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Proof on Main, Louisville, KY

Proof on Main

4.5 (3836)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
702 W. Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202

Make a reservation

2 people
9:00 PM
Booked 27 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Innovative
  • Great for creative cocktails
The ingredients in our menus reflect the region’s sustainable farmers and producers with a soulful and honest approach showcasing the bounty of the Ohio River Valley. Housed in five historic buildings in downtown Louisville, Proof on Main is part of 21c Museum Hotels, the award-winning boutique hotel and restaurant group. The dining room is one of the most striking public spaces in the city, with rotating, contemporary art exhibitions by local and internationally-acclaimed artists alike.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast Mon–Fri 7:00 am–10:00 am Brunch Sat, Sun 8:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Mon–Wed, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Cody Stone
  • Catering
    Catering is provided by Proof on Main and the culinary team can prepare a menu specifically tailored to fit your needs. The menu works to showcase the agricultural bounty of the Ohio River Valley and celebrates artisanal products and sustainable farming, delivering plates rich with the culinary traditions of Italy and the American South.
  • Private party facilities
    Private dining is available for groups 10-150. The private room in Proof on Main can accommodate up to 24 and our art gallery space within the 21c Museum Hotel can seat 150 and host a reception for up to 300.
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown Louisville
  • Cross street
    7th Street
  • Parking details
    Parking begins after 5:00pm and is $8 for valet. There is also garage parking available at 7th and Market.
  • Entertainment
    Adjacent to Proof on Main is the 21c Museum, North America's first museum dedicated solely to collecting and exhibiting contemporary art of the 21st century. With over 9000 square feet of exhibition space, 21c Museum hosts dynamic group and solo exhibitions featuring emerging artists alongside acclaimed international artists, such as video artists Bill Viola and Tony Oursler, photographers Andres Serrano, Sam Taylor Wood, and David Leventhal, sculptors Yinka Shonibare and Judy Fox, and multimedia artists Chuck Close, Alfredo Jaar, and Kara Walker.The Museum is free and open to the public, 24/7.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 3,836 people are saying

Proof on Main reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Central Kentucky

    Innovative

  • Central Kentucky

    Contemporary American

  • Louisville

    Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Proof on Main is an eclectic dining gem in Louisville, offering a "beautiful space" with a unique art gallery ambiance. Diners rave about the "best hot chicken sandwich ever," "great shrimp risotto," and "amazing brussel sprouts." The "wonderful staff" ensures attentive service, enhancing the overall "fantastic" dining experience.
3,836 Reviews
  1. Dianne VIP

    Cincinnati / Dayton4 reviews

    1.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    The service was absolutely terrible. The burgers came Out way undercooked and we Had to send them back. All of the fries were cold. And they charged $4 for an ICE CUBE! Cook at home - you’ll do much better.
    Proof on MainResponded 5 days ago
    Hi Dianne, We're truly sorry to hear about your recent experience. What you described falls far short of the standards we aim to uphold, and we completely understand your frustration. Undercooked food, cold fries, and unexpected charges—especially something like an ice cube—are unacceptable and not what we want anyone to encounter here. We’re taking this feedback seriously and will be addressing these issues with our kitchen and staff immediately. . Thank you for bringing this to our attention. — Proof On Main

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  2. Laura VIP

    Central Kentucky34 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We will definitely be back. Going to brunch after church is a tradition that we love and we’re always looking for new places. Proof is a beautiful space (& don’t miss the bathrooms!) with upscale food that doesn’t break the bank. The only negative was that they were out of biscuits and zeppoles…which is probably because they’re really good.
    Proof on MainResponded on May 30, 2025
    Thank you so much for the kind words Laura! We’re honored to be part of your post-church brunch tradition—that means a lot to us. We’re so glad you enjoyed the space (yes, even the bathrooms!) and the food. Sorry we were out of biscuits and zeppoles during your visit—they do tend to go fast! We’ll do our best to have them ready for you next time. Looking forward to welcoming you back soon! -Proof On Main

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  3. Laura

    Central Kentucky6 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on May 24, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Disappointing. It’s been a few years since I’ve dined at Proof and my previous experiences were great. The atmosphere is fantastic. This visit, unfortunately, was not what we expected. Service was average and food was nothing to be enthusiastic about. The filet and bison burger were undercooked, my friend’s pasta dish was underwhelming flavor-wise, and presentation for all entrees was completely lacking. The cocktails were great. There are better upscale dining options in Louisville. It felt like Proof wasn’t even trying.
    Proof on MainResponded on May 25, 2025
    Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're truly sorry to hear that your recent visit didn’t meet the high standards you’ve come to expect from us. While we're glad you enjoyed the atmosphere and cocktails, it's disappointing to learn that the food and service fell short. Your comments about the undercooked entrees and lackluster presentation are especially concerning, and we take them seriously. We value your past support and would love the opportunity to restore your confidence in us. Thank you for taking time to let us know how you're experience left you feeling. -Proof On Main

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  4. George

    Cleveland / Akron / Canton1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 24, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food and service. Octopus appetizer was one of the tasty bites of food I’ve ever had. Perfect spot to celebrate our anniversary. Will be back!
    Proof on MainResponded on May 25, 2025
    Thank you so much for your kind words George! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the octopus appetizer and that we could be part of your anniversary celebration. It means a lot to us to be chosen for such a special occasion. We look forward to welcoming you back soon! -Proof On Main

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  5. Emily

    Chicago / Illinois24 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on May 23, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Great food but the menus was a bit limited - lots of rich food options. Great service.
    Proof on MainResponded on May 25, 2025
    Thanks for the four-star review Emily! We look forward to serving you here again soon! -Proof On Main

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  6. Leslie VIP

    Tampa / Central Florida West179 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on May 20, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Interesting food. We enjoyed the amuse bouche and aperitif before our meal and the wine list is comprehensive.
    Proof on MainResponded on May 22, 2025
    Thank you for your kind review Leslie! We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed the amuse bouche, aperitif, and our wine selection — we take pride in curating a memorable experience from start to finish. We hope to welcome you back soon for another great meal! Warm regards, Proof On Main

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  7. Jennifer

    Washington, D.C. Area7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 18, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Tasty food. Good drinks. A bit annoyed as our reservation was at 5 at opening time and we were asked to wait (normally happy to do so) but then another couple came in less than a minute after us and didn’t even have entire party and were sat immediately even though we had to wait another several minutes, and it wasn’t like there weren’t any open tables….
    Proof on MainResponded on May 30, 2025
    Thank you so much for the 5-star review Jennifer! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the food and drinks. We also appreciate your honest feedback about the seating experience. We're sorry to hear there was any confusion or frustration around your reservation—we understand how that can be frustrating, especially when you've arrived on time. Your comments help us improve, and we'll definitely take this into account to ensure a smoother experience moving forward. We hope to welcome you back again soon! -Proof On Main

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  8. Hisae

    Nashville2 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on May 17, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Table wobbled. Food did not live up to cool atmosphere. Cotton candy at end of meal good touch but overall mediocre
    Proof on MainResponded on May 22, 2025
    Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback Hisae. While we're glad you enjoyed the cotton candy touch at the end, we're sorry to hear the rest of your experience didn’t meet expectations. We always aim to match the quality of our food with the atmosphere we’ve created, and we regret that we fell short for you. We also appreciate you mentioning the wobbly table — that’s something we can and will address right away. If you're open to it, we'd love another chance to deliver the full experience we strive for. Thanks again for your visit and for helping us improve. Best regards, Proof On Main

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  9. Rebecca VIP

    Central Kentucky39 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Brief wait to be greeted. We were initially seated a few tables away from others, but the tables quickly filled in. Not a lot of privacy since the tables and chairs are pretty close together. The arancini was absolutely amazing! So good. The food was delivered swiftly. The server was knowledgeable, personable, and attentive. I was very happy that we had vegetarian options to choose from. The pesto gnocchi was delicious! Overall, a wonderful meal. We will be back!
    Proof on MainResponded on May 22, 2025
    Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful review Rebecca! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the arancini, pesto gnocchi, and the overall dining experience — and we’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to our team. We're especially glad to know our vegetarian options hit the mark! We appreciate your feedback about the seating and wait to be greeted — and we’ll keep that in mind as we continue working to improve the experience for all our guests. Looking forward to welcoming you back soon! Warm regards, Proof On Main

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  10. Kevin

    Chicago / Illinois6 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on May 16, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Our food was delicious! We ordered the two salads, little gem and Ceasar to split and they were the best! I had the petit filet and it was also really good with a side of wonderful potatoes.
    Proof on MainResponded on May 22, 2025
    Thank you so much for the kind words Kevin! We’re thrilled to hear you loved the Little Gem and Caesar salads — and that the petit filet and potatoes hit the spot too. It means a lot to us to know you enjoyed your meal. We hope to welcome you back again soon for another delicious visit! Best, Proof On Main

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FAQs

Proof on Main is rated 4.5 stars by 3836 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Central Kentucky
  4. Louisville
  5. Downtown Louisville

Make a reservation

2 people
9:00 PM
Booked 27 times today
Google Map for Proof on Main

702 W. Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202

Additional information

  • Cross street
    7th Street
  • Neighborhood
    Downtown Louisville
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast Mon–Fri 7:00 am–10:00 am Brunch Sat, Sun 8:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Mon–Wed, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Parking begins after 5:00pm and is $8 for valet. There is also garage parking available at 7th and Market.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Cody Stone
  • Entertainment
    Adjacent to Proof on Main is the 21c Museum, North America's first museum dedicated solely to collecting and exhibiting contemporary art of the 21st century. With over 9000 square feet of exhibition space, 21c Museum hosts dynamic group and solo exhibitions featuring emerging artists alongside acclaimed international artists, such as video artists Bill Viola and Tony Oursler, photographers Andres Serrano, Sam Taylor Wood, and David Leventhal, sculptors Yinka Shonibare and Judy Fox, and multimedia artists Chuck Close, Alfredo Jaar, and Kara Walker.The Museum is free and open to the public, 24/7.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Catering
    Catering is provided by Proof on Main and the culinary team can prepare a menu specifically tailored to fit your needs. The menu works to showcase the agricultural bounty of the Ohio River Valley and celebrates artisanal products and sustainable farming, delivering plates rich with the culinary traditions of Italy and the American South.
  • Private party facilities
    Private dining is available for groups 10-150. The private room in Proof on Main can accommodate up to 24 and our art gallery space within the 21c Museum Hotel can seat 150 and host a reception for up to 300.
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