Calling all fish lovers! Here are 21 must-try Louisville restaurants to get fish for Lent

Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal
Updated ·10 min read

It's fried fish season! If you're looking for fish outside the church setting, here are more than 15 Louisville area restaurants where you can get your fill during Lent 2024.

Did we miss your favorite spot? Send a note to news clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.

Barn8 Restaurant & Bourbon Bar

The lobster risotto at Barn8 Restaurant at Hermitage Farm.
The lobster risotto at Barn8 Restaurant at Hermitage Farm.

WHAT: Utilizing ingredients grown on the 683-acre farm, chef Seth Kinder introduces dishes that tell a story from farm to table. The menu at Barn8 Restaurant & Bourbon Bar offers white Riverence trout, red snapper and black risotto.

WHERE: 10500 W. Highway 42, Goshen

WHEN: Wednesday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m.; Sunday, 4-9 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: Additional specials and dishes may be available through Lent, check social media for details. hermitagefarm.com.

Bonefish Grill

Bonefish Grill has introduced daily social hour with special pricing on shared plates, small plates and cocktails.
Bonefish Grill has introduced daily social hour with special pricing on shared plates, small plates and cocktails.

WHAT: Bonefish Grill is offering a new seasonal favorite Baja scallop and shrimp scampi pasta, tender Bay Scallops, tossed with shrimp in a garlic scampi sauce, topped with fresh tomatoes over linguine. Also Alaskan Sablefish (aka black cod) a delicacy that many liken to sea bass, topped with creamy spinach and jumbo lump crab. Served with a choice of two signature sides.

WHERE: 657 S. Hurstbourne Parkway

WHEN: Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: 502-412-4666; bonefishgrill.com.

Brendon's Catch 23

WHAT: The upscale seafood restaurant features prime seafood, steak, shellfish, and more than 100 of Kentucky’s finest bourbons. The menu includes an oyster bar, king crab, shrimp, lobster, salmon and more.

WHERE: Embassy Suites by Hilton Louisville Downtown, 505 S. 4th St.

WHEN: Tuesday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: 502-909-0053; bcatch23.com.

Brown Hotel

A New Year's Eve special fish dish at the Lobby Bar & Grill at The Brown Hotel in downtown Louisville.
A New Year's Eve special fish dish at the Lobby Bar & Grill at The Brown Hotel in downtown Louisville.

WHAT: The Brown Hotel's Lobby Bar is offering several menu options that would be great for Lent, including shrimp and grits featuring gulf shrimp, Weisenberger grits, local cheddar cheese, pepper and scallion crudo with Creole sauce; seared scallops with parsnip puree, swiss chard, mushrooms, zucchini, bacon, peppadew, and herb oil; Verlasso salmon with whipped potatoes, broccolini, pesto and tomato-fennel coulis; and their veggie dish with Frondosa Farms mushrooms, garlic roasted zucchini and squash, braised quinoa, tomato coulis, basil pesto with crispy potato strings.

WHERE: 335 W. Broadway

WHEN: Sunday-Thursday, 5-9 p.m. for dinner; their late-night menu is offered from 9-11 p.m. The bar is open from 4 to 11 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: brownhotel.com.

Culver's

WHAT: The Midwest-based chain is serving a Northwoods Walleye dinner, hand battered and golden fried; butterfly jumbo shrimp dinner, lightly breaded shrimp served with their own special recipe cocktail sauce, a lemon wedge; both are served with two sides. Also, North Atlantic cod dinner, hand cut, hand battered and golden fried, served with a classic Culver’s family recipe tartar sauce featuring olives, capers and sweet relish, your choice of two classic sides and a dinner roll.

WHERE: 4630 S. Hurstbourne Parkway; 11801 Interchange Dr.; 1555 Veterans Parkway, Jeffersonville, Indiana; 240 Federal Dr., Corydon, Indiana

WHEN: Hours vary

MORE INFORMATION: culvers.com.

Cunningham's Creekside

Cunningham’s Creekside has been around since 1942 and is located at 6301 River Rd. Jan. 10, 2023
Cunningham’s Creekside has been around since 1942 and is located at 6301 River Rd. Jan. 10, 2023

WHAT: Cunningham's Creekside is known for its hand-breaded cod, fried to a golden brown. It also serves grilled white fish, shrimp, salmon, pan-fried oysters, and more.

WHERE: 6301 River Road, Prospect

WHEN: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: Dine in or carry out. 502-228-3625; cunninghamscreekside.com.

The Fishery

Fish and Chips Friday afternoon at the Fishery. Jan. 26, 2024
Fish and Chips Friday afternoon at the Fishery. Jan. 26, 2024

WHAT: This seafood restaurant in St. Matthews offers a variety of meals ranging from its signature Icelandic cod to clams, catfish and shrimp. Also crab cakes, lobster rolls, salmon croquettes and more.

WHERE: 3624 Lexington Road

WHEN: Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: Dine-in, carryout, and curbside pickup. 502-895-1188. thefisheryky.com.

The Fish House/Café Beignet

Green River Style North Atlantic Cod with seasoned fries, Mean Marys coleslaw, and jalapeno tartar sauce at The Fish House/Cafe Beignet in Louisville.
Green River Style North Atlantic Cod with seasoned fries, Mean Marys coleslaw, and jalapeno tartar sauce at The Fish House/Cafe Beignet in Louisville.

WHAT: This seafood restaurant serves fish platters, sandwiches, New Orleans-style beignets and weekend breakfast.

WHERE: 1310 Winter Ave.

WHEN: Fish House: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Café Beignet: Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon; Sunday, noon to 2 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: Dine-in, carryout, and curbside pickup. 502-568-2993; fishhouselouisville.com.

The Hungry Pelican

The Hungry Pelican's "Hungry Platter" is composed of their staple cut and hand-breaded Icelandic white fish, marinated then deep fried clam strips, deep fried sea scallops, shrimp cocktail and fried shrimp, hush puppies and cocktail sauce. Here, the dish includes the eatery's deep fried corn and their hand-breaded onion rings.02 October 2019
The Hungry Pelican's "Hungry Platter" is composed of their staple cut and hand-breaded Icelandic white fish, marinated then deep fried clam strips, deep fried sea scallops, shrimp cocktail and fried shrimp, hush puppies and cocktail sauce. Here, the dish includes the eatery's deep fried corn and their hand-breaded onion rings.02 October 2019

WHAT: The family-owned home-style restaurant is known for its fresh seafood. It hand cuts and hand breads most items on its menu including rolled oysters and white fish. It also offers Boston Scrod, shrimp, snow fish, crab cakes, rolled oysters, New England clam chowder and more.

WHERE: 5412 Bardstown Road

WHEN: Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: Dine-in and carryout. 502-239-7145; hungrypelicanlou.com.

The Irish Rover

WHAT: This Irish Pub serves a fried basa sandwich a lightly battered Vietnamese grouper, dressed on a toasted French roll with a side of Dijon-Caper mayo served with Irish chips. Also fish and chips, Icelandic cod, fried extra crispy like the old-time-Dublin “Chipper” Market Price.

WHERE: 2319 Frankfort Ave.

WHEN: The kitchen is open Tuesday-Saturday, noon to 9 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: theirishroverky.com.

KingFish

The broiled whitefish platter with green beans, hush puppies and onion rings is served at the KingFish location on River Rd. in Louisville, Ky. Feb. 14, 2023
The broiled whitefish platter with green beans, hush puppies and onion rings is served at the KingFish location on River Rd. in Louisville, Ky. Feb. 14, 2023

WHAT: This locally owned and operated seafood restaurant since 1948 offers a variety of seafood including fish, shrimp, crab cakes, scallops, clams, frog legs, tilapia, cod, scrod, salmon and more.

WHERE: 3021 River Road; 601 W. Riverside Drive, Jeffersonville, Indiana

WHEN: Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Zorn); Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Indiana).

MORE INFORMATION: Dine-in and carryout. 502-895-0544; 812-284-3474; kingfishrestaurants.com.

Long John Silver

The $6 shrimp baskets are available now through April 23.
The $6 shrimp baskets are available now through April 23.

WHAT: The nation's largest quick-service seafood restaurant since 1969 is serving its classic fried fish and chips (wild Alaska Pollock), shrimp and Pacific Cod. Long John Silver's also has grilled seafood options and $6 shrimp baskets (grilled, popcorn and batter-dipped shrimp) with one side and hushpuppies (fried).

WHERE: Multiple locations

WHEN: Hours vary

MORE INFORMATION: ljsilvers.com

Mike Linnig's

Mike Linnig's grandchildren Bill and Teresa are helping continue the tradition of Louisville's best-known fish restaurant. Big portions of fried fish, onion rings and sides are the hallmarks of this beloved establishment in the South End. Feb. 16, 2022
Mike Linnig's grandchildren Bill and Teresa are helping continue the tradition of Louisville's best-known fish restaurant. Big portions of fried fish, onion rings and sides are the hallmarks of this beloved establishment in the South End. Feb. 16, 2022

WHAT: Serving seafood since 1925, Mike Linnig's is famous for its large fish sandwich. The fish may be ordered individually with French fries and coleslaw on the side or, as a platter with a little bit of everything, including salmon, oysters, shrimp, scallops, cod, crab cakes, alligator and frog legs. For those who don't want fried food, there is grilled salmon and tilapia.

WHERE: 9308 Cane Run Road

WHEN: Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: Dine-in and carryout. 502-937-9888; 502-937-1235; mikelinnigsrestaurant.com.

Mitchell's Fish Market

Shanghi Sea Bass at Mitchell's Fish Market.
Shanghi Sea Bass at Mitchell's Fish Market.

WHAT: Mitchell's Fish Market has a premier upscale-casual seafood restaurant concept featuring the freshest seafood. It has a raw bar, an open kitchen, a fish case displaying today’s catch, and a variety of seafood options including grilled or broiled, blackened, cooked Shanghai style, or prepared to your taste.

WHERE: 4031 Summit Plaza Drive

WHEN: Sunday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: Mitchell’s also has a gluten-free menu. mitchellsfishmarket.com.

Moby Dick

A Now Hiring sign is displayed in the window of the Moby Dick restaurant at Dixie Hwy. and Johnsontown Rd. in Southwest Jefferson Co. Many businesses are strugging to stay open and retain employees during the current labor shortage. January 12, 2022
A Now Hiring sign is displayed in the window of the Moby Dick restaurant at Dixie Hwy. and Johnsontown Rd. in Southwest Jefferson Co. Many businesses are strugging to stay open and retain employees during the current labor shortage. January 12, 2022

WHAT: The family-owned seafood restaurant opened in 1967 and is one of Louisville's fast food favorites. The best value, Whale of a Sandwich, features two North Atlantic cod fillets hand-breaded in cracker meal breading. The top seller is the box for two with four North Atlantic cod fillets, fries, and two hush puppies. Moby Dick also serves baked fish, clams, and shrimp. Onion rings are hand-cut, hand-breaded in cracker meal and made to order, you can order sides including breaded mushrooms and cauliflower, coleslaw, hush puppies and more.

WHERE: Multiple locations

WHEN: Hours vary

MORE INFORMATION: Hours, menu availability and pricing vary by location. mobydickrestaurants.com

North of Bourbon

North of Bourbon blends Bourbon, Louisville, and New Orleans into a unique Southern experience.Aug. 2, 2023
North of Bourbon blends Bourbon, Louisville, and New Orleans into a unique Southern experience.Aug. 2, 2023

WHAT: Chef Lawrence Weeks puts his unique spin on dishes from across the deep south, including plenty of seafood (and vegetarian) options. During lunch, all the salads are vegetarian including a vegan Caesar or choose from catfish nuggets, shrimp po'boys, catfish po'boys, shrimp and grits, or the bourbon grilled cheese. In the evenings, the crab fondue, mushroom meunière, seafood Clemenceau, crab rice dressing and shrimp yakamein.

WHERE: 935 Goss Ave.

WHEN: Tuesday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to midnight; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: Additional specials are planned throughout the Lenten season, check social media for specifics. Reservations are available at opentable.com; facebook.com/NorthofBourbon

Passtime Fish House

The cod fish sandwich from Passtime Fish House in Jeffersontown is lightly breaded with a seasoned batter of spices. It's one of the best fish sandwiches in town.
The cod fish sandwich from Passtime Fish House in Jeffersontown is lightly breaded with a seasoned batter of spices. It's one of the best fish sandwiches in town.

WHAT: This Louisville restaurant boasts that it has the best fish sandwich in the city. Passtime Fish House offers hand-cut breaded cod, fish bites, oysters, fried shrimp, frog legs, catfish, fish plates and more.

WHERE: 10801 Locust Road

WHEN: Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 1-8 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: Dine-in or carryout. 502-267-4633. passtime-fish-house.business.site.

Porcini

Mussels at Porcini restaurant in Louisville.
Mussels at Porcini restaurant in Louisville.

WHAT: Porcini's seafood-centric menu is crafted by longtime executive chef and fisherman, John Plymale. Featuring Pesce Alla Grigli, grilled halibut with a lobster beurre blanc sauce; Linguine Con Vongole, linguine, with littleneck and baby clams, white clam sauce, garlic, crushed red pepper, and flatleaf Italian parsley; and Fettuccine Con Capesante, a black pepper fettuccine, pan-seared diver scallops, pancetta, fontina cream sauce and scallions.

WHERE: 2730 Frankfort Ave.

WHEN: Monday-Saturday, 5:45 p.m. to close

MORE INFORMATION: These and other seafood dishes are commonly available but check social media for additional availability and specials. Reservations are requested. porcini502.com.

River House Restaurant & Bar

Diver scallops over tasso ham grits with southern succotash and smoked corn butter sauce prepared by chef John Varanese at River House.
Diver scallops over tasso ham grits with southern succotash and smoked corn butter sauce prepared by chef John Varanese at River House.

WHAT: Louisville's premier riverfront dining destination serves regional cuisine with a Southern flair. Featuring fresh seafood daily. The raw bar includes peel-and-eat shrimp, king crab legs, jumbo shrimp, and oysters on the half shell. Also, mussels, fish and chips, seafood salad, oyster and shrimp po'boy; Maker's 46 Barrel plank smoked salmon, seared diver scallops, Hawaiian Ahi tuna, fried seafood platter, and more.

WHERE: 3015 River Road

WHEN: Monday-Thursday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: Dine-in and curbside pickup. 502-897-5000; riverhouselouisville.com

Rumors Restaurant

WHAT: Rumors Restaurant is your home for seafood, oyster, wings and more.

WHERE: 12339 Shelbyville Road

WHEN: Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION: rumorslouisville.com.

Seafood Lady

Cajun Crawfish from The Seafood Lady.
Cajun Crawfish from The Seafood Lady.

WHAT: Enjoy the creole flavors infused into the steamy plates of crab, lobster, crawfish, and veggies. Seafood Lady also serves fried fish, shrimp, alligator, crawfish, lobster tail, seafood tacos, oysters, and more.

WHERE: 3201 Fern Valley Road; 601 E. Jefferson St.

WHEN: Wednesday-Friday, noon to 3 p.m. and 5-11 p.m.; Saturday, 2-11 p.m.; Sunday, 1-6 p.m. (Fern Valley); Tuesday-Friday, noon to 4 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 11 p.m.; Sunday, noon-6 p.m. (Nulu)

MORE INFORMATION: seafoodlady502.com.

Reach news clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Must-try Louisville restaurants to get fish for Lent