Instagram-worthy dishes and vibes shine at The House of Marigold. Here's what to order
According to a study by Maru/Matchbox, 69% of millennials take a photo of their food before chowing down. I believe it because I am one of them.
My friends and family know that when they’re dining out with me, “the camera eats first,” and they’ll patiently wait to enjoy their meal until I’ve taken my shots.
Restaurants understand this idea, too. Photo-worthy dishes are everywhere, and lots of restaurateurs have ensured their space itself is also Instagrammable. One such place is The House of Marigold, located in the former Royal’s Hot Chicken spot on Shelbyville Road.
Floor-to-ceiling windows around the building allow lots of natural light to flood the space, which boasts floral murals, a cozy waiting area with dusty pink seating, and fresh flowers on every table.
I chatted with owner Adrienne Cole about her inspiration behind the interior, as well as the tasty food served within. Here are five things to know about The House of Marigold.
Family factored into The House of Marigold's name and look
“Everything that I love about our brand and our company was inspired by fresh flowers,” Adrienne told The Courier Journal.
She and her husband Kris Cole — who is also the restaurant’s culinary director and chef — began building their brand in 2019 with Marigold Catering Co.
“My mother and my grandmother always had fresh flowers in the house,” Adrienne said. “They said it brought good luck, so we named the company after marigolds. (They’re) specifically about prosperity and good fortune.”
When it came to creating the restaurant’s aesthetic, Adrienne explained she wanted it to be fun and fresh while also feeling like home.
“We wanted it to feel like us,” she said. “It looks like me, and tastes like Kris.”
Be sure to order the avocado toast or farmhouse breakfast plate
“We call it seasonal comfort food,” Adrienne explained. “It’s very approachable. … We don’t reinvent the wheel. We just elevate the expected.”
Since the restaurant’s doors opened in March 2023, the avocado toast has been a crowd-pleaser. Made with toasted wheat berry bread, mashed avocados, grapefruit, sliced radish, torn herbs, microgreens, a farm-fried egg, and Everything crumb, it's certainly an upscale version of the millennial favorite.
“It’s beautiful because it appeals to our vegetarians and our meat eaters,” Adrienne said, adding that as popular as the toast may be, the farmhouse breakfast plate is the number-one seller. An elevated take on the typical American breakfast, the Marigold dish features two eggs, skillet potatoes, sourdough toast, whipped butter, seasonal preserves, and either turkey or breakfast sausage.
For those who like touches of both sweet and savory, Adrienne suggests substituting sourdough for a piece of challah French toast, served with maple syrup, fresh berry compote, and powdered sugar.
“That’s always a good play,” she said with a laugh.
Don't miss special dinners and popups at The House of Marigold
Though the restaurant is primarily a breakfast and lunch spot, Adrienne and Kris occasionally open their doors for special dinners and popups. Next up is Galentine’s Golden Hour, a cocktails and caviar night being offered from Feb. 13-16. Kris has also created a pre-fixe, four-course dinner menu for Valentine’s Day. Couples can treat themselves with everything from blushing seafood cioppino to chargrilled filet topped with blue cheese.
If you can’t make it to the restaurant on Valentine’s Week, there are also several new items being added to the regular menu in February.
“(We’ll have) an egg salad and avocado tartine that we’re doing over our honey cornbread — that is fabulous — with some pea tendrils and torn herbs,” Adreinne said.
She added that because The House of Marigold also draws inspiration from The Beverly Hills Hotel, it will be adding a version of the legendary Los Angeles hideaway’s McCarthy Salad.
“We’re doing a play with the Marigold salad,” she explained, “which is kind of a cobb salad with balsamic, grilled chicken, egg, bacon, and some golden beets.”
The House of Marigold also serves top-notch cocktails
Of course, menu changes wouldn’t be complete without a few cocktail additions.
“We’ve got some really cute, fun, cocktails coming out where we are utilizing some Black-owned bourbon companies,” Adrienne said.
One of the new bevies, dubbed “Orange Is The New Black,” is a blood orange mint smash made with Tennessee’s Uncle Nearest whiskey. Another will utilize spirits from Mr. & Mrs. Bourbon Company, which was founded right here in Derby City by Louisville’s own Russ Smith.
“(It’s) called ‘Trophy Wife,’ and it’s really fun and tasty,” Adrienne said. “We’ve (also) got a new tiki rum cocktail called ‘Beach Don’t Kill My Vibe.’ The cocktails are a lot of fun.”
Look out for The House of Marigold's new location
In addition to the multiple popup nights and new menu items, Kris and Adrienne are expanding their reach near the University of Louisville. “We just signed the contract to be the new food service provider and café operator of the Speed Art Museum,” Adrienne explained.
The museum is doing a full renovation of the museum — including the café— so the Coles expect to begin operations in March or April.
“We’re excited to integrate ourselves on campus and bring the students in,” she said. “The museum is so cool; it allows us to (let) our creative juices flow.”
Adrienne added that opening the restaurant was something that has always been a dream for Kris, and they’re both excited to begin this next part of that journey.
“I feel like a House of Marigold could go anywhere in the city, and people would be happy about it,” she exclaimed. “It’s more than we ever imagined.”
Know a restaurant that would make a great feature? Email writer Lennie Omalza at aloha@lennieomalza.com or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at kgregory@gannett.com.
The House of Marigold
WHAT: This is a locally owned breakfast and lunch restaurant that serves approachable, seasonal comfort food.
WHERE: 10310 Shelbyville Road
SERVICES: Indoor dining, carryout, and catering; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
CONTACT: thehouseofmarigold.com, 502-384-3767
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: The House of Marigold in Louisville serves Instagram-worthy breakfast
