tons of places have popped up in louisville since i wrote that in june. the louisville beer store has a new place on bardstown road called the HOLY GRALE, 20 TAPS!, plus really tasty street inspired food. also, EIDERDOWN and HAMMERHEADS are in germantown. EIDERDOWN has yummy and seasonal german fusion. HAMMERHEADS specializes in house smoked meats.

when will you be in? am i too late to help? how many days/meals do you have?
guess i'll just rant.....
louisville is small, you can hop around on the bus (tarc) pretty easily, especially from downton, schedules and roots on their website.

downtown isn't exactly hopping, but it's not dead either! i'd go immediately to the louisville beer store on market for a tasting or a pint. then to social (next door; super tasty and seasonal menu) or wiltshire pantry (just down the street, only open late week/weekend;check their website they have a small and weekly changing seasonal menu*i love this place.) stopping by 21C hotel/Proof on main (brown forman hotel, restaraunt/lounge)is cool, they have one of the best art gallerys in town(free), plus they have tasty drinks and an interesting menu.
also to note, a brand new place in butchertown(on the edge of downtown), the blind pig (specializing in bacon but even a vegetarian can eat here). also, jack frys(in the higlands, is only a hop skip from where you are,and is probably known as the best place in town, it's delicious and the atmosphere is awesome and has a very louisville menu/ vibe.) plus you can't miss the highlands neighborhood, go past the college bars for fun shoping and beer *cumberland brews) as for lunch, i love safier mediterranean deli downtown(close to 4th and chestnut*just down from the louisville palace) the vegetable paradise sandwich, lentil soup, turkish coffee, homeade pickles and grape leaves are my regulars, it's oh so cheap too! as for not so close but within reach, i love vietnam kitchen, could eat here everyday there's like 100 items on their menu. and queen of sheba, an ethiopian place on the edge of the highlands, best comfort food there is.
hope this helps!