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Welcome to Naïve Kitchen + Bar

Naïve Kitchen + Bar, located in Louisville, Kentucky, offers a unique dining experience with a focus on vegetarian and pescatarian options. The restaurant boasts a rotating seasonal menu that highlights fresh, plant-forward dishes like cauliflower, pickled plates, and turmeric aioli. Chef Ben and his team create flavor-packed meals, including a standout salmon dish and creative cocktails like a mimosa flight with blueberry basil and prickly pear flavors. The cozy indoor-outdoor seating and attentive service add to the overall pleasant dining experience at Naïve Kitchen + Bar. With a commitment to sustainability and creativity, this restaurant is a must-visit for food enthusiasts looking for a fresh and innovative menu.

Naïve Kitchen + Bar: Reviews & Ratings

molly r.
molly r.

Wonderful food, so many great veggie options. Potatoes and cauliflower were to die for. They told us that today was the last day the restaurant was open. Keep an eye on where the chef Andy and his sous chef go next. They are worth following.

Megan W.
Megan W.

I have endless good things to say about this thoughtfully designed and incredibly talented restaurant and bar. First, just let me say - stop looking. You've found your next meal. Chef Ben made our night when he came out to chat with us about the turmeric aioli we were enjoying with the small plate of potatoes. I just discovered Louisville is a 2 hour drive from where I live and have come back twice in 2 months. Both stays, I've managed to eat at Naïve twice. I love delicious, plant forward menu. Cauliflower, pickle plate, anything with broccolini. I'm an omnivore, so the steak and short ribs and crispy chicken sandwish have also been items I've enjoyed. The only thing I've tried that I didn't want to rave about was the salmon croquettes (just not as flavorful as you'd think based on the kimchi mention and the breading takes over), but I give them a pass considering how much everything else is top notch!! Don't sleep on that dark chocolate torte. On my most recent visit, I tried some of the cocktails and there is just nothing I won't order from this place. Grateful that the menu changes seasonally, so there is always something new to try! I'll be back again and again.

Macauley N.
Macauley N.

The back patio is such a vibe. The cutest weeping willow photo op. Indoor/outdoor seating. Perfect for a date or catching up with friends. Rotating menu, very vegetable forward, lots of options, and full of healthy, fresh ingredients. Everything we tried was delish! The service was horrible. Hoping next time is better.

Andrew P.
Andrew P.

Not sure if this will make any sense, but this place gives major Cali vibes. I went in on my own, solo, and was able to grab one of the last seats at the bar. The place has plenty of tables and a rather large bar and it was mostly full. Good for them! It was brunch time, and one of the few places in Louisville that has a bottomless drink option. I didn't do that, but it was cool to see. Anyway, the staff were very friendly and I ordered with ease. I decided to get the polenta brunch plate and a side of sausage -- anticipating the plate on its own might be light. As I said before, I didn't do bottomless mimosas... but I saw that they had a mimosa flight and got quite curious. When the staff explained everything to me, I was sold immediately because of how creative the flavors were. Let me break it down: Blueberry basil: it was perfect, down to the last drop. The basil complimented it so well! Prickly pear: A flavor that I love but get to have so rarely. It was delicious... definitely the sweetest in the bunch. Strawberry coconut: nice combo, and frothy. There was lime in there too, which stood out. These were crafted by the bartender herself, and she walked me through her process of coming up with them. She did a fantastic job on each one. It far exceeded my expectations of flights where you just get like... orange, pineapple, cranberry... and maybe mango if you're lucky. The polenta brunch plate was indeed light as I expected, but the presentation was wonderful and it was really tasty! Glad I had that sausage. I could've eaten even more honestly. But I had a long day ahead and I didn't want to be too stuffed. I would eagerly recommend this place to anyone in the area, and it's on more of the eastern side. So while it was crowded that day, it doesn't get quite as packed as other places more central in Louisville.

Kaitlyn H.
Kaitlyn H.

Impeccable service, flavor forward food and beautiful new location! Truly surprised at how delicious the salmon was seasoned & perfectly cooked with a crisp edge. Obviously an exceptional kitchen team! Wait staff were very attentive and conversational. All around amazing experience. Thanks Naive!

Kaelin C.
Kaelin C.

still my favorite restaurant in Louisville. women owned, immaculate vibes, and mouthwatering food EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. perfect for a date or "girl dinner" ;) my go to food every time i visit is the general tsaos cauliflower and a beet margarita (entree is variable). can make reservations and also walk in. the patio is my favorite place when the weather is nice. they have just revamped their menu so i'm itching to get back and try something new asap!!

Conroy D.
Conroy D.

My wife and I go to Naive at least once every couple of months. It's one of her favorite restaurants because she has a gluten allergy, and they have a great GF selection. I also love it because the atmosphere is very welcoming, the service is top notch and the food gets better every time we go. We normally go for weekend brunch, so we start with a mimosa flight, which sets the right tone. The corn cakes and polenta were excellent. Very filling on their own, but great to split as well. My wife also got a salad, which was refreshing, while I piled on the potatoes. The DJ enhanced the experience, and since Naive is right near Butchertown and NuLu, it was the start to an amazing Sunday of bar hopping. Can't recommend this place enough.

Location

Naïve Kitchen + Bar is a trendy, upscale cocktail bar and restaurant located in Louisville, KY. Known for its diverse menu, Naïve offers a variety of options for vegetarians, pescatarians, and vegans. The restaurant is women-owned and focuses on sustainability with compostable containers and plastic-free packaging.

Customers rave about the innovative dishes and flavorful cocktails at Naïve. From turmeric aioli and small plate potatoes to plant-forward options like cauliflower and broccolini, the menu is a delight for foodies of all preferences. The dark chocolate torte and salmon dishes are standout items that shouldn't be missed.

What sets Naïve apart is its unique cocktail offerings like mimosa flights with creative flavors like blueberry basil and prickly pear. The cozy indoor/outdoor seating, complete with a charming weeping willow tree, makes it the perfect spot for a date night or casual catch-up with friends.

Although some customers have noted occasional issues with service, the overall dining experience at Naïve is top-notch. With a seasonal menu that constantly surprises and delights, Naïve Kitchen + Bar is a must-visit for those seeking a fresh take on New American cuisine.