Two new restaurants coming to Colonial Gardens in Louisville. Here's what to expect

Two new restaurants are coming to Colonial Gardens.

Costa del Sol, a Latin restaurant, and Hokkaido Ramen & Sushi will open in the restored historic property across from Iroquois Park in south Louisville by early 2024, according to the Colonial Gardens developer, Jeff Underhill.

Yan-Bo “Alex” Lin, the restaurateur behind Hokkaido, said remodeling should take about three months and he hopes to open by January. Lin, who lives in Lexington and has owned restaurants since 2009, said he was drawn to the location of Colonial Gardens.

“Ramen is pretty popular in the market right now,” he told the Courier Journal. “There’s not many ramen houses in Louisville.”

Hokkaido, named after the island in Japan, will serve ramen, sushi, and other Asian dishes, as well as bubble tea and sake.

The building, 818 W Kenwood Dr., has space for four restaurants, two of which have been vacant for several months. Biscuit Belly closed its location there in October 2022 and Taco Luchador closed in April.

Colonial Gardens, which often hosts events and live music on its large patio, is anchored by The B.A. Colonial, a southern-inspired restaurant with an extensive bourbon selection. The property also houses Union 15, a pizzeria.

“People focus on it when you have a vacancy,” Underhill said. “So, we’re happy, of course.  Having the space filled is our goal.”

He’s also happy that the new restaurants will “bring something different to the area.”

“I’m happy about the regeneration,” Underhill said. “We’ve taken our licks and we’ve come back stronger.”

For more information, visit colonialgardenslouky.com.

Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: New restaurants coming to Colonial Gardens: Costa del Sol, Hokkaido