From pizza to ramen, here are 4 restaurants expected to open in Louisville in March

Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal
·3 min read

The trend of new restaurants opening in Louisville marches on. As March kicks off, several eateries are expected to open in the upcoming weeks, including two news places for pizza and a Korean restaurant downtown.

Read on for details about the restaurants joining the Louisville food scene.

Know of a restaurant opening we missed? Send a note to Amanda Hancock at ahancock@courier-journal.com.

Craft House Pizza

816 West Kenwood Drive, crafthousepizza.com

Craft House Pizza is opening a new location at Colonial Gardens in late March.
Craft House Pizza is opening a new location at Colonial Gardens in late March.

This growing Kentucky pizza chain already has four locations in Louisville with two more on the way.

Craft House Pizza will open soon at Colonial Gardens, the restaurant complex in south Louisville. Craft House Pizza, which also brews its own beer as Hometown Brewing Co., is expected to open on March 25 in the space formerly occupied by Union 15.

Specialty pies, which you can order as a 7-inch individual size and up to 15-inch large size, include the "Peppa-Que Chicken," made with locally-made barbecue sauce, a hot brown pizza and one topped with spicy pickles, ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, red pepper flakes and parmesan oregano. Salads, chicken wings, sandwiches and pasta dishes are also on the menu.

Another location of Craft House Pizza at 1500 Shelby St. in Germantown is expected to open in April.

Hop Atomica

1318 McHenry St., yelp.com/biz/hop-atomica-louisville

Hop Atomica's pepperoni pizza cups when cooked. The pepperoni that executive chef Bryce Montesa uses has a natural casing, which helps the pepperoni cup when cooked. The edges of the meat become crisp and crunchy, and it also holds the natural juices as well. Feb. 20, 2024
Hop Atomica's pepperoni pizza cups when cooked. The pepperoni that executive chef Bryce Montesa uses has a natural casing, which helps the pepperoni cup when cooked. The edges of the meat become crisp and crunchy, and it also holds the natural juices as well. Feb. 20, 2024

Hop Atomica is expected to open ahead of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, according to co-owners Paul Berrier and Kenneth Suchower.

The multi-concept eatery will serve craft beer, cocktails with craft spirits and wood-fired pizzas in Germantown. The space includes a large patio, called the "Germantown & Schnitzelburg Biergarten," with a capacity of 100-plus people.

Hop Atomica's biergarten pays homage to the Germantown neighborhood in which it resides. Outdoor seating for several dozen patrons will be available. Feb. 20, 2024
Hop Atomica's biergarten pays homage to the Germantown neighborhood in which it resides. Outdoor seating for several dozen patrons will be available. Feb. 20, 2024

“We think it’s going to be a really good center point for the community,” Berrier previously told the Courier Journal. “We want people to feel like it’s their beer garden.”

Along with pizza, Hop Atomica will serve salads, sandwiches, and appetizers such as charcuterie and brunch specials.

Jin Doshirak

211 S. Fifth St., jindoshirak.com

A new Korean restaurant is opening in early March.

"We are now finally opening on March 4," stated a post on Jin Doshirak's Facebook page. "The website will not be able to take delivery orders, however, orders from DoorDash will be accepted. Please come out and try our food! We are so excited."

Jin Doshirak will serve Korean food and sushi in downtown Louisville in the former space of All Thai’d Up. Song Kim, who previously worked as the chef at Osaka Japanese Restaurant, founded Jin Doshirak. Osaka shut down in September, following a large fire that damaged the building at 426 W. Market St.

The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Kiwami Ramen

1700 Bardstown Road, kiwami-ramenbar.com

Kiwami Ramen is expected to open in early 2024 in the Highlands.
Kiwami Ramen is expected to open in early 2024 in the Highlands.

Kiwami Ramen should open soon in the former Wild Ginger Sushi Bistro space on Bardstown Road, following an extension renovation to the building and some construction delays. The restaurant will serve Japanese fare and ramen, made with broth slow-cooked for over 20 hours.

Kiwami Ramen initially targeted a December opening date, however, a remodel is still underway. Co-owner Duy Tran estimates the renovation will cost $500,000. Tran teamed up with his brother, Duc, to open Kiwami and bring “something really authentic” to their hometown of Louisville, he previously said.

Kiwami Ramen, which serve a variety of slow-cooked ramen dishes, bowls and appetizers such as salmon carpaccio, is expected to open in December.
Kiwami Ramen, which serve a variety of slow-cooked ramen dishes, bowls and appetizers such as salmon carpaccio, is expected to open in December.

"We are incredibly excited to share our passion for authentic, Japanese ramen with the Louisville community," Tran told the Courier Journal. "Our team, led by Master Chef Tani, has put a lot of effort into crafting a menu that we believe will delight our customers. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Kiwami Ramen and hope they will have an unforgettable dining experience with us."

Reach food reporter Amanda Hancock at ahancock@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 4 restaurants expected to open in Louisville in March: Hop Atomica