From Zagat:
Louisville, KY
Though the culinary draw of this town has largely been the bourbon distilleries that are easily accessible by car (and the countless bars within the city limits that serve the native spirit), the city's restaurant scene has really taken off in the past five years or so. After all, you need something to eat after downing all that hooch. Proof on Main, in the über-cosmopolitan 21c Hotel, was there at the beginning of the boom, and chef Levon Wallace thinks that geography plays a role in the cities rise. He credits "the bounty of the Ohio River Valley" and "the rich tradition for things like bourbon and handcrafted hams" for the town's culinary rise.
The rise of chef Edward Lee also helped get Louisville on the radar of food lovers throughout the country, especially after he was a finalist on Top Chef: Texas. His 610 Magnolia has been going strong in the town for years. "The Louisville food scene has found a perfect balance of respect for old traditions and a curiosity for the new," he says. The city has aspects of Southern and Northern culture, and Lee says, "Brave young chefs are finding inspiration in cutting-edge design, culinary techniques and a dedication to Southern yet refined service that's becoming a hallmark of the Louisville restaurant scene."
Even though quality has been increasing, this river city still keeps things casual. Among recent openings, the trend is bourbon and high-end burgers. Just-debuted Game is making waves with patties made from kangaroo and antelope, Mussel+Burger Bar is a higher-end bistro, and Sidebar promises to spice up the town's whiskey row.