For those who observe Lent, consuming meatless meals on seven consecutive Fridays is an annual ritual that involves the consumption of fish sandwiches. That’s not a bad thing, especially around here.

So here’s what you need to know — this year Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, falls on March 1. Lent lasts 40 days, ending on Easter Sunday, April 16. A lot of people choose to give up something, like a favorite food or a vice (like smoking or drinking) for the 40 days of Lent.

Of course, when it comes to food, the rules are simple — you can’t eat meat on Ash Wednesday or any Friday during Lent. Many of our favorite local restaurants strive to make this sacrifice easy for you by offering special meat-less meals.

Now, if you really want a good fish sandwich in Louisville, you won’t go wrong with any of the spots on this list:

  • Mike Linnig’s
    Address: 9308 Cane Run Road
    Phone Number: 502-937-8888
  • The Fishery
    Address: two locations
  • Patrick O’Shea’s
    Address: 123 W. Main St.
    Phone Number: 502-708-2488
  • Cunningham’s Creekside
    Address: 6301 River Road
    Phone Number: 502-228-3625
  • The Fish House
    Address: 1310 Winter Ave.
    Phone Number: 502-568-2993
  • El Taco Luchador
    Address: 938 Baxter Ave.
    Phone Number: 502-583-0440
  • Rumors
    Address: 12339 Shelbyville Road
    Phone Number: 502-245-0366
  • Hill Street Fish Fry
    Address: 111 E. Hill St.
    Phone Number: 502-636-3474
  • Moby Dick
    Address: Multiple locations
  • Uptown Café
    Address: 1624 Bardstown Road
    Phone Number: 502-458-4212

Of course, some of our favorite spots around town are going all out for Lent. Here’s a few more choices.

Lola’s Fish Sandwich – Looking for a savory sandwich to satisfy your cravings during the Lenten season? Louisville’s newest late-night lounge, Lola at Butchertown Grocery, has you covered. Chef Bobby Benjamin’s famous fish sandwich, featuring a sizable portion of fresh cod hand-battered with Belgium ale, can serve one person looking to gobble down, or be shared with friends. Served on a baguette baked in-house, diners can enjoy this crispy crowd-pleaser with house-made spicy tartar sauce and a side of hand-cut fries. www.gotolola.com

Butchertown Grocery’s – However you observe lent, Butchertown Grocery offers a variety of brunch, lunch and dinner items to fit your needs. Try chef Bobby Benjamin’s signature hand-rolled gnocchi, New Orleans-inspired BBQ shrimp, fresh beer-battered fish & chips or a crispy florentine panino featuring fried eggplant, peppers, onions, fennel, Capriole Farms goat cheese and toasted pepita pesto – just to name a few. www.butchertowngrocery.com

Decca’s Wood-Grilled Seafood – From wild shrimp to wood-grilled rainbow trout, Decca has a host of options for the Lenten season. Diners at Decca will find vegetarian and meatless items across the menu including octopus, silken tofu, squash ravioli and house made ricotta toast. Chef Annie Pettry loves elevating local produce like heirloom beets, spaghetti squash and oyster mushrooms for a meal that you won’t notice is meatless. Or head down to the Cellar for bar bites like an indulgent grilled cheese, house pickles and caramel corn. Giving up meat for Lent? The bar also offers ‘sober cocktails’ that are fizzy and fun. deccarestaurant.com

Graham’s Café’s Meatless Meals– Looking for somewhere with something for everyone? Visit J. Graham’s Café in the Brown Hotel for its lunch buffet and filling meat-free menu items. From a portabella mushroom burger to a shrimp po’boy or margarita flatbread, the longstanding restaurant makes it easy for eating during Lent. Plus the daily lunch buffet has a bevy of salads, sides and soup sure to please. www.brownhotel.com

Noosh Nosh offers a variety of fish and vegetarian options a plenty from chef Anoosh Shariat. In addition to a weekly Friday night baked trout special during Lent, seafood lovers can choose between tapas including garlic shrimp scampi, smoked salmon bruschetta, Thai or saffron mussels, and stuffed oysters Rockefeller; pasta including linguine with clams; a fish sandwich big enough to share; and entrees including salmon al forno and fish ‘n’ chips. Those looking to stick to vegetarian and vegan items can opt for charred eggplant with house-made pita, the Nosh salad, creamy mushroom soup, veggie pizza, and Bombay sandwich. And don’t forget breakfast – a smoked salmon omelet, variety of crepes, vegetable frittata and tofu scramble are a few of the many meatless dishes sure to hit the spot.www.nooshnosh.com

LouVino – Meatless Southern-inspired small plates can be found in the aquatic and veggie sections of the menu. In addition to daily rotating fish specials during Lent, seafood dishes include seared scallops; lobster and crab cakes; and salmon and asiago stuffed gnocchi. Veggie items like the popular warm Brussels sprouts salad; wild mushroom risotto; and garam masala roasted carrots and cauliflower, lentils with sauce soubise and crispy chickpeas are also satisfying meal options. Lunch at the Douglass Hills location includes a variety of meatless salads, blacked redfish tacos, and crispy rock shrimp tacos. www.louvino.com

Bristol Bar & Grille – With four locations offering four unique menus throughout town, there’s always a place to enjoy Bristol Bar & Grille’s signature seafood dishes and vegetarian options during Lent. Try Bristol Highlands’ lightly grilled or fried Basa fish sandwich; Bristol Downtown’s crab cakes served with house-made chipotle sauce; Bristol East’s track salmon salad featuring fresh fruit, feta, spinach and almonds; and Bristol Jeffersonville’s shrimp and scallops basilicato served with linguine tossed in a white wine and basil pesto sauce. www.bristolbarandgrille.com