They know us now and that’s not a bad thing. Probably the most authentic Mexican place in town? One of the ways we judge food is if people from the ethnic background of the food also eat there. I typically presume it’s not as ‘Americanized’, and you’re getting true traditional food this way and La Rosita is no exception. This place is a hole in the wall and so incredibly good!

Our favorites from the menu:

Barbacoa, Chorizo, Al Pastor Tacos or Burritos: But ordered Deluxe, add avocado ( Sounds complicated but it’s really easy to ask for!)

** I ask for no crema and no cheese for lactose intolerant purposes!

Feast BBQ

2 Locations: Downtown : 909 E. Market St. Suite 100, Louisville, KY 40206 | Hours: S-Th 11am-10pm   F-Sa 11am-12am

J-Town: 10318 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, KY 40299 | Hours: Su-Th 11am-9pm   F-Sa 11am-10pm

Best thing about Feast besides some awesome BBQ and bourbon slushies: their online ordering (from either location)!

Our favorites from the menu:

-Loaded Tots w/ Coleslaw. I don’t even like coleslaw and I love their coleslaw!

-Chopped Chicken Salad (I highly recommend getting extra chicken!) But this salad is so fresh and clean! In our diet, we try to do low fat and this is a great option.

-Brisket plate- My parents looove brisket and when we brought them to town- this is what they got. Since they’ve lived in Alabama they’ve gotten some good barbecue – Feast’s Brisket is up to par!

Royals Hot Chicken

2 Locations: Nulu: 736 E. Market St., Louisville, KY 40202  ( My favorite because of the mural on the side of the building!)

J-town: 10305 Taylorsville Road, Jeffersontown, KY 40299

Our favorites from the menu:

-Royals Fried Chicken Salad Sandwich.. I didn’t even know I needed fried chicken salad in my life until I tried it and now I crave it!

-Crispy Tender Kale Salad. This is exceptionally good for a place that does fried chicken. I wouldn’t normally think of a hot chicken place having a good salad but Royals pulled it off with a bang!

Carali’s

3 locations in Louisville:

Downtown: 211 S. 5th Street, Louisville, KY 40202 | Hours: M-F 11-3 PM

J-Town: 9148 Taylorsville Rd, Louisville, KY 40299 | Hours: M- Th 11am-9pm F-Sa 11am-10pm Su 12pm-9pm

Newly Opened – Middletown: 12531 Shelbyville Rd, Middletown, KY 40243 | Hours: Check back soon because their website hasn’t updated the hours yet! ( They are open as of now though!)

Favorites from the menu:

-Chicken Empanada’s: So these are amazing! We’ve had chicken empanadas at Havana Rumba (which are more of a Cuban style) and these are a Peruvian take!

-1⁄2 Chicken w/ 2 sides: Pinto Beans and Cilantro Rice – An awesome clean combination!

-Chicken Soup. If you need a good clean chicken soup because you’re not feeling the best – this is for you. Super simple and fresh – I’d pick this up for anyone!

Overall- all of these local spots beat a chain any day! Louisville’s foodie town reputation is made better by each and every one! 

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Until next time friends,

Thanks for sharing!