The Best Salads & Keto Restaurants in Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville’s foodie scene has exploded over the years, ushering in a wave of healthy restaurants. If you’re on the ‘getting healthy train’ or even just passing through town, there are a ton of options for eating clean. We’ve found the best healthy, gluten-free, and keto restaurants in Louisville, along with our favorite salads from all over town!

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How We Chose The Best Salads, Gluten-Free & Keto Friendly Restaurants

Before we dive into the best salads or low-carb destinations in Louisville, be prepared to make some modifications. If you’re diabetic, have Celiac disease, or just prefer to eat gluten-free – you’re probably already used to changing things up a bit! It might go without saying, but many restaurants include croutons in their salads. That doesn’t mean the rest of the salad isn’t keto or gluten-free-friendly!

If you didn’t know – croutons, sauces, and fried, crunchy toppings are the enemy of healthy salads. 1 serving of croutons is equal to roughly 12 carbs – according to My Fitness Pal. Even though that crunch can be oh so satisfying.. we try to stick with sunflower seeds, celery, carrots, and anything else to amp up the salad. As we go through the best healthy restaurants in Louisville, we’ll talk about modifications to any and all dishes we’ve tried!

The Best Keto & Gluten Free Restaurants In Louisville

When you’re trying to find healthy restaurants near you, it’s harder than you think sometimes. What we’ve realized though is that it’s super easy to burn out on just eating salads all the time! These are some of our Keto restaurants in Louisville to help mix it up a little. Think hearty salads, wings, soups, and delicious veggie sides!

P.S. Typically KETO options are also more on the gluten-free side. On a low-carb/sugar-free diet – you’re not eating grains, etc. We’d love to hear your suggestions for other gluten-free options in the comments below!

Feast BBQ: Our Favorite Salad In Louisville

Starting with one of our favorite restaurants in Louisville for clean eating: Feast BBQ!

If you’re craving any kind of pulled meats, good salads, and homemade dressings – this is your place. Our order every time we go: two chopped chicken salads and the ‘smoked sausage snack’. The chopped chicken salad is indisputably one of the best salads we’ve ever had. This perfect mix of smoked chicken, cojita cheese, and Feast’s housemade peppery ranch is crave-worthy!

P.S. If you’re going with people who aren’t into the healthy stuff – rest assured that there are plenty of Southern delicacies on the less healthy side. These include ooey-goey Crispy Mac & Cheese Balls, Fried pickles, and loaded tots!

Locations:
NULU: 909 E. Market Street, Suite 100, Louisville, Kentucky 40299
JTOWN: 10318 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40299
Hours: Sunday through Thursday 11AM – 9pm and Friday through Saturday 11AM-10PM

Martin’s BBQ: Keto Friendly & Good Salads

Starting off with one of our favorite restaurants near our home in Middletown is Martin’s BBQ. Not only do they have great options for gluten-free & keto dieters, but they also have a pretty great salad!

What we order:

• The Farmers Salad: Truly one of the BEST salads in Louisville! It’s a heart mix of smoked Turkey, carrots, nuts, shredded cheddar cheese, croutons and corn on a bed of crisp iceberg. {Typically we remove the croutons but leave the corn even on a Keto diet. There aren’t many and it’s only about 5-6 carbs worth for the whole salad!}
• Smoked Wings: Because aren’t fried, they’re one of our favorite healthy options. Smothered in Alabama White BBQ sauce these are some of our favorite wings in Louisville! When you start looking, you’ll notice there aren’t many healthy option for wings becuase many of them are also flash fried to finish before serving.
• BBQ Trays: Smoked Turkey, pulled pork shoulder, sliced beef brisket, 1/2 Chicken, 1/4 chicken
• Healthy Sides: Green Beans, Broccoli Salad, Slaw {Good Keto Option}

Address: 3408 Indian Lake Drive, Louisville, Kentucky
Hours: Wednesday-Monday 11AM – 9PM Closed Tuesdays

The Cafe: Shelb’s Favorite Cafe In Louisville

Most Louisvillians know them for their old location in Paristown with the funky chandeliers. The Cafe has moved to its new location across the street from the new music venue, Paristown Hall! Since then, we’ve had to sample them a time or two… just to make sure they were still amazing? We can officially report back that they’re just as tasty as ever!! As one of our favorite lunch spots in Louisville, The Cafe is home to an incredible selection of healthy salads.

What We Order:

• Empire Chef Salad – One of the best Keto dishes in Louisville in our opinion! The combination of fresh veggies, meats, swiss & cheddar cheeses along with their housemade pesto ranch is amazing! Not to mention high in fat and low in carb.
• Tuscan Roasted Chicken Salad– A zesty combination of mushrooms, apples, feta, carrots, and fresh roasted chiken breast. While typically served with an Asian sesame dressing – asian sauces typically have alot of sugar. If you’re looking for a more keto freindly option – stick with the housemade pesto-ranch, blue cheese, or light italian vinaigrette.
• The Mission Salad – Their house-made tuna salad, served inside a tomatoe! Sounds weird but it’s delicious – and almost totally carb free!
• Tomato Soup – Creamy and delcious, Shelb’s get this almost every time we go. Tip: Sit on your lunch breaks and really savor it!

Address: 711 Brent St, Louisville, Kentucky
Hours: Sunday through Wednesday: 8AM- 5PM Thursday through Saturday: 8AM – 9AM

Core Life: Non-GMO & artificial free

Priding themselves on being a totally ‘clean eating’ restaurant, Core Life Eatery is a nationwide chain we were happy to see added to Louisville. Their ingredients include non-GMO-antibiotic-free chicken, no high-fructose corn syrup, no artificial colors or flavors, and only ‘real food’! This fast-casual spot allows customers to build their own dishes by starting with broths, greens, or hearty grains.

What We Order:

• Kale Season Chicken Salad
• Chicken Cobb Salad (Base is shredded kale & chopped romaine)
• Steak, Bacon & Blue Cheese (chopped romaine + mesclun salad mix base)
• Coconut Curry Chicken Soup – A great source of fat!
• Tomato Basil Soup – Thickened with cauliflower puree and cheddar cheese! (Great source of fat!)

All of their other salad options including the Sriracha Ginger Tofu & Quinoa, Greek Chicken & Quinoa, Spic Thai Chicken & Rice Noodle, and the Southwest Grilled Chicken & Purple Rice are potential options. You’ll just have to modify the grains as your diet allows!

Address: 9365 Viking Center Drive, Louisville, KY 40222
Hours: Monday through Saturday 11AM – 9PM Sunday 11AM to 8:30PM

Double Dogs: Our Favorite Outdoor Summer Spot

The hot finger salad with grilled tenders and blue cheese dressing, no croutons? One of our all-time faves. Shelbs worked there in college so it’s a weee bit nostalgic we suppose? They also have a great patio that allows doggos. Highly recommend snagging a meal here after a long day of hiking with your furry friend!

A few options:

• Steak & French Fry Salad – sans fries, sub extra cucumber, tomatoes and veggies.
• Greek Salad – Sans the pitas. {Mediterranean food is one of the best ways to eat healthy good fats!!!}
• Hot Finger Salad – just make sure you order grilled chicken and no croutons.
• Tuna Salad Platter – When we’re eating really clean, we sub cucumbers and celery for all of the Pita and breads.

Address: 13307 Shelbyville Rd, Middletown, KY 40243
Hours: Sunday through Thursday 11AM-10PM and Friday through Saturday 11AM-11PM

A Few More Great Keto restaurants Around Louisville

The absolute worst thing about going out to eat is feeling anxious about not being able to find something that suits your diet preferences. These are restaurants you definitely wouldn’t expect to find something low carb or gluten-free! We don’t consider all of these local spots to be 100% healthy eating – but they do have good quality ingredients and healthy options.

• Taco Luchador: The best Keto soup in Louisville handsdown. Their winter Pazole soup is something we crave weekly as soon as the weather turns cold! (There are 3 separate locations! We typically go to the one in JTown.)
  Address: 9204 Taylorsville Rd, Louisville, KY 40299
  Hours: Monday through Thursday 11AM – 9:30PM, Friday 11AM-10PM, Saturday 12PM-10PM, and Sunday 12PM-8:30 PM
• Caralis Rotisserie Chicken: The cleanest of the clean, this Peruvian style clean eating restaurant is amazing for anyone with a senstive stomach! What we order: Chicken soups, salads, and 1/4 roasted chicken plates.
  LOCATIONS: There are 6 locations in Louisville! Baxter Avenue: 642 Baxter Ave #102 – B Louisville, KY 40204, New Cut Road: 5439 New Cut Rd, Louisville, KY 40214, Shelbyville Road: 12531 Shelbyville Rd, Middletown, KY 40204, Simpsonville: 1155 Buck Creed Rd, F602 Simpsonville, KY 40067, Taylorsville: 9148 Taylorsville Road Louisville, KY 40299
  Hours: Check each location for hours. Most open Monday through Saturday 11AM – 9PM and Sunday 12PM – 9PM.

• Samurai Sushi: Not only are they the best sushi, they also have the best clean eating options out of any Asian cuisine in town! The cucumber rolls along with their seafood salad is divine!
  Address: 12905 Shelbyville Rd, Louisville, KY 40243
  Hours: Monday through Thursday 11:30AM-2PM, 5-9:30PM, Friday 11:30AM-2PM, 5PM-10:30PM, Saturday 5PM-10:30PM, Sunday Closed
• Joella’s Hot Chicken: Typically hot chicken is fried – but at Joella’s we’ve found that we still get to have one of our Southern favorites! This grilled hot chicken is deliciously juicy while still being smothered with their house made hot sauces. If you nix the mac-n-cheese, you can actually have a pretty amazing healhty meal! (If you’re on a KETO/low-carb diet – consider adding a side of their famous pimento cheese!)
  Address: 13401 Shelbyville Rd #101, Louisville, KY 40223 (There are 3 locations but we’re sharing their newest and closest to us location in Middletown!)
  Hours: Sunday through Thursday 11AM-9:30PM, Friday through Saturday 11AM-10:30PM

Never miss out on dinner with your friends again!

Healthy Date Night Spots

If you’re looking for that late-night, low-lighting atmosphere (without compromising healthy food) these are the nutritious Louisville restaurants for you!

• Down One Bourbon Bar: As the name suggests – Down One Bourbon Bar is an ‘underground’ bar in the heart of downtown Louisville with an upscale feeling. From the plush red couches in the outdoor lounge to the rows and rows of bourbon on polished wooden shelves – you’re in for a fun date night experience (that won’t cost you an arm and a leg!) As anyone knows when they’re trying to adhere to a healthier diet – mixed drinks are not your friend. Sipping straight alcohol is a lot better for you! (Although probably not better than shall we say.. water..? We live in the land of bourbon though so we digress.) With hundreds of bourbons to chose from – you’ll have plenty of options!
  What We Order: Chinese Chicken Salad (no candied cashews or Wonton strips, sub extra veggies), Chopped Salad, Double Cooked Wings
  Address: 321 W Main St. Louisville, KY 40202
  Hours: Temporarily Closed but Reopening in October 2021
• Mesh: What we love about Mesh is the gourmet upscale atmosphere – in combination with an incredible menu! With locally sourced meats and produce, all of the dishes are an explosion of flavor. (Not to mention we love their patio! Get a look at all of our favorite patios in Louisville here!)
  What We Order: Appetizers: Brussel Sprouts Gratin (no crostini’s), Smoked Salmon Dip (with celery), Cheese & meat boards | Salads: Wedge, Beet, Steak (no tortillas) Dinner: Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, Red Drum (sub out the fries), Grilled Salmon, Scallops, Short Ribs
  Address: 3608 Brownsboro Rd, Louisville, KY 40207
  Hours: Monday through Thursday 11AM-9PM, Friday and Saturday 11AM-10PM, and Sunday 10AM-9PM
• Ramsi’s Cafe On The World: With a diverse international menu- this is one of our favorite spots on Bardstown Road in the Highlands foodie neighborhood. (Make sure to visit in the spring and fall to enjoy their fairytale-esque patio!
  What We Order: The Old World Salad (no croutons), Hibachi Salad, Tuna Tartare & Spinach Salad, Jun Kun Stew, Hoisin Tuna
  Address: 1293 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40204
  Hours: Sunday through Saturday 4PM-11PM
• Le Moo: Incredible steak flights, (including waygu, prime and select steaks) along with hand crafted bourbon old fashions. Need we say more?
  Address: 2300 Lexington Rd, Louisville, KY 40206
  Hours: Monday: Closed, Tuesday through Wednesday 5PM-10PM, Thursday and Sunday 10AM-3PM, 5-10PM, Friday and Saturday 10AM-3PM, 5PM-11PM

Our Favorite Fast & Local Salad Stops

One of the best things about Louisville’s plethora of restaurants – fast lunch spots are aplenty! Even in the most surprising destinations, our foodie scene has done a good job curating a ‘diet inclusive’ atmosphere.

Green District: The Fastest & cleanest Salad Shop

Another one of Shelb’s favorite stops is Green District salads. There is nothing better than rushing around to work, the gym, doggie play dates – all the while knowing you can grab something healthy later!

The best part? They have an app! If you’re running errands, there is no excuse to swing through a drive-through. Simply order your salad and eat it in your car for those five seconds of peace. (If you know, you know – but being by yourself in the car is self-care sometimes!)

Our favorite dishes are: The 502 (no croutons), You Are What You Beet, What About Cobb, You Are My Boy Blue (no croutons). The best dressings are cilantro lime and Greek Feta!

P.S. If you’re not worried about the carbs, any of the salads can be made into a wrap!

Address: (4 locations around Louisville!) Click here to find the one closest to you.
Hours: Most locations 11AM-9PM

In Season: The Best Downtown Louisville Healthy Restaurant

As our reigning favorite new spot downtown, In Season was the place we all genuinely needed! There are so many fast food joints downtown and not enough healthy? In Season perfectly fills that void with seasonally rotating deliciousness!

Serving Louisville’s downtown working crowd in much the same style as a Chipotle, you can quickly create your own or choose from one of the preselected menu options. What we love about In Season is that everything we added to our salad bowls had stand-alone great flavor. Nothing tasted over or under seasoned, and everything was cooked to perfection.

Not to mention that their cafe on West Main Street has a gorgeously clean and trendy vibe to enjoy your lunch in. Normally we’re big fans of grab-and-go workday lunches. After walking into In Season, however, the inviting atmosphere of this cozy downtown spot was too serene not to enjoy!

What We Ordered: A ‘build your Own’ bowl starting with the base of Wildfire Lettuce Mix. Then added lemon pecorino broccolini, roasted heirloom carrots, blistered shishito and lunch box peppers, and free-range chicken breast. To top off the masterpiece, we added sunflower seeds and some of the best quality goat cheese we’ve ever had. Lastly, and certainly not least – the out-of-this-world house-made carrot chili vinaigrette!

Address: 324 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
Hours: Monday through Friday 11AM-3PM

Where Else You Can Find A Great Salad In Louisville

• The Post: While most know it as a pizza joint – The Post’s Italian salad is packed full of goodies including an awesome portion of artichokes. If you know anything about artichokes – you know that they’re incredibly good for you! Not to mention that the Italian salad is a HUGE! We seriously don’t know how one person could eat it all unless you had just hiked a ton?
  Address: 1045 Goss Ave, Louisville, KY 40217
  Hours: Sunday through Thursday 11AM- 12AM and Friday through Saturday 11AM -2AM
• Saints Pizza Pub & Skybar – On a busy corner of the St.Matthews neighborhhood in Louisville is the pizza joint simply known as ‘Saints’ to most locals. Typically known for their cute outdoor bar and good pizza – they also have a great salads for KETO eaters! Shelbs favorite is the Spinach Salad.
  Address: 131 Breckenridge Ln, St Matthews, KY 40207
  Hours: Sunday through Wednesday 11AM-12AM, Thursday 11AM-1AM, and Friday through Saturday 11AM – 2AM
• Caffe Classico: The Tuna Nicoise Salad is delicious and easy to pick up if you’re running around the Clifton area! (We don’t usually eat the potatoes or the bread but that’s up to you of course!)
  Address: 2144 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
  Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 11AM – 9PM

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