Beyond the guidebooks - a personal take our favorite spots.
Food Scene
We live within five miles and often 5 minutes of Louisville’s best restaurants and dessert cafes. Some are walkable form our home. You'll see more details on those in the printed binder you will find on the counter, including two of the best "dive bars" in town.
Global Comfort Food - Something for everyone.
vegetarian. vegan. gluten free. locally raised bison. seafood.
@1293 Bardstown Road, Louisville. KY 40204
open Mon through Sat 4-12/Sun 4-11
My favorites:
- Peanut Thai noodles with tofu (you can also get chicken or shrimp)
- Quesadilla (I get mine with added chicken)
- Egyptian Kitchen / Traditional dish of Egypt: ditalini, lentils, chickpeas, toasted angel hair, Basmati rice, fried onions. Fiery harissa on the side
Wonderful Eclectic ambiance and food - do yourself a favor and checkout the menu. Eat in or carry out. Sit at the bar and chat with the friendly patrons and bartenders
Sit indoors and be fascinated with eclectic world decor - or, sit in the private courtyard (partially covered), listen to the fountain and see beautiful statuary and plantings.
87 moradores locais recomendam
Ramsis Cafe On The World
1293 Bardstown RdGlobal Comfort Food - Something for everyone.
vegetarian. vegan. gluten free. locally raised bison. seafood.
@1293 Bardstown Road, Louisville. KY 40204
open Mon through Sat 4-12/Sun 4-11
My favorites:
- Peanut Thai noodles with tofu (you can also get chicken or shrimp)
- Quesadilla (I get mine with added chicken)
- Egyptian Kitchen / Traditional dish of Egypt: ditalini, lentils, chickpeas, toasted angel hair, Basmati rice, fried onions. Fiery harissa on the side
Wonderful Eclectic ambiance and food - do yourself a favor and checkout the menu. Eat in or carry out. Sit at the bar and chat with the friendly patrons and bartenders
Sit indoors and be fascinated with eclectic world decor - or, sit in the private courtyard (partially covered), listen to the fountain and see beautiful statuary and plantings.
@1321 Bardstown Rd Louisville, KY 40204
There is also a location downtown.
A classic Louisville restaurant (a little fancier than the name implies) You HAVE to order some green chile won tons. Ask for Ponch to be your server!
Outdoor seating available in an enclosed courtyard. Or sit by a window and watch our highlands neighbors walk by. It can get interesting around here!
39 moradores locais recomendam
Bristol Bar & Grille
1321 Bardstown Rd@1321 Bardstown Rd Louisville, KY 40204
There is also a location downtown.
A classic Louisville restaurant (a little fancier than the name implies) You HAVE to order some green chile won tons. Ask for Ponch to be your server!
Outdoor seating available in an enclosed courtyard. Or sit by a window and watch our highlands neighbors walk by. It can get interesting around here!
@1007 Bardstown Road, Louisville. KY 40204
Circa-1933 eatery with high-end Southern fare & cocktails in an old-world setting.
Historic and very special restaurant with excellent food and an amazing ambiance.
199 moradores locais recomendam
Jack Fry's
1007 Bardstown Rd@1007 Bardstown Road, Louisville. KY 40204
Circa-1933 eatery with high-end Southern fare & cocktails in an old-world setting.
Historic and very special restaurant with excellent food and an amazing ambiance.
@2005 Douglas Blvd , Louisville. KY 40204
Saturdays 10:00 - 2:00
Saturday morning -- just a 15 minute walk to this charming Farmers Market featuring everything you imagine and some very special items found nowhere else.
21 moradores locais recomendam
Douglass Loop Farmers Market
2005 Douglass Blvd@2005 Douglas Blvd , Louisville. KY 40204
Saturdays 10:00 - 2:00
Saturday morning -- just a 15 minute walk to this charming Farmers Market featuring everything you imagine and some very special items found nowhere else.
@1398 Bardstown Road, Louisville. KY 40204
Visit this sweet cookie shop on Bardstown Road. Giant cookies in many flavors. And, a nice selection of African items to browse and buy.
Meet the owner, Elizabeth Kizito. "Kizito Cookies is the product of my imagination.
And 30 years of hard work! The story of this business is woven into the fabric of my life story. Sometimes I can’t separate the two… Most of the ingredients in my cookies are NOT listed on
the package. My family’s love and perseverance; the beauty and magic of Africa; the American Dream; are all mixed in next to the chocolate chips and butter and nuts.
I was born under a banana tree. That story is not the
creation of a marketing department. That is the truth.
In the garden behind our house, in the village of Nansana,
Uganda East Africa, my Mama showed the courage and
strength that she would teach me the rest of her life.
I was pretty green when I came to America in 1975. One thing was very appealing- Everybody seemed to believe that they could make a better life by working hard. There was optimism that the future would be better than the past. It made me want to start something exciting.
My family collected folk art from Uganda and shipped it to
me. I set up booths at local fairs and turned a small profit. It was so thrilling to be able to help my African family and stay in touch with them by unpacking and polishing and loving all the things they sent. When I open the boxes the smell of wood smoke takes me right back home!"
12 moradores locais recomendam
Kizito Cookies
1398 Bardstown Rd@1398 Bardstown Road, Louisville. KY 40204
Visit this sweet cookie shop on Bardstown Road. Giant cookies in many flavors. And, a nice selection of African items to browse and buy.
Meet the owner, Elizabeth Kizito. "Kizito Cookies is the product of my imagination.
And 30 years of hard work! The story of this business is woven into the fabric of my life story. Sometimes I can’t separate the two… Most of the ingredients in my cookies are NOT listed on
the package. My family’s love and perseverance; the beauty and magic of Africa; the American Dream; are all mixed in next to the chocolate chips and butter and nuts.
I was born under a banana tree. That story is not the
creation of a marketing department. That is the truth.
In the garden behind our house, in the village of Nansana,
Uganda East Africa, my Mama showed the courage and
strength that she would teach me the rest of her life.
I was pretty green when I came to America in 1975. One thing was very appealing- Everybody seemed to believe that they could make a better life by working hard. There was optimism that the future would be better than the past. It made me want to start something exciting.
My family collected folk art from Uganda and shipped it to
me. I set up booths at local fairs and turned a small profit. It was so thrilling to be able to help my African family and stay in touch with them by unpacking and polishing and loving all the things they sent. When I open the boxes the smell of wood smoke takes me right back home!"
Located atop Kaden Tower (wedding cake building;-)
@6100 Dutchmans Ln, Kaden Tower - 16th Floor, Louisville, KY 40205
You likely spotted this on your way in. It's very close to our home (a 5 minute drive or, you could actually walk here in about 15 minutes).
Stop in for a meal or a drink. Ride up the outside of the building in the exposed glass elevator (reminiscent of Willy Wonka) - or take the inside ones if you're squeamish. Definitely walk around the exterior patios for views of the Louisville all around.
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright's protégé and son-in-law William Wesley Peters. Wright's widow, Olgivanna Lloyd Wright, is also cited as an influence.
Kaden Tower, when occupied at night, is reminiscent of a Japanese lantern with inside lighting illuminating the grillwork with a soft, yellow glow.
Notable features of the building are several Wright-inspired stained glass windows and the exposed glass elevator system on the building’s exterior.
The exposed glass elevator also descends into a low dome that houses an auditorium and is surrounded with a reflecting pool and fountain that were integrated with the building’s cooling system.
The Kaden Tower is built more like a suspension bridge than a monolith, as most office towers are. Its floors are hanging from the top instead of resting on heavy columns that travel to the ground and intersect each floor. This reduces structural costs and turns the extra open space into rentable, useful real estate.
During its 40-plus years of standing 200 feet (61 m) above suburban Louisville, reactions to the tower from neighbors, tourists, locals, and architecture enthusiasts have covered the entire spectrum of commentary from disdain to praise. A plaque attached to the building describes some of its history and characterizes it as both "controversial" and "a jewel".
10 moradores locais recomendam
Ruth's Chris Steak House
6100 Dutchmans LaneLocated atop Kaden Tower (wedding cake building;-)
@6100 Dutchmans Ln, Kaden Tower - 16th Floor, Louisville, KY 40205
You likely spotted this on your way in. It's very close to our home (a 5 minute drive or, you could actually walk here in about 15 minutes).
Stop in for a meal or a drink. Ride up the outside of the building in the exposed glass elevator (reminiscent of Willy Wonka) - or take the inside ones if you're squeamish. Definitely walk around the exterior patios for views of the Louisville all around.
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright's protégé and son-in-law William Wesley Peters. Wright's widow, Olgivanna Lloyd Wright, is also cited as an influence.
Kaden Tower, when occupied at night, is reminiscent of a Japanese lantern with inside lighting illuminating the grillwork with a soft, yellow glow.
Notable features of the building are several Wright-inspired stained glass windows and the exposed glass elevator system on the building’s exterior.
The exposed glass elevator also descends into a low dome that houses an auditorium and is surrounded with a reflecting pool and fountain that were integrated with the building’s cooling system.
The Kaden Tower is built more like a suspension bridge than a monolith, as most office towers are. Its floors are hanging from the top instead of resting on heavy columns that travel to the ground and intersect each floor. This reduces structural costs and turns the extra open space into rentable, useful real estate.
During its 40-plus years of standing 200 feet (61 m) above suburban Louisville, reactions to the tower from neighbors, tourists, locals, and architecture enthusiasts have covered the entire spectrum of commentary from disdain to praise. A plaque attached to the building describes some of its history and characterizes it as both "controversial" and "a jewel".
Downtown - @325 W Main St
Louisville, KY 40202
Great sushi, steaks, and cocktails. Great live music (crowd can get very loud) in the front rooms.
Louisville loves its legends and Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse has quickly become one.
Live entertainment on an elevated bar and a high-energy atmosphere add to the vibrant backdrop.
91 moradores locais recomendam
Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse, Louisville
325 W Main StDowntown - @325 W Main St
Louisville, KY 40202
Great sushi, steaks, and cocktails. Great live music (crowd can get very loud) in the front rooms.
Louisville loves its legends and Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse has quickly become one.
Live entertainment on an elevated bar and a high-energy atmosphere add to the vibrant backdrop.
Flagship retail shop on Museum Row in downtown Louisville.
Famed for Small-batch Bourbon Truffles™ and Orange Chimères™, a NUT FREE SHOP that has a wide variety of bourbon-infused as well as alcohol-free chocolates and candies.
So many bourbon-themed gifts: including local spices and honeys, bourbon-barrel aged syrup, glassware, cocktail mixes, books and so on.
Walk to to Slugger Museum, Kentucky Center for the Arts, Kentucky Science Center, restaurants, Waterfront Park, 21C Museum Hotel, Big Four Bridge and more.....
Art Eatables
631 W Main StFlagship retail shop on Museum Row in downtown Louisville.
Famed for Small-batch Bourbon Truffles™ and Orange Chimères™, a NUT FREE SHOP that has a wide variety of bourbon-infused as well as alcohol-free chocolates and candies.
So many bourbon-themed gifts: including local spices and honeys, bourbon-barrel aged syrup, glassware, cocktail mixes, books and so on.
Walk to to Slugger Museum, Kentucky Center for the Arts, Kentucky Science Center, restaurants, Waterfront Park, 21C Museum Hotel, Big Four Bridge and more.....
@2525 Bardstown Road
A five-Minute walk from our home. Treats include: cakes. pies, ice cream, cookies etc. individual or whole item options.
Our favorite is UPSIDE DOWN CUPCAKES
Chocolate, yellow or snickerdoodle cupcakes with your choice of caramel, buttercream or chocolate icings.
31 moradores locais recomendam
Homemade Ice Cream and Pie Kitchen
2525 Bardstown Rd@2525 Bardstown Road
A five-Minute walk from our home. Treats include: cakes. pies, ice cream, cookies etc. individual or whole item options.
Our favorite is UPSIDE DOWN CUPCAKES
Chocolate, yellow or snickerdoodle cupcakes with your choice of caramel, buttercream or chocolate icings.
@ 975 Baxter Ave, Louisville, KY, 40204 (in the heart of the highands) for eating at the place - pool tables, a bar etc.
@3348 Hikes Ln, Unit 103, Louisville, KY 40220 is closer and easy parking - if you're picking it up or having delivered.
One of our favorites for pizza - we do light cheese. The sauce is thick and the tiniest bit spicy.
41 moradores locais recomendam
Wick's Pizza Parlor
975 Baxter Ave@ 975 Baxter Ave, Louisville, KY, 40204 (in the heart of the highands) for eating at the place - pool tables, a bar etc.
@3348 Hikes Ln, Unit 103, Louisville, KY 40220 is closer and easy parking - if you're picking it up or having delivered.
One of our favorites for pizza - we do light cheese. The sauce is thick and the tiniest bit spicy.
Though it's nearby, we prefer to do take out.
@1277 Bardstown Rd Louisville, KY 40204
24 moradores locais recomendam
Kashmir Indian Restaurant
1277 Bardstown RoadThough it's nearby, we prefer to do take out.
@1277 Bardstown Rd Louisville, KY 40204
French fine dining (at historic Bowman Field) @2815 Taylorsville Road
Service has become very spotty in the past few years. So you may get frustrated with that. The ambiance & food may be worth it if you’re OK with long waits.
12 moradores locais recomendam
Bistro Le Relais
2817 Taylorsville RdFrench fine dining (at historic Bowman Field) @2815 Taylorsville Road
Service has become very spotty in the past few years. So you may get frustrated with that. The ambiance & food may be worth it if you’re OK with long waits.
Shopping
great locally owned bookstore...they have a separate children's bookstore around the corner
@1295 Bardstown Rd
Louisville, KY 40204 (next the The Bristol Bar & Grille)
39 moradores locais recomendam
Carmichael's Bookstore
1295 Bardstown Rdgreat locally owned bookstore...they have a separate children's bookstore around the corner
@1295 Bardstown Rd
Louisville, KY 40204 (next the The Bristol Bar & Grille)
@1422 Bardstown Rd
Louisville, KY 40204
Just one of many stores to browse through in this great corridor of shopping and restaurants...
21 moradores locais recomendam
Edenside Gallery
1422 Bardstown Rd@1422 Bardstown Rd
Louisville, KY 40204
Just one of many stores to browse through in this great corridor of shopping and restaurants...
@1201 Story Ave Louisville, KY 40206
Work The Metal is my favorite for gift shopping. And, they wrap everything so beautifully. Mid-range prices and a great selection of clothes, jewelry, housewares, baby items and more.
Unique local retail shops, anchored by Work The Metal, with Confections at Work the Metal, Bourbon Barrel Foods, The Wine Bar, and Moss Hill Bath and Body!
32 moradores locais recomendam
Butchertown Market
1201 Story Ave@1201 Story Ave Louisville, KY 40206
Work The Metal is my favorite for gift shopping. And, they wrap everything so beautifully. Mid-range prices and a great selection of clothes, jewelry, housewares, baby items and more.
Unique local retail shops, anchored by Work The Metal, with Confections at Work the Metal, Bourbon Barrel Foods, The Wine Bar, and Moss Hill Bath and Body!
Browse this shop while waiting for a table at a nearby restaurant or make it a destination.
Unique clothing, accessories, tribal artifacts and gifts from around the world and brings them to you in this charming, eclectic boutique
15 moradores locais recomendam
Discoveries
1315 Bardstown RdBrowse this shop while waiting for a table at a nearby restaurant or make it a destination.
Unique clothing, accessories, tribal artifacts and gifts from around the world and brings them to you in this charming, eclectic boutique
Sightseeing
Heart of the Highlands @1402 Willow Ave - Louisville, KY 40204
Walk through historic neighborhoods, shopping, restaurants, coffee shops and more
19 moradores locais recomendam
Cherokee Triangle
Heart of the Highlands @1402 Willow Ave - Louisville, KY 40204
Walk through historic neighborhoods, shopping, restaurants, coffee shops and more
This is a a nice walk from our house and is part of our beautiful Cherokee Parks system.
21 moradores locais recomendam
Big Rock Park
2199 Park Boundary RdThis is a a nice walk from our house and is part of our beautiful Cherokee Parks system.
21C Museum Hotel - Downtown on Main Street = Amazing hotel/ museum (museum is free) modern art. Also a great bar and restaurant.
Walk to to Slugger Museum, Kentucky Center for the Arts, Kentucky Science Center, restaurants, Waterfront Park, Big Four Bridge, Art Eatables and more.....
700 W Main St
700 West Main Street21C Museum Hotel - Downtown on Main Street = Amazing hotel/ museum (museum is free) modern art. Also a great bar and restaurant.
Walk to to Slugger Museum, Kentucky Center for the Arts, Kentucky Science Center, restaurants, Waterfront Park, Big Four Bridge, Art Eatables and more.....
Located Downtown @1101 River Rd Louisville, KY 40202
Adjacent playgrounds, cross over to Jeffersonville Indiana and peruse the shops and stop for a coffee, or a meal. You could spend anywhere from 1 hour to all day here depending on how far you want to walk (it's part of waterfront park).
This is a great way to get a little exercise while seeing the sights and enjoy a river breeze while looking at the city. There are benches that line the bridge and you'll often spot a musician or two.
Plenty of free parking and vendors renting bikes and selling snacks on the Kentucky side. There are bathrooms available.
Walk to to Slugger Museum, Kentucky Center for the Arts, Kentucky Science Center, restaurants, Waterfront Park, 21C Museum Hotel, Art Eatables and more.....
The Big Four Bridge crosses the Ohio River connecting Waterfront Park to Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Constructed in 1895 as a railroad bridge, it first provided rail access for freight and passengers traveling between Louisville and Southern Indiana. The bridge operated until 1969.
Waterfront Master Plan, developed in the early 1990s and opened early 2000s - bridge is 1/2 mile long and each ramp is 1/4 mile. The entire distance totals two miles.
214 moradores locais recomendam
Ponte Big Four
1101 River RdLocated Downtown @1101 River Rd Louisville, KY 40202
Adjacent playgrounds, cross over to Jeffersonville Indiana and peruse the shops and stop for a coffee, or a meal. You could spend anywhere from 1 hour to all day here depending on how far you want to walk (it's part of waterfront park).
This is a great way to get a little exercise while seeing the sights and enjoy a river breeze while looking at the city. There are benches that line the bridge and you'll often spot a musician or two.
Plenty of free parking and vendors renting bikes and selling snacks on the Kentucky side. There are bathrooms available.
Walk to to Slugger Museum, Kentucky Center for the Arts, Kentucky Science Center, restaurants, Waterfront Park, 21C Museum Hotel, Art Eatables and more.....
The Big Four Bridge crosses the Ohio River connecting Waterfront Park to Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Constructed in 1895 as a railroad bridge, it first provided rail access for freight and passengers traveling between Louisville and Southern Indiana. The bridge operated until 1969.
Waterfront Master Plan, developed in the early 1990s and opened early 2000s - bridge is 1/2 mile long and each ramp is 1/4 mile. The entire distance totals two miles.
Our favorite activities
@1402 Willow Avenue - Louisville, KY 40204
Willow Park offers free concerts every Sunday night during the summer. cherokeetriangle (dot) com/ctaevents/cherokee-triangle-art-fair/
8 moradores locais recomendam
Willow Park
1402 Willow Ave@1402 Willow Avenue - Louisville, KY 40204
Willow Park offers free concerts every Sunday night during the summer. cherokeetriangle (dot) com/ctaevents/cherokee-triangle-art-fair/
@3151 Pee Wee Reese Rd - Louisville, KY 40205
Right across Taylorsville Rd from our house - a great walking area. and part of our Cherokee Parks system
54 moradores locais recomendam
Seneca Park
3151 Pee Wee Reese Rd@3151 Pee Wee Reese Rd - Louisville, KY 40205
Right across Taylorsville Rd from our house - a great walking area. and part of our Cherokee Parks system
@745 Cochran Hill Rd - Louisville, KY
This is one of many starting points for Cherokee Park's 409-acre municipal park.
Here you will find several playgrounds, fountains, picnic areas, and a splashpark area along with hiking trails and a two-mile paved walking/biking lane. This is drivable one way, handicap accessible and there is parking.
This park system was designed in 1891 by Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of landscape architecture (he also designed Central Park in NYC) along with 18 of Louisville's 123 park.
383 moradores locais recomendam
Parque Cherokee
745 Cochran Hill Rd@745 Cochran Hill Rd - Louisville, KY
This is one of many starting points for Cherokee Park's 409-acre municipal park.
Here you will find several playgrounds, fountains, picnic areas, and a splashpark area along with hiking trails and a two-mile paved walking/biking lane. This is drivable one way, handicap accessible and there is parking.
This park system was designed in 1891 by Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of landscape architecture (he also designed Central Park in NYC) along with 18 of Louisville's 123 park.