About The Hungry Pelican

I’m excited to introduce The Hungry Pelican, a laid-back seafood restaurant that locals around Fern Creek love for its easygoing charm and craveable comfort. Sitting right at 5412 Bardstown Rd, Fern Creek, KY 40291, United States, this spot feels approachable from the moment you walk in, yet it still delivers the kind of flavor that keeps people talking. The Hungry Pelican leans into classic seafood vibes without feeling stuffy, which makes it just as fitting for a relaxed dine-in meal as it is for a quick takeaway when the day gets busy. What really stands out is how effortlessly the menu balances familiarity and fun, offering comforting seafood plates alongside small plates that are perfect for sharing or sampling. At the same time, the atmosphere invites you to slow down, chat, and actually enjoy your food instead of rushing through it. Drinks play a big role here too, so whether you’re in the mood for a cold beer, a smooth cocktail, or a glass of wine, the options feel thoughtfully chosen and easy to enjoy. Coffee is also on hand, which adds to the casual, all-hours feel of the place. If you’re someone who appreciates comfort food with a coastal twist, this restaurant hits that sweet spot without trying too hard. The service style keeps things flexible and friendly, letting you decide how you want to experience your meal, whether that’s grabbing a quick bite or settling in for a longer visit with spirits and conversation. That neighborhood feel shows up in the steady flow of regulars, the unpretentious setup, and the way the offerings cater to different moods, from small plates and quick bites to full comfort-driven meals paired with beer, wine, or cocktails that feel right for the moment. It’s the kind of place you mention to friends when talking about easy seafood options in Fern Creek, especially when you want something satisfying without overthinking the choice.

Business Info

Service options

Service options

+ Takeaway

+ Dine-in

Highlights

Highlights

+ Fast service

+ Great beer selection

+ Great cocktails

+ Serves local specialty

Popular for

Popular for

+ Lunch

+ Dinner

+ Solo dining

Accessibility

Accessibility

+ Wheelchair-accessible car park

+ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

+ Wheelchair-accessible seating

+ Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Offerings

Offerings

+ Alcohol

+ Beer

+ Cocktails

+ Coffee

+ Comfort food

+ Quick bite

+ Small plates

+ Spirits

+ Wine

Dining options

Dining options

+ Lunch

+ Dinner

+ Dessert

+ Seating

+ Table service

Amenities

Amenities

+ Bar on site

+ Toilet

Atmosphere

Atmosphere

+ Casual

+ Cosy

+ Quiet

Crowd

Crowd

+ Groups

+ Tourists

Planning

Planning

+ Accepts reservations

Payments

Payments

+ Credit cards

+ Debit cards

+ NFC mobile payments

+ Credit cards

Children

Children

+ Good for kids

+ High chairs

+ Kids' menu

Parking

Parking

+ Free of charge street parking

+ Free parking lot

+ Parking

Hour time open

Right Now :

  • Monday: 11:30 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 11:30 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 11:30 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Thursday: 11:30 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Friday: 11:30 AM - 08:30 PM
  • Saturday: 11:30 AM - 08:30 PM
  • Sunday: 11:30 AM - 04:00 PM
Order Now

+1 502-239-7145

5412 Bardstown Rd, Fern Creek, KY 40291, United States

Reviews

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We had a perfect meal here. The fish, scallops, shrimp, and clams were absolutely fresh and tender, with thin crispy breading. I don't think it could've been any better! The hush puppies and fresh bread were just plain done right, too. I wish I lived closer!

- S Hoselton -

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Its been probably 2 decades since I been at a hungry Pelican, but its still as good as I remembered. Everything was really food. Home fires cut from potatoes, onion rings made fresh and the fish delicious like always. Food made with care and simple ingredients.

- Jason -

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Atmosphere was relaxing other than some loud people a few tables over. Food was amazing as always especially the scallops 10/10 Our waitress (sorry I forgot her name) was very interactive and on top of our refills. 10/10 Definitely becoming one of my favorite sea food spots!!

- Jacob Walsh -

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The food is amazing! We had the fired pickles to start and they where tangy, crunchy and everything you want in a fried pickle. I also had the clam chowder and I wasn't very impressed, it had great flavor but was lacking in the clam department. For my main course I had one of the fried fish platters that consisted of fried snow fish, fried shrimp, fried clams and fried onions. It was amazing! Everything tasted different and not like a plate filled with fried food. You can really taste the freshness in the food. My boyfriend had the grilled shrimp and scallops, plump, buttery and juicy; It was grilled to perfection. All in all, definitely a place I will be back too. Bring the family you won't regret it.

- Brittany Longmire -

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The fish and chips (cod) were above average for sure. All the food was really good. I'm not a hushpuppy expert, but good ones here. Very good service. Nice clean place. The prices are decent and it's just me but I mostly always ding a place for charging over $3 for a regular sized fountain pop. The waitress was nice enough to offer me a pop to go though.

- Mike Thompson -

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Growing up in Louisville, especially during college years, I often enjoyed eating at The Hungry Pelican. Recently, I was driving on Bardstown Road in the Fern Creek area and saw The Hungry Pelican! Until then, I had forgotten there is still one Hungry Pelican in business. So, I had to turn around and drive back so I could sample the fare and rekindle nice memories. I was delighted to see on the menu side items like: stewed tomatoes and zucchini, kale greens, green beans, fried corn on the cob, fried green tomatoes, baked potatoes, cole slaw, cauliflower and more! It was after 3:30 PM, so that made it a late lunch or an early dinner for me. After being seated at my table, Shelby greeted me warmly requesting my drink order, but I had looked at the menu and was ready to order, going with sweet tea, grilled salmon and sides of stewed tomatoes and zucchini and kale. When my order arrived it looked delicious, and I was not disappointed with the taste. In fact, the stewed tomatoes and zucchini was perfectly delicious! The grilled salmon was a tad bit spicy for me (perhaps Cajun), but it was delicious and the texture perfect to my liking. I thought I had ordered simply a grilled salmon, but maybe I didn't read the menu carefully. Regardless, the meal was delicious, nutritious and I was happy and satisfied upon leaving The Hungry Pelican ...with a satisfied appetite, memories rekindled and a new memory created. I'll be back!

- Mark Neff -

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We had a great dining experience at Hungry Pelican. There was no wait and we were seated right away. Our waitress was fantastic and the food was delicious. The appetizers are reasonably priced and they offer a wide variety. (Approximately $6 to $12) We selected the fried zucchini that came with ranch & horseradish sauce for dipping) For dinner, we selected the Neptune which includes fish, shrimp, & clams along with the broiled fish platter. The dinners include 2 sides of your choice and 2 hush puppies or 1 roll. Both dinners were fresh, hot, and delicious. See the pictures I posted of the appetizer and dinners. If you crave seafood, give Hungry Pelican a try. Great food, excellent service, and a fair price.

- Mark Blackburn -

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We had a cup of clam chowder that was absolutely delicious to start then had the whitefish sandwich with hand breaded onion rings and Cole slaw. It was all outstanding. I’ve not had seafood that good since we visited the Florida gulf. Highly recommend. Fast,courteous and an A rating on the door.

- Weiland Shelburne -

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