Colleen's Lousiville guidebook
Our Favorite Coffee Shops
Many of these shops are a short walk from our home. All are locally owned and operated.
Friendly staff and great coffee. The front room is nice if you want to be a part of the action, or you can find a cozy booth on the other side of the cafe. Can be busy on weekends.
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Day's Espresso & Coffee
1420 Bardstown RdFriendly staff and great coffee. The front room is nice if you want to be a part of the action, or you can find a cozy booth on the other side of the cafe. Can be busy on weekends.
A short walk from our house, this is Colleen's favorite local coffee shop. The staff is always friendly, coffee is delicious, and they offer nice treats (many are vegan/gluten free). Try the macadamia milk latte!
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78 Coffee Co.
907 E Liberty StA short walk from our house, this is Colleen's favorite local coffee shop. The staff is always friendly, coffee is delicious, and they offer nice treats (many are vegan/gluten free). Try the macadamia milk latte!
Several locations throughout town (and 1 really cute one in Indiana!), the Baxter Ave location is a short walk from our home. Good staff and coffee, fun atmosphere. Try the Firehouse location in NuLu, too-- that location offers a nice food menu for breakfast/lunch (vegan/gluten-free options available.)
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Quills Coffee
930 Baxter AveSeveral locations throughout town (and 1 really cute one in Indiana!), the Baxter Ave location is a short walk from our home. Good staff and coffee, fun atmosphere. Try the Firehouse location in NuLu, too-- that location offers a nice food menu for breakfast/lunch (vegan/gluten-free options available.)
If you're downtown during business hours, this is the coffee shop to go to! The staff is super fun, and they have some of the best coffee in town. Small location- grab and go.
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Sunergos Coffee
2122 S Preston StIf you're downtown during business hours, this is the coffee shop to go to! The staff is super fun, and they have some of the best coffee in town. Small location- grab and go.
Fun coffee shop near the University of Lousiville. Large space-- plenty of room to spread out. Great for meetings, working on your computer, or hanging out. Yummy donuts, too!
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North Lime Coffee & Donuts
1228 S 7th StFun coffee shop near the University of Lousiville. Large space-- plenty of room to spread out. Great for meetings, working on your computer, or hanging out. Yummy donuts, too!
If you're in New Albany, we recommend you check out this coffee shop. Good coffee and cozy space.
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Coffee Crossing
228 Spring StIf you're in New Albany, we recommend you check out this coffee shop. Good coffee and cozy space.
You'll see a lot of Heine Bros. throughout Lousiville and So. Indiana-- this is Colleen's favorite location. Good for working or hanging out.
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Heine Brothers’ Coffee - Douglass Loop
2200 Bardstown RdYou'll see a lot of Heine Bros. throughout Lousiville and So. Indiana-- this is Colleen's favorite location. Good for working or hanging out.
Restaurants to try
Louisville has an awesome food scene! Here's some of our favorites. Colleen has food allergies (specifially gluten, dairy, eggs), so most of these restaurants are friendly to allergies-- we'll note which ones are. We know traveling with dietary requirements can be a challenge!
This is one of our favorite restaurants in town. Not only is the Asian/Mexican fusion food really interesting and delicious, they are careful with food allergies, and have fun staff. This location is a few blocks from our house. Has outdoor seating on Bardstown Rd-- it can be a little noisy, but it's always interesting. (FYI- the New Albany and Lousiville locations have different menus. Stand out item(s) at this location: tacos) Derek's fave: Asian Barbeque Beef Tacos. Colleen's fave: Salmon tacos (gluten free available)
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Dragon King's Daughter
129 W Market StThis is one of our favorite restaurants in town. Not only is the Asian/Mexican fusion food really interesting and delicious, they are careful with food allergies, and have fun staff. This location is a few blocks from our house. Has outdoor seating on Bardstown Rd-- it can be a little noisy, but it's always interesting. (FYI- the New Albany and Lousiville locations have different menus. Stand out item(s) at this location: tacos) Derek's fave: Asian Barbeque Beef Tacos. Colleen's fave: Salmon tacos (gluten free available)
Yes, Dragon King's Daughter is on here twice because the New Albany and Lousiville locations offer different menus and vibes! The Asian/Mexican fusion food is interesting, they are careful with food allergies, and the staff is fun! We recommend you sit in the bar side of this location-- cozier vibe. The outdoor seating is nice, too. Derek's fave: almost anything from the robata grill (especially sweet bun sliders). Colleen's fave: vegetable roll, green acres roll, shrimp cocktail roll, Ace roll
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Dragon King's Daughter
129 W Market StYes, Dragon King's Daughter is on here twice because the New Albany and Lousiville locations offer different menus and vibes! The Asian/Mexican fusion food is interesting, they are careful with food allergies, and the staff is fun! We recommend you sit in the bar side of this location-- cozier vibe. The outdoor seating is nice, too. Derek's fave: almost anything from the robata grill (especially sweet bun sliders). Colleen's fave: vegetable roll, green acres roll, shrimp cocktail roll, Ace roll
This is our favorite Thai restaurant in town. Offers all of the traditional items and is super careful about food allergies. The Shelbyville Rd location has slightly better atmosphere and lighting, but this one's closer. Great for take out. Derek's fave: any of the fried rice dishes, spice level 3. Colleen's fave: red curry with tofu and brown rice, spice level 1 (still spicy!), spring rolls (the gluten free cucumber sauce is really nice!)
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Simply Thai
323 Wallace AveThis is our favorite Thai restaurant in town. Offers all of the traditional items and is super careful about food allergies. The Shelbyville Rd location has slightly better atmosphere and lighting, but this one's closer. Great for take out. Derek's fave: any of the fried rice dishes, spice level 3. Colleen's fave: red curry with tofu and brown rice, spice level 1 (still spicy!), spring rolls (the gluten free cucumber sauce is really nice!)
The burgers here are worth every penny. The veggie burger was featured on Diners, Drive ins, and Dives and is the best one we've found in town. Casual, counter order -- good beer/cider selections, super fun staff. Nice outdoor seating. Can get very busy on weekends at dinner time. Derek's recommendation: Chain Burger. Colleen's recommendation: Veggie burger (can be made vegan and gluten free), kale salad. Fries are usually gluten free-- ask them if anything with flour has been used in the fryer.
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Grind Burger Kitchen
829 E Market StThe burgers here are worth every penny. The veggie burger was featured on Diners, Drive ins, and Dives and is the best one we've found in town. Casual, counter order -- good beer/cider selections, super fun staff. Nice outdoor seating. Can get very busy on weekends at dinner time. Derek's recommendation: Chain Burger. Colleen's recommendation: Veggie burger (can be made vegan and gluten free), kale salad. Fries are usually gluten free-- ask them if anything with flour has been used in the fryer.
Funky neighborhood restaurant that offers what we call hipster Mexican food. The margarita is really good -- fresh squeezed juice and not super sweet. Nice veggie tacos and gluten free options. Derek's fave: wagyu chorizo beef taco.
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Migo
2222 Dundee RdFunky neighborhood restaurant that offers what we call hipster Mexican food. The margarita is really good -- fresh squeezed juice and not super sweet. Nice veggie tacos and gluten free options. Derek's fave: wagyu chorizo beef taco.
Home style Italian food in a cozy, home-like atmosphere in the Clifton neighborhood. Family owned and operated. They offer gluten-free pasta, and their calamari is naturally gluten-free!
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DiFabio's
2311 Frankfort AveHome style Italian food in a cozy, home-like atmosphere in the Clifton neighborhood. Family owned and operated. They offer gluten-free pasta, and their calamari is naturally gluten-free!
Delicious, authentic Indian food a short walk from our house. Known for its lunch buffet and patio. Derek's fave: butter chicken.
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Kashmir Indian Restaurant
1277 Bardstown RoadDelicious, authentic Indian food a short walk from our house. Known for its lunch buffet and patio. Derek's fave: butter chicken.
If you venture to New Albany, this is a nice little joint in the heart of downtown. We especially like to sit at the bar or on the large patio. Colleen's fave: spinach salad with grilled salmon.
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The Exchange Pub + Kitchen
118 W Main StIf you venture to New Albany, this is a nice little joint in the heart of downtown. We especially like to sit at the bar or on the large patio. Colleen's fave: spinach salad with grilled salmon.
This is one of our favorite bars to hang out at in downtown New Albany. Mainly known for its steaks, the small plates are tasty and fresh. The chef always helps Colleen find something allergy-free to eat. The price point is a little higher, but it's still relatively casual. We save dinner here for special occasions.
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Brooklyn and The Butcher
148 E Market StThis is one of our favorite bars to hang out at in downtown New Albany. Mainly known for its steaks, the small plates are tasty and fresh. The chef always helps Colleen find something allergy-free to eat. The price point is a little higher, but it's still relatively casual. We save dinner here for special occasions.
Cozy, modern cafe serving creative farm-to-table Mexican & Pan-Latin eats, fresh juices & cocktails. Great for lunch or dinner (make a reservation if going for dinner.) One of the nicest allergy menus in town! Derek's fave: cochinita pibil. Colleen's fave: Sikil-pak (kind of like a pumpkin hummus) and whatever kind of fish special they have.
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Mayan Cafe
813 E Market StCozy, modern cafe serving creative farm-to-table Mexican & Pan-Latin eats, fresh juices & cocktails. Great for lunch or dinner (make a reservation if going for dinner.) One of the nicest allergy menus in town! Derek's fave: cochinita pibil. Colleen's fave: Sikil-pak (kind of like a pumpkin hummus) and whatever kind of fish special they have.
Lovely new location between our house and downtown. Great place to grab and go breakfast or to hang out for a while. Derek's fave: bacon egg and pepperjack on everything bagel.
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Nancy's Bagel Grounds
225 S Spring StLovely new location between our house and downtown. Great place to grab and go breakfast or to hang out for a while. Derek's fave: bacon egg and pepperjack on everything bagel.
All of the allergen free baked goods you could ever want! As someone with a gluten and dairy allergy, this place makes Colleen very happy-- approved by folks without allergies, too. Grab and go. Offerings change daily. Derek's fave: standard hostess cupcake. Colleen's fave: oatmeal cream pie.
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Annie May's Sweet Cafe
3110 Frankfort AveAll of the allergen free baked goods you could ever want! As someone with a gluten and dairy allergy, this place makes Colleen very happy-- approved by folks without allergies, too. Grab and go. Offerings change daily. Derek's fave: standard hostess cupcake. Colleen's fave: oatmeal cream pie.
Outdoor recreation
408 acres of beauty, Cherokee Park's main feature is the 2.4-mile Scenic Loop, with separate lanes for vehicle traffic (one-way) and recreational users. It was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (famous for desgining Central Park in NYC). Great for trail running, hiking, or biking. Colleen's fave place in the city, and just about .5 miles from the house.
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Cherokee Park
745 Cochran Hill Rd408 acres of beauty, Cherokee Park's main feature is the 2.4-mile Scenic Loop, with separate lanes for vehicle traffic (one-way) and recreational users. It was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (famous for desgining Central Park in NYC). Great for trail running, hiking, or biking. Colleen's fave place in the city, and just about .5 miles from the house.
Located in Floyds Knobs, IN, Mt. St. Francis is worth the drive. Scenic hills and lake provide a beautiful back drop for hiking and meditation.
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Mount Saint Francis
Located in Floyds Knobs, IN, Mt. St. Francis is worth the drive. Scenic hills and lake provide a beautiful back drop for hiking and meditation.
With 16,137 acres of land, there is an adventure waiting for everyone. Purchased by German immigrant Isaac W. Bernheim in 1929, the land was dedicated as a gift to the people of his new homeland. Today, over 270,000 visitors from the U.S. and abroad visit Bernheim each year. The new giants exhibit is something to see! But it is causing higher traffic than usual (recommend visiting before 10a or after 3p on weekends)
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Bernheim Forest
Arboretum WayWith 16,137 acres of land, there is an adventure waiting for everyone. Purchased by German immigrant Isaac W. Bernheim in 1929, the land was dedicated as a gift to the people of his new homeland. Today, over 270,000 visitors from the U.S. and abroad visit Bernheim each year. The new giants exhibit is something to see! But it is causing higher traffic than usual (recommend visiting before 10a or after 3p on weekends)
Another Olmsted-designed park in close proximity to our house (the guy who designed Central Park in NYC). Much flatter than Cherokee park, this park is great for playing tennis or soccer or biking. There's a nice walking trail around the park.
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Seneca Park Playground & Restrooms
3101 Rock Creek DrAnother Olmsted-designed park in close proximity to our house (the guy who designed Central Park in NYC). Much flatter than Cherokee park, this park is great for playing tennis or soccer or biking. There's a nice walking trail around the park.
Shopping
A great place to grab your Louisville souvenirs! (especially if your friends and family are a little quirky and fun.) Conveniently located in both downtown Louisville and New Albany, the owners are the nicest, so you feel really good supporting them. Regalo offers an eclectic mix of unique gifts, one-of-a-kind jewelry, accessories, contemporary decor and fine art.
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Regalo
A great place to grab your Louisville souvenirs! (especially if your friends and family are a little quirky and fun.) Conveniently located in both downtown Louisville and New Albany, the owners are the nicest, so you feel really good supporting them. Regalo offers an eclectic mix of unique gifts, one-of-a-kind jewelry, accessories, contemporary decor and fine art.
Funky apparel shop stocking indie brands for men & women, plus accessories & gifts in colorful digs. Walkable from our house.
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Dot Fox
1567 Bardstown RdFunky apparel shop stocking indie brands for men & women, plus accessories & gifts in colorful digs. Walkable from our house.
Wide selection of loose tea, herbs, herb tinctures, teaware, books, cystals and many other products to suit your wellness lifestyle!
Wild Dog Rose
Wide selection of loose tea, herbs, herb tinctures, teaware, books, cystals and many other products to suit your wellness lifestyle!
Retail store stocking brand-name shoes, apparel & accessories for running & walking. You will get one on one personal attention and you will leave with the right shoes for your feet and activity level.
Pacers & Racers Inc
3602 Northgate CtRetail store stocking brand-name shoes, apparel & accessories for running & walking. You will get one on one personal attention and you will leave with the right shoes for your feet and activity level.
Select handmade and vintage clothes and goodies. Cute, local spot located close to our house.
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hey tiger
1572 Bardstown RdSelect handmade and vintage clothes and goodies. Cute, local spot located close to our house.
Great local boutique that promote artists in the area through festive art openings, media, and their brick and mortar shop in the NuLu neighborhood.
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Revelry Boutique Gallery
742 E Market StGreat local boutique that promote artists in the area through festive art openings, media, and their brick and mortar shop in the NuLu neighborhood.
A home store and creative floral boutique located in the NuLu neighborhood.
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Mahonia
822 E Market StA home store and creative floral boutique located in the NuLu neighborhood.
Originally the Fischer Meat Packing Company, the Mellwood Arts and Entertainment Center (MAEC) has been renovated into a 360,000 square foot home to over 170 artist studios, 4 event rooms, specialty stores, galleries, teaching studios, office spaces, rehearsal spaces, dance studios, gyms, and more.
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MAEC - Mellwood Art And Entertainment Center
1860 Mellwood AveOriginally the Fischer Meat Packing Company, the Mellwood Arts and Entertainment Center (MAEC) has been renovated into a 360,000 square foot home to over 170 artist studios, 4 event rooms, specialty stores, galleries, teaching studios, office spaces, rehearsal spaces, dance studios, gyms, and more.
Fair trade, nonprofit retail space in the Clifton neighborhood. Great for gifts!
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Just Creations
2722 Frankfort AveFair trade, nonprofit retail space in the Clifton neighborhood. Great for gifts!
A great local, woman-owned independent bookstore a half mile from our home. There's a Children's Carmichael's down the street on Bardstown Rd, and there is another location on Frankfort Ave.
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Carmichael's Bookstore
1295 Bardstown RdA great local, woman-owned independent bookstore a half mile from our home. There's a Children's Carmichael's down the street on Bardstown Rd, and there is another location on Frankfort Ave.
Bars + Breweries
Fun atmosphere, craft beer, and delicious food truck food from Mayan Cafe. Nice outdoor seating. 1 mile from our home. Derek's fave: La Bamba.
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Gravely Brewing Co
514 Baxter AveFun atmosphere, craft beer, and delicious food truck food from Mayan Cafe. Nice outdoor seating. 1 mile from our home. Derek's fave: La Bamba.
Lovely wine bar in the NuLu neighboorhood with an extensive wine list, also offering beer, cocktails, and snacks. Beautiful outdoor space.
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Nouvelle Bar & Bottle
214 S Clay StLovely wine bar in the NuLu neighboorhood with an extensive wine list, also offering beer, cocktails, and snacks. Beautiful outdoor space.
Cozy New Albany spot with comfort beer, classic cocktails, creative small plates. No TVs!
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Pints & Union
114 E Market StCozy New Albany spot with comfort beer, classic cocktails, creative small plates. No TVs!