Where to Find the Best Derby Pie in Louisville, Kentucky

The city of Louisville, KY is known for a lot of things including its role as a transport hub and having the world’s most popular baseball bat named in its honor. What visitors are often most excited for, however, is the cuisine. From gourmet food to hot brown sandwiches, you won’t have any trouble finding a great meal in Louisville. If you are a fan of desserts, you will want to try the derby pie. This pie was created in Kentucky, and it contains a rich and delicious filling made of chocolate and walnuts. If you find yourself asking, “Where’s the best derby pie in Louisville?”, then you will want to check in at one of the following places in the city.

The Homemade Ice Cream and Pie Kitchen

If you want to sample a slice of derby pie for the first time, then there is nowhere better than at the Homemade Ice Cream and Pie Kitchen. This charming eatery is very casual, and you won’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy a slice of the famous chocolate and walnut pie. Tops yours with some freshly whipped cream, or indulge in some of the amazing vanilla ice cream that the cafe offers, which is made exclusively from local dairy. This is where locals go to satisfy a craving for derby pie, but you can also pick up an entire pie if you want to bring it home to share with friends and family.

The Brown Hotel

Technically, derby pie is a trademarked pie that is made only by the company Kern’s. While you can find plenty of similar version throughout the city, you might want to start with a slice of the original classic. Many restaurants in Louisville serve up fresh slices of derby pie made by Kern’s, and the eateries in the famed Brown Hotel are no exception. Head to the J. Graham’s Cafe to enjoy the city’s most famous dish, a hot brown, and then round out your meal with a slice of sinfully sweet derby pie.

Kentucky Derby Museum Cafe

Derby pie is linked in many ways to the culture and people of Kentucky, and it is a staple dish that is enjoyed during the annual Kentucky Derby. If you haven’t yet had the chance to tour the Kentucky Derby Museum, be sure to do so and stop afterwards for a drink or a meal at their cafe. Of course, you can have a slice of pie while you look out over the ground and stables.

WW Cousins

If you are craving a burger to go with your slice of derby pie, be sure to head to the iconic WW Cousins. This burger joint has been open for over 30 years, and they serve up incredible burgers with over 40 toppings to give you exactly what you want. Their dessert variety is impressive, but the most popular choice is the derby pie.

No trip to Louisville would be complete without tasting a slice or two of derby pie, and each of these locations is a great place to indulge. 

If you’re interested in pursuing your own culinary career, visit Cooking Culinary Arts Schools to find out more.

Top Chefs of Louisville, Kentucky

With a nickname like the Gateway City to the South, it is no surprise that Louisville is known for its welcoming Southern culture, friendly locals and Southern cuisine. Despite the fact that it is the largest city in all of Kentucky, it boasts all the charm of a small town, and it can feel like a city made up of individual neighborhoods. Travelers from around the world head to this area in order to watch the Kentucky Derby, to enjoy the scenic beauty of the region and to explore the historical landmarks. What you may not realize is that the city is also home to some of the most progressive and inventive culinary professionals in the southern United States. If you are a true food enthusiast who wants to dine on the best that the city has to offer, be sure to visit the restaurants of at least one of these top chefs.

Edward Lee, 610 Magnolia

Even if you aren’t a huge follower of the culinary profession, you have probably heard of Edward Lee. There are few culinary professionals who have gained such notoriety for their work in such a short period of time. For the first 20 years of his career, Lee was relatively unknown as a chef in New York. After relocating to the Gateway City to the South, he was almost instantly recognized for his incredible achievements. In the past few years, Edward Lee has twice been a finalist for the James Beard Foundation Best Chef Southeast, has competed on Iron Chef America and Top Chef Season 9 and has been featured in dozens of upscale magazines such as Southern Living and Bon Appetit. At 610 Magnolia, Chef Lee promotes a farm to table philosophy that features rustic recipes and local ingredients.

Kathy Cary, Lilly’s

Unlike some culinary professionals in the city, Kathy Cary was born and raised here, so she knows exactly what foods represent the people and the culture. For more than 25 years, Cary has been the owner and head chef of Lilly’s, a dining establishment that utilized local farm products well before it was trendy. The menu is seasonal, but the favorites are rotated throughout the year.

Jim Gerhardt, Limestone Restaurant

If you aren’t one for food trends, and you would rather dig into some unpretentious but extraordinary Southern cuisine, then look no further than the Limestone Restaurant, run by Jim Gerhardt. This chef with more than 20 years of cooking experience has received five different honors from the James Beard Foundation, is a member of the Chaine des Rotisseurs and has been featured on the Food Network numerous times. At his restaurant Limestone, Jim Gerhardt emphasizes Southern flavor and simplicity with items like sweet corn and crayfish chowder or roasted local heirloom tomatoes.

Anthony Lamas, Seviche

Many cooks find it hard to transform Latin flavors into something truly upscale, but Anthony Lamas has spent his life doing just that. As a young boy, Lamas would help out on his family farm and learn the Puerto Rican recipes used by his mother. That sparked a desire in him to become a great chef, and he has the accolades to prove it. Anthony Lamas has been honored with the title of James Beard Foundation Semifinalist-Best Chef Southeast for three years and has received the title of Extreme Chef on the Food Network show of the same name. Since 2005, Lamas has been running the restaurant Seviche and preparing gourmet Latin favorites for diners.

If you are ever in Louisville and you have the opportunity, be sure to dine on the incredible food prepared by one of these top chefs in the city. If you want to pursue your dream of becoming a chef yourself, visit Cooking Culinary Arts Schools to explore your options.