Holy Grale is just that. If you're picking something else, you "chose poorly". Delicious beer selections freaky fresh on tap. Marvelous atmosphere with an interconnected beer garden in the middle. Stunning food offers that shine on their own and sing louder when paired with their beers. The team at holy grale also bring it all together with incredible service. The burger is incredible, but I always come back for the schnitzel platter. I only wish they had a spaetzle to go with it! The fries are proper chippies, thick square cut and long. Crispy outside, fluffy inside. And there are so many dips to choose from. Salads are crisp and light and a marvelous side. I cannot say enough good things. I love the grales. read more

This place is definitely worth a visit just to see it. Fun spot and a very cool vibe inside. This I believe was our 7th stop on our tour of Louisville distilleries and bars. We had a couple cocktails in here and the service was excellent even though it appeared they were filled to capacity. There were 4 of us in our party and we were seated at a table in the corner near the bar. Was definitely a cozy spot with so many people being in there and the bar being full. I had The Holy Ghost cocktail and it was a pomegranate hibiscus sour, it had just the right amount of sour! I do not like bitter drinks and this one was good and easy to drink. My husband had a couple of dark beers, I do not remember which ones but he liked them. They had a nice outdoor area but it was a bit too cool for that but it may be worth a return in the Spring to check it out. Bathroom was also really cool as the decor and theme spilled over into it. We will be back. read more

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This restaurant came up when I entered a Yelp search for unique restaurants in Louisville. Due to its rating, we decided to stop in. The restaurant is in a small space - inside an old Unitarian chapel house, While it's actually known for its beer offerings, we were there for a late lunch. I loved the unique design of the space despite how small it was. They had just opened for the day and it was still a little cold inside. We were told to sit anywhere we wanted and as soon as we sat down, the server brought us menus. We decided to share the Bitterballen (deep fried sausage and sauerkraut) and the Pork Schnitzel. The food arrived quickly and looked really good. It tasted even better! The Bitterballen was crispy on the outside. The sauerkraut was not sour because it was cooked and the sauce provided to dip it in had a slight bite to it. Really good taste overall. The schnitzel was also really good and I loved the cold salad it is served with - the taste combo hits different in a good way! I highly recommend this place - just get there early for a good seat! read more

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This place is priceyyyy but food was very good! $24 for a burger with fries is a bit outrageous in my opinion. The bratwurst was huge but a side of fries would be nice for $15. The server was on top of things and knowledgable about the menu. They validate parking for two hours in the lot. Inside is cutely decorated! read more

This is definitely a late review, since my friends and I visited back in August while in town! We found ourselves on this side of town after visiting an locally-owned bookstore and needed a place to sit and rest for a bit. I'm glad we found this unique spot - we each enjoyed different cocktails or beers - and between our friends, I think we completely the holy trinity of cocktails! And we split some fries, which were salty, hot and heavenly. I'd love to try some of their menu - as it all look delicious and in such a unique setting! read more

Holy Grale - Beer Gardens Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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First level bar and tables is first cone first serve. Reservations for second level can be made on website. Parking can be challenging, so allow time for that. There is a pay lot outside, but Holy Grale has a QR code inside for 2 hours free parking. Street parking surrounds the restaurant. Last night we sat at a high top in the bar. We always order a bunch of things to split. The pretzel and beer cheese is always a great start. Holy Grales beer cheese contains pimento for that subtle heat. My husband and I also split the pork schnitzel ... a giant beautiful fried entree. I can't stop thinking about the dill sauce with the schnitzel... so flavorful. The teamwork of the staff is amazing. Everyone seamlessly works together in this tiny space ... running food, clearing tables, filling water. Thank you for an amazing dinner. We look forward to our next visit. read more

Holy grale is the type of spot that has a beer for anyone and everyone. They also have delicious food (the burger and frites are a fave) but stop serving an hour before close. Set in a historic church, maintaining the historic temple feel while being relatively quaint and cozy. Staff are knowledgeable and helpful. read more

Holy Grale - Duchess cherry and Stille Nacht. - Beer Gardens Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

After having the Holy Grale burger recommended to me many times I finally decided to give it a go... let's start outside there's parking on the street and a pay lot that they will validate for up to two hours inside. The building is an old church definitely a proper spot for the theme. The room just inside the door is narrow with a nice bar with seating there and along the wall. High seats, small tables, there's an upstairs for larger parties and reservations and a "courtyard" for warmer weather. The staff is spirited and motivated recommending beers straight out of the gate.. the drink selection is vast. The food menu is a one page affair. There's some tasty looking options here but we had a purpose. Water came out and we ordered the burger and fries. After a short wait maybe 15-20 minutes the burgers arrived. The fries are big fat "oven fries" in appearance, well salted. Served with one sauce of your choice. The burger, pretzel bun, thick patty, cooked nicely, tastes like it's been touched by fire which is always a good thing. Onion jam a special mustard sauce a very Smokey bacon. All in all it's pretty darn good. Decent fry not the worst I've had certainly not the best. The draw here is the environment an eclectic local hipster-Esq hang out with great beer. Two waters, burgers, fries with tax & tip totaled like 60 bucks... possibly a very cool spot to take a friend from out of town or to let your date know how cool you are lol! Best bet maybe a drink and a snack if you plan to go there nightly. Staff were super friendly and helpful, attentive and on point. read more

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Great selection of beers, some quality cocktails, outstanding burgers and perfectly crisp but pillowy fritjes (get all the sauces, you won't regret it), all in an old church or in the classic beer garden out back. Some other great food options too, just naming my personal favorites (the menu is concise though, which I rather like, but keep it in mind). Atmosphere is just cool--not sure how to better describe it. Love the communal beer garden tables in the back and love being camped at a table near the bar. Service is friendly and helpful, especially in navigating the beer list (it's user-friendly with the descriptions, but always nice to have a guide!). read more

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Holy Grale keeps going strong. Loved the burger on the pretzel bun. This place never disappoints. read more

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Wife took me here for my birthday a few months back and the food was VERY good. Limited number of cocktails but the couple they have are well done. But this place is really for your beer-geek self or your beer-geek friends. Outstanding selection and knowledgeable staff. Went here over the holidays when our daughter was visiting. And we went to several good restaurants while she was here. But we all agreed at the end of her visit, this was THE best dining and drinking experience. read more

One of my favorite spots in town. The patio on a nice night is special - informal but surrounding but a nice garden and insulated from the noise of Bardstown. Indoors is funky as they lean into the old church vibe. Upstairs is a bit noisy but still a very pleasant, if cozy, spot for a meal. Indoors is terms of food, most options are a bit heavy with so me European traditions - spatzle, schnitzel, mussels with frites, etc. I think their smash burger and fries are great, including the ZZ fries that had a really cool, zesty spin on loaded fries. Their beer list is extensive and includes lots of Belgian and European brews that are hard to come by. The staff has good recs as the drink list can be overwhelming. Overall, one of my favorite spots in town for a low key but good meal. read more

Holy Grale - Half a smash burger and shared the spring salad. Great dinner. - Beer Gardens Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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One of my favorite evening haunts. Great beers. ESPECIALLY belgians I've always loved their menu as it has a bunch of local options. Their fritjes never disappoint. I rarely have difficulty finding a spot at the bar, but the crowds can make dining here mildly challenging. Their outdoor patio is great when the weather's nice too. read more

Very cool restaurant... love the old church vibes! The menu is small but had great vegetarian options, the Frites are a must! We had to try all of the dipping sauces personally loved the malt vinegar dipping sauce. Our server was super friendly and very knowledgeable with all of the different beer options and pairings. read more

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Back patio was delightful! Great beer selection and delicious salads, burgers, and brats. Staff knowledgeable and attentive.

I wanted to like Holy Grale more but unfortunately it's a 3 star for me, with the caveat being I wish I had ordered different things. I wasn't super hungry, so my husband and I split the pretzel with beer cheese, with the optional mustard upcharge, and the beef bourguignon. We had a group of four, including two friends, so we were seated upstairs, and we were the only party there... Downstairs is the bar and mostly two-top seating, although I did see a group of 3 there too. We started with the pretzel, which was good but I wanted it to be better, it's made with challah bread. I did really like the beer cheese even though it had a little kick (habanero) at the end. I feel like we made a bad choice splitting the beef bourguignon because I didn't think it was that big of a portion... It was served in a large bowl but didn't have a lot of beef. My second choice was the schnitzel and now I kind of wish we ordered that instead. Our friends ordered four dishes off the snack menu, including poutine, sauerkraut balls, the trout dip, and the beets and burrata, and enjoyed all of it. The best part of the meal for me was my cocktail, the Holy Ghost, which is their seasonal cocktail, and this one was apple cider-centric. Overall I wanted to be wowed here but unfortunately wasn't. Would definitely be willing to come back another time to try more of the menu, though, as it's a cute place. We had breakfast at Gralehouse yesterday too, and kind of the same deal - my meal was good but not super special (burrata toast). read more

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My friend and I stopped in here after a tattoo appointment up the street, and it was exactly what we were searching for. We only had a couple hours to spare before driving back home to Michigan, so afternoon cocktails and snacks were the perfect way to end our trip to Louisville! We ordered some drinks and shared the "Cone of Fritjes" with 5 of the dipping sauces. It was so tasty and fun to watch each other's reactions to (then discuss) the interesting "flight" of mustards and dips! They were all delicious, and we seemed to keep changing our minds on which was our favorite! (Pro Tip: Mix two together for all new flavor combos!) We also decided to share the spinach salad, which was a fresh light escape in between bites of the warm and salty fritjes! Our bartender was fast and efficient, and knew how to make and serve everything on the menu. It was probably a 3-4 minute wait on the food, which is outstanding, considering it was pretty busy that day. The atmosphere here is so cool and inviting. Very spiritual with good vibes and all the decor & style you'd expect from a place named "Holy Grale." It was a bit chilly when my friend and I were there this past December, so the outdoor area wasn't being utilized. But I will make sure to snag a patio seat next time I'm in the area! It's beautiful! I highly recommend popping in here if you're close by! Grab a drink, try some fritjes! read more

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What an amazing and unique venue with absolutely amazing and delectable food! I had previously been to Gralehaus, but Holy Grale is a step up into a more formal and breathtaking venue - the building is a formal church and full of charm and nods to its historic past. The food is phenomenal - the schnitzel may be better than what I've had in Germany or Austria! The spaetzle wasn't quite as life-changing, but I blame that on my own dislike of breadcrumbs (and I ordered knowing this, so this is absolutely not a reflection of the chef). Extensive collection of cider and beer, and the staff is friendly and more than willing to point you to a great choice. My cider was fantastic! Great place for date night, or just to meet other cool people in the know. read more

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Not a bad little place. Food was ok drinks were good. Service was very good. Guess it was ok but the food was lacking for me.

I would got to battle against anyone who said anything against this place, but after our experience last night I wouldn't wish a meal here on a mortal enemy. We were just left heartbroken, empty, and disappointed. We arrived ~20 minutes early for our 7:15 reservation. No big deal, we're told the table wouldn't be ready until 7:15, so we opted for beers at the bar. Also informed the rest of our 4 top not to show up until 7:15. By 7:45 multiple other parties had been seated, the place is half empty, and I was wondering if we got passed up. Checked back in with the host and then told our table has been ready, but they needed to seat multiple larger parties first. Ok, weird and slightly unprofessional response, but whatever we still have our table. 8pm rolls around and we're finally seated. But just seated, no menus or anything. Just us hanging at our empty table. Server then swings by and asks if we're ready to order. What? Maybe some menus first? After getting menus and making decisions, server comes back and we order apps. But he takes off before half of us could order drinks. Finally flag him down and get the rest of the table taken care of. Apps come and we're missing drinks. Another team effort to get our server's attention to ask if drinks were still en route. They had been sitting on the bar the whole time. When he finally makes an unflagged lap to our table, we order entrees while still mid apps. 1 hour later.... We finally get our entrees. We had all eaten light to prepare for this meal. I mean, dinners at Grale are always amazing and worth this method of preparation. We also split 2 appetizers among 4 people because we were so looking forward to our mains. I think you can guess where this is going? My silverware was cleared with the appetizers, ya know, an hour ago? No one hung around long enough to be able to ask for another set, even when they dropped off steak knives at our table. Same when entrees dropped. So I'm finally sitting in front of my entree with no silverware. By this time, our server is gone. Like, I'm 99% sure he's left the building. Ended up going to the bar and waiting on a set of silverware there. I was probably better off without the silverware. Everyone's entree was terrible. When you've waited an hour for a meal you've been thinking about all day, hunger forces you to tolerate awful things. The sliced steaks were cold. Not cool, not warm, not room temp....cold. The medium rare they both ordered somehow translated to VERY rare. The steak slices were so cold, the compound butter didn't even soften. Yes, cold butter smeared on cold, undercooked steak slices. Our other 2 entrees were on par with the steaks. 2 salmon dishes whose bowls were warmer than anything actually inside the bowl. No seasoning, tepid heat lamp fish, and unevenly cooked fingerling potatoes. Bone apple teeth. Everyone was ravenous and started digging in, but faces were obvious to read and we were soon comparing notes to see if it was worth sending back. 3 out of 4 of us are former food services workers, so we can tolerate a lot, but 2 cold $40 steak dishes is a little too much for even us. Nope. Not sending anything back. Why? At this point our server was actually drinking at the bar with a date/partner. When another bartender came around, I thought she was going to inquire how everything was and we'd share our issues. Nope. Nope. Nope. We were notified ~10 minutes into getting our entrees that the kitchen was closing down and if we wanted anything else we needed to order it now. What is going on? At this point, we're wondering if we're in an alternate dimension or on some recorded prank show. While everyone else was too hungry to pass up a meal, the idea of room temp fish and unevenly cooked potatoes stopped me in my tracks. All we could do was wait for someone to come by and get the check. The poor girl who had to take over our table could tell something was very not good and comped a round of beers. The funny thing was, the beers were the only good part when we actually received them. Very disappointing and deflating experience. This place was always a go to recommendation and solid spot for food and beer. I don't think I can ever bring myself to step foot back in there, I'm just too disappointed. read more

Incredible selection of Belgium ales. Sadly they were out of the Farmhouse Ale. The BBQ carrots and the Matilda Sandwich (homemade trout pate) were delicious and my husband enjoyed the Schnitzel platter. A very unique little place and I would totally return to try their other menu items. Complements to the attentive staff and chef! read more

Holy Grale - Bar - Beer Gardens Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Second go around and this time I brought a small group with two being from Japan. In town for the scrap show and needed somewhere to get an adult beverage and some food so I chose here. The beer selection is awesome and the bartenders knowledge is equally awesome. The menu had four pages of beer and one of food. We had reservations for the upstairs but opted to eat outside as the weather was spectacular though I do wish I would have gone up and taken a look. The beautiful stained glass is breath taking. The building is a work of art by itself. The food was very good but portions are down and prices up due to the economy. The schnitzel was very tasty but needed spatzle or kraut to make it perfect. We also had the fries and dipping sauce. To our surprise the curry ketchup was delicious. Great meal in a neat old building and a great selection of beer so all is good. read more

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Went once, never again. Myself and three friends (all of us from out of town) went on Jan 30 and sat at the bar. The problem started as soon as we sat down. The bartender Els had a completely condescending attitude from the get go. She didn't even try to hide it and would answer with only a sneering reply to any question asked. One of us told her "the cake was delicious" and she just answered in a snarky tone "greaAAt" and didn't even look at him. How she's a bartender is beyond me. Completely unprofessional on all levels. read more

Can't beat the beer garden, the Sunner Kolsch and the burger/frites. One of my favorite chill date nights.

Went for Kolsch night with friends, stayed for the beer garden vibes. One of the best outdoor dining in town! It's always busy especially on Kolsch nights but it's worth it. Luckily a couple friends arrived early and snagged a table. Along with the Kolsch, I had steak frites for dinner and my goodness it was tasty. Cooked perfectly and served with a decedent butter sauce. The fries paired with the frites sauce took it over the top. The curry ketchup is also worth a try. I will say the steak frites is fairly pricey and in the future I'm more likely to order the juicy, mouth watering burger. My sweet tooth got the best of me and I ordered one of each dessert for the table. The chocolate torte was out of this world - everyone was fighting to grab a bite. The crème brûlée was solid and was devoured as well. If you're not into Kolsch, their beer selection is extensive! You're sure to find something to quench your thirst. I'm also a fan of their NA selection and have tried their Italian sodas on occasion. read more

Holy Grale is such a vibe. They are most well know for their Belgian beer lists (with a curated local craft beer list snuggled up behind it). That says a lot about the beer when the staff is superb, the locally sourced menu is consistently well executed, and the bar seating feels like home, but better, because you aren't expected to pick up after yourself. Also this last round I had the best steak tartare that I've ever had. I shared with others, and my server hooked me up with more crunchy bread wafers so I could savor it longer. I stopped myself from licking the plate once I had scraped all the bits off. The room (choir loft) upstairs is especially cozy. I would definitely take a date or out of town guest that I really like here. read more

Holy Grale - Beef tartare and a St Bernardus Christmas ale on draft - Beer Gardens Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

We are in Louisville for the week and actually staying at The Grale House B&B. The Holy Grale is a part of the establishment. We arrived late Sunday afternoon, weary from our travels. We went to the Holy Grale before checking into our room to get some much needed sustenance after a five hour drive. Their beer selections are unique. I had a couple of delicious beers and also had the tavern steak with fries. The fries were good, but the steak was a little too chewy for me. Hubby had the burger and said it was super good. We went back two days later for a pretzel with beer cheese dip. The pretzel was good, but the dip was a tad too spicy for me. Bartender said they use habanero peppers in it. My hubby ate it and said he liked it. We will be here for a few more days so we will definitely go back for a beer. The inside area is small, but there is a big beer garden area where most people sit and drink. Staff is very friendly. read more

Holy Grale never disappoints. From amazing food, a diverse beer selection, and top notch service you really can't go wrong stopping in for a visit. Don't be intimidated by the small appearance of the building. Once inside there are quite a few tables and ample bar seating, in addition to a spacious outdoor patio. read more

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Seating inside and outside, which is great in nice weather. Large selection of beer. Decent cocktails - for the "Son" which was a fun drink. Mostly went there for dessert and it did not disappoint. The dark chocolate torte specially was delectable! read more

Holy Grale - Blackberry lavender lemon flan - Beer Gardens Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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I had one burger. It was very unbalanced flavor. The pretzel bun covered up the taste of everything. For the price it should not be that way. read more

The food was really good - I'm not a huge fan of burgers but OMG the holy grail burger was amazing.

Top notch. Food is outstanding. Great atmosphere. Tables are very small for those of us that like to eat a lot and with a variety. Service is top tier. Pork schnitzel and the saurakraut balls were our favorite. read more

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am giving you my 9.5 year review...you read that right, I've been going here for roughly 9 years. Overall it's kinda gone down hill. Pre-covid it has THE BEST food and atmosphere. The inside was somewhat dark but had a lot of character and avoided the cookie cutter "upscale beer and food" look. They had a chef that made ridiculously good vegetarian AND burgers. This chef ended up moving to Chicago per the waitstaff. I asked because a few months after their departure you could see it and taste it in the menu so I knew something changed. Their peak was 2014-2019 for overall creativity and menu execution; meaning not only did the menu read amazingly but the execution on the menu was perfect. Flavor and texture didn't hint to being overcooked or over seasoned. Covid came and went and now the inside is light mauve with an over indexed "holy" look. The music is ....not sure, random aged pop? Food is disappointing. It's not bad by any means but it's not as good as it could be. Pasta dishes are overcooked, drenched in oil often, and too salty. Flavor comes from the food not kosher salt solely. We don't go here often especially after our last visit a few months ago but I hope their cooks and chefs continue to improve with experience. If you're a newcomer you might not notice and that's fine because blindfolded, it's not that bad. But if you knew you know, it's not anywhere close to where it used to be. read more

Holy is right. An extensive list of craft beer, especially some great imports. We had the sauerkraut balls, frites and a burger. My phone did not eat first, hence why I only have a picture of my drink posted to this review, because we were starving. Incredible ambiance, the decor is intricate and creative with its theme and I appreciate the coziness and intimacy of bar seating and tables. read more

Holy Grale - Old Fashioned - Beer Gardens Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

We had an amazing server, his name was tlyer, very chill guy. The food and ambiance were amazing.

Perfection. Review is years overdue. Service is outstanding. Staff is friendly and accommodating. Food is consistently outstanding. Beer selection is second to none in the city. Simply can't heap too much praise on this establishment. read more

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When was the last time you ate something and said to yourself... this is a really well thought out dish with layers of flavor and complexities that are so subtle yet delicious?! That's what happened when I ordered the Grale burger. I was hesitant about the pretzel bread because they're usually so heavy but not this one, it eats like bread and is soft in texture. And it's not your average potato fries, these were so tasty and not your typical potato behind the curtain, it was awesome. Choose whatever sauce u want, I had to go for what was the equivalent to spicy Mayo, delicious . Beyond the food there was a fun and relaxed ambiance in a converted church , so I very much enjoyed the feel of the place and to top it all off... the service was just right, thank you I ordered as a skeptic and left as a believer , it's just amazing to experience something you didn't expect to like all that much and it impress you on all levels . read more

Holy Grale - Grale burger, Fries with house made spicy Mayo sauce & A root beer - Beer Gardens Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Best salad i've ever had in my life, accompanied by THE MOST UNIQUE and exquisite ambiance of a restaurant I've seen in a long time. Very unique, very flavorful, don't miss the experience of this place. read more

Holy Grale - Bar view - Beer Gardens Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Very, very expansive beer menu -- much smaller for food and other beverages. I'm not a big beer guy and wasn't able to drink during our visit, which left me with very few options--not surprising, but I was hoping for a little more. The idea of the place is really neat and probably the biggest draw for me, keeping a lot of the original church decor but adapting it with the bar and seating. Staff was super knowledgeable and friendly, staying patient with us and our many questions. We got the pretzels as an appetizer which was very good, and I got the Orvall burger which was delicious. No one at my table complained about the food, they were really happy with the choice to eat here. If you're into beer this is a must-visit, for sure! read more

The beer selection is top notch! The ambiance is awesome with the church details contrasting delicious beer. And the food is just as high end as the beer selection. A bit pricey but you get what you pay for and I'd happily pay again. It's difficult to find good dark beer and Holy Grale delivered, yet there was something for all tastes. Highly recommend. The service staff is friendly and very knowledgeable. read more