Asheville-based Tupelo Honey Restaurant to Open First Louisville Location in 2027

The Southern eatery known for its fried chicken and Appalachian-inspired cuisine will mark its Kentucky debut with a new 5,483-square-foot restaurant.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 2:51pm

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A soft, atmospheric photograph in warm, muted tones depicting the blurred silhouettes of people enjoying a meal in a cozy, intimate dining setting, conveying the welcoming, Southern hospitality vibe of the Tupelo Honey restaurant.The arrival of the beloved Southern restaurant Tupelo Honey in Louisville will bring its signature fried chicken, biscuits, and Appalachian-inspired cuisine to the city's growing dining scene.Louisville Today

Tupelo Honey, a multi-state restaurant chain founded in Asheville, North Carolina, is slated to open its first Louisville location at 10017 Ballardsville Road in 2027. The 5,483-square-foot restaurant will be the chain's first Kentucky outpost and will sit near a recently-opened Publix grocery store.

Why it matters

Tupelo Honey's arrival in Louisville marks the continued expansion of the popular Southern restaurant brand beyond its Appalachian roots, bringing its signature fried chicken, biscuits, and other Appalachian-inspired dishes to a new market. The new location is expected to cost $1.4 million to build, signaling the company's confidence in the Louisville market.

The details

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar launched in downtown Asheville, North Carolina in 2000 and has since grown to nearly 30 locations across several states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas, Indiana, and Ohio. The Louisville restaurant will be the first Tupelo Honey to open in Kentucky. The 5,483-square-foot space will be located at 10017 Ballardsville Road, near a recently-opened Publix grocery store.

  • Tupelo Honey launched in Asheville in 2000.
  • The Louisville location is listed as "coming 2027" on the restaurant's website.
  • The Publix grocery store at 1005 Ballardsville Road opened in September 2025.

The players

Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

A multi-state restaurant chain founded in Asheville, North Carolina that is known for infusing "Southern and Appalachian spirit into every bite" with its menu of fried chicken, biscuits, and other regional specialties.

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What’s next

The new Tupelo Honey restaurant in Louisville is expected to open in 2027 after obtaining the necessary permits and completing construction on the 5,483-square-foot space.

The takeaway

Tupelo Honey's expansion into Louisville reflects the continued growth and popularity of Southern-inspired cuisine beyond its regional roots. The new location will introduce the brand's Appalachian-influenced menu to a new market, further cementing its status as a multi-state restaurant chain.