Intimate room, excellent menu, top notch service! The room is dark, surprisingly intimate for as open as it is. Low ceilings and servers clad in black add to the effect of a candle-lit cask of a restaurant. The smells wafting from the kitchen immediately get your appetite revving if it wasn't already in gear. Out host, Mary, sat our party quickly and the server came right away to fill waters and take drink orders. The menu is short but superb. Everything has a Mediterranean flair that should make you expect savory mess and spice. Prices are in the $40-60 range for entrees but worth it! Parking is free in the lot and a QR code on the menu gives you access to enter your info including plate number. It's a nice feature for an area where spots are limited. read more

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I was hosting a business dinner in Louisville last week and wanted to try someplace new. I scanned the list of James Beard 2025 semifinalists and focused on two spots: MeeshMeesh and The Fat Lamb. MeeshMeesh is wildly popular and books out 60 days in advance, so that wasn't happening--but I was able to secure a timely reservation at The Fat Lamb. That turned out to be a great decision. It was a pleasure meeting Dallas McGarity, the executive chef and owner. He shared that the restaurant has been open for about ten years and that he's preparing to open a new Italian concept. When the topic of his James Beard nomination came up, he mentioned it was a complete surprise--the restaurant didn't self-nominate--which made the recognition feel even more meaningful. One thing I neglected to ask him directly was why lamb plays such a central role on the menu. Our server wasn't entirely sure either, but she did explain how the restaurant got its name. Apparently, Dallas was traveling through the countryside, spotted a particularly memorable "fat lamb" on a farm, and the name stuck. Sometimes it really is that simple. With four of us dining, we may have gone a bit overboard on starters--but no regrets. We shared the roasted Brussels sprouts, lamb kofta meatballs, fontina and truffle arancini, and the whipped feta and pita. Every dish was well-executed and easy to share, which made them ideal for a business dinner. For entrées, my wife and I split the signature tandoori and ancho spice-roasted lamb chops. They were flavorful without being heavy, and the black barbecue sauce added a nice depth. Our server highly recommended the Moroccan-spiced halibut, which our other guests shared and thoroughly enjoyed--especially the mushroom demi-glace. Dessert was the Nutella mousse, another house signature. The Italian cherries and chocolate shavings were a great finishing touch without pushing things into overly sweet territory. Beyond the food, what really stood out was the service and pacing. The evening flowed naturally--never rushed, never dragging--which is exactly what you want when entertaining clients or colleagues. The Fat Lamb delivered a memorable, well-rounded dining experience and easily earned its reputation. I'd happily return, whether for business or just a great night out. read more

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Came with a group and we all enjoyed everything! The whipped feta was yummy. We tried several entrees and shared- the burger was the favorite! The short rib pasta was good but quite rich and the curry salmon had a unique twist! We finished with the pistachio tiramisu- and it's was just as good as it sounds! read more

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Met friends here for a lovely dinner and had a reservation with immediate seating. Our server was excellent, attentive, and helpful with menu choices. Food was terrific with each course having an enticing presentation and well seasoned. Noise level was a bit high and a challenge to hear our waitstaff or hold a dinner conversation with friends. Business is accessible for those with mobility issues. Plan to return. read more

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I had wanted to try this place for a while. It was ok. We got the Lamb meatballs and those were really good! We also got the Truffle Fries. They were good and we got a lot of them. We shared a lamb sausage entree that wasn't very good. We didn't finish it and the left overs are still in the fridge. In my opinion it was really overpriced. We paid $17 for the truffle fries. The serve was good, but like I told my husband...I would come back if someone else paid for it. read more

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Small, quaint place for dinner or drinks. The cocktails were delicious and the salmon entire was exceptional. Service was great on a busy Friday evening! read more

We're in Louisville for a little trip to celebrate our wedding anniversary. My husband planned the entire trip and had a little surprise dinner for me one night! It wasn't on our anniversary, so I was really surprised. He communicated with the restaurant/chef and made a special menu for the two of us. We were seated immediately and the special menu was at our places. The chef came over and introduced himself and chatted for a few minutes. The restaurant is nice and chill - good vibes. The dinner itself was delicious! The pacing was perfect. There was not one misstep. I was so full, but every bite was worth it! Oh, I forgot to take a photo of the Amuse Bouche, but it was really good! I highly recommend dining here! read more

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The place is small and cute. The parking is in a plaza and you have to pay for parking but for dining in there is a QR code to validate the parking. The food was very yummy and a nice portion size for an upscale place. The place is very pricy but the quality of food is great. The dress code seems business casual as I did see people with jeans on but a really nice shirt. The hostess was very nice and the server while soft spoken was very polite as well. read more

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One of my favorite Louisville restaurants. The menu is seasonal-ish (meaning I know it varies, I don't know if it's truly based on seasons!), but there are a few standbys such as the lamb ragu gnocchi (delightful dish) and a burger that is sneakily good (and it's served with fries that are darn near unrivaled in terms of the cook). I've yet to have an off dish there though), so embrace the different options! Cocktails are excellent. The house cocktail actually became a favorite of mine in the Covid days and is one I pretty much have to order one of every time. Desserts are amazing! Last time I was there they had a fresh-baked blondie with ice cream that was almost buttery it was so well churned! I hope it sticks around. Service and atmosphere are outstanding. Servers know the menu well and are great about making good recommendations. While parking is terrible (the lot is very small), the interior is larger than it looks and is great for a group, date night, or just soloing at the bar. Classy but relaxed feel. read more

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One of the best restaurants I've tried recently! It was so good I had to go back again a couple of weeks later! Service is fast and attentive, our waitress remembered us from last time. The lamb chops and lamb merguez were so juicy and flavorful. It's called the fat lamb for a reason :) we also tried the burger and it is one of the best burgers I've had in a long time. For dessert, the hazelnut mousse was life changing and a MUST try. Overall incredible experience and would highly recommend!! read more

The Fat Lamb - Garlic & Herb Marinated Lamb Chops - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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I have done multiple reviews for this place because every time I go they blow me away. They have the best lamb chops in the city! The service is as great as the service. It's the perfect place for a romantic date night. read more

As a vegetarian, I was a bit hesitant to go to a place with this name. Very glad I went. We were greeted and sat quickly. Very attentive and friendly server. Beer, bourbon, and wine prices were on the high side ($18 for Angel's Envy). Clean and gender neutral bathrooms. Nice ambiance with low lighting (although might be difficult for the vision impaired). Small parking lot with paid parking (scanning a QR code inside the restaurant gives you 3 hours free). Highly recommend the whipped feta with pita for an appetizer! Greek salad very good. Caesar salad was okay. Warmed baguette was wonderful. Highly recommend the curry salmon entree if you are not a vegetarian. Music was a bit loud at times, which made the table conversation more difficult. Overall a pleasant experience. Will very likely be going again. read more

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This place never disappoints! We don't live in Louisville but visit almost monthly, and this is one of our favorite restaurants. The food is excellent and interesting (butternut squash falafel, anyone?!), and there is plenty of variety to please everyone, even in a large group. The service is always warm, friendly and efficient. The waitstaff make great recommendations and are really wonderful about accommodating everything from picky eaters to nut allergies to vegetarians to gluten intolerance. Front of house staff are also super friendly. This is a gem of a neighborhood restaurant. read more

Food and service were excellent. The space is extremely loud when it's full. Tile floors and walls with metal ceilings so nothing to absorb the noise. Celebrated our anniversary there and received a small discount off our next visit as a gift which really missed the mark. read more

Food was good. Meatballs were the best. Place is a bit expensive but you really do get what you pay for with them. Main issue was parking. Definitely not enough spaces. We got lucky and someone wars pulling out as we were arriving but if not we would have had to walk a long ways. Atmosphere good. Service was amicable. Plan on returning for sure. read more

Lovely little spot. As a huge fan of James Beard awards, I had to check out this spot. Our server was quite professional and clearly well trained. Baked oysters: B- bit of a miss for me. It was good but the bacon and other items wiped out any taste of the oysters. Lamb: A+. The star of the show. Cooked perfect. Tasty. A must try. Other stuff with lamb: D- Broccolini was almost raw. Now, maybe that's how they intend to serve it. I try to give the chef creative leeway but it was just raw. Our server made quick work and took it off the bill. Filet: A+ as well. Quite good. Overall, the main dishes being A+ absolved any other problems. That's what ya go for: very solid. read more

This is one of the best meals I've had recently. My husband and I are not from Louisville; we're in the area to tour some bourbon distilleries. We wanted to dine at a locally owned restaurant with a unique menu and we found it at the Fat Lamb. The food was amazing but the service really topped it off for us. Our server Joshua was so friendly and super helpful with suggestions. We probably would not have tried the WHIPPED FETA & WARM PITA toasted pistachios / chili crisp / chives / sumac if not for his suggestion. We're not really into bread so he suggested cucumber slices as a substitute which were perfect for the dip. We both had the TANDOORI & ANCHO SPICE ROASTED LAMB CHOPS. I can't even describe how good they were. The perfect combination of spice and a hint of sweetness. For dessert we got the NUTELLA MOUSSE, which is what the chef won Food Network's Chopped for. Incredible! Loved the ambiance as well. Very nice without being pretentious. I want to keep my review at 5 stars because we had an overall great experience. But I have to be honest about the only negative part which was the hostess. She was beyond rude. We were 5 or 6 minutes later than our reservation time. As I mentioned we're not from Louisville and got a little lost driving there. Plus we didn't know the parking situation was somewhat complicated with very few spaces available. When we entered the restaurant the hostess didn't really greet us. All she said was do you gave reservation. I gave her my name that the reservation was under and she immediately looked at her watch indicating that we were late. She sort of huffed and then said "I'll put you here" which was a table by the bar instead of in the main dining area that had open tables. She then told us really impatiently to scan the QR code for parking without explaining that it was on the menu. So we thought we needed to go back out to the parking lot to do it. Thank goodness for our server Joshua who made everything good again and explained the parking thing. That hostess is the first face of the restaurant which is not a good thing. read more

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Went here for the first time as a birthday treat for myself. The food was so very good and the service was top notch. I had the arancini, the lamb chops, and the bourbon pecan pie for dessert and all were fantastic. The environment is semi-fancy but didn't feel stuffy. It's pricey, but I think it's worth the money for a special occasion. read more

The Fat Lamb - Lamb Chops - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Wow wow! This was my first time trying the fat lamb and what a filling and delicious meal. I had the whipped feta for an appetizer. And my friend and I had the short rib which was chef's kiss. Definitely coming back! read more

The Fat Lamb - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Quiet & higher priced neighborhood place. Service was friendly. Food was good, seemed like every main dish was sauced. read more

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I made reservations here for my friend's 35th birthday for 4 adults and a baby. Service was on point and very friendly and prompt, which is always appreciated! This restaurant recently won a James Beard award...and it shows. We started with the whipped feta appetizer which came with some lovely warmed pita. We had to ask for more pita, as that ratio just wasn't enough. But it was delicious! I had their "house cocktail" which was a nice sipper for the evening. That bourbon and amaro isn't something I ever thought would go well! I was wrong! I got the short ribs and polenta and tried a friend's gnocchi. Both items were absolutely phenomenal. Another friend got the filet and very much enjoyed it. She did make the note that they didn't have any chicken items on the menu. While not a drawback, it was a little odd to have beef, fish, lamb and pasta options but no chicken. My only complaint is that my collard greens were WAY too salty. We ended with the mascarpone/nutella mousse and the key lime tart, both of which did not disappoint. The birthday girl left saying that this was her new favorite restaurant. Guess I did pretty well in the pick ;) read more

The Fat Lamb - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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10/10 recommend -- one of the best meals of my life! Our server was incredibly kind, warm, and helpful with the menu. The cocktails were delicious, and the whipped feta was packed with flavor. Then came the short rib -- it melted in my mouth, and the sauces were absolutely perfect! I've thought about this meal countless times since that evening and would recommend this place over and over again! read more

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My husband and I was craving some lamb chops. We decided to go to one of our favorite restaurants. The service is always fantastic. The food is always good. The lamb chops were cooked perfectly ! read more

The Fat Lamb - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Stellar find in Louisville. Great smaller space, they look to only have around 20 tables so you get really great service. The staff were friendly and had great menu recommendations. I appreciated their dry January mocktails as someone who isn't a huge drinker and they paired very well with the food. Our waitress recommended the whipped feta, and it did not disappoint. So creamy and salty with that nice hit of chili crunch and the pillowy and warm pita. Fantastic. The sleeper app was the crab and jalapeño arancini-- just enough heat to warm the mouth but you could still enjoy the crab flavor. And it paired perfectly with my pineapple shrug mocktail. For mains the hubs enjoyed the duck breast. As I was having more fomo I went for their lamb meatballs (I feel like you have to get lamb a a place called the Fat Lamb!!) with a harissa-like sauce and their beet salad. Both were absolutely excellent. The hubs even split my meatballs with me they were so good. I see why this place was on the James Beard watchlist and I hope they pull out a win soon- seems well deserved! read more

This is such a highly recommended and high end restaurant that I was surprised it's in a strip mall next to a nail salon. I also thought it would require dressier clothes but I saw people in shorts & jeans. Go inside to scan the QR code for free 3 hour parking. We started with the truffle fries for an appetizer and it was delicious. My husband had the lamb chop entree and felt it was really good. I had the smash burger and although it seemed very rare it was still tasty. I had the chocolate tart for dessert and it was great! Our server was very attentive and provided excellent service. I will add I am visiting from out of state and wanted to try a mint julep and they were very accommodating! read more

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My husband and I went for our anniversary; he liked it more than I did. We shared the feta appetizer (yum), he got an old fashioned and the filet mignon. He loved everything. I got the Southern Belle cocktail and the short rib and wasn't a huge fan of either, but I think they were just wrong choices for me rather than them being prepared poorly. We had fun watching all the gorgeous dishes being served; the food is truly beautiful. As someone else noted, it does smell like acetone from the nail salon next door. We also found it to be too loud and condensed to really enjoy each other's company. It might be better suited for a night out with friends or family than date night. Service was wonderful. Overall a nice evening, but not sure we'd return for the price. read more

The Fat Lamb - Whipped Feta & Pita (vegetarian) Southern Belle Old Fashioned - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

There were 4 of us. The service was very good. My husband got lamb chops, they were over cooked and small portion. I had the salmon it was very good but over cooked. I asked for medium and it was medium well. My son in law ordered i believe skirt steak and said it lacked in flavor. Our daughter had short ribs and she said they were good but small portion. Needless to say we were disappointed. We should have spoken up at that time so that is on us. We spent over$400 for a mediocre meal. read more

Overall great experience at Fat Lamb. It's become our g-to place for date night. Quality food & quality service!

Great unassuming place that we decided to squeeze in on our visit here! The brussel sprouts, the gnocchi with lamb bolognese, and the lamb chops are not to be missed. Each dish was executed so well with so much creativity and flavor. The millennial manhattan from the cocktail list was also our favorite of the ones we tried. Definitely try this spot out! read more

I never leave 5 star reviews. But this place was outstanding. From the amazing service to the lighting to the food. The food was absolutely delicious. Best lamb chops I've ever had. Best pecan pie I've ever had. The whipped feta dip was outstanding. I don't have one bad thing to stay truly! read more

The Fat Lamb - Lamb chops - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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First time in tonight! The service was incredible. We had the nicest server. She gave excellent recommendations. We had the Brussels sprouts appetizer and WOW. They were incredible. We split the Caesar salad which was also delicious. I had the filet and he had the fried chicken special. Both were really good. My steak was pretty overdone, but I didn't mention anything to the server because we were in a hurry, but it still had great flavor. The midnight in Paris drink was probably the best cocktail I've had. And, don't pass on the truffle fries. We will definitely be back! read more

The Fat Lamb - Filet - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

2024 June pick of the year for me Greatly pleased with this meal wonderful place to go to have a great meal and a wonderful culinary experience with exceptional staff, the atmosphere is quaint but bit crowded they have a patio that's spacious and loving reclaimed can be noisy but it's Bardstown rd what can you say. great flavors and thought given to the wonderfully prepared dishes we had, such as the scallops and shrimp something we've all had a million times but the flavors and spices used were amazing and elevated our meal. We were greatly pleased. BAKED GOAT CHEESE & PITA almond & golden raisin agrodulce / sumac / chives SHRIMP & SEA SCALLOPS chili crisp / bagna cauda breadcrumbs / roasted red pepper harissa sauce / chives SMOKED PAPRIKA & FIVE SPICE LAMB CHOPS sweet potatoes, caramelized onions, & broccolini / black garlic molasses bbq / zhug / shallot crunch / sumac BLACK VINEGAR BRAISED BEEF SHORT RIB creamy polenta / greens & onions / frondosa farms mushroom & black vinegar demiglace / chili crispl read more

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We had a wonderful meal with excellent service. The restaurant is quite small, which adds to its intimate charm. Growing up, my great aunt had a friend from the old country who made arancini for big holidays, so we enjoyed it every Thanksgiving and Easter. Whenever I've had arancini at Italian restaurants, it's usually served with marinara, but as a child, I always had it on its own. Their crab & jalapeño arancini came with exotic accompaniments, but it was so good it could stand alone! It was completely different from any arancini I've ever tried; such a unique and fun experience. read more

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Wonderful find. Lived in the Ville until '09 and wish this place was around then. Chef Dallas is very humble and talented. Looking forward to a slightly more diverse menu but after 8 years established he is likely going to last. Food was on point. Setting was nice but a retail space, but will always accept great plates over venue instead of the opposite. Service was good but not entirely familiar with everything but smart enough to pause and find out. Will likely be vac read more

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A truly magical experience. Phenomenal service, cozy interior, incredible food. Came here for an early Christmas dinner and started out with the WHIPPED FETA & WARM PITA (toasted pistachios / chili crisp / chives / sumac). Look, do not sleep on this dish, it is so delicious I wish I could install a tap in my house to only deliver this feta to me on demand, its that good. My dinner guest is mad for anything truffle, so an order of TRUFFLE FRIES (parmigiano reggiano / spicy mayo / chives) was placed. Warning! These are incredibly delicious but also this is a huge portion. Most of it was boxed up to take home. My dish was the CIOPPINO-"FISHERMAN'S STEW (shrimp, scallop, mussels, & fish / tomato & white wine broth / kale & onions / toasted bread). Cioppino is one of my favorite dishes and this did not disappoint. The broth was rich, and loaded with big pieces of seafood. A definite must when dining in Louisville, I will be back! read more

If I could give it more stars, I would. This restaurant was one of the culinary highlights of our Derby trip. We stumbled upon this restaurant 30 minutes before the door sign said they closed. This did not stop any of the staff from offering us excellent service. We had a 4 course meal and had personal recommendations from the beverage manager. The wine selection was great and the Cabernet -Sangiovese he recommended was stunning. The food was delicious and the Desserts!!- Oh my word, I'm almost speechless! You cannot go wrong with the Nutella Mousse and the Pecan pie was delicious as well. We actually had leftovers and they were still just as great reheated (entrees) and pulled from the fridge (desserts). We would highly recommend this restaurant and hope to return read more

Fat Lamb delivered an excellent dining experience. We started with the whipped feta and truffle fries. Both delicious by themselves but out standing to dip the fries in the feta. My husband and I typically share an entree and have enjoyed trying various drinks on the menus. The midnight in Paris is my favorite cocktail and he typically goes for the rotating stout or dark beers. The atmosphere was welcoming and stylish, and the service was friendly and efficient. Every dish was well-executed and full of flavor. Fat Lamb hits the mark for a night out with great food, great vibes, and solid attention to detail. Highly recommend! read more

Fat lamb is fat dope ! I wish I get to go to this place more. Loved that they validated our parking. Made it easy to get a parking spot. One of the best meals I had in 2024. Server seemed really proud to work there and proud of the chef. Whipped feta was obviously amazing and we were licking the plate when the server was taking it away. The scallop and shrimp appetizer was great , Cooked perfectly and had a flavorful curry flavor. The real star of the night though was the short rib. You have to get this- please listen to me! The gnocchi was great complement to the short rib. Loved the open kitchen concept further contributing to the pride they show in their restaurant. Hoping we will be back soon! read more

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It's easy to see why the chef was nominated for a James beard award...the food was simply divine. Everything we enjoyed was superb and extraordinarily flavorful. The shrimp and scallops appetizer was the perfect blend of Moroccan flavors and such a generous portion I am so glad I ordered it for my meal. With the beet salad I was no hungry at all. The key lime was the best dessert I've honestly ever tasted...and I don't typically go for key lime! You have to give this place a try - great service and good vibes and truly remarkable food. read more

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Thus is great local restaurant, it is a bit upscale and has excellent food and service.