The Kentucky Derby is an experience like no other. You get dressed in your finest, witness the best in racing traditions, and have an amazing time. When you attend the Derby, however, you’ll want to eat, and it’s not something you simply visit and leave. You’ll need accommodations either right next to the Derby or nearby. Our list includes both the best places to go and the best places to eat around the area.
The Derby Cafe
Featuring great lunch options, the cafe offers local favorites, including the delicious hot browns. You can drink a Mint Julep as you watch their resident horse. The style of food is Americanized cafe fare, which includes a full bar and is wheelchair accessible. I’d recommend starting with the ham wontons or burgoo, and then opting for the hot browns. Save room for dessert; they offer a delectable bread pudding or the famous Derby pie.
Galt House Hotel
The hotel offers four restaurants, and guests are enamored with the amenities. Not only do you have a gym and a spa, but the hotel also offers valet parking, cooked-to-order breakfasts, its deli, and a coffee shop. They serve fine dining, American cuisine, and more. The hotel is also pet-friendly and provides family-friendly accommodations. However, one perk people love is that you can do laundry on-site, and there’s a hair salon. Get pampered while staying in a luxury hotel!
Doc Crow
The building itself dates back to the mid-1880s. They promise that the experience is like stepping back in time with the smokehouse and Raw Bar. The beautiful historic building offers a lovely atmosphere and phenomenal food. It also provides Southern classics, barbecue, and seafood, to name a few. They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as kids’ menus, and they have an extensive selection of bourbons for the parents.
The Samuel Culbertson Mansion Bed And Breakfast Inn
The mansion is beautifully decorated, and the furnishings are stunning. The hosts are charming and friendly. You’ll have a great visit, and the food is amazing. The inn has hosted dignitaries, celebrities, war generals, and others. All of the rooms have a special theme (such as the Annie Fellows Johnston Room), and each one offers comfort and luxury. This is a wonderful place to stay when you’re in town for the Derby.
La Bodeguita De Mima
A Cuban restaurant that takes you back to 1950s Cuba, you’ll smell mouthwatering cuisine the second you walk in. The chefs are magnificent, and the eatery promises to pay homage to Mima (the family matriarch). I’d recommend trying the Latin root beer, or a Café Cubano, some Papas Rellanas, Churrasco, and always save room for the Trio De Helados as some options. Your taste buds will thank you!
The Kentucky Castle
Promising a once-in-a-lifetime experience, there are over one hundred acres, and it offers a farm-view cabin, tower suites, and farm-to-table dining. They also have a spa that exudes luxury, making it a wonderful place to relax. You can also shop, and the castle offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Enjoy scallops, clams, fresh bread service, trout, ravioli, shrimp, lamb, skillet mushrooms, or a lovely Parmesan risotto among the favorites. For dessert, try chocolate avocado mousse, a springtide sundae, or the cheesecake.
Suburban Fish Fry
Fish is the game, and here, it’s done exceptionally well. You can order by the pound or enjoy their dinner options, including wild-caught North Atlantic Cod. You can also buy bread, fries, and sauce in bulk. The social club has been serving fish since the early 1900s, and a portion of the proceeds goes to fund scholarships and charities. It’s been said that their food is amazing, with people loving the marinated onions and other options, and you can eat like royalty.
The Brown Hotel
Near Churchill Downs, this is Louisville’s most glamorous hotel. Celebrities, socialites, and others gather here for the most exciting show. The hotel offers Millionaires Row (their premium box seats), the famous Mint Julep, and promises to be the key to your experience. Mixing Southern charm with Georgian Revival elegance, this hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and holds the AAA Four Diamond Rating.
Coconut Beach Tacos & Cerveza
For some great food, check this place out. They’re extremely friendly and family-run. The food is delicious and the tacos are said to be mouthwateringly good. Flavorful and tasty, the pork is juicy and tender, and the rice is a great blend of their own design. The baja tacos and salsa are also a win. It’s creative and will satisfy your hunger with no problem. Another plus? The decor is stylish and interesting.
Moxy Louisville Downtown
With a restaurant on site and breakfast available, you’ll find they also offer valet parking, are pet-friendly, and have a fitness center. The hotel also offers a snack bar and deli. However, the restaurant is famous for the Zombie Taco. You have to try it because it’s incredible. The rooms are soundproofed and offer children’s games, as well as a gift shop and twenty-four-hour assistance. The hotel is also wheelchair-friendly.
Enjoy The Derby
When you want to enjoy the Derby, try some of the best Southern cuisine around and savor the local favorites. The Derby is a time of fun, marveling at great sights, and enjoying the tradition and culture of the city. Enjoy the horses, the food, and staying in the best hotels possible. You’ll have the time of your life and come back every year.
