Colorful murals and street art spill across historic brick buildings. The area is filled with art galleries, live music and pop-up art. Boutiques and specialty stores carry a variety of goods from handmade home decor to curated vintage clothing. This is the image of NuLu, a district off of East Market Street where art and culture flood the neighborhood.
But in recent years, NuLu’s identity has evolved into more than just a historic arts hub — its food scene has become one of its defining features.
As of 2022, NuLu had 129 restaurants. Since then, that number has significantly grown. NuLu has added a notable number of new dining options in just the past few years, including a 7-vendor food hall and dozens of other planned restaurants. This underscores its rapid growth as a culinary destination.
These are a few of our current NuLu favorites.
Meesh Meesh Cost: $$$$
- First established in 2023, Meesh Meesh was an instant success. In December 2024, Yelp ranked MeeshMeesh No. 2 on its list of Best New Restaurants in the South and No. 3 on its national Best New Restaurants list. The food there is inspired by Chef Noam Bilitzer’s Levantine Heritage and features many Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-style dishes. Two of my favorites are the crispy cauliflower and the Verlasso salmon, but there’s never a bad choice at Meesh Meesh.
La Bodeguita de Mima cost: $$$
- Painted in bright yellows and blues, La Bodeguita de Mima draws you in from the first sight. The restaurant serves many traditional Cuban dishes, which are all based on the chefs’ heritage. Chef Fernando Martinez carries on his mother Mima’s legacy with every recipe. La Bodeguita de Mima is the perfect location for a weekend sit down meal or a nice celebration.
Pasta Garage Cost: $$
- Pasta Garage is one of NuLu’s most recent additions. It first opened its doors on Nov. 7, and its tables have been crowded ever since then. The restaurant serves fresh, handcrafted Italian pasta in a relaxed setting. When I first visited, the restaurant overflowed with conversation and games; I immediately noticed that it is the perfect place for a casual dinner with friends and family. Any of the “Chef’s Pick’s” options are perfect for a good comfort meal.
Louisville Cream Cost: $
- NuLu isn’t just a center for restaurants. It also has many dessert stops, with Louisville Cream being a local favorite. An ice cream parlor and pastry shop, Louisville Cream has been featured in popular magazines such as Food & Wine and Food Network and has won numerous awards. Go there to check out popular ice creams like Banana Pudding or taste their freshly baked cookies. I first discovered Louisville Cream years ago and it has been my go-to ice cream stop ever since.
Garage Bar Cost: $$
- Garage Bar is the perfect place for anyone looking for a range of options. Mid summer, the restaurant closed for an ownership transfer and renovations, but it has since reopened and is thriving again. The menu started with pizza but has expanded under the new owners to include foods like fries, wings, and more. Stop by on game night and enjoy the vast outdoor space!
Overall, NuLu is a hotspot for a variety of food options. Next time you’re looking to try a new restaurant, keep these places in mind!
