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! 

Make sure to snag all of your road trip basics (below), get your travel insurance, and have fun jamming to a new playlist!

Until next time friends,

Thanks for sharing!