Lobby Bar & Grill at The Brown Hotel

I was on vacation in Louisville, Kentucky and I had to make a stop at the iconic The Brown Hotel. I had heard so much about the history, but let’s be honest… I came for ONE thing. The legendary Hot Brown. It did not disappoint!!! First of all, pulling up to the hotel at sunset with that golden light hitting the red awning? Vibes. Pure vibes. Walking inside felt like stepping into another era — chandeliers sparkling, marble floors, ornate ceilings. It’s giving classic. It’s giving timeless. It’s giving “they don’t build them like this anymore.” Now let’s talk about that Hot Brown. Served bubbling hot, golden and crispy around the edges, topped with thick bacon and fresh shaved cheese. The turkey was tender, the Mornay sauce was rich and creamy without being too heavy, and every single bite felt indulgent. This is comfort food elevated. You can literally taste the history. We also had fresh bread and roasted peppers on the side, and everything was done with care. Let me be clear — this is the ONLY place to try a Hot Brown. The original. Everywhere else will disappoint you. Service was professional and on point. If you’re in Louisville and skip this? You’re wrong. Period. Absolute classic. 👑🔥

Sat at the bar for the famous Hot Brown. It was really good, but was just expecting a little more WOW. But dont get me wrong, worth a try for sure. The lobby/ bar area are gorgous, but there was something just a little off with the atmosphere (very quiet/ no music). The bartender was friendly, but not overly so. I inquired about a mint julip (you know, when in Rome) and he kind of talked me out of ut saying no one really drinks those except at the Derby. He probably made 5 or 6 during our 1 hr stay. Cool spot, glad I visited.

Had the signature dish, the original hot brown. If you've never tried this dish, I personally recommend it. I've enjoyed the dish at other restaurants, but none compared to the original. Only recommendation I have would be to scale back the size of the tomato garnish. The dish was fantastic and left me wanting more. It pairs well with a Maker's Mark double, neat and chilled. The atmosphere was very classic and sophisticated. If you ever visit Louisville Kentucky, you should try this legendary meal.

We went here specifically to try the Hot Brown. It did not disappoint. This was our first time trying it and we both thought it was delicious! I tried a mint julep for the first time. I may not be a bourbon drinker. My husband had an old fashioned that he said was good. The only reason we gave a 4 for service is because the bartender got saddled with our table and she was so busy behind the bar that it was challenging for her to attend to us the whole time we were there. Perhaps the hostess that was on her phone most of the time could have stepped up? Live piano music added to the lovely atmosphere of this gorgeous historic hotel. Highly recommend.

Oh wow! Where do I start! On Nov. 5, 2025 around 5:40pm, Erica- the hostess- made the necessary arrangements to have us sat and served. This place is exceptionally architecturally gorgeous, and the onion soup was excellent, but I was not impressed with the Chilean Seabass. The menu does not state that it includes bones. Although the dis wasn’t bad, I just did not want my Chilean Seabass with bones. It requires double the time to eat it. I will take complete responsibility if I am wrong, but I swear I didn’t see that detail on the menu. If I am wrong, please disregard that part of the experience and the comment. Either way, the environment and the place made it a wonderful experience. The piano entertainment was beautiful! P.S need reservation!!

One of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever been in! So much history and character! Our drinks were amazing! Jodi made the BEST French 75 I’ve ever had! Highly recommend stopping in for drinks and dessert 😋 PS! Go up to the 16th floor at sunset for a beautiful view of the city!

Beautiful restaurant with great service and of course the famous Hot Brown. The Hot Brown came out piping hot and was rich and creamy. A little pricey but everything was very high quality - you get what you pay for. Emily was great!

Wonderful lunch spot that takes you back in time! We were in Louisville for a wedding and heard about the “Hot Brown” so we definitely had to to stop. Did not disappoint. An open faced turkey sandwich with delicious sauce, baked to perfection. Jess doesn’t like turkey, but thought it was one of the most delicious sandwiches she’s ever had. Also tried the burger and it was huge and delicious. Apps were barrel fries and lobster Mac…both excellent and eaten before we remembered to take pictures lol. Inside is a beautiful example of life in the early 1900’s. Enjoyed walking around and seeing the sites. Stop in for a bite. It’s worth it.

When I say this is one of the best meals I have had in my lifetime....I mean it is simply one of the best ever. My dad has forever talked about getting a hot brown sandwich from the Brown Hotel for as long as I can remember. So when I stayed there a few weeks ago, I obviously had to get one. For research purposes, obviously. I kicked off my solo dining adventure with a Buffalo trace martini that is not for the faint at heart. The basket of bread and butter they brought me was definitely needed after that. It was wonderful to sit there and sip while listening to a live piano player rotate through some Billy Joel and Disney music. Then my hot brown came out and it was so delicious I almost cried tears of joy. I ate only half and saved the other half for the next day, and can confirm it tastes just as amazing on day 2 as day 1 if anyone is wondering. The bourbon barrel fries too had great seasoning and were very tasty. Then it was time for dessert. I was celebrating 2 years of freedom this night so I did what nobody else has apparently done before: I ordered all the desserts on the dessert menu. Please let me also preface this with saying I did not eat all of those in one sitting either. They were future breakfast and desserts for the next few days since my room had a fridge in it. Girl math dictated that would actually be a cost savings plan. And it was. The chocolate striptease was amazing lit on fire and tasted like a decadent and luxury level cake. The strawberry cheesecake was beyond flavorful, the ice cream dessert with the olive oil flakes was so unique and tasty with the cracker crumble, and the pie was just one of the best. Needless to say, next time I'm back in Louisville, I'll be booking a room here again. Also major shoutout to everyone working here who kept coming up and asking about everything, as well as my server: you made my night and y'all are awesome human beings who deserve raises.

Wow. Just wow. We expected this place to be good. We read all the reviews, but it exceeded our expectations. Everything was executed perfectly. Every drink, every dish... even with few and very simple ingredients. Incredible. We are highly impressed. Would definitely recommend.

Wonderful lunch spot that takes you back in time! We were in Louisville for a wedding and heard about the "Hot Brown" so we definitely had to to stop. Did not disappoint. An open faced turkey sandwich with delicious sauce, baked to perfection. Jess doesn't like turkey, but thought it was one of the most delicious sandwiches she's ever had. Also tried the burger and it was huge and delicious. Apps were barrel fries and lobster Mac...both excellent and eaten before we remembered to take pictures lol. Inside is a beautiful example of life in the early 1900's. Enjoyed walking around and seeing the sites. Stop in for a bite. It's worth it.

Dining at the historic Brown Hotel was a true Kentucky experience -- from the iconic Hot Brown to a perfectly crafted Old Fashioned and rich Derby Pie. The atmosphere was a charming blend of casual and dressed-up guests, but dressing up definitely enhances the experience and makes it feel even more special. The food was delicious and well worth trying. I'd happily return just to soak in the old-world charm over a drink -- it's a nostalgic gem. I visited on a Wednesday, early evening --the crowd was growing. Restaurant is on the 2nd floor.

Really cool vibe and awesome staff. The food was spot on as well nothing to complain about here for sure.

Went for a really early dinner at 4:15pm which was limited menu but I had my eye on the steak frites and that was being served. I loved it. Fries had a cheese spice mix in them and were just perfect... steak was good too. They sat me in the back part and I was the only one there and the bartenders were doing an inventory so that was a little odd. Would have much more enjoyed the piano and vibe in the other side. But I will try it again when I'm visiting Louisville

We ate here specifically to try the Hot Brown. And it was worth it! The Hot Brown was great! I didn't know what to expect, but it was SO GOOD! The drinks were also super tasty and the service from the bartender was friendly and fast. We also tried the French onion soup and the Derby Pie, both of which were delicious. We will definitely be back if we are in Louisville again!

Stopped in here for dinner. The only reservation was 815pm, however the dining area was sparse. Our waiter was very friendly and attentive. I opted for the Lobster Mac and Cheese side. My first entree came out lukewarm but the waiter brought me a fresh, hot dish! The Mac and cheese did not really have any signs of lobster, so I was a little thrown off. The Mac and cheese was a tad bland but the breadcrumbs added a nice crunchy texture. The derby pie was delicious! First time trying the walnut, chocolate pie.

We came here for dinner for our only night in Louisville because when in Rome, you must try the original Hot Brown. Driving up from the main street, the hotel looks like she's seen some better days, but once you make the turn in, it's a lot more pretty. And when you go up the stairs to The Lobby Bar, you can definitely feel that old world mystique though there are indications that the place is not what it once was. We were disappointed not to be sat in the main dining room (allegedly entirely reserved) but the bar area is nice enough other than the keyboardist (not even a real piano!) that was a bit too loud. For drinks, one is us got an old fashioned, which was delicious, and one of us ordered a mint julep, which was essentially a cup of ice and not much else. For food, we ordered a Hot Brown, of course, as well as a French onion soup and a kid's cheeseburger. The soup was very good--tasty and cheesy and hot--but the bread was already mush by the time it got to the table. Our daughter's burger was pretty impressive for being a kid's version and we liked the fries it came with. As far as the Hot Brown, we liked it! What's not to like about turkey, bacon, bread, tomatoes, and a gravy! It was excessive, but that's the point, so we were there for the experience. Dessert was a pretty sad derby pie a la mode that didn't taste particularly homemade or impressive. Overall, we're glad we came and we had a nice enough time, but we were not particularly wow-ed by anything. This place is really 3.5 stars, and while one of us thinks it should be four stars, we're ultimately settling on 3.

When in Louisville... you have to have a Hot Brown. Walked here for dinner our first night in Louisville. Didn't realize really nothing opens until 5 for dinner, so we were a little early and were directed to a seating area to wait, but we got to look around at the gorgeous decor. The hotel is just over 100 years old and is a really amazing piece of architecture. I felt really under-dressed but since it's the lobby bar, there were all sorts of people in and out of the bar. If I was going to the main dining room, I would definitely dress up. We were seated right at 5 and unfortunately I misplaced our server's name but she was very friendly and attentive. Found it - her name was Rein. We started with an Old Fashioned and a Kentucky Mule with a charcuterie board and then had the small hot brown and steak frites. The charcuterie was good- not enough cheese for my taste, but a nice starter. The hot brown was good what I expected and I'm glad I got the smaller o e because it's so rich. The steak frites took the cake - the steak was so tender with amazing flavor and the fries had a delicious seasoning that went perfectly with the steak. I would definitely come back for the ambiance and would order steak frites for both of us.

The Lobby Bar at the Brown Hotel holds a special place for us. This is actually where I first saw an old college friend after ten years when we met up for a drink. We got married four years later, and now live in Louisville. So we come back here on special occasions to have a cocktail and celebrate. We recently decided to make a return to the restaurant for our two-year wedding anniversary. This place is normally off the charts with ambiance, but this most recent time, things were different than our prior trips. The food and drinks were great. For cocktails, I had the Kentucky Derby and an Old Fashioned, and both were incredible. We started things off with an exquisite cheese plate with three distinct ones to choose from. I'm not normally a jam guy, but I smothered this all over the crackers. As for the entrees, I enjoyed my duck breast, but the sea scallops that my wife ordered were out of this world. She says it was probably the best seafood dish she's had in Louisville. The steak frites is also another favorite of mine along with, of course, the hot brown. On this specific night, there was a wedding going on the floor above where we were sitting. I'm no stick in the mud and love to have a good time at a party. But for a romantic anniversary dinner with a reservation, this was not ideal. I wish we had sat closer to the piano or gotten seats at the bar, which was much quieter than the open restaurant area. Another note --- if you have a gluten allergy, make sure to talk with your server and be thorough. The menu is not marked, but they can make modifications to some dishes. The scallops dish was safe, but the duck breast came with brussel sprouts that went through a shared fryer. My wife has Celiac disease, so we had to be careful. Overall: we do love this place very much and will be back at the lobby sooner rather than later. And you can probably count on us sitting at the bar, talking with visitors and the friendly bartender.

Very much enjoyed our dinner at the bar of the Lobby Bar at the Brown Hotel. We shared a Caesar salad and the famous hot brown, which was warm, rich, and delicious (but honestly *much* smaller than I expected for the $30 entree price!). Cocktails were delicious and expertly made by our bartender who also provided friendly service (including offering helpful suggestions for the rest of our trip). Definitely worth checking out!

Husband and I came here for our Anniversary. First time here for the both of us. Bucket list for me, to be able to say I've had a Hot Brown from the world famous hotel it was invented in and it did not disappoint. Husband had shrimp and grits on a pesto puree. The surprised us with a dessert since it was our Anniversary. Very quaint in the restaurant and loved having a pianist playing a baby grand. Our waitress Grace was phenomenal. Thank you again for a very memorable Anniversary.

I made a reservation here during our trip to Louisville because this is the inventor of the Hot Brown. We fucked up a few things on this occasion. For one, I thought our reservation was 7:30 and arrived at that time but it was actually at 7:15. We also didn't realize how beautiful and elegant the space was and definitely did not dress up for the occasion. You can imagine the embarrassment when we walked up the beautiful staircase to the sound of a fucking live pianist. Anyway, the staff at the Lobby Bar were kind enough to not outwardly notice either of our errors and were nothing but gracious and friendly. We both started with one of their cocktails from a lovely cocktail menu. I can't find it online so I can't provide details. Probably bourbon. Mine was good enough that I wanted to order another. I didn't because either I was not asked or because GF guilted me out of it. From the looks of it, GF ordered a mint julep. There were a few things on the menu I was interested in ordering including a salad. The fries with bourbon something ketchup were too good to pass up so we ordered that to start. I'm glad I didn't try to squeeze in a salad because this serving was ridiculous in a good way. Think a mount everest of fries. They were extremely crispy and seasoned to perfection. Definitely in my top 5 of best fries I've ever eaten. GF ordered the hot brown and reported that it was extremely rich and heavy but seemed to enjoy it. I ordered the pesto dish with veggies and rotini. The veggies were a nice touch but the sauce was wayyyyyy too creamy for me. The creaminess overpowered any other flavor of the dish and it wasn't worth the calories to finish. Very disappointing. My dish was enough to knock this down to at least a 3 but the ambiance of the space, the fantastic staff, and the delicious fries bumped it up to a 4 in my book. Perhaps their non-vegetarian dishes are better?

Home of the Original Hot Brown !!! I was with a group of business colleagues in the Louisville area. They had asked me where we should go for a casual business dinner. The first question I asked was, "Who has had a Hot Brown?". The Hot Brown is a Louisville staple and countless restaurants in and around Louisville have their version of the Hot Brown. This sandwich was created at the Brown Hotel in 1926. It is an open-faced Turkey sandwich with shame and bacon, topped with creamy Mornay sauce and cooked in a skillet until the bread starts to brown. There are variations of the Hot Brown but most versions have four or five of the traditional ingredients. The Brown Hotels version, which is the original is described as ' Roasted Turkey Breast, toast points, Mornay Sauce, Pecorino Romano Cheese, baked golden brown, then finished with bacon and Tomatoes. We arrived at the hotel and went upstairs to the Lobby Bar where the restaurant is located and took some time to take the ambiance, elegance and history of the hotel. We were seated in the dining room and shared a few apps and then each of us ordered either a 'petit' Hot Browon or the full-size one. The dish comes out still sizzling hot and now with shredded cheese on top. Each of them dug in and tasted a staple of the Louisville and Kentucky region. Everyone at the table enjoyed this meal and of course, took many photos of it. After drinks and more photos, most of us were stuffed as the Hot Brown, even the petit version is a hearty meal in itself. We ordered a few desserts and coffees to help stave off the food comas. An impressive meal in an impressive place. If you're in the Louisville area you must visit the Lobby Bar and Grill during your trip.

I stopped in especially for the Hot Brown as this was its birthplace. The dining area with its beautiful wood, stained glass windows, high backed cushioned chairs, white table cloth and linen napkins was so nice. Service was impeccable starting with friendly and attentive Jeannie, continuing with Kris, who helped create my bourbon flight based on my tastes and price point of the evening, and concluding with the food runners. The salad was amazing with the greens, pecans, cherries, pears and shaved Parmesan. The Hot Brown was made with turkey breast, not sliced turkey, creamy cheese sauce and bacon cooked just right in my opinion. And of course the bourbon. I liked all 3, but did have a favorite.

This was my first trip to Kentucky and I was told I HAD to stop at the the Hot Brown here. The service was great. The bar staff and hostess were beyond kind and the drinks were wonderful. I must say I was not a fan of the food. All of the food needed salt (especially the grits) and the shrimp was overcooked. The "famous" hot brown was a huge letdown. Aside from needed salt it didn't have any real flavor. It is a highly overpriced dish in my opinion. The automatic piano was a bit loud and it was hard to have conversation over it.

The Lobby Bar did not disappoint. The food was wonderful and service was spot on. I highly recommend eating at the historic Brown Hotel

I always tell people this is the room where I fell in love with Louisville. When the pianist is playing, you really can't beat the ambiance. In a recent trip, I had what was likely the best scallops dish I've ever eaten in my life. Usually I opt for the steak frites -- also delicious -- but this time I stepped outside of my comfort zone and I'm so glad I did. The scallops were filling and flavorful, nestled on the most delightful smearing of sweet potato puree. I also ordered the Louisville Lip and Kentucky Derby cocktails. I preferred the Derby, but they were both refreshing and delicious. There's bourbon cream forward one, too, that I highly recommend, if you like drinking your dessert. One thing to pay attention to -- we ended up being there the same night as a wedding. The music from the DJ sort of overpowered the piano. I'd never had that happen before, but to really get the full experience I recommend going mid-week instead.

When in Rome...... Okay When in Kentucky.... If visiting Louisville your either going for the Horses, or the bourbon, OR BOTH!! None the less, there were three things I had to get while visiting and two were accomplished at the Lobby Bar in the Brown Hotel. A Hot Brown and Derby pie. This is the OG of the Hot Brown, in fact invented here, how could I get anything else! First off, very nice hotel very classy. We were seated in a large dining room with large round tables, wood paneling surrounded us. The place oozes old money. Service was fantastic, couldn't have asked for better. Exactly what you would expect in this caliber of establishment. The hot brown was a generous portion of roasted turkey, not deli meat, but cut of the bird, 1/4" thick or larger pieces of meat. Crisp Bacon. Wonderfully toasted bread, delightfully roasted tomato and the mouthwatering sauce. This dish is second to NONE! Now the derby pie, wonderful and nutty with the chopped walnuts, again, generous portion so be hungry, or share. One of the highlights of my trip!

Visiting Louisville, I came across the great debate for Kentucky's infamous Hot Brown. Seeing that every restaurant seemed to have their own take on the dish, I had to try the original at the Brown Hotel. The Lobby Bar at The Brown Hotel was very classy. Service was top notch and our waiter was very witty. Now onto the dish. The Hot Brown lived up to all its expectations, the gooeyness of the cheese, the juiciness of the turkey, all baked to perfection. I don't think there's any other place that I'd try it, nor could compare to it.

Another hidden downtown treasure is the Lobby Bar at the Brown Hotel. Everything is great and the Hot Brown is a much try! All the food on the menu taste great and the food is the very consistent. The Lobby Bar offer a casual dining experience on the second floor of the Brown Hotel. If you want a more fine dining menu with the comfort of the Lobby Bar space, ask to see if they English Grill menu is available (which it usually is). All the appetizers are wonderful, but my favorite are the chicken wings. The entire staff is very professional and polite! If you are driving into downtown Louisville, the Brown Hotel offers free valet parking when dining at the restaurant.

I vasilated between 4 and 5 stars for this awesome spot in Louisville, so let's call this 4.5. First of all, The Brown Hotel is an absolute gem of a building and worth the trip on its own. So much character and charm! The Lobby Bar is a great setting, and they make the best use of all of the space. A piano played throughout our visit with great instrumental takes on contemporary hits. The food was excellent! Of course, we got the Hot Brown in spite of the unappealing name (we really had to talk three of our guests into trying it)! We got that as an app along with arrancini balls. Both were great, and everyone loved the Hot Brown even after low expectations. Three of us opted for the scallops and loved them. One veggie dish that was great and a salmon dish the was cooked a bit too much for my wife, but it still was great. We also tried a couple of desserts, The Derby Pie (a must!) And the Chocolate Striptease that was goid, although the presentation wasn't nearly as impressive as described. Cocktails were all great, and they have an excellent wine list. Service was very good, although not extremely refined. Food runneres were not at all versed in proper service etiquette, and it was a glaring misstep in an otherwise terrific dining experience. Chalking it up to inexperience and lack of training, but I do hope they address it. Recommended 100%!

Great evening at The Lobby Bar-before the e Chelsea Handler show. Chris was a great server who was very knowledge and attentive. Drinks were very slow to get but awesome- Old Fashioned, Bourbon Flight and Great Oregon Pinot Nour. Some of the best chicken wings in Louisville. Order Steak Fittes- with barrel bourbon fries excellent. The Original Hot Brown was amazing- must get as the home of the original Hot Brown. Our go to place before a show at The Palace. Great bar too-!!

The Lobby Bar is a gem! We dined here while staying at the Brown and we had a wonderful meal. Our server was very attentive and personable and she was great overall. The atmosphere is wonderful as well and the building is just gorgeous inside. My wife had a blackberry cocktail for dinner and she loved it. I got a bourbon/rye flight (half price for half pours) and I loved being able to try some rare drinks that can't be found in the wild. My wife loved her salmon and I really enjoyed my steak frites with a side of perfectly-cooked broccolini. This was a great place to dine and we would definitely come back!

Came here for the Hot Brown. It was good. We had bourbon barrel fries - they were good. A little spice to them, so if you don't like that you may not like Had a yummy salad and the yellow tomato soup was good too. My husband had a Brown Manhattan which he said was amazing

We wanted to try somewhere new near the Palace before a show, while also crossing a Kentucky bucket list item off for my husband: Eat a hot brown, and even better, eat it where it originated from! What I thought would just be dinner turned into a whole experience... I felt like a tourist (in the best way!) We made a reservation, but they allowed to seat us 15 minutes early. They even asked us what time we needed to be out before the show, which I thought was very considerate. This is also a great place to try some bourbon. I went for the Louisville Lip cocktail, which was a combo of Four Roses and lemonade. This might be an obvious statement, but their hot brown is the best I've had... and I've had a lot of them!! It is pretty gigantic too, and they also have a 'petite' version you can choose. Our waitress tempted us with the bourbon barrel fries, and I'm so glad she did! I was obsessed with the seasoning - It was related to bourbon somehow and had a BBQ-like flavor. Aside from the amazing food, the atmosphere here is pretty great. Not only are you sitting in a drop-dead gorgeous place, but there is also a piano player. Doesn't matter if you're a local or a tourist, you need to dine here!!

Everyone has been saying if you go to Louisville you have to get the hot brown! An inside out turkey sandwich with lots of craziness cheese and bacon. It's interesting.....I'd say you at least have to try it if you ever find yourself in Louisville. The bartender, James was phenomenal. Great customer service and was very attentive and friendly. My friend went down to get a drink a little early before we decided to grab some food. We asked the hostess if we could please get a table and she said they were completely booked and had a dinner experience going on so the best she could do for us was 2 hours from then. We were there like 5:45pm and she told us it would be 8:30pm we could get a table. Then said she could sit us at the table that was basically in the walkway right by the piano player. So basically right in front of the hostess stand. My friend and I just decided to go eat at the bar. I got the club sandwich and asked for American cheese instead of pepper jack. My friend got a hot brown petite. I just had a taste. The hostess, Megan came up to us and said "I was able to move some things around and I have a table for you". It was a little strange because that eating area by the bar was bare.......it never got busy and we told her we were fine at the bar. Not sure how you can just move people's reservations. But okay then, not such great customer service from the hostess but the bar worker was amazing. Dessert was delicious with the vanilla ice cream. I'd recommend the bar for great service.

The server was extremely rude! Manager seemed to care, she talked to the server and did nothing to stop us -I doubt if he told her what he told us, doubt it!! He was talking so loudly and bitching about the two hostesses. Yeah, no drama, please!!! Hence we left. We will spend our $300+ somewhere else this evening.

Great atmosphere with a little pianist playing in the background. There were many signature cocktails and the Old Fashion was delicious. The Hot Brown is a must try...a little on the heavy side with whipped butter, bacon, bread and turkey chunks. The bartender was very knowledgeable and friendly along with the other patrons at the bar...made for a fun night! Enjoy!

This place was amazing for a fancy date night/anniversary celebration for my husband and I. Everything was great - drinks, food and service!!

Suchhh a vibe! Loved this bar and the bartender was an absolute gem. Beautiful ambiance with plenty of seating. Amazing drinks. I especially loved the Hibiscus 75, which i may or may not already be trying to replicate at home :P

The food was incredible, but much more than that, the service was some of the best I've ever had. Our waiter, Kris, saved our night. We got the time of our show wrong, which he realized when we started talking about it. He quickly told us, got our food boxed up, and got us out the door so we didn't miss the show that was starting about the time we sat down to dinner. He saved our meal for us and even stayed to take care of us after we got back from the show, ensuring we received hot plates and truly exceptional service. He truly went above and beyond.

Food was good, service was outstanding (we had a great server), and the ambiance was historical if dated, but charming in general.

If you like mornay (cheese) sauce, you must try the Hot Brown. It is delicious. They come in small or large and even the small is big enough. The service was great. The restaurant was beautiful. The place invented the hot brown. The drinks were great.

The food was perfection, as was the service and atmosphere!!! I totally recommend this beautiful restaurant!!!

We wanted to eat something that Louisville is "famous" for, and Hot Brown came up. The hotel may be old, but its still glamourous and had the old Hollywood feel to it. Actually a bit spooky, as I am sure "spirits" may be lurking here. We made dinner reservations for 7:00 and we were seated promptly. Services is not the fastest but the staff is courteous and welcoming. Our server Kris was originally from California, in fact, less than 5 miles from where I live. We got the infamous Hot Brown, of course, and Kris suggested splitting it, and pairing it with the Farmer's Salad.. great suggestion and both delicious!! This gave us room for the Derby Pie, a la mode, and coffee. I hear brunch on the weekend is nice. It's a nice way to step away from the busy day, whether it's vacation or work.

Recommended by a Kentuckian. She told us that all iconic things of Louisville should be had here. She also warned us to go on an empty stomach and with good reason. The original Hot Brown is rich and decadent. Reservations were easy to make via OpenTable. We showed up 15 mins before our reservation and they seated us right away. Service was attentive and friendly. The food was delicious. We were a party of three and we chose to share one order of the Hot Brown. If you're not completely blitzed or hungover, I'd recommend sharing as well or getting a petite sized serving. Our group thought the fries were underrated; they were so flavorful and crispy. The Derby Pie was scrumptious. We had a few versions throughout our stay in Louisville and this one was by far the best. If you have a short time in this city, this is a great place to come. Lots of history and if you come for an early dinner, you can catch a great view of the sunset afterwards on the deck upstairs.

Absolutely loved my experience here. I brought my husband here for his birthday since he loves a hot brown and it was the perfect birthday dinner. They had a pianist that even played Happy Birthday for him. I had the scallops, my husband had the hot brown, and we split the bourbon barrel fries as well as the crab cake. Everything was delicious!

Located inside the historic Brown Hotel, you don't want to miss the famed Hot Brown an open baked sandwich consisting of Turkey breast, bacon, covered in a lot of cream. This is where the hot brown was invented in 1926 by hotel chef Fred K. Schmidt. The hotel also functions as a mini museum with lots of historical artifacts and memorabilia. I would recommend making a reservation, especially during peak weekend hours. Come a little early, grab a seat at the beautiful bar and order a bourbon or any drink: the drink menu is Very extensive. After finishing your drink, head over to the front desk letting them know you're ready for your table. The bourbon barrel fries $11 were delicious as was the famed hot brown.

The food was near perfection. I def had a wowing food experience. The service was stellar as well. The hubs was determined to try the hot brown. I had the shrimp and grits. We followed the meal with the derby pie. The hot brown was seriously to die for. You just have to wait 20 mins for it to cook. It had components of an amazing meal: cheese, carbs, flavors. This dish came out sizzling hot so be careful. The turkey breast was hidden within layers of crouton-like breading with bacon and tomatoes, and throughout all this was oozing romano cheese. This is not a calorie friendly dish if you're watching your weight, but this was seriously unique and delicious to try. The shrimp and grits also had some bold flavors. The 5 gulf shrimps were large and juicy. It was cooked in a creole sauce that gave it a kick of flavor. I just wished there were more grits to go with the large shrimps as the weisenberger grits were pretty good. The derby pie wasn't anything perplexing as the hot brown. It was good, especially with the addition of vanilla ice cream. The walnuts atop the choc chip crust gave it a diff texture and crunch. All the food were great. The hot brown was created here so it was worth the experience of trying it at its place of origin. I would most certainly give the hot brown another try if given the chance.

An outstanding meal, with excellent ambience and serve, was spoiled by poor valet service/policy both before and after. Over the last year we have either dined or stayed at the Brown a number of times. Tonight's experience has left a bad taste in our mouths. The valet who failed to greet us on arrival, and then notified us of a charge for overstaying our welcome by 12 minutes on departure just ruined a very nice meal. I guess we shouldn't have ordered the before dinner drinks, or not recommended the Hot Brown to our guest (because it requires more time for preparation), or maybe not have ordered Derby Pie dessert (which was delectable!) or should have cancelled the excellent coffee, which the waiter told us was being delayed because they were brewing a new pot. Or maybe it was stopping by the pianist to complement her outstanding performance and leaving a tip on the way out. I just guess that the Brown doesn't need our return visit.

Had an incredible weeknight dinner a few weeks ago. We sat in the dining area of the bar and indulged in Louisville's staples: Hot Brown was worth it; shrimp and grits were a step above and even the dessert was delicious. Our server was so kind and it made the experience so much better. What a pretty hotel to walk through too! It was a casual ambiance but in an elevated setting, plus delicious food. Can't recommend enough

We really enjoyed our experience here. We ordered the hot brown, which was too rich for me but everyone else enjoyed. The highlight was the steak and frites. The fries and ketchup were delicious. We also got the derby pie and I wasn't a fan, too bitter for me.

Food was delicious ! We also shared a bottle of wine which was soooo yummy I forgot the name of it but it was a sweet white wine! Our sever was sweet to. A woman was playing piano throughout the evening. Very classy and delicious experience !

We came here for the famous Hot Brown and it did not disappoint! First off, the place is beautiful and cozy. It's hard to find such gems anymore. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable. He suggested we share the Hot Brien which they nicely split for us. It was warm gooey deliciousness. We shared had a fruit plate too. A wonderful experience. We hope to come back for a drink and dinner sometime.

We pretty much came to Kentucky to try the hot brown and do some bourbon tours. The hot brown did not disappoint. The decor is beautiful and the hotel is historic. We came on a Fri night around 9 pm with reservations and it was pretty busy. There was a pianist that set the ambiance. I ordered the hot brown and my wife got the shrimp and grits. We had the derby pie as dessert. The hot brown was worth the 20 min wait. It's just an open-face turkey sandwich but everything about it was delicious. Cheese, croutons, bacon, tomatoes, and the thick mornay sauce was perfect. I will probably never eat this again since my arteries can't handle it but it was a very memorable dish. The shrimp and grits were good but not amazing. The 5 shrimps were extra large and juicy but they grits were not what I'm used to in Georgia, which is usually cooked with a lot of butter. These grits were more flavorful and less buttery. The grits reminded me of New Orleans style vs Georgia. The derby pie is pretty much just a pecan pie that I'm familiar with in Georgia except with some chocolate in it. It came with vanilla ice cream. Would I come here again? Maybe. Just have two orders of hot brown and then pass out for the next day and a half.

Food is great, nice atmosphere. Get the bourbon fries! Service can be excellent, but slow.

I was really craving a hot brown and a nice dinner out. The hotel is historic and has a great romaric feel for dinner. Service was great, but slow. I'm assuming because the waiter had to go far to get drinks and food. The staff is wearing masks and following Covid restrictions with spacing and capacity. We ate here because the hotel restaurant is closed and the tables are spread out. If you haven't had a hot brown this is the place to go because it is the birthplace of the original hot brown. It's suggested that you order early because there is a 20 minute wait for that dish. We both ordered this and it was delicious! We started out with the cheese plate. Very simple and just enough for two. Everything on the cheeseboard was great. My one complaint would be that you have to sit and eat while people waiting for tables stand right in front of you just a few feet away and stare at you. That was a bit awkward. I wish they had people waiting to go other places but I'm not sure where they could've sent them around the hotel.